Xiao Jinglin glanced at the three men who had suddenly appeared and gave a faint nod as a greeting. Unlike Miss Wu, who had hidden her bamboo pole to conceal the evidence, she instead extended it into the river to pull up the boatwoman who had been knocked into the water.
The fight was no longer going to happen, but the atmosphere was somewhat awkward, with only the sound of paddling and the boatwoman's panting audible.
It was Xiao Jingyue, who had been watching the commotion from the bridge, who broke the silence. His gaze swept over the two Yun Family young masters before settling on the unfamiliar-looking youth, a smile playing on his lips. "What brings you here? And who is this?"
Everyone turned their attention to the unfamiliar youth. He had delicate features and carried himself with the elegant ease typical of noble young men. Though his attire was not extravagant, the fabric was of the finest quality. He was clearly a young master from a prominent family.
However, most of the young masters from the noble families in Yunyang City, and indeed across Yanbei, were acquainted with one another. Yet, this youth, who had appeared alongside the two Yun brothers, was unfamiliar to them.
Seeing everyone looking at him, the youth broke into a bright smile, a pair of dimples faintly appearing on his cheeks.
"I am Lei Zhen. I arrived from Jiangnan not long ago."
"Lei?" Xiao Jingyue studied Lei Zhen, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Yun Wenfang let out a derisive laugh, glancing sidelong at Xiao Jingyue. "He is Lei Ting's younger brother. Third Young Master Xiao should recognize his elder brother, I presume."
Xiao Jingyue suddenly understood, nodding. "No wonder he looked somewhat familiar. So he's a son of the Lei Family."
The youth grinned as everyone discussed him and bowed respectfully to the group.
"That Lei Family, the old Yanbei family that moved south back then?" Miss Wu finally found an opportunity to interject. She examined Lei Zhen curiously. "Wasn't it said that the Lei Family encountered the Liao people's army during their southern migration and the entire clan was killed? How is there another Lei Family now?"
Her bluntness didn't seem to bother Lei Zhen, who patiently explained, "My great-grandfather fell ill during the journey south and was delayed by two days, so he didn't travel with the rest of the family. By the time he caught up, the Lei Family had already..." As he recounted his family's tragic history, though it was from a distant past, a shadow of sorrow still crossed the young man's eyes.
Yun Wenting reached out and patted his shoulder. Lei Zhen nodded and smiled back to indicate he was fine.
Back in the day, the Lei Family was one of the largest and oldest noble families in Yanbei. The Lei clan had produced countless sages and high-ranking officials, surpassing even the Yun Family, which now claimed to be Yanbei's foremost noble family.
Ren Yaoqi was also pondering this Lei Family. For some reason, she had no recollection of them in her previous life. She had initially assumed it was a family that had fallen into decline, which would explain why she hadn't heard of them. But today, seeing the two Lei brothers mingling with these people, it didn't seem like the Lei Family had declined at all.
Meanwhile, Yun Wenting stood on the bridge, speaking with Xiao Jinglin.
"Will the Commandery Princess be watching the dragon boat races this afternoon?"
Xiao Jinglin had sent the boatwoman into the cabin to change her clothes and responded with a faint nod.Seeing her indifferent attitude, Yun Wenting seemed accustomed to it and didn't mind, speaking gently: "We have a large boat that can follow behind the dragon boats to watch. Jingxi will also come. Would the Commandery Princess like to board together?"
Before Xiao Jinglin could speak, Miss Wu, who had been standing nearby without leaving, glared at Xiao Jingyue and frantically signaled him with her eyes. Xiao Jingyue was momentarily stunned, then glanced at Yun Wenting and Xiao Jinglin before suddenly understanding.
"Ahem, I say, Young Master Yun, you can't be so partial, can you? You only invited my second brother? Are you ignoring us unimportant people?"
Yun Wenting, who had been waiting for Xiao Jinglin's response, was taken aback. He, Xiao Jingxi, and Xiao Jinglin were practically cousins, while Xiao Jingyue was closer to the Su family and only maintained superficial courtesy with them, rarely spending time together, which was why he hadn't asked Xiao Jingyue to join.
However, as a young master from a prominent family, Yun Wenting generally wouldn't embarrass others in public. So he quickly smiled and nodded at Xiao Jingyue: "If Third Young Master Xiao would honor us with your presence, it would be most welcome."
Then Yun Wenting turned to Miss Wu and said politely: "If Miss Wu has time, please join us as well."
Xiao Jingyue winked at Miss Wu.
Now Miss Wu became reserved, lowering her head and fiddling with the hem-weight on her skirt as she said softly: "I'll have to ask my grandmother for permission when I return."
Yun Wenting nodded, then looked back at Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin said calmly: "Later, Yaoqi and I will take the painted boat. There are too many people on your boat."
Everyone turned their gaze toward the painted boat. Ren Yaoqi had already gone inside, and those outside could only see a faint silhouette of a young girl, quiet and still.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment but decided not to come out of the cabin. It wasn't that she was being impolite. Unlike Xiao Jinglin, she was on a boat and mostly unfamiliar with the people outside, so it wasn't a good opportunity to meet and exchange greetings. Moreover, if she stood at the bow and accidentally fell into the river, she would have to bear the consequences herself.
Yun Wenting looked at Xiao Jinglin as if wanting to say something, but after a moment's thought, he held back and only advised gently: "Then please be careful, Commandery Princess. Try to follow behind our boat so we can look out for you."
Xiao Jinglin glanced at the woman on the bridge: "The painted boat is very stable. Unless someone deliberately causes trouble, nothing will happen. I'll be on guard."
By then, the boatwoman had changed into dry clothes and emerged, though her hair was still wet, wrapped in a thick headscarf.
Xiao Jinglin instructed her: "Let's go."
The boatwoman acknowledged and went to the stern to steer.
Xiao Jinglin nodded to the people on the bridge and turned to return to the cabin.
Just as Yun Wenting was about to speak, Yun Wenfang, leaning casually against the bridge railing, spoke first: "Commandery Princess, for the upcoming Thousand Gold Banquet, my grandmother has prepared some things for you. When will you come to our residence to see them?"
Yun Wenting glanced at Yun Wenfang in surprise, seemingly taken aback by his initiative to speak to Xiao Jinglin. Xiao Jinglin had a cold temperament, and Yun Wenfang had a young master's temper. Although they weren't exactly hostile toward each other, they usually ignored one another. However, Yun Wenting said nothing and simply looked at Xiao Jinglin.Xiao Jinglin paused in her steps, glanced back at Yun Wenfang, also somewhat surprised. After a moment's thought, she nodded and replied, "I'll go when I have some free time in a few days."
Yun Wenfang raised an eyebrow with a smile, looking toward the cabin. "Commandery Princess, why not bring Miss Ren along? When I was in White Crane Town, I was well taken care of by the Ren Family. Third Master Ren even taught me how to play chess. My mother would also like to meet the young lady of the Ren Family."
Xiao Jinglin nodded. "I'll ask her what she thinks." With that, she entered the cabin.
Yun Wenfang's gaze remained fixed on the painted boat. This time, without anyone causing trouble, the boat smoothly passed under the bridge and gradually sailed away.
Turning back, he met Yun Wenting's probing gaze. Yun Wenfang remained expressionless, then looked at Miss Wu and Xiao Jingyue, who had not yet left, a faint, mocking smile on his face. "Are the two of you here to enjoy the scenery?"
Miss Wu, who had been staring at Yun Wenting, flushed with embarrassment and lowered her head, whispering, "I... we should go too."
If one hadn't seen her earlier fierce demeanor when she struck Xiao Jinglin with a bamboo pole, they might have thought she was a gentle and shy young lady from a respectable family.
Yun Wenfang glanced sideways at Yun Wenting, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, as he leaned against the stone bridge railing with his arms crossed.
Yun Wenting shook his head helplessly, stepped forward, and bowed in farewell. "In that case, we'll take our leave now."
The two groups parted ways, one heading east and the other west.
As Miss Wu descended the bridge, she couldn't help but glance back a few times, but unfortunately, the person had already mounted his horse and left the bridge.
Xiao Jingyue, watching from the side, smiled faintly but sighed. "People outside say our sickly second brother is a rare talent, but I think he can't compare to this Yun family's eldest young master. In terms of appearance and learning, there's no one in Yanbei who can match Yun Wenting."
Miss Wu wholeheartedly agreed with these words, beaming as if she herself were being praised.
Xiao Jingyue sighed again and shook his head. "What a pity."
Miss Wu was taken aback. "What's a pity?"
Xiao Jingyue leaned closer to Miss Wu's ear and whispered, "I heard that the Yun Family wants Yun Wenting to marry Xiao Jinglin, and the Prince and Princess Consort don't seem opposed to the idea. Just think, someone like Xiao Jinglin and the Yun family's eldest young master... tsk, I don't think they're a good match."
Miss Wu's expression darkened. "Of course they're not a match! What right does Xiao Jinglin have?"
Xiao Jingyue chuckled. "Yes, not a match at all. I think the only one in all of Yanbei who could match Yun Wenting is you, cousin."
Miss Wu's face, which had been flushed with anger, immediately turned crimson with shyness. "You... what nonsense are you saying?"
Xiao Jingyue swore earnestly, "If there's even a hint of falsehood in my words, may I be struck by lightning."
Miss Wu was momentarily stunned, then sighed after a long pause. "But when it comes to marriage, how can we have any say in the matter?"
Xiao Jingyue disagreed. "I just can't stand this kind of thing. Don't worry, cousin, I'll always stand by your side."
Meanwhile, the two Yun brothers were also talking.
Yun Wenfang looked at his brother with a faint, mocking smile.
After a long while, Yun Wenting sighed and turned to him. "Second brother, why are you looking at me like that?""That face of yours causing trouble for yourself is one thing, but now you've brought trouble upon others as well. It would be one thing if you could just let it be, but the problem is you can only watch helplessly, unable to help. I feel frustrated on your behalf," Yun Wenfang said unhurriedly.
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