Yun Qiuchen glanced at Ren Yaoqi, surprise flashing through her eyes before she quickly composed herself. She said to Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang, “Since cousin Ren has chosen for me, next let second sister and third sister go choose.”

Then she turned to Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin: “Let’s go to the inner room to try them on. If anything doesn’t fit properly, we’ll have the tailors make alterations.”

When families had clothes made, they generally first selected fabrics, then chose styles, and had tailors make them accordingly. Having clothes made first and then choosing, like the Yun family was doing, was inconvenient. The Yun family was doing this simply to make Xiao Jinglin feel their care and attention toward her.

The clothes Xiao Jinglin selected appeared to be chosen casually, but those two pieces with flying phoenix and phoenix patterns happened to match her status perfectly. Although the current court’s control over civilian clothing wasn’t as strict as during the founding years, and the present court couldn’t manage such trivial matters in Yanbei anyway, established families like the Yun family still paid great attention to these rules.

Otherwise, since Xiao Jinglin was taller and more slender than they all, it would be problematic if what she chose didn’t fit. What Xiao Jinglin had picked was exactly what the Yun family had prepared for her.

As for the Yun family misses, since they all had similar figures, even if something didn’t fit perfectly, alterations could be made.

Yun Qiuchen had her two sisters go choose clothes while she led Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi to the inner room to try on their selections. Sure enough, the two pieces Xiao Jinglin chose fit perfectly.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Ren Yaoqi tried on the peach-colored outfit. When she emerged, Yun Qiuchen stared for a moment, then smiled: “Cousin Ren has fair skin—wearing this outfit, she looks absolutely beautiful.”

This peach-colored outfit had been chosen by Yun Qiuchen originally because she thought the color was fresh and pretty. However, she knew she probably couldn’t wear it, as her grandmother would consider the color frivolous and unsuitable for the image of the Yun family’s eldest miss. It was only because her mother saw how much she liked it that she had the seamstresses make an extra set, saying it would be fine to wear at home.

She hadn’t expected that when worn by Ren Yaoqi, it would suppress that hint of frivolity, only making the person appear lively and radiant, more beautiful than flowers.

Xiao Jinglin looked Ren Yaoqi over several times and nodded: “Not bad.” Princess Xiao rarely praised anyone, so her compliments came out dry, as if perfunctory.

Ren Yaoqi smiled with pursed lips and obediently tried on the deep purple outfit at Yun Qiuchen’s suggestion. It had to be said that Ren Yaoqi’s eye was quite accurate—both outfits she chose had been selected by Yun Qiuchen, and neither was prepared for the Thousand Gold Banquet.

The purple outfit made her look noble when worn, but it was also very demanding of the wearer’s temperament—otherwise, one couldn’t carry the color.

Ren Yaoqi was beautiful with an outstanding temperament and a composed personality. So she had always been the one choosing clothes, not clothes choosing her.

Yun Qiuchen walked over to help her check the waist: “You and I have similar figures. It shouldn’t need alterations. What do you think?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded, then smiled: “Thank you, elder sister.”

Yun Qiuchen smiled warmly: “No need to thank me—this could be considered fate. I think for the Thousand Gold Banquet, you should wear that peach-colored outfit.”

Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to respond, a composed-looking maid entered and reported to Yun Qiuchen: “Eldest Miss, eldest young master, and second young master have arrived.”

Yun Qiuchen was startled, glanced toward Xiao Jinglin, then nodded without showing any emotion: “I understand. Have the eldest brother and the second brother wait in the side hall. I’ll be there shortly.”

Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin changed out of their clothes, then followed Yun Qiuchen outside.

Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang had finished selecting clothes and were now looking at jewelry.

Yun Qiuchen didn’t even look at the few remaining outfits, only instructing the maids to pack the clothes back into the trunks. Then she glanced at the several opened jewelry boxes: “The headdresses and jewelry were all selected for us by grandmother beforehand, one set per person. Cousin Ren can take my set.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head with a smile: “I’ll accept the clothes, but the headdresses and jewelry aren’t necessary. When I return home, grandmother and mother will prepare them for me.”

This time, Yun Qiuchen didn’t insist. What she had said was merely courtesy anyway. There was only one set each of headdresses and jewelry, all personally selected by Old Madam Yun and Eldest Madam. Having new ones made would take time.

However, Yun Qiufang opened her round eyes with an innocent expression: “Elder sister, I like your red ruby peony-style hair pin. Can I exchange my plum blossom style one with you?”

Yun Qiuchen didn’t mind and said generously: “If you like it, go ahead and exchange. What about second sister? Is there anything you’d like to exchange?”

Yun Qiuping glanced at Yun Qiuchen, shook her head, and maintained her usual quiet demeanor.

Yun Qiuchen nodded and instructed the maids: “Send the clothes and jewelry to the two misses’ residences. For the Princess and cousin Ren, send them to the carriage.”

After thinking, Yun Qiuchen said to Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang: “Will you two sisters come with us to see eldest brother and second brother, or return first to try on the clothes and jewelry?”

Yun Qiufang was young and loved beauty, focused on outshining everyone at the Thousand Gold Banquet. Upon hearing this, she immediately said: “Second sister and I should go back first to try on the clothes.” She also pulled Yun Qiufang along.

Yun Qiuchen nodded: “Then we’ll wait for you in the side hall.”

Just like that, the two sisters were tactfully sent away, though Yun Qiuping glanced slightly toward Yun Qiuchen and Xiao Jinglin as she left.

Yun Qiuchen led Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin to the side hall.

Eldest Young Master Yun Wenting and Second Young Master Yun Wenfang were sitting in the side hall, drinking tea and chatting. Seeing the three women enter, Yun Wenting’s gaze paused on Xiao Jinglin, his smile warm and modest as he rose to bow in greeting. Yun Wenfang also rose to bow, but his eyes brazenly focused on Ren Yaoqi. When he saw Ren Yaoqi look over, he even raised his eyebrows.

Ren Yaoqi curtsied to both of them, then sat across from them under Yun Qiuchen’s hospitality, along with Xiao Jinglin.

Regarding the sudden appearance of the two Yun brothers, Ren Yaoqi could only pretend to know nothing and lower her head to drink tea. Xiao Jinglin also didn’t like to talk much, so once they sat down, it was mainly Yun Qiuchen and Yun Wenting chatting about trivial matters. Yun Wenfang, meanwhile, drank tea while openly studying Ren Yaoqi with very frank gazes.

After he stared for a long time, Ren Yaoqi could only suppress her displeasure and frown inwardly.

Just as she was thinking of hinting to Xiao Jinglin to find some excuse to leave, Yun Qiuchen spoke: “The Princess and cousin Yaoqi aren’t speaking, which makes my brother and me seem chatty and annoying. Here, there are only us siblings, no outsiders. Princess and cousin Yaoqi shouldn’t feel constrained.”

As Yun Qiuchen spoke, she glanced toward Ren Yaoqi, appearing even more intimate and friendly than when Yun Qiufang and Yun Qiuping had been present. Even her mode of address had become more familiar.

Her phrase “no outsiders” stirred something in Ren Yaoqi’s heart, though she couldn’t be sure if Eldest Miss Yun was hinting at something.

Ren Yaoqi casually looked around and noticed that only four senior maids and one middle-aged nanny were serving, all maintaining proper demeanor with eyes straight ahead.

Ren Yaoqi remembered that Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang belonged to the second and third branches of the Yun family, while Yun Qiuchen, eldest young master, and second young master were from the main branch and shared the same mother.

“Ren Yaoqi, when you tricked this young master into losing that bet, weren’t you quite pleased with yourself? Why are you acting like a mute today?” Second Young Master Yun looked askance at Ren Yaoqi. Though his words were complaining, his tone carried some mockery.

Yun Wenting and Yun Qiuchen also shifted their attention and looked over.

Eldest Young Master Yun became interested: “Oh? You’ve made bets before? What was the wager?”

Ren Yaoqi felt her scalp tingle.

She felt somewhat helpless about Yun Wenfang suddenly bringing up this matter. She hadn’t expected Second Young Master Yun to still remember this incident and bring it up publicly—she had thought he would at least care about saving face.

Seeing everyone looking at her with some curiosity, Yun Wenfang smirked but only snorted lightly and said no more.

However, Yun Wenting looked at Ren Yaoqi thoughtfully, wondering what he was thinking.

Xiao Jinglin seemed to hear Ren Yaoqi’s silent plea for help and spoke up: “It’s getting late. Let’s go say goodbye to the old madam and head back.”

Yun Wenting was startled and instinctively asked: “Won’t the Princess stay for dinner?”

Yun Qiuchen smiled: “Yes, it’s rare for the Princess to visit. We sisters also seldom have opportunities to gather. Even if you must leave, please stay for dinner first. Grandmother knew you were coming and instructed the kitchen staff early this morning to prepare several dishes you enjoy.”

Yun Wenting quickly recovered his elegant demeanor: “I remember there’s a black fish egg soup that you like.”

“Elder brother specially had people search for the black fish eggs, and even the cook was specially brought from Shandong.” Yun Qiuchen glanced at Yun Wenting and smiled as if casually.

Xiao Jinglin’s love of food was known by quite a few people. If Xiao Jinglin stayed, it would be awkward for Ren Yaoqi to leave alone.

However, Xiao Jinglin still shook her head: “I have matters to attend to today. I’ll visit another time.” She stood up as she spoke. Yun Qiuchen and Yun Wenting exchanged glances, both somewhat helpless.

They knew this Princess’s temperament—if even food couldn’t make her change her mind, then nothing would.

Disappointment flashed through Yun Wenting’s eyes, but he still rose with great composure and smiled: “Since the Princess has matters today, we can only arrange for another time.”

Xiao Jinglin nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Yun Wenfang walked to Ren Yaoqi’s side, glanced at Xiao Jinglin, then said to Ren Yaoqi: “The Yun family isn’t a dragon’s pool or tiger’s den. What are you afraid of?”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes and said quietly: “Second Young Master Yun is joking.”

Yun Wenfang snorted lightly, then said: “Ren Yaoqi, I have something to say to you. Come over here.”

Ren Yaoqi frowned, glancing at Eldest Young Master Yun and Eldest Miss Yun, who seemed to be talking and not paying attention to this side, wondering what act they were trying to perform.

Xiao Jinglin glanced coldly at Yun Wenfang, then, to everyone’s surprise, grabbed Ren Yaoqi and headed outside.

Yun Wenfang was stunned, then his face turned extremely ugly as he said coldly: “Xiao Jinglin! What do you mean!”