Ming Liu massaged the old lady’s legs, while the head maid, Ming Yang, approached her and whispered, "Old madam, the fourth miss has fainted!"
"Fainted?" The old lady asked indifferently.
"How useless, to faint after only two hours, let her nanny take her back!"
Ming Yang couldn’t quite place the feeling in her heart, but she felt something was amiss and tentatively asked, "What about the plum blossoms picked by the fourth miss?"
Yun Jinnian was carried back to Niannian Garden by Mrs. Yuan, the plum blossoms she had picked for the old madam were discarded, and some opportunistic maids had picked them up and thrown them back at the entrance of Niannian Garden.
Yun Chen was a bit distracted.
After the court session ended, several friends invited him for a drink, and Yun Chen gladly accepted. At the entrance of the tavern, Yun Chen was stopped by a monk.
"Honorable monk sees that your countenance suggests that you should be second to none, yet why do you hold a mere fourth-ranked position? Logically speaking, you ought to be at at least a third-ranked official!"
Yun Chen’s heart warmed at these words, "How do you mean, Master?"
"Allow me to calculate this carefully, sir!"
The monk said, fingering his beads for a while before speaking, "It turns out someone has destroyed your fortunes!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Chen became very anxious, "I implore the Master to guide me out of this confusion!"
"There is a darling in your household who should be cherished and pampered, yet she lives a life worse than that of dogs and pigs. It is those who harm her who have severed your blessings!" the monk said with a sigh, "Amitabha, Amitabha, it is best for you to make a decision soon. If this continues, within three months, you are certain to lose your position, and although losing the position is bearable, your life remains. What’s more fearful is calamity befalling your wife and children, bringing disaster upon your entire household, Amitabha!"
Having said his piece, the monk chanted "Amitabha" and vanished without a trace.
Yun Chen stood still, unable to recover his composure for a long time.
He knew all too well to whom the monk was referring.
If outsiders were to discover that his legitimate daughter of the Yun Family lived worse than dogs and pigs, his political adversaries would surely join forces to impeach him. As an Imperial Censor, such a scandal in his own backyard would render him unfit for his role.
Furthermore, although he had had opportunities for promotion over the years, he was somehow always superseded by others. His few promotions came after he had given Jinnian some inconsequential gifts, which made Jinnian happily say that her uncle was so kind and was sure to become a high-ranking official.
And then, inexplicably, he would be promoted.
Yun Chen felt a chill down his spine and decided against having drinks with his colleagues. He entered the tavern, announced he would cover the bill for the day, and hurriedly returned to the Yun Residence.
He went straight to his study where the Hidden Guard brought him the information he had gathered. After reading it, Yun Chen was once again rendered speechless for a long time.
He truly had no idea that Yun Jinnian lived such a life within the residence.
"Does my younger brother know about this?"
The Hidden Guard remained silent.
Yun Chen fell silent as well.
Perhaps he knew, perhaps he did not.
But no matter what, now that he knew, he couldn’t ignore it.
He stood up and first went to Mrs. He’s courtyard, throwing a stack of Xuan paper before Mrs. He. After she read it, she fell silent for a long time before speaking, "My lord, although I am in charge of the provisions, still, most affairs in this residence are decided by my mother-in-law!"
Yun Chen thought Mrs. He would take full responsibility, but she passed the buck to the old madam immediately.
Mrs. He is no fool; taking the blame would ruin her social standing once it became public knowledge.
Suddenly standing up, Yun Chen headed to Cixin Academy.
When the old lady heard that Yun Chen was coming, she was very happy. Xu Xinmo came forward to pay her respects, and Yun Chen gazed at her, his eyes filled with complexity.
"Uncle, why are you looking at me ?" Xu Xinmo asked, puzzled.
"Go and play, your uncle has something to discuss with your grandmother!" Yun Chen said indifferently.
"Then uncle, I’ll go to the kitchen to prepare tea and pastries for you and grandmother!"
Xu Xinmo left cheerfully.
After all, she would find out what her uncle had to say from her grandmother later.
Once Xu Xinmo had left, Yun Chen had all the maids and matriarchs leave the room before laying the Xuan paper before the old lady, "Mother, take a look for yourself!"