Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Yun Ke went out and drove every last one of those people away.
How could he possibly allow his beloved younger sister to marry some brute?
Every one of them was a crooked, misshapen reject.
And they thought themselves worthy of stepping through the Yun Family’s gates?
But the clan elders would not let the matter drop.
They said that if Yun’e’s situation was not resolved by the end of the month,
they would have her drowned in the pond as a public warning.
The Yun Family’s century-old reputation was at stake, after all.
I went to Xiyun Pavilion to visit Yun’e.
Her face was deathly pale.
Whether from the cold or from fright, I could not tell.
I sat by her bed.
Taking her hand in mine, I put on a troubled expression.
“Yun’e, those people actually dared to come to our door and ask for your hand.”
“I truly can’t bear the thought of you marrying into one of those families and suffering.”
Yun’e’s eyes went wide and round, full of panic.
“Impossible. Father and Big Brother dote on me. They wouldn’t.”
Watching her tremble in terror,
I drew her into my arms and gently patted her back.
Then I let out a long sigh.
“If only the Commandery Prince were willing to stand up for you. The two of you are in the same plight…”
I paused, then lowered my voice.
“I heard some of the bolder ones even went to the Commandery Prince’s Manor to propose marriage.”
The person in my arms went rigid.
Yun’e froze. A deep, jealous fire flashed through her eyes, and even her voice began to shake.
“Those shameless sluts. How could Brother Ling ever take a liking to them?”
She grew so agitated
that she struggled in my arms and began coughing.
I quickly stroked her back.
My voice was gentle, as though coaxing a child.
“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. Your health matters most. Look at this mouth of mine. I shouldn’t have mentioned such things while you’re ill.”
“Still, fortune favors the bold while the timid starve.”
“Perhaps the Eldest Princess might relent.”
Just then, Bai Lan brought in the medicine she had finished brewing.
I took it from her and blew on it until it cooled.
Then I fed it to Yun’e spoonful by spoonful.
Yun’e swallowed absently.
Her eyes stared into empty space, and who knew what she was scheming.
After I fed her the last spoonful,
I took a handkerchief and wiped the corner of her mouth clean.
The corners of my lips curved up of their own accord.
Yun Ke was utterly overwhelmed by Yun’e’s matter.
The clan elders were pressing hard, and the end of the month was the deadline.
Father hid in his study and played dead.
Mother was only too happy to watch the show.
Grandmother kept her mouth shut.
He went everywhere, begging for help.
He even pleaded with several young masters from noble families who owed him favors from years ago.
Not a single one was willing to step into this muddy water.
And so he began drowning himself in wine.
Mo Yao of the pleasure house kept him company every day until dawn.
Drunk and bleary-eyed, Yun Ke asked,
“Mo Yao, tell me. What should I do?”
She lowered her eyes, her tone tinged with pity.
“Young Master, there is actually one more way.”
Yun Ke immediately grabbed her hand and asked,
“What is it?”
Mo Yao lowered her eyes.
“This method is not exactly honorable. I did not want to mention it.”
“But your sister’s situation is urgent. Now, only the Commandery Prince can save her.”
Yun Ke’s eyes flickered.
Mo Yao added,
“The Murong Family has only the Commandery Prince as their sole child.”
“If she were to become pregnant at this time…”
“No matter how picky the Eldest Princess is, she would have to relent and allow her into the manor.”
Yun Ke pondered for a long time.
Then he shook his head, deeply distressed.
“There isn’t much time. How can a child be conceived just because we say so?”
Mo Yao smiled, with a hint of something meaningful in her expression.
“Young Master, I happen to have a secret prescription in my possession.”
Yun Ke struggled bitterly with himself, the veins on his forehead throbbing.
In the end, he still tucked that pouch into his robes.
Mo Yao lowered her head and poured him another cup of wine.