The physician quickly entered the Yun mansion and, after examining Yun Wenfang, found that the situation was almost exactly as the guard had described. Second Young Master Yun had been injured in his heart meridians and internal organs, with wounds that were not light. Fortunately, he had been brought back in time, managing to save his life, but recovery would require rest for most of a year. During this period, he could not engage in martial arts, otherwise, his injuries would not only fail to heal but would worsen.

After learning that Yun Wenfang’s life was not in danger, Eldest Young Master Yun sent people to investigate the day’s events. They finally learned that after Yun Wenfang hurriedly returned from outside today, he first went to the Yanbei Prince’s mansion. After learning from the mansion that Second Young Master Xiao had left the city, he departed from the prince’s mansion and subsequently also left the city.

After his subordinates withdrew, Yun Wenting pressed his brow wearily, sat alone in his study for a moment, then had someone prepare a horse and went to the Yanbei Prince’s mansion.

Yun Wenting came to the Yanbei Prince’s mansion to request an audience with Xiao Jingxi. Xiao Jingxi did not put on airs with Eldest Young Master Yun and directly had someone bring him to the study.

As soon as Yun Wenting entered, he respectfully performed the proper salutation, then said sincerely, “Thank you, Second Young Master Xiao, for showing mercy.” At this moment, he did not address Xiao Jingxi by his courtesy name as he usually did.

Xiao Jingxi was sitting by the south window playing chess against himself. Hearing this, he looked up at Yun Wenting and smiled slightly, “Since you’ve come, sit across from me and play a game.”

Yun Wenting then walked to sit opposite Xiao Jingxi and began playing chess with him.

During this process, neither spoke again. Only the crisp sound of chess pieces tapping against the board could be heard in the study. This game lasted a full hour before the battle concluded, with Yun Wenting losing.

Xiao Jingxi examined the board, playing with a black piece in his hand, saying casually, “You made one wrong move, and as a result, every subsequent move was wrong. When indecision leads to chaos, Zirui, you are too indecisive.”

Xiao Jingxi’s evaluation was merciless. Hearing this, Yun Wenting’s hand collecting the chess pieces stiffened slightly, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head, “Indeed, it was my mistake.”

Xiao Jingxi said no more. Yun Wenting silently collected chess pieces for a while, then said, “Once Wenfang recovers from his injuries, I will have him return to Jiajing Pass. During this half year, I will have someone watch him carefully.”

Xiao Jingxi picked up his tea bowl and took a sip, remaining noncommittal.

“Do you have any thoughts regarding your marriage?”

Yun Wenting had not expected Xiao Jingxi to suddenly bring this up. He couldn’t help but stiffen, then secretly drew a breath before slowly saying, “I… currently have no plans to marry.”

Xiao Jingxi nodded and said calmly, “You have your reasons for not marrying, but there is an order between elder and younger. It would be best not to affect your younger siblings’ marriages.”

Yun Wenting was a clever man and immediately understood Xiao Jingxi’s meaning. After thinking, he said, “Before Wenfang returns to Jiajing Pass, the Yun family will arrange his marriage.”

Originally, given Xiao Jingxi’s nature, this conversation would have ended here. He never concerned himself with such trivial matters and never pressed aggressively. But today he continued following Yun Wenting’s words, asking, “Are there any suitable candidates?”

Yun Wenting was stunned, “Not at present.” After a pause, he asked tentatively, “Does Tingzhen have any candidates in mind?”

In terms of seniority, Xiao Jingxi was of the same generation as Yun Wenting and Yun Wenfang. Matchmaking should not properly fall to him, so hearing this, Xiao Jingxi smiled, “If you can’t decide, you could ask the Princess Consort. She knows many young ladies.”

Hearing this, Yun Wenting nodded, “After I return, I’ll have grandmother and mother come to see the Princess Consort.”

With Yun Wenting being so cooperative, Xiao Jingxi was satisfied.

Before Yun Wenting took his leave, Xiao Jingxi even kindly reminded him, “I recall that Second Young Master Yun previously went to Xining? Going back and forth takes considerable time, yet his information is quite well-informed.”

Hearing this, Yun Wenting’s brow furrowed slightly, and he couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

Yun Wenting roughly knew why Yun Wenfang had hurriedly run back and directly confronted Xiao Jingxi. Regarding this stubborn and headstrong younger brother, Yun Wenting often felt powerless. He had been troubled by love all these years, so how could he not hope in his heart that his brother could achieve his desires? Unfortunately, the person Yun Wenfang had set his sights on was precisely Xiao Jingxi…

Yun Wenting couldn’t help but sigh. His understanding of Xiao Jingxi far exceeded that of Yun Wenfang, so today, upon seeing Yun Wenfang’s injuries, Yun Wenting knew that Yun Wenfang had made a grave error. If not careful, not only would Yun Wenfang’s own life be in danger, but the Yun family might also be implicated by him. Therefore, Yun Wenting came without hesitation to offer his humble apology.

Fortunately, Xiao Jingxi still considered that the Yun family was the natal family of Noble Consort Yun and the Princess Consort, so he had not pursued destruction. Therefore, when Xiao Jingxi brought up marriage, Yun Wenting very tactfully decided for Yun Wenfang. Because he knew that by now, Yun Wenfang probably had to choose between marriage and his life. Xiao Jingxi was not a narrow-minded person who held grudges, but that was under the condition that his taboos were not touched.

After Yun Wenfang was injured, all Yun Wenting thought about was how to preserve his brother’s life with Xiao Jingxi. He had no energy to think of other matters. Now that Xiao Jingxi mentioned that Yun Wenfang’s return was too “timely,” Yun Wenting had to think more deeply.

Xining was not close to Yanzhou. News of the marriage between the Yanbei Prince’s mansion and the Ren family could not have reached Yun Wenfang’s ears in distant Xining so quickly, unless someone had tipped him off. But Yun Wenfang had not returned to the Yun family for several years. Even if he had left informants before departing, given Yun Wenfang’s way of doing things, he would not have remained completely unaware after all these years. This meant someone else had informed Yun Wenfang. And for Xiao Jingxi to remind him of this at this moment, this informant was very likely someone from the Yun family.

Thinking this, Yun Wenting’s expression grew grave.

Domestic unrest – no wonder Xiao Jingxi had criticized him for indecision and being too irresolute.

“I will investigate this matter thoroughly after returning. Thank you.” Yun Wenfang solemnly bowed to thank Xiao Jingxi.

Xiao Jingxi glanced at Yun Wenting and smiled faintly, “I heard that the Yun family previously held Han Yunqian in high regard?”

Hearing this, Yun Wenting couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat again. The Yun family had indeed previously intended to form a marriage alliance with the Han family. The Yanbei Prince’s mansion had not prevented this, but what did Xiao Jingxi mean by bringing it up now? Could it be that he was displeased to see the Yun family growing too close to the Han family?

“Among the younger generation, Han Yunqian can be considered outstanding, and his age and appearance also match well with Qiuchen…” Yun Wenting thought for a moment and replied carefully.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Jingxi nodded and smiled, “If that’s the case, why not settle it early? The Yun family is not the only one that has taken a fancy to Han Yunqian. If you’re late, the Yun family might have cause for regret.”

Although Xiao Jingxi maintained a casual attitude as if merely chatting about family matters, Yun Wenting was already sharp-minded by nature. Xiao Jingxi’s phrase “cause for regret” made Yun Wenting think more deeply. Moreover, when did Xiao Jingxi usually have the leisure to worry about the marriages of the Yun family descendants? Yet today he had consecutively asked about both Yun Wenfang and Yun Qiuchen.

When Xiao Jingxi mentioned Yun Wenfang’s marriage, although Yun Wenting was surprised, he still felt it was reasonable. But now that he had also brought up Yun Qiuchen…

Yun Wenting recalled the Yun family’s plans after the death of Crown Prince Xiao Jingkang. However, the family elders had only such considerations; they had not yet had time to test the waters when news came of Xiao Jingxi’s request to marry Ren Yaoqi. Because it involved the Yanbei Prince’s mansion and the Prince of Hezhong, the Yun family dared not act rashly…

Xiao Jingxi was not one to speak without purpose…

Thinking this, Yun Wenting realized the Yun family needed thorough reorganization.

When indecision leads to chaos…

When Yun Wenting returned from Xiao Jingxi’s place, his brow remained furrowed throughout the journey.

Yun Wenfang was indeed seriously injured this time. Although his life was not in danger, he had been drifting in and out of consciousness since being brought back. The physician’s words about needing half a year of recovery were not alarmist.

While Yun Wenfang lay bedridden with his injuries, the marriage between Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi also began to proceed.

Because it was an extraordinary period, this wedding, under the management of officials responsible for ceremonies at the Yanbei Prince’s mansion, proceeded very swiftly from the initial proposal to setting the date. Although this process was compact, it was busy but not chaotic. The Yanbei Prince’s mansion had its own established ceremonial procedures for weddings, and following the prescribed protocols brought considerable convenience.

Despite this, from the perspective of propriety, the Yanbei Prince’s mansion left no room for criticism. Certain details even allowed people to sense the Yanbei Prince’s mansion’s importance placed on this marriage.

For instance, besides following the prince’s mansion’s prescribed ritual for betrothal gifts, the Princess Consort personally selected some fine items from her private property and dowry to send to the Ren family. It was said that the pair of live geese for the engagement ceremony were personally hunted by Second Young Master Xiao himself, though the world maintained a knowing attitude toward this claim.

Who didn’t know that Second Young Master Xiao normally got out of breath just from walking? Yet he hunted wild geese?

To this, everyone responded: “Heh heh heh…”

Finally, a few days before the birthday celebration of the Old Princess Consort of the Yanbei Prince’s mansion, the wedding date for Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi was officially set for March of the following year.

Although the timing was somewhat rushed, fortunately, when Li Shi had previously prepared Ren Yaohua’s dowry, she had begun planning for Ren Yaoqi as well. When the time came, she would not be caught off guard. However, the Yanbei Prince’s mansion was not an ordinary family, and some items still needed to be supplemented at the last minute.

Fortunately, after establishing his household, Fifth Uncle Ren Shimao had been quite successful. If nothing else, he was the right person to find items that others had difficulty obtaining. Ren Shimao had the best relationship with Ren Shimin, so naturally, he would spare no effort in helping prepare his niece’s dowry. Additionally, Ren Shijia and his wife also actively came to help, so although there were only four or five months until the wedding, the Ren family felt no pressure.

As the Ren family began preparing Ren Yaoqi’s dowry, the birthday of the Old Princess Consort of the Yanbei Prince’s mansion also arrived.

Because of the Crown Prince’s death, the Old Princess Consort’s birthday could not be celebrated grandly. Therefore, what everyone paid attention to was what kind of changes the court’s representatives would bring to this birthday celebration.