Xiao Jinglin turned a deaf ear, completely ignoring Yun Wenfang's clamor.
Yun Qiuchen sensed something amiss and immediately walked over. After glancing at Yun Wenfang, she followed Xiao Jinglin.
"Commandery Princess, what is the matter?"
Xiao Jinglin's attitude toward Yun Qiuchen was relatively amiable. Upon hearing this, she nodded and said, "We are going to bid farewell to Old Madam Ren." Her steps did not pause.
Yun Qiuchen sighed inwardly, but on the surface, she smiled and said, "Commandery Princess, please slow down a little. I will accompany you."
Then she spoke kindly to Ren Yaoqi, "My second brother has a bad temper, but he has been like this since childhood. Because of his temperament, he has been punished countless times by my grandfather and father with family discipline. Once, his leg was almost broken, yet he still remains as stubborn as ever. However, he is just straightforward by nature and harbors no ill intentions. A few days ago, I overheard him telling our grandmother that he was well taken care of by the elders of the Ren Family and got along very well with you, his cousins. It is precisely because he is familiar with you that he speaks without restraint. Cousin Yaoqi, please, for the sake of your cousin here, do not take it to heart."
Although this speech was long, Yun Qiuchen spoke slowly, making it sound far from aggressive.
Ren Yaoqi had remained silent all along and could hardly be said to have "taken it to heart." Thus, Yun Qiuchen's words were actually meant as an explanation to Xiao Jinglin. However, she also knew that Xiao Jinglin might not listen, so she directed them to Ren Yaoqi. As long as Ren Yaoqi said she did not mind, Xiao Jinglin's inexplicable temper would have no grounds to flare up.
In essence, this was a form of "picking the soft persimmon to squeeze," though Yun Qiuchen handled it with subtlety.
Naturally, Ren Yaoqi understood that Eldest Miss Yun's patient explanation was out of consideration for Xiao Jinglin. She was not a child ignorant of social graces, so although she said nothing in response, she smiled at Yun Qiuchen and shook her head.
Yun Wenting thoughtfully stared at his brother, whose expression was far from pleasant. "Was all your recent commotion because of the Fifth Miss of the Ren Family?" Though phrased as a question, his tone carried a hint of certainty.
Yun Wenfang glanced sidelong at his brother, his anger subsiding slightly as he replied nonchalantly, "What of it? Are you going to report me to Grandmother?"
Yun Wenting laughed at this and even reached out to ruffle his brother's hair, but his hand was dodged before it could make contact.
"I've told you many times, don't touch my head, or I won't be polite!" Yun Wenfang glared and growled in a low voice.
Yun Wenting looked at his bristling brother, unperturbed. "If I were to report you, you would probably have your wedding date set by now."
Yun Wenfang's expression finally softened somewhat."However, the likelihood of our Yun Family forming a marital alliance with the Ren Family is quite slim." Yun Wenting looked at Yun Wenfang, pondering as he spoke, "Although the Ren Family can be considered a prominent household in Yan Prefecture, it is unfortunate that they ultimately come from a merchant background. The current head, Ren Yonghe, possesses both capability and skill, but his vision is truly lacking, and his ambition for profit is too strong. This is why, despite the apparent sisterly relationship between our grandmother and Old Madam Ren, the Yun Family and the Ren Family have had very little interaction over the years. This time, when Grandmother had you hide at the Ren Family, it was merely a coincidence. You persuaded Grandmother to allow the Ren Family's Fifth Miss to attend the Thousand Gold Banquet. Grandmother might, out of gratitude for the Ren Family's care for you, arrange a favorable marriage for Miss Ren Wu, but she would absolutely never agree to let you marry her. Even if Grandmother agreed, Grandfather would not pass it."
Yun Wenfang had always been impatient with his elder brother's various admonitions, but this time he endured and listened to the end. Although the content was not pleasant to hear, Yun Wenfang knew that Yun Wenting was speaking the truth. Nevertheless, he snorted coldly, "If you won't help, there's no need to pour cold water on me. I'll find a way."
Well aware of his younger brother's temperament, Yun Wenting smiled slightly, "Oh? What way?"
Yun Wenfang glanced at Yun Wenting and said nothing. In truth, he hadn't yet devised a concrete plan.
Yun Wenting slowly withdrew his smile, sighed softly, and looked at his only younger brother, who had always been willful and reckless since childhood, with a trace of concern in his eyes. "What exactly are you thinking? If you're merely curious about this Miss Ren and want to take her in as a concubine, even though it might be somewhat difficult because she is a legitimate daughter of the Ren Family, it wouldn't be impossible."
Upon hearing this, Yun Wenfang instinctively frowned. "Of course I want to marry her!"
Yun Wenting wasn't angered by this response. "Oh? Is that truly the case?"
Yun Wenfang shot him a glance, not even bothering to reply.
Yun Wenting, however, adopted a serious expression. "But if you proceed according to your methods, this Fifth Miss Ren will likely only be able to enter the Yun Family as a concubine."
"What do you mean!"
"I heard that after the last dragon boat race, you went to find her? In front of a crowd, you expressed your affection for her and even wanted her to respond to you, otherwise you would lose your temper. Have you considered what would happen if she actually responded to your advances? Would the Yun Family allow such a woman to enter our household?"
Yun Wenfang's handsome brows furrowed. He had always been accustomed to acting willfully and domineeringly. Apart from restraining himself in front of the family elders, he never considered such matters when outside—he simply did as he pleased. As for Ren Yaoqi, he had already been quite patient with her.
Seeing Yun Wenfang like this, Yun Wenting could only sigh. "That's why I asked what you truly think. If you only want this person, I won't interfere no matter how recklessly you act. But if you're serious, I don't want you to regret it in the end."
Yun Wenfang irritably ruffled his hair. "Then what do you suggest? Don't expect me to be as cowardly as you, enduring for so many years without daring to let anyone know my true feelings."
Yun Wenting lowered his gaze, a bitter smile touching the corners of his mouth. Softly, he said, "My situation is different from yours... The Yanbei Prince's Mansion... Never mind. I just wanted to remind you to learn to exercise restraint when appropriate. If you're not certain, don't do anything you might regret."Yun Wenfang knew he had once again touched on his brother's sore spot. He pursed his lips and said nothing. Although he was quite impatient with Yun Wenting, who wasn’t much older than him, always trying to keep him in check, he could still distinguish between good intentions and ill will.
Seeing that Yun Wenting was about to say more, Yun Wenfang waved his hand. "I know, I’ll be more careful from now on." With that, he turned to leave impatiently, but paused mid-turn. "You should worry about yourself instead. I’m not like you—I don’t have as many reservations. If it really comes down to it, being a concubine is fine."
At this, Yun Wenfang curled his lips, wearing his usual careless expression tinged with the simple cruelty of a young beast. "As for those who try to force a wife on me against my will—whoever marries in will just be a surname. No one really cares whether she ends up as a living person or a memorial tablet. I won’t let her suffer, at least. What more could she possibly complain about?" The "she" in that last sentence naturally referred to Ren Yaoqi, who would marry him as a concubine.
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