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"The Emperor will decide as he sees fit; we naturally have no right to question it," Yue Ziyun said calmly while pouring tea. "I just wanted to make my stance clear to the old lady, leaving myself a way out."
Yue Ziting paused her seed-spitting, her expression serious. She glanced at her sister and asked sharply, "Are you really going to spend your life retreating step by step and swallowing your anger?"
"That's not quite it..." The Second Madam focused on a point on the table, chewing on peanuts. "With the master gone, we are just a mother and her children, inherently weak. Why should we make enemies for an empty honor?" She lifted her eyelids slightly and added meaningfully, "Mainly because of Ke'er’s age."
Bochao's eyes flickered as he said, "Sister, are you saying that what you told the old lady last night was just a temporary measure? Are you planning to reclaim the title from the Fourth Master once Ke'er grows up?!"
"Of course not," Yue Ziyun shot her brother an annoyed look. "Is your sister the kind of person who burns bridges and repays kindness with enmity? Is she really that incapable?!"
"Don't misunderstand your brother," Yue Ziting said seriously as she stopped spitting seeds. "What Bochao means is that the Marquis title rightfully belongs to the Second House. There’s nothing wrong with trying to protect it. As orphans and widows without support, we are vulnerable to bullying. But if we have the Marquis title, we won’t fear being looked down upon by some people!"
Bochao nodded repeatedly, indicating that this was indeed his point.
Only then did Yue Ziyun relax and say, "Sister, I’m not blaming my brother for wanting to protect his sister. I blame him for having such thoughts. Since I intend for the Fourth Master to inherit the title, there must be my reasons behind it. I’ve made up my mind; how could I go back on it?" She shot a sidelong glance at Bochao and asked, "Brother, do you understand this logic?"
"Yes, yes, you're right, Second Sister," Bochao apologized for his momentary slip of tongue. "I think the Fourth Master is a decent person; we shouldn’t assume the worst of him. It’s just that the Second House will have to work harder from now on."
Yue Ziyun turned back with a bitter smile. "Before Ke'er comes of age, we can only endure. Now we just hope Ke'er can become a top martial scholar. If he succeeds," Yue Clan paused slightly, a hint of shadow passing through her eyes, "he can support the Second House and avenge our master."
"Second Sister, is there still no news about Brother-in-law's case?" Bochao clenched his fist on the table and scoffed. "I went to the Ministry of Justice; they are intensifying their investigation but still have no leads."
"We can only wait; I will never let our master suffer unjustly," Yue Clan shook her head and coldly laughed. "I’m just afraid some people are already 'losing sleep' over it."
Yue Ziyun's words carried a hint of sarcasm that left both Yue Ziting and Bochao stunned.
"Sister, do you know who the murderer is?" Bochao's eyes widened in surprise as he cautiously reminded her, "You can't speak recklessly without evidence; it might bring trouble upon us."
Yue Ziyun chuckled lightly. "My Third Brother? Are you out of your mind? Am I someone who makes random guesses? Don’t worry; I’m not that foolish yet."
"This is good; the girl has always known how to be patient," Yue Ziting said, her tense nerves relaxing a bit as she smiled. "By the way, Yun Yan is already fifteen this year, right? Has she had her first kiss?"
"She had her coming-of-age ceremony at the beginning of this year, and several respectable families have come to propose marriage," Yue Ziyun frowned slightly, feeling a bit frustrated. "But my husband prefers the fourth son of the Duke of Yan, Feng Yinxiao. It's just a pity that he hasn't come to propose yet; he just..." The usually composed Yue Clan choked up.
"Feng Yinxiao? Is he the one who serves in front of the palace?" Bochao's eyes lit up with admiration. "I've seen him a few times in court. Not to mention his looks, which make people stop and stare; he also possesses excellent martial skills and has a good reputation in the court."
"Yes, yes, I've heard my husband mention him. He was just granted the title of Marquis Qingyuan this year," Yue Ziting continued with a smile. "He's only thirteen years old, right? Amazing! Has the girl met Marquis Qingyuan?"
"Of course she has; not just my husband and I," Yue Ziyun finally showed a hint of a smile. "The two children have met him as well, and they all praised him. The Young Lord is also Yun Ke's teacher."
Bochao became even more interested, rubbing his hands together. "It seems there's a strong connection there. What does your niece think about it?"
Yue Ziyun lowered her gaze for a moment before looking up and saying, "Yun Yan hasn't said much, but as her mother, I can tell she cares about the Young Lord."
"If this marriage can happen, it would be great news for the Duke's household and an even bigger blessing for the Second House," Yue Ziting clapped her hands in approval. "The Second House will no longer be struggling alone; you need to put in some effort."
Yue Ziyun smiled lightly but said nothing. Bochao seized the moment to add, "By the way, what about Seventh Young Lady? I think she should be allowed to marry my son Yue Yanbin," he said while glancing outside. "That boy is out there chatting happily with Seventh Young Lady right now."
Yue Ziyun chuckled softly and replied, "Seventh Young Lady is only nine years old; there's no rush. But has Yue Yanbin proposed yet? I feel like Sister-in-law prefers her niece."
Bochao's expression darkened as he scoffed, "Zheng's heart is all with her maternal family; it's annoying to see. If we let her get too close, wouldn't that drive us crazy?" His tone carried a hint of childishness.
The Yue Clan smiled gently and said, "Brother, don't say that. I've been married into the Duke's household for so many years; my heart is still with my family, which is understandable. As for marriage proposals, while it's 'the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words,' I still want to hear what the children think. Who knows? Yue Yanbin might also like his cousin."
"Second Sister makes a good point," Bochao said eagerly. Growing up with two sisters made him keen to listen to their advice. "Let's wait until the children are older before discussing it..."
Yun Kexin had originally planned to go stay at the farm with Yun Yang today but temporarily set that aside due to her aunt and uncle's arrival. After greeting her elders and exchanging pleasantries, she took several cousins into the courtyard to chat and play, feeling quite content.
Yun Ran looked from a distance, feeling both jealous and angry. She was jealous that Seventh Sister always had playmates, and angry that Seventh Sister didn't care about Fu Yihang at all, while Fu Yihang was completely devoted to her, ignoring his own feelings. How could she not be upset? After standing alone for a while, feeling bored, she decided to leave by herself.
Yue Yanbin and Yue Shuzhen, Cheng Furong and Cheng Wei were only a few years older than Yun Kexin, the oldest being eleven, while Cheng Wei was seven. Their ages were close, so they had topics to talk about.
"Cousin, when will you come to our house to play?" Yue Yanbin asked Yun Kexin with a smile. "I happen to need a companion to study and write with."
"That won't do," Yue Shuzhen, who was one year younger than Yue Yanbin, teased. "I heard from Father that Cousin Kexin is a disciple of Lord Tong. How could she have time to study with you?"
"Oh, I almost forgot," Yue Yanbin scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. "After a while, I'll ask Mother and Father to let me become a disciple of Lord Tong too. Then I can see my cousin."
Yue Yanbin was surprised by his own thought: why did he feel so happy at the idea of seeing his cousin?
"That's not difficult," Yue Shuzhen encouraged her brother. "Father is already a Shuji Shi now; it shouldn't be hard to meet Lord Tong."
Yun Kexin smiled lightly, not taking it seriously. Suddenly she remembered that she hadn't been to Tong Mansion in a long time. Although she had seen him once at her father's funeral, he told her that classes would be suspended during the mourning period and that she could return after seven days when she had time to handle family matters. Tong Zhichen had sent people to inquire twice but had not been able to meet her.
"Brother, Sister, come quickly!" Cheng Wei called out to the sisters while playing on the swing. "Come push me; it's no fun playing alone."
The five of them laughed and went over to play with Cheng Wei... Until dusk, when their aunt and uncle took their cousins home, reminding Yun Kexin that after her mourning period was over, she must visit them. Yun Kexin smiled and nodded in agreement.
Just as fate would have it, as soon as her relatives left the Duke's residence and Yun Kexin walked back to the Western Courtyard for a short while, Yun Yang returned from the palace. Like waiting for prey, Yun Ran suddenly appeared out of nowhere and rushed up to Yun Yang before Yun Kexin could greet him, grabbing his arm joyfully and calling out, "Father..."
Yun Yang nodded indifferently, failing to give the warm response she had imagined. Feeling somewhat disappointed, Yun Ran loosened her grip slightly but still forced a smile and said, "Father, you've worked hard."
Then she followed him around chattering incessantly.
It wasn't until Yun Yang entered the house that Yun Kexin smiled and greeted him: "Father, you're back."
Then, ignoring Yun Ran's frowning and eye-rolling, she first took Yun Yang's hand and sat him down in a chair, then personally served him tea, and finally silently gave him a back rub, leaving a group of servants standing there dumbfounded and at a loss. Yun Ran looked even more disdainful: all she could do was flatter, but she better not end up kicking the horse's legs.
"Xin'er, these things are for the servants to do," Yun Yang appreciated the care of the Seventh Young Lady but didn't want her to take on the servants' tasks. "You don't have to do this."
"Daughter knows this is the servants' work," Yun Kexin smiled brightly, her voice clear, "but I think it's appropriate to serve Father occasionally; it doesn't diminish my status."
Yun Yang smiled with satisfaction. After a while, Yun Kexin suggested taking a walk in the garden to clear their minds. Yun Yang understood that she had something to discuss with him. Thus, he dismissed everyone around them, not allowing even Yun Ran to follow, and only took Yun Kexin out of the hall.
Yun Ran was furious: it was obvious that Father treated her like an outsider; why should that adopted one be favored over her! Gritting her teeth, she decided that since she couldn't disrupt things, she would go complain to Fu Lianyin—using her mother's hand to teach the Seventh Young Lady a lesson!
The father and daughter walked around the rockery and finally sat down on a bench by the corridor opposite.
"Father, I have something to discuss with you," Yun Kexin said after a moment of silence.
"I noticed that just now in the hall," Yun Yang gently patted Yun Kexin's head.
"I... I want to stay at the farm for a few..." (To be continued)
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