Song Jiyun watched and then broke into a smile as well.
Yuan Yunzhong then mentioned to her the plan to fly kites together on February 2nd, "I even brought back some big kites from Lake Entrance, so they can fly whichever ones they fancy."
Wouldn’t this make everyone feel even more like a family?
Yet Song Jiyun had a second thought, once Yuan Yunzhong returned to the Capital City, Jingde Town would be nothing more than a small town he once visited. For the rest of his life, he might never revisit this place, not to mention the gossip. Even if there was a flood, what would it have to do with him?
What he was to her really didn’t matter.
Suddenly, Song Jiyun let go.
"That’s great!" she exclaimed, "How did you think of buying kites when you went to Lake Entrance?"
A smile flowed through her eyes like sunshine, warm and bright.
Yuan Yunzhong’s voice softened as he spoke, "I just happened upon them. I thought some of the kites were quite well made, so I bought them for Jixue to play with."
Was this bringing gifts back from a business trip? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Song Jiyun was always someone who could sense kindness in others.
"Thanks so much!" she said joyfully, "Jixue will be so happy when she sees them! You don’t know, these past few days when you weren’t home, every time Jixue saw me she would ask when you’d be back, afraid she wouldn’t be able to go out and enjoy the springtime."
Are you happy about it, too?
For some reason, Yuan Yunzhong’s mind heated up, and that question popped up, nearly escaping his lips.
Thankfully, he gently coughed and swallowed the words back down.
"As long as she likes it!" Yuan Yunzhong said indifferently.
Shao Qing parted the branches of the peach trees and barged into the pavilion.
"Young master, Miss Song!" he greeted the two while shaking off the rain from his clothes.
Song Jiyun hastily had a maid fetch a dry handkerchief for him to wipe down.
Unable to help himself, Shao Qing yawned and said, "Why does Jingde Town have so much rain in the spring? It’s been only a few days since the start of spring, and we’ve already had seven or eight bouts of rain."
Song Jiyun laughed, "This? Our summer rains are the real deal! Sometimes it pours for five or six days straight, and the water in the ditches can’t drain fast enough. The children can even sit in wooden basins and row around for fun."
"Really?" Shao Qing looked eager to try, regretting, "What a pity we arrived a bit late; who knows if we’ll be able to catch it this year?"
Yuan Yunzhong then let out a light cough as if to interrupt.
Shao Qing exclaimed, "Ouch," hurriedly adding, "Miss Song, we also bought some local specialties from Lake Entrance, and I’ve just had them delivered to Madam’s place. Madam also asked me to tell you, she wants you to go there for lunch tomorrow."
The last sentence was directed at Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong nodded reservedly.
Song Jiyun was very surprised and asked Yuan Yunzhong, "You also brought back local specialties?"
Yuan Yunzhong replied indifferently, "I saw everyone else buying, so I bought some as well."
Shao Qing, standing by, heard and stopped himself from saying more.
Song Jiyun just pursed her lips and smiled.
She guessed that Yuan Yunzhong had probably bought them on purpose, and he was just being stubborn.
If he was a boyfriend, he certainly needed a good teasing and teaching, but as a friend... she could only praise and express her thanks.
"I didn’t expect we’d have such a treat," she said once again, bringing her hands together in a gesture of thanks toward Yuan Yunzhong, "Thank you so much!"
Yuan Yunzhong casually uttered an "Mm" in response.
Shao Qing yawned again, a big one this time.
Song Jiyun then noticed the big dark circles under his eyes and couldn’t help asking, "Have you been unable to sleep for several days?"
Shao Qing stretched out two fingers, yawned again, and tears even welled up in his eyes.
Song Jiyun hurriedly urged him, "Then you should go to sleep quickly. Whatever it is, we can talk after you’ve had a good rest."
Shao Qing grumbled, "It’s all because of the young master, insisting on hurrying back. We traveled by ship through the night and nearly hit a reef."
Song Jiyun was taken aback.
Yuan Yunzhong had already sternly said to Shao Qing, "Why are you talking so much? Aren’t you tired? Go to sleep quickly. Spring rains are perfect for sleeping."
Shao Qing couldn’t have been happier, and he scampered off at once.
Yuan Yunzhong explained to Song Jiyun, "Don’t listen to his nonsense. I, I came over because I heard that Lord Wang and the others had arrived."
"No matter the reason, I’m one who has benefited," Song Jiyun said dismissively, waving her hand. "I still need to thank you for that."
She pondered for a moment, "When will you be going back to the Capital City? How about I invite you to Nameless Temple for a visit? Nameless Temple is located on South Mountain, where the scenery is beautiful. In spring, many people go there to dig bamboo shoots. It’s the best place for an outing in spring."
"Sure!" Yuan Yunzhong agreed immediately.
*
That evening, when Song Jiyun went to pay her respects to Madam Qian, Madam Qian kept her back to whisper, "What’s this all about? I heard from the maids in the house that you and Lord Yuan spent the afternoon in the pavilion at Peach Blossom Forest?"
As she said this, her face was full of concern.
Song Jiyun laughed, "Didn’t I say? When Lord Yuan returned, I had to discuss with him what to do in the future—Lord Yuan promised me that while he’s in Jingde Town, he will still pretend to be our family’s son-in-law, just like before. After he leaves, we’ll see when we think it’s appropriate to announce that there has been a change in this marriage matter."
To reassure her mother, she added, "We’ll control the timing completely, and it’s fine even if we don’t announce it."
Madam Qian then gave her a light punch, scolding with a chuckle, "If we don’t announce it, how are you ever going to get married?"
Song Jiyun laughed, "Lord Yuan is just trying to put our minds at ease, isn’t he? How can you just listen selectively without understanding the true intent?"
"Lord Yuan truly is a rare find!" Madam Qian grinned somewhat sheepishly, then began to admire Yuan Yunzhong, "He has such a broad mind, straightforward and upright, pure and unyielding as jade and pine."
Was he really all that?
Song Jiyun secretly wiped the sweat from her brow.
Madam Qian then asked, "Can I tell others about this matter?"
Song Jiyun said warily, "What are you planning to do?"
She was afraid that Madam Qian was looking to matchmake her.
Unexpectedly, Madam Qian said, "I want to finalize the matter with the Xiong Family. I’ve been inquiring about the Xiong Family these past days, and their three sons are all quite good."
Song Jiyun pondered for a moment and understood Madam Qian’s meaning.
A good marriage opportunity is always hard to come by, no matter when. Now, with Lord Yuan as their son-in-law, the Song Family seemed to be flourishing; yet once the true nature of their relationship with Yuan became known, there would certainly be people gossiping and even making fun of their family.
"Then have Madam Yan relay the message," Song Jiyun suggested.
It would also serve as spreading the word among those who had good relations with their family, so when she and Lord Yuan later disassociated themselves, it wouldn’t result in everyone flocking to inquire about it all at once.
Madam Qian nodded but hesitated to speak further.
Song Jiyun laughed and said, "What is it, do you have another message for me? If even you think it’s inappropriate, then it’s best not to say it."
"You cheeky girl!" Madam Qian laughed as she scolded, telling her to hurry off, "Don’t stay here and make me angry!"
With a cheerful smile, Song Jiyun hugged Song Jisu, then returned to her own courtyard.
Madam Qian said to Nanny Zheng, "It’s a pity, our Yun Duo and Lord Yuan look so well-matched together!"
Nanny Zheng comforted her, "Greatness suits not the mean!"
Madam Qian nodded vigorously in agreement.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
