Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but recall Yun Wenfang's earlier words.
Was this what he meant by the benefits of coming to the Yun Family?
Admittedly, being able to attend the Yun Family's Thousand Gold Banquet without meeting the usual requirements was indeed an honor. On ordinary occasions, those privileged enough to attend were either noble young ladies from first-class families with close ties to the Yun Family or exceptionally talented and renowned young women of outstanding appearance.
However, regarding Old Madam Yun's offer to give her a few outfits, Ren Yaoqi felt it inappropriate to accept. It was clear that the Yun Family had invited a tailoring team from the capital to make clothes for the Yun Family young ladies and Xiao Jinglin so they could shine at the Thousand Gold Banquet. The outfits were allocated individually, and if she took one, someone else would have one less. She saw no need to provoke resentment from any of the Yun Family young ladies over this.
Sure enough, upon hearing Old Madam Yun's words, the Yun Family young ladies all turned their gazes toward Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "Thank you, Grandaunt, but I'll decline the outfits. Otherwise, when I return, my grandmother might scold me for coming here and competing with my cousins for clothes."
Third Miss Yun sized up Ren Yaoqi, then covered her mouth with a giggle: "Cousin Ren, even if you did compete for clothes, it wouldn't matter. Look, your figure is quite similar to my eldest sister's and second sister's."
Third Miss Yun was slightly shorter than Ren Yaoqi, while Yun Family Eldest Miss and Second Miss Yun were about the same height as her. Yun Qiufang meant that since Ren Yaoqi wouldn't be competing with her for clothes, she didn't mind.
Second Miss Yun, Yun Qiuping, frowned slightly.
Meanwhile, Yun Qiuchen glanced at Ren Yaoqi a few times and said to Old Madam Yun with a smile, "I think Cousin Ren's figure resembles mine the most. Let her choose from my share. Coincidentally, my mother privately had two extra outfits made for me, and now it seems quite fitting."
In truth, although the three Yun Family young ladies varied slightly in height, their figures were quite similar, and they could exchange clothes among themselves. Yun Qiuchen's words highlighted her generous and considerate nature.
Old Madam Yun smiled affectionately at Yun Qiuchen, her doting evident: "Then let her choose from yours, but Grandmother won't let you suffer for it."
Old Madam Yun's remark caused the other two granddaughters to change expressions. A cold smile tugged at Yun Qiufang's lips, while the usually quiet Yun Qiuping lowered her head to fiddle with her sleeve.
Ren Yaoqi instinctively glanced at Xiao Jinglin, and the two exchanged looks. Ren Yaoqi saw helplessness in Xiao Jinglin's eyes, while Xiao Jinglin detected impatience and restraint in Ren Yaoqi's gaze.
Indeed, battles for favor existed everywhere—the Yun Family was no exception.
However, by this point, Ren Yaoqi could no longer refuse Old Madam Yun's kindness. A couple of outfits were nothing—Xiao Jinglin didn't lack them, nor did Ren Yaoqi. Thus, it was merely a gesture of goodwill, not charity.
In the end, Yun Qiuchen led the Yun Family sisters, Ren Yaoqi, and Xiao Jinglin to her quarters to choose outfits.
Yun Qiuchen resided in a two-story pavilion adjacent to Old Madam Yun's courtyard. Though close to the old madam's residence, it was a separate, independent compound—a unique arrangement within the entire Yun Family. In contrast, Second Miss Yun and Third Miss Yun lived in their own courtyards with their parents. This further demonstrated Yun Qiuchen's special status within the Yun Family.
Yun Qiuchen invited them to sit in her small reception room and instructed her maids to fetch the clothes and accessories.Refreshments were served one after another. The tea was not top-grade but still good quality, and while the variety of pastries wasn't extensive, each was exquisitely crafted with unique flavors—clearly not just casually bought from outside pastry shops.
The Yun Family's furnishings and daily necessities were not extravagant, yet every detail showcased the heritage and style of an old-established aristocratic family.
Yun Qiuchen spoke little, but whenever she did, her words were meaningful, and her interactions with others were always appropriate. Privately, the three Yun sisters were not as harmonious as they appeared on the surface. However, Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang were noticeably restrained in front of outsiders like Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin, likely fearing repercussions from Old Madam Yun. In any case, no arguments broke out.
Maids carried in a large chest. Yun Qiuchen set down her teacup and smiled at Xiao Jinglin, saying, "Commandery Princess, as the eldest, please choose first."
Yun Qiuchen always addressed Xiao Jinglin as "Commandery Princess," whether in public or in private. She was more proper in this regard than her grandmother or mother.
If she had cited Xiao Jinglin's status as the reason for letting her choose first, Xiao Jinglin might have politely declined. But by citing age, Xiao Jinglin found it difficult to refuse. Not one to be overly modest, she nodded and stood up.
The maids took out the garments from the chest one by one, unfolding them so their mistresses could see clearly. Over a dozen outfits in various colors and styles were displayed in a vibrant array. The exquisite fabrics and intricate embroidery were a feast for the eyes.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at them briefly before casually pointing to a lake-green long jacket with a golden trim and flying phoenix embroidery, paired with a pleated skirt of the same color.
Yun Qiuchen urged her to choose more, but Xiao Jinglin shook her head. "This is enough. I wouldn't wear more even if I had them." She didn't pay much attention to clothing. While stationed at the border, there was no opportunity to do so, and after returning to Yunyang City, her mother and the servants in her household took care of her wardrobe. She wore whatever was available without giving it much thought. Besides, she might return to Jiajing Pass at any time, so having too many clothes would be wasteful.
Yun Qiuchen shook her head with a smile. "Grandmother originally prepared four sets for you, Commandery Princess. If you find it troublesome, please choose at least two. It is, after all, a gesture of goodwill from an elder."
Xiao Jinglin couldn't refuse and selected another long jacket made of thin silk in a misty rose color, embroidered with pheasant patterns along the edges.
After Xiao Jinglin finished choosing, Yun Qiuchen turned to Ren Yaoqi. "By order of age, after the Commandery Princess, it should be my turn. Since you, Cousin Ren, are taking from my share, consider it as choosing two sets on my behalf."
This reasoning seemed flawless.
Yun Qiufang glanced at Yun Qiuchen, curled her lip, but said nothing. Yun Qiuping simply stared at her own fingers.
Ren Yaoqi had guessed early on that Yun Qiuchen would let her choose after Xiao Jinglin. However, she had been observing the gazes of the Yun sisters, so when it was her turn, she politely declined once before selecting a peach-red short jacket with white trim and peach blossom embroidery, paired with a white silk skirt—garments that had drawn less attention from the others. Presumably, the Yun sisters valued elegance and dignity, finding peach-red too flashy and unappealing.
In any case, Ren Yaoqi wasn't truly coveting their clothes. She had only come to join in the fun and was happy to avoid offending anyone.
She then chose a long jacket in deep purple, embroidered with a water-ink lotus pond pattern. This garment looked luxurious and exquisite, but due to its color and fabric, it appeared somewhat thick and unsuitable for the Thousand Gold Banquet held in midsummer. The Yun sisters glanced at it briefly before shifting their attention elsewhere.Xiao Jinglin subtly winked at Ren Yaoqi, as if understanding her well-intentioned efforts. Ren Yaoqi also blinked in return, smiling without a word.
OpenNovel