Chapter 36 "In my sister-in-law's heart, I am more important than my brother..."
Before Ji Wanyuan could reply, Emerald pulled her aside and looked her up and down, signaling her to be careful so that no one could use her against her again.
The arcade is always bustling with people; the incident between the two last time hasn't been resolved yet.
She pouted, clearly annoyed. "Uncle, what do you want to see me about? Can't we talk about it here?"
Wen Yunqin looked at the girl's delicate face. After her period started, her face had gained some weight, but it was still small, only it looked a little round and plump.
"I've heard from my family lately that you and your brother have had a falling out?"
Ji Wanyuan remained silent.
Wen Yunqin observed her expression. "Is it... because of what happened last time?"
Ji Wanyuan said no, "He just went crazy."
As soon as she finished saying the word "crazy," Emerald cleared her throat and started muttering to herself, urging her mistress to remind her.
Ji Wanyuan could only change her words, vaguely saying, "It's nothing, it'll be fine in a few days."
I wonder what that capricious jerk is thinking, whether or not I want a divorce?
Was he going to keep dragging this on? Was he planning to just leave her hanging like this? Let her belly grow bigger and bigger? Until she gave birth? That was why Ji Wanyuan was in such a hurry to come back.
She was unaware of Wen Qiyan's official business with the court, but she couldn't afford to delay. If she could take this opportunity to divorce Wen Qiyan, that would be the best outcome.
But if she were to divorce Wen Qiyan, then... it absolutely could not be her fault, especially if it came to the public and she had to argue with the emperor, otherwise her father would be impeached because of her again.
Sigh, that's what she said, but she still wasn't sure.
It feels like things have hit a dead end again.
Ultimately, it was all because of the imperial court. If it weren't for the imperial court's interference, her relationship with Wen Qiyan wouldn't have become such a deadlock.
Noticing the worry on her face, Wen Yunqin thought of the strange occurrences he hadn't been able to figure out these past few days. "But... what happened?"
He had just seen Ji Wanyuan return in a carriage with a man, but he didn't know who it was.
Could it be that she dislikes her brother and has transferred her affections to someone else?
Who exactly is this person?
The carriage curtains fluttered as it stopped, and he only caught a glimpse of an outline, knowing it was a man, but not his whole face.
Thinking of this, Wen Yunqin's doubts grew, and he dared not speak rashly, because as Ji Wanyuan's uncle, it would be too presumptuous of him to inquire about these matters.
Ji Wanyuan's brow twitched slightly. So many things had happened—the Ji family, the Wen family, one incident after another… She looked at Wen Yunqin's face, wanting to speak but daring not to.
If this had happened a few years ago, given their friendship, she would have told him everything without him even asking, hoping to find out more about the Wen family through him.
Now, after many years, she could vaguely sense that Wen Yunqin hadn't changed, but that was just a feeling. It concerned lives and her Ji family, so she dared not easily entrust her secrets to him.
You can't see into someone's heart. Who knows if Wen Yunqin's heart has changed even though his appearance hasn't changed?
Moreover, this matter not only concerns the future of both families, but also involves the imperial court...
As the storybooks say, after Wen Qiyan dealt with the Ji family, he was promoted and became a powerful and wealthy official, and then married a beautiful wife, becoming the most popular man around.
That's a divine favor! Who wouldn't want it?
With divine favor comes endless wealth and honor, high official rank and generous salary.
"It's hard to say... Sister-in-law." Wen Yunqin saw that she was hesitant to speak, her expression seemed extremely difficult and conflicted, and there was a hint of sneer and mockery in her voice.
Ji Wanyuan sighed, "There are indeed some things, but I don't know how to say them. In any case, they are not major issues and can be handled. Thank you for your concern, Uncle."
"Let's not talk about my business." Fearing Wen Yunqin would press further, she quickly changed the subject. "What does Uncle want with me?"
She has indeed changed a bit, not only in becoming a wife, but also in becoming more cautious and prudent.
With her calling him "little uncle" repeatedly, Wen Yunqin could easily tell that she was distant.
That's true. Even if people haven't changed much, many years have passed. He has changed, and so has she.
“I…I saw you in the attic just now…I saw my sister-in-law come home, it seemed…”
This time, when Wen Yunqin hesitated to speak, Ji Wanyuan felt a jolt.
In her haste, she managed to lower her voice and lean slightly closer to him, asking, "What...what did you see?"
“I saw what looked like a figure inside the carriage… but I’m not entirely sure,” Wen Yunqin added.
Ji Wanyuan immediately wanted to play dumb and say that he had seen wrong, but then she thought that since Wen Yunqin had come to ask her, it couldn't be what he said, such as "figure," "seems," or "uncertain."
He was absolutely certain that he saw it.
Unexpectedly, despite her supposed secrecy, she was still discovered by Wen Yunqin.
There really is no such thing as a wall that cannot be sealed.
Ji Wanyuan was trying to think of a way to deal with it, but she couldn't quite figure it out for a moment. What could she say to make excuses?
this………
Seeing that she remained silent, her expression constantly changing, her eyes darting around hidden beneath her thick, curled eyelashes.
Wen Yunqin knew that the matter had put her in a difficult position, so he immediately changed his tune, "I must have been mistaken, there was no one there."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wanyuan, who was trying to figure out how to brush it off, glanced at him.
That's it... all done?
Jade, who had been on tenterhooks, also breathed a sigh of relief.
Before she could completely relax, the thought of Wen Yunqin delivering pastries and silk to Ji Wanyuan brought it up again.
"For me?"
Ji Wanyuan did not expect that Wen Yunqin came to find her not to question her, but to bring her pastries and silk.
"Yes, this is for you... for your sister-in-law." He lost his manners again.
The pastries were from Lu Bao Zhai, a pastry shop she used to love. As for the silk, the patterns were unique and the colors were quite outstanding. They were beautiful under the sunlight. Wen Yunqin said they were Xiangyun yarn, which was unique to the place where he worked.
He also said that he bought it with his salary and had a large sum of money when he was transferred back to Beijing.
Ji Wanyuan raised an eyebrow. "That's a huge sum of money."
"Does everyone in the family have one?" she asked instinctively.
This was a habit she developed while living as a pampered young lady at home. Whenever Madam Ji and Prime Minister Ji gave her something, she was always very happy and liked to ask arrogantly if it was something only she could have.
Ji Wanyuan had only asked the question casually, but Wen Yunqin was taken aback.
Ji Wanyuan had already looked up when she asked the question, so she didn't miss the slightly evasive and embarrassed look on Wen Yunqin's face.
He stumbled over his words, "Yuan...Yuan also wanted to prepare something for Mother, but Mother said she didn't like it..."
As she answered while being looked at, Wen Yunqin felt a little nervous, but she tried her best to remain calm and not show any weakness.
Ji Wanyuan probably didn't have any questions. She said "oh" and looked down at the fabric again. It was indeed something she would like. She didn't expect Wen Yunqin to be so kind and thoughtful. Knowing that she loved beauty, he even thought of bringing her Xiangyun yarn.
"Besides, I didn't attend your wedding to my brother back then, nor did I send any congratulatory gifts. Now... we're all under the same roof, practically family, so I thought I'd give you one."
Finally, he added that he would also deliver the package if his younger sister were home.
Ji Wanyuan didn't think that far ahead. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle. I really like this Xiangyun yarn. I'll have Jadeite cut it for me to wear tomorrow."
"Otherwise, it won't look good if I wear it now that I'm further along in my pregnancy."
She was genuinely surprised; she had gained a lot of weight.
Wen Yunqin's mind suddenly sank, and his gaze involuntarily fell on the woman's lower abdomen.
She was carrying her brother's child.
The fact that she was carrying his child meant that she and her brother had done that kind of thing.
His thoughts started to wander again, and he felt a pang of sadness. "..."
He knew he shouldn't covet her; she was now his sister-in-law, his brother's lawfully wedded wife.
Even if the two had a falling out and were at each other's throats, she was still her sister-in-law, her brother's woman.
"Uncle, what are you thinking about?"
Ji Wanyuan thanked him again, but she soon realized that the person in front of her seemed to be lost in thought, with his eyes downcast and not responding to her.
"No... I wasn't thinking about anything." Wen Yunqin smiled.
Looking at his smile, Ji Wanyuan felt a strange bitterness.
Having accepted the gifts, it wouldn't be right to just leave like that. Ji Wanyuan went through the motions of asking him a few more questions: How were you feeling after returning home? Were you settling in well? Had the imperial court issued his official appointment yet, and what kind of official position would he hold?
Wen Yunqin answered her questions one by one. Ji Wanyuan listened attentively, nodding occasionally in agreement, when she heard that he had been assigned to take charge of the Imperial Guard.
Ji Wanyuan smiled and said, "Uncle is really amazing. He's already a leader of the Imperial Guard at such a young age. His future is definitely limitless!"
Suddenly struck by her smiling praise, Wen Yunqin couldn't help but ask, "Really?"
"What do you mean, really?"
Ji Wanyuan didn't mind at all; she had already had Emerald open the pastry and took a piece to eat.
She said the taste was very good, even comparable to the pastries her mother made when she went back yesterday. It was a pity she didn't bring them back, otherwise she would have let him try them too.
"It's enough that my sister-in-law cares about me." He was already very content with just that one sentence.
Ji Wanyuan smiled, "You still haven't answered my question about whether it's true or false?"
Wen Yunqin pursed his lips. "I wanted to ask, does my sister-in-law really think I'm that amazing?"
"This one?" Ji Wanyuan was tired of standing, so she moved to the railing of the corridor and sat down. Her legs crossed unconsciously, and her little boots swayed, making her look charming and bright.
"Of course you're amazing! I heard that you returned to the capital on your own after only a few years in your post outside the capital. I thought you were really impressive back then. You know, when my brother entered officialdom, he was sent to a remote prefecture. If it weren't for my father, he wouldn't have been able to come back. Comparing the two, you're even more impressive than my brother!"
Whether it was a compliment or not, Wen Yunqin couldn't help but feel pleased.
"No, it's you... it's because my sister-in-law values me too much. Her brother was previously assigned to a peaceful prefecture, without any turmoil or war, so he was a little late..."
Moreover, he was in the court and knew some things. Prime Minister Ji's adopted son was outstanding, and those who disliked Prime Minister Ji would naturally suppress him. That's why he was preventing Ji Lingyue from returning to the capital. Since it concerned his own son, Prime Minister Ji had to take action. This was not only to protect Ji Lingyue, but also to protect the Ji family.
"In short, in my heart, my uncle is very capable." Ji Wanyuan said sweetly, as if she had been given food by someone.
Jade listened from the side and couldn't help but sigh; her young lady was far too carefree.
"Then... in my sister-in-law's heart, how do I compare to my brother?"
"Your brother?" she asked.
“…Hmm.” He shouldn’t be making this comparison, but he just wanted to know.
This was also his original intention in joining the army.
Because back then, he asked Ji Wanyuan why she liked her brother so much, and what she liked about him. She said that her brother was handsome and also very capable!
He couldn't compare to his elder brother in the imperial examinations, but he could still excel in battle.
They were born of the same mother. He and his brother looked alike and were about the same size. His brother was the best among the young masters of aristocratic families in the civil service examination, while he won first place in the military examination. Would she also think he was quite good?
Wen Yunqin waited for the girl's answer, and she quickly finished her pastry. "Of course you're amazing!"
"No, what I meant was, of course you're more amazing!"
Hearing her say that, Wen Yunqin found his heart beating even faster.
Even after hearing an affirmative answer, she still had to ask one more question, "Am I more capable than my brother in my sister-in-law's eyes?"
"Yes, you're much better. Wen Qiyan is no match for you!"
She actually said that.
Wen Yunqin was startled, feeling a little elated by the affirmation.
"...No, my elder brother is more capable. He once achieved the highest honors in all three levels of the imperial examinations and became famous. I am no match for my brother. My sister-in-law is too kind in praising me."
Wen Yunqin suppressed the joy in his heart, but the relaxed look on his brows just wouldn't fade.
“You don’t need to belittle yourself. I’m telling you the truth, not lying. You’re much better than Wen Qiyan. Look, he’s much older than you. You’re so young, you have a bright future ahead of you. Besides, he’s taking the imperial examination route, while you’re joining the army. That place is tough. I heard my father say that…”
Ji Wanyuan thought that Wen Yunqin had just taken up his post in the Imperial Guard and was worried that he was not up to the task, so he was not confident. That's why she comforted him.
Besides, she was also making her own plans. Wen Yunqin was in charge of the Imperial Guard, so he had people under his command. She needed to build a relationship with him.
If something unforeseen happens in the future, even if Wen Yunqin cannot help the Ji family, he should not become their enemy.
This idea might seem a bit far-fetched, but she was determined to give it a try!
In addition, Ji Wanyuan's words were from the bottom of her heart, so they were especially sincere. Wen Yunqin blushed and couldn't say a word after being praised by her.
"..."
When Wen's father came from the second gate and went around to the hanging flower gate, this was the scene he saw.
He stopped in his tracks and squinted at it.
The servant beside him said, "It's the second young master and the eldest young master's young mistress..."
The two were talking about something, but because they were too far apart, it was impossible to hear clearly. The young mistress seemed to be talking a mile a minute, while the second young master was not only focused, but also somewhat...
"Master, should I go up and remind him?"
Father Wen raised his hand to stop him, saying there was no need. After a long while, Father Wen asked again, "Back when Yun Qin had not left Liangjing, did he have any dealings with Miss Ji?"
This matter was almost forgotten by Wen's father.
If he hadn't seen the two chatting so happily and Ji Wanyuan showing no aversion to Wen Yunqin, he really wouldn't have remembered such a thing.
Speaking of this, he learned about their past interactions from Wen Qiyan.
He was busy at the time when Wen Qiyan came to find him. Suddenly, the conversation turned to the military camp and Wen Yunqin, suggesting that he could go there to gain some experience.
Liang Jing valued civil officials over military ones, and Wen's father hoped that both of his sons would enter officialdom. Moreover, since the battlefield was unforgiving, he still hoped that Wen Yunqin would enter the civil service.
However, Wen Yunqin was lively and energetic, and very intelligent, but he couldn't settle down to study.
Even so, Wen's father felt no rush and thought he should let him stay in the capital for a few more years. He believed that Wen would settle down naturally. Therefore, when Wen Qiyan mentioned sending him to the military camp, Wen's father did not agree.
But Wen Qiyan still insisted on giving it to him, and his father asked him why.
He said that Wen Yunqin and Ji Wanyuan's close relationship was really bad. Ji Wanyuan was bold and frivolous, and if she made a mistake in the future, it would not only ruin Wen Yunqin, but also the Wen family.
The Ji family had been making moves for several years, and the Wen family absolutely could not get involved with the Ji family, so Wen's father immediately agreed.
After watching for a while, seeing Ji Wanyuan and Wen Yunqin part ways under the veranda, Wen's father finally spoke, "Have Yunqin come to the South Study to find me later."
The servant replied, "Yes."
Ji Wanyuan listened to Emerald's nagging the whole time she returned to the courtyard, and her ears were practically calloused from it.
She still had to be careful what she said, given their current sensitive status.
One is her sister-in-law, and the other is her brother-in-law; how can they be so intimate?
They even picked on her words, saying she was wrong.
"What, are you now joining Wen Qiyan in scolding me?"
Ji Wanyuan looked at her irritably, "After being in the Wen family for a while, have you forgotten whose personal maid you are? Are you trying to rebel?"
"Why don't you just stay in the Wen family from now on and not come back with me?"
Emerald immediately said that's not what she meant, that she was only thinking of her.
Even if you are…
"Even if you don't like the son-in-law anymore, you can't say things like that..."
As an observer, she could see clearly that the Second Young Master Wen had feelings for her young lady.
This affection is quite deep...
But her young lady suddenly changed her personality. Before, she was always talking about love and affection, but now she seems to have closed her heart and stopped loving. She has no understanding of matters between men and women. How could she be so oblivious?
She was so flattered that people blushed and dared not look at her, yet she was still very satisfied, as if admiring her own "masterpiece".
"Am I wrong?" Ji Wanyuan snorted again. "Wen Yunqin is much better than Wen Qiyan."
"Miss, you—"
"Alright!" Ji Wanyuan didn't want to listen to her nagging anymore and told her to stop talking; she was getting annoyed.
He then went to bed to rest, turning his back to Jade.
Seeing her like this, Emerald sighed deeply, completely at a loss for what to do.
If this continues, she has a bad feeling that something bad might happen.
If Miss is allowed to continue like this... After thinking it over, Emerald felt that she should probably inform Madam Ji.
To avoid any uncontrollable or irreversible events in the future, which she, as a servant, could not bear.
Ji Wanyuan slept soundly, immersed in her dreams, enjoying a sweet sleep.
Little did they know how tense, suffocating, and deathly silent the atmosphere was in the Wen family's study at that moment.
From the moment Wen's father said he wanted Wen Yunqin to get close to Ji Wanyuan and take advantage of her.
Having been away from home for a long time, Wen Qiyan, who had finally managed to calm his thoughts, was instantly reignited.
He sneered, "Did Father send Qin Di to get close to Ji Wanyuan so that his son would become the laughingstock of the whole family?"
His good father really knows how to make things difficult for him, even complaining that Ji Wanyuan and Wen Yunqin aren't getting close enough.
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Author's note: Little Bao, I'm here! I was super busy today and almost had to take a day off, but I received so many nutrient solutions. I'm so grateful to everyone [crying].
I'm not taking leave! I need to update! [Glasses]
I'll make up for the word count I missed these past couple of days because of overtime work, so don't worry! [laughs]
Oh, and if will write a side story/fanfic! [Exaggerated praise]
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