Everyone took their seats in order, and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate family members was especially clear at this moment.
Yun Jinnian sat beside Yun Xuan, to his right were Yun Mulan, then Yun Musi, and next to Yun Musi was Yun Muyou, with Xu Xinmo by Yun Muyou’s side.
Despite what had happened, Yun Mulan still did not like Yun Jinnian but no longer dared to blatantly make things difficult for him.
The old madam sat with Xu Xinmo on her left and Yun Chen, Mrs. He, Yun Zhen, Yun Yi, and Yun Xuan on her right.
At the other tables, one was set for the illegitimate daughters, another for the concubines; Yun Chen had six concubines while Yun Qi, though not at home, had two in the past.
One was Concubine Su, who gave birth to the fifth young miss Yun Zuomo and used to be a maid of Yun Jinnian’s mother; this year, the five-year-old young miss was only a year younger than Yun Jinnian.
The other was Concubine Hua, a bedchamber maid given by the old madam to Yun Qi, who bore the sixth young miss Yun Qingzhi and the seventh young miss Yun Qingqing, who were nine-year-old twin sisters.
The New Year’s Eve dinner was eaten in heavy silence, leaving a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.
No one was chatting or laughing; the old madam had a poor appetite and stopped eating after just a few bites.
Mrs. He quickly got up to serve her, but the old madam shook her head and said, "It’s the New Year; you’ve worked hard enough all year, relax and enjoy your meal!"
"Thank you, Mother, for your consideration!" Mrs. He genuinely relaxed and enjoyed her meal.
The old madam sat in her place, serving Xu Xinmo food and encouraging her grandchildren to eat more.
She also dryly encouraged Yun Jinnian to eat more.
"Thank you, Grandmother, for your concern," replied Yun Jinnian, with equal detachment.
It was hard to discern any emotion.
Yun Muyou glanced at Yun Jinnian, then at the golden butterfly hairpin on her head.
She lowered her eyes and continued eating.
Yun Zhen also glanced at Yun Jinnian.
He always felt that this younger cousin was somewhat strange because she seemed too composed, too capable, and too indifferent.
No matter how cheerful everyone else was, she kept to herself, eating the food in front of her slowly and elegantly, never reaching for anything distant.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the old madam excused herself, claiming tiredness, and returned to Cixin Academy. For the vigil, Yun Muyou led the way to the flower hall to admire the flowers, drink tea, chat, and stay up late.
People left in twos and threes, but no one invited Yun Jinnian. Yun Zihan wanted to, but did not dare to speak up casually. Yun Jinnian did not wish to join either and turned to head back to Niannian Garden.
Yun Zhen watched and shook his head slightly.
"Big brother, why are you shaking your head?" Yun Yi walked up beside Yun Zhen, puzzled.
"What do you think of our fourth sister?"
Fourth sister? Jinnian?
After pondering for a moment, Yun Yi said, "She’s too inscrutable—it doesn’t seem like she is one of us!"
"No, she is the most like one of us, and she most resembles our second and third uncles!" Yun Zhen stated.
Speaking of Yun Qi and Yun Bi, they were the Yun Family’s legends and also their laughingstocks.
Yun Jinnian had both Yun Qi’s depth and Yun Bi’s ease and nonchalance.
This might also result from being disliked from a young age in this family, enduring hardship, which shaped her character as it is today.
"She is second uncle’s daughter, so it’s normal she resembles him. But to say she is like the third uncle; she’s more like our second aunt—it’s her nature to be indifferent as if she cares for nothing!"
Yun Zhen was suddenly at a loss for words.
"Let’s go, shall we also keep vigil?" Yun Yi urged Yun Zhen.
"No, I will go read. After the New Year, it’s time for the imperial examinations, and I still hope to pass as a successful candidate," Yun Zhen replied.
Yun Zhen had been a Scholar for several years now, but for some reason, he hadn’t passed as a successful candidate in recent years and planned to try hard once more the following year.
"Big brother, I’ll go with you!"
Yun Yi had also passed as a Scholar, though he did not plan to attempt for successful candidate next year, wanting to wait until after Yun Zhen succeeded.
"Big brother, second brother, I’ll go with you too!"
Yun Xuan said as he, too, followed them.
The three brothers had always studied in the outer courtyard, personally tutored by Yun Chen, knowing very little of the private affairs within the inner yard.
However, they knew a bit about Yun Jinnian’s matter.
But since it was an issue with the elders, they preferred not to discuss it too much.
Yun Jinnian returned to Niannian Garden.
Mrs. Yuan saw that Yun Jinnian did not join the vigil and her tears fell pitter-patter.
"How can they treat you this way, how can they..."