Both Old Master Yun and Old Madam Yun were furious. Yun Bangyan, the Eldest Master of the Yun Family, was scolded severely by his father, who accused him of raising a disgraceful son and failing in his duty as a father.
In the end, it was Old Madam Yun who calmly soothed Old Master Yun: "The time for the wedding procession is almost here. Scolding him now won't solve the problem. We need to think of a way to get through today peacefully."
Old Master Yun fumed, "Don't I know the time is almost here? The problem is that disgraceful child is still nowhere to be seen. How can this wedding proceed? I'll have to go to the Meng family myself and apologize! This marriage alliance should be called off."
Old Master Yun felt deeply aggrieved. Having held a lofty position for most of his life, he had never been so passive before. Yet now, because of a few incompetent grandchildren, he had lost face completely. Although the Meng family was not as powerful as the Yun Family, they were not to be underestimated. This time, the Yun Family was in the wrong, and he had no choice but to swallow his pride and apologize.
Old Madam Yun frowned but shook her head. "That won't do."
Everyone in the room couldn't help but look at Old Madam Yun.
On the surface, Old Master Yun was the head of the Yun Family, but Old Madam Yun was intelligent and wise. Since her youth, she had assisted Old Master Yun in managing the family's affairs. Whenever she spoke, even Old Master Yun would carefully consider her words.
Old Master Yun sighed helplessly, "Then what else can we do?"
Although Old Madam Yun was also deeply angered by Yun Wenfang's actions, she quickly calmed down. Her first thought was not how to vent her anger but how to minimize the damage from this situation.
"If it were just an engagement, we could still find an excuse to break it off. But today is the wedding day. If we propose canceling the marriage now, I'm afraid our Yun Family and the Meng family won't be able to resolve this peacefully."
Breaking off an engagement was already dishonorable for the bride's family, and Yun Wenfang had fled on the wedding day. If the Yun Family allowed this marriage to end without a proper conclusion, it would be a blatant slap in the face to the Meng family. In the future, not only would normal interactions between the two families be impossible, but they might even become enemies. This clearly did not align with the Yun Family's interests.
"Moreover, this marriage alliance was originally approved by the Princess Consort. It must proceed!"
Old Master Yun glanced at his wife and understood her meaning. They were well aware of the circumstances under which Yun Wenfang's marriage had been arranged. If Yun Wenfang escaped again this time, the Yun Family would have no way to explain themselves to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
Old Madam Yun's gaze slowly swept over everyone in the room before she spoke with firm determination: "Don't panic. All of you, go and continue with your preparations as planned. We must ensure today's wedding proceeds smoothly. There are plenty of people waiting to see us make fools of ourselves. Don't lose your composure!"
After Old Madam Yun's words, everyone in the Yun Family indeed felt much more at ease. However, with Yun Wenfang, the groom, absent, how could the wedding proceed?
First Madam Yun said with a pale face, "Fang'er..."
Old Madam Yun waved her hand to stop her, then asked Yun Bangyan, "Where is Wen Ting?"
Yun Bangyan quickly replied, "He's still looking for that disgraceful creature, Yun Wenfang. He should be back soon."
Old Madam Yun nodded. "As soon as Ting'er returns, have him lead the procession to the Meng family to fetch the bride."
Everyone was stunned by her words. Old Master Yun frowned and asked, "Have the eldest son marry her?"Old Madam Yun shot him a glare. "Of course it's still the second son who will marry! But since Wenfang is unavailable, having his elder brother help welcome the bride and complete the ceremony is also in accordance with etiquette. To the outside world, we'll say Wenfang's old injury has flared up, making it inconvenient for him to go out."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood. In Great Zhou, it was indeed permissible for a brother to help welcome the bride, though it was usually only when the groom had a physical disability or was too ill to walk. Now that Yun Wenfang had disappeared without a trace, the Yun Family had no choice but to resort to this last resort.
Old Master Yun sighed. "It can only be this way. Tomorrow, I will personally visit the Meng family to apologize, but today we must cover this up no matter what." The Yun Family was not what it used to be; they could not afford to offend the Meng family too severely at this time.
Eldest Master Yun also came to his senses and quickly said, "I'll have someone bring the eldest young master back right away. With so many eyes watching outside, delaying too long would be truly inappropriate."
Old Master Yun nodded and sent Eldest Master Yun off.
Yun Wenting was soon summoned back. After receiving instructions from the two elders of the Yun Family, he changed into the wedding attire prepared for Yun Wenfang and hurriedly led the bridal sedan to the Meng family to fetch the bride.
Most people in Yunyang City recognized the face of the Yun family's eldest young master, so as soon as he appeared in the wedding procession, the onlookers erupted in confusion, unsure what the Yun Family was up to. It wasn't until the Yun Family deliberately spread the word that the Yun family's second young master had been seriously injured earlier and was now bedridden due to a sudden relapse of his old injury, which was why his elder brother was stepping in to welcome the bride on his behalf.
Although it wasn't unheard of for a brother to substitute in welcoming the bride, the Yun Family's approach still left many suspicious. Moreover, rumors about the Yun Family's earlier search for someone had not gone unnoticed, so some guessed that something might have gone wrong with the wedding.
However, the Yun family's eldest young master maintained a calm smile throughout, showing no signs of anything amiss. The entire Yun Family also remained composed, and no mishaps occurred. So, despite the doubts and speculations in people's minds, no one could be certain.
The Meng family was also displeased that it was the Yun family's eldest young master, not the second young master, who came to welcome the bride. In the end, Eldest Master Yun personally visited the Meng family and spoke with Master Meng. When Master Meng emerged, his expression was grim, but he ultimately allowed Yun Wenting to take his daughter away.
Although the Meng family was furious about the day's events, the Yun Family had shown considerable sincerity. Moreover, if this marriage alliance ultimately fell through, it would be the Meng family's eldest daughter who suffered the most. Most importantly, Eldest Master Yun's words were not wrong—if the two families truly broke ties, both would lose out. After all, this was a marriage alliance between two families, and there were far too many factors to consider. Rather than having both families part ways in discord, it was better to let the Yun Family owe the Meng family a significant favor. The head of the Meng family was no fool; after careful consideration, he reached an agreement with the Yun Family.
Thus, with tacit understanding between the Yun and Meng families, the wedding proceeded as planned. In the absence of the groom, Yun Wenfang, the Meng family's eldest daughter still entered the Yun Family's gates and became the Yun family's second young madam.
Because of this incident, the Yun Family owed the Meng family a significant favor, and naturally, the Yun Family later provided the Meng family with many benefits.Ren Yaoqi learned about Yun Wenfang's elopement from Xiao Jinglin the next day. After hearing it, she was stunned for a long while, and in the end, aside from sighing, she didn't know what expression to make.
Xiao Jinglin said, "Yun Wenfang probably went to Jiajing Pass." Although Ren Yaoqi hadn't asked, Xiao Jinglin still voiced her speculation.
"Only by reaching Jiajing Pass can the Yun Family do nothing about him. However, he likely didn't expect that even if he ran from this marriage, he still wouldn't escape it in the end." At this point, Xiao Jinglin even sighed.
Xiao Jinglin was a person of deep emotions and strong principles, so by now, she actually felt some sympathy for Yun Wenfang. Although she still didn't like people like Yun Wenfang, she admired those who remained true to themselves and unwavering in their convictions. Especially in an environment like the Yun Family, producing someone like Yun Wenfang, who was so devoted to love, was truly something bewildering.
What Ren Yaoqi didn't know was that when Xiao Jingxi returned that evening, he happened to run into Xiao Jinglin. The siblings had a private conversation that no one else knew about.
Xiao Jinglin looked at Xiao Jingxi and, with an expressionless face, admonished him, "Actually, I think Yun Wenfang isn't so bad now. There aren't many people in this world who would go to such lengths for love."
Xiao Jingxi raised an eyebrow and looked at Xiao Jinglin. "So?"
Xiao Jinglin looked down at him condescendingly. "I've heard that many powerful animals in this world eventually went extinct because they had no natural rivals. A comfortable life makes it easy to lose vigilance. So, I think having someone like Yun Wenfang in the world to keep you constantly alert is a good thing."
As she spoke, Xiao Jinglin walked over and patted Xiao Jingxi's shoulder seriously. "So, treat your wife well. Otherwise, you won't even compare to Yun Wenfang."
After saying this, Xiao Jinglin walked away with her head held high.
Leaving Xiao Jingxi speechless: "..."
That night, Ren Yaoqi felt that Xiao Jingxi was especially gentle and considerate. Although Second Young Master Xiao had always been gentle and considerate since their marriage, even helping Ren Yaoqi take off her shoes when she went to bed was something that had never happened before. It startled Ren Yaoqi so much that she blinked for a long time without reacting.
Xiao Jingxi met Ren Yaoqi's puzzled gaze and smiled beautifully. "What's wrong?"
Ren Yaoqi frowned and reached out to touch Xiao Jingxi's forehead. Xiao Jingxi took her hand and placed it on his chest.
"What's wrong with you?" Although Xiao Jingxi's temperature felt normal and he didn't seem feverish, Ren Yaoqi still felt something was off.
Xiao Jingxi leaned over and kissed the tip of Ren Yaoqi's nose. His tone was extremely tender, and his voice was so pleasant that Ren Yaoqi, who couldn't resist a handsome man, felt a bit dizzy. "Yaoyao, I will treat you well."
Ren Yaoqi blinked, nodded, and was then pulled into Second Young Master Xiao's embrace.
Ren Yaoqi spent half the night thinking but couldn't figure out what had gotten into Xiao Jingxi that day.
However, soon, Ren Yaoqi no longer had the leisure to dwell on Xiao Jingxi's insignificant odd behavior, because another major event occurred in Yanbei.The Prince of Yanbei announced to everyone, without any prior warning, that he would designate Xiao Weiyong as the heir to the Prince of Yanbei. The name Xiao Weiyong was still unfamiliar to the world, as it was a name the Prince of Yanbei had only recently given to his legitimate eldest grandson.
As soon as this news emerged, the people of Yanbei were utterly astonished.
Everyone understood that although Xiao Weiyong was nominally the Prince of Yanbei's own grandson, he had been born in the imperial palace in the capital and was even being raised in the Empress Dowager's palace. Such a child, upon growing up, would undoubtedly be closer to the imperial court than to Yanbei. How could the Prince of Yanbei make such a decision?
Could it be that the Prince of Yanbei intended to bring the young heir back to Yanbei?
OpenNovel