Chapter 021
Chapter 21: Little sister seems quite happy about meeting her brother-in-law
Madam Yun quickly looked away from Yun Zheng’s eyes and nodded, a light flush on her cheeks: “Very well, we will wait for Chen’er to return. I have already sent word to Old Seventh. They should arrive in time for Little Fourth’s full month banquet.”
In the afternoon, Mo Yuan Hao visited again.
Inside the Flower Pavilion, Yun Wan Yao went to meet him with a heart full of mixed feelings.
In the bedroom, Madam Yun reclined on the beauty couch by the window and watched Yun Wan Ye cradle Yun Wan Ning as he teased her softly. He said with a smile: “Little sister, Prince Qi has come again. You surely do not recognize him, so Second Brother will tell you. He is Yao’er’s fiancé and will soon be your brother in law. At your full month celebration, Second Brother will take you to see him. You are too young to understand, but it does not matter. Second Brother just loves talking to you.”
Yun Wan Ning shot him a disdainful look. [Who says I do not understand? I absolutely do.]
[And as for that Prince Qi, how could I not know him? He is the male lead of this world. He is definitely not my brother in law. Second Brother, do not randomly make family ties for us.]
[Poor Elder Sister. She will keep suffering because of him. At least the betrothal is not yet settled, so many troubles can still be avoided.]
“Oh?” Yun Wan Ye drawled with a grin as he tickled her chin: “Little sister seems quite happy about meeting your brother in law. With how adorable you are, Prince Qi will surely love you.”
[I am not happy at all. Second Brother, stop pinning labels on me. You cannot twist my feelings just because I cannot speak yet.]
[And I do not care if that Prince Qi likes me or not. He is an enemy of our Yun family.]
Her angry glare almost made Yun Wan Ye laugh aloud, though he worked hard to hold it back. Ah, he could not help it. Little sister was too amusing. If she knew several people at home could hear her heart voice, how shocked would she be? He suddenly found himself looking forward to that day.
In the rear garden, Mo Yuan Hao gazed at Yun Wan Yao with tender eyes, then went straight to the point: “Yao’er, about what we discussed last time, how did it go?”
This matter could not be handled carelessly. Yun Wan Yao lowered her gaze, guilt touching her delicate face. She said in a soft voice: “Yuan Hao, I am sorry.”
A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He lifted a brow and studied her, then asked in a low tone: “Yao’er, what do you mean?”
He had not expected difficulties with the proposal he had initiated.
“Eldest Brother’s legs have not recovered, and the Su family seems to be reconsidering the marriage arrangement,” she said. “Since I am still young and have not yet held my coming of age ceremony, my mother hopes we wait a while longer. She wants Eldest Brother’s marriage settled first when he returns, then we will handle ours.”
She raised her head, apology and worry shining in her eyes as she looked at him: “Yuan Hao, I am truly sorry. It is my fault. I could not persuade Mother.”
Mo Yuan Hao nodded, and a faint smile eased his features. Relief slipped into his voice as he said: “So that is how it is. Madam Yun speaks reasonably. Wan Chen’s marriage is more urgent than ours. I was inconsiderate. Yao’er, do not blame yourself.”
He had been too eager and overlooked these knots. It truly was not her fault. Even if this delayed his plans, he could not press while Madam Yun had spoken.
“Yuan Hao, you are so kind,” Yun Wan Yao said, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at him with joy, as if he were the finest man under heaven.
Seeing her expression pleased him. His mood lifted at once. He leaned closer and spoke with warm tease: “If I am so good, why has Yao’er not shown any appreciation? Could it be that Yao’er only speaks sweet words without sincerity?”
His gaze grew hot. Yun Wan Yao flushed and hesitated, then, after making sure they were alone, she stepped into his arms and hugged him timidly. He chuckled and folded her close with delight: “Yao’er being so forward, how could I refuse?”
Yet the instant she touched him, the joy on her face faded from within. Her eyes reddened. Quiet sadness filled her heart. They had reached the point where she had to perform before him. She would feign innocence and hesitation to delay the engagement.
She still could not believe he would one day fall for another and tire of her. But she did not dare gamble. She could not afford it. The future her little sister had revealed was too terrible. She would not accept such a fate, and she would not let the Yun family suffer for her sake. So she could no longer be as pure and unguarded with him as before.
After seeing Mo Yuan Hao off, she returned to Peace Keeping Courtyard with a heavy heart.
“Prince Qi left already?” Yun Wan Ye asked when he saw her. He poured tea and slid the cup toward her with two fingers.
“Mm,” she said. She sat beside him and drained it in one gulp.
The corner of his mouth twitched. Who would guess the dignified eldest daughter of Duke Ning Manor, promised to Prince Qi by imperial decree, could act so free behind closed doors, without a shred of noble young lady airs.
“And where is little sister?” she asked as she set the cup down, unbothered by his look. He had known her since childhood. He could bear it.
“Asleep. Mother is with her inside,” he said as he refilled her cup. Then he looked at her and spoke with quiet weight: “By the way, though you are betrothed to Prince Qi, you are not yet wed. Meeting him so often is not proper. If rumors spread, your reputation could be stained. How will others see you then?”
He could not grasp her heart. From what he had seen, she clearly heard Little Fourth’s voice as well. She knew those future events. She should understand that things would end badly. Yet she showed no sign of distancing herself.
Did she not fully believe their little sister?
He had already tested that inner voice. It was sharp and never wrong. She had grown wary because of it. So why now? Unable to understand, he felt a rare frustration.
If she truly insisted on Prince Qi, she could at least tell him plainly. Then he could plan every step and clear dangers for them. But deep down he still thought the man in Little Fourth’s warnings was rotten to the root and unworthy of the Yun family.