He spat the refreshment into his palm.
He examined it closely.
"What’s the matter?" Lady Chen asked anxiously.
Chen Danyan was also extremely nervous.
She knew that Yun Jinnian wouldn’t spit out the refreshment without reason, and even if the taste was disagreeable, he would have swallowed it nonetheless.
The other ladies’ hearts also lifted in apprehension.
Lady Chen’s grandmother slightly furrowed her brows.
Age and experience were there, but it didn’t show.
"This refreshment has been laced with croton!" Yun Jinnian stated indifferently.
The crowd sighed in relief.
Lady Chen’s grandmother then cast a calm glance at Lady Chen.
Lady Chen did not move but looked towards a nanny dressed in dark green cotton-padded clothes, who immediately withdrew.
Yun Jinnian placed the refreshment on the table and took a handkerchief to gently wipe his hands before uncovering the teacup lid, and smiled faintly, "It seems that someone doesn’t welcome me today!"
"What do you mean by that?" asked Lady Chen’s grandmother.
However, internally, she was enraged.
Who didn’t know that today’s invitation to Yun Jinnian was for a specific reason, yet someone dared to make a move in secret.
But the method used was so clumsy that it was infuriating.
"This tea has also been laced with croton!" Yun Jinnian stated indifferently, gently setting down the teacup.
Lady Chen’s grandmother stood up and commanded with a heavy tone, "Investigate this for me!"
She then said to Yun Jinnian, "The old man has some fine tea stored away, let me take you to try it!"
Yun Jinnian stood up and followed Lady Chen’s grandmother out of the hall.
Chen Danyan immediately followed.
Yun Jinnian noticed that the other young ladies of the Chen Residence hadn’t come along, nor had the other ladies.
"The old man is advanced in age and enjoys his tranquility!" Lady Chen’s grandmother said.
"Indeed, that’s how it is with the elderly!"
Of course, the absence of the other ladies might have been to investigate who had the audacity to do such a thing.
These matters didn’t concern him.
The courtyard of the senior Mr. Chen was very quiet, with only pine trees planted directly in the ground.
"Grandfather doesn’t like flowers or plants, only pine trees. Sister Jinnian, with your exquisite literary talent, would you care to say a few words?" Chen Danyan said.
"I dare not presume to show off in front of experts!"
Chen Danyan laughed but did not insist.
The young servant attending to the senior Mr. Chen immediately came forward, "Greetings to the great grandmother and Thirteenth Miss!" Looking at Yun Jinnian, he said with utmost seriousness, "Wishing Princess Yijia the utmost peace and safety!"
Yun Jinnian merely smiled without speaking.
The young servant had a keen eye.
"All right, is grandfather awake?" Chen Danyan asked.
"The senior master is awake. Great grandmother, please come in, Princess, and Thirteenth Miss, please!"
Chen Danyan assisted Lady Chen’s grandmother, and Yun Jinnian, walking beside them, entered the senior Mr. Chen’s room together.
There were many books, and the cabinets around the room held nothing else but books, filled to the brim with them.
The senior Mr. Chen, his beard and hair all white, smiled when he saw Lady Chen’s grandmother, "It’s so cold outside, how come you’re here?"
"Danyan invited Princess Yijia to come and see you!" said Lady Chen’s grandmother, sitting down on the stool beside the senior Mr. Chen and tucking in the blanket around him.
The senior Mr. Chen smiled, "It’s not a serious illness, just the usual aches and pains that come with old age!"
"Your granddaughter is worried about you, and you should just accept that!" Lady Chen’s grandmother said.
"Ah, I’ll listen to you!"
Yun Jinnian observed from the side and could see that the senior Mr. Chen and Lady Chen’s grandmother had a good relationship or they wouldn’t have had several children together.
Chen Danyan leaned closer to Yun Jinnian, "Grandfather and grandmother love each other very much!"
The senior Mr. Chen looked at Yun Jinnian, "Princess Yijia, is it?"
Yun Jinnian quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly, "I have come to see the senior Mr. Chen!"