As she spoke, both Yun Feiwan and Song Jingcheng turned to look at her.
Song Jingcheng’s face flared with immediate anger, and he was about to confront Yao Yun'er when Yun Feiwan pulled him back.
"Let’s hear what your aunt has to say first. She is an elder, after all, and your father has always held her in high regard."
Song Jingcheng let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeve, and turned his head away. His blatant display of disdain for Yao Yun'er made her heart ache.
Yun Feiwan nodded at Yao Yun'er. "Sister-in-law, please feel free to speak your mind. Chenger is young and ignorant; I hope you won't take his behavior to heart. I know in my heart that you have the Song family's best interests at heart."
She could no longer hold it in.
After all, he was her own flesh and blood—how could she just stand by and watch Song Jingcheng commit such a foolish act? She was looking forward to the day this mother and son would turn against each other.
Yao Yun'er lifted a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes, her expression somber. "My sister-in-law understands my heart; naturally, I only want what is best for the Song Estate. None of us wanted to see things escalate to this point.
"Even if you agree, I fear my husband will not, and that will only lead to resentment within the family. If word gets out, Miss Yanran will be branded with a reputation for disrupting the harmony of a respectable household. She already has an unconventional background; if she later behaves in a way that is seen as improper, how will she ever be able to interact with the ladies of society?"
Song Jingcheng stood up abruptly, retorting, "Whether my father agrees or not, I will marry Yanran. Yanran has done nothing wrong; how can anyone blame her?"
Seeing him fly into a rage, Yao Yun'er felt both anxious and frustrated, yet she forced a smile and explained patiently, "That is not what I mean. I am talking about the current situation—this is how people will talk, and the servants below are even more loose-lipped. Everyone is heated right now, and the things said won't be pleasant. Once it reaches the outside world, who knows what it will turn into."
"Anyone who dares to spread rumors, I will break their legs," Song Jingcheng said viciously.
Yun Feiwan spoke up at just the right moment. "Chenger, don't be hasty. In your mother's view... your aunt has a point." She turned to Yao Yun'er and added, "I also fully agree with you, Sister-in-law. Nothing would grieve me more than to see this family torn apart."
Yao Yun'er nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, that is precisely what I am thinking."
Yun Feiwan immediately asked, "Then, Sister-in-law, do you have any good suggestions?"
Yao Yun'er hesitated, not daring to look at Song Jingcheng. "I do have an idea. Perhaps there is a way to satisfy both sides, allowing Chenger to get his wish without causing an unseemly scene or damaging the bond between father and son. Sister-in-law, see if this might work as a reference."
Acting as if she had no idea what was coming, Yun Feiwan looked expectant and urged, "Do tell, Sister-in-law. If we can find a win-win solution, that would be for the best."
Song Jingcheng remained silent; his intuition told him his aunt would not say anything favorable. He glanced at Yao Yun'er, who felt a tightness in her chest but was compelled to speak.
"Sister-in-law, what if we let the girl enter the household as a concubine?"
"No, I do not agree."
Yao Yun'er had intended for Yun Feiwan to make the decision, but to her dismay, Song Jingcheng stood up to oppose it before Yun Feiwan could even utter a word. Her heart sank with helplessness. She looked at Song Jingcheng and met his gaze of utter loathing. Her chest tightened, and she furrowed her brows.
Burning with rage, Song Jingcheng raised his voice. "Since I promised Yanran I would take her as my formal wife, I must keep my word. Does my aunt think I am a man of no integrity? You underestimate me, Aunt."
Yao Yun'er met his cold, frost-like glare, and her heart felt as if it were being shredded. But what else could she do? She absolutely could not sit by and watch this happen, even if it meant damaging their mother-son bond. Once he entered the bureaucracy and met better women, he would eventually understand her good intentions.
She looked at Yun Feiwan with pleading eyes, trusting that as his biological mother, Yun Feiwan would surely support her proposal.
As expected, she met Yun Feiwan’s grateful gaze, and her heart steadied.
Yun Feiwan nodded and grasped Song Jingcheng’s arm, signaling him to calm down. "Chenger, don't be so quick to dismiss it. Your mother thinks your aunt makes sense. You see your father’s attitude; he is absolutely against it. If he stands firm, Miss Yanran will never be able to enter the Song family gates.
"Don't speak of establishing your own household just to marry her. You know that once you leave, the young gentlemen you once associated with will no longer recognize you. I know you are a man of character and would sacrifice your status as the legitimate heir to keep a promise. But I also know you would never want Yanran to suffer alongside you, nor would you want her to spend her life under a shadow of shame."
Yun Feiwan had said everything. She had articulated his true concerns, forced him to face the reality of his situation, and provided him with a way to save face. She knew Song Jingcheng didn't truly want to burn bridges; he had only reached this point because of his stubbornness. Now that she had provided a ladder, he would surely step down.
Song Jingcheng’s expression grew grave. When he heard that the other young gentlemen would abandon him if he left the Song Estate, his resolve wavered. However, hindered by his pride, he did not speak immediately; instead, he picked up a teacup and drained it in one gulp.
Seeing this, Yun Feiwan understood and continued, "Chenger, you are a filial son; surely you don't want to turn this household upside down. I know you only fear that Miss Yanran will be wronged. So... how about this: she enters as a concubine first. Once she is inside, I will hand over the management of the household affairs to her. What do you think?"
"Mother..."
Song Jingcheng’s face displayed shock. The management of the household was the privilege of the mistress of the house. His mother truly treated him well.
Yun Feiwan added, "You always say Miss Yanran is wonderful, but we haven't seen for ourselves. As your aunt suggested, let her enter as a concubine first. After we have all gotten to know her and grown to approve of her, it won't be too late to elevate her to the position of wife. By then, if she has given you a child, her promotion will be entirely justified. That would be best for both you and her."
Meeting Yun Feiwan's loving gaze, a wave of warmth washed over Song Jingcheng, and he lost all trace of his earlier defiance. He stood up, took two steps back, knelt before Yun Feiwan, and performed a deep bow.
"Thank you, Mother, for your grace. I will listen to you in all things."
"Good, good, good child." Yun Feiwan shed tears and reached out to help him up. Song Jingcheng rose with her support and was pulled down to sit by her side.
Off to the side, Yao Yun'er watched this display of maternal love and filial piety, feeling as though she had swallowed a thousand needles. Her hands, hidden in her sleeves, twisted her handkerchief so hard the silk was nearly shredded.