Mrs. Han sighed in relief upon hearing the news.
As long as it wasn’t Yun Qi, it didn’t matter who the visitor was.
She hurriedly got up to greet the newcomer.
Dai Hanmi bowed to Mrs. Han, "I’ve seen my aunt!" Without waiting for Mrs. Han to ask her to rise, she rushed to Yun Jinnian’s side, grasped her hand, "Sister Jinnian, you’re finally back. I missed you to death. Look, I’ve even lost weight!"
Yun Jinnian also tightly held Dai Hanmi’s hand, her heart and eyes brimming with joy.
"I was just saying I would visit you in a few days and give you your gift. If I had known I’d meet you, I’d have brought it with me!"
"No hurry, no hurry, we can have a good chat first. Gifts can be given anytime!" Dai Hanmi said, taking a close look at Yun Jinnian, "Still the same slimness, but it seems you’ve grown taller!"
"Hanmi, you have a discerning eye to notice even that!"
Seeing how much Dai Hanmi adored Yun Jinnian, Mrs. Han’s heart swelled with joy.
She didn’t find Dai Hanmi’s conduct impolite anymore.
The Marchioness shook her head and sighed, "This child has been spoiled rotten. Madam mustn’t be annoyed with her!"
Mrs. Han gave the Marchioness a formal bow, "What are you saying, Marchioness? Miss Dai is so lively and cheerful. I couldn’t be happier, so how could I be annoyed?"
The Marchioness quickly returned the formal bow.
After all, this was the mother of the man her son would marry, the future mother-in-law. Whether the match would happen was up to her, so naturally, she was polite and did not dare accept Mrs. Han’s formal bow.
"It’s good you’re not upset, very good. These are my two daughters-in-law!"
The Crown Princess and the Second Young Wife hurried forward to bow, speaking in unison, "We have seen Second Mistress Yun!"
The Second Young Wife was one thing, but the Crown Princess held a title of the first rank.
As Mrs. Han was about to bow, the Marchioness held her back, "They are Jinnian’s sisters-in-law, and thus your juniors. There’s no place for an elder to bow to the younger ones. Your chamber seems spacious and delightful. May we squeeze in here and sit with you?"
Mrs. Han certainly felt the Marchioness’s goodwill.
Yun Jinnian also stepped forward to bow.
The Marchioness looked at Yun Jinnian, "Your sister Hanmi is right, you’ve lost some weight but also grown taller. Go have fun, don’t be restrained. I’ll have a chat with your mother!"
Both the Crown Princess and the Second Young Wife, although married, were fortunate to have kind mothers-in-law and loving husbands making their lives comfortable. They were free-spirited and familiar with Yun Jinnian. Soon, they were sitting by the window chatting animatedly, and even made bets on which dragon boat would win.
The four of them chattered away, creating a lively scene.
Yun Jinnian didn’t talk much, but when she did, Dai Hanmi always agreed, affirming she was right.
"Those children can’t stop talking whenever they’re together. It’s a joy to watch, and makes one envy their youth!" said the Marchioness with a laugh.
"Yes indeed, time flies. We are old now. I remember the first time I met the Marchioness, you were still in your boudoir, so graceful indeed!" Mrs. Han also sighed with emotion.
The Marchioness did not expect Mrs. Han to bring up the past.
She was born into a noble family with strict rules; she was raised to never show her teeth when smiling, never expose her feet when walking, and maintained a very serious demeanor.
It was only after marrying into the Marquis Residence and with a kind mother-in-law that her personality gradually became more cheerful.
"Not graceful, but stiff, that’s more like it. When I first saw you, you were the picture of divine elegance!"
Back then, Mrs. Han was in her teens, wearing red, fiery and unrestrained.
Used to seeing demure ladies of the Capital City, the young gentlemen were astonished by Mrs. Han and took a great liking to her.
But who would have thought this fine "cabbage" would be nabbed by that "pig" Yun Qi!