Xiao Jinglin glanced at the three men who had suddenly appeared, nodded faintly as a greeting. Unlike Miss Wu, she didn’t hide the bamboo pole in her hand to destroy the evidence, but instead extended it into the river water to pull up the boat woman who had been knocked down.

The fight couldn’t continue, but the atmosphere remained awkward, with only the sounds of splashing water and the boat woman’s heavy breathing.

It was Xiao Jingyue, who had been standing on the bridge watching the commotion, who swept his gaze across the faces of the two young masters from the Yun family, then let it rest on the unfamiliar-looking youth’s face, his lips curving in a smile: “What brings you here? And who might this be?”

Everyone turned their attention to the unfamiliar youth. He had delicate features and carried himself with the elegant leisure typical of noble young masters. Though his clothing wasn’t particularly luxurious, the fabric was of excellent quality. This should be a young master from an aristocratic family.

However, the young masters from the prominent families in Yunyang City and even throughout Yanbei mostly knew each other, yet this youth who appeared with the two Yun brothers was completely unfamiliar.

Seeing everyone looking at him, the youth revealed a brilliant smile, with dimples appearing faintly on his cheeks.

“I am Lei Zhen, and I came from Jiangnan not long ago.”

“Lei?” Xiao Jingyue studied Lei Zhen, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Yun Wenfang let out a derisive laugh, glancing sideways at Xiao Jingyue: “He’s Lei Ting’s younger brother. Third Young Master Xiao should recognize his older brother.”

Xiao Jingyue suddenly understood, nodding: “I wondered why he looked somewhat familiar. So he’s from the Lei family.”

Seeing everyone discussing him, the youth grinned and bowed respectfully to all present.

“That Lei family, one of the old Yanbei aristocratic families that migrated south back then?” Miss Wu finally found an opportunity to interject. She looked Lei Zhen up and down with some curiosity: “Wasn’t it said that when the Lei family migrated south, they encountered Liao army forces and the entire clan was killed by the Liao people? How is there suddenly another Lei family member?”

Though she spoke so directly, Lei Zhen didn’t seem to mind and good-naturedly explained: “My great-grandfather happened to fall ill during the southward journey, so he didn’t keep up with the rest of the Lei family. He was two days behind everyone else. By the time he caught up, the Lei family members had already…” Being his own family’s bloody history, though from long ago, the youth’s eyes still showed some sadness.

Yun Wenting reached out and patted his shoulder, and Lei Zhen nodded and smiled back to show he was fine.

Back then, the Lei family was one of the largest and most ancient aristocratic families in Yanbei. The Lei clan had produced countless sages and high court officials – even the Yun family, now called the foremost aristocratic family in Yanbei, couldn’t compare to them.

Ren Yaoqi was also pondering the Lei family, wondering why she seemed to have no impression of them in her previous life. Originally, she thought it was an already declining family, so it would be normal for her not to have heard of them. But seeing how the two Lei brothers could mingle with these people today, the Lei family didn’t seem to have declined.

Meanwhile, Yun Wenting was standing on the bridge talking with Xiao Jinglin.

“Will the Princess attend the dragon boat races this afternoon?”

Xiao Jinglin sent the boat woman into the cabin to change clothes, nodding faintly as her response.

Seeing her cold attitude, Yun Wenting seemed already accustomed to it and didn’t take offense. He said gently, “We have a large boat that can follow behind the dragon boats for viewing. Jingxi will also come. Would the Princess like to board together?”

Before Xiao Jinglin could respond, Miss Wu, who had been standing nearby without leaving, glared at Xiao Jingyue and frantically signaled him with her eyes. Xiao Jingyue was first stunned, then looked at Yun Wenting and Xiao Jinglin before suddenly understanding.

“Ahem, I say, Young Master Yun, you can’t be so obviously partial. You only invited my second brother? Are you just going to ignore us insignificant people?”

Yun Wenting, who was waiting for Xiao Jinglin’s response, was startled by these words. He and the Xiao siblings Jingxi and Jinglin could be considered cousins. Xiao Jingyue was closer to the Su family and only maintained surface relations with them, rarely playing together, which was why he hadn’t asked if Xiao Jingyue wanted to go.

However, a refined young master like Yun Wenting generally wouldn’t embarrass someone in public. So he quickly smiled and nodded to Xiao Jingyue: “If Third Young Master Xiao would honor us with his presence, it would naturally be more than welcome.”

Then, Yun Wenting looked toward Miss Wu and politely said, “If Miss Wu is free, please join us as well.”

Xiao Jingyue winked at Miss Wu.

Miss Wu now became coy, lowering her head to fidget with the weighted hem of her skirt, saying softly: “I’ll have to ask my grandmother’s permission first.”

Yun Wenting nodded, then looked again at Xiao Jinglin.

Xiao Jinglin said indifferently, “I’ll take the painted pleasure boat with Yaoqi later. There are too many people on the big boat.”

Everyone turned their gaze toward the painted boat, where Ren Yaoqi had already seated herself inside. Those outside could only see a vague silhouette – a young girl of modest age, sitting quietly and peacefully.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment but decided not to come out of the cabin. It wasn’t that she was being impolite. She wasn’t Xiao Jinglin, and she was currently on a boat with mostly strangers – this wasn’t a good opportunity to meet and greet people. Besides, if she stood at the bow and lost her footing, falling into the river, she’d have to bear the consequences herself.

Yun Wenting looked at Xiao Jinglin as if he wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, he held back and only said gently: “Then the Princess should be careful and try to follow behind our boat so we can look after you.”

Xiao Jinglin glanced at the woman on the bridge: “The painted boat is very stable. Unless someone deliberately causes trouble, nothing will happen. I’ll be properly on guard.”

At this time, the boat woman had changed into dry clothes and emerged, though her hair was still wet, wrapped in a thick towel.

Xiao Jinglin instructed her: “Let’s go.”

The boatwoman acknowledged and went to the stern to steer.

Xiao Jinglin nodded to the people on the bridge and turned to go back to the cabin.

Just as Yun Wenting was about to speak, Yun Wenfang, who had been leaning against the bridge railing, spoke first: “Princess, my grandmother has also prepared some things for your thousand-gold banquet in a few days. When will you come to our residence to have a look?”

Yun Wenting looked at Yun Wenfang with some surprise, seemingly startled that he would initiate conversation with Xiao Jinglin. Though Xiao Jinglin had a cold temperament and Yun Wenfang had a young master’s temper, while they couldn’t be said to dislike each other, the two had always ignored each other. But he didn’t speak, only looked toward Xiao Jinglin.

Xiao Jinglin paused, turned to look at Yun Wenfang with some surprise, thought for a moment, and nodded: “I’ll visit when I’m free in a few days.”

Yun Wenfang raised an eyebrow and smiled, glancing at the boat cabin: “The Princess might as well bring Miss Ren along. When I was in Bailu Town, I received much care from the Ren family. Third Master Ren even taught me chess, and my mother also wants to meet the Ren family’s young lady.”

Xiao Jinglin nodded: “I’ll ask her opinion.” With that, she entered the boat cabin.

Yun Wenfang’s gaze remained fixed on the painted boat. This time, with no one causing trouble, the painted boat smoothly passed through the bridge arch and gradually sailed away.

Turning back to meet Yun Wenting’s inquiring gaze, Yun Wenfang’s expression remained unchanged, then he looked at Miss Wu and Xiao Jingyue who still hadn’t left, his face showing a half-smile: “Are you two planning to stay here and enjoy the scenery?”

Miss Wu, who had been watching Yun Wenting, blushed with embarrassment and lowered her head, saying softly: “We… we’re leaving too.”

If one hadn’t seen her earlier fierce behavior of using a bamboo pole to strike at Xiao Jinglin, one would probably think the person before them was a gentle and shy young lady from a good family.

Yun Wenfang glanced sideways at Yun Wenting, twisted his lips, and leaned against the stone bridge railing with folded arms.

Yun Wenting shook his head somewhat helplessly, stepped forward to bow farewell: “In that case, we’ll take our leave first.”

The two groups bid farewell, one heading east and the other west.

As Miss Wu descended the bridge, she couldn’t help but look back several times, but unfortunately, that person had already mounted his horse and left the bridge.

Xiao Jingyue watched from the side, his lips slightly curved, but he sighed: “People outside all say how remarkable our sickly second brother is, but I think he doesn’t compare to this Young Master Yun. In terms of appearance and learning, no one in all of Yanbei can match Yun Wenting.”

Miss Wu deeply agreed with these words, her face full of smiles as if he were praising her.

But Xiao Jingyue sighed again and shook his head: “What a pity.”

Miss Wu was startled: “Pity what?”

Xiao Jingyue leaned close to Miss Wu’s ear: “It’s a pity I heard the Yun family wants Yun Wenting to marry Xiao Jinglin, and the Prince and Princess Consort don’t seem opposed. Think about it – Xiao Jinglin’s character and Young Master Yun… tsk, I don’t think they match at all.”

Miss Wu’s expression darkened: “Of course they don’t match! What right does Xiao Jinglin have?”

Xiao Jingyue said with a grin: “Right, they don’t match at all. I think in all of Yanbei, only you, cousin, could be worthy of Young Master Yun.”

Miss Wu’s face, which had been filled with anger, immediately blushed all over, and she lowered her head somewhat shyly: “You… what nonsense are you talking about?”

Xiao Jingyue solemnly swore an oath: “If there’s even half a lie in my words, may I be struck by lightning.”

Miss Wu was somewhat dazed, and after a long while, she sighed: “But in matters of marriage, how can we have any say in our own decisions?”

Xiao Jingyue disagreed: “I just can’t stand this kind of thing. Don’t worry, cousin, your cousin will always stand by your side.”

Meanwhile, the two Yun brothers were also talking.

Yun Wenfang looked at his older brother with a half-smile.

After being stared at for a long time, Yun Wenting sighed and turned his head: “Second brother, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Your face causes trouble for yourself, which is one thing, but now you’ve brought trouble to others as well. Having caused it would be one thing, but you can only watch without being able to help. I feel frustrated for you,” Yun Wenfang said methodically.