Chapter 013

Chapter 13: Little Milk Bun Is Quite the Little Glutton

He could only seek Yun Wan Yao’s consent, but how could she possibly agree?

Everyone in Great Wu knew she was meant to be Prince Qi’s consort. If she suddenly stepped aside now, how could she endure the disgrace?

Worse, Prince Qi’s new love interest was her eldest brother’s fiancée. Even if Yun Wan Yao did not care about pride or reputation, the Duke’s Manor could not be made a laughingstock.

Yun Wan Yao was not only the Yun family’s daughter. She carried the face of the entire house.

Thus, in the original story, she refused to dissolve the engagement. She hardened her heart, struck at the heroine, and stepped onto the road of no return, the path of a villainess.

But now, Yun Wan Yao had refused him.

She had refused Prince Qi’s marriage proposal outright.

How could Yun Wan Ning not feel shaken?

Yun Wan Yao: “…”

A transmigrator was supposed to be someone like Little Sister, an outside soul who knew everyone’s fate. Yet just now, Little Sister had mentioned rebirth. How many strange ideas were stored in that tiny head? And how did she find the time to invent such absurdities all day long?

Madam Yun turned toward Yun Wan Yao, her gaze carrying a quiet hint.

From Little Fourth’s earlier mutterings, she had assumed Yao’er would already have agreed to Prince Qi’s proposal. But her daughter’s actions had clearly veered from the plot.

Madam Yun narrowed her eyes in thought.

Could it be that Yao’er could also hear Little Fourth’s inner voice?

If so, things would be much simpler than expected.

“Yao’er handled things well,” Madam Yun said warmly. “Although your engagement to Prince Qi was bestowed by the late emperor, marriage is a serious matter. It should be discussed with your parents first.”

Yun Wan Yao nodded, her voice soft: “Mother is right. Daughter thought the same.”

“Good child,” Madam Yun said as she squeezed her hand.

Then her smile dimmed, shadowed by caution. She said: “But Yao’er, your elder brother Chen’er has yet to marry, and you are still young. Mother wishes to keep you by my side a little longer, at least until after your coming-of-age ceremony. Only then will we begin discussing your marriage with Prince Qi. What do you think?”

Little Fourth had said it clearly. The heroine would meet Prince Qi within seven days. To stall was the only safe path. And since Chen’er had not yet returned from seeking treatment for his legs, his status as eldest son made the perfect excuse.

Yun Wan Yao smiled sweetly: “Yao’er will listen to Mother. Whatever Mother arranges, I will follow.”

Since Mother could hear Little Sister’s voice, and since she herself had already changed her actions from the original plot, there was no need to pretend before her mother. A thin veil would remain for now, but both sides already understood.

[Excellent. This turn is ideal.]

[Elder Sister’s step away from the plot, joined with Mother’s plan, means the engagement can be avoided. Even if Mo Yuan Hao tries to back out later, no one will blame us. Elder Sister can be the gentle, wronged beauty and still exit with grace.]

The door creaked. Yun Zheng strode into the room.

“Father,” Yun Wan Yao said as she rose, her smile bright.

“Has Prince Qi left?” he asked.

At that name, Yun Zheng’s face soured at once. He had entered beaming at the sight of his beloved wife, but the mention of that brat’s name made his jaw clench.

Yun Wan Yao blinked, puzzled: “Did something happen? Father seems to be in a bad mood.”

She had seen it clearly. At Prince Qi’s name, her father’s jaw tightened and his gaze sharpened. Had Prince Qi offended him? Or could it be that Father also heard Little Sister’s voice?

“It is nothing,” Yun Zheng said as he coughed and forced a smile. “Trouble from the military camp. Let us not speak of it.”

If Yao’er could truly hear Little Fourth’s thoughts, she likely already guessed.

He crossed the room and stopped by the window, gently lifting Little Fourth, who was blowing bubbles in Madam Yun’s arms.

“Little Fourth, come let Father hold you,” he said with a coaxing grin. “Father has not had a turn today. Did you miss me?”

“Aiya~”

[Yes, yes, I missed you. It is so cozy when Father holds me. You must hold me every day from now on.]

[And tell me stories from outside. All I do is eat and sleep, sleep and eat. Baby me is going stir-crazy with boredom.]

[When will I grow up? I want to go out, walk the night market, and eat delicious food. Drinking milk day after day, my poor taste buds are wasting away.]

[Boohoo, I want spicy hotpot skewers. Hotpot. Snail noodles. Mutton hotpot. Barbecue. Spicy duck neck. Spicy crawfish, ahhh.]

The more she thought, the hungrier she felt. Yun Wan Ning began drooling in a steady stream, soaking her bib and chin.

Yun Zheng looked down at her shining mouth and burst out laughing. So Little Fourth was not only obsessed with money. She was a true little glutton, and her appetite was enormous. That long string of strange dishes she had just named—besides lamb and duck neck, he had never even heard of most of them. Yet they sounded delicious. Even the mighty Duke Ning almost began to drool.

Madam Yun and Yun Wan Yao exchanged a look and smiled. This little one truly had a grand appetite. If only she could eat solids already. How pitiful to be stuck with milk when her cravings ran so wild.

That afternoon, several servants arrived outside the Duke’s Manor with a formal message. The family patriarch requested an audience with the second young master.

“Father, Mother, I am heading out. Do not wait for me at dinner,” Yun Wan Ye called with a cheerful wave.

Before he left, he hurried to the bedside, scooped up Little Fourth, and planted a kiss on her cheek. He wore a dark blue robe with silver trim, long black hair falling smooth down his back. His features were fine and luminous, his whole figure elegant and sure.

Yun Wan Ning’s eyes lit at once. Her spirit revived as if she had never cried.

[Ahhh. What god-tier beauty is this? Second Brother is too handsome.]

[If there were an internet in this world, I would start a livestream and let all the sisters feast their eyes.]

[No, wait, he is beautiful enough to charm everyone. Boys and girls, everyone deserves to admire this masterpiece. Someone give me a phone, I want to bless all humanity.]

Beside her, Yun Wan Yao rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. This brat was definitely showing off. He knew Little Fourth loved good looks. Did he dress up on purpose just to hear praise? Shameless.

Yun Wan Ye did not understand words like internet or livestream, but when he heard god-tier beauty and felt his sister’s excitement, he knew he had struck home. Delighted, he bent close with a grin and said: “Little Sister, Elder Brother is going out now. I will bring you a toy when I return, all right?”

[Wait. I got distracted by Second Brother’s beauty and almost forgot something important.]

[Second Brother took leave from the military camp to visit home after hearing Mother had given birth. But his playful friends invited him out today.]

[He has always been a bit mischievous. Normally that is fine, but today he is about to walk into big trouble.]