Yun Jinnian stood respectfully in front of Han Xuzi.
"Are you still going to the academy to study?" asked Han Xuzi.
Senior Songzhu’s medical skills were almost comparable to his own, but he was a loner while Senior Songzhu mentored and taught students. If Yun Jinnian could receive instruction from Senior Songzhu, that would be excellent indeed.
"Go ahead," Yun Jinnian replied promptly, then asked with urgency, "What do you mean, Grandfather?"
Having lost and regained his affection, Yun Jinnian cherished this kinship even more.
If her grandfather disapproved of her going to Songshan Academy, she would not go.
Han Xuzi ruffled Yun Jinnian’s hair, "Go, learn well from your grand-uncle. His teaching methods are different from mine, you will learn a lot more!"
"Yes!" Yun Jinnian replied respectfully.
Han Tianci eagerly said, "Grandfather, Grandfather, I want to go too!"
Han Xuzi looked at his obedient grandson with a smile, "Not you, not yet!"
"The time is not right. Let your sister learn first; she can teach you later on!" Han Xuzi said, thinking of Senior Songzhu’s temperament, "We’ll see when the time comes. Maybe you can go with your sister!"
"That would be wonderful!"
Now that Yun Qi had returned, Mrs. Han couldn’t stay at the Han Family’s home for fear that Yun Qi might come across Han Tianci. She had no choice but to take Yun Jinnian and head back.
Han Tianci clung to Yun Jinnian, "Sister!"
Yun Jinnian didn’t want to leave Han Tianci either.
This was her own dear brother, the one who would risk his life to save her. She had missed him for many years, and now that they were reunited, how could she bear to part with him.
"Sister, can I come back with you, please!" Han Tianci begged softly.
Yun Jinnian suddenly felt her eyes welling with tears.
Mrs. Han was about to speak, but Yun Jinnian spoke first, "Alright, but you can’t just go back with me . You have to dress like Hemei and the rest. And you need to darken your pretty little face a bit, so no one recognizes you!"
Even knowing he’d look less handsome, Han Tianci didn’t care and immediately asked Yun Jinnian to help him dress up unattractively.
When a little girl with darkened skin appeared, Han Xuzi didn’t even recognize her.
"Hehe, Grandfather, do I look good?"
Han Xuzi waved his hand dismissively, "Go with your sister!"
Han Tianci sat in the middle, with his mother on one side and his sister on the other, smiling so broadly that even his darkened face couldn’t hide his cuteness.
Mrs. Han felt like she was in a dream, with both her son and daughter by her side.
When the carriage arrived at the Yun Family’s, they found out that Yun Qi had already returned with two concubines. Mrs. Han made Yun Jinnian take Tianci to Niannian Garden.
Han Tianci went off cheerfully.
Mrs. Yuan was startled when she saw Han Tianci, "Miss, who is this?"
"She’s a distant cousin, Tiantian, from grandfather’s family. It’s her first time in Capital City, and she’ll be staying with me for a few days!" Yun Jinnian said, glancing at Han Tianci, "Nanny, please prepare a chamber for Tiantian to stay in, Hongye, Hongdou, you go attend to cousin Tiantian!"
The maidens all knew Han Tianci’s real identity and would keep it a secret.
Han Tianci happily entered the parlour and looked around, "Sister, this place isn’t bad!"
Purposely lowering his voice, it sounded sweet, and it was kind of hard to tell whether he was a boy or a girl.
"Whatever you like, just play. Medical skills are in the study; if you want to eat something, tell Hongdou and the others to let Yaniang cook it. If that’s not enough, we can buy it from outside."
"Okay, I’ll listen to Sister!"
When Yun Qi saw Mrs. Han return with Yun Jinnian, he breathed a sigh of relief and lingered outside Qiyue Academy. In the end, he decided to visit Concubine Lian instead.
Concubine Rou was utterly jealous and resentful of Concubine Lian for this!
As it was approaching dinner time and the Dragon Boat Festival, the old lady decided that the whole family should dine together in the dining hall.
It was unclear whether she knew about Yun Jinnian’s cousin visiting the Yun Family, but she never mentioned it, nor did she invite the cousin to join them for dinner!