Looking at the plum blossom with two colors, Yun Jinnian thought for a moment and said, "This flower really knows how to bloom!"
"Isn’t that so, a plum blossom with two colors, it really is a rarity!" Ruan Wanrong said as she plucked a blossom and gently sniffed it.
The fragrance was overwhelming.
"Hmm, but there are always two sides to everything in this world, Sister Dai, don’t you think?" Yun Jinnian asked Dai Hanmi.
Dai Hanmi did not understand, "?"
"Wholehearted or half-hearted, the former is good, the latter is not—it’s the second one that I fear some might cling to!"
Dai Hanmi still did not understand; neither did Ruan Wanrong or Hu Shuiling, but Chen Danyan had a start of realization and looked at Yun Jinnian with shock and curiosity.
She was born into a family of senior officials and had been personally tutored by her grandfather; naturally, she understood a bit more.
Dai Hanmi did not understand and did not wish to ponder further, "Enough of that, let’s not talk about this anymore. Come, let’s go to my courtyard. I have a few pots of peonies in the greenhouse, their leaves bright green and full of buds. I will invite you all to enjoy the peonies after a few days!"
"Alright!" Yun Jinnian nodded.
They said no more, for saying too much could lead to error.
Passing through the archway, they saw the Marchioness coming with the wet nurse. Ruan Wanrong, Hu Shuiling, and Chen Danyan promptly went forward to greet her, "We have seen the Marchioness!"
The Marchioness nodded, "Have a good time, and if you want to eat anything, tell Hanmi and ask the kitchen to prepare it!"
Only then did the Marchioness turn to Yun Jinnian, who had already slowly stepped forward and curtsied, "Yun Family’s Jinnian greets the Marchioness!"
"So it is the fourth young lady, please rise!" said the Marchioness as she examined Yun Jinnian more closely.
Her stature was not tall, likely due to poor nourishment in her early years and insufficient food,
Despite being clad in a thick jacket, she was still very thin, likely not having much flesh on her, but her appearance was exceptionally good.
Willow brows, large eyes, a pretty nose, and red lips, she was already so lovely now, and she would undoubtedly grow up to be a top beauty.
The Marchioness took a delicate hairpin from her sleeve and gently placed it in Yun Jinnian’s hair, "Hmm, you look even more endearing now!"
"Thank you for the gift, Marchioness!"
"What a sweet mouth you have, go on and play!" said the Marchioness, and then added, "I will go see the old Dowager first!"
Yun Jinnian remained silent, hesitating whether or not to speak when Ruan Wanrong spoke up first, "We left in a hurry yesterday and could not pay our respects to the old Dowager for the New Year, Marchioness, may we go and greet her?"
The Marchioness was overjoyed, "Of course, you may, it’s thoughtful of you. Come with me!"
There wasn’t anything particular to note when visiting the old Dowager, except that she did not recognize people and was paralyzed in bed, unable to move.
But the Marchioness took great care of her, and the servants dared not be lazy or deceitful, so the old Dowager was kept very clean.
The Marchioness first sat by the bed, "Mother, mother!"
"Oh, is that Meimei?"
"Mother, it’s your daughter-in-law, and the juniors have come to pay their respects for the New Year!" said the Marchioness as she helped the old Dowager sit up.
Dai Hanmi immediately placed a thick pillow behind the old Dowager.
Yun Jinnian watched, and couldn’t help but think of the old Lady in her own family. If she were like the old Dowager, would anyone take care of her so tenderly?
Call her unfilial, or call her immoral, she would not care for the old Lady in such a devoted way!
"Oh, hand out the red envelopes, big red envelopes!"
The old Dowager may not have remembered, but her mind was still somewhat lucid. Knowing she had grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was happy to hear ’juniors’ and thought the children had come, which pleased her.
"Your daughter-in-law knows; today, there’s also a new little girl who’s never been to our house before, who is very pretty and likeable!" said the Marchioness as she wiped the old Dowager’s drool.
The old Dowager loved beauty, and even more, she loved beautiful people. On hearing this, she began to smile joyfully, her drool flowing incessantly, "Step forward, let me have a good look at you!"