The two were talking when a servant suddenly announced that the Fourth Young Master had arrived.
The Fourth Young Master of the Jinyang Marquis's Residence was Teng. He was twelve that year. After age seven, boys and girls were not supposed to share a table. Since Yuan Fanfan was in the Deer Song Courtyard, the maid could not simply let him in and came to ask Jian Ruonan first.
Yuan Fanfan said, "We're as close as sisters. Your little brother is my little brother. Let the Fourth Young Master in."
Teng was already nearly as tall as Jian Ruonan. As a child of the Jinyang Marquis's Residence, he was no slouch in the looks department either.
Once inside, Teng hurried to greet Yuan Fanfan. His bow was perfectly measured, his bearing graceful, with something of the aloof young aristocrat about him.
Yuan Fanfan marveled, "Sister Nan, your little brother is handsome! Is he betrothed yet?"
Jian Ruonan said, "Weren't you planning to break off your engagement?"
Why have you taken a fancy to my little brother now?
Yuan Fanfan said, "I am, but someone from a family like mine can't possibly stay unmarried. I was thinking, a little brother you've trained must have a decent character. I'll break things off with those unknown quantities and find someone whose background I know inside out."
"After your training, your little brother looks like a very good choice."
Jian Ruonan asked, "Then what about having children?"
Yuan Fanfan said, "My mother said we could take a concubine, get rid of the mother, and keep the child."
Jian Ruonan said, "..."
"My friend wants to become your mother's personal maid even more now."
Your mother really is vicious!
Teng was bewildered at being teased the moment he arrived.
*What sort of friend has Fifth