The gatekeeper of the Yun Residence was startled to see Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian return with so many people.
"This servant pays respects to Second Master, Second Mistress, and Fourth Miss — Second Master, Second Mistress, and Fourth Miss, you’ve returned!"
Yun Qi responded indifferently.
Leading Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian inside, he said, "Shu Niang, Jinnian, go to Cixin Academy to greet the Old Madam!"
Yun Jinnian was indifferent.
Looking towards Mrs. Han, she smiled and said, "Indeed, we should go and pay respects to the Old Madam!"
Yun Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
He had feared Mrs. Han would not go.
Together, they arrived at Cixin Academy, and after Ming Liu reported their arrival, they entered the small hall, where several sisters of the household were present, with Xu Xinmo, as always, sitting by the Old Lady’s side, coaxing the Dowager to happiness.
"Daughter-in-law (Jinnian) pays respects to Mother (Grandmother)!"
Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian bowed slightly as a sign of respect.
The Old Lady, not fond of this in her heart, but with Yun Qi present, could not lose face for him, "It is good that you have returned; you must be tired from the journey, go back and rest!"
Blatantly sending them away.
Mrs. Han did not mind, and neither did Yun Jinnian.
Seeing this, Yun Qi felt a sudden heaviness in his chest and wanted to say something, but Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian had already responded with an acknowledgment and left Cixin Academy.
Yun Qi hesitated for a moment, exchanged a few more words with the Old Lady, and then also left the Cixin Academy.
The Old Lady furrowed her brow.
Xu Xinmo, however, was thinking that they had finally returned, and her plan could start.
Mother and daughter stood at the fork in the path, looking at each other — determination, composure, and indifference visible in both sets of eyes. Mrs. Han sighed softly, "I’ve wronged you!"
"Having Mother and Maternal Grandfather’s love is enough for me!"
Those who understand me say I have worries, those who do not question what I seek!
She remembered those who cared about her and let the rest drift away with the wind!
Mrs. Han rubbed Yun Jinnian’s head, "Go to Niannian Garden, Mother won’t join you. Some things, after all, you must face on your own!"
Yun Jinnian nodded firmly.
She parted ways with Mrs. Han.
She knew her mother was referring to the maids and matrons at Niannian Garden; although the servitude contracts were in her hand, Danxia and the others were not the honest sort.
But Yun Jinnian had long made her plans.
A small double-courtyard house outside the Capital City, a dowry of a thousand taels of silver; they would go to the Governor’s Office to cancel their servitude status and become decent family daughters. If they wished to marry, that was best; if not, they would never get another chance.
She would let them ponder this, for she certainly would not want them serving her closely any longer.
Thinking this, Yun Jinnian glanced at Ming Yang.
"Do you think me heartless, dear sister?" Yun Jinnian asked.
"Miss, you are already very kind-hearted!"
Yun Jinnian smiled and remained silent.
was also bustling at this moment.
Mrs. Yuan was intimidated by Nurse An, Hemei, and Henuan, along with five others.
Danxia and the rest were also in shock.
How could Yun Jinnian have brought people back after only being away for a few days?
Danxia yelled a few times but was promptly slapped twice by Nurse An. Nurse An was strong, and after two slaps, Danxia was left dazed.
It was as if she couldn’t distinguish between north, south, east, and west anymore.
With Danxia being hit, the others dared not make a scene.
Upon Yun Jinnian’s return, Danxia cried and knelt before her, "Fourth Miss, you’ve finally come back, if you hadn’t, this servant would have been beaten to death!"
Yun Jinnian looked at the tear-streaked Danxia, "Nurse An hit you?"
"Nurse An is a reward from my maternal grandfather, always strict with rules. If Nurse An hit you, you must have broken the rules!"
Having said that, Yun Jinnian entered the small hall.
Mrs. Yuan immediately took off the cloak for Yun Jinnian, who sat on the Arhat bed, while Ru Yue served her a bowl of sweet soup.
Yun Jinnian took a sip, feeling displeased inside.
To return, she had sent word to cancel the invitations with Dai Hanmi and others, saying they’d host again some other time, not knowing when that ’next time’ would be.
After drinking the sweet soup, Yun Jinnian then said to Mrs. Yuan, "Nurse, let them come in and talk, it’s quite cold outside!"