Did the old lady of the Yun Family truly dote on her, or was it smothering praise that fostered such traits?
At the gate of the back courtyard, the waiting maidservant immediately stepped forward and curtsied, "This servant greets the young ladies!"
Since Yun Muyou was the oldest and was about to come of age, the group heeded her lead.
"Trouble you to show us the way, Nanny!"
When Yun Muyou and her companions arrived at the garden, the young ladies were chatting lively, but they revealed strange smiles upon seeing Yun Muyou and the others.
Even those who were on good terms with Yun Muyou began to draw clear boundaries.
With the grandmother being that way, and the mother as well, could the daughters of other families truly be both talented and virtuous?
Those who continued to associate with Yun Muyou were the ones whose fathers and brothers held positions lower than Yun Chen’s.
Yun Muyou also felt the atmosphere freeze instantly, and upon seeing Yun Jinnian, she felt a slight annoyance. Could it have been Yun Jinnian who said something?
Xu Xinmo threw a fierce glance at Yun Jinnian, but inadvertently, several young ladies saw it, and they began whispering among themselves, "So fierce even in front of outsiders, how unbearable it must be at home!"
"Indeed, we should not associate with such a person in the future!"
"Best to keep a distance, lest we get tainted with their filth!"
The young ladies spoke and backed away a little.
As the host, Dai Hanmi couldn’t back away, so she stepped forward to greet Yun Muyou and her sisters, and when she looked at Xu Xinmo, she couldn’t help but glance at her a couple of times more, smiled at her, and invited them to admire the plum blossoms.
"You came just one step too late, Princess Jinfeng had been here earlier, and she left already. She also gave your fourth sister a hairpin!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xinmo felt envious.
Yun Muyou, however, was calm but still very surprised, "My fourth sister?"
"Yes, your fourth sister composed a poem; it was terrific. With lines like ’As Shuofeng breezes express understanding, they should not harm the resilient plum,’ even the Princess praised it highly!"
Being the beloved of the family, they naturally understood that these lines weren’t just comparing the cold wind to the plum blossoms, but also hinted that if one truly cherished Yun Jinnian, they shouldn’t wear her down!
Although Yun Jinnian said nothing, the poem spoke volumes.
"Sister Jinnian indeed has a splendid literary talent; she even wrote an excellent poem on New Year’s Eve!", Yun Muyou said while tightly clutching her handkerchief.
"Oh? What is it? Would it be alright for Miss Yun Da to share it with us?"
"Hmm!" Yun Muyou nodded her head and then said, "Why is this night, of all nights, the one? Tonight the stars turn back to the north, and tomorrow the year shall commence anew in the east. The spring breeze is hardly afar, just beyond the eastern side of the house; every family should stay awake this night, among the firecrackers’ sound, the old year passes away!"
Hearing this, Dai Hanmi was silent for a moment, then turned her head to look at Yun Jinnian.
She saw that several young ladies surrounded her. While they were laughing and playing, Yun Jinnian displayed shyness and gentle grace, neither too humble nor too arrogant, a truly lovely and learned maiden.
"Sister Jinnian indeed has an admirable literary grace. I, as a coarse person, couldn’t produce such fine poetry!"
Meanwhile, she thought to herself that her third brother was most fond of scholarly pursuits, and if he had such a beautiful and accomplished companion by his side, even if he had to wait a few more years to consummate the marriage, he would be willing, wouldn’t he?
"Who doesn’t know that Second Miss Dai is quick-witted, a renowned talent of the Capital City!"
"Your flattery, as before, remains potent!" Dai Hanmi laughed.
She and Yun Muyou had studied together at Songshan Academy. They weren’t the closest of friends but were also not distant. However, after news spread that the elderly lady of the Yun Family mistreated her legitimate granddaughter Yun Jinnian a year ago, she began to distance herself from Yun Muyou. It was only after her own grandmother fell ill, and a unanimous decision was made for her third brother to marry to bring cheer, that she sent an invitation to the Yun Family.
Of course, this was also related to Old Mister Han of the Han Family returning, Yun Qi picking up Mrs. Han, and Yun Jinnian going back to the Han Family.
One doesn’t look at the monk’s face but at the Buddha’s.
The invitation to the Yun Family was purely out of courtesy, but Yun Jinnian’s presence took her by surprise!