Previously, she cried because she wanted something, and crying could make people feel sorry for her, thinking she was wronged, leading to their pity.
Wasn’t Xu Xinmo the best at this trick?
Chu Yu had no words to respond.
Yun Jinnian was also silent.
She was human, not a deity, she could feel heartbroken, sad, and aggrieved.
But no one would feel sorry for her, even if she died of grievance, no one would truly care for her, so she wouldn’t cry, nor would she make a fuss.
She would only quietly put her heart in its proper place so it wouldn’t get hurt.
Chu Yu stood up, "You rest well, I’m leaving now!"
"Is there anything you need me to do?" Chu Yu asked tentatively.
Like seeking revenge, perhaps?
Yun Jinnian shook her head.
Chu Yu pursed his lips.
Such a heartless person, not even asking if his injuries had gotten better?
Coming to see her in such cold weather was not good for the wounds, but she didn’t even show concern.
After Chu Yu left, Yun Jinnian felt at peace.
The days that followed were much better.
She lacked nothing to eat or wear, monthly silver arrived on time, Niannian Garden had a small kitchen, and if she wanted to eat something, the wet nurse could take some silver to buy raw materials and make it herself. However, Mrs. Yuan, Xu Xinmo, Yun Musi, and Yun Mulan had all fallen ill.
Physician after physician visited, and Yun Chen even summoned the Imperial Physician, but to no avail.
But Yun Chen got news that these people were all feigning illness.
Yun Jinnian had visited Mrs. Yuan, but the elder woman didn’t let her into the room. Instead, she had Ming Liu give her Ming Yang’s Servitude Contract.
Mrs. He immediately sent over the servitude contracts of the others as well.
Ming Yang could read and write, so she taught Yun Jinnian how to read. Yun Jinnian pretended it was her first time too, earnestly learning and diligently copying.
Therefore, Ming Yang had a special status in the Niannian Garden, not only teaching Yun Jinnian how to read, but also making clothes for her.
In the blink of an eye, it was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the day to eat Laba porridge.
Mrs. He had the main kitchen cook Laba porridge and sent it to Niannian Garden, where Yun Jinnian rewarded Mrs. Yuan with two taels of silver.
Yun Jinnian was focused on reading her book and responded absentmindedly.
Ming Yang wasn’t sure how to proceed for a moment.
Her young mistress didn’t know how to read but learned very quickly. Her temperament was excellent, composed and dignified, neither showy nor impertinent. She lived well, all by herself in the Niannian Garden.
"Would you like to go to the yard and build a snowman?" asked Ming Yang.
Danxia and the others had already built several early on.
"No thanks, I don’t like it."
In her dreams, she also built a few snowmen for Momo, but Zhu Yan had them smashed to pieces.
The feeling of being consumed with hatred yet powerless was not pleasant at all.
She also didn’t like snow because it meant it was winter.
Ming Yang said no more.
Finally, the snow stopped.
But the accumulation on the roads and rooftops was indeed too thick.
The New Year was approaching, and the Yun Family was unusually lacking in festive atmosphere this year.
Mrs. He was in charge of preparing the food, with the help of Aunt Cui.
However, Aunt Cui was clever enough not to meddle too much. She only did as Mrs. He commanded, and didn’t inquire about the rest.
Mrs. He was very pleased with this.
Yun Chen looked up at Mrs. He, "?"
"There are only a few days left until the New Year’s Eve dinner. What do you think about sending someone to invite the second master?"
Though an invitation would likely go unheeded.
"Send someone to invite him, and we will have the New Year’s Eve dinner in the dining hall. Everyone should be there, no exceptions!" Yun Chen said, pausing slightly, "If the second brother doesn’t come back, then so be it!"
If Yun Qi came back, they might as well skip the New Year’s Eve dinner.
"But mother’s health has not recovered, and Xinmo is also ill, looking unwell every day. How should we handle that?"