Master Jinghu was momentarily stunned.
Before meeting Song Jiyun, he had already dispatched someone to thoroughly investigate her ancestry for the past three generations. After Song Jiyun entered the Capital City, he had personally gone to see her in secret.
At that time, Song Jiyun was laughing and chatting as she walked out of an alleyway with Yuan Yunzhong.
One was handsome and unrestrained, the other beautiful and delicate. Side by side, they were a picture-perfect pair like those made in heaven.
If it were not for the fact that the Song Family lacked proper scholars for three generations, and Song Jiyun had not received formal education, having such a granddaughter-in-law with exceptional looks would have delighted him greatly.
But when taking a wife, one must consider virtue; it’s only when taking a concubine that beauty is paramount.
Therefore, when he saw Yuan Yunzhong gazing at Song Jiyun with eyes full of tenderness, he felt a thud in his heart and found it extremely problematic.
Young men always love beauty.
Song Jiyun’s appearance could be ranked among the top.
However, if a couple wishes to have a lasting relationship, it’s not just about beauty.
Whether their temperaments match, whether they can understand each other in speech and conduct, and whether they can maintain their grace under adversity are all very important.
He also understood Yuan Yunzhong. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
The child he had raised might be lost for a moment, but he would not be unawakened forever.
When Yuan Yunzhong came to seek his help, he had agreed without hesitation but did not prevent Yuan Haoran and his wife from scheming, precisely to buy time. He wanted Yuan Yunzhong and Song Jiyun to understand each other more, to have conflicts during their interactions, and to discover their incompatibility.
What he hadn’t anticipated was that Song Jiyun’s abilities and resourcefulness far exceeded his expectations.
Yuan Yunzhong also did many things for Song Jiyun that he previously would not have imagined doing.
He keenly sensed that if he allowed them to continue interacting for a long time, it might not lead to parting ways, but to an unbreakable bond.
Just as he was contemplating a strategy to make Yuan Yunzhong quickly realize that he and Song Jiyun were unsuitable, Yuan Yunzhong came to visit him.
Master Jinghu gazed deeply at Song Jiyun.
This young lady was sharper than he had imagined.
It was as if she didn’t care what the Yuan Family and he thought of her.
Was it because she was certain that Yuan Yunzhong would stand by her side, or was she fearless?
After all, everyone knew that Yuan Yunzhong was the only heir of both the Yuan and Wang families.
No matter how severe their disputes were, neither the Yuan Family nor the Wang Family would truly abandon him.
These thoughts flashed through Master Jinghu’s mind.
Song Jiyun had already raised an eyebrow at him and said, "All in all, you just want to separate us without bearing the blame, upsetting Young Master Yuan. I’m curious. Since you know how dangerous it is for Young Master Yuan to leave the city, why do you insist on using this situation? Are you not afraid of the ’what ifs’? Not afraid that because of your inaction, Yuan Yunzhong might be trapped in a difficult situation or even lose his life?"
If it weren’t for this, he would have dealt with Song Jiyun much earlier.
Master Jinghu’s expression was somewhat unsightly.
"No venture, no gain," Master Jinghu tried his best to control his expression, presenting himself with nonchalance, "What use are descendants who cannot serve the family, or serve me?"
Song Jiyun didn’t believe it at all. She laughed and said, "Then why do you pretend to be a good person in front of Young Master Yuan?"
Master Jinghu’s gaze suddenly became sharp.
Song Jiyun sneered, "You simply want to take advantage of Young Master Yuan’s absence from the city to hide me away, making him believe that I had heard news of his death, left Capital City, and fallen for someone else. Of course, if you are crueler and more decisive, you could also kill me and frame those refugees outside the city. However, that would only work if the refugees had entered the city amid the chaos, which you couldn’t manage, or if I insisted on finding him myself. If those refugees don’t enter the city, then you would have to make me worry about his safety and insist on leaving the city to find him. That tactic wouldn’t be very effective. The lost is always cherished; if his heart still lingered on me, delaying the marriage, what then?"
Master Jinghu didn’t speak, just stared at her steadily, his eyes somewhat complex.
Song Jiyun knew that she had hit the nail on the head and even more bluntly said, "Should I feel honored or sad? I’m flattered that you highly regard me, gambling my comings and goings on your only grandson’s safety; as for Young Master Yuan, the elder he admires and respects the most, trusts the most, and feels closest to, an elder who is both a teacher and a friend like a bosom friend beyond age, can’t even manage the most basic trust in him. I can’t help feeling sad for him!"
As she spoke, she truly felt heartbroken.
Her eyes involuntarily began to moisten.
Master Jinghu’s face changed slightly.
Song Jiyun continued to twist the knife in his chest. With a soft sigh, she said, "You have raised him since he was young, taught him to read, taught him how to be a person, taught him how to handle affairs. Yet, you have never trusted him. Never trusted his choices, his decisions, his priorities. What does he mean to you? What does all your earnest teaching over the years mean?"
After Song Jiyun finished speaking, she didn’t even glance at him, she brushed off her sleeves and turned to leave, "Aren’t you just trying to show Young Master Yuan that it is you and the Yuan Family who truly care for him, that you and the Yuan Family are his support, that you and the Yuan Family would rescue him from danger when he is in trouble? As for a woman like me, am I just a touch of moonlight in his romantic pursuits? Well then, let’s make a bet to see who is truly reliable for him, to see who can really share in his joys and sorrows."
She walked out of Master Jinghu’s study with her head held high and her posture erect.
Master Jinghu remained in a daze for a long time.
*
Naturally, Song Jiyun’s complexion was not very good when she returned to West Cross Courtyard.
Zheng Quan, who had been worrying about her, hurriedly came up to greet her and asked her quietly, "What did Grandfather say to you? He didn’t take advantage of Young Master Yuan’s absence to make things difficult for you behind his back, did he?"
Song Jiyun hummed noncommittally, but her mind was already calculating this matter.
Some people often like to act based on experience. If Yuan Yunzhong’s maternal grandfather risked Yuan Yunzhong’s safety just to separate them and something went wrong, what then?
The mere thought of it made her scalp tingle.
No matter what Master Jinghu was scheming, she couldn’t just kill the rat and break the vase.
She had to find a way to ensure Yuan Yunzhong’s safety.
Song Jiyun began to ponder over the connections she could use.
Yuan Yunzhong returned.
He hadn’t even had time to change his clothes and came wearing his court attire, "We shall not dine at home this evening. My sister-in-law heard that we moved here and invited us to have dinner there." He explained, worried that Song Jiyun would be unhappy, "My elder brother heard that I’m going to the city to settle the refugees, and he said he has some matters to entrust to me. I think my sister-in-law is quite nice, and maybe she and you might have things to talk about, so I thought it would be good to take you with me."
He was sticky and clingy, acting as if he couldn’t bear to be apart from her for a moment.
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "Isn’t it said that living with elders requires regular and dutiful attendance? If we go out for dinner, won’t Master Jinghu be unhappy if he finds out?"
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