Yun Jinnian, even at her worst, was still the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Yun Family. Now that her mother had returned, she no longer seemed as timid and mouse-like as before.
She wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.
"I’ve seen Sister Jinnian (or sister)!"
Yun Jinnian replied with a slight smile, "Dear sisters, these are gifts from my mother for each of you. Please pick one for yourselves!"
The young ladies’ eyes suddenly lit up.
They had seen the items earlier but hadn’t expected them to actually be for them.
They crowded forward to choose, and although the styles were quite similar and there wasn’t much to pick from, the items were exquisite and beautiful, brand new, and suitable for their age to wear, so any choice was a good one.
The few that were left.
Yun Jinnian looked towards Xu Xinmo, Yun Muyou, Yun Musi, and Yun Mulan, "Eldest sister, cousin, Eighth Sister, Ninth Sister, you should also pick one each!"
Xu Xinmo had wanted to say she wasn’t interested, but with so many people around today, making a fuss would only embarrass herself.
She obediently stepped forward to choose one. She had intended to have Daidai keep it safe, but seeing everyone else wearing theirs, she reluctantly put the hairpin on as well.
Yun Muyou and her sisters had no choice but to do the same.
But four golden hairpins were still left in the tray!
As everyone was wondering, Yun Zihan, Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingqing, and Yun Qingzhi approached together, and the crowd immediately understood.
"Second Sister!" Yun Jinnian called out softly, her voice carrying a bit more affection.
Different from her previous dry tone.
"Happy New Year, Fourth Sister!"
"Happy New Year, Second Sister!"
Yun Jinnian also greeted the three younger sisters from the concubine branches, asking them to select a golden hairpin. Each picked one, exchanged a few words with the others, and then entered the Cixin Academy’s hall to pay their respects to the old madam.
Yun Muyou then suggested going to the garden to play.
When the topic of visiting the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence to admire the flowers came up, the cousins who could visit, like Yun Muyou and others, became the objects of everyone’s envy.
Yun Jinnian sat on a stone bench, watching them compliment each other, bored as she waited for Yun Zihan to come over.
A soft voice called out, and Yun Jinnian turned her head.
It was a girl about eight or nine years old whom she did not recognize.
"I need to relieve myself; may I use your courtyard facilities?"
Yun Jinnian first thought that since it was an urgent need, it should be fine to let her use the facilities.
But on the way to Niannian Garden, they would pass by the courtyards of Yun Muyou, Yun Musi, and Yun Mulan. As a guest, she would not be refused use of the facilities at any of their places. Furthermore, there were other smaller courtyards on the way that also had latrines, yet the girl specifically wanted to go to her courtyard, which seemed odd.
Still, she wanted to see what these people were up to.
But she watched the girl carefully.
Seeing her glance furtively toward a girl speaking with Xu Xinmo, the girl nodded at her and then clutched her sleeve tightly.
There was something in her sleeve!
Having brought her to Niannian Garden, Yun Jinnian watched as the girl hurried into the latrine, seemingly unable to wait, and she laughed, "Ming Yang, who is she?"
Ming Yang, who served the old madam, naturally knew the identities of these young girls.
After thinking a bit, Ming Yang said, "It seems she’s a young lady from a concubine branch of the Zhuangyong Marquis Residence, and her legitimate sister used to be close to another young lady..."
Ming Yang stopped mid-sentence, realizing something, "Miss?"
"Don’t make a scene, let’s see what they intend to do!"
After the girl was done, Yun Jinnian pretended as if she knew nothing and took her to the garden.
Yet upon arriving at the garden, the girl went off to play on her own, ignoring her.
Yun Jinnian smiled faintly, not minding in the least.