Compared to Mrs. Yuan’s agitation, Yun Jinnian was quite indifferent, gently handing over her handkerchief, "Nanny, it doesn’t matter to me!"
Whether I can go or not, it doesn’t matter.
I don’t want to play with them anyway, it’s boring.
"But, but..." Mrs. Yuan wanted to say something else but feared upsetting Yun Jinnian, so she took the handkerchief and wiped her tears.
"Not going also has its benefits, less friction and awkwardness, and I can keep company with Nanny!" Yun Jinnian said, holding the nanny’s hand, "I would actually prefer staying in Niannian Garden to keep the New Year’s vigil with Nanny. Without my mother by my side, in Jinnian’s heart, Nanny is just like a mother to me!"
Moved by her words, Mrs. Yuan’s eyes reddened again as she tightly held Yun Jinnian’s hand.
"Nanny, why don’t you go to the kitchen and cook something; I didn’t eat my fill earlier!"
The food was good and exquisite, but the atmosphere was off, making it hard for her to swallow.
"All the maids have gone off in twos and threes to keep the New Year’s vigil; otherwise, someone could have stayed to keep you company!"
"It’s all right for me to be alone!" Yun Jinnian said with a smile.
"Then, miss, please wait here for a moment; I’ll be back shortly!" After saying this, the nanny quickly went to the kitchen.
The nanny was not a servant sold into the Yun Family, and Mrs. Han had even said that the nanny was not a servant of the Yun Family and need not refer to herself as such.
Yun Jinnian sat alone in the room.
Yun Jinnian seemed to still hear the sounds of laughter from elsewhere.
And next door in the neighboring mansion, fireworks began to go off.
Yun Jinnian quickly walked out of the house and saw the splendid fireworks bursting open in the night sky, the colors vibrant and stunning.
After a "bang" and then a "whoosh," taking advantage of the neighbor’s festivities, Niannian Garden seemed to liven up as well.
Her own private celebration.
"Do you enjoy the fireworks?"
Standing on the garden wall was a person, a man.
Wasn’t the Prince supposed to go to the Imperial Palace to attend the palace banquet?
And it had been so long since his last visit, why come now!
"Today is New Year’s Day, hey, here’s your New Year’s money!" Chu Yu said, throwing a purse to Yun Jinnian.
Yun Jinnian caught it, "What is this? Why are you giving me New Year’s money?"
"I wanted to give it, so I did. Why so many questions? Oh, right, in a few days, Hui Ling the master will enter the estate, probably around the seventh or eighth day, be aware of it!" Chu Yu finished speaking and turned to leave.
Yun Jinnian was about to say something more, but Ming Yang and Ru Yue arrived having made plans to meet.
Both had overheard something about master Hui Ling, but tactfully didn’t ask further.
Seeing Yun Jinnian standing in the yard, they hurried over, "Miss, it’s so cold outside, please come into the house!"
Yun Jinnian hummed in agreement and tucked away the purse.
Once inside the house, Yun Jinnian pondered for a long time before asking, "Ming Yang, Ru Yue, if in a few days I decide to leave the Yun Family and stay in the temple for some time—maybe a year and a half, maybe three to five years—would you two be willing to come with me?"
"Miss?" Ming Yang exclaimed in shock.
Why would she want to go to the temple for no reason?
"My grandmother’s illness is not improving, and as her granddaughter, I should rightfully go to the temple to recite scriptures and pray for her. If you’re willing, I will take you with me; if not, then stay in the estate!"
Yun Jinnian’s voice was soft and light, yet it held an undertone that Ming Yang and Ru Yue detected.
Many would be pleased with Yun Jinnian’s departure.
And once she went to the temple, it would be hard for her to return. It was quite normal not to come back for a year and a half, or even three to five years.
After all, sincere prayer requires time.
"I am willing!" Ming Yang declared.
Ru Yue quickly followed suit, "I am willing too!"
"Well, Nanny will go too when the time comes!"
Yun Jinnian wouldn’t leave the nanny to suffer in the Yun Family.
She believed that the old mistress would be willing for her to take people to the temple; ostensibly to pray, but truly to be rid of her.