Song Jingcheng was bewildered by Yao Yun'er’s expression. He frowned and asked, "Are you unwilling, Aunt?"
Yao Yun'er bit her lower lip, looked at Song Jingcheng, and remained silent. Her refusal was obvious.
Song Jingcheng said angrily, "You always claim to treat me like your own son, Aunt. Now that you won't even help with such a small matter, it shows that everything you’ve said before is a lie."
"No, it’s all true." Yao Yun'er looked at him, her voice trembling slightly.
"You are just accustomed to saying pleasant things."
"I..." Yao Yun'er felt a bitter ache in her heart, but her grievances were difficult to voice.
"Since that is the case, then forget it. If you are unwilling to come forward, I will not force you. However, please do not interfere in my affairs from now on, and I will not meddle in yours."
Song Jingcheng remembered his mother’s words: his aunt had always been good to him, partly because she hoped he would provide for her in her old age. It made sense; she had no son, and her only daughter was already married. In the future, she would indeed have to rely on him within the household. If things were as they had been before, he wouldn't have minded her harboring such thoughts. But now, if she wouldn't even do him this small favor? Hmph, counting on him? She was dreaming.
Song Jingcheng’s attitude of drawing a line in the sand flustered Yao Yun'er. Furthermore, judging by his demeanor, even if she refused to help, he would find another way to give Cen Yanran status and bring her into the manor. There was no point in ruining their relationship. Still, her heart felt terribly unsettled.
"Don't be so anxious. I never said I wouldn't agree."
Hearing this, Song Jingcheng’s expression brightened slightly. "So, you agree, Aunt?"
Yao Yun'er closed her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to refuse. After a brief pause, she finally nodded.
"Very well. I will help you with this matter."
A rare smile appeared on Song Jingcheng’s face. "Thank you, Aunt. I will keep this favor in my heart. Once I achieve success, I will naturally provide for you well."
His mother had told him that if his aunt agreed, he should say some pleasant things to make the rest of the process go more smoothly. For the sake of Yanran, being sweet-talking didn't bother him—it was just moving his lips.
Hearing this, Yao Yun'er felt slightly better, and a rare smile touched her lips as well. "I will discuss this matter with your mother."
"My intent is to handle it as quickly as possible."
His mother had warned him not to mention that the plan was hers; otherwise, his aunt would insist on consulting with her, and they would waste time going back and forth. He was to say it was his own wish; as long as he remained firm, he could see it through.
Yao Yun'er steadied herself and said with a smile, "It is still better to consult with your mother."
"There is no need. As long as I insist, even if my mother disagrees, she won't block me in the end. Why waste time? Are you trying to drag this out, Aunt, because you don't really want to do it?"
"No, you’ve misunderstood. It’s just that your father hasn't been informed yet."
At the mention of Song Mingjian, Song Jingcheng’s expression turned cold. "You have seen my father’s attitude, Aunt. It is precisely because I do not wish to have further conflict with him that I want to settle this quickly. Once it is a done deal and she is in the house, even if my father finds out, he cannot change it."
Yao Yun'er looked at Song Jingcheng, her brows tightly knitted. For the first time, she felt that her son seemed like a stranger.
"Chenger, aren't you afraid that the situation will be even worse once your father wakes up?"
"It won't be. Father has always valued the reputation of the Song family; he will maintain a facade of decency no matter what. I know this is indeed somewhat improper, which is why I came to ask for your help, Aunt. Father has always held you in high regard. With your help, we will certainly pass through this without incident."
His mother had taught him to say this if his aunt brought up his father. By showing vulnerability and explaining his feelings for Yanran, he knew his aunt—who his mother said was a person of deep emotion—would surely be moved by his sincerity.
Yao Yun'er was indeed touched, though not by his sincerity, but by the fact that Song Jingcheng’s frankness left her with no room to refute him. If she refused to help after he had spoken so candidly, she would truly be standing on the opposite side of him. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down.
Since this was going to happen regardless, it was better for her to control the process, or else who knew what would happen if it fell into Yun Feiwan's hands? Besides, since Song Jingcheng had come to beg her personally, she would have a ready excuse if Song Mingjian blamed her later. In any case, a concubine was much easier to accept than the primary wife they had initially discussed. Managing this would certainly hurt her reputation, but for her son’s future, that reputation mattered little. She had never done much for her own son; now that he needed her, she would bite the bullet and do it.
She looked at Song Jingcheng, gathering her emotions into an expression of maternal love. "Ordinarily, I shouldn't agree to this, but I can see your true feelings for Miss Yanran. Since that is the case, I will help you. Just remember that I have always treated you with complete sincerity."
Song Jingcheng let out a sigh of relief. Intent only on finalizing the matter, he did not dwell on the undertones in her words. "Thank you, Aunt. Since we are taking in a concubine, there is no time like the present. Let’s make it tomorrow. I will announce to the outside world that the rites have already been performed and that tomorrow is the day she enters the manor. Since it wasn't made public before and only those closest knew, I will find a few people to vouch for it; I expect no one will say anything."
"This... Chenger, Miss Yanran is a woman from a pleasure house. Redeeming her status alone might not be something that can be finished in a day. And in such a rush, the brothel matron will surely inflate the price. We should negotiate for a few days first. We can just keep your father in the dark."
Yao Yun'er asked cautiously, terrified that another word might displease Song Jingcheng.
Song Jingcheng’s expression remained unchanged as he waved a hand dismissively, saying with pride, "Don't worry, Aunt. I have already redeemed her. Yanran is currently staying in a house I bought in the west of the city. She will marry from there, and I have even secured a new identity for her as the daughter of a respectable family. You need not worry; everything is prepared."
Yao Yun'er was stunned. She hadn't expected him to have gone this far. She inwardly rejoiced that she had agreed; otherwise, Cen Yanran would have entered the manor anyway, and her relationship with Song Jingcheng would have been irrevocably broken.
"Since that is the case, I shall go and prepare."
Song Jingcheng nodded. "Good. Tomorrow morning, I must ask you to personally go to the villa to present the wedding gifts. It will be for the public to see, to let everyone know that our family acknowledges Yanran."
"I... go personally?"
At first, it was just about managing the matter; she hadn't been told she would have to visit the woman. If she went to present the gifts herself, it would not just be the Song family’s acknowledgment of Cen Yanran—it would be her, the First Madam of the Song family, giving her seal of approval.
To use her own reputation to vouch for a woman from a pleasure house... How would she ever face anyone again?