Yun Qi looked at Aunt Lian.
It wasn’t until a long time later that he nodded faintly and followed Aunt Lian.
Falseness was still falseness, no matter how gentle or understanding. None of it compared to the person who, with just a cold look or a stern face, had entered his heart and etched into the marrow of his soul.
She wasn’t his Shuniang.
He had been wrong, truly wrong.
Upon arriving at Aunt Lian’s courtyard, she asked Yun Qi to sit down and poured him a cup of cool tea.
"Master, please have some cool tea!"
Yun Qi took it and sipped lightly once before setting down the teacup, declining to drink more as he sat up straight.
Aunt Lian watched from the side, instructing the nanny to take the two children away, and sat quietly beside Yun Qi.
The commotion here had reached the garden.
The Old Madame Yun’s face turned very ugly. The thought that Yun Jinnian had caused such a scene upon his return just made her hate him even more.
"It’s fine, it’s fine, the children were just playing. Let’s continue, carry on!" said the Old Madame Yun, signaling to Mrs. He, who immediately got up and left.
Inside, she was very upset.
Once back in the backyard, Mrs. He quickly learned everything that had happened.
She didn’t know what Yun Qi had said to Mrs. Han, but she inwardly cursed, "Troublemaker!"
Then she turned and went back to the garden.
She didn’t tell the Old Madame Yun about what had occurred, merely smiling as she ushered the guests to the dining hall for lunch.
Everyone had actually heard the loud voices, but no one openly commented.
After all, it was the Old Madame Yun’s banquet today. Making a scene wouldn’t look good.
But after they returned home, they could say whatever they wanted!
Lady Wang’s expression was not too pleasant. The Yun Family seemed somewhat chaotic; was it really good for Yanran to marry into it?
But thinking of her daughter’s skills and abilities, she smiled faintly again.
Mrs. Yuan greeted Yun Jinnian with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow, "Miss, you’ve finally returned!"
Yun Jinnian called softly, allowing the nurse to embrace her. Feeling the nurse’s tenderness and excitement, Yun Jinnian’s heart gradually settled.
"It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back!" Mrs. Yuan said, carefully looking Yun Jinnian over before suddenly realizing, "Look at how confused I’ve become. In such hot weather, you mustn’t get overheated. Hurry inside; Yaniang has prepared some food for you, including cool jelly!"
Mrs. Yuan babbled on, and Yun Jinnian found it comforting.
Seated on the Arhat bed and watching Mrs. Yuan bustle in and out, warmth slowly filled her eyes.
Hemei came in and whispered something in Yun Jinnian’s ear.
It took Yun Jinnian quite a while to respond, "Let them be!"
Her feelings were complex; under the guise of love, they were causing a senseless commotion.
Making a fuss could make the Old Madame think all sorts of ill thoughts about her.
Before her return, everything had been peaceful; now that she was back, she had caused such a scene. She feared everyone must have begun to hate her.
She lowered her gaze, just as Mrs. Yuan brought out the cool jelly. Yun Jinnian took it and ate quietly with small bites, her expression calm and still.
Seeing this, Mrs. Yuan felt an immense ache in her heart, yet she didn’t know what to say.
After a few bites, Yun Jinnian set the bowl aside.
Mrs. Yuan quickly said, "The hot water is ready; do you want to have a bath, Miss?"
"Then you should hurry and wash up. I’ll have someone bring over some ice. The weather is so hot this year!" Mrs. Yuan rattled on, as though she had to get out all the words she hadn’t said in over a year.
Yun Jinnian listened without interrupting, relaxing in the bathtub, letting herself slowly submerge her head under water, holding her breath.
She really should start making plans for herself...