According to the regulations, without an imperial edict, officials posted outside the capital may not return to the capital for three years.
At present, Yun Family Erlang, Yun Rui, who served as a sixth-rank Captain in Yuzhou, was able to return to the capital with his wife this time only thanks to the Emperor’s special favor, so he could attend his little sister’s wedding.
“All right, all right, get up!”
In the flower hall of the main courtyard, Zheng Shi’s eyes turned slightly red as she watched her second son and daughter-in-law kneeling and kowtowing on the ground.
She hurried forward to help her second daughter-in-law up. “It wasn’t easy for you to rush back all this way. There’s no need for such a grand gesture.”
However, her second daughter-in-law, Lu Lingzhen, did not rise, but instead looked at her husband Yun Rui, who was also kneeling at her side.
Yun Rui was just as his name implied— handsome in appearance, with sharp and striking features.
Even kneeling, his posture was upright and full of righteous spirit. “As a son, I have not been able to serve my parents’ side for the past two years. I truly feel guilty. Please, Father and Mother, accept these three bows from me, or else my conscience will not be at ease.”
Having said this, he decisively knocked his head three times on the ground with a crisp sound.
Hearing the clear sound of his kowtowing, Zheng Shi’s heart clenched tightly.
She couldn’t help but turn to glare at the Changxin Marquis, who was still sitting comfortably at the head seat: “Old fool, are you out of your mind? I’m trying to stop my daughter-in-law, and you don’t even think to stop your own son? Is this how a father should act?”
The Changxin Marquis, however, thought it perfectly normal for his son and daughter-in-law, who had been away for two years, to kowtow a few times to their parents upon returning home.
But after being fiercely glared at by his wife, he hurriedly coughed, put on the air of a kindly father, and raised his hand in a gesture to help: “Get up, get up now.”
If you don’t get up soon, your mother will tear me apart tonight.
Yun Rui didn’t get up immediately, waiting until his wife, Lu Lingzhen, had also finished her three bows before helping her up with him. “Are you all right?”
“Now you know to ask?”
Zheng Shi spoke with mock annoyance, “Then why did you insist on making Zhen Niang kneel with you just now? You could have bowed three times for her share as well!”
Yun Rui was momentarily at a loss for words and rubbed his nose. “Mother, I am your own flesh and blood, can’t you spare a bit of sympathy for me?”
Zheng Shi looked her second son up and down, her gaze full of joy and affection, though she snorted coldly. “What’s there to pity about a thick-skinned man like you? It’s Zhen Niang who’s delicate— look, her forehead is all red from the kowtowing.”
Lu Lingzhen lowered her lashes and replied gently, “Mother, I’m fine.”
“Good child, you’ve had a hard time following Erlang.”
Zheng Shi patted her second daughter-in-law’s hand, then shot her foolish son a sideways glance. “Well, aren’t you going to help your wife to a seat and get her a handkerchief to wipe her face?”
Hearing this, Yun Rui quickly led his wife to sit at the side, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her forehead.
Lu Lingzhen’s face flushed slightly as she bit her lip and whispered, “Father-in-law and Mother-in-law are still here, I can do it myself.”
Yun Rui replied in a low voice, “It’s fine, Mother told me to help you wipe it.”
As he spoke, he turned his body, his tall and broad figure nearly forming a wall, completely shielding Lu Lingzhen. “I’m blocking you, they can’t see.”
Unable to resist him, Lu Lingzhen could only let him wipe her forehead, her cheeks reddening.
Back at the head seat, Zheng Shi watched the affectionate interaction between her second son and daughter-in-law, finding it even sweeter than when they were newlyweds two years ago.
She couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her handkerchief and steal a laugh.
As the father-in-law, the Changxin Marquis naturally didn’t dare look too much toward his son and daughter-in-law, turning his face aside to avoid suspicion— only to see his wife’s brows relaxed and her smile radiant.
He was momentarily dazed, then felt a slight sense of relief in his heart—
This was probably the happiest smile he had seen on his wife’s face in the months since their youngest daughter was granted her marriage.
But that smile didn’t last long; a maid entered to report that both the son and daughter-in-law, along with the daughter, had all arrived.
In an instant, Zheng Shi was pulled from the joy of seeing her second son and his wife back into the sorrow of her youngest daughter leaving home tomorrow.
That damned Jing Prince’s Manor, that damned Empress Dowager Zhao.
In her heart, Zheng Shi cursed them in defiance, but when facing Yun Ran, she forced a smile, pretending to be calm and accepting. “Ranran, you’re here. Come greet your second brother and sister-in-law.”
Yun Ran finally saw her legendary second brother and sister-in-law.
Second brother Yun Rui, now twenty-three, according to Fourth Young Master Yun, never liked studying as a child and most enjoyed wielding weapons.
“When our eldest brother was seven, he could recite a hundred poems in one go. When second brother was seven, he could lift eldest brother in one go!”
Fourth Young Master Yun said, “Because of his great strength, and having learned our family’s ancestral Yun Family Staff, second brother abandoned the pen for the sword at fourteen, joined the capital’s suburban barracks, and at eighteen became the youngest Imperial Guards bodyguard. Just as his future was bright and he was about to be promoted to Left and Right Lieutenant, he beat his superior’s son into a pig’s head—”
As for why the fight happened, it was a story still widely talked about in Changan—a “hero saves the beauty” tale.
“The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards’ son got drunk and harassed Changan’s top talented woman. The Changxin Marquis’s second son, Yun Rui, descended like a god, gave the scoundrel a thorough beating, lost his promotion, but won the beauty’s heart.”
In Fourth Young Master Yun’s vivid retelling, Yun Ran had imagined her second brother as a gallant young general.
But now, seeing before her a man in a deep blue robe, his black hair tied high, tall and burly like a giant— Yun Ran: “……”
Was this really her dashing, elegant second brother?
Why, standing next to second sister-in-law in her pale yellow dress, fair and delicate as a tender willow, did he look as dark as a Kunlun slave?
“You must be Ranran.”
Unaware of his sister’s inner complaints, Yun Rui saw her standing there, her bright, clear eyes staring straight at him, and assumed she was shy. “Don’t be afraid, little sister, I’m your second brother.”
He strode forward. “Don’t you remember? When you were little, I often took you horseback riding and played ‘lift high’ with you! You were so brave back then— every time I tossed you up, you weren’t scared at all, just laughed and laughed.”
Yun Ran: “……”
Sounds nice, but would parents really allow a ten-year-old to toss a three-year-old around for fun?
Just as she was thinking this, the Changxin Marquis snorted, “You have the nerve to mention it? Back then, you nearly scared your grandparents to death tossing your little sister around. Looks like I didn’t beat you hard enough then, and now you still treat it as a joke… Dalang, Wan Niang, if he dares to toss Azong around this time, don’t bother reporting to me— just beat him straight away.”
The eldest brother and his wife chuckled and patted little Azong’s round head.
Yun Rui’s face darkened and burned. He coughed, “Father, I’m not a child anymore. Besides, I can now draw a three-hundred-jin bow with ease; lifting a child is nothing to me…”
“Husband.”
Lu Lingzhen stepped forward, tugged on her husband’s sleeve to stop his foolish talk, then turned to the silent little sister before her, her eyes curving gently. “Fifth sister, it’s our first meeting. I’m your second sister-in-law.”
Up close, Yun Ran saw that her second sister-in-law’s skin was truly as white and delicate as tofu.
Her willow brows were curved, her eyes were curved, her little nose and mouth were small and exquisite.
Though not as striking and dignified as third sister-in-law, she was delicate and refined, with hidden grace, giving a gentle and refreshing feeling.
“Hello, second sister-in-law, I’m Yun Ran.”
Yun Ran stared at her second sister-in-law, marveling at her own good fortune— her three sisters-in-law each had their own unique charm— and couldn’t help but wonder, how did such a pure, water-like beauty end up falling for her bear-like second brother?
As she pondered, she saw her second sister-in-law’s slender shoulder draped with a large “bear paw.” Yun Ran’s eyelid twitched, and when she looked up, she saw her second brother grinning at her. “You’ve called her second sister-in-law, but won’t you call me second brother?”
Yun Ran: “……”
All right, she realized her second brother’s teeth were the whitest thing about him.
No matter her inner complaints, the person before her was her own brother. Yun Ran blinked and called out crisply, “Second brother.”
“Hey! My good little sister!”
For some reason, Yun Rui’s nose stung at that call. When he spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse. “Second brother… Second brother and your second sister-in-law brought you lots of gifts. They’re all set out in the main hall. Later, I’ll have the servants carry them to your courtyard…”
The more he spoke, the hoarser his voice became, as if he was about to cry.
Not only Yun Ran, but everyone in the Yun Family was taken aback.
Second sister-in-law, Lu Lingzhen, was unfazed. She merely blushed a little, slipped a handkerchief into Yun Rui’s hand, and apologized to Yun Ran, “Though your brother has been in Yuzhou, he’s always been thinking of you. Ever since he heard you were back, whenever he saw any bright fabrics, delicate jewelry, or fun things, he’d save them up for you. He’d originally planned to bring them all back at the end of his term for a surprise, but now…”
But now, their little sister had barely returned before being granted a marriage. The family hadn’t even spent a New Year together before she was to become someone else’s wife.
Yun Rui’s eyes reddened.
Zheng Shi, who had been holding back her emotions, now made a low sob in her throat upon seeing her second son’s red eyes.
The Changxin Marquis immediately felt a headache coming on. He quickly comforted his wife and glared at Yun Rui. “A family reunion is a good thing— don’t go upsetting your mother again!”
“Father is right.”
Yun Rui took a deep breath. “It’s rare for our whole family to be together—we should celebrate!”
To shift the heavy mood in his chest, he turned to Fourth Young Master Yun and gave his brother’s shoulder a hearty slap. “Good lad, you used to be the most talkative one. Why are you mute today? Hurry and call me brother, let’s hear it!”
Fourth Young Master Yun was startled by the slap, feeling instantly shorter by three inches. “My good second brother, spare me your divine strength. This is my shoulder, not a walnut— it can’t take your grip.”
He made a funny face, making everyone laugh. The earlier trace of sorrow seemed to fade away in that laughter.
After a simple gathering, Yun Rui and his wife returned to their own courtyard to rest and settle in.
When night fell, the family gathered again around a round table laden with delicacies, enjoying a lively reunion dinner.
Though red silk fluttered everywhere and bright red lanterns with the character “Double Happiness” adorned the walls, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning tomorrow’s wedding.
Not until after several rounds of wine, when everyone was a little tipsy, did the Changxin Marquis look at his obedient daughter.
“Ranran, no matter what, the Marquis of Changxin Manor will always be your home.”
He pinched his thigh hard under the table to steady his voice. “You will always be the child your father and mother love most. As long as we live, we will be your support for life. If we’re gone in the future, your four brothers will be your support…”
Zheng Shi could no longer speak, only nodded firmly. “Yes!”
The couple made no effort to hide their favor for their daughter.
The four Yun brothers had no objections either— after all, their sister was the youngest and had suffered so much as a child.
Not only did their parents dote on her, as brothers, they too wanted to make up for it, wishing her peace and happiness for the rest of her life, free of worries.
Unfortunately, their strength was limited— there was no fighting the imperial family.
But the four brothers had privately sworn that if their sister was bullied after marrying into the Jing Prince’s Manor, they would risk their lives to bring her home.
With their parents having made their feelings clear, Yun Yi and his wife led the siblings and sisters-in-law in raising their cups to Yun Ran. “Sister, we toast you…”
Yun Ran had always thought she wasn’t one to cry, but the moment her father and mother spoke, her nose tingled.
When her brothers and sisters-in-law toasted her, her throat tightened and her eyes stung unbearably.
No.
She secretly pinched her palm, forcing the surging emotions back down.
She knew that if she lost control and shed tears, there’d be no need for the bridal sedan tomorrow— the tears shed by the whole family tonight would be enough to carry her straight to the Jing Prince’s Manor.
So, after finishing the cup from her eldest brother and sister-in-law, Yun Ran quickly raised her hand to stop her second brother and sister-in-law. “I promised Langui Mama I’d have no more than three cups tonight, so I don’t get drunk and make a mistake.”
Yun Rui pursed his lips and put down his wine cup. “No more wine then, but let me say a few words—”
“No, don’t even say anything.”
Yun Ran suddenly stood up, her dark eyes sweeping the family around the table. “I understand all of your feelings. There’s no need to say more. Anyway… anyway…”
She took two deep breaths, then curved her eyes and forced a smile. “If you really must say something, just wait until the day after tomorrow when I come back to visit! By then, don’t just talk— let’s not stop drinking until we’re all drunk!”
After she finished, the table fell into a brief silence.
The girl’s radiant, brilliant smile glowed in the red candlelight, gradually blurring in everyone’s eyes.
But soon, some sniffed, some turned to wipe away tears, some looked up at the sky, all suppressing their tears.
Regaining their composure, they all raised their cups in unison and drank the third cup with her. “When you come home, we won’t stop drinking until we’re all drunk!”
The family banquet didn’t last too late. Langui Mama soon sent someone to summon Yun Ran back.
Everyone in the Yun Family knew that tomorrow’s wedding was of utmost importance— there could be no mistakes— so they all got up and left the table.
The brothers and sisters-in-law returned to their own courtyards. Zheng Shi left the Changxin Marquis behind, took Yun Ran’s hand, and said, “Tonight, Mother will sleep with you.”
Yun Ran happily agreed. “All right, I want to sleep with Mother too!”
Naturally, the Changxin Marquis wouldn’t stop mother and daughter from being close— especially tonight, when there were so many important things a mother needed to teach her daughter.
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