Chapter 30 Save It for A Rainy Day

Yun Yajun let the servants off duty at dusk, then he, Lin Wan'er and Yun Canglan enjoyed the evening together, starting with dinner.

"Canglan, try these shrimp dumplings that I made." Using her chopsticks, Lin Wan'er put a dumpling into Yun Canglan's bowl, and just as quick, she swallowed it in one gulp, licking her lips and savoring the taste.

Yun Yajun put his bowl and chopsticks down, and nagging Yun Canglan, "Look at you, why, don't look like a girl at all!"

Her mouth full of dumpling, "What have I done?" Yun Canglan sputtered.

Her behavior recently was above reproach. She hadn't been to the Wanhong Brothel for a long time or any of the new brothels in Can City. The girls in the street were no longer accosted or harassed by her. She did want to go to a casino, but Yun Yajun wouldn't give her money. She had long before stopped snatching brides or grooms. There were only a few handsome boys in Can City, and she had already peeked at them in the bath.

Come to think of it, she hadn't done any evil recently.

"Just look at you!! Stop shoveling food into your mouth! Young ladies always take small bites, and they chew and swallow slowly with care. Ladies do not speak with full mouths. You are making a fool of yourself!" an exasperated Yun Yajun chided.

Yun Canglan stared at her father for a long time before she finally swallowed the food in her mouth and turned to Lin Wan'er, "Mother, father was jealous that you put a dumpling in my bowl and not his." she told her mother chuckling.

Yun Yajun was fuming, and turning red with embarrassment, "Bastard!"

Lin Wan tried in vain to suppress a giggle, as she continued to put dumplings in Yun Canglan's bowl.

Yun Canglan said to Yun Yajun, "Dad, you scold and beat me when grandpa is gone, and you are upset now over mom doting on me. I'm mom's precious one! Don't be so jealous!"

Yun Yajun banged his big hand on the table, which made Yun Canglan go rigid with fear.

She yelled: "Mom, mom! Help me! Dad is going to kill me!"

"Bastard! Come here! I will fix you!" Yun Yajun shouted.

"Yajun!" Lin Wan'er stood between Yun Yajun and Yun Canglan to calm him down, "Canglan is just making a joke. Don't take it seriously, and Canglan, show your father respect! You will be the wife of His Crown Prince tomorrow. I should hope you won't behave in this manner, and will instead act appropriately at the imperial palace!" She eyed both her husband and daughter as she reprimanded the two of them.

Yun Canglan sat down again and continued her meal, "I know, mom!"

"You know nothing!" Yun Yajun grumpily scowled, "If you knew it, you would keep His Crown Prince at a distance. The imperial palace is no place for you."

Her father's words surprised Yun Canglan, but she smiled knowing he was not as foolhardy as others thought. He was aware, even if he was blindly devoted to His Majesty. However, anybody in love is always blind.

Yun Canglan pretended that she didn't understand what he meant, "Why should I keep him at a distance? Liuyun is nice to me, and besides, he said he would love me and take care of me forever."

"Alas!" Yun Yajun sighed in despair. Yun Canglan saw worry in his eyes.

She was moved by his concern and swore she would protect her family.

"Dad, mom, I've had enough. Take your time!" Yun Canglan walked outside. After a few paces, she shouted at Yun Yajun who looked sad;

"Dad, I'm leaving now. You should hurry up and make me a brother or sister!"

A bowl came hurling at her. She dodged it easily smiling.

"Mom, dad is trying to kill me!" She yelled.

"Yun Canglan, stop!" Shouted her father.

"I would be an idiot to stop." She murmured.

Yun Canglan held up her skirt as she darted outside. She stopped at the corner to turn back, and saw her parents staring at each other with embarrassment.

Yun Canglan smiled happily and full of self satisfaction.

'Dad, mom, I am so happy I have you two!' She thought.

When Yun Canglan returned to her room, Yun Shu, Yun Hua and Yun Hu were all there waiting for her.

Her face became serious and although she wore a dress, her demean

or was nonetheless a commander in charge.

"Mistress!" Yun Hu went down on one knee in deference to her authority.

During the past eight years that Yun Hu had worked for Yun Canglan, he saw her capabilities. He not only admired her strength of character, but he held her in reverence for establishing such a potent force as a girl, and at such a young age!

"Don't be so formal, Uncle Yun Hu. Have a seat." Yun Canglan said gently as she straightened her skirt. She was used to men's dress, and was not as comfortable in her skirt.

"Uncle Yun Hu, after tomorrow I will be living at the imperial palace. I ask that you please safeguard the General's House and those within for me in the future." Yun Canglan's face was serious as she asked this of Yun Hu.

Yun Hu was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and understood this would be a tough assignment, "Trust me! It will be my honor to defend His Lordship and Her Ladyship at all costs."

"How about them?" Yun Canglan asked casually.

They were the Yun's Troops who perished years earlier at Peach Blossom Mountain, only to be reborn as the Thirty-six Fighters in Darkness.

"They have been practicing kung fu and tactical deployment as ordered by Mistress Yun. Three or four of them have reached kung fu master first-rate level, and approximately ten have reached second rate level. We have been focusing more on the tactical deployment recently." Yun Hu reported.

"Very good." Yun Canglan said. The secret book of kung fu given to her from Sruthan must be good. "If you have any difficulties learning kung fu or the tactical deployment, you can find Mister Wu Hen." Mister Wu Hen was Sruthan's apprentice and a first-rate kung fu master.

"Yes, Mistress." Yun Hu responded, his head bowed slightly.

Yun Canglan hesitated before continuing, "Uncle Yun Hu, after I live in the imperial palace, I will send messages to you only through Yun Shu and Yun Hua. Don't believe any other messages that you hear, and don't tell my father and mother. If anything happens to me, please have my father turn the military leadership to His Majesty."

Yun Hu was shock, and even Yun Shu and Yun Hua scowled.

"Mistress, what happened?" They asked in one voice.

Yun Canglan had a well-regulated mind as if she seemed to see through everything. But today, for the first time, they briefly saw confusion and uncertainty on her face.

Yun Canglan hid her worries, "Uncle Yun Hu, you are the most trusted person of my father. If he doesn't agree to turn the military leadership to His Majesty, please do everything you can."

"Yes, Mistress! I will do everything I can to persuade His Lordship!" Yun Hu answered, but he didn't understand why, "But if His Majesty takes back the military leadership, His Lordship will be in danger."

Yun Canglan nodded her head slowly agreeing, "Of course the military leadership must be in the hands of our people. Uncle Yun Hu, do you know Liang Zhong and Xue Ying?"

"I know them. Liang Zhong is the new Minister of Military, and Xue Ying is the son of Prince Xue." Yun Hu stated.

"Most generals of Can Kingdom are my father's subordinates. When Huo Liuyun finally takes back the military leadership, he won't give it back to my father's subordinates. He is sure to give it to Liang Zhong or Xue Ying!" Yun Canglan cited.

"As far as I am aware, Liang Zhong was promoted by Huo Liuyun. Prince Xue appears to remain neutral, but Xue Ying seems to be in bed with the Grand Preceptor." Yun Hu answered.

As the steward of the General's House, Yun Hu knew all the great events in the world.

Yun Canglan nodded her head, "Huo Liuyun is sure to give the military leadership to Liang Zhong. But if I spread rumors, I wonder if Huo Liuyun will change his mind?"

She would spread rumors such as Liang Zhong was closely tied to the General's House.

Yun Hu's eyes widened as he came to understand, and asked cheerfully, "Mistress, do you mean Xue Ying is our man?"

Yun Canglan gave him a mysterious smile but was silent.

'Liuyun, if you betray me someday, I swear I will bring down your world.' Yun Canglan thought to herself.