But weren’t they clearly talking about flowers?
Wholehearted, fickle, what exactly is Yun Jinnian trying to say?
Dai Hanmi sat up, "Go ask if Third Brother has gone to bed, if he hasn’t, tell him—" Dai Hanmi paused, "Never mind, help me into my clothes, I’ll go see Grandmother!"
Third Brother lives in the outer courtyard, it’s not really appropriate for him to come to the inner courtyard after all. Better to ask Mother, she has crossed more bridges than the roads I’ve walked!
Dai Hanmi dressed and donned a cloak before heading to the Old Madam’s courtyard.
She learned her father was also there.
She thought that was just as well.
"Why have you come over so late?" the Marchioness asked with concern. She pulled Dai Hanmi to her side, warming her hands.
"Firstly, there is something I don’t understand and wanted to ask Mother, and secondly, I also came to see how Grandmother is doing!"
"What is so urgent that you had to come over now?"
"Mother, it’s . This morning, in the garden, while we were discussing plum blossoms, everyone said they were lovely, particularly the tree with two-colored blossoms, but Sister Jinnian said that while it’s a good thing, it might not necessarily be so. She also mentioned being wholehearted and fickle, saying the first is good but the second is not, fearing someone would cling to the second!"
The Marchioness also did not understand, and turned towards the silent Marquess Zhuangyong, "Marquess, what do you think she meant by that?"
A moment later, Marquess Zhuangyong asked, "Did she really start with the flowers?"
"Yes, she began by saying that the plum blossoms looked nice, and then the conversation turned to that topic!"
"She was warning you, don’t let others use flowers as a metaphor for people. If a flower blooms in two colors, a person might have a divided heart!"
"Who has a divided heart?" the Marchioness asked, puzzled.
Marquess Zhuangyong’s face darkened slightly, "Tell me, in the current world, who is most wary of people harboring a divided heart?"
The Marchioness was initially confused, but when she realized what was implied, she too was startled.
Dai Hanmi also understood, "Father?"
"It’s alright, for now, everything is still manageable, we have time to plan. You should head back and get some sleep. In the future, make sure to mix more with Miss Yun of the Yun family!" the Marquess Zhuangyong instructed, patting Dai Hanmi on the head as he spoke.
This daughter was blessed; when she was born, her aunt became the Empress, and now during the banquet, she had met the fourth Miss Yun.
She, who even the Divine Doctor Han himself could not invite.
"Alright, then I’ll go back to sleep, Father!"
Back in her room, Dai Hanmi thought for a moment, opened her jewelry box, and took out several hairpins, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces that she had never worn, placing them in a brocade box.
"Miss, what are you doing?" the maid Minxian asked.
"Get them ready, I will give them to Sister Jinnian later. I also have a few pieces of Yunyan Brocade fabric, one of which will be perfect for making a dress for Sister Jinnian!"
"Miss, you’ve always treasured the Yunyan Brocade!"
"This is different, it’s for Sister Jinnian. She has done me a great favor!"
Minxian nodded, "I understand, miss!"
Han Xuzi returned to the Han Residence, learning that Yun Qi had not been home for two days, he snorted coldly, and remained silent.
He had intended to discuss something with Yun Jinnian, but in the end said nothing, sitting in a chair, pondering the prescription Yun Jinnian had prepared.
Han Xuzi glanced at Han Zhong, "Tell me, should we investigate?"
During that one year in Yingci’an, what exactly did Yun Jinnian do there?
"Does the lord want to investigate Miss Jinnian?"
"Give me some time to think!" Han Xuzi said and closed his eyes.
"Abbess Hui Ling of Yingci’an is skilled in medicine, and she is unworldly. When Miss Jinnian left, the Abbess even gifted her several Medical Books!"
"Do you think it was the Abbess who taught her medical skills?" Han Xuzi asked softly.
After a long silence, Han Xuzi finally said, "Well, if she learned from the Abbess, that puts my mind at ease, but I’m worried that someone else with an ulterior motive might be teaching her, hoping to use her!"