Before she came to the Ruan Mansion, the Marquis of Zhongyong visited the General's Mansion.
First, he saw Yun Changfeng, and then he came to see her.
It hadn't been long since their last meeting, but the Marquis of Zhongyong truly looked more than ten years older, as her father had said, appearing very haggard.
He said, "That woman is not a virtuous person. If she were a virtuous woman who genuinely cared for my son, I, this Marquis, would not have obstructed them. That woman appeared too suspiciously, and yesterday she even knelt before me, begging me to fulfill her wish and that of Zixing. Before I could say anything, she was already in tears. Zixing, seeing this, bore considerable resentment towards me. I have lived more than half my life, so how could I not see through that woman's tricks? She was merely playing the role of weakness before Zixing, to drive a wedge between father and son."
"I have secretly sought out many of Zixing's acquaintances, but none of them could get through to him. Zixing seems determined, as if bewitched, to like that woman. I know it is difficult to ask for your help, but I truly do not wish to see Zixing deceived. Miss Yun Er, perhaps only you can awaken Zixing now."
She could see that the Marquis of Zhongyong did not wish to trouble her, and as he spoke these words, she could feel his helplessness.
As her father had said, if there were no other good options, the Marquis of Zhongyong would absolutely not have sought her out.
After all, Yi Zixing was her sworn elder brother. Without knowing the full story, she would not advise Yi Zixing to abandon his concubine, nor would she let the Marquis's haggard appearance prejudice her.
She would first go and see Yi Zixing, and have a casual chat.
The Marquis of Zhongyong had told her Yi Zixing's daily schedule outside the mansion, and it was almost time.
The moon was beautiful at this moment.
It wasn't too cold either.
The evening breeze carried a touch of gentleness.
Her hair fluttered lightly with the breeze.
After a moment.
She suddenly saw a familiar figure walking towards her from not too far away.
It was Yi Zixing.
She immediately jumped down from the wall.
Then she walked towards Yi Zixing.
Yi Zixing seemed to be preoccupied, constantly looking down, not looking ahead. Even though she couldn't see his expression clearly, judging by the aura emanating from him, it was certain that he was very troubled at the moment.
Otherwise, he absolutely would not have been oblivious to his surroundings.
Even when someone brushed past him and bumped into him, he showed no reaction whatsoever.
Yun Shu thought again of what the Marquis of Zhongyong had said: "Zixing has never been so distraught over any woman before. I fear he has poured his true feelings into that woman."
Such a look of utter dejection truly resembled someone tormented by love.
Even when Yun Shu stood before him, he seemed completely unaware.
Just as he was about to collide with her, Yun Shu spoke, "Young Master Yi."
The address, "Young Master Yi," startled Yi Zixing, who was lost in thought, in the silent night.
Yi Zixing stopped abruptly, then looked up at Yun Shu, "Miss Yun Er?"
Belatedly, she remembered they had become sworn siblings.
Suddenly thinking of something, he asked, "Why are you here?"
She had been seeing him often recently.
"Just passing by. Do you have time? To chat?" Yun Shu's tone was gentle.
Yi Zixing thought of Qian Le'er, who was waiting for him, and instinctively wanted to refuse. The refusal was on the tip of his tongue, but a sudden intuition told him that she must have been waiting for him deliberately. So, he nodded and said, "Alright, let's go to the alley ahead. No one usually walks through that alley."
"Okay."
Soon, the two arrived at the alley Yi Zixing had mentioned.
It was a dark alley, with high walls on both sides.
Therefore, no one would pass through here.
"I know my father went to the General's Mansion. Did he say anything to you? Or... there are some rumors circulating in the capital now, you must have heard them too." Yi Zixing did not beat around the bush but brought up the matter directly.
Yun Shu nodded lightly, "I have indeed heard some rumors from the marketplace, and I know you have a concubine outside, and also that the Marquis does not wish for you to bring the concubine into the mansion."
Seeing Yun Shu's forthrightness, Yi Zixing could only sigh deeply and helplessly, "The rumors are true, I do have a concubine. But that concubine comes from a humble family, and is now all alone and helpless. Her world revolves only around me. Miss Yun Er, she is not a beauty who could topple cities, but merely a fragile woman cautiously trying to survive in this world. My father... he misunderstands her."
Listening to Yi Zixing's defense of the young concubine, and the tenderness in his words, Yun Shu began to understand.
Indeed, Yi Zixing had invested his feelings.
No one knew how much feeling he had invested, but he was willing to defy the Marquis of Zhongyong for that concubine.
That concubine was a fragile woman from a humble background?
Seeing Yun Shu's silence, Yi Zixing sighed deeply again, "My father has been distressed about this matter lately, I know. As his son, I should not defy him on such matters, nor should I make him worry."
"It's just that his views are a bit too rigid, and he fears I will become a laughingstock in the capital."
Yun Shu's gaze shifted slightly, and she softly inquired, "From Young Master Yi's words, it seems you not only wish for that woman to enter the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, but you also wish to grant her a proper status?"
If it were a love that was mutual, with no ulterior motives involved.
Then, Yi Zixing's current persistence and deep affection deserved her admiration.
In this matter, there were probably few men who could achieve this.
Looking at Yun Shu's calm and indifferent demeanor, Yi Zixing couldn't quite articulate what he was thinking at that moment. There seemed to be a trace of guilt.
After all.
Not long ago, he had confessed his feelings to her.
At that time, he believed that no woman in this world could compare to her, and no other woman would ever make him feel such unwavering devotion.
Yet, not long after, he had made a promise to another woman.
Le'er, in his heart, was more like a sister he needed to protect.
He nodded solemnly, "You are correct. I do wish to marry her into the mansion. I... wish to marry her as my official wife."
Yun Shu was shocked. His official wife?
Seeing Yun Shu fall silent again, Yi Zixing furrowed his brows, pointed to a courtyard not far away, and said softly, "I have settled her there. The courtyard is not large, and I have only hired a few servants. She has no demands, only hoping to see me every day and that I will not abandon her. The first time we met, if I had been a moment late, she would have been ruined by those people. She only asks to serve me as a maid, such a humble request, even to cook for me. I love her cooking the most, her steamed buns."
Yun Shu had remained silent, listening attentively as Yi Zixing slowly recounted his story.
He had reached the part about his encounter with his concubine and how his feelings had developed.
It sounded as if the concubine's background was indeed pitiable.
However, upon hearing about the steamed buns, she raised an eyebrow. Did many women make steamed buns?