"At this time?" Song Jiyun glanced at her mother walking hand in hand with Mrs. Xiong in front, then looked at Eleventh Grand Master Song, Old Master Xiong, and Old Master Yan, far ahead. She lowered her voice and said, "Isn’t it inappropriate for us to sneak away now? Shouldn’t we at least wait until everyone has sat down together for a cup of tea and exchanged pleasantries before leaving?"
As the head of the Song Family, there were many matters that required her personal presence to show sincerity.
Yuan Yunzhong disagreed softly, "Didn’t you say Madam has experience? We should all just listen to Madam. Since you’ve delegated the marriage arrangement of the Second Young Miss to her, you shouldn’t overstep your bounds and steal Madam’s thunder."
Song Jiyun thought for a moment, then said, "You make sense."
But she still insisted on her own idea, "I will be mindful of the boundaries and will not let others look down on Madam."
Yuan Yunzhong frowned, still trying to persuade her, "Don’t forget, today is the Second Young Miss’s main event, and we are all here just to support her."
Song Jiyun nodded repeatedly.
Eleventh Grand Master Song, Old Master Xiong, and Old Master Yan, who were walking in front, suddenly stopped. They turned around and all smiled warmly at Song Jiyun.
Those following them didn’t know why, but they also instinctively stopped, curiously following their gaze.
Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong were whispering to each other.
Feeling that they were being watched, the two of them quickly stood upright.
But they forgot that Yuan Yunzhong was still holding Song Jiyun’s arm.
All eyes fell on the slender, fair hand on Song Jiyun’s arm.
Shock, doubt, relief, joy, excitement...Everyone’s expressions varied, but their gazes were all intensely bright.
Song Jiyun felt as if her arm had been scorched, and she instinctively shook her arm.
Yuan Yunzhong, as if nothing had happened, calmly faced everyone’s gazes. He slowly released Song Jiyun’s arm, and inquiringly looked at Eleventh Grand Master Song and Old Master Xiong, asking why they suddenly stopped, as if there were some important matter.
Eleventh Grand Master Song laughed heartily out of joy.
His own influential son-in-law and daughter-in-law getting along so well, spontaneously slipping behind the crowd to whisper, seemed like a good thing!
"It’s nothing, nothing," he said hastily, "We were just talking about the troubles Boss Song has been facing these days. We all think that if these matters were to befall any of us men, we might not handle them as well as you do. We truly admire you!"
Song Jiyun naturally responded with a few modest words.
Old Master Xiong, meanwhile, exchanged a knowing look with Old Master Yan.
Wasn’t it said that Boss Song and Young Master Yuan each had their own needs? Why did they seem even more intimate than ordinary betrothed couples?
Could there be some secret they weren’t privy to?
Thinking this, both men suppressed the confusion in their hearts.
No matter what the mystery was, with Yuan Yunzhong’s status and position, it was not something they could probe into. Instead of indulging in wild thoughts, it was better to focus on settling today’s matchmaking matters.
Together they said, "Today, with the weather so fine, let’s not talk about mundane matters, and just enjoy the day."
"It’s my fault! It’s my fault!" Eleventh Grand Master Song repeated several times, and the three men went laughingly toward the back mountain.
But someone in Eleventh Grand Master Song’s household couldn’t help but look back at Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong, whispering in praise, "Truly a match of equal talents and beauty, a perfect union made in heaven."
Yet inside, he couldn’t help but feel bitter.
No wonder Madam Qian had barred her from asking Lord Yuan to help with finding a matchmaker.
Seeing Lord Yuan’s attitude at such an important occasion, willingly following others as if participating in a niece’s or nephew’s ceremony, showed just how much he respected and valued his future in-laws, the Song Family.
"Don’t mention being a matchmaker for a high official, they would probably be willing to step in and clean up any mess in the future."
The Xiong Family certainly reaped a big advantage.
However, they were Song Jiyun’s paternal family. If they ever asked for help, he would surely grant them some favor.
Thinking this, her mood soared and she could not help but smile even more joyfully.
None of the ladies engaged with her comment.
Madam Qian felt utterly confused. She sensed that things were not as simple as her daughter described and, given the occasion was to admire Song Jiyu, it wouldn’t be appropriate to overshadow it by questioning Song Jiyun’s affairs.
Mrs. Xiong had already learned from Old Master Xiong that the marriage agreement between Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong was a sham. She always trusted her husband; she followed his lead no matter what.
Moreover, she took an immediate liking to Song Jiyu from the moment she saw her.
From the first glance at Song Jiyu, she observed her subtly with a constant, beaming smile.
Hearing the words from Eleventh Grand Master Song’s Family, she looked towards her son.
Her son had his eyes downcast, but his neck was a flushed red, and he kept stealing quick glances at Song Jiyu.
Knowing her son, this wasn’t just a sign of approval, but also of deep affection.
Although seeking a wife should primarily focus on virtue, wouldn’t mutual love be even better?
Mrs. Xiong then exchanged a knowing smile with Madam Yan.
Madam Yan felt that the Clan Chief’s Wife from the Song Family lacked tact. Today was supposed to celebrate Song Jiyu, yet she seemed overly concerned with pleasing Song Jiyun. What was that about?
However, the satisfaction of all three members of the Xiong Family with this matchmaking session was expected, but it also affirmed her skills as a matchmaker, which made her exceptionally proud and arrogant.
She dismissed the issues concerning the Eleventh Grand Master Song’s Household and nodded at Mrs. Xiong, signaling that she understood the Xiong Family’s intentions and started a conversation with Madam Qian, "I see the cordyceps embroidered on the sachet your Second Young Miss carries are so lifelike. Who did the embroidery? I was thinking of having a few made myself."
This was a chance for both parties to praise their children.
Madam Qian laughed, "You flatter us. She did the embroidery for fun. If you like, I can have her make a few for you. She is gentle and serene, and she likes to spend her time at home embroidering and tending to the garden, so she has plenty of free time."
"That’s hardly fair," Madam Yan responded laughingly, "Should our children be idle just to embroider sachets for me without compensation?"
Mrs. Xiong added, "Exactly! Madam Yan should offer something substantial in exchange." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Alright, alright, alright! I’ll make an effort. Just tell me how much effort I should put forth?"
The ladies chattered and laughed jovially. Song Jiyu dared not even lift her head, but Xiong Wenqing, having noticed this, boldly began to observe her openly.
Watching from behind, Song Jiyun couldn’t help but laugh.
This kid sure has guts.
But having guts is always better than being timid.
He possesses the vigor of youth.
Suddenly, she heard a cold snort beside her ear.
Song Jiyun didn’t need to look up to know it was Yuan Yunzhong.
She leaned towards Yuan Yunzhong and whispered a caution, "Green Leaf! Green Leaf! You mustn’t forget, this was what you said, we are all ’Green Leaves’!"
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