As for those three grandsons, they also leave early and return late, and the grandson’s wife is now pregnant, so they dare not let her brave the cold to come over.
It goes without saying, this old lady is lonely as well.
"My cousins are filial too, it’s just that they are busy with their studies and have visited their maternal grandmother less!"
"You don’t need to speak for them. I know very well who is right and who is wrong in here!"
Smiling, Xu Xinmo thought for a moment and then said, "Grandmother, Sister Jinnian has returned to the Capital City, and she is currently staying with the Han Family. Grandmother, do you want to send someone to bring her back?"
On hearing this, the Old Lady Yun became visibly agitated, "You say she’s back?"
Deep in her heart, she had an extreme aversion to Mrs. Han and Yun Jinnian.
"Hmm, she came back before the New Year!" Xu Xinmo said as she leaned into Old Lady Yun’s embrace, "Grandmother, I’ll be fourteen soon, and after I turn fifteen next year and have my coming-of-age ceremony, there will be talks of marriage. But Grandmother, I simply can’t meet any of the princes, and I’m not even invited to the banquets of the daughters from the prominent families!"
The Old Lady Yun was well aware of this fact.
The prestigious families would not invite the womenfolk of the Yun Family to their events, and even if invited, they would not attend those of the Yun Family.
Seeing the Old Lady Yun’s expression soften, Xu Xinmo continued, "But Sister Jinnian can, look. She has just returned, and she’s already visited the residence of the Princess of the State, the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence, and even the Prince’s residence treats her as an honored guest. Grandmother, the only one who can take me around now is Sister Jinnian. Let’s invite her back!"
The Old Lady Yun fell silent.
To bring Yun Jinnian back...
She was annoyed by Yun Jinnian and Mrs. Han, but if she didn’t bring her back, as Xinmo had said, Xinmo would never get to meet any of the princes.
Seeing that the Old Lady Yun’s expression was softening, Xu Xinmo added, "Grandmother, Sister Jinnian will have her coming-of-age ceremony soon, and then there will be marriage talks. When the time comes, you can decide on a family for her, marry her off, and that’s all. And there are still many things in the residence, now that she is back, it is time for her to display filial piety to you!"
If Old Lady Yun was a bit moved by Xu Xinmo’s words initially, upon mentioning the valuables awarded from the palace to Yun Jinnian, she was truly tempted.
"I will need to discuss this matter with your second uncle!"
Seeing that she had achieved her aim, Xu Xinmo stayed and started discussing other matters with the Old Lady Yun.
In the evening, after learning that Yun Chen and Yun Qi had returned, the Old Lady Yun sent someone to summon Yun Qi over.
Yun Qi had gained a lot of weight in these days, and on seeing this, the Old Lady Yun was genuinely delighted.
"Mother summoned her son over, do you have any instructions?" Yun Qi asked indifferently, his voice soft yet chilly.
The Old Lady Yun didn’t care at all, "I heard that Mrs. Han and Jinnian have returned to the Capital, and they are currently staying with the Han Family. When will you go to fetch them?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Qi looked up at the Old Lady Yun, his gaze piercing through her guilt, displeasure, and schemes.
He spoke slowly, "Perhaps in a few more days!"
"Since you have plans, then you must fetch them before the fifteenth of the first lunar month. If you’re available, you should go yourself!"
"Yes!" Yun Qi replied and stood up, "Mother, if there’s nothing else, I will take my leave now!"
At some point, the bond between mother and son had faded.
Suppressing the sorrow in her heart, the Old Lady Yun said softly, "Go ahead!"
Yun Qi left Cixin Academy, taking a deep breath.
He walked slowly to the gate of Qingjue Academy, remembering when it used to be called Qiyue Academy.
"Life and death, taken in stride, binding oneself to one’s words."
Such beautiful promises, but alas, they are all in the past, with no hope of reversal.