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"Thank you, Seventh Brother-in-law," Yun Xiao said happily as she received the gift. She then exchanged a glance with Jinxiu, who understood and stepped forward to take out two sachets, handing one each to Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin. Yun Xiao continued, "These are gifts from Xiao Er to you both, two sachets I embroidered myself. The two mandarin ducks on them represent Seventh Sister and Seventh Brother-in-law."
Yun Kexin was pleasantly surprised as she accepted the gift. Her hand brushed over the smooth red silk and the fine, neat stitches. It was impressive that eight-year-old Yun Xiao had such skills. She suddenly realized that Yun Xiao had been absent for a while, likely holed up in her room learning embroidery. With her eyes slightly reddened, Yun Kexin looked up at Yun Xiao and smiled, saying, "Thank you, Xiao Er. Seventh Sister really likes it."
"You're welcome," Yun Xiao replied with a cute smile. "I originally planned to give it to you at your wedding, but since I didn't finish it in time, I can only wait until you and Brother-in-law come back home to give it to you."
Feng Yinxiao patted Yun Xiao's head and smiled as well. "Seventh Brother-in-law also thanks you, Xiao Er. Your embroidery is truly wonderful."
Yun Yang smiled but then his expression turned serious as he recalled something. "Yun Kexin, Feng Yinxiao," he hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Third Uncle wants to meet his great-granddaughter and great-grandson-in-law..."
Just moments ago cheerful Zhou's smile vanished instantly upon hearing Yun Yang mention Yun Jinxiu; it seemed as if an invisible hand had wiped it away, leaving her face long and drawn. Because Feng Yinxiao was present, she held back her sarcastic remarks and merely said coldly, "How can he have the nerve? Not even showing up for his great-granddaughter's wedding..."
The unspoken words were: He didn't even take the entrance money.
Feng Yinxiao looked at Yun Kexin in confusion but saw her looking down in silence, feeling a whirlwind of emotions within her.
"Seventh Young Lady," Yun Yang said gravely, as if choosing his words carefully, "no matter what Third Uncle did when he was young, he must have regretted it deeply in his old age. Father just wants you to know that Third Uncle doesn't have much time left."
Yun Kexin thought of Fourth Uncle and felt a wave of sadness: not only for herself but also because Third Uncle had never married in his lifetime, which had left Fourth Uncle alone forever. She harbored too much resentment towards this Three Old Lords.
"Kexin, let's go see Third Uncle together," Feng Yinxiao said, knowing the knot in Yun Kexin's heart—this old man was the cause of many calamities in their past lives—but believing she still held filial piety. "We've known each other for so long and have never met him."
"Kexin, regardless of what Third Uncle did in the past," Yue Clan also comforted her with complex feelings, "as an elder of the Yun Clan, wanting to meet his grandson-in-law isn't wrong."
"Alright, let's go." After some thought and driven by filial piety, Yun Kexin agreed obediently.
Yun Yang smiled brightly and led the way, saying, "Come quickly, Third Uncle has been waiting for you in the North Courtyard Hall since early morning."
Yun Jinxiu was anxiously pacing in his bedroom. He remembered how he had opposed Yun Kexin's engagement to the Duke of Yan's legitimate son. He had the impression that military generals were nothing but brutish and uncultured, but he knew that he was now in a vulnerable position. Given his past grievances, there was no longer a place for him in the Duke of E State Mansion. He only hoped to meet this rumored Young Marquis to put his mind at ease, though he was unsure if the couple would be willing to come.
A large group made their way to the North Courtyard, where Yun Jinxiu resided. Hearing movement outside the courtyard, Yun Jinxiu was overjoyed and asked his maid to help him to the door. From a distance, he saw a group approaching with joyful expressions. He focused on Yun Kexin and then looked at Feng Yinxiao, who was holding her hand. A wave of mixed emotions washed over him as he thought that if he were in their position, he would also choose this son-in-law.
Second Elder Lord Yun Jinyu worried that the Three Old Lords might spoil the mood, so he hurriedly came to support Yun Jinxiu into the inner room and sat him down beside the Grand Scholar Chair. He whispered, "Third Brother, Seventh Aunt and Seventh Uncle are coming to pay their respects. If you have anything to say, please hold back a bit."
Yun Jinxiu merely smiled faintly to indicate that Second Brother was overthinking. Feng Momo had already prepared everything; as soon as Second Elder Lord finished speaking, she smiled and placed a mat in front of the Three Old Lords. Yun Kexin and Feng Yinxiao bowed to the Three Old Lords. Yun Jinxiu instructed a maid to fetch his meeting gifts: two books, one titled Records of the Grand Historian and another titled Spring and Autumn. The maid handed them to Feng Yinxiao, and with a face full of wrinkles, Yun Jinxiu smiled and said:
"Young Lord, I know you are a military general and may not care much for books, but I still believe it is necessary for young people to read more to broaden their knowledge and experience; it will also benefit you in your future endeavors."
Feng Yinxiao held the books with both hands and humbly explained, "No, Third Uncle. In fact, compared to wielding weapons, I prefer reading and writing. When I was young, I considered participating in the imperial examinations, but due to my poor health as a child, my father and mother decided to have me practice martial arts under Grand Tutor's guidance. I trained diligently every day; however, even while learning martial arts, I never let go of my books."
Yun Kexin sighed inwardly: no wonder Feng Yinxiao was a military general yet lacked any roughness or recklessness; he was straightforward and liked cleanliness. Yun Jinxiu intentionally probed about some book titles and content, even asking for explanations. To his surprise, Feng Yinxiao answered fluently, earning praise from the Three Old Lords who had always been proud.
Then he asked a maid to help him into the inner chamber and called for Yun Yang and Feng Yinxiao as well. He instructed Yun Yang to take out a red booklet from the bookshelf and present it to Feng Yinxiao.
Feng Yinxiao let Yun Kexin hold onto the book first while he opened the booklet in astonishment; it was filled with names of important officials in the court. He looked questioningly at Three Old Lords Steady as a Mountain.
"This is a record of relationships I've built over decades in court," Yun Jinxiu explained calmly. Seeing Feng Yinxiao's look of doubt, he added further, "Rest assured, these individuals have no dirty dealings with me nor any monetary exchanges; they are all upright individuals who value talent..."
In an instant, Yun Kexin understood Third Uncle's intention: he meant to "support" Feng Yinxiao.
Feng Yinxiao closed the booklet and exchanged it openly with Three Old Lords while smiling:
"Yin Xiao thanked Third Uncle for his kindness, but I cannot accept this."
Yun Jinxiu paused for a moment, then showed an approving expression, repeatedly praising, "What a broad-minded and noble character! Well done, I am truly impressed."
Afterward, the group returned to the hall and chatted for a while, mostly praising Yun Yang, complimenting him for having the insight to choose a good son-in-law. Just the fact that he leads the Imperial Guards in the capital is already commendable. Moreover, Seventh Young Lady is wise and virtuous, making her a great future support. Yun Ran's face turned pale, and he was fuming.
After bidding farewell to the Three Old Lords, Fu Yihang felt gloomy all the way—everyone in the Yun Clan was unanimously praising Feng Yinxiao, even the Three Old Lords, who usually looked down on several families, were full of compliments. Meanwhile, he, as the Han Wangfu Heir Apparent, was completely ignored, with no chance to interject, as if he were invisible. Yun Ran followed behind him, trying to please him.
"Brother Fu, are you unhappy about what just happened?"
"No," Fu Yihang replied restlessly.
"It's nothing. Today Seventh Sister and Seven Brother-in-Law are visiting home; everyone in the household will surely be focused on them," Yun Ran disregarded Fu Yihang's insincerity and comforted him as if comforting himself, "We will naturally be left 'hanging' until they return. The Yun Clan will continue to value Fu Shizi as always."
"That's not it," Fu Yihang said coldly. "It's mainly that Seventh Sister has been unwilling to pay attention to me. Is it that once she gets married, she can't talk to other men? I'm her cousin..."
Yun Ran sneered but tried to keep his emotions in check: "Brother Fu, isn't that the case? They are newlyweds now, full of affection; does Seventh Sister still have eyes for anyone else? I can see that Seventh Uncle treats Seventh Aunt quite well."
With just one sentence from Yun Ran, Fu Yihang's expression grew darker, feeling sour and jealous. He retorted:
"What's so great about it? He's just a Palace Front Commander. If I had chosen the military path back then, I might have been a general by now."
It was rare for Fu Yihang to "vent" in front of Yun Ran, which made Yun Ran overjoyed while also probing:
"Then why did Fu Shizi choose to pursue literature instead of martial arts back then?"
She put on a gentle and understanding demeanor, widening her eyes and quietly waiting for an answer. Unfortunately, Fu Yihang didn't even glance at her and, with a hint of impatience, said:
"Isn't it my father and mother? The military general might have to go to the battlefield, and they only have me as their son, hoping I will study hard and achieve success."
"Truly, it's hard to defy a father's orders," Yun Ran lightly shook her head, wishing she could stick to Fu Yihang like Yun Kexin did. "Brother Fu is very filial; if it were someone else, they would certainly cause a stir."
Fu Yihang did not respond and walked away in contemplation. Yun Ran felt bored but still followed him.
Upon returning to the Three Courtyard West Garden, Yun Ran was still thinking of ways to comfort Fu Yihang—only with "interaction" would he notice her. However, she saw Fu Yihang calmly walk up to Yun Yang and Fu Lianyin and abruptly say:
"Uncle, Aunt, has my sister Yun Ran been promised yet?"
Everyone was taken aback. Yun Ran could hardly believe her ears: What was Fu Shizi doing? Was he proposing like Mother and Father? Did this mean she would be the legitimate wife instead of a concubine, able to stand equal with Yun Kexin?! Yun Ran couldn't help but glance at Yun Kexin with a smug expression.
Yun Kexin also found it unbelievable: Fu Yihang actually took the initiative to propose? But Yun Ran was a daughter of a concubine; unless she became the main wife in the future, she couldn't hold that position. Moreover, she remembered how he had mocked Yun Ran for being a Concubine Maid.
Sure enough, before Yun Ran could wake from her beautiful dream, Fu Yihang added: "…I heard Uncle and Aunt mention Fifth Sister's situation; may I take her as a concubine…"
In an instant, Yun Ran felt as if she had fallen from the clouds into a valley, feeling both angry and humiliated. However, thinking about her status as a daughter of a concubine made her accept her fate. With a sigh, she recalled Zhuo Min from the Duke of Yan's Residence; wasn't she just a concubine who became the main wife? She thought that if she entered Han Wangfu and sincerely served the Prince, the Princess, and the Heir Apparent, perhaps she could also be elevated! As she pondered this, Yun Ran felt her blood boil with excitement.
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