Hongying glanced in confusion at the man jogging alongside the carriage. "What did Lord Mu say?"
"Hehe, hehe..." Mu Hu scratched his head and chuckled foolishly.
Hongying: "..."
Xiao Jinglin, seated in the carriage, curved the corners of her lips.
Ren Yaoqi thought she detected a hint of schadenfreude in Xiao Jinglin's smile and couldn't help but eye her suspiciously.
Noticing Ren Yaoqi's gaze, Xiao Jinglin slowly blinked and resumed her expressionless demeanor. Then, adopting the air of a Commandery Princess, she spoke through the carriage curtain to the outside: "If you want a beating, go back and wait for it. What kind of spectacle are you making by running alongside my carriage?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Hu suddenly understood—Hongying was just too embarrassed to admit it in public. His eyes lit up instantly. "Ah! I'll go back and wait right away! Um... I've been drinking tiger bone wine these past few days, so my bones are tough, hehe, hehe..." As he spoke, he slowed his pace, watching the carriage depart into the distance. He remained standing there, waving with a blissful expression on his face.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Jinglin's lips twitched.
After winding through several turns, the carriage finally came to a stop. Xiao Jinglin stepped out first, then turned to help Ren Yaoqi down.
Once Ren Yaoqi alighted, she found herself in an unfamiliar alley. The bluestone pavement beneath her feet curved slightly, making the alley appear narrow, though it was actually wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side.
Before Ren Yaoqi could take a closer look, a voice called out from nearby, "Commandery Princess?"
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin turned simultaneously to see Eldest Master Yun, Yun Wenting of the Yun Family, standing not far away, looking at them in surprise. Standing beside Yun Wenting was Han Yunqian. Unlike Yun Wenting, whose gaze was fixed solely on Xiao Jinglin, Han Yunqian's first glance fell upon Ren Yaoqi.
Xiao Jinglin nodded slightly in their direction as a greeting.
Yun Wenting and Han Yunqian walked over together.
"Commandery Princess, what brings you here?" Yun Wenting asked Xiao Jinglin gently, also nodding toward Ren Yaoqi.
Xiao Jinglin's gaze passed over Yun Wenting and landed on a small, modest-looking tavern not far behind him. Yun Wenting followed her gaze, then smiled with understanding. "I've heard the braised meat here is excellent. I suppose the Commandery Princess has come for a meal?"
In truth, it wasn't mealtime at all, but Yun Wenting said this naturally and without a hint of surprise.
Xiao Jinglin nodded and asked casually, "Are you two here for something?" The alley was somewhat out of the way, not particularly close to either Yunyang Academy or the Yun Family. She had only learned of this place after asking around for recommendations on food.
Yun Wenting glanced at Han Yunqian and smiled. "I just happened to be leaving Lord Sheng's residence with Brother Han and thought we'd find a place to sit and chat."
Xiao Jinglin seemed to ignore the hint in Yun Wenting's eyes that he wished to join her. She merely nodded calmly and said, "We'll head in first." Then, taking Ren Yaoqi by the hand, she walked past them.Yun Wenting's gaze dimmed for a moment but quickly regained the graceful, carefree demeanor of a refined gentleman. He gestured to Han Yunqian, then turned and caught up with Xiao Jinglin, speaking softly, "Let me help you make some arrangements first." Without giving Xiao Jinglin a chance to refuse, Yun Wenting entered the small restaurant.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at his retreating figure, her expression showing no particular emotion.
In fact, because of Ren Yaoqi's presence, Xiao Jinglin hadn't originally planned to dine inside the restaurant. She had intended to have Hongying go in and pack some food to take out. After all, this small establishment had no private rooms. While she herself didn't mind much, Ren Yaoqi's situation couldn't be ignored.
By the time Yun Wenting had made the arrangements and Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin entered the small restaurant, everyone inside had been asked to leave except for a middle-aged woman who nervously received them and a young girl around ten years old. Xiao Jinglin made no comment about this.
Yun Wenting approached and told Xiao Jinglin the names of the dishes he had just ordered, smiling as he said, "These are the signature dishes here. Give them a try. Or if there's anything else you'd like to eat?"
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment, then looked at Yun Wenting. "Did you find out about this place and then have someone tell me?" Xiao Jinglin loved good food and often had people inquire about local delicacies throughout Yan Prefecture. Seeing how familiar Yun Wenting was with the dishes here, she began to understand.
Upon hearing this, Yun Wenting simply smiled. "I heard about it from others."
He didn't tell Xiao Jinglin that he had personally tried nearly every restaurant in Yunyang City, from the largest establishments to roadside stalls. Because more than anyone else, he understood Xiao Jinglin's tastes—what she liked and disliked. He didn't tell her because he knew she wouldn't be moved by such gestures, and he hadn't done these things to move her.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at him but didn't ask further.
"Brother Han and I will be at the teahouse next door. If you need anything, just have someone call for me." Yun Wenting paused, then added with his usual gentle smile.
Xiao Jinglin nodded. Yun Wenting softly instructed the woman a few more words before leaving.
Xiao Jinglin turned to the visibly tense and restrained woman. "Do you have peach blossom wine?"
"R-reply, young miss, our humble shop has no peach blossom wine, only our own homemade rice wine," the woman answered nervously.
Xiao Jinglin frowned. "Then just—"
Before she could finish, Ren Yaoqi interrupted with a smile, "Then please brew a pot of tea."
Xiao Jinglin looked at Ren Yaoqi, who met her gaze. Xiao Jinglin sighed and waved for the woman to leave.
After the tea was served, the woman quickly retreated. Xiao Jinglin didn't mind that she held only a coarse porcelain teacup filled with ordinary tea. She lowered her head and took a few sips.
Although Xiao Jinglin remained silent, Ren Yaoqi sensed she was deep in thought.
In the end, Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi didn't stay to dine in the small restaurant. They waited for the dishes to be prepared and had them packed in food containers. Since this was a street-front shop, Xiao Jinglin was still concerned about avoiding gossip that might affect Ren Yaoqi, a young lady from an inner household.When leaving, Xiao Jinglin still had Hongying go to the neighboring teahouse to inform Yun Wenting. Yun Wenting immediately came out, without asking why they were leaving so soon, and simply stood by the carriage, bidding them farewell gently.
"I heard the Yun Family is about to have a joyous occasion?" Just as Yun Wenting thought Xiao Jinglin would respond calmly as usual and leave without looking back, Xiao Jinglin in the carriage unexpectedly asked this question.
Yun Wenting was visibly taken aback, then replied, "The elders are considering Qiuchen's matter."
As Yun Wenting wondered why Xiao Jinglin would suddenly ask about this, he heard her say, "Cousin, you're twenty this year, aren't you?"
The address "cousin" left Yun Wenting momentarily dazed. Before he could fully process it, Xiao Jinglin's words gave him a sense of foreboding. The corners of his mouth, which usually carried a gentle smile, unconsciously tightened.
"Seniority matters. There are some things you should start considering now, cousin." Xiao Jinglin's calm voice drifted out from behind the carriage window.
Yun Wenting looked up quietly at the carriage curtain, as if he could see Xiao Jinglin's face through the thick fabric. His voice carried a bitterness and vulnerability never shown before outsiders: "Lin'er..." In the end, he only managed to utter these two words.
Xiao Jinglin said nothing more, only signaling Hongying to drive the carriage away.
Yun Wenting stood in place for a long time without moving. His expression was tinged with sorrow and weariness, until Han Yunqian came out and called to him from behind.
Yun Wenting closed his eyes briefly. When he turned to face Han Yunqian, he had regained his usual gentle demeanor, though his complexion was noticeably paler than usual.
Han Yunqian glanced at him and simply said, "It's getting late. Should we head back to the estate?"
In the carriage, Ren Yaoqi looked at the silent Xiao Jinglin, feeling as though she had overheard something she shouldn't have. She wondered if Eldest Master Yun would feel awkward or embarrassed when he saw her in the future.
Suddenly, Xiao Jinglin let out a long sigh, then looked at Ren Yaoqi seriously and said, "Yaoyao, I'll tell you a secret."
Ren Yaoqi blinked.
Xiao Jinglin slowly leaned against Ren Yaoqi and said calmly, "I once wanted Yun Wenting to be my Commandery Princess Consort."
Xiao Jinglin's words surprised Ren Yaoqi, who couldn't help but glance at her.
"When he went to Jiajing Pass back then." Xiao Jinglin looked up at the carriage roof, her expression blank.
Every young woman holds expectations for the one she admires, and Princess Xiao was not born cold-hearted. Yun Wenting was handsome, talented in both literary and martial arts, considerate and gentle, and deeply devoted to Xiao Jinglin. He had even stayed with her at Jiajing Pass for several years. Though Xiao Jinglin was young at the time, she matured early, so it was only natural for her to develop a vague fondness for Yun Wenting.
But just when Princess Xiao mustered the courage to ask Yun Wenting if he would become her Commandery Princess Consort and stay with her at Jiajing Pass, Yun Wenting was summoned away by the Yun Family, and Xiao Jinglin never had the chance to ask that question.
As Xiao Jinglin grew older and understood more, she realized that Yun Wenting had left back then because, when forced to choose between her and the Yun Family, he ultimately chose the Yun Family. And her question would never have the chance to be asked in this lifetime.It's not that Yun Wenting is lacking, nor is it that Xiao Jinglin looks down on him. Yun Wenting once met the standards Xiao Jinglin desired in an ideal partner—it's just that it was only in the past.
Some things, once missed, never offer a second chance.
Ren Yaoqi listened quietly as Xiao Jinglin spoke of these matters, and in the end, could only offer a soft sigh.
Xiao Jinglin has always known what she wants, so there was no need for Ren Yaoqi to offer comfort.
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