Dai Hanmi was actually quite forthright and clever, and these past years she had been following the Marchioness’ butler, then later the Crown Princess’ butler. Her skills in management, accounting, and worldly knowledge were far from shallow.
If initially she thought that Yun Muyou invited her out of every possible motive just for the hairpinning ceremony on the twenty-third of the first month, now, with Yun Muyou’s continuous behavior, Dai Hanmi knew that Yun Muyou’s intentions weren’t solely for the ceremony, but included more schemes.
For instance, her third brother, Dai Hanbo.
Dai Hanmi didn’t like Yun Muyou, but she still replied softly and amiably to her words.
Soon, Ruan Wanrong and the others arrived.
"Oh dear, I got up early, but didn’t expect to still be a step behind Sister Hanmi!" Ruan Wanrong was the daughter of the Minister of War, Ruan Biao. In earlier years, Ruan Biao made his name on the battlefield, earning the title of Great General. After suffering a serious injury, he no longer went to war and secured the position of Minister of War.
Having been a Great General, Ruan Biao had a forthright and informal nature, and Ruan Wanrong was somewhat influenced by her father’s temperament.
The girls in the room hurried to greet her, and after the customary exchange of courtesies, Ruan Wanrong took Yun Jinnian’s hand, "Sister Jinnian, I brought you something!"
"Guess!" Ruan Wanrong said with a smile, tapping Yun Jinnian’s forehead.
Yun Jinnian shook her head, "I can’t guess!"
"Even if you can’t guess, I’ll still give it to you!" Ruan Wanrong said as she took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to Yun Jinnian, "Take a look after we’ve gone!"
Yun Jinnian took the purse and instructed Hemei to keep it safe.
Once Hu Shuiling and Chen Danyan arrived, the group went to pay their respects to the lady of the house.
The lady presented them with gifts, a purse for each one. Yun Jinnian did not know what was inside, but she figured it wouldn’t be particularly valuable, nor would it be trivial.
They paid respects to Lady Mrs. He as well, who also gave out purses.
Next, they went to Qiyue Academy to pay respects to Mrs. Han, who, as usual, handed out purses.
Together, they went for a brief rest in Niannian Garden.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Sister Jinnian’s room is so beautifully decorated, I almost want to stay and never leave!" Ruan Wanrong touched this and that, finding Yun Jinnian’s room to be different from Dai Hanmi’s, Hu Shuiling’s, and Chen Danyan’s in terms of layout—opulent yet tasteful.
"Then Sister Ruan could stay!" Yun Jinnian said with a laugh, pulling Ruan Wanrong to sit down and offering her some pastries.
Ruan Wanrong opened her mouth, letting Yun Jinnian feed her. Yun Jinnian fed her with a gentle smile, and Ruan Wanrong said, "The pastries taste best when fed by Sister Jinnian!"
She was gentle and tender; her cheeks were rosy, and despite being only twelve years old, she carried herself with a composure that seemed to bear the traces of life’s vicissitudes. Ruan Wanrong loved teasing Yun Jinnian the most.
Hu Shuiling and Chen Danyan smiled without speaking, while Dai Hanmi smiled and nibbled on the pastries.
Just as Yun Muyou was about to speak, Ruan Wanrong suddenly asked, "What about that fierce cousin of yours?"
"My cousin is feeling unwell!" Yun Jinnian said indifferently.
"Sick, really or pretending?"
"Presumably really. I don’t get along with my cousin, so I haven’t visited her!" Yun Jinnian spoke thus and then looked towards Yun Muyou, "Big Sister, have you visited my cousin? Is she truly ill?"
Yun Muyou choked up a bit.
What should she say, that Xu Xinmo was feigning illness?
If she sullied Xu Xinmo’s reputation, grandmother wouldn’t let her off the hook!
"My cousin said she felt too weak to get out of bed, so she must be sick!" Yun Muyou said, pursing her lips.
After all, it was Xu Xinmo herself who said she was ill. Whether it was true or feigned, Yun Muyou had no idea.
"Isn’t she just pretending to be ill?" Ruan Wanrong asked in surprise.
They all knew what was going on.
Today was Yun Jinnian’s invitation to the Yun Residence for a gathering, and since Xu Xinmo didn’t get along with Yun Jinnian, if she showed up, Ruan Wanrong and the others would certainly ostracize and mock her. So, she pretended to be sick and stayed away!