Yun Wenfang stood there in his bright red wedding attire, his tall, straight figure and handsome face captivating even the Yun family maids who had seen him before. He himself seemed oblivious, his expression calm and indifferent.
Old Madam Yun and First Madam both wanted to question him about Miss Meng, but considering the special circumstances of the day and fearing they might delay the auspicious hour, they ultimately held back their inquiries and allowed Yun Wenfang to leave in his wedding attire.
The road from the Yun Family to the villa was lined with onlookers eager to see the spectacle. When they saw that it was not the Yun family's eldest young master but the second young master sitting atop the tall horse, they began whispering among themselves.
"Why is it the second young master coming to fetch the bride? Where is the eldest young master?"
"Indeed, but the Yun family's second young master is truly handsome."
"Miss Meng is truly fortunate."
"What fortune? I heard that yesterday, Yun family's second young madam returned to her maiden home. She must have suffered some great grievance."
"Returning to her maiden home just as her sister-in-law is entering the household? This eldest Miss Meng truly lacks propriety!"
"I remember when the second young master married Miss Meng, he didn't even show up, leaving the bride alone for a year or more before returning. If it were me, I would have stormed back home long ago."
"Do you think it's possible that Yun family's second young master is dissatisfied with Miss Meng but has taken a liking to that Miss Zhao from the south? And the eldest young master, being gentle and accommodating, yielded his bride to his brother?"
Although this speculation was highly unreliable, people love gossip—the more vulgar and bizarre, the better. Thus, many had already shifted their focus away from the wedding itself. Initially curious about why Yun Wenfang was replacing his elder brother in fetching the bride, they were now captivated by the news of Miss Meng returning to her maiden home.
Yun Wenfang sat casually on his horse, a faint smile on his lips, seemingly unbothered by becoming the center of gossip. After all, Miss Meng would leave sooner or later; her departure now served some purpose by diverting attention. Yun Wenfang had deliberately chosen to confront Miss Meng at that moment yesterday after weighing the pros and cons.
In the villa, Zhao Yingqiu, already dressed and made up, frowned slightly when her subordinate reported that it was Yun Wenfang who had come to fetch the bride.
"Has Yun Wenting still not returned to Yunyang City?"
"No, there's no news yet. It's said he left with Commandery Princess Xiao."
Zhao Yingqiu smiled faintly, a hint of mockery in her expression. "I never realized this Yun eldest young master was such a devoted romantic."
"Should we proceed with the plan as scheduled?" the subordinate asked softly.
Zhao Yingqiu smoothed her skirt, replying nonchalantly, "Of course we proceed. With Xiao Jingxi missing and Xiao Jinglin gone to Wuzhou, there's no better opportunity. Yun Wenting chasing after his beloved and not being in Yunyang City means they aren't taking this marriage seriously, making our arrangements easier."
"What about Miss Yan..."
Zhao Yingqiu's smile turned slightly scornful. "A woman who can betray her own family has limited value. Since the Empress Dowager sent her to Yanbei, she never intended for her to return."
Just then, commotion erupted outside—the bridal procession had arrived.
Zhao Yingqiu composed her expression and signaled her maid to place the red veil over her head.When Yun Wenfang came to fetch Zhao Yingqiu, he couldn't help but feel somewhat dazed as he looked at the woman sitting upright by the bedside. Zhao Yingqiu's figure bore some resemblance to the person in his memory, and now, with her face veiled by the wedding veil as she sat there, Yun Wenfang felt as if he had stepped into a dream.
As Zhao Yingqiu followed Yun Wenfang out, she felt somewhat puzzled. She had long heard that the Yun family's second young master had a temperamental and eccentric nature, yet the man walking beside her today was exceptionally gentle, even softly reminding her when she descended the steps.
And so, Zhao Yingqiu was welcomed into the Yun family by Yun Wenfang. Everything from the wedding ceremony to being escorted to the bridal chamber went smoothly. Both the Yun family and Zhao Yingqiu's people collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
After Zhao Yingqiu entered the bridal chamber, there was nothing more for Yun Wenfang to do. With a calm expression, he went to the front courtyard to accompany the guests.
Given Zhao Yingqiu's special status and the groom's absence from the estate, no one tactless dared to disturb the bridal chamber. Even the usual wedding banquet customs of urging and pouring wine did not occur, making the feast rather dull.
Today, the Princess Consort also attended the banquet at the Yun family. After all, the Yun family was the Princess Consort's maternal home, and this marriage had been bestowed by the Empress Dowager. Regardless, the Princess Consort felt she should make an appearance. Ren Yaoqi did not accompany her as she was currently pregnant.
The women of the Yun family seated the Princess Consort at the head table, with Old Madam Yun, First Madam Yun, and other female members of the Yun family accompanying her.
While speaking with Old Madam Yun, the Princess Consort casually glanced around the hall and noticed that not a single member of the Meng family, the Yun family's in-laws, was present at the banquet.
She had heard about Miss Meng returning to her maternal home and knew that Yun Wenfang had been the one to fetch the bride today. As for the reason Yun Wenting had left Yunyang City, she had also heard about it. At this point, she could only sigh.
Truth be told, the Princess Consort had always been fond of Yun Wenting. He was handsome, with an excellent temperament, and had grown up with Xiao Jinglin, making him someone she knew well. In the end, she could only sigh at the whims of fate.
Though these thoughts crossed her mind, the Princess Consort showed no trace of them on her face, merely chatting with Old Madam Yun about trivial matters.
The three young ladies of the Yun family were also seated at the table.
The Yun family's eldest miss remained as beautiful as ever. Her presence made the other two Yun sisters, dressed in their finest attire, pale in comparison. However, Yun Qiuchen no longer wore the gentle smile that had always graced her face. Her expression was indifferent, almost cold, and she remained silent throughout the feast.
Yun Qiuping, the Yun family's second miss, who had once been reserved and taciturn, had become much livelier. Sitting beside Yun Qiuchen, she chatted with her constantly, occasionally leaning over to exchange a few words with Yun Qiufang, who sat on Yun Qiuchen's other side. She appeared carefree and content with her life.
Yun Qiufang, the Yun family's third miss, also looked rather displeased. When Yun Qiuping spoke to her, she responded half-heartedly, occasionally replying with a hint of sarcasm, as if she looked down on Yun Qiuping for flaunting her return to her maternal home. Yun Qiufang was currently in the process of arranging a marriage. Although the candidates proposed by the elders were not lacking in family background, none could compare to Han Yunqian in terms of appearance or talent. This left Yun Qiufang, who believed she was superior to Yun Qiuping in every way, feeling deeply dissatisfied. To make matters worse, Yun Qiuping always returned with such an air of flaunting her husband.The Princess Consort's gaze swept over the faces of the three sisters. Recalling Consort Dowager Yun's words before her visit today, she finally asked Old Madam Yun, "Qiufang's marriage is almost settled. What plans does the Yun Family have for Qiuchen?"
The Princess Consort was not particularly keen on meddling in the Yun Family's domestic affairs, but Consort Dowager Yun still cared deeply for the younger generation of her maternal family.
The Princess Consort's voice was neither too loud nor too soft—inaudible to guests at other tables, but clearly heard by all the women of the Yun Family. For a moment, silence fell. Even Yun Qiuping, who had been speaking, abruptly cut off her words and looked toward Yun Qiuchen.
First Madam glanced at Yun Qiuchen, then at Old Madam Yun and the Princess Consort, ultimately sighing softly without speaking. Yun Qiuchen had been neglected by the Yun Family for a long time and had only recently reappeared in public. However, Old Madam Ren no longer brought her along when going out.
After a brief pause, Old Madam Yun replied, "Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort. However, Qiuchen's health has only just improved, so we have not yet considered her marriage."
Yun Qiuchen did not suffer from any serious illness, but her left ear was permanently deaf. The Yun Family had sought many physicians to treat her, but the results were unsatisfactory. While finding a suitable match for Yun Qiuchen would not be difficult, given her condition...
Yun Qiuchen suddenly spoke calmly, "Princess Consort, I wish to become a nun."
At these words, the expressions of Old Madam Yun and First Madam darkened.
A woman like Yun Qiuchen, who had been the center of attention since birth, had spent the first half of her life striving to become the principal wife of a high-ranking official. How could she be content to marry an ordinary man? In that case, she would rather spend her life in devotion to Buddha.
Old Madam Yun and First Madam were reluctant to see Yun Qiuchen become a nun, but they understood her temperament all too well. This girl was too strong-willed. If forced into marriage, the outcome would not be what they desired. Thus, the matter of Yun Qiuchen's future had been postponed.
The Princess Consort was not surprised by Yun Qiuchen's words. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "You are still young; there is no need to rush into such a decision. Consort Dowager Yun will return next year to guard the late Prince's tomb. If you do not wish to remain at home, you may accompany her to keep her company. There is a nunnery nearby where you can listen to Buddhist teachings in your spare time. When you have a change of heart, you may return. This way, no one would dare spread rumors."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yun and First Madam understood that Consort Dowager Yun still held some affection for Yun Qiuchen, allowing her to accompany her to guard the late Prince's tomb. This would also prevent outsiders from spreading gossip about Yun Qiuchen, so they did not object.
Yun Qiuchen remained silent for a moment before nodding, "Very well, I will go."
The Princess Consort nodded in acknowledgment and shifted the conversation to other topics with Old Madam Yun.
Naturally, the Princess Consort did not need to remain at the banquet from start to finish. After taking a few bites of food and drinking a few cups of wine, she rose to return to her residence. First Madam personally escorted the Princess Consort out.
By the time the Princess Consort's carriage departed from Yun Mansion, the sky had already darkened. As other guests had not yet left, the journey was relatively quiet.
However, just as the Princess Consort's carriage emerged from the lane where Yun Mansion was located, it was stopped.
"Princess Consort, Lord Mu has arrived," Nanny Xin whispered, lifting the curtain to take a glance.Mu Hu arrived with a troop of soldiers. Seeing the Princess Consort's carriage had stopped, he immediately dismounted and quickly approached the carriage to pay his respects.
"Your humble servant greets the Princess Consort."
The Princess Consort recognized Mu Hu and asked gently from behind the curtain, "What brings Lord Mu here?"
Mu Hu glanced at the attendants accompanying the Princess Consort. Aside from maids and elderly women, she had brought over a dozen guards. However, the two guards at the very back kept their heads lowered, and in the darkness of the night, their faces were even harder to make out.
Apologies for the hiatus again... 〒_〒
The author has been quite busy these past few days, constantly running around outside and feeling overwhelmed, so there hasn't been any time to settle down and write...
Updates resume from today.
Sorry, everyone! Bows deeply!
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