Song Jiyun’s eyes twinkled slightly.
Who was this old woman?
Such a great air about her!
The thought flickered past, and the old woman had already shaken off the support of the young girl and hurried over with three steps taken as two.
Zhao Qi’s Wife hastily greeted her, saying, "Old Aunt, how did you get here?"
The old woman nodded her head, but her gaze was fixed directly on Song Jiyun.
Seeing this, Zhao Qi’s Wife said to the old woman, "This is Miss Li."
Then, turning to Song Jiyun, she said, "This is our child’s great-aunt. She’s the kindest you could meet. All the women in the village like to ask her for help with their troubles."
Song Jiyun smiled and made a small curtsey to the old lady, addressing her as "Old Lady."
"Oh my!" the old lady laughed, "I really don’t deserve such honor." Then she praised her, "I heard that a Miss Li had come, but I hadn’t expected her to be so charming!"
The crowd laughed out loud.
The old lady looked around and asked, "Where is Young Master Li? Why haven’t I seen Young Master Li?"
"In the main hall!" responded Zhao Qi’s Wife.
Then the old lady took Song Jiyun by the hand and went into the main hall.
Yuan Yunzhong was standing in the middle of the hall, tall and long-legged, with piercing eyes and thin lips, his handsomeness drawing side glances, and even the humble room seemed less shabby because of him.
The room quieted for a moment.
Everyone showed expressions of amazement.
The old woman pushed Song Jiyun closer to Yuan Yunzhong, laughing and saying, "I said it, Miss Li is so beautiful, only a certain kind of person would deserve her true heart. Now that I have seen Young Master Li, I understand. In his appearance and scholarship, not to mention in Suzhou Prefecture, even in the whole of Jiangnan, he is truly unique."
As she spoke, she stepped back two steps, unable to stop praising them, "Look at them! Standing together like a pair of golden boy and jade girl, I’ve never seen a more perfect match!"
The crowd giggled and agreed, chattering in groups of threes and twos.
"I’ve never seen anyone as handsome as Young Master Li before!"
"Handsome is good but they also have to live! Like the Old Lady said, they should just stay here and get married. In a few years, they can take a couple of kids back home, what would the family have to say then?"
"Yes! Why bother going to Jingde Town. The workshops there all need someone to vouch for you. Jobs aren’t that easy to find."
"But Young Master Li and Miss Li had their belongings and luggage stolen by the cart driver. If they get married, they’ll need to buy pots, pans, beddings, canopies..."
"That’s nothing! I’ll give them the two quilts I prepared for my daughter to use first."
"Our family has a set of new dishes."
"Our family has a pair of new pillowcases."
...
Everyone was babbling as if the wedding was going to happen right there.
Song Jiyun was dumbfounded and couldn’t help but look towards Yuan Yunzhong.
Yuan Yunzhong’s expression was indifferent, his eyes half-closed, completely unmoved.
Song Jiyun simply lowered her head shyly and let them discuss.
However, the corner of Yuan Yunzhong’s eye caught the nape of her neck.
White and delicate as the first snow, through the cleanliness shone a hint of luster.
Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze deepened, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he quickly averted his eyes.
When the old woman saw them, a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes as she admonished the other women with a smile, saying, "Enough," and added, "You all should hold back your words. Who is like you, shameless and disrespectful?"
The crowd covered their mouths with laughter.
Only then did the old woman turn her head, somewhat embarrassedly, and addressed Yuan Yunzhong, "Forgive us, young master! Rural women, we have not seen much of the world, excuse our rudeness!"
Yuan Yunzhong’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded slightly.
The old woman then introduced herself, saying, "The steward of the village, Zhao Wu, is my son. The young master can paint, and we urgently need someone who can paint. Normally, Zhao Wu should have spoken with you to show sincerity. But since Zhao Wu is out and won’t be back for four or five days, I am taking the liberty, relying on my age, to meet with the young master.
"Please, young master, stay a bit longer. Once Zhao Wu returns, if you find it unsuitable, it won’t be too late to leave."
This delaying tactic was well used.
Just afraid that those pursuing them might arrive!
Song Jiyun muttered to himself.
Yuan Yunzhong didn’t even think before refusing, "I hadn’t planned on being a painter."
The old woman’s smile narrowed slightly. She glanced at Song Jiyun and said with a laugh, "It’s a long journey from here to Jingde Town, you can manage it, but how can Miss Li, who has never traveled far and has grown up sheltered and delicate, manage it?"
Yuan Yunzhong glanced at Song Jiyun’s feet.
Song Jiyun immediately made his stance clear, gently tugging at Yuan Yunzhong’s sleeve, and whispered, "I, I can still walk!"
Yuan Yunzhong looked at her, his glossy, pitch-black eyes as deep as the sea, inscrutable.
Song Jiyun was stunned.
The old woman then persuaded, "Young Master Li, Miss Li listens to everything you say. You cannot let her down!"
Suddenly, Yuan Yunzhong’s brow furrowed slightly, appearing somewhat troubled as he looked at Song Jiyun and asked, "Do you want to stay here?"
Song Jiyun’s mind raced, but he replied meekly, "I am fine with anything, as long as I can be with you, young master!"
She looked at him with wide eyes, her gaze bright and adoring.
Yuan Yunzhong looked at her intently, his tone hesitant, "But this is deep in the woods! I promised you a good life!"
Song Jiyun promptly professed, "But I want the young master to be happy. Only if you are happy can I be at peace..."
His words were cut off by the old woman’s laughter.
She said, "Young Master Li, Miss Li, there’s an old saying, ’Riches find relations in remote mountains, poverty finds no inquirers in a bustling market.’ If you have money, where can’t you go?"
Yuan Yunzhong listened thoughtfully.
The old woman’s expression brightened as she continued, "Which parent can refuse their child? If I were you, I’d stay here for a few years, make some money, and return home in silk garments. Even if it takes a while for your family to accept this, you’ll have the money to set up a household and provide for your children. Isn’t that better than anything?"
Yuan Yunzhong fell into deep thought.
Song Jiyun muttered half to himself, "It’s just that we’ve already written to my aunt, saying we would arrive in a few days. If we just stay here, she will definitely send people looking for us. We can’t break our promise to her!"
The old woman pondered for a moment and said, "How about you write another letter to your aunt?"
Song Jiyun replied with a wry smile, "My mother knew I was coming to stay with my aunt, and that’s why she didn’t let anyone from home look for me. If we don’t make it to my aunt’s, I fear it might bring my family here as well."
The old woman thought for a moment and suggested, "Maybe you could return to Jingde Town first, settle things with your family, and then come back?"
Song Jiyun then timidly asked, "May I know what exactly this painting job involves? What to paint? How long? And, how is the payment settled? Meeting my aunt would also reassure her not to worry."
If he had no interest in the job at all, he wouldn’t have asked so meticulously.
The old woman became even more convinced that her strategy was effective.
She laughed cheerfully and said, "What exactly to paint, we’ll discuss once you’ve arrived. But I can assure you, Young Master Li, you can earn at least fifty taels of silver a month."
She then made a few more promises, offering to lend them silver for their wedding and even a house for them to stay in temporarily.
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