Chapter 122 - Uncle or Yuan? (1)

***Past***

"Ow!" Wu Yuan massaged the arm Xiong Jingfei twisted. He shook it out to get rid of the numbing pain, "Miss, you have incredible strength." 

"I apologize once again," Xiong Jingfei took another bow, it was her third bow already. 

When she was patting the chubby white rabbit, it occurred to her. How odd it was to find this type of rabbit out here. This kind can only be found in the cold and snowy region. Just as she was analyzing the situation. She saw reflecting in the rabbit's eyes that someone was approaching her. A disoriented and tall silhouette. 

It's just, she wasn't expecting it to be the leader of the medical team, Wu Yuan. When she left the tent, he was still in there instructing the rest on what to do and expect. What has she done, hurting someone she shouldn't have! 

She took notice of how terrified the Yin disciples were of him. Their eyes always seemed to be wandering around her whenever Wu Yuan was there. It was like they weren't allowed to look at her or him. So she tried her best to be on his good side, and it most likely worked. Since he never appeared to be that "scary" in front of her. 

Wu Yuan was assigned the position of leader and representing the Yin clan. He was a bit older than Yang Zheyan and Feng Huan. Unmarried and was not engaged to anyone. That was some of the information she received from the Yin disciples. At times, they appeared to be afraid of mentioning anything related to him. 

Occasionally, after asking them a question about Wu Yuan. She would hear them whispering to each other.

"I didn't say anything that will give it away, right?"

"Not if you keep talking! Shh, remember. We were warned to shut our mouths!"

Xiong Jingfei stopped asking them questions eventually. She didn't want them to get into trouble because of her. There was more to this Wu Yuan from the Yin clan than shown to her. But she doesn't wish to probe further into it. Sooner or later, she will find out if she is meant to know. 

"What are you doing out here?" Wu Yuan asked, picking up the chubby white rabbit. "I didn't expect to find someone else out here too." 

Behind her veil, she bit down on her bottom lip. What was supposed to tell him? That she was actually slacking off and playing… Wait! If he is here too… Then maybe they are on the same boat.

"I was looking for more herbs," Xiong Jingfei lied, looking at the chubby rabbit in his arms. "What about you, leader?"

Wu Yuan followed Xiong Jingfei's line of sight, he smirked, "Slacking off."

That took Xiong Jingfei off guard. He didn't even lie about the fact that he came here to play around too. 

"This is mine," Wu Yuan pointed to the rabbit with his eyes. "Her name is Bai."

Xiong Jingfei knew it! The rabbit was definitely not from this area. It was unafraid of her when she approached it. Like it was used to humans interaction. She can see why now. 

"Oh, no need to address me so formally." Wu Yuan stated, making himself look like he was thinking hard on something. "How about you address me as Yuan or uncle? Your choice." 

U-uncle! Xiong Jingfei was startled that he would be so bold to suggest it. He wasn't a direct descendant from the Yin clan, so he wasn't her uncle. Calling him by his given name Yuan would make both of them seem close to each other too. When they weren't...

"Think of it this way, I am a disciple of the Yin clan, and you have part of the Yin clan's blood running through you. We are close enough to be considered family." Wu Yuan tried justifying it after seeing how badly Xiong Jingfei was struggling to pick.

Xiong Jingfei still hesitated. 

"Why don't you address me this way when we are alone? Calling me leader makes us sound distant." Wu Yuan tried a softer approach. 

He didn't think she would have a hard time doing it. After all, she was playful with Feng Huan outside his tent. Hmm, it appears she is unwilling to get rid of her fake mask for him yet. The other her was much more fun… 

"I…" Xiong Jingfei found her voice, but she couldn't bring herself to say the word uncle. Never has she met any of her mother's brothers. Since they were trapped inside the palace. Even if she happened to bump into them on the street, she wouldn't know they were her relatives. 

Xiong Guozhi doesn't have any siblings, so the word uncle or aunt wasn't something she can easily say. If Wu Yuan was actually her uncle, the word would have rolled out her tongue naturally. She didn't need to acknowledge him as her uncle, but she will say it for formality. Except, Wu Yuan wasn't her relative but a Yin disciple.

"W-wu-"

"Nope, drop the surname." Wu Yuan cut her off. "Try again." 

She blushed in embarrassment. Wu Yuan was really going to make her say it, "Y-yuan…"

Xiong Jingfei chose to go with the first choice he gave her. Although she was happy to hear that, he considered her a family member of the Yin clan too. 

"That means I get to call you Feifei too. This way, it will only be fair," Wu Yuan nodded his head in agreement for her. 

Feifei was a name that can only be used by those close to her. Xiong Jingfei didn't mind because it was the first time she met another person called "family." A part of her really felt that he was her family and was like an older brother to her. 

For the past few days, he patiently taught her things she never knew. It felt like she was a disciple from the Yin clan and learning from the master. 

Xiong Jingfei found it hard to say no to his request too. Just like how he demanded her to address him, Yuan or uncle. Is this why he was chosen to be the leader for this war?

No, he had something special about him like Feng Huan. There was no denying it, someone fit to be the leader of the Yin clan. Unfortunately, he can't even participate due to not being a direct descendant. 

There were a few qualifications to become the next master of the Yin clan. One, you have to be a direct descendant, which was something that automatically disqualified Wu Yuan. Two, you have to be the best of the best out of everyone. This is why the Yin clan trained their children at a very young age, so they will be ahead of everyone. 

The Yin clan does not follow the hidden rule of passing down the title to the firstborn. They will only give it to the best one to lead them. It was a fair game.

Almost all the noble families in Lou Zemin follow this tradition. Although there isn't a written rule for it. They do it to cease any internal family fight for the head position. 

Outside of the Yin family, the other family that does not follow his "hidden" rule is the imperial family. They have their own set of rules. In the palace, the title falls on the firstborn son from the Empress. 

Xiong Jingfei heard before she left the Capital that they already chose someone. However, she wasn't sure who inherited the title. In the Yin household, there are a lot of direct descendants to compete with. So, whoever won it, he or she was the best of the best. 

The Yin clan does not discriminate against women. They were allowed to participate, but there is a catch to it. The husband you married must become part of the Yin family. It was not the other way around. So it was rare for a woman to become the head. 

There was a time that it was rumored her mother, Yin Yingtai was a candidate to inherit the position. Due to marrying Xiong Guozhi and leaving the family. She was automatically disqualified.