When a monkey leaped down from a rockery not far from the entrance of the Rare Treasures Garden and swung onto a low tree beside them, someone couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.
A maid behind Ren Yaoyin, who had never seen a monkey before, even let out an uncontrollable scream when the monkey hung upside down from the tree and tried to snatch the silk flower from her hair. After Ren Yaoyin shot her a stern look, the scream abruptly died in her throat.
Yun Qiuchen, who had clearly visited here more than once, quickly reassured them, “Don’t be afraid, they won’t hurt anyone.”
Sure enough, the monkey bared its teeth and made threatening gestures but did not actually attack. An elderly woman emerged from behind the rockery, blew a whistle, and the runaway monkey immediately jumped down from the tree and scampered away.
Those visiting for the first time sighed in relief, feeling a mix of excitement. Guo Yujiao had also been startled by the sudden appearance of the monkey, but she now turned to Ren Yaoyin and said, “The monkeys kept in the garden have been trained for a long time and have lost most of their wild instincts. My fifth uncle also keeps two, and my fourth younger sister says they even bow and salute to people to beg for food, so there’s no need to panic.” It was as if Ren Yaoyin’s maid being frightened meant Ren Yaoyin herself must have been frightened too.
Ren Yaoyin felt displeased inwardly but maintained a gentle smile on her face. “Miss Guo is truly knowledgeable.”
The elderly woman who had blown the whistle to call the monkey away hurried over and bowed to Xiao Jinglin, apologizing, “Commandery Princess, please forgive this servant’s negligence. That beast disturbed you and the young ladies.”
“Make sure all the animals in the garden are properly watched so they don’t harm anyone,” Xiao Jinglin instructed.
The elderly woman quickly replied, “Commandery Princess, rest assured. Originally, there were larger animals like tigers and bears in the garden, but on the Princess Consort’s orders, they were all moved away in advance. The remaining ones are all gentle, small animals that won’t harm anyone.”
The Princess Consort, fearing accidents with so many people around, had all the dangerous animals in the garden relocated during the Thousand Gold Banquet.
Xiao Jinglin nodded and dismissed her.
Yun Qiufang said disappointedly, “Every time I come, I never get to see the tigers.”
Guo Yujiao remarked, “I’ve seen one once, but it was kept in a cage. It wasn’t particularly interesting—just like a big cat with stripes.”
Ren Yaoyin smiled and said, “Miss Guo truly has seen much of the world. None of us have ever seen one.”
Guo Yujiao was pleased by this and even smiled at Ren Yaoyin.
Yun Qiufang, however, was somewhat displeased. “It’s not that interesting anyway. Otherwise, after all of you leave, we could ask the Princess Consort to let us into the garden again to see them.”
Though Guo Yujiao was somewhat competitive and willful, she was not foolish. Hearing Yun Qiufang’s words, she realized Yun Qiufang was dissatisfied with her. She glanced at Yun Qiuchen and held back from arguing with Yun Qiufang, though she couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Yun Qiuchen quickly smoothed things over. “Let’s go see the peacocks instead. I remember they’re over there.”
Perhaps because the Princess Consort had relocated many of the animals, there weren’t many left in the Rare Treasures Garden. Along the way, they saw cockatoos, elk, white foxes, and kangaroos.
When they spotted a plump cat in a cage placed in the grass, everyone was surprised. Guo Yujiao asked, “Why would a house cat be kept here?”Ren Yaoqi took a careful look and recognized that it was not a cat. She exchanged a glance with Xiao Jinglin, and both of them tacitly remained silent. Ren Yaoqi did not want to draw attention and cause displeasure, while Xiao Jinglin had no patience to explain common sense to people who could stir up trouble over trivial matters.
At that moment, a slightly cool female voice came from behind them: "This is not a cat. It’s called a lynx. Although it’s not particularly rare or precious, its fur is quite popular."
Ren Yaoqi turned around and saw a beautiful young woman walking toward them. She wore a light blue short jacket embroidered with silver-threaded magnolia flowers, paired with a silver moon-glow skirt. Her hair was simply adorned with only a gold hairpin, but the eastern pearl attached to it was exceptionally valuable.
Guo Yujiao immediately sneered, "I was wondering who it was. So it’s Sister Qiu. Sister Qiu truly has a broad knowledge." This phrase was originally used by Ren Yaoyin to praise her, and she had found it quite flattering at the time. Now, however, she couldn’t help but use it to mock Qiu Hong.
Qiu Hong pretended not to hear and stepped forward to greet Xiao Jinglin, then exchanged pleasantries with Yun Qiuchen and the others.
Yun Qiuchen smiled and said, "You’ve finally arrived. We were just talking about you."
Jiang Yuan Niang added, "Earlier, you said you weren’t feeling well. Are you better now?"
Hearing this, Yun Qiuchen also looked at Qiu Hong with concern. Qiu Hong nodded politely to Jiang Yuan Niang and explained, "It was just a bit of motion sickness from the bumpy carriage ride. My nanny applied some mint ointment, and I’m feeling much better now."
Guo Yujiao remarked, "Sister Qiu is so delicate. The wind in this garden is quite strong. Won’t you catch a cold if you stay here too long?"
Qiu Hong frowned and was about to respond when someone else approached from a distance.
Everyone turned around, and they couldn’t help but feel surprised. This time, it was Wu Yiyu and the two Yun brothers.
Wu Yiyu walked beside Yun Wenting, happily chatting about something. Yun Wenting wore a gentle smile, seemingly listening attentively. Yun Wenfang, however, appeared somewhat distracted, his furrowed brows betraying his displeasure.
Yun Wenting was the first to notice the group, or rather, he was the first to see Xiao Jinglin. Although his smile didn’t change much, it reached his eyes, and he quickened his pace as he walked over.
Wu Yiyu was taken aback, and her expression immediately darkened when she saw Xiao Jinglin. In her moment of hesitation, Yun Wenting moved ahead of her. Gritting her teeth, Wu Yiyu hurried to catch up.
Yun Wenfang also saw Ren Yaoqi, but his gaze didn’t linger on her for long. Instead, he looked toward Guo Yujiao and Jiang Yuan Niang, who were standing with Yun Qiuchen. His deep, somber eyes fixed on them for a moment, sending a chill down the spines of those who noticed.
Yun Qiuchen was the first to notice Yun Wenfang’s gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, wondering if Yun Wenfang had learned something. She debated whether she should help the elders conceal the truth or offer a hint to her second brother.
Guo Yujiao and Jiang Yuan Niang also noticed Yun Wenfang’s scrutinizing gaze and couldn’t help but look toward him.
At that moment, Yun Wenfang suddenly smiled—a mix of teasing and nonchalance. He was already exceptionally handsome, and this smile made the two young women’s hearts flutter, their cheeks flushing as they averted their eyes.Yun Wenfang's heart filled with even more contempt. He had come seeking confirmation of certain rumors he had heard, but unfortunately, Yun Wenting didn't know either, so he had no choice but to approach Yun Qiuchen. The two brothers encountered Wu Yiyu at the entrance of the Rare Treasures Garden.
After exchanging greetings, the addition of the three newcomers made the visit to the Rare Treasures Garden even livelier.
As Yun Wenfang passed by Ren Yaoqi, he paused briefly and shot her a fierce glare. Ren Yaoqi was taken aback, utterly confused about how she had managed to offend this young master again. But before she could react, Yun Wenfang had already walked past her and made his way to Yun Qiuchen's side.
Noticing Yun Wenfang's demeanor, Yun Qiuchen guessed he had something to discuss with her and deliberately slowed her pace, allowing the others to walk ahead while she and Yun Wenfang fell to the back of the group.
The Rare Treasures Garden kept a pair of peacocks, which were not caged but freely roamed a small garden. When everyone caught sight of them, they couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed. Guo Yujiao even muttered under her breath, "How ugly."
Ren Yaoqi nearly burst out laughing.
Guo Yujiao wasn't wrong. It was molting season for the peacocks, and most of their feathers had already fallen out. The maid feeding them had somehow managed to make one of the peacocks fan its tail, but with its sparse feathers spread out, it looked more like a tattered palm-leaf fan. What made it even funnier was that the peacock had its back turned to them, so they could see its bare rear...
Ren Yaoqi stifled her laughter and turned her head away, only to meet Yun Wenfang's deep, intense gaze. Both of them were momentarily stunned, and for some reason, Yun Wenfang's expression darkened even further.
Ren Yaoqi silently turned her head back. Even a molting peacock was more pleasant to look at than this young master's face.
Yun Wenfang was pressing Yun Qiuchen about whether Old Madam Yun was arranging a marriage for him, with the candidates still being chosen from the Qiu, Guo, and Jiang families. After a moment of hesitation, Yun Qiuchen confessed. Since her second brother was asking, he must already have his sources of information. Lying to him would only damage their sibling relationship, which wasn't worth it.
Filled with anger, Yun Wenfang couldn't help but stare blankly at Ren Yaoqi. Just then, Ren Yaoqi turned her head with a smile, and her radiant expression momentarily dazzled him, leaving him stunned. When he regained his senses, Second Young Master Yun gritted his teeth in frustration, thinking that while he was anxiously worrying about his marriage prospects, she was happily laughing away.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at Yun Wenfang and quietly asked Ren Yaoqi, "Do you have some grudge against Yun Wenfang?" She had seen Yun Wenfang trouble Ren Yaoqi more than once, and last time at the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, he had even dared to block her way.
Ren Yaoqi felt utterly helpless. Although she understood that Yun Wenfang might have some unusual feelings toward her, his behavior was so bizarre that it hardly resembled that of an admirer—more like an enemy. Still, this wasn't something she could easily explain to Xiao Jinglin.
"I don't know either. Perhaps some people are just born at odds with each other," Ren Yaoqi sighed. Judging from the outcome of her previous life, Yun Wenfang truly was her nemesis.
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and didn't press further, but she resolved to warn Yun Wenfang if she ever got the chance, lest Ren Yaoqi suffer at his hands.
Meanwhile, Ren Yaoyin and Wu Yiyu had also struck up a conversation.Originally, because Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin were close, Wu Yiyu also disliked Ren Yaoyin. However, Ren Yaoyin was on good terms with Yun Qiuchen, and Wu Yiyu did not want to offend the Yun Family, so she did not openly show her displeasure toward Ren Yaoyin.
Wu Yiyu’s gaze followed Yun Wenting with infatuation.
Yun Wenting took a plate of small fruits from a servant and brought it to Xiao Jinglin, saying something with a smile. Xiao Jinglin glanced at Yun Wenting, then looked at the two peacocks, shaking her head with little interest. However, Guo Yujiao, who was nearby, became excited. Seeing this, Yun Wenting handed the fruit plate to the maid behind Guo Yujiao. Guo Yujiao pulled Jiang Yuan Niang along to feed the peacocks, and Yun Qiufang, noticing this, also asked a servant for a fruit plate and dragged Yun Qiuping along.
Yun Wenting instructed the servant to follow and attend to them, but he himself remained standing beside Xiao Jinglin, not moving. He lowered his head, gazing at Xiao Jinglin as he spoke, his smile earnest and gentle—a smile different from the one he wore when facing others.
Wu Yiyu was momentarily stunned by the sight.
Ren Yaoyin suddenly spoke up, “Young Master Yun and the Commandery Princess have such a good relationship, no wonder…”
Wu Yiyu snapped back to reality upon hearing the first part and was about to flare up, but when she saw Ren Yaoyin stop after saying “no wonder,” she couldn’t help but ask, “No wonder what?”
Ren Yaoyin seemed to realize only then that Wu Yiyu was beside her and smiled apologetically, “It’s nothing. I just heard some things from my fifth younger sister—that is, Yaoqi—and felt a bit emotional. I heard that the Commandery Princess and Young Master Yun grew up together since childhood, and Young Master Yun also spent some time at the border. A few days ago, my fifth younger sister happened to see First Madam Yun visiting the Princess Consort at the Prince’s Mansion, and they talked about the Commandery Princess and Young Master Yun’s childhood… Later, First Madam Yun came out looking quite pleased.”
Ren Yaoyin spoke vaguely, but Wu Yiyu’s heart was stirred by a storm of emotions.
Could Ren Yaoyin have truly heard something from Ren Yaoqi? Wu Yiyu was also aware of the Yun Family’s desire to form a marriage alliance with the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, but the Prince and Princess Consort had never explicitly expressed their stance on the marriage between Yun Wenting and Xiao Jinglin.
Now that both Yun Wenting and Xiao Jinglin were of marriageable age, could it be that the Princess Consort had already relented?
Thinking this, Wu Yiyu couldn’t help but look at Yun Wenting again. Yun Wenting had said something that made both Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi laugh. Yun Wenting’s eyes brightened as he looked at Xiao Jinglin. Wu Yiyu’s heart ached, her nails digging into her flesh. Never before had she felt such hatred, such a desire to kill. She wanted to rush forward and tear Xiao Jinglin’s face apart, to carve the flesh from her cheeks piece by piece, to see how she could still smile at others.
But she knew she couldn’t do that, at least not in front of Yun Wenting. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths until the pain in her chest began to subside.
“Are you happy?” Wu Yiyu’s flat voice sounded, as if asking Ren Yaoyin, yet also as if she were merely testing whether she could still speak.
Ren Yaoyin, however, smiled and replied, “Happy? Not exactly. It’s just that the Commandery Princess is very close to my fifth younger sister. They often come and go together, and my fifth younger sister is very happy for the Commandery Princess.”
Wu Yiyu glanced at Ren Yaoqi, who was whispering something to Xiao Jinglin. Xiao Jinglin’s smile grew even wider, and Yun Wenting stood nearby, watching them with a smile.Wu Yiyu said expressionlessly and coldly, "Your fifth sister is laughing so happily. Could it be that she has also found a good match?"
Hearing this, Ren Yaoyin glanced at Wu Yiyu in surprise, then smiled and replied vaguely, "Well... everyone has their own destiny. My fifth sister naturally has her own fate as well."
As she spoke, Ren Yaoyin's gaze drifted toward Yun Wenfang.
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