My heart had long since grown cold; it was just a matter of not being reconciled.
Even if Yun Qi really took a concubine, Mrs. Han couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Yun Jinnian returned to Niannian Garden and asked Mrs. Yuan to distribute the pastries and lock the jewelry away in a chest.
She didn’t want to wear them, nor did she have the desire to do so.
The festival lights were just beginning to shine.
Two large tables were filled with dishes and delicacies, an array of sumptuous flavors.
The elder madam cheerfully called everyone to sit down, "Sit down, everyone, sit down!"
Glutinous rice balls were served, eight for each person, filled with sesame, walnut, and brown sugar – fragrant and delicious.
Yun Jinnian loved sweets; she ate her eight rice balls and then gently set down her bowl, dabbing the corners of her mouth delicately with a handkerchief.
A maid immediately took away the bowl so the meal could begin.
With more than twenty people from the first and second branches combined, the dining hall was eerily silent. Even the speaking was just the elder madam urging everyone to eat more or toasting the elder madam.
Other unpleasant matters were not brought up.
It could be considered a rather pleasant meal.
After the meal, the question arose whether to go to the lantern festival. Yun Muyou, Xu Xinmo, and a few others, still nervous about what happened at last year’s festival, were reluctant to go.
Mrs. Han asked Yun Jinnian, "Will Jinnian be going?"
Yun Jinnian shook her head.
She wanted to wait in Niannian Garden to see if Chu Yu would come.
The Princess had returned to her fief, leaving Chu Yu alone...
"Then we won’t go. It’s started to snow, and it’s very cold outside; best not to catch a chill!"
Mrs. Han was slightly disappointed; she had wanted to take Yun Jinnian out to enjoy the festivities and to shop for some things.
Seeing this, the elder madam sneered inwardly, but said, "Well then, let’s play some card games or compose poetry by the warmth, or even painting could be lovely!"
"Mother, tomorrow the young lady from Zhuangyong Marquis Residence is coming to visit. It would be better for the children to go back and rest early!" Mrs. He suggested.
Since it concerned Yun Muyou, Mrs. He dared not be negligent.
In her heart, Mrs. He had plans for Yun Muyou’s marriage.
One was King Rui, Chu Yu, then the third son of Zhuangyong Marquis Residence, Dai Hanbo, and the last was the legitimate grandson of the great Princess, Yuwen Ya.
After so much had happened, Mrs. He’s preferred choice was still Dai Hanbo, the third son of Zhuangyong Marquis Residence.
Because of the good family conduct of the Marquis Residence, where the Marquess, the Princely Heir, and the second son had not taken concubines, and the third son wouldn’t need to take over the family business, which meant he would receive a considerable inheritance when the properties were divided. With supportive older brothers above him and the Empress as his backer, he was in a good position.
Of course, in terms of power and influence, it was King Rui.
Yet in marrying a consort, Chu Yu had many conditions to consider, and Yun Muyou might not qualify, so Mrs. He had set her sights on Dai Hanbo.
This was also why it was imperative for Yun Jinnian to invite Dai Hanmi.
The elder madam agreed upon hearing this, "Indeed, let’s all go to sleep then!"
The elder madam hoped that the young ladies of the Yun Residence would all marry well, paving the way for Xu Xinmo.
Yun Muyou was soon to come of age; it was time to talk of marriage.
The elder madam wasn’t worried about Yun Muyou’s marriage; a mother would never wrong her own daughter.
Since everyone was sent back, the elder madam asked Xu Xinmo to return with her to Cixin Academy.
No one spoke of the elder madam’s favoritism, but there were some grievances in their hearts.
To all this, Yun Jinnian was quite indifferent, strolling leisurely toward Niannian Garden with Hemei.
"It seems the snow has gotten much heavier!"
Hemei nodded, "Yes, it has. Last year it also snowed, and many places were flooded. A lot of people drowned. Hopefully, that won’t happen this year!"
"Indeed, the common people are innocent!"
But what could one do when heaven was blind?
Arriving at Niannian Garden, Yun Jinnian had Mrs. Yuan distribute rewards, ten taels of silver per person. Since Danxia and the others would be leaving tomorrow, she had Mrs. Yuan give them theirs as well.
"You can leave early tomorrow morning; there’s no need to come over and kowtow to give thanks!" Yun Jinnian said with a wave of her hand.
With little sentiment between mistress and servant, even their kowtows of gratitude wouldn’t be sincere.
After this, they would never see each other again, so let it be so!
Ming Yang seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she said nothing and retreated.
The small hall suddenly became quiet. Yun Jinnian suddenly felt like playing the zither but realized she had no zither, or playing chess, but there were no chess pieces either.