Yun Zihan also felt it was pointless. "Hmm, I’m going back to do some embroidery. It’s cold outside; you should also head back soon!"
The sisters went their separate ways, each returning to her own courtyard.
Yun Zihan watched Yun Jinnian’s retreating figure and sighed softly.
The Yun Family already showed signs of decline. With unrest at home and discord among relatives, the household’s foundation was in chaos. She wondered if any of those in charge had taken notice?
"Miss, shall we go back?" the maid Panpan asked.
Yun Zihan looked at Panpan. "Let’s go sit with Aunt for a while!"
Aunt Cui had been in the estate for many years. Though not the most beautiful among Yun Chen’s concubines, she was highly valued by him, and she was always respectful and never overstepped her bounds with Mrs. He. Mrs. He, too, treated Aunt Cui well.
Seeing Yun Zihan coming over, she was taken aback for a moment. "Why have you come?"
"I came to keep Aunt company!"
Actually, in a prominent and respected family, propriety was highly valued. However, when it came to the Old Lady, she expected others to uphold propriety and care about reputation, but she never held herself to those standards.
Aunt Cui took Yun Zihan into the parlor, telling the maids to go to the next room and enjoy some pastries and melon seeds, then she asked, "What’s the matter?"
"Aunt, there are some things I don’t know how to say!" Yun Zihan sighed softly.
Immediately, Aunt Cui understood, "Zihan, don’t bother with the affairs of the second branch of the family. You cannot manage them nor should you try. We just need to live quietly on the side, and once you are married off, it won’t matter where I am!"
Yun Zihan felt sudden sadness.
She took Aunt Cui’s hand, with a catch in her throat.
"Foolish child, right and wrong, cause and effect, the cycle of heaven’s will, look around and you’ll see—no one is spared by the heavens!"
Yun Zihan was surprised.
Aunt Cui let out a slight laugh, "The Han Family is much more formidable than we thought. Zihan, you and the Fourth Miss should spend more time together, understand?"
Yun Zihan fell silent.
In the past, she treated Yun Jinnian with nothing but sympathy and pity; but from this moment on, there was an added element of calculation and use.
Her heart suddenly ached. "Aunt, I’m going to go back. You should rest early too!"
Watching Yun Zihan flee in a panic, Aunt Cui sighed softly.
In this back house, what could she as a concubine do? She had neither a strong maternal family to rely on like Mrs. Han, nor did she receive heartfelt treatment like Yun Qi. If Mrs. Han simply uttered a word, Yun Qi would surely go through fire and water without hesitation.
Even after what had happened before, Yun Qi remained unwaveringly devoted to his original intent...
Yun Jinnian returned to Niannian Garden, and Mrs. Yuan immediately greeted her, "Miss, why have you come back?"
"I’ve come back to read some books. Nanny, give each person in the courtyard five taels of silver for the New Year!"
Mrs. Yuan immediately distributed the New Year money, five taels each, neither too much nor too little.
But Danxia and the others felt Yun Jinnian was being stingy. After all, with her considerable private funds, to give only five taels of silver for the New Year seemed too little.
Yun Jinnian could guess what Danxia and the others were thinking with just one look.
She only sighed at how the human heart is never satisfied, always greedy.
Without even freshening up, she picked up a book to read, "Nanny, you all should go rest early too!"
"You’ve been busy all year. Tonight, don’t worry about me, go have a drink and rest early!"
No sooner had Yun Jinnian finished speaking, fireworks began to go off in the neighboring courtyard.
Yun Jinnian stepped out of the room and, watching the splendid fireworks, asked, "Is the estate setting off fireworks this year?"
"They should be, Miss. Will you go watch them?" Mrs. Yuan asked.
"Go ask Mother. If she is going to watch, then I will go with her, but if Mother isn’t going, then I won’t either!"
Mrs. Yuan complied and immediately sent Ru Yue to inquire.
Before long, Ru Yue came back. "The Lady says she won’t be going, and it seems the estate won’t be setting off fireworks this year!"
As for other matters, Ru Yue wasn’t clear.
Yun Jinnian nodded her agreement, "Alright, you all go enjoy yourselves. I don’t need attending to here!"