"Oh!" Song Jiyun could hardly be bothered with his petty tricks and said, "If you don’t tell me, wait until I ask my mother, the conversation won’t be as pleasant."
Yuan Yunzhong listened and slowly winked at her, looking entirely innocent and said, "Miss Song, I didn’t say anything in front of your mother, you can’t possibly want me to spread rumors, right?"
Well played!
Song Jiyun’s hand, which was gripping his collar, suddenly tightened, and their faces were so close it seemed as if their breaths could merge into one.
"Let’s not beat around the bush," she said slowly, "What are your conditions? Speak!"
Yuan Yunzhong looked at his crumpled collar being gripped by her and slowly replied, "Miss Song, it’s not that I don’t wish to leave, it’s your mother who insists on keeping me here."
The two of them were so close, Yuan Yunzhong lowered his gaze and could see her jet-black hair, smooth forehead, long and curled eyelashes, and those cold, sharp, and compelling eyes.
His heart suddenly felt a bit chaotic.
However, Song Jiyun just chuckled twice and said, "Young Master Yuan is full of strategies and plans. Last night you even had someone make fresh meat-filled big square cake overnight, so how come you’re telling me that you’re out of options today?"
"Gifts from elders cannot be declined," Yuan Yunzhong said earnestly with nonsense, "Don’t you like savory pastries, Miss Song? I saw that the cooks in your house are quite clever. Next time I’ll have them make sweet pastries for you, how about that?"
Song Jiyun suddenly realized that when Yuan Yunzhong was blatantly lying, his expression was extremely serious and sincere.
At this point, he was still pretending and playing games with her.
"Nice try!" she said.
Yuan Yunzhong suddenly turned his head and whispered in her ear, "Miss Song, I think it would be better for you to let go."
His warm breath tickled Song Jiyun’s ear, and she almost let go instinctively.
Luckily, she quickly came back to her senses and not only did she not release him, but she also scoffed, "It seems that Young Master Yuan doesn’t really care about the 100,000 silver taels!"
Ignoring her question, Yuan Yunzhong advised, "Miss Song, I suggest you let go quickly, otherwise you will certainly regret it later."
Song Jiyun sneered, "Young Master Yuan surely has some great insights..."
But before she could finish, Madam Qian’s voice suddenly came from under the eaves, "What are you doing?"
Song Jiyun stiffened.
Yuan Yunzhong smiled at her nonchalantly.
Song Jiyun cursed in her heart.
This scoundrel must have noticed her mother coming over earlier, and that was why he deliberately said those words.
She gave Yuan Yunzhong a cold glare, but turned to Madam Qian and casually explained, "It seemed like some camphor tree seeds fell on Young Master Yuan’s shoulder, I was just helping to dust them off."
Madam Qian, upon hearing this, came over with concern and said, "The camphor tree is good for repelling mosquitoes in the summer, but those dark seeds, when stepped on, burst and look so dirty, which isn’t nice. Yet there’s nothing else that can replace them."
Yuan Yunzhong suggested with a smile, "Why not plant some mountain pepper trees? It’s just that the scent of that tree isn’t very pleasant. Or maybe plant some Venus flytraps at home..."
"You even know about mountain pepper trees?" exclaimed Madam Qian, delighted, "When I was young, my family’s backyard had many mountain pepper trees planted. Back then, I only thought they didn’t smell good, but now I can’t even get a whiff of them.
"That’s no big deal," said Yuan Yunzhong, "Boats depart for Poyang Lake from Jingde Town almost daily, then on to Suzhou or Hangzhou. Have someone send a message, and I’ll find you a few trees."
Madam Qian nodded happily and repeatedly.
The two of them actually started enthusiastically discussing which flowers and plants to grow in the summer.
Song Jiyun smiled with the corner of her mouth turned up.
You think I have no way of dealing with you?
She laughed and called out, "Mother," interrupting their conversation, "Since Young Master Yuan is not leaving for now, I will just move the clothing and food prepared for him over to Yinyu Hall."
She even had Nanny Zheng bring over a bundle and showed it to Madam Qian, casually taking out a piece of clothing and shaking it open, "Mother, isn’t this fabric nice? To get these clothes ready, we not only owe the tailor’s shop a favor but also a favor to Young Master Hong from the end of the street!"
Yuan Yunzhong looked at the bright colors and said, "I’m afraid this might not be very appropriate?"
Madam Qian, seeing that the quality of the fabric and the workmanship were indeed good, and considering that Yuan Yunzhong was tall and fair with an imposing air, thought he would definitely look good in such clothes, "Although our family must observe mourning, our two families have not formally engaged in betrothal. You can’t always wear mourning clothes outside, right? It would be good to change into something else when you go out."
Normally, those in mourning should not casually enter someone else’s home.
Yuan Yunzhong said, "How about making a few plain clothes instead? This seems too disrespectful."
Madam Qian did not listen to him, tied up the bundle herself, and ordered Liu Zi, "You help Young Master Yuan carry this."
Song Jiyun raised an eyebrow at Yuan Yunzhong as if to say, "Do you understand my mother or do I?"
Yuan Yunzhong looked at Song Jiyun and said to Madam Qian, "I am deeply touched by your kindness and generosity. Then I will wear these clothes tomorrow when I go to meet Registrar Wang."
Madam Qian waved her hands and said, "I’m not as good as you say!"
Yet the gratification that showed in her expression was unmistakable.
Song Jiyun snorted inwardly.
Going out?
Wishful thinking!
She glanced sideways at Yuan Yunzhong and said, "Mother, I heard that the Lord County Magistrate has gone to Nanchang and hasn’t returned yet, and Registrar Wang has gone to the countryside to oversee the summer grain harvest in the last few days, so he is not in the city."
Madam Qian immediately said to Yuan Yunzhong, "Then don’t go! It’s so hot, just stay home and cool off. There’s nothing urgent that our family needs to bother him with. It would be fine to visit him when the weather cools down."
Yuan Yunzhong seemed unconcerned and laughed, "How does Miss Song know that Registrar Wang went to the countryside to oversee the summer grain? Are you familiar with the people from the household office?"
She had previously mentioned selling the lands in Nanchang and Shangrao.
And land transactions require registration and record-keeping with the local household offices.
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "In Liang County, our family is also somewhat of a local authority. We are not only familiar with people from the household office but also pretty close with those from the judicial office. Next time, I’ll have Steward Wu accompany you out, and introduce you to everyone."
After speaking, she pulled on Madam Qian’s sleeve coquettishly, "Since Young Master Yuan is not leaving, Yinyu Hall needs to be tidied up. You shouldn’t keep him talking."
Madam Qian suddenly realized, and hurriedly instructed a young maidservant, "Send some of those ice-soaked plums and fragrant melons to Young Master Yuan in Yinyu Hall." She also apologized to Yuan Yunzhong, "Then I won’t see you out. If you can’t find Steward Wu and need something, come look for me, or you can look for Jiyun as well."
Song Jiyun laughed and said, "Mother, I’ll go see Young Master Yuan off."
Yuan Yunzhong did not let her, politely saying, "No need. Liu Zi can show me the way. Miss Song is also busy. There will be other days."
The way he said "There will be other days" carried a deep implication.
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