Chapter 016
Chapter 16: How Does Younger Sister Even Know This?
“Mother, I was about to save her,” Yun Wan Ye said gravely, “but before I could move, a young man appeared out of nowhere and whisked her away.”
“He was fast and light-footed, clearly skilled, and seemed to know her. After pulling her from the lake, he told me bluntly to get lost. Since there was no need for me to be involved, I walked away to avoid embarrassment. I went straight to Prosperous Gathering Restaurant and drank with friends.”
“I stayed until nightfall before coming home. That is the full story of yesterday. Is there anything else you wish to know, Mother? How many dishes I ate, how many cups of wine, or how many visits to the latrine?”
[What? Second Brother did not save her yesterday? Someone else rescued her first?]
[Why does the plot keep crumbling? Did I transmigrate into a fake book?]
At his account, thunder cracked over Yun Wan Ning’s tiny heart.
[Forget it. Collapsing is better than staying on track.]
[If Second Brother did not save her, she cannot blame him.]
[He will not be forced to marry, the manor will not fall into chaos, Father will not be a laughingstock in court, and most important, Second Brother will not grow estranged from Mother.]
[Still… I am curious. Who rescued her before he could?]
At that last thought, Madam Yun’s hand stiffened a little, guilt flickering through her eyes.
Yun Wan Ye understood at once. So that was it. Mother had known all along where he went and what he had done, yet still called him to tell the tale before Little Fourth.
It was for her.
Younger Sister was still worried.
A small warmth rose in Yun Wan Ye’s chest.
“As your mother, is it not natural for me to worry?” Madam Yun said lightly. “What, are you complaining that I ask too many questions?”
Her tone was calm, her glance sharp.
Yun Wan Ye laughed at once: “Of course not. Your concern is a blessing. I am not so ungrateful.”
“Good,” Madam Yun said with a nod, a glimmer of mischief in her gaze.
Yun Wan Ye’s scalp tingled. His instincts told him nothing good would follow.
Sure enough, she said: “Since you are so obedient today, I will ask. Yesterday, Prince Qi visited Yao’er. He spoke of sending betrothal gifts and marrying her after her coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Seeing that you are grown as well, do you have someone you like? If you do, I will send to propose. After your elder brother Chen’er’s wedding, we can prepare yours.”
[…I knew it. Second Brother definitely has someone. He has liked her since childhood.]
[Sadly, he could not keep that reckless mouth shut and offended her so badly she has ignored him ever since.]
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
Younger Sister, how do you even know this?
Was there no privacy left in this world?
Now he knew why Mother raised marriage out of the blue. His dear baby sister had gossiped again with that wicked heart voice.
So that was it—sold out by his own infant sister.
Madam Yun’s expression grew complicated. She had not expected this.
Ye’er had liked someone since childhood?
And had ruined it with his mouth?
Was his tongue really that poisonous?
“You are rushing this a bit, are you not, Mother?” Yun Wan Ye laughed dryly, trying to deflect. “Seventh Uncle has not married yet. I am not in a hurry.”
He straightened and added solemnly: “If you truly wish to arrange a marriage, consider Seventh Uncle first. He is already nineteen. If Grandfather’s spirit knew he was still single, he might rise in fury.”
He even patted his chest with conviction.
Seventh Uncle, I offer you to the front lines in my place. No need to thank me. This is what nephews are for.
“You impudent brat,” Madam Yun snapped, face darkening. “Is that how you speak of your elders?”
No wonder the girl stopped talking to him.
If Old Seventh had heard that, he would have beaten him senseless.
“Aiya, Mother, what did I say that was not true?” Yun Wan Ye protested.
Madam Yun sighed: “Still, you make a point. Old Seventh is already nineteen—among the noble sons of Haojing, the oldest and still unmarried.”
“They say an elder sister-in-law is like a mother. I practically raised him. I have tried to bring up marriage in private, but he always brushes it off.”
“What can I do?”
“Mother, if Seventh Uncle does not marry, then neither will I,” Yun Wan Ye said. “If Chen’er and I both marry while he remains single, outsiders might say our Yun family mistreats him, that we keep him from marrying for fear he will split our fortune.”
As he finished, the door opened and Yun Zheng stepped in, voice deep: “What are you discussing?”
“Father, you are back,” Yun Wan Ye said, standing straight.
Father was a seasoned general who could not tolerate slouching in men. Sit lazily in front of him and you would be kicked across the room.
“Mm,” Yun Zheng grunted. He crossed to Madam Yun, lifted Little Fourth from her arms, and made faces at her: “Little Fourth, give Father a smile.”
Yun Wan Ning worked her tiny lips into a grin.
Then—drip. Saliva rolled down her chin.
[Aiya, I drooled again. My face muscles are too weak. Even a little smile turns me into a fountain.]
[Father, please do not think I am ugly. Give me a few weeks and I will smile so sweetly you will melt.]
The three adults almost burst into laughter and barely held it in.
This little milk bun was too obsessed with appearance.
What baby did not drool?
Yet she acted as if it were life and death.
“Oh my, my Little Fourth smiled,” Yun Zheng beamed. “She is even cuter than Ye’er and Yao’er were as babies. She will grow up prettier than her elder sister.”
Yun Wan Ning was stunned with joy.
[Really? Then I am relieved. But Father, let me remind you, putting one person down to praise another is not right. Elder Sister is the prettiest. I will settle for equally beautiful at most.]
Putting one down to praise another.
The three adults blinked, looked at one another, silently repeated the phrase, and tucked it away.
After playing a while, Yun Zheng turned to Madam Yun, his face growing serious: “Madam, I heard the Su family’s daughter has fallen ill. She has had a high fever for days. Old Su Jian was so worried he petitioned for an imperial physician in court this morning.”
“I was thinking: should we send someone to visit?”