Upon hearing Mrs. Han say this, Yun Jinnian already had a grasp on the situation.
"Then, let Uncle Zhong help to secretly transport it out on another day!"
When the mother and daughter returned to Niannian Garden, Han Tianci greeted them with a beaming smile.
After sharing some more dishes together, it wasn’t until Mrs. Han returned to Qiyue Academy, accompanied by Bai Que and saw Yun Qi standing in the yard, that her body stiffened, filled with distaste.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice was cold and indifferent, keeping people at a distance.
Yun Qi called out softly,
Filled with aching tenderness.
He truly wished Mrs. Han would beat him or even curse at him; anything was better than this indifference, as if she were dealing with a stranger.
"If you have something to say, say it, if not, you’d better go back to rest early. Both of your concubines are with child; you cannot be careless!" Mrs. Han said mockingly.
She turned and entered the small hall.
Yun Qi stood in the courtyard for a while, feeling a deep chill in his heart and body.
He didn’t know what he was still holding on to, given this situation with Mrs. Han?
After all, he didn’t know what Mrs. Han truly wanted or how she expected him to act.
Yun Qi turned to leave, feeling utterly drained.
Suddenly, Mrs. Han stopped in her tracks. "Yun Qi!"
Yun Qi, upon hearing her, was overjoyed.
But then he heard Mrs. Han say, "Yun Qi, I won’t actively harm your mother and Xu Xinmo, but if they fall into my hands, I won’t show any mercy. Today, I just want to ask you one thing—are you going to stand by and watch, or are you going to help your mother?"
Yun Qi turned around, looking at Mrs. Han.
He really wanted to say, I’ll help you, I won’t get involved with my mother’s affairs.
But what use would it be to say so? Mrs. Han wouldn’t believe him, and he couldn’t truly help Mrs. Han harm his own mother.
"Seeing you , I have my answer. That same thing I said before, that old pious woman had better not provoke me or harm my daughter. If she dares to make a move, I will repay it tenfold!" Mrs. Han said coldly. "You can leave now!"
The old lady should have been sent to the family temple long ago, but the Yun Family had indulged her time and again, allowing her to become the way she was.
You reap what you sow; there will be a time when these people regret their indulgence.
Yun Qi wanted to say something, but the door to the small hall had already been closed. All his words were left unspoken.
After a moment of silence, he went to see his concubine Lian.
Gentle, approachable, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and poetry—every word she said went straight to his heart.
It truly felt more comforting than facing Mrs. Han’s cold expression here.
But, his heart still felt so empty!
In the small hall, Mrs. Han sat on the Arhat bed, the light dim, her face obscured from view. Bai Que came to report, "Second Master has gone to Concubine Lian’s room!"
Mrs. Han was silent for a long time before she finally spoke, "A dog will never stop eating feces!!"
Then she added, "Go heat up some water!"
Yun Jinnian and Han Tianci were painting, and Han Tianci was truly talented—all his drawings of cats and dogs were exceedingly lifelike. Yun Jinnian was at his side mixing colors, and the siblings quickly became engrossed in their activity.
Yun Jinnian was gentle and never told Han Tianci what he could or couldn’t do, which made Han Tianci increasingly fond of her, growing more and more dependent on her.
and the siblings reluctantly returned to their own rooms to sleep.
Yun Jinnian looked at the firmly closed door of Han Tianci’s room, her lips curving into a smile. Having a brother felt really nice.
And she was determined to protect him well and see him live a long life.
After sending Mrs. Yuan and Hemei to bed, Yun Jinnian prepared to undress for rest when she heard a faint sound by the window.
Approaching the window, she gently opened it, and upon seeing the tall and handsome figure of Chu Yu, Yun Jinnian spoke softly, "How did you get here?"