Chapter 43: Never Coming Back

When the name "Young Master Yun" was mentioned, Qiao Qingyun clearly saw the maid before her tremble, as if startled. But she had no time to dwell on this, and followed Yan'er straight to the private room that had just been vacated.

"Princess."

Qiao Qingyun entered, doing her best to steady herself, but upon seeing Yuan Rou's tear-filled eyes, she was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Sister-in-law, I've made a fool of myself in front of you," Yuan Rou said as she wiped her cheeks, tears flowing anew. Qiao Qingyun felt a pang of guilt; who could have foreseen such an incident? Now Yuan Rou was crying, and she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

A glance revealed there was no paper at hand. Helpless, she took out her own handkerchief and gently wiped Yuan Rou's petite face.

Yuan Rou was stunned, gazing at Qiao Qingyun in a daze.

"Princess, please tell me—what has happened, why are you crying so pitiably?"

Upon hearing Qiao Qingyun's inquiry, Yuan Rou's tears surged even more fiercely, leaving Qiao Qingyun bewildered. She cast a knowing glance at Yan'er, who stood nearby.

"Speak, what happened to the princess?"

"Princess Consort, it is because of... Young Master Yun."

"Ah? Young Master Yun? Did he do something to you?"

Qiao Qingyun feigned surprise.

"No, no..."

"Is there some misunderstanding? From what I've seen, Young Master Yun is a fine person—not at all a reckless libertine."

Qiao Qingyun continued to act ignorant, patiently waiting for Yuan Rou to calm down. Finally, Yuan Rou confessed, "It was Young Master Yun—he refused me."

"He refused you? Princess, you don't mean... you, you have feelings for Young Master Yun?"

"Yes."

Yuan Rou admitted it without a shred of concealment, leaving Qiao Qingyun utterly dumbfounded.

This was disastrous; if investigated, things would surely escalate. No, she must have Qingluo inform Fengke and ensure their mouths stay shut.

Seeing Qiao Qingyun fall silent, Yuan Rou lowered her head and asked, "Do you also think that the one I care for is nothing more than a rustic woodsman?"

"No, no, I too have met Young Master Yun—he is talented and refined, a rare individual. However, Princess, you may have been a bit too forceful."

"What do you mean by that?" Yuan Rou hurriedly pursued.

Qiao Qingyun, seeing the situation, decided since she was already lying, she might as well embellish further. She promptly replied, "Young Master Yun already has someone he loves. But that person passed away long ago, which is why Young Master Yun lives so quietly now."

"What? So that's how it is..."

Yuan Rou was deeply shaken. She had thought Yun Jian's refusal stemmed only from their difference in status, but never imagined there was another reason.

"Yes, and Princess, you shouldn't seek out Young Master Yun anymore... He has left."

"What? I was just speaking with him; how could he have left so suddenly?"

Yuan Rou was astounded, anxiety rising within her. She could not imagine what she would do if Yun Jian were gone...

"When I came by earlier, it was because Young Master Yun said he was leaving, and so I went downstairs. By now he must have departed the city gates. So, Princess, you are not of the same world; do not force yourself into his."

Qiao Qingyun tried to comfort her, but how could Yuan Rou accept this? She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Qiao Qingyun frowned. This had all stemmed from her own misguided advice—how could it not be her responsibility?

After some thought, she looked at Yuan Rou and stepped forward, patting her shoulder. "Don't cry."

"Sister-in-law..."

Yuan Rou wrapped her arms around Qiao Qingyun's slender waist, burying her face into her embrace and weeping bitterly.

"Is loving someone always so tormenting? Must all those who care for each other be kept apart?"

Hearing this, Qiao Qingyun sighed. "If things always turned out as one wished, I would not be your sister-in-law now. Perhaps I would still be an unmarried girl, and Father would still be alive."

Qiao Qingyun's words resonated deeply with Yuan Rou, for though her mother consort loved her, it was nothing compared to the affection bestowed upon the Eighth Prince. Though he was her brother, the Noble Consort valued him far more, leaving Yuan Rou, as his sister, feeling dispensable.

It took quite some time before Qiao Qingyun managed to soothe Yuan Rou's emotions. She had not expected Yuan Rou to cry for so long—perhaps it was the result of years of grievances endured in the palace.

"There, there, don't cry. Have a proper meal. This place is now mine, so whenever you come to eat, I'll treat you. Is that alright?"

Hearing this, Yuan Rou looked at Qiao Qingyun with tearful eyes. "Sister-in-law, am I so easy to dislike?"

"Not at all. From the moment I met you, I liked you very much."

Qiao Qingyun gently rubbed Yuan Rou's head. At last, Yuan Rou was firmly on her side.

"Good."

Yan'er, observing from nearby, sighed helplessly. Women were truly strange—just moments ago they were sobbing, and now, in the blink of an eye, they had become close friends.

"Sister-in-law, the food here is unlike that elsewhere; the flavors are surprisingly novel."

"Naturally. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to come."

Qiao Qingyun deftly made up another lie to cover her own actions.

When Yuan Rou finally recovered, she gazed at Qiao Qingyun for a long time, then suddenly asked, "Sister-in-law, how is your relationship with my brother?"

"The same as always."

Qiao Qingyun spoke without hesitation. After all, if Yuan Rou wished to know, she could easily find out.

Since asked, she answered directly.

"Mm..."

Yuan Rou hesitated, leaving Qiao Qingyun puzzled. "What is it? Is something the matter?"

"No, Sister-in-law, have you truly thought it through? That Bu Shenglian is not someone to be trifled with, especially with such deep scheming..."

"It's fine. Whatever happens is their business, not mine."

Qiao Qingyun smiled, picking up a piece of sweet and sour pork for Yuan Rou. "Don't worry. Eat well. As for your brother, I will consider things carefully. But if the two of them truly have mutual affection, I will choose to let them be."

"This..."

Yuan Rou was surprised. As a princess, if she married a minister's son, that man would never be permitted multiple wives and concubines.

But Qiao Qingyun was different.

She had wanted to remind Qiao Qingyun not to invest too deeply in her feelings, but seeing this, perhaps there was no need to worry...