Mrs. Yuan initially wanted to go but then changed her mind and was not willing anymore.
She hadn’t left the house for over a year, fearing that she might embarrass herself and cause trouble for Yun Jinnian.
But Yun Jinnian took Mrs. Yuan’s hand, "Nanny, let’s go. We’ll stop by Xufuji to buy pastries first, then head to Huiquan Tower for tea and lunch, and afterward, we can visit the fabric store to see if there are any new styles of clothing. We should also buy some jewelry!"
In her hand, she already had some silver, and with those millions of taels from Chu Yu, she was indeed one of the wealthiest people around.
Nanny Rong and Yaniang absolutely could not go out at whim, afraid of being recognized by acquaintances.
For people like them, unless their wrongful grievances were cleared or all their acquaintances had died, they could not freely appear in public—being recognized would spell disaster.
Yun Jinnian did not insist, for Niannian Garden could not really be left without anyone.
Taking Mrs. Yuan, Hemei, Henuan with her, even Ru Yue was brought along by Shi Jiayu.
Nanny Rong then took her sewing materials and, calling Yaniang over, sewed under the eaves, occasionally talking with Yaniang.
This serene and beautiful time hardly felt real.
It seemed so surreal, yet knowing that all her loved ones had died and she was the only one left, it felt so true.
"Yaniang, if I were young, I would have wanted to marry someone and have two children, but it’s too late..." Nanny Rong said, not without a sigh.
Hearing this, Yaniang stopped her thread dividing and glanced at Nanny Rong.
Then continued with her work, and after a long while, spoke in a hoarse voice, "We are barely protecting ourselves now, how tough would that be—you still really want to have a child?"
Nanny Rong stiffened.
Indeed, they were barely protecting themselves at the moment. If their identities were discovered, even the young miss would be implicated.
"I was being foolish!"
Having had good days for too long, she had started to indulge in fanciful thoughts.
That truly wouldn’t do.
Yaniang, without lifting her head or looking at Nanny Rong, focused solely on dividing the thread.
Yun Jinnian went to Qingjue Academy to invite Mrs. Han to go out with her, only to find out that Mrs. Han was having her period and couldn’t join.
Yun Jinnian felt a tinge of disappointment.
"Mother has sent Bai Que to bring you silver!"
She had intended to say she had silver of her own, but seeing Mrs. Han’s enduring gaze, Yun Jinnian nodded, "Thank you, Mother!"
"Bai Que, bring more!" Mrs. Han instructed Bai Que.
Bai Que went and soon returned with a purse; only Bai Que knew how much was inside.
"Take it for your use, and keep the rest for yourself. It will come in handy if you want to buy something!"
Yun Jinnian took the silver note and left Qingjue Academy.
It was only after Yun Jinnian had disappeared from the doorway that Mrs. Han stood up and watched from the window, asking Bai Que with a distant voice, "Do you think she’s closer to Mrs. Yuan than to me?"
Towards Mrs. Yuan, Yun Jinnian would sweetly cajole and speak softly.
She would even share little secrets with Mrs. Yuan, looking at her warmly.
Towards her, there was plenty of respect but not enough intimacy.
Bai Que couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing this.
The lady was overthinking again.
"My lady, during Miss’s hardest years, it was Nanny Yuan who stayed by her side and endured it all with her. No matter what, all that Nanny Yuan did was expected of her!"
Mrs. Han shook her head, her eyes reddening slightly, on the verge of tears, "Bai Que, nothing is expected. There may be certain expectations between a master and a servant, but during those years, Mrs. Yuan could have left, yet she didn’t go. Her affection for Jinnian is not less than mine; she may not have given as much wealth as I have, but her sincerity to Jinnian is greater than mine!"
Mrs. Han had a feeling.
If one day she and Mrs. Yuan faced danger together, Jinnian would definitely choose to save Mrs. Yuan.