Mrs. Han smiled at Yun Jinnian, rubbing her head, feeling that daughters were indeed the most heartwarming.
That evening, there was a welcoming banquet and everyone arrived at the dining hall early.
Yun Jinnian took out the peace charms she had prepared; these were just ordinary yellow paper that had been placed before the Buddha for a long time, yet they were still coveted by many.
Since Yun Jinnian’s departure, Yun Muyou had sent sever invitations to Dai Hanmi and her group, all of which were declined. Noble ladies also did not invite her to their banquets, clearly showing Yun Muyou that without Yun Jinnian, friendship with Dai Hanmi and the others was impossible.
Moreover, Mrs. He had already instructed her, so upon seeing Yun Jinnian, she eagerly went up to her.
The two greeted each other, and then Yun Jinnian handed a peace charm to Yun Muyou.
"Thank you, fourth sister!"
Yun Jinnian smiled and said little.
Then Yun Zihan approached in blue garments, her smile genuine, "Second sister!"
Yun Zihan, who had been studying at Songshan Academy, was making fast progress and was highly regarded by the Master.
Especially in the art of embroidery, the Master took her as a closed-door disciple.
If she did well, she might even teach at Songshan Academy in the future.
Yun Zihan wanted to ask how Yun Jinnian was doing at Huguo Temple, but being a concubine-born daughter, she couldn’t roam freely, nor did she dare to visit Yun Jinnian casually, for fear of upsetting Mrs. He and affecting her own marriage prospects.
She feared even more that Mrs. He would give her mother trouble.
After Yun Jinnian passed the peace charm to Yun Zihan, Yun Zihan remarked upon receiving it, "This looks quite old!"
"Yes, they have been enshrined in the main hall for many years. I pleaded with the Abbot Master for a long time before he gave me a few!"
Yun Jinnian had a charm for each sister in the house as well as Dai Hanmi and her group. Although the Abbot Master gave her twenty, Yun Jinnian did not plan to give them away lightly; the rest were meant to be returned to Huguo Temple.
"Then they must be very effective!"
Yun Muyou hadn’t expected Yun Zihan to discern the charms’ age; though she hadn’t been very concerned at first, she became more attentive.
She decided to keep them and consult an expert when the opportunity arose.
Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingzhi, and Yun Qingqing, all concubine-born daughters, approached together. Although the Old Madam did not treat them harshly, the daughters of concubines lacked a certain grace in their demeanour.
Nevertheless, the three were still respectful and polite.
Yun Jinnian also gave each of them a peace charm, showing no favoritism.
"Thank you, fourth sister!"
The thoughts of the three didn’t concern Yun Jinnian.
Maintaining appearances was sufficient.
Xu Xinmo, Yun Musi, and Yun Mulan walked over together, their eyes filled with disdain and disrespect when they looked at Yun Jinnian, but she simply smiled faintly.
Yun Muyou became anxious, "Cousins, eighth sister, ninth sister, come and give proper greetings to fourth sister!"
Fearing their legitimate elder sister, Yun Muyou, Yun Musi and Yun Mulan quickly left Xu Xinmo to come forward and greet her, "Greetings to you, fourth sister!"
"Eighth sister, ninth sister, you needn’t be so formal. These are the peace charms I procured for you!"
"Thank you, fourth sister!"
Xu Xinmo still remembered how Yun Jinnian had crushed the insect she had been raising; she wouldn’t go up to pay respects to Yun Jinnian. With a cold snort, she turned and ran off.
Yun Jinnian smiled softly.
This was just as well; it saved her a peace charm.
It could be given to the Princely Heir’s wife of the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence or the second young madam, which was much better than giving it to Xu Xinmo, for her to likely throw it away.
Xu Xinmo ran to the Old Madam’s side, "Grandmother!"
"Why have you come here? Go play with your cousins and sisters!"
Xu Xinmo pouted her lips, "There is an annoying ghost, I don’t want to go!"