Old Master Yun and Old Madam Yun were both furious. Eldest Master Yun Bangyan was thoroughly scolded by his father, who cursed him for raising a scoundrel and failing in his duties as a father.

In the end, it was Old Madam Yun who calmly pacified Old Master Yun: “The auspicious time for the wedding procession is approaching. Scolding him now won’t solve the problem. We need to find a way to get through today safely.”

Old Master Yun said angrily: “Don’t I know the time is approaching! The problem is that scoundrel is nowhere to be found. How can this wedding continue? I can only go to the Meng family personally to apologize! This marriage arrangement should be called off.”

Old Master Yun felt extremely frustrated. He had been in a position of authority for most of his life and had never been so passive before. Yet because of several useless grandsons and granddaughters, he had lost all face. Although the Meng family couldn’t compare to the Yun family’s influence, they were not to be taken lightly either. This time, the Yun family was in the wrong, so he could only swallow his pride and apologize.

Old Madam Yun frowned but shook her head: “That won’t do.”

Everyone in the room couldn’t help but look toward Old Madam Yun upon hearing this.

Although Old Master Yun was nominally the head of the Yun family, Old Madam Yun was intelligent and wise. Since her youth, she had assisted Old Master Yun in managing all the Yun family’s affairs, large and small. When she spoke, even Old Master Yun would carefully consider her words.

Old Master Yun said helplessly, “Then what else can we do?”

Although Old Madam Yun was also very angry about Yun Wenfang’s behavior, she quickly calmed down. Her first thought wasn’t about how to lose her temper or blame others, but how to minimize the adverse effects of this incident.

“If it were just an engagement, we could still find an excuse to break it off, but today is the wedding day. To propose breaking off the engagement at this time would make it impossible for our Yun family and the Meng family to part amicably.”

Breaking off an engagement was already disgraceful for the woman’s side. For Yun Wenfang to flee from marriage on the wedding day itself – if the Yun family let this marriage fail, it would be a clear slap in the Meng family’s face. In the future, forget about normal relations between the Yun and Meng families; they would likely become enemies. This clearly wouldn’t serve the Yun family’s interests.

“Moreover, this marriage arrangement was initially approved by the Princess Consort. So it must proceed!”

Old Master Yun glanced at his wife and understood her meaning. They were well aware of the circumstances under which Yun Wenfang’s marriage had been arranged. If Yun Wenfang escaped this time as well, the Yun family would have no way to explain themselves to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

Old Madam Yun’s gaze slowly swept over everyone present, then she said with firm resolve: “Don’t panic, everyone. Go do whatever preparations you need to do, and make sure today’s joyous occasion proceeds. There are plenty of people waiting to see us make fools of ourselves. Don’t lose your composure!”

After Old Madam Yun finished speaking, everyone in the Yun family indeed felt much more settled. But with Yun Wenfang, the groom absent, how could this wedding proceed?

Eldest Madam Yun said with a pale face: “Fang’er…”

Old Madam Yun waved her hand to stop her words, then asked Eldest Master Yun: “Where is Wenting?”

Eldest Master Yun quickly replied: “He’s still looking for that scoundrel Yun Wenfang. He should be back soon.”

Old Madam Yun nodded: “As soon as Ting’er returns, have him take people to the Meng family to fetch the bride.”

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this. Old Master Yun frowned: “Have the eldest marry?”

Old Madam Yun gave him a look: “Naturally it’s still the second son marrying! But since Wenfang is inconvenienced, having his elder brother help with the wedding procession and ceremony is also proper etiquette. We’ll say publicly that Wenfang’s old injury has flared up and he’s inconvenienced to go out.”

Everyone immediately understood upon hearing this. In the Great Zhou, it was indeed permissible for one’s brother to help with the wedding procession, though this usually only happened when the groom had physical disabilities or was truly too ill to move. Now that Yun Wenfang had disappeared without a trace, the Yun family could only resort to this desperate measure.

Old Master Yun sighed: “This is the only way. I’ll personally visit the Meng family tomorrow to apologize, but today we must cover this up no matter what.” The Yun family was no longer what it used to be; they couldn’t afford to seriously offend the Meng family at this time.

Eldest Master Yun also reacted quickly and said, “I’ll immediately send people to bring the eldest back. With so many eyes watching outside, delaying too long would be inappropriate.”

Old Master Yun nodded and let Eldest Master Yun go.

Yun Wenting was quickly summoned back, then under the instructions of the two Yun family elders, he changed into the wedding robes prepared for Yun Wenfang and hurriedly took the bridal sedan to the Meng family for the marriage ceremony.

Most people in Yunyang City recognized the appearance of the Yun family’s eldest young master, so when he appeared in the wedding procession, the watching crowd erupted. No one knew what the Yun family was playing at. It wasn’t until the Yun family deliberately spread word that Second Young Master Yun had suffered severe injuries before and his old wounds had suddenly flared up, preventing him from getting out of bed, so his elder brother was representing him in fetching the bride.

Although brothers representing each other in wedding processions did happen, the Yun family’s actions still made many people suspicious. Moreover, news of the Yun family searching for someone had leaked out, so some people guessed whether something had gone wrong with this wedding.

However, Eldest Young Master Yun maintained a calm smile throughout, showing no signs of anything amiss. The entire Yun family also appeared very composed without any mishaps, so although people had doubts and speculations, they didn’t dare to be certain.

The Meng family was also displeased that it was Eldest Young Master Yun, rather than Second Young Master Yun, who came for the wedding procession. In the end, Eldest Master Yun personally went to the Meng family and spoke privately with Master Meng. When Master Meng emerged, his expression was very poor, but he ultimately allowed Yun Wenting to take his daughter away.

Although the Meng family was very angry about today’s events, the Yun family’s sincerity was sufficient. Moreover, if this marriage ultimately failed, it would be Miss Meng who suffered the loss. Most importantly, what Eldest Master Yun said wasn’t wrong – if they truly fell out with the Yun family, both families would suffer. After all, this was a marriage alliance between two clans, with far too many factors to consider. Rather than both families parting ways completely, it was better to have the Yun family owe the Meng family a great favor. The Meng family head wasn’t a fool; after weighing all factors repeatedly, he still reached an agreement with the Yun family.

So ultimately, with the tacit understanding of both the Yun and Meng families, this wedding proceeded as planned. Even with Groom Yun Wenfang absent, Miss Meng still entered the Yun family gates and became Second Young Madam Yun.

Because of this incident, the Yun family owed the Meng family a great favor, and the Yun family naturally provided the Meng family with many benefits afterward.

Ren Yaoqi learned of Yun Wenfang’s flight from marriage the next day from Xiao Jinglin’s mouth. After hearing it, she was stunned for a long while, and in the end could only sigh, not knowing what expression to make.

Xiao Jinglin said, “Yun Wenfang should have gone to Jiajing Pass.” Although Ren Yaoqi hadn’t asked, Xiao Jinglin still voiced her speculation.

“Only by reaching Jiajing Pass would the Yun family be unable to do anything about him. But he probably didn’t expect that even though he fled, this marriage would ultimately still not be escaped.” When Xiao Jinglin said this, she even sighed.

Xiao Jinglin was someone of deep emotions and principles, so by now she felt somewhat sympathetic toward Yun Wenfang. Although she still didn’t like people of Yun Wenfang’s type, she admired those who persisted in their true hearts and remained constant. Especially in an environment like the Yun family, for someone like Yun Wenfang to emerge as such a devoted lover was truly something inconceivable.

What Ren Yaoqi didn’t know was that when Xiao Jingxi returned that evening, he happened to encounter Xiao Jinglin, and the siblings had a conversation unknown to others.

Xiao Jinglin looked at Xiao Jingxi and said with an expressionless face: “Actually, I now think Yun Wenfang isn’t as bad a person. There aren’t many people in this world who can go to such lengths for love.”

Xiao Jingxi raised his eyebrows and looked at Xiao Jinglin: “So?”

Xiao Jinglin looked down at him condescendingly: “I heard that many powerful animals in this world eventually went extinct because they had no natural enemies to match them. A comfortable life easily makes one lose vigilance. So I think having someone like Yun Wenfang in the world to keep you constantly alert is not a bad thing.”

Saying this, Xiao Jinglin walked over and seriously patted Xiao Jingxi’s shoulder: “So, treat your wife better, or you won’t even measure up to Yun Wenfang.”

After saying this, Xiao Jinglin walked away with her chin held high.

Leaving Xiao Jingxi: “…”

That night, Ren Yaoqi felt that Xiao Jingxi was particularly gentle and considerate. Although Second Master Xiao had always been gentle and considerate since their marriage, things like Second Master Xiao helping her take off her shoes when she went to bed had never happened before. This startled Ren Yaoqi, who blinked for a long time without reacting.

Meeting Ren Yaoqi’s puzzled and confused gaze, Xiao Jingxi smiled charmingly: “What’s wrong?”

Ren Yaoqi frowned and reached out to touch Xiao Jingxi’s forehead. Xiao Jingxi naturally took Ren Yaoqi’s hand and placed it on his chest.

“What’s wrong with you?” Although Xiao Jingxi’s body temperature was normal and he didn’t seem to have a fever, Ren Yaoqi still felt something was off.

Xiao Jingxi leaned over and kissed Ren Yaoqi’s nose tip, his tone extremely tender, his voice very pleasant, making Ren Yaoqi, who couldn’t resist beautiful men, feel somewhat dizzy: “Yaoyao, I will treat you well.”

Ren Yaoqi blinked and nodded, then was embraced by Second Master Xiao.

Ren Yaoqi spent half the night that evening thinking, but couldn’t figure out what had gotten into Xiao Jingxi today.

However, soon Ren Yaoqi had no time to care about such trivial abnormalities in Xiao Jingxi, because another major event occurred in Yanbei.

Without anyone being prepared, the Prince of Yanbei announced to everyone that he would establish Xiao Weiyong as the heir to the Yanbei Prince title. The world was still unfamiliar with the name Xiao Weiyong – this was the name the Prince of Yanbei had just given to his legitimate eldest grandson.

Once this news came out, all the people of Yanbei were greatly shocked.

Everyone understood that although Xiao Weiyong was nominally the Prince of Yanbei’s grandson, he was born in the imperial palace in the Capital and was even now being raised in the Empress Dowager’s palace. Such a child would be closer to the court than to Yanbei when he grew up. How could the Prince of Yanbei make such a decision?

Could it be that the Prince of Yanbei wanted to bring the young heir back to Yanbei?