Madam Qian hurriedly covered Song Jixue’s mouth.
The marriage with the Xiong Family hadn’t even been finalized, yet their family was already speaking such words. What would the Xiong Family think?
It was extremely awkward for the Eleventh Grand Master Song’s household. She had merely wanted to flatter Madam Qian a few sentences, but who knew it would lead to such remarks?
Fortunately, Madam Yan was older and more experienced, and she quickly laughed and said, "Children speak without thought," which shifted the topic. She then asked about Song Jixue’s kite, "Such a long centipede kite, where did you buy it? Does Liang County still have such skilled kite makers?"
This was another matter of pride for Song Jixue.
She pulled Madam Qian’s hand away, happily saying, "My brother-in-law made it for me. He not only made the kite for me, but also brought kites back from Lake Entrance. Look, that tiger kite was bought by my brother-in-law for me."
Madam Yan was shocked inside, but it didn’t show on her face. She smiled and patted Song Jixue on the head, saying, "Go and play! If you get thirsty, remember to have the maid give you some tea."
Song Jixue nodded cheerfully and ran off in a flash.
Song Jiyun was contemplative.
On the way back, she specifically asked Song Jixue, "Did Young Master Yuan tell you that if your second sister is not doing well, to let her come back with her child?"
Song Jixue was busy crunching on her candy figurine and nodded at the question, "Brother-in-law said that from now on, as long as we aren’t afraid of people pointing fingers, we can marry whoever we want. He’ll handle the rest!"
Song Jiyun was astonished.
That was a very heavy promise!
After a while, she asked Song Jixue again, "Did Young Master Yuan tell you that in the future you can marry whoever you want, and he’ll handle the rest?"
Song Jixue nodded vigorously, chattering, "Brother-in-law said he’s going back to Nanjing before returning to the Capital City. He asked if I would like to go with him? I do. Sister, you should quickly agree and let him take me along. I’ve never been to Nanjing! Brother-in-law said my second sister could go too. He also said that before getting married, it’s good to see the world to avoid being trapped in the inner courtyard, lamenting over a piece of clothing or jewelry. Even the best days wouldn’t be happy then."
She clung to Song Jiyun’s sleeve, acting coquettishly.
Song Jiyun gently touched her head, her expression becoming serious, and said, "Did Young Master Yuan also want you to ask me if I agreed to you going with him to Nanjing?"
Song Jixue nodded repeatedly, continuing to act spoilt, "Sister, please agree! I promise I won’t run around and will take care of second sister. When Xiao Si grows up, I’ll accompany her to Nanjing too."
But this was no longer a simple favor!
Song Jiyun knew she couldn’t dispel Song Jixue’s "enthusiasm" at this point, so she simply used a delaying tactic, "I will discuss this matter with Young Master Yuan and then get back to you."
Song Jixue, sure enough, didn’t insist further and obediently sat down to eat her candy figurine, afraid of upsetting Song Jiyun and her not allowing her to go to Nanjing.
Song Jiyun smiled wryly, holding her sister in her arms, yet her heart was in turmoil.
Had she misunderstood Yuan Yunzhong?
She carefully recalled the incident at the Temple of the Wind God and when she had asked Yuan Yunzhong for help.
How had Yuan Yunzhong answered her?
"Since I agreed to be your fiancé, I will certainly keep my word, as my promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"
Song Jiyun was suddenly alarmed.
What if his promise of "worth a thousand pieces of gold" had another implication?
Back at home, Yuan Yunzhong had already arranged the dinner—Boundless of Moon Wind had delivered their signature dishes, and he also ordered Song Jiyun’s favorite steamed lion head and Madam Qian’s favorite dried shredded tofu from Peach Blossom Residence.
The servant boys also brought the kites that had been tidied up: "The young master said to let Nanny Zheng take care of them, and they can be used every year from now on."
Nanny Zheng hurriedly sent a maid to receive the kites and couldn’t help but praise, "Lord Yuan is really thoughtful and meticulous, everything is well-arranged."
Madam Qian thought the same.
She sighed softly.
Song Jiyun was restless, standing under the eaves for a long time until the maids in the house began to light and hang lanterns, then she went to Yinyu Hall.
Yuan Yunzhong was instructing the servant boy to change the tea set.
He replaced the overglaze enamel used in winter with the blue and white porcelain for summer.
Song Jiyun hesitated in her steps.
Just as she entered, Shao Qing, who had just arrived at the door, saw her hesitation and invited her in while greeting her with a smile, "Miss Song has arrived!"
Only then did Yuan Yunzhong turn around to look.
Under the light, his jet-black eyes shone bright as stars at dawn.
A slight pain pricked Song Jiyun’s heart, but she still walked over with a smile, picked up a blue and white porcelain cup, and said, "It’s the ball flower pattern. Why not use Lady Yu?"
A few days ago, the Song Family Kiln Factory had fired new blue and white porcelains featuring the Lady Yu pattern and had sent a set to Yinyu Hall.
The tea set with the ball flower pattern was old blue and white, with a bean green background.
Shao Qing smiled and said, "The Young Master said that it’s more fitting to use new blue and white in the summer and old blue and white in the spring."
Song Jiyun nodded with a smile, seemingly casual as she asked, "Have you decided when you’ll be returning to the Capital City? I still owe you 100,000 silver taels as a reward. You need to give me a few days to prepare, right?"
Yuan Yunzhong froze.
Song Jiyun decided to make her words clearer.
In a gentle voice, she said, "Although my younger sister’s marriage to the Xiong Family will not be widely publicized, the clan will definitely need to be invited to visit. You’ve already been a great help to me today; I can’t bother you anymore, delaying your important matters. Fortunately, the side door of Yinyu Hall leads to the outside alley, so you can move in and out of there if needed. That way, when they come to make a fuss at the house, they won’t catch you and gossip."
What does that mean?
Yuan Yunzhong looked at Song Jiyun in shock.
Was she trying to draw a clear line between them?
Why would that be?
Hadn’t everything been fine before?
His lips trembled, not knowing where to start asking.
Song Jiyun felt a warmth around her eyes.
But still, she joked, "Didn’t we agree earlier that our fake marriage would be explained to everyone after you left? I think it’s better not to let more people misunderstand. Otherwise, I’m afraid no matter how I explain it, they won’t believe me and that would be troublesome!"
Her meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
But they had clearly agreed on that before, so why the sudden change?
Yuan Yunzhong looked at Song Jiyun, his expression blank.
Song Jiyun felt as if her heart was being torn apart.
But some things, the longer you drag them on, the harder it becomes to let go.
"I won’t bother Lord Yuan anymore!" Her voice, oddly hoarse, declared, "I have decided to support the family and uphold our business. On the day you leave, I’m afraid I won’t be free to see you off. I ask that you not blame me."
Song Jiyun didn’t dare to look back at Yuan Yunzhong as she quickly turned and left.
"Wait!" Yuan Yunzhong called out to Song Jiyun.
"Are you saying that our marriage was a sham?" He stared intensively at Song Jiyun, each word deliberate, "When you asked me about the marriage before, was it just so I would help you deal with outsiders?"
His complexion was deathly pale, reminiscent of the snow that rests on green bamboo brakes in early winter.
Song Jiyun closed her eyes briefly, then softly replied, "Yes."
"Is it because you are unwilling to leave Jingde Town?" Yuan Yunzhong asked in a deep voice.
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