Ren Yaoying seemed not to notice Ren Yaoyu's expression, turning her face to ask the Yun sisters with a smile, "I wonder what Sister Yun will perform tomorrow?"
Yun Qiuping, who was not particularly talkative, replied out of courtesy, "We'll see tomorrow. My talents are ordinary, just joining in for fun."
Yun Qiufang, however, smiled carelessly, "It doesn't matter to us anyway. It's held every couple of years. You all find it novel, but we find the coming and going of people quite tiring."
Though she said so, the Ren sisters present could still sense a hint of superiority in Yun Qiufang's words.
Ren Yaoying pursed her lips into a smile, "That's true. Earlier, I heard Eldest Miss Yun say she's been busy with the Thousand Gold Banquet matters these days with the elders. I suppose you haven't been idle either. As the host family, the Yun Family must be quite busy."
Unexpectedly, as soon as Ren Yaoying finished speaking, Yun Qiufang's expression suddenly turned unpleasant.
Yun Qiuping glanced at Yun Qiufang and lowered her head to play with the tassel at her waist.
Ren Yaoying noticed Yun Qiufang's expression but couldn't understand which of her words had been wrong. Naturally, she didn't know that among the three Yun sisters, Old Madam Yun had only assigned Eldest Miss Yun to oversee the tea and snacks for the Thousand Gold Banquet, while Second Miss Yun and Third Miss Yun were much more leisurely compared to Yun Qiuchen.
Ren Yaoyin, however, was aware of the discord among the three Yun sisters. Seeing the atmosphere turn cold, she smiled and changed the subject, "Ninth Sister, can't you tell that Second Miss Yun and Third Miss Yun are just being modest? I've heard that the Yun sisters have been learning needlework, embroidery, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from their family's female tutors since childhood. Second Miss Yun's double-sided embroidery rivals that of the skilled craftswoman Mu Yingniang in the capital, and Third Miss Yun even outshone everyone with a xun melody at the last Thousand Gold Banquet."
Yun Qiufang's expression finally improved somewhat.
At that moment, Yun Qiuchen returned.
Yun Qiufang looked up at her and curled her lip, "The tea and snacks have been here for quite a while. Where have you been, Eldest Sister?"
Yun Qiuchen smiled upon hearing this, "When I went out, I happened to run into Second Brother. He said he had originally arranged to come to the waterside pavilion with Eldest Brother and Young Master Qiu to escape the heat. Seeing that we had taken the place first, they were about to find another spot."
As soon as Yun Qiuchen finished speaking, Yun Wenfang walked in. His gaze swept around the waterside pavilion, and he raised an eyebrow, "So there really are guests here."
Yun Qiuchen shook her head, "Naturally, there are guests. Would I lie to you?"
Yun Wenfang sighed, "In that case, Eldest Brother, Jin Yuan, and I will have to find another place."
"This pavilion is quite large. If Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Young Master Qiu want to come, they're welcome," Yun Qiufang said indifferently.
Qiu Yun had visited the Yun Family many times. Handsome and witty, he left a good impression on all the Yun sisters.
Ren Yaoyin also said, "Come to think of it, Eldest Master Yun, Second Young Master Yun, and Young Master Qiu are all our cousins, so it wouldn't be improper."
Yun Qiuchen glanced at Yun Wenfang, sighed inwardly, and was about to agree when Ren Yaohua suddenly spoke up, "It's getting late. Sister Yun has already explained the matters to pay attention to at tomorrow's Thousand Gold Banquet. We should take our leave."
As soon as Ren Yaohua saw Yun Wenfang enter, her heart skipped a beat. Thinking of this Second Young Master Yun's feelings for Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua naturally didn't want her sister to be under the same roof with him.
As for Ren Yaoyin's little schemes, Ren Yaohua snorted inwardly—was she really afraid others wouldn't know?
Upon hearing this, Yun Qiuchen quickly said, "It's rare for you to visit. Please stay a bit longer."
Eldest Miss Yun thought perhaps the Ren sisters didn't want to be in the same room with men. Being a well-bred young lady who valued propriety, she could only say to Yun Wenfang, "Second Brother, you, Eldest Brother, and Young Master Qiu should go to the pavilion over there instead." Afraid Yun Wenfang might throw a tantrum, she secretly signaled him with her eyes.
Yun Wenfang glanced at Ren Yaohua, then fixed his gaze on Ren Yaoqi's face. Ren Yaoqi, unconcerned, lowered her head to drink tea.
Yun Wenfang smiled faintly, "The pavilion it is, then." With that, he turned and left.
Once Yun Wenfang left, Ren Yaohua no longer insisted on leaving.
However, as soon as Yun Wenfang left, Madam Yun arrived.
Madam Yun had just come from Old Madam Yun's courtyard. Passing through the garden, she heard her daughter was at the waterside pavilion and came to check. Seeing the Ren sisters, Madam Yun spoke to them kindly and affectionately for a while.
Seeing Madam Yun had arrived and thinking she might have something to discuss with Yun Qiuchen, Ren Yaohua sat for a little longer before proposing their departure again. First Madam Ren sent her own maidservant to see them out.
But just as they left the garden, Ren Yaoyin suddenly stopped and said, "Oh, Qiuchen said she would lend me a poetry collection. I forgot to take it."
Ren Yaohua frowned, "Send a maid back to fetch it."
Ren Yaoyin shook her head, "This collection is Qiuchen's treasure. She values it greatly. I'd better go back myself."
The maidservant who had escorted them out quickly said, "This servant will accompany Miss Ren back."
Ren Yaoyin smiled, "Please escort my sisters out instead. I've been to the Yun Family several times and have strolled through this garden many times. I'm quite familiar with it. Qiuchen probably hasn't gone far and is still in the garden. I'll be back soon."
Unable to dissuade her, everyone could only let her return with her personal maid to find Yun Qiuchen.
Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoyin's retreating figure, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, after the Ren sisters left, Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang also returned to their respective courtyards. Madam Yun and Yun Qiuchen dismissed the maids and elderly servants around them and spoke by the pond.
"Aunt wants Fangfei to marry Second Brother?"
Madam Yun nodded, "But your grandmother didn't agree. Instead, she instructed me to take advantage of the Thousand Gold Banquet to carefully observe several young ladies."
Yun Qiuchen couldn't help but frown, "But Second Brother's feelings..."
Madam Yun shook her head, interrupting, "He'll have to let go of those feelings sooner or later. He thinks his little schemes are hidden, but we're well aware."
Hearing her mother say this, Yun Qiuchen understood that her grandmother must already have plans for Yun Wenfang's marriage. She didn't press further and instead asked, "Then has Grandmother said how Eldest Brother's marriage will be arranged?"
Not far away, there was the almost imperceptible sound of crushed fallen leaves, but neither the Yun mother nor daughter noticed.
"The Yun Family's preferred choice for the eldest daughter-in-law is the Commandery Princess. Your grandmother won't easily change that unless the Yanbei Prince's Mansion has other plans."
Yun Qiuchen thought for a moment, hesitating before saying, "Mother, what do you think of the Wu Family from Ningxia?"
"The Wu Family? I've heard the Wu Family has been on good terms with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion since the time of the Old Yanbei Prince. The Wu Family's current influence in Ningxia is partly due to the support of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion."
Yun Qiuchen shook her head, "That's not what I meant. I'm asking about the Wu Family's Eldest Miss, Wu Yiyu."
Madam Yun had also met Wu Yiyu, the Eldest Miss of the Wu Family, a few times. Hearing her daughter mention her now, Madam Yun immediately thought of something and couldn't help but frown, "Does Ting'er have any thoughts about her?"
Yun Qiuchen quickly said, "It has nothing to do with Brother. He..."
She paused, "I just heard that Miss Wu has recently often asked Third Young Master Xiao to invite Brother to the Prince's Mansion. It seems Miss Wu has feelings for Brother..."
Madam Yun considered that the Wu Family had deep ties with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, and Miss Wu could be considered half from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. If the Yun Family couldn't marry the Commandery Princess in the end, Old Madam Yun might consider the Wu Family.
However, the Wu Family was now the son-in-law of the Old Yanbei Prince's Consort. Recalling what Old Madam Yun had said earlier, Madam Yun was somewhat uncertain about Old Madam Yun's intentions.
"Let's not worry about this for now. Your eldest brother is the most steady and will surely know his limits. By the way, don't let your second brother know for now that we are looking for a suitable wife for him."
Then Madam Yun told Yun Qiuchen about Old Madam Yun's warnings to them. Both mother and daughter were unsettled by Old Madam Yun's words and didn't notice a figure flash behind them.
Not long after, Yun Qiuchen's head maid, Nanzhu, came over and reported, "Miss, Fourth Miss Ren is here. She said she forgot to take the poetry collection you lent her. She couldn't find you at the waterside pavilion, so she found me."
Yun Qiuchen remembered she had indeed promised to lend Ren Yaoyin a poetry collection and nodded, "Go back and fetch it. I remember placing it on the desk this morning."
Madam Yun said, "Go attend to your matters. I need to find your aunts to inquire about the reissued invitations. Come to my room after dinner tonight. I have more to discuss with you."
By the time Ren Yaoyin retrieved the poetry collection from Yun Qiuchen, quite some time had passed.
In the carriage, Ren Yaohua lowered the curtain, a mocking smile curling her lips, "This Fourth Sister really..."
Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaohua, "What about Fourth Sister?"
After the carriage had passed through the side gate of Yun Mansion, Ren Yaohua said, "Just now when she got into the carriage, I saw mud on the soles of her shoes and the inner hem of her skirt. Who knows what she was doing earlier."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh, "Third Sister, your eyes are really sharp."
Ren Yaohua glared at Ren Yaoqi, "If my eyes weren't sharp, would I just wait to be schemed against? Just wait and see. Tomorrow's Thousand Gold Banquet will likely be a scene of chaos, with everyone plotting and no one easy to deal with!"
Ren Yaoqi smiled and poured Ren Yaohua a cup of tea.
Ren Yaohua glanced at her, "Don't take tomorrow's Thousand Gold Banquet lightly. Keep your eyes open, and don't let anyone scheme against you. And that Yun Wenfang—he's nothing but trouble. Stay away from him, or you might suffer."
Though Ren Yaohua's tone was harsh and stern, Ren Yaoqi felt a warmth in her heart and nodded with a playful smile, "Don't worry, Third Sister. Whoever dares to scheme against me will regret it."
The day passed quickly.
The next day, the biennial three-day Thousand Gold Banquet officially began.
Ren Yaoyin had moved back to the Ren Family Villa the previous evening to make it convenient to leave with her sisters. Ren Yaoqi, however, had received an invitation from the Princess Consort of Yanbei and remained at the Lin Residence, waiting for the Yanbei Prince's Mansion carriage to pick her up.
No second update today... 〒_〒
This chapter serves as setup, paving the way for the upcoming climax. Don't find it dull...
Still asking for pink votes~
Didn't expect the ranking to jump to 19th so quickly... You all are amazing...
Moved beyond words.Sending hugs.
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