"How could he possibly be angry because of her? Just look at her, with that meek and humble air, always obedient and never daring to talk back even when I bully her. Uncle would never get angry for her sake!" Xu Xinmo’s voice got softer and softer.
Because she felt that Daidai might be right.
Considering how Uncle sent so many things over yesterday and even assigned a maid and an old nurse to attend to her, and grandmother didn’t stop him...
She couldn’t let Yun Jinnian snatch away Uncle’s favor; she had to strike first.
Cixin Academy main room
The elderly Madam was lying on the couch after bathing, with Ming Liu wringing out her hair while Ming Yang brought over the soothing soup.
"Madam, the soothing soup is ready!"
"It’s still hot. Let it cool for a while before drinking!"
The soothing soup was so bitter; the Madam really didn’t want to drink it.
She was bothered by Yun Chen’s behavior today!
"You tell me, why did Chenchen suddenly become upset today? When he came in at first, everything seemed fine!"
Ming Liu remained silent.
Ming Yang pondered for a moment before saying, "Madam, do you think it could be related to the Fourth Miss?"
"What are you saying?" the elderly Madam exclaimed in shock.
But then, she suddenly remembered Yun Chen asking her to treat Yun Jinnian kindly and not to give anyone leverage against her.
At the time, she hadn’t thought much about it, simply feeling an instinctive dislike for Yun Jinnian, which led her to refuse to let her come over.
Taking a deep breath, "Ming Yang!"
"Your servant is here!"
"Later, go to Niannian Garden and tell Jinnian that she should go to the girls’ school tomorrow. She doesn’t need to come here for morning greetings, just head straight to the school!"
"What about after school?"
"She needn’t come either!"
Ming Yang lowered her gaze, "Your servant understands!"
When Ming Yang delivered the message to Niannian Garden, Yun Jinnian was indifferent to the news that she could go to the girls’ school tomorrow, but Mrs. Yuan was very happy.
"Miss, who shall accompany you to the girls’ school tomorrow?"
Ru Yue was steady, not very talkative, but diligent and dedicated.
Better than Danxia, Dangui, or Ru Yang.
Full of joy, Mrs. Yuan went off to prepare.
Yun Jinnian really wanted to tell her that there was actually no need to prepare, for even if she went there, she might not be able to attend classes in peace, and the virtues of women taught by the female Masters at the girls’ school, she could already recite them backwards and forwards.
She just wanted to use the girls’ school as a qualification to attend Qingsong Academy.
Songshan Academy didn’t just teach men; they also taught women calligraphy, painting, poetry, chess, horse riding, archery, and martial arts.
She no longer wanted to learn poetry, calligraphy, painting, or chess; she wanted to learn horse riding, archery, and martial arts to protect herself and her most beloved family members in times of danger.
She thought of Momo for no apparent reason.
Every time she did, her heart ached unbearably.
Yun Jinnian clutched her chest, the pain making her whole body shiver.
"Miss, what’s wrong?" Mrs. Yuan asked with concern.
"It’s nothing. You go rest," Yun Jinnian told Mrs. Yuan to go down, and although Mrs. Yuan looked at Yun Jinnian worriedly, she couldn’t utter too many objections and quietly withdrew.
Yun Jinnian stood up, dipped her finger in the tea, and began to trace Momo’s likeness on the table.
"Momo, did we meet in a dream? If so, why does it hurt so much? When I think of you, even breathing pains me!"
"I wish it were all a dream, yet I long to have been part of your life, even if the ending is a tragedy!"
Danxia stood at the door, "Miss, shall I come in to keep watch through the night?"
"There’s no need. You go sleep," Yun Jinnian said.
Relishing the chance to sleep in a warm bed, Danxia said eagerly, "Then your servant will take her leave!"
"Go," Yun Jinnian said softly and continued to draw herself beside Momo, depicting her at her most radiant.
Tears fell drip by drip, landing on the figures, gradually blurring them until all that was left was a puddle of water.
In the room, the oil lamp flickered faintly, while tears fell like broken pearls.
Amidst the quiet sounds and faint smell of blood that began to permeate the room, Yun Jinnian instantly came to her senses, "Who’s there? Who is it?"
A bloodstained sword rested against her neck.
"Don’t move, don’t scream, or I’ll take your life!"