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"That may not be the case," Wei Qing said, his narrow eyes lifting mischievously as he quickly glanced at Feng Yinxiao. "‘A graceful lady is a gentleman's ideal partner; if it's for oneself, one must be determined to achieve it!’ Why can't I like her? And why can't I marry her?"
"But didn't you just say she's only a nine-year-old girl?" Feng Yinxiao exclaimed, his earlier drunkenness evaporating in an instant, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "In your eyes, she is just a child. How can you marry her?"
"A girl will grow into a woman in just a few years," Wei Qing continued to provoke Feng Yinxiao. "Seventh Sister can't possibly remain nine years old forever, right? Just wait another three to five years and—"
"Three to five years? Can you wait that long?" Feng Yinxiao fixed his gaze on Wei Qing, his ethereal and handsome face revealing a chilling intent. Wei Qing felt a shiver run down his spine.
"If Young Lord can wait, why can't I?" Wei Qing's eyelashes trembled slightly as he feigned calmness, but deep down he knew that if he weren't named 'Wei Qing,' he would have been thrown several meters away by Feng Yinxiao by now.
"You..." Feng Yinxiao was taken aback that his thoughts had been seen through by his friend. His handsome face flushed with suspicion, and his dark eyes glinted like a blade as he stared at Wei Qing for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "Are you serious?"
Wei Qing was about to nod when he noticed the growing darkness in Feng Yinxiao's flushed face. He quickly changed his words, "Don't give me that fierce look; I'm scared! I was just joking with you; there's no need to take it seriously!"
Only then did Feng Yinxiao shake off Wei Qing's sleeve and turn back to continue drinking. Wei Qing looked down and found that the sleeve had been torn open, feeling embarrassed.
"Actually, let me say this," Wei Qing stopped teasing and tried to pat his friend's shoulder seriously. "Young Lord, why be so stubborn? What's wrong with Fourth Sister? I think she's quite good."
"I don't think Fourth Sister is bad," Feng Yinxiao replied angrily without looking back. "But that doesn't mean I have to marry her... But I feel that if I don't marry Fourth Sister, Seventh Sister won't see me again."
"Really? You're being this extreme?!" Wei Qing was taken aback, unable to believe it.
"I don't blame her," Feng Yinxiao said softly. "I blame myself for not handling this matter well."
"Then how about this," Wei Qing suggested as he couldn't bear to see his friend suffer for love. "Before the Three Elders formally visit the Wang residence, I'll let you know in advance. You can come to my place first and wait there. Then you two can meet up. How does that sound?"
"No," Feng Yinxiao said wearily, shaking his head. "My mother's health has suddenly worsened, and I need to personally attend to her by the bedside." His voice gradually became softer. "It's already the end of the month, and the Martial Examination is just around the corner. I promised Seventh Sister that I would find a way to bring her into the palace to observe. When the time comes, I'll use this as an excuse to visit her..."
Wei Qing sighed helplessly and said, "That's fine. Young Lord can do as he sees fit. Don't worry, when the Three Elders and Seventh Sister come to the royal residence to visit Father and Mother, I will speak to them privately on your behalf."
Feng Yinxiao turned around, revealing a charming smile for the first time, and said, "Good brother, thank you."
That evening, Yun Yang brought Yun Kexin to Wei Wenwang Mansion. The servants led them into the front hall, offered them tea, and asked them to wait a moment while they went to announce their arrival.
After a moment, Wei Wen Wang and Heir Wei Qing entered the hall one after another. Upon seeing the two of them, Yun Yang and Yun Kexin stood up simultaneously and bowed, saying:
"Greetings to Wei Wen Wang, greetings to Heir Apparent."
Wei Wen Wang smiled lightly and said, "No need for formalities. Lord Yun, please take a seat." After Yun Clan's father and daughter were seated, he looked at Yun Kexin with interest and said, "This young lady must be Seventh Sister."
"Your Highness is correct; I am indeed she," Yun Kexin replied politely with a smile.
Wei Wen Wang gently stroked his beard and nodded: She is beautiful and clever but perhaps a bit young.
"How have you been lately, Your Highness?" Yun Yang asked with a smile.
"I am well," Wei Wen Wang replied courteously. "My wife is in the inner room; she will be here shortly."
"It's no trouble; Consort Wei can take care of her matters first," Yun Yang said. "Not long ago, my wife visited the royal residence quite often and may have caused some disturbances. I hope Your Highness will not hold it against us."
"Being a parent is just worrying about these trivial matters," Wei Wen Wang said seriously but was not lacking in conversation skills. As they exchanged pleasantries, he quickly understood Yun Yang's purpose for visiting and smiled lightly. "The princess is also worried about my son's marriage. Just look at him; he's already grown up but still single and unwilling to settle down." Although Wei Wen Wang's words sounded like criticism or admonishment, his gaze toward Wei Qing was filled with paternal affection.
"Heir Apparent, a person of great talent, comes from a distinguished family and holds a high position," Yun Yang quickly assessed Wei Qing as he entered, secretly admiring him. "How could someone like him, who is only fourteen and yet unmarried, not have suitors flocking to him? It must be that the Heir Apparent has high standards."
Although Yun Yang was easygoing and respectful, he had no intention of climbing the social ladder, which made Wei Qing look at him with new respect.
"Lord Yun, you flatter me," Wei Qing said with a cupped fist and a humble smile. "It is not that I have high standards; I simply have not yet encountered a woman to my liking. Thanks to my father and mother’s indulgence, I have been allowed to be willful."
Wei Qing's words pleased Wei Wen Wang, who thought that although this child could be stubborn, he still knew how to show respect to his father and mother in front of guests.
At that moment, Consort Wei entered—dressed in a rosy silk embroidered dress with spring blossoms, draped in an ivory-colored coat embroidered with colorful chrysanthemums, and wearing a floor-length green skirt. Her hair was styled in a twisted bun adorned with a ruby beaded flower, and her earlobes were graced with pairs of golden earrings shaped like bauhinia flowers that swayed lightly, drawing attention.
She wore no heavy makeup; her slender figure and dignified appearance naturally exuded the grace and charm of a noblewoman—Yun Kexin couldn't help but think of Wei Qing; he resembled his mother very much.
Unlike Wei Wen Wang, the consort was a beautiful woman who always wore a gentle smile.
"Greetings, Consort Wei!" Yun Yang and Yun Kexin stood up to pay their respects.
"There's no need for formalities!" Consort Wei of the Lan Clan had already taken her seat in front of the chair and smiled as she gestured for them to stop. "I was chatting with some relatives who visited earlier, so I couldn't greet you in time. I hope Lord Yun can forgive me."
"The consort is being polite," Yun Yang smiled. "It is my visit that has disturbed your household; I hope it hasn't delayed any important matters between the Prince and the consort."
"Not at all," Lan Clan replied lightly. Her gaze shifted to Yun Kexin, who was seated next to Yun Yang. "Is this child your Seventh Sister?"
"Indeed, this is Miss Yun Kexin," Yun Yang replied with a smile.
"Come here so I can take a look," Consort Wei said with a smile as she waved her hand toward Yun Kexin.
Yun Kexin obediently stepped forward as Lan Clan took her delicate white hands and examined them closely.
In a moment, Consort Wei sighed, "The Fu Family does not speak falsely; this child truly possesses beauty and has a gentle and quiet temperament, like a refined young lady."
Yun Kexin, however, chuckled inwardly: Fu Lianyin had indeed gone to great lengths to create confusion, even going so far as to praise her, the daughter she wished to dispose of quickly, in front of outsiders. How ironic! She wondered if the Wei Wenwang Mansion had any connections with Fu Lianyin.
"That is just my mother's flattery towards Kexin," Yun Kexin said with a smile like a blooming daisy.
The Lan Clan looked at the delicate and beautiful Yun Kexin before them and genuinely liked her. However, upon recalling that the Seventh Sister was only nine years old, they couldn't help but frown. The Fu Family had come several times without mentioning the Seventh Sister's age. They had only learned about it after sending servants to inquire before visiting the Three Elders. Fortunately, the Fu Family only allowed the two children to get acquainted as playmates without arranging a marriage; otherwise, they would have to wait another five or six years to bring her home, which was too long.
Fu Lianyin had indeed grasped the heart of the Wei Wenwang Mansion!
"Your mother is not wrong; the Seventh Sister is a good girl," the Lan Clan smiled and said. "Wei Qing will be your big brother and take you around to play, okay?"
"Sure! The Heir Apparent is a good brother," Yun Kexin replied softly with a smile.
"Father, Mother, you two continue your conversation; I want to take Seventh Sister around our mansion for a look. Is that alright?" Wei Qing said.
"Go ahead. Your mother and I have matters to discuss with Lord Yun," Wei Wen Wang replied. "Be careful not to bully her."
Wei Qing smiled as he led Yun Kexin out. The two walked through the vast courtyard of the royal mansion, passing through the front yard, crossing the stone bridge, and stepping on the blue bricks of the winding corridor, each lost in their thoughts—Yun Kexin still trusted Wei Qing's character but knew that one could know a person’s face but not their heart. Who knew if he or his family were part of Fu Lianyin's faction against the Yun Family? Until everything became clear, Yun Kexin did not wish to get too close to Wei Qing, especially since he was also "involved" with another person. Just thinking about that person made her cheeks feel slightly warm.
"Seventh Sister, hiding like this isn't good," Wei Qing said as he walked shoulder to shoulder with Yun Kexin. After a while, he stopped and broke the silence.
"What do you mean it's not good?" Yun Kexin kicked at the blue stone bricks beneath her feet, pretending to be clueless. "Heir Apparent Brother, what am I hiding from?"
In truth, she understood what Wei Qing was referring to, but she did not want to mention it.
"I just want to ask," Wei Qing stared at Yun Kexin, his tone sharp, "Is it true that as long as the Young Lord doesn't marry Fourth Sister, Seventh Sister won't agree to see the Young Lord?!"
Yun Kexin felt a headache: Wei Qing was indeed going to "intervene" in this matter.
"I don't want this!" Yun Kexin turned her face away, displeased as she whispered.
"We've known each other for several years. On the surface, it seems like a superior-subordinate relationship, but in reality, we are like siblings," Wei Qing didn't care about Yun Kexin's avoidance and expressed his thoughts directly, "I understand him; his hesitation is not without reason. He is delaying not only because he hasn't found the right moment but also because he learned that Aunt Zhuo actually knows about the Brocade Box from the Second House and wants to clarify things, which has caused a delay..."
"What?" Yun Kexin suddenly looked up, her eyes wide with shock, holding her breath as she trembled and said, "Aunt Zhuo from Duke of Yan's Residence?!"
Zhuo Min? The Stepmother who was beheaded by Feng Yinxiao in her previous life to feed dogs! How could she be so well-informed about matters concerning Duke of E State Mansion?! Also, could the leak of the verbal agreement between the Second House and Duke of Yan's Residence regarding marriage have something to do with Zhuo Min?
Yun Kexin's face instantly darkened!
"Yes, does Seventh Sister know Aunt Zhuo as well?" Seeing Yun Kexin's ever-changing facial expressions, Wei Qing asked curiously, "She stays in the residence all day and only occasionally goes out with the Duchess. How does Seventh Sister know her?"
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