Yun Wenfang stood there in his bright red wedding robes, his upright posture and handsome features causing even the Yun family’s little maids who had seen him before to be unable to look away. He seemed not to notice, maintaining a completely indifferent expression.

Old Madam Yun and Eldest Madam Yun both wanted to ask him about the Meng family matter, but considering today’s special circumstances and fearing they might delay the auspicious timing, they ultimately swallowed their questioning words and let Yun Wenfang leave the house in his wedding attire.

From the Yun residence to the retreat house, the entire route was packed with people who had come out to watch the excitement. When they saw that sitting on the tall horse was not the Yun family’s eldest young master but rather the second young master, they began whispering among themselves.

“Why is the second young master the one fetching the bride? Where did the eldest young master go?”

“That’s right, but the Yun family’s second young master is truly handsome.”

“Miss Meng is truly blessed.”

“What blessing or not, I heard that yesterday the Yun family’s second young master’s wife went back to her maiden home, probably having suffered some terrible grievance.”

“The sister-in-law enters the house, and she returns to her maiden home? This eldest Miss Meng doesn’t understand propriety!”

“I remember when the second young master and Miss Meng got married, he didn’t even show his face, abandoning the new bride for a year and a half before returning. If it were me, I would have gone back to my maiden home in anger long ago.”

“Do you think it’s possible that the Yun family’s second young master is dissatisfied with Miss Meng but has taken a fancy to that Miss Zhao who came from the south? Then the eldest young master, being gentle-natured and magnanimous, gave his wife to his brother?”

Although these words were completely unreliable, people all enjoy listening to gossip, and the more vulgar and bizarre, the better. So many people’s attention had long since strayed from the wedding itself. Originally, they were all curious about why Yun Wenfang was replacing his elder brother in fetching the bride, but now they were all drawn to the matter of Miss Meng returning to her maiden home.

Yun Wenfang sat casually on his horse, still wearing a smile, seemingly not minding that he had become the center of others’ conversations. Anyway, Miss Meng would leave sooner or later, and her departure now had some use in disrupting attention. Yun Wenfang’s choice to have his showdown with Miss Meng at that particular time yesterday was not without weighing the pros and cons.

At the retreat house, Zhao Yingqiu, who had already finished her grooming, couldn’t help but frown when the servants below came to report that it was Yun Wenfang who had come to fetch the bride.

“Yun Wenting still hasn’t returned to Yunyang City?”

“Yes, there’s still no news. They say he left with Princess Xiao.”

Zhao Yingqiu smiled mockingly: “I didn’t expect this eldest young master Yun to truly be such a devoted romantic.”

“Should the plan continue?” the person below asked softly.

Zhao Yingqiu adjusted her skirt casually and said nonchalantly: “Of course it continues. Now Xiao Jingxi’s whereabouts are unknown, Xiao Jinglin has gone to Wuzhou – there’s no better opportunity than this. Yun Wenting chased after his beloved and left Yunyang City, which shows they don’t take this marriage seriously, making it easier for us to make arrangements.”

“What about Miss Yan…”

The smile on Zhao Yingqiu’s face carried some mockery: “A woman who can even betray her own family has limited use value. Since the Empress Dowager sent her to Yanbei, she never intended for her to return.”

At this moment, noisy sounds came from outside, announcing that the wedding party had arrived.

Zhao Yingqiu restrained the expression on her face and signaled for the maid to place the red bridal veil over her head.

When Yun Wenfang came to receive Zhao Yingqiu, seeing the woman sitting upright by the bedside, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat dazed. Zhao Yingqiu’s figure somewhat resembled that person in his memory, and now with her face covered by the bridal veil as she sat there, it made Yun Wenfang feel as if he had walked into a dream.

As Zhao Yingqiu followed Yun Wenfang outside, she felt somewhat puzzled. She had long heard that the Yun family’s second young master had an eccentric temperament, but today the man walking beside her was very gentle, even softly reminding her when she descended the steps.

Just like this, Zhao Yingqiu was brought by Yun Wenfang to the Yun residence. From the wedding ceremony to being sent to the bridal chamber, everything went very smoothly. Everyone in the Yun household and Zhao Yingqiu’s people all breathed a sigh of relief.

After Zhao Yingqiu entered the bridal chamber, there was nothing more for Yun Wenfang to do. He went to the front courtyard to accompany the guests with his usual composure.

Given Zhao Yingqiu’s special status and the groom not being in the residence, no one wanted to disturb the bridal chamber. Even the usual drinking games at banquets didn’t occur, making the feast quite dull.

Today, Princess Consort also came to the Yun residence for the banquet, as the Yun family was, after all, Princess Consort’s maiden home. This time, it was also a marriage bestowed by the Empress Dowager, so no matter what, Princess Consort should make an appearance. Ren Yaoqi didn’t come along because she was currently pregnant.

The Yun family’s women had Princess Consort take the seat of honor, with Old Madam Yun, Eldest Madam Yun, and other Yun family women seated alongside her.

While Princess Consort was talking with Old Madam Yun, she casually surveyed the people in the hall and discovered that not a single person from the Yun family’s in-laws, the Meng family, was present at the feast.

She had heard about Meng Shi returning to her maiden home yesterday, and she also knew about Yun Wenfang fetching the bride today. As for why Yun Wenting left Yunyang City, she had also heard some rumors. At this point, she could only sigh.

In truth, Princess Consort still liked Yun Wenting very much – his appearance and temperament were excellent, and he was someone whose background was well-known, having grown up together with Xiao Jinglin. In the end, she could only sigh that fate played tricks on people.

While Princess Consort thought this in her heart, her face revealed nothing, only chatting with Old Madam Yun about trivial matters.

The three Yun family young ladies were also seated at the table.

The eldest Miss Yun remained beautiful – sitting there, she made the other two Yun family young ladies, despite their elaborate dress, pale in comparison. However, the current Yun Qiuchen no longer had the gentle smile she used to always wear on her face. Her expression was indifferent to the point of coldness, not saying a word throughout the meal.

The previously wooden-natured second Miss Yun, Yun Qiuping, had become much more lively. She sat beside Yun Qiuchen, constantly talking to her, occasionally leaning forward to exchange a few words with Yun Qiufang seated on Yun Qiuchen’s other side, displaying an appearance of smooth living and carefree happiness.

Third Miss Yun, Yun Qiufang, also didn’t look well. When Yun Qiuping spoke to her, she was indifferent, occasionally replying with sarcastic undertones, seemingly looking down on Yun Qiuping, who had returned to her maiden home to show off. Yun Qiufang was currently in the process of marriage discussions, but while the several candidates proposed by the elders weren’t too shabby in terms of family background, in terms of appearance and talent, they couldn’t compare to Han Yunqian at all. This made Yun Qiufang, who felt she was superior to Yun Qiuping in every way, truly resentful. Yet every time Yun Qiuping returned, she displayed this manner of showing off her husband.

Princess Consort’s gaze swept over the three sisters, and remembering Princess Dowager Yun’s words before coming today, she still asked Old Madam Yun: “Qiufang’s marriage is almost settled. What are the Yun family’s plans for Qiuchen?”

Princess Consort wasn’t particularly willing to meddle in the Yun family’s household affairs, but Princess Dowager Yun ultimately still cared about her maiden family’s younger generation.

Princess Consort’s voice was neither loud nor soft – people at other tables couldn’t hear, but the Yun family women all heard clearly. For a moment, they all fell silent, even Yun Qiuping, who had been talking, abruptly cut off her words and looked toward Yun Qiuchen.

Eldest Madam Yun looked at Yun Qiuchen, then at Old Madam Yun and Princess Consort, ultimately only sighing without speaking. Yun Qiuchen had been cold-shouldered by the Yun family for a long time and had only recently reappeared before everyone, but Old Madam no longer brought Yun Qiuchen along when going out.

Old Madam Yun paused, then said: “Thank you for Princess Consort’s concern, but Qiuchen’s health has only just improved, so we haven’t temporarily considered her marriage.”

Yun Qiuchen didn’t have any serious illness, but her left ear had gone deaf. The Yun family had found many physicians to treat her, but the results were all unsatisfactory. With Yun Qiuchen in this condition, finding a family for her to marry into wouldn’t be difficult, but…

Yun Qiuchen suddenly spoke indifferently: “Princess Consort, I want to become a nun.”

At these words, both Old Madam Yun and Eldest Madam Yun’s expressions soured.

A woman like Yun Qiuchen had been the center of attention from birth. She had spent the first half of her life striving to become the primary wife of someone in a position of power – how could she be willing to marry an ordinary man? In that case, she might as well spend her life serving Buddha.

Old Madam Yun and Eldest Madam Yun were unwilling to see Yun Qiuchen become a nun, but they both understood Yun Qiuchen’s character – this girl was too strong-willed. If they forced her into marriage, the result definitely wouldn’t be what they wanted. So Yun Qiuchen’s matter was postponed.

Princess Consort wasn’t surprised by Yun Qiuchen’s words. She pondered and said, “You’re still young, there’s no need to rush into such a decision. Princess Dowager is returning next year to guard the old prince’s tomb. If you don’t want to stay at home, you can accompany her. There’s a nunnery nearby – when you have free time, you can go listen to Buddhist teachings. When you’ve thought things through, you can still return. This way, no one would dare spread gossip.”

Hearing these words, Old Madam Yun and Eldest Madam Yun knew that Princess Dowager Yun still had some pity for Yun Qiuchen, allowing her to accompany her to guard the old prince’s tomb. This way, outsiders wouldn’t dare spread rumors about Yun Qiuchen, so they didn’t voice any objections.

Yun Qiuchen was silent for only a moment before nodding: “Alright, I’ll go.”

Princess Consort nodded and began discussing other matters with Old Madam Yun.

Naturally, Princess Consort didn’t need to sit through the entire banquet. After eating a few bites and drinking a few cups of wine, she rose to return to the residence. Eldest Madam Yun personally escorted Princess Consort out.

When Princess Consort’s carriage left the Yun residence, it was already late. Since the other guests hadn’t left yet, the journey was quite peaceful.

However, Princess Consort’s carriage had barely emerged from the alley where the Yun residence was located when it was stopped.

“Princess Consort, it’s General Mu,” Nanny Xin lifted the curtain to look and said softly.

Mu Hu had brought a group of soldiers over. Seeing Princess Consort’s carriage stop, he immediately dismounted and quickly walked to Princess Consort’s carriage to pay his respects.

“This subordinate greets Princess Consort.”

Princess Consort recognized Mu Hu. Through the curtain, she asked gently: “General Mu, why are you here?”

Mu Hu glanced at the attendants Princess Consort had brought with her. Besides maids and elderly women, Princess Consort had brought over a dozen guards when leaving the residence, but the two guards at the very back kept their heads lowered, making it impossible to see their faces clearly in the dark evening.