Capital City Yun Residence
Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and Lady He of the Yun Family had long instructed that glutinous rice should be soaked tonight, and zongzi wrapping should begin at midnight, to be cooked overnight, so that they could be delivered to several friendly households early tomorrow morning.
Lady He had, in fact, wanted to send a basket to Zhuangyong Marquis Residence, but they were not interested.
Ever since Yun Jinnian went to Huguo Temple, Yun Muyou had invited Dai Hanmi several times, each time Dai Hanmi declined, citing the old lady’s poor health as a reason to stay and care for her.
The so-called friendly households were only those with official ranks lower than Yun Chen, eagerly willing to form good relations with the Yun Family.
Thinking of Yun Muyou’s marital issues, Mrs. He was truly distressed.
"Has the Second Lady returned yet?"
"Madam, she returned this morning, but she didn’t bring back many things. It seems that most were left at the Han Family!" Tianmi said.
News of Mrs. Han bringing several carriages of goods into the city had reached the Yun Family early, and Mrs. He thought that Mrs. Han would bring them back for her to see what fine items there were, but unexpectedly Mrs. Han did not return to the residence directly. Instead, she stayed at the Han Family for two nights before returning, which was simply...
"Alright, I got it. You may go down now!"
Mrs. He thought for a moment, then stood up and went to Cixin Academy.
To talk to the old lady about this.
When Mrs. He arrived, Mrs. Han was also in Cixin Academy, accompanying the old lady in conversation, while Mrs. Soft Concubine sat on the side, her figure plump from the pregnancy of almost five months, no longer showing subservience and humility but rather a hint of pride.
Mrs. He raised an eyebrow.
If Mrs. Han really decided to act, Mrs. Soft Concubine would be nothing.
After paying respects to the old lady and sitting down, she started speaking, "The Second Sister-in-law has come back alone, where is Jinnian?"
"Jinnian encountered Her Highness the Princess of the Town at the inn, and Her Highness took quite a liking to her, so she had her accompany her back to the Capital City!" Mrs. Han did not mention a word about Yun Jinnian treating the Princess’s illness, only that the Princess liked Yun Jinnian.
The old lady and Mrs. He were surprised.
To have won the favor of the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence was already something, and now she had caught the affection of the Princess of the Town. That was the Princess of the Town, a first-rank princess, the Emperor’s aunt by blood, whom even the Emperor would greet with utmost respect, and even the Empress Dowager would give way to her in courtesy. What kind of stroke of good fortune was Yun Jinnian on?
Mrs. He felt sick to her stomach, as if she had eaten something spoiled, cursing inwardly why it wasn’t Yun Muyou instead. Wouldn’t it have been great if it were Yun Muyou?
With that in mind, Mrs. He secretly decided to make Yun Muyou and Yun Jinnian become closer. When the time came to visit either the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence or the Princess of the Town, they could go together.
Mrs. Soft Concubine twisted the handkerchief in her hands, wishing she could wring a hole in it.
However, thinking that she had a particular craving for sour foods, which meant it must be a son in her belly — as the Second Master currently had no sons — the child would be the eldest illegitimate son. In the future, the Second Branch would be hers, which brought some comfort to her heart.
Mrs. Han did not care about the stir her few words had caused, standing up to take her leave, heading back to Qiyue Academy.
She then instructed Bai Que to go to Niannian Garden and give it a thorough cleaning.
Now, the servants at Niannian Garden all came from the Han Family, so Mrs. Han felt reassured using them.
Only Ru Yue was kept under watch by someone.
Bai Que, following orders, went to Niannian Garden. Mrs. Yuan found out Yun Jinnian was soon to return, and was overjoyed, cleaning the already spotless Niannian Garden once more.
She carefully wiped Yun Jinnian’s books one more time and put them back in place.
She eagerly awaited Yun Jinnian’s return.
Xu Xinmo’s courtyard had changed its name; it was now called Yicai Academy, deriving from the phrase "brilliance and dazzling colors."
"That little bitch Yun Jinnian is coming back?" Xu Xinmo asked Daidai, her face full of disdain and hatred.