Chapter 2, Imperial Edict (2)

Yun Cong hurriedly knelt down on the ground, saying: "Son does not dare, son does not dare!" He is wronged; the time he has spent on his own son, Yun Cong, is likely far less than the time he has spent on his cunning niece.

Yun Feifei made a vomiting gesture and said fiercely: "If you dare to say it again, I will match you with him!"

Dingxiang laughed heartily, and her drowsiness vanished. She exclaimed, "That drunkard rescued from the pile of filth? Miss, you truly are a genius, I admire you! But don't you find him smelly? The two villagers from Xishan helped wash him several times, yet he still has a strange odor! Even the little shed he lives in is reeking... However, to be honest, he is quite good-looking and not very old. In terms of appearance, he is indeed worthy of a match with you, Miss!"

Two days later at noon, in the hall of the Yun family, beneath the golden plaque inscribed with "A Family Tradition of Poetry and Etiquette," the elder statesman Yun Yuan summoned his second son Yun Cong. Sitting in a rosewood armchair, he held a cup of tea, gently stirring the tea leaves as he slowly sipped, while discussing matters concerning Yun Feifei.

Yun Cong muttered: "It is enough that this girl does not allow others to suffer; who would dare to let her suffer?"

Old Master Yun was still there, slapping the table in anger, when suddenly a servant rushed in from the door, flustered and said: "Master, sir, someone from the palace has arrived, and they want you, sir, and the young lady to prepare to receive the imperial decree"

Qin Feng has gone to the border. If he were here, I certainly wouldn't go out alone! Yun Feifei's spirit was slightly better as she straightened her shoulders, blinking her pained eyes. The Qin family and the Yun family have been family friends for generations, and Qin Feng is a dashing young man, possessing both literary and martial talents. He has known Yun Feifei since childhood. If it weren't for her grandfather Yun Yuan disapproving of Qin Feng's overly gentle disposition, they might have been betrothed long ago.

Yun Yuan stood up in surprise and said, "Receiving the imperial edict?" The new emperor Sima Cheng, who had been on the throne for more than three years, did not favor the Yun family as much as the late emperor had. The last time they received an edict was already three years ago. At that time, Yun Yuan had left the very center of political power, while Yun Cong was transferred to the position of Advisor.

Yun Feifei's mother, however, came from a humble background and had an exceptionally strong character. After the untimely death of Yun Feifei's father in his youth, she did not eat or drink for several days, ultimately starving herself to death, which continues to astonish and inspire admiration to this day

Yun Feifei, feeling flustered and agitated, exclaimed angrily: "If I don't like it, then I don't like it; as long as I like it, that's enough. If they don't allow me to marry him, then I will marry that good-for-nothing drunkard from today, just to infuriate them!"

It is truly incomprehensible; what fault is there in Young Master Qin's good nature? Why do the old master and the old lady not like him?

The lilac, however, covered her mouth and laughed quietly

Liangxiang sighed, "Miss, you cannot continue like this. Always causing such trouble will ruin your reputation. If Young Master Qin hears about it, he will certainly not like it"

Yun Yuan let out a sharp shout: "What did you say? Are you intentionally making her, my old bones, unable to rest in peace? I see in your heart, it is only your precious Kun'er that matters to you, and you have never considered your niece!"

Yun Cong frowned and said, "Father, this child Feifei has a temperament just like her mother. I fear that we ultimately cannot restrain her. It would be better to marry her off early to avoid trouble."

Suddenly, a shadow passed by, and the ancestral hall became much darker. Yun Yuan's angry and resonant voice was already heard: "Well, you great young lady, you have truly gone too far in your indulgence. At this moment, you are still spouting nonsense! Get up and copy 'The Female Model' ten times. Until you finish copying, you shall not step out of this room!"

Yun Feifei almost fainted, groaning and saying: "Grandfather, can it be changed to punish someone else..."

Yun Yuan felt even angrier upon hearing about Fei Fei's mother. With a loud "bang," he slammed the teacup down on the table and exclaimed, "Is it as simple as just marrying off? This child has been without parents since a young age, and her temperament is so stubborn and peculiar. If we do not help her find a suitable family, she is likely to suffer throughout her life! I asked you to properly seek someone for her, yet how is it that until now, you have not found a suitable match?"