With the Fourth Sister as her support, she would not be bullied by anyone in the future, whether she married or simply went out and about.
Yun Jinnian watched her three half-sisters eating pastries devotedly and smiled slightly, "Ru Yue!"
"Go check the kitchen and see if there are any pastries left. If there are, pack three portions for them to take home!"
Ru Yue responded and left.
Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingzhi, and Yun Qingqing quickly stood up to express their thanks. As soon as Ru Yue brought the pastries, they took them, thanked Yun Jinnian, and left Niannian Garden to return home.
Yun Jinnian watched their retreating figures and lowered her eyes in silence.
"What’s wrong, Miss?" Shi Jiayu asked.
"It’s nothing. I just feel a little dizzy. I’ll take a short rest," Yun Jinnian said, lying down and closing her eyes.
But this time, she truly could not sleep.
There were things she kept telling herself not to think about, not to overthink, that there’s no mother who doesn’t love her own children, but now, she began to doubt!
Yun Jinnian spent several days in bed, and before she knew it, it was October 8th. Finally feeling healthy, she left Niannian Garden and took gifts to visit the old Madam Yun at Cixin Academy.
She hadn’t expected to see anyone, but to her surprise, the old Madam Yun allowed Yun Jinnian into her bedroom.
"Thank you, Grandmother!"
Yun Jinnian sat down but didn’t mention taking the old lady’s pulse to avoid making others think she harbored ulterior motives to harm her own grandmother.
"I heard you’ve been ennobled as a Commandery Princess?" the old Madam Yun asked indifferently, neither happy nor excited about it.
On the contrary, she felt quite displeased in her heart.
Why wasn’t it Xu Xinmo? What was so good about Yun Jinnian? Clumsy and stupid, of what use was her beauty?
Did she truly possess medical skills, or was it all for show, just luck?
"Yes, His Majesty has granted me the title Princess Yijia and bestowed upon me the Princess Residence," Yun Jinnian replied calmly.
"Now that you are a princess, you must be more proper in your behavior, more careful with your speech and actions, and treat your sisters at home even better. Xinmo is sick, so when you have time, keep her company. His Majesty has rewarded you with so many things; you should give some to Xinmo!"
Not mentioning Xinmo, the old Madam Yun was still sharp-witted, but upon mentioning her, she immediately became confused.
Upon hearing this, Yun Jinnian simply looked at the old Madam Yun indifferently.
"What are you looking at me for? Did I say something wrong? Even though you’re a princess now, you are still a part of the Yun Family. I am your grandmother, can’t I even reprimand you?" the old Madam Yun grew more and more agitated as she spoke.
Seeing Yun Jinnian looking at her as if she were crazy made her so angry that she started to cough.
Ming Liu immediately stepped forward to pat her back, "Old Madam, would you like some water?"
"Water? Do you want to choke me? Go kneel outside, you blind thing. I’ve been too indulgent with you all, letting you become unruly!" the old Madam Yun shouted fiercely.
With eyes reddened, Ming Liu exited the bedroom and knelt down in the courtyard.
Yun Jinnian continued to look unflinchingly at the old Madam Yun as she ranted incoherently.
Truly, she had her doubts—was this really her own grandmother? Why did she love Xu Xinmo so intensely, with such an extreme bias?
Getting up slowly, she said softly, "Grandmother, perhaps you are unaware, but when Eunuch Hai sent me back that day, he conveyed an imperial decree. He declared that the rewards given to me are to be placed in the Princess Residence, and no one is to covet them!"
She could have passed them on.
But she didn’t want to.
She would rather let those items mold in the storeroom than give them to Xu Xinmo!
"You, you..." the old Madam Yun glowered at Yun Jinnian, pointing towards the door, "Get out of here!"