116 Resentment Rekindled

The door was slammed open with force. A figure clad in black stood at the threshold, casting a cold glance over the few people inside the room. His eyes swiftly locked onto Yun Xueyan, a chilling light flashing within them. The sword in his hand, like a venomous snake baring its fangs, lunged mercilessly toward her.

Panicked, Yun Xueyan staggered backward, her movements erratic. A frigid, bone-chilling voice echoed in her ears, freezing her before she could even tremble.

“If I cannot kill Duan Nanyu, then I will kill his wife and child!” The assassin’s sword struck relentlessly toward Yun Xueyan.

In a desperate reflex, she shoved Liu Yun aside. Death—once a welcome release for her—was no longer something she desired. Cold sweat beaded on her palm; powerless to flee, she closed her eyes, unwilling to witness her body being pierced.

Warm blood splattered onto the back of her hand, yet she felt no pain. Slowly opening her eyes, her heart seemed to freeze solid, stiff and numb.

She dared not move, not even to reach out and support Liu Yun.

“Mother...” The hoarse voice broke painfully through the silence. Yun Xueyan summoned every ounce of strength to scream, but all she saw was Liu Yun’s body slipping slowly from her grasp, retreating beyond her sight.

“Yan’er...” Duan Nanyu had just returned and, upon entering the courtyard, was met with a pool of blood. His heart plummeted as he rushed to Yun Xueyan’s room.

He had known Yun Xueyan did not want too many people around, so he had kept the household minimal, leaving only Zihun behind. The one time he called Zihun away, such tragedy unfolded.

It was his negligence.

As if deaf to all sounds, Yun Xueyan lunged forward and cradled Liu Yun’s lifeless body. She had already lost her only child. She could not bear to lose another loved one.

She had felt the searing pain of loss too deeply; she refused to endure it again.

All the fear and sorrow seeped into her very bones. Tears fell like the rain outside—gentle but relentless, soaking her through to the core.

“Mother, it’s going to be alright. You will be alright,” she whispered, trying to soothe herself. Then, losing control, she screamed, “Find a doctor! Quickly, find a doctor!” Her cries tore at her throat until it was hoarse.

But the person in her arms gave no response. She lay still, never uttering another word. The sword had struck true, piercing her vital spot without deviation.

“Mother...!” The heart-wrenching wail broke free, grief-stricken and raw. Her chest constricted painfully, breath nearly escaping her altogether.

“Yan’er.” Duan Nanyu’s voice trembled as he gazed upon the broken figure before him, his whole being hollowed out. He saw again those eyes filled with a hatred that threatened to drown him.

Resentment, loathing, a flood of emotions surged forth—yet tenderness was nowhere to be found.

“Duan Nanyu, why? Why must I bear the burden of your mistakes? Why must your errors steal away my loved ones? Why must I endure so much pain? Tell me why!” Yun Xueyan roared, pouring all her anguish into her fierce demand.

She was in so much agony, with no outlet for her grief. What else could she do?

She had no choice but to lay the blame squarely on Duan Nanyu.

“If you hadn’t brought my mother here to the manor, if you hadn’t forced me to return, I wouldn’t have lost her... I wouldn’t have... Duan Nanyu, what have I ever done to deserve this cruelty from Heaven?”