The message was sent by Madam Yun.
Cecilia Gu never expected that the message would come from Madam Yun.
Madam Yun's message was short: "I'm waiting for you at 17 Minnan Road."
Cecilia's mind raced—she instantly understood why Madam Yun wanted to see her.
She must already know about Jane Gu's surgery, and that Jane's health is getting worse, right?
Did she predict Jane would have surgery for her, and that Cecilia would bring her back? Is that why she's waiting here already?
Madam Yun, you really know how to play the game...
When it comes to scheming, I admit defeat...
Cecilia closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.
If she's declared war, then I'm not backing down!
Since she's already here, I'll go listen to what my grandmother has to say!
After Cecilia composed herself, she immediately instructed, "Wendy, let's go to 17 Minnan Road."
Wendy, being Cecilia's personal assistant, naturally obeyed and quickly took Cecilia to the destination.
You all wait outside. Unless I call for you, do not come in.' Cecilia's expression was grim, but her tone left no room for doubt.
Wendy glanced at Cecilia with concern but replied, "Yes, ma'am. Please be careful. If anything happens, just call out. I'll be right outside."
Cecilia nodded and slowly walked inside.
17 Minnan Road.
It was an old courtyard house.
When the area was redeveloped, this place was set aside to become a teahouse.
Amidst a forest of tall buildings, finding such a quiet place was truly a pleasant surprise.
Everyone who comes here for tea is either wealthy or powerful.
Cecilia could enter only because of her status as the young mistress of the Yin family; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to get in.
As soon as Cecilia entered the teahouse and revealed her identity, someone immediately led her to a room.
Cecilia looked up at the name of the room—Lanxuan.
Is it a coincidence? Why is it an orchid?
Cecilia didn't linger and followed the attendant inside.
'Honored guest, the person you are waiting for has arrived,' the attendant said respectfully.
Alright, you may leave now.' Madam Yun's voice came from behind the screen. 'Cecilia, come here. There's no one here but me.'
Cecilia paused for a moment, then walked over.
Beyond the screen, Cecilia saw Madam Yun sitting upright on a custom-made sandalwood kang, leisurely brewing tea.
Cecilia didn't greet her and sat directly opposite Madam Yun, watching her pour a cup of tea.
Madam Yun gazed at Cecilia, who was silent for two seconds before picking up the teacup and taking a sip.
It's only been a few days, but you seem to have changed a lot,' Madam Yun said, nodding in satisfaction.
Cecilia's temperament was gradually changing.
Those familiar with her noticed it especially clearly.
Especially now, Cecilia seemed like an entirely different person.
Resolute, steady, and with a hint of coldness.
Madam Yun didn't call me here just to praise me, did she?' Cecilia calmly put down her teacup and looked directly at her grandmother. Her unchanged address signaled her refusal to return to the Yun family.
A faint smile flashed across Madam Yun's lips.
She didn't mind how Cecilia addressed her.
She knew that no one would easily accept such a thing, especially Cecilia.
The Yun family is finished.' Madam Yun said abruptly.
Cecilia instantly frowned!
The Yun family... how could it be finished?
Madam Yun poured Cecilia another cup of tea and said slowly, "On the day you and Nora Yun were born more than twenty years ago, I began preparing for this moment. Especially after Nora's death, the Yun family's business shrank to its limit. And now, it's time for the Yun family to disappear completely."
Cecilia looked at Madam Yun in surprise but said nothing.
Madam Yun didn't seem to need Cecilia's response and continued, "It truly is fate—no one can escape it. I've secretly transferred most of the Yun family's assets outside. What remains is only what's on the surface. Money isn't important, but those books are the essence of nearly five hundred years of Yun family heritage. If the Yun family is destroyed and the books can't be moved in time, I hope you can help plead for their preservation. For the sake of human cultural heritage, don't destroy those books."
At this moment, Cecilia truly didn't understand.
Why did Madam Yun seem to be giving her last instructions?
How could the Yun family fall to such a state? They can't even protect their own collection of books?
I know you don't recognize the Yun family now, nor its mission and responsibility. But your parents did nothing wrong. For their sake, please protect what's left of the Yun family.' Madam Yun fixed her gaze on Cecilia, anxiously awaiting her answer.
Cecilia was silent for a while, then finally nodded quietly.
Receiving Cecilia's reply, Madam Yun seemed relieved. "That's good. At least this honors the ancestors of the Yun family! If these classics are lost, the Yun family will suffer greatly."
The three treasures of the Yun family: books, medicine, tea.
Books are the most important.
Losing any book is a significant loss.
Especially since the Yun family has so many books.
Jane Gu's life is hanging by a thread, and Cecilia didn't want to keep going in circles with Madam Yun, so she got straight to the point: "Madam Yun, you were the one who gave Jane Gu the medicine back then. I have a few questions for you."
Madam Yun gestured with her right hand, inviting Cecilia to speak.
Cecilia took a deep breath and fired off all her questions: "First question: Where is Mailun now? Is he your person? Second question: Does Mailun know about Jane Gu's pregnancy? Third question: Was the medicine Jane Gu took back then a Yun family secret remedy? Is there an antidote? Fourth question: If there's no antidote, what will happen? Fifth question: What is the consequence of violating the Yun family ancestral code?"
Madam Yun had long expected Cecilia to ask these questions. She looked at Cecilia calmly and said, "Actually, the answers are simple. Any head of the Yun family would know these clearly. Still, it's fine for me to answer them now."
Cecilia looked at Madam Yun with determination, saying nothing.
First question. Yes, Mailun is my person. He always has been. The Yun family has a tradition of charity, adopting orphans. Jane Gu and Mailun are both children I adopted. Mailun studied abroad, while Jane Gu always served by my side. So, all of Mailun's actions were under my direction.
Second question. Of course Mailun knew about Jane Gu's pregnancy. Otherwise, how could he face me after failing his task? But Jane Gu's decision to have an abortion was unexpected.
Third question. The medicine Jane Gu took back then was indeed a Yun family secret remedy. I don't mean to boast, but no medical expert in the world could crack its formula within three months. However, once the child was aborted, the medicine's effect was fully activated, and her time was less than three months. There is an antidote, but it's hidden in the Yun family secret realm.
Fourth question. No antidote... well, that's obvious, isn't it? Death is the only outcome.
As for the fifth question, I can't answer. No one in the Yun family has ever violated the ancestral code. Centuries of prosperity may end with your generation. If you break the code... I can't see the outcome.
Madam Yun was forthright, answering all five of Cecilia's questions without hesitation.
But Cecilia's mood only worsened.
Three months—Jane Gu only has three months left!
If Cecilia refuses to return, her adoptive mother may...
Under the table, Cecilia's fingers clenched, veins showing on the back of her hand.
Why? Why must she be forced to make such a choice?
Why must she make the most heartbreaking decision?
For the sake of our relationship as grandmother and granddaughter, this is a medicine to temporarily slow Jane Gu's decline. But it's only a temporary measure.' Madam Yun slowly pushed a white porcelain medicine bottle toward Cecilia.
Cecilia hesitated for a moment, then quickly accepted the medicine bottle.
'The real antidote is in the Yun family secret realm. To enter, you must pass through the Yun family ancestral hall. Only those who acknowledge their ancestry are qualified to enter. Think carefully.' Madam Yun finished everything she wanted to say in one breath.
Cecilia lowered her gaze, struggling to hide her emotions.
After a long time, she finally asked softly, "Must Yun family daughters marry into the Mo family? Why?"
Madam Yun was stunned, then sighed deeply and said with some melancholy, "Yes, but why? Back in the turmoil, three of the four elite Mo brothers gave their lives to protect the Yun family."
Cecilia looked up in shock, puzzled at Madam Yun.
Do you think the Yun family preserved so many ancient books by its own strength? No, it was thanks to sacrifices. The Yun family owes the Mo family an explanation—and three lives.' Madam Yun shook her head gently. "The 1,111th generation Yun family daughter must marry a Mo family descendant. Yun family daughters must not defy this ancestral rule."
The Mo family... sacrificed three lives?