Chu Yu took a deep breath and then left.
A man who had been in solitary tranquility for many years was now experiencing it once again, having no family nor relations, Chu Yu felt nothing much.
He couldn’t stay much longer in Huguo Temple either; he had to say farewell to Yun Jinnian.
Looking at Yun Jinnian’s simple attire, Chu Yu said indifferently, "Do you kind of simplicity?"
Yun Jinnian looked down, shook her head and then nodded.
Who would willingly settle for simplicity? She simply had no choice but to agree in order to obtain that embroidered box.
"I will take good care of myself!"
"I believe you, stay safe in Huguo Temple. I have important matters to attend to. Once they’re settled, I will come to see you!"
"Mhm, you be careful too!"
"I know, I’m bringing a lot of people with me now!" Chu Yu said, with a very ingratiating smile.
Yun Jinnian looked down and smiled.
Seeing that Yun Jinnian remained silent, Chu Yu licked his lips and said, "Then, I’m off!"
"Mhm!" Yun Jinnian nodded.
As she watched Chu Yu leave, Yun Jinnian turned and went back to Wanfu Hall to continue chanting scriptures.
Mrs. Han did not return directly to the Yun Residence after reaching the Capital City; instead, she visited the Han Family and learned that Yun Qi was on a mission for the Emperor in Jiangnan. Mrs. Han fell silent for a moment, then instructed Bai Que in a whisper.
"Madam, are you really going to do this?"
"I used to be indifferent to the Yun Family, but now, I must consider Jinnian!"
"Remember to find a bold and free-spirited scholar from a decent family who just happens to need help!"
"Don’t worry, Madam, it will be arranged properly!"
Mrs. Han nodded her head.
From this moment on, she was determined to fight for her daughter.
On the fifth day of the second month, Xu Xinmo celebrated his eleventh birthday. The old Lady had instructed early on to make it a lively birthday for Xu Xinmo and asked the chefs to buy some fine ingredients for the day.
Lady Mrs. He naturally agreed readily.
At the end of the month, Yun Zhen would be taking the imperial examination. If he passed, he could take the civil service examinations in the fall.
The only thing that worried Mrs. He was Yun Muyou’s marriage. She looked down on families of low status, and when she asked people to inquire among the prominent families, they all had excuses.
Yun Zhen was already nineteen, and after the New Year, he would be twenty, yet his marriage had not been settled.
In the past, the aim was to wait until Yun Zhen passed the examination for a bright future before discussing marriages; at that time, the daughters of high-status families would be at their disposal to choose from.
But who could have known, Yun Zhen failed the examinations time and again.
Mrs. He heaved a sigh.
Tianmi wanted to say something but feared provoking discontent, so she chose to remain silent.
"What is the young miss doing?"
"The young miss is embroidering something!"
Although Yun Muyou’s marriage had not been confirmed, she had started embroidering some less important things.
Such as pillows, handkerchiefs, and embroidered pouches, for instance.
Mrs. He was quite satisfied with this.
As for Xu Xinmo, Mrs. He could not say she disliked him, but she certainly did not like him.
On the day of Xu Xinmo’s birthday, dinner was held in the dining hall with a large table of dishes, and everyone presented birthday gifts to Xu Xinmo.
Yun Jinnian and Mrs. Han, not being there, also sent gifts.
Xu Xinmo opened them on the spot, saw that they were of little value, remained silent at the time, and later rewarded the gifts to the maid Daidai in his courtyard.
Although Daidai did not wear them openly, soon everyone in the Yun Residence knew, and though they didn’t speak of it, they looked down on Xu Xinmo in their hearts.
Mrs. Han returned to the Yun Residence on the thirteenth day of the second month. The fifteenth was Yun Jinnian’s birthday, and not a single person in the residence mentioned it, nor did Mrs. Han. She only sent some fine Xuan paper, top-quality Hui Ink, and a few sets of undergarments to Huguo Temple for Yun Jinnian.
On the twentieth day of the second month, the old Lady’s antique shop in the Capital City was robbed, and it was cleaned out of everything inside.