"What’s it to you?" Yuan Yunzhong replied coldly as he got up to leave.
Magistrate Jiang hurried to stop him, saying, "Hey, don’t get so angry from embarrassment! Now that so many kiln factories and workshops in Jingde Town are involved in Prince Ning’s smuggling case, what should be done with these people? As the Inspector General, you need to come up with a set of rules!"
Yuan Yunzhong replied impatiently, "Didn’t Emperor Taizu say that those who sow discord among kin should be executed? Their affairs are none of our business. Hasn’t His Majesty already reprimanded Prince Ning? Are we supposed to presume to take His Majesty’s place and convict Prince Ning for him? As long as they’re not bothering the common folk, let them do as they please."
Magistrate Jiang stroked his chin, feigning thoughtfulness, "What a pity! Deng Chen and Xu Guangzeng rushed over only to not even catch a whiff of the soup."
Yuan Yunzhong ignored him, calling over Shao Qing, who had not been able to sleep for two nights and was dozing off against a post outside the door, and returned to the Song Family.
As the carriage stopped at the Song Family’s main gate, a light rain suddenly began to fall.
The raindrops pattered on the bluestone slabs, quickly wetting the ground.
"Young Master!"
"Young Master!"
The Song Mansion’s servants greeted Yuan Yunzhong with utmost respect, eagerly bringing over an oil-paper umbrella, their gazes filled with the usual politeness and now a few degrees more of awe.
It seemed that everyone had heard about the incident at the Temple of the Wind God.
Yuan Yunzhong "hmmed" arrogantly as usual, stepped out of the carriage, and came face to face with Song Jiyun, who was seeing off Old Master Yan and other guests.
"Lord Yuan!" Everyone respectfully saluted him, more restrained and uneasy than usual.
People like them would usually only deal with a County Magistrate, and the luckier ones might see a Magistrate. To be able to talk with a living Inspector General at such close proximity... it was unthinkable for them in the past.
Yuan Yunzhong nodded politely, "Going back, I see!"
His gaze, however, settled on Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun was somewhat surprised.
Although Yuan Yunzhong was arrogant, he would never be discourteous in public. Yet even though he appeared as usual, she somehow felt he was a bit uneasy.
The thought flashed through her mind, and Yuan Yunzhong was already standing shoulder to shoulder with her, even saying to Old Master Yan and others, "Come over to our house when you have time!"
Clearly in the manner of a host.
Old Master Yan and the others immediately became excited.
Although cozying up to Song Jiyun was equivalently cozying up to Yuan Yunzhong, indirect contact with him was not the same as speaking with him directly. Now that they had the chance to connect with Yuan Yunzhong, they naturally preferred to have a conversation with him.
"Absolutely, absolutely!" everyone nodded vehemently, with someone boldly inviting Yuan Yunzhong, "We didn’t know you would grace Jingde Town with your presence, which truly brings it honor. We’ve prepared a modest feast at Peach Blossom Residence and would like to invite you to join us. Would you have the time?"
Yuan Yunzhong just glanced at Song Jiyun.
It was as if he was asking her, should I go?
Previously, Yuan Yunzhong would never solicit her opinion; he would do whatever he wanted. Could it be that because his identity was revealed, he was giving her some face by leaving these decisions to her?
Song Jiyun pondered and, considering his aloof disposition, decided on his behalf to decline graciously, "Perhaps another time! Things are quite busy these days."
The man quickly replied, "Of course, of course! Lord Yuan, you are busy, take care of your affairs. There will be other opportunities."
Yuan Yunzhong nodded.
The men took umbrellas from the Song Family’s servants and walked away with great joy.
In the distance, Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong could still intermittently hear them joking with each other, "You’re so lucky! Lord Yuan actually agreed!"
"Must be because you’re brave! To actually dare to invite Lord Yuan for a drink!"
"My thanks, my thanks! Boldness kills the bold, timidity starves the timid."
"I think you’re not bold; you’re trying to get yourself killed!"
Song Jiyun couldn’t help but purse her lips into a smile, and asked Yuan Yunzhong, "Why have you come back at this time? Have you finished your business? Was everything smooth?"
Nothing much was different from usual.
Yuan Yunzhong was somewhat confused.
Was she not planning to tell him about concealing her identity?
Yuan Yunzhong inexplicably felt a bit flustered. As he held up the oil-paper umbrella and accompanied Song Jiyun toward the inner residence, he said with his usual haughty demeanor, "Nothing of importance! Just spoke a few words with Magistrate Jiang."
The breeze blew gently, dampening their clothes hems and carrying with it a scent of fresh herbs and soil, refreshing to the senses.
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "You knew Magistrate Jiang from before, didn’t you?"
There it was! There it was!
Yuan Yunzhong immediately relaxed, his tone notably lighter, "Yes! His father once served as my father’s Legal Advisor. After his father passed away early, and since he had a talent for studying, my father took him into our household to instruct him in reading and writing from a young age, so he’s like my older school brother."
No wonder he helped her.
Song Jiyun’s emotions were a bit complex, and she silently sighed in her heart.
Thinking that since the Temple of the Wind God incident, they hadn’t really spoken properly, she thought of the pavilion in the twisty Peach Blossom Forest and promptly invited him to sit there, "Let’s have a talk!"
There it was! There it was!
Yuan Yunzhong’s hand, gripping the handle of the umbrella, tightened involuntarily as he followed Song Jiyun to the pavilion.
The early spring rain still carried a chill with it.
Xiang Zhan and the others were busy fetching sitting cushions, moving a small clay stove, boiling water, brewing tea, and arranging snacks and fruit. It took almost the time it takes to drink two cups of tea before the two sat down on the beauty’s backrest.
Song Jiyun sent Xiang Zhan and the others away before she finally said to Yuan Yunzhong, "You have taken care of me all this time, and I haven’t formally thanked you yet!"
Beaming, she placed a piece of snow-white Dingsheng Cake on a small blue and white porcelain plate and handed it to him, "Previously, Magistrate Jiang took special care of me, thanks to you, and today had you not arrived in time, I wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation!"
Yuan Yunzhong, looking at her fingers, delicate and fairer than the Dingsheng Cake, felt somewhat tense inside.
"It’s nothing!" he hesitated for a moment before taking the small plate, dismissing the thought lightly, "Even without me, you would surely have found a way out!"
"You think too highly of me," Song Jiyun reflected, "Under the crush of power, everything can be shattered to pieces, beyond the control of mortals."
Shaking her head, she seemed to sway as if blown by the wind.
Yuan Yunzhong burst into laughter at once.
It immediately brightened the somewhat gloomy pavilion.
"You talk as if Lord Wang were a landslide or muddy flow." After taking a bite of the Dingsheng Cake, he completely relaxed.
Song Jiyun then very formally, very sincerely thanked him. Then she discussed the future with him, "I know because of me, everyone has misunderstood you. Could you remain silent about the matter while you are in Jingde Town, and after this period passes, you return to the capital, then I will explain everything to everyone."
After all, she still had to observe mourning.
It’s just that she felt a bit sorry for Yuan Yunzhong; he was about to leave, yet he still had to continue assisting her.
She put her hands together and bowed to Yuan Yunzhong.
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