Second Miss Yun of the Yun Family, Yun Qiuping, was a very introverted person. Ren Yaoqi had seen her many times before, and each time she was seen following Third Miss Yun Qiufang, inseparable from the Yun Family's third daughter. Therefore, despite Yun Qiuping having quite a pleasant appearance and dressing no less elegantly than the other two young ladies of the Yun Family, she was the least noticeable one.
When the three of them sat together, Yun Qiuping would not initiate conversation. If Ren Yaoqi invited her to sit, she would sit; if offered tea, she would pick up the teacup; if told that a certain pastry tasted good, she would take a bite. Perhaps Consort Dowager Yun was aware of Second Miss Yun's reticent nature—the kind that wouldn't utter a word even after being prodded three times—so instead of having them chat, she had them come to write.
After settling her guests, Ren Yaoqi dutifully followed Consort Dowager Yun's instructions and took out a copy of the Lotus Sutra to transcribe.
Yun Qiuping also quietly picked up a sutra to copy, while Xiao Jinglin wrote a few strokes before setting her brush aside. She then took out a book on military strategy from somewhere and sat by herself to read.
With none of the three in the outer room speaking, the voices from the inner warm chamber came through clearly.
"Has the Han Family already come to propose marriage?" Consort Dowager Yun asked.
Old Madam Yun replied softly, "Yes, Your Highness. After discussing with the old master, we have decided to marry Qiuping into the Han Family."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but glance at Yun Qiuping. Although Yun Qiuping continued to lower her head and write, her face flushed red, and the corners of her eyes and brows betrayed a hint of unconcealable joy.
Consort Dowager Yun asked, "Wasn't it said earlier that Qiuchen would marry into the Han Family? Why the change?"
Yun Qiuping's face suddenly turned pale.
Old Madam Yun and Second Madam Yun remained silent for a moment, and Yun Qiuping couldn't help but shift her gaze, looking quite uneasy.
After a while, Old Madam Yun sighed, her tone somewhat strained, "Qiuchen... her left ear still cannot hear, and... and the old master and I both feel it would be better for her to rest at home for a while before discussing marriage. I know Your Highness has always been fond of Chen'er, but she has let herself down. This matter has also caused trouble for you and the Princess Consort, and both her grandfather and I feel deeply ashamed."
It was impossible for Old Madam Yun not to feel heartache over what had become of Yun Qiuchen. The Yun Family had invested so much effort and resources into nurturing Yun Qiuchen, only to end up in such a situation. If not for Consort Dowager Yun, the entire Yun Family might have been implicated. Now, Yun Qiuchen was practically useless to the Yun Family, not even considered for a marriage alliance with the Han Family. At this critical juncture, the Yun Family also worried about how the Han Family might perceive this and feared becoming the subject of ridicule among other noble families.
Consort Dowager Yun also sighed but did not mention Yun Qiuchen again. Yun Qiuping finally breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her head to continue copying her sutra. However, when Ren Yaoqi glanced at Yun Qiuping's handwriting, she thought that, by the standards Consort Dowager Yun had previously set, Second Miss Yun's transcription of the sutra... would surely be met with disdain from Consort Dowager Yun.
Afterward, the Princess Consort asked, "Is the Yun Family prepared for Wen Fang's wedding next month?"Old Madam Yun said, "Each family has its own set of procedures for handling weddings. Just follow the established steps, and there isn't too much to prepare." Even though Old Madam Yun doted deeply on Yun Wenfang, she now had little desire to bring up this grandson. She only hoped he would obediently marry Miss Meng, settle his heart afterward, and cause less trouble for the family.
Princess Consort smiled and said, "If there's anything you need help with, just send someone over to let us know."
Old Madam Yun quickly expressed her gratitude politely.
They discussed Yun Qiuping and Yun Wenfang's marriages but made no mention of Yun Wenting's, as if they had all silently agreed to forget about the matter.
Afterward, they chatted about other trivial matters—ordinary family topics. Eventually, noticing that Consort Dowager Yun, who was accustomed to taking afternoon naps, seemed tired, Old Madam Yun and Second Madam Yun rose to take their leave. Their main purpose for visiting today was to discuss the marriage alliance between the Yun and Han families with Consort Dowager Yun.
Consort Dowager Yun did not press them to stay longer.
When Old Madam Yun and Second Madam Yun emerged from the warm chamber, Yun Qiuping finally set down her brush, stood up, and walked over to Second Madam Yun's side.
Second Madam Yun also wore a smile on her face, likely pleased that Consort Dowager Yun had not opposed marrying Yun Qiuping to Han Yunqian, even though she had remained silent throughout.
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin also stood up.
Old Madam Yun smiled kindly at them and said, "Continue with your writing; there's no need to rise." Her smile did not waver in the slightest when facing Ren Yaoqi, as if there were no past grievances or entanglements between Ren Yaoqi and her grandchildren.
Princess Consort remained inside to attend to Old Princess Consort as she retired for her nap. Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin insisted on escorting Old Madam Yun out of Lanxi Hall before turning back.
Second Madam Yun was evidently in high spirits today. When people are happy and there are no outsiders around, they tend to talk more freely.
As soon as the Yun family's carriage left Yanbei Prince's Mansion, she remarked with a smile, "The newlywed young mistress of Yanbei Prince's Mansion truly has a striking appearance, especially now—she looks even more radiant than the previous times I saw her. I imagine even the renowned Consort Wan in her youth was no more beautiful than this."
Second Madam Yun had unwittingly touched on a sensitive topic. Old Madam Yun's face immediately darkened, and she scolded sharply, "Hold your tongue!"
Second Madam Yun was taken aback and quickly lowered her head, murmuring an apology.
Old Madam Yun pointed at her and berated, "How did I teach you all those years ago? If a person is neither clever nor eloquent, they should try to speak as little as possible—that's called concealing one's shortcomings! You've done well for over a decade, and you must continue to do so! Don't let your spirits rise just because your daughter is about to marry."
Then, Old Madam Yun turned to Yun Qiuping and said, "I taught your mother this way back then, which is why she hasn't made any major mistakes over the years and has lived smoothly until now. Now, I'm teaching you the same! Remember these words well! You must abide by them even after marrying into your husband's family!"
Second Madam Yun, her eyes red with grievance, softly acknowledged the reprimand. Yun Qiuping also bit her lip and lowered her head in agreement.Old Madam Yun looked at them and sighed wearily, "Don't resent me—I'm doing this for your own good. Clever people think they can have everything their way by relying on their intelligence, but often their cleverness backfires, leading to no good end. On the other hand, foolish people, as long as they act cautiously and control their tongues, can often find a peaceful end. Neither of you, mother and daughter, are particularly clever, so it's best to feign great wisdom in simplicity."
In a way, Old Madam Yun was teaching according to each person's aptitude. When Second Mistress Yun first married into the Yun Family, she wasn't like this. She loved to talk, but unfortunately, what she said was often unpleasant, causing quite a few embarrassing incidents. Old Madam Yun had strict standards for her daughters-in-law and spent considerable time rigorously disciplining Second Mistress Yun. Gradually, Second Mistress Yun stopped speaking much in front of others, and no more jokes about the Yun Family's second mistress being foolish or tactless circulated outside.
Second Miss Yun wasn't this dull and introverted as a child either, but her temperament took after her mother, even inheriting her lack of cleverness and poor speech. As soon as Old Madam Yun noticed this tendency, she took preventive measures and strictly disciplined Second Miss Yun.
Regardless of whether Old Madam Yun's methods were overly harsh or unfeeling, at least within the Yun Family, it was widely acknowledged that the most obedient and well-behaved young lady was Yun Qiuping. While others might not have many positive things to say about Second Miss Yun, her docility was undeniable.
So, despite Yun Qiuping's usual quiet demeanor, among those who previously sought marriage alliances with the Yun Family, those who couldn't match with Eldest Miss Yun tended to prefer Second Miss Yun over Third Miss Yun.
As soon as the Yun Family members left, Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin returned to the Orchid Pavilion Hall, only to find that Consort Dowager Yun hadn't gone for her afternoon nap. Instead, she was still sitting with the Princess Consort on the southern heated kang in the warm chamber, talking.
When Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin returned, Consort Dowager Yun glanced up at them and suddenly beckoned a maid, instructing, "Bring the scriptures they copied earlier for me to see."
The maid acknowledged and left, soon returning with several sheets of paper from the outer room's table.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin, who looked up at the ceiling expressionlessly.
Sitting on the southern heated kang, Consort Dowager Yun picked up the papers and flipped through them, selecting four and pointing at them as she asked Ren Yaoqi, "Did you write these?"
The Princess Consort leaned over to look, smiled slightly, and lowered her head to drink tea.
Ren Yaoqi also leaned in for a look and nodded, "Yes, Your Highness, but I only copied five pages."
Consort Dowager Yun glanced at her without saying anything, placing the papers Ren Yaoqi had copied on the small table beside her. She then looked up at Xiao Jinglin, "And yours?"
Xiao Jinglin: "..."
Consort Dowager Yun had anticipated this and said nothing, but as she looked down at the remaining two sheets in her hand, she couldn't help but frown, "Did Yun Qiuping write these?"
Ren Yaoqi replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
Consort Dowager Yun examined them a moment longer, then shook her head and sighed.
The Princess Consort smiled, "You should rest now. It's already past your usual naptime."
Consort Dowager Yun nodded. Older people tend to sleep lightly at night and wake early in the morning, so she was accustomed to taking a half-hour nap at noon.The Princess Consort had her attendants help Consort Dowager Yun lie down, then said to Ren Yaoqi, "You stay here and continue copying the scriptures. Jinglin and I will return first."
Consort Dowager Yun, with her eyes closed, said, "Go back for today. Come again tomorrow, one hour later than today."
Ren Yaoqi agreed, and the Princess Consort took both Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi away.
After leaving Lanxi Hall, the Princess Consort smiled and said to Ren Yaoqi, "Congratulations on passing the Dowager Consort's test. From now on, she can rest assured letting you copy her scriptures."
Ren Yaoqi blinked.
The Princess Consort chuckled, "Do you know why the Dowager Consort had you copy scriptures in the adjacent room?"
Ren Yaoqi smiled, "I didn’t know before, but now that you mention it, Mother, I think I understand."
The outer and inner chambers of the warm pavilion were separated only by an openwork curio shelf and a curtain, which could hardly block out voices. Yet the Dowager Consort had arranged for the three of them to copy scriptures next door precisely to test their composure and sincerity.
Second update~
Still rolling around begging for everything~ o(∩_∩)o
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