So foolish that one cannot possibly be any more foolish.

Ever since Yun Heng spoke those words to me, I couldn't help but feel a secret delight in my heart. As for me, there’s only one thing to say—the update speed here is leagues ahead of other sites, and there are fewer ads. Whenever Yun Heng is around, I always follow behind him, sometimes playfully tapping his hand, occasionally exchanging meaningful glances.

When Yun Heng is busy, I retreat to the edge of the fish pond, letting the breeze brush past me as I feed the fish. I even thought about writing down my experiences, so I could tell them to my younger brother one day. But I am far too lazy—it’s only a fleeting thought, never put into action.

“Mufan, the general is looking for you.”

A young maid hurried up to me and delivered this message.

By now, I am somewhat of a favorite around Yun Heng; there are many people whom I don’t know, but who know me.

“I’ll go right away.”

I jogged to Yun Heng’s chambers and happened to meet him just as he was coming out. I quickly followed behind, noticing he seemed rather anxious.

We followed them all the way to stand outside the gates of the General’s residence.

Not long after, a lavish carriage stopped at the entrance. Yun Heng personally went forward to help a lady down.

Three people descended in total, none of whom I recognized. Two of them bore a resemblance to Yun Heng around the eyes.

“Your son greets his mother.”

Yun Heng bowed to the lady.

So, the noblewoman before us was Yun Heng’s own mother.

“Rong greets her brother.”

“Greetings, cousin.”

“So you have come as well.”

Yun Heng ushered all three women inside. I soon learned their identities from others. The noblewoman was Yun Heng’s birth mother, the widow of the late general and his legitimate wife. The younger girl, about my age, was Yun Heng’s sister, Yun Rong. The older one was Yun Heng’s cousin, Qiao Ruoqing.

It was said the lady had taken Yun Rong to visit distant relatives, and somehow ended up bringing the cousin back with them.

“Who are you? Are you my brother’s woman?” Yun Rong blurted out as soon as she saw me, leaving me at a loss for words.

“A little maid I saved by the roadside—why, Rong, do you like her?” Yun Heng answered lightly, as if he were planning to give me away. I could only smile foolishly, hoping Yun Rong might find me distasteful.

“How could I take my brother’s maid?”

“You’ve come such a long way—go rest with Mother first.”

After showing themselves, the three women each withdrew to rest. The older lady reminded Wan Chun to prepare a room for Qiao Ruoqing, clearly intending for her to stay long-term.

Suddenly, everyone was gone except for Yun Heng and me.

“I’ll take my leave, then.” I made to withdraw, but Yun Heng stopped me.

“Wait, Mufan—don’t take Rong’s words to heart.”

“I wouldn’t dare, sir; the young mistress didn’t say anything of consequence.” A servant’s tongue must never be too sharp.

“Mufan, have you ever thought…” He seemed to hesitate for a long time, but in the end, all he said was, “Never mind, go rest. And remember to feed the fish well.”

All my anticipation and joy evaporated into nothing. I left, and wandered to the pond, scattering extra feed—no doubt those poor fish would go hungry for days.

Annoying Yun Heng, always leaving things unsaid, deliberately teasing me.

Suddenly, three women so closely connected to Yun Heng had arrived, and I found myself unsettled.

Over the next few days, my chances to linger in Yun Heng’s presence dwindled. Whenever he had a moment to spare, he was dragged off by Yun Rong to play—still a child, yet so attached to her brother. As for the cousin, she followed behind them, her gaze towards Yun Heng carrying a young woman’s shy affection.

What I hated most was the possibility of some romance between cousin and cousin. Honestly, has anyone thought about whether their future children would be born healthy? For the sake of the family line, cousin marriages must be discouraged! Unwittingly, I found myself displeased by Qiao Ruoqing’s gentle demeanor, suspecting it was all just affectation.

I chalked it up to the normal feeling of being put off by someone. Countless times, reality has proven my judgment is never crooked—indeed, it’s more upright than anyone’s. I even bestowed upon myself a new title: Foolish beyond measure, almost forgetting I am Mufan of Huangfu Ziyun, someone who ought never to exist in this world.