Yun Musi and Yun Mulan were increasingly frightened upon hearing these words.
"You were wrong today, terribly wrong. Jinnian is your sister, your legitimate sister. You are the legitimate daughters of the senior branch, and she is the legitimate daughter of the second branch, and the eldest legitimate daughter at that. Just as your elder sister represents the senior branch, she represents the second branch. You should not have joined in Xu Xinmo’s reckless actions. No matter how grave her mistake, she has your grandmother to shield her, whereas your grandmother will not shield you. As for me, even if I wanted to help, my willingness exceeds my capacity. Look at today’s events; did I have any say? No!"
Mrs. He paused and continued speaking, "Like today, your grandmother will not give me the chance to speak, nor will your father. Look at what you did today; it’s disgraceful enough to tarnish the reputation of a legitimate daughter from a noble house!"
"Mocking, insulting, and framing your legitimate sister, courting favor with your cousin; will your reputation be any better once word gets out? Those ladies from noble families won’t befriend you, not to mention marrying into those prestigious clans!"
Mrs. He’s scolding grew more and more intense, as if she hated that iron could not become steel.
In the end, she only shook her head, "Go now, heed your father’s words, stay quietly in your rooms. I will also hire a governess to teach you proper behavior, to make you understand that in a great clan, all share in the honor and the disgrace."
But while Mrs. He found it easy to say these words, she herself could not achieve them.
If she could have, today’s events would never have happened!
The sisters were already terrified and dared not speak further, promptly returning to their rooms to behave.
Mrs. He immediately had someone send medicinal herbs to Niannian Garden.
Tianmi returned with a report, "Madam, Auntie Cui has gone there. The Fourth Miss was badly injured, and after the female doctor examined her, she prescribed medicine. Auntie Cui is still keeping watch over there!"
Auntie Cui had always been uncompetitive and gentle, holding a special place in Yun Chen’s heart. Now, Yun Chen sending Auntie Cui to take care of Yun Jinnian was a slap to her face, as well as making Auntie Cui help the butler, which meant to curtail her own authority.
Mrs. He took a deep breath.
She had to make Yun Jinnian leave this family, no matter what...
When Yun Jinnian woke up, it was already dark.
Mrs. Yuan was by her side, a charcoal brazier burning in the room, making Yun Jinnian feel suffocated and eager to sit up.
Mrs. Yuan immediately came forward, "Nurse!"
Mrs. Yuan helped Yun Jinnian sit up, "Miss, do you feel better? Would you like to have some porridge first? It’s still warm on the stove in the small kitchen!"
"Put out the charcoal brazier and open the windows; I feel stuffy and can’t breathe!" Yun Jinnian, leaning against the headboard, said weakly.
Mrs. Yuan immediately went to open the windows and then hurried back to the bed, "Miss..." She called out, then burst into tears.
Yun Jinnian gently patted the back of Mrs. Yuan’s hand, "Nurse, what happened afterward?"
"So much has happened afterward!"
Mrs. Yuan told Yun Jinnian in a soft voice about some of the things she knew, but events within Cixin Academy were beyond her knowledge and reach.
The matter of Cixin Academy had already been silenced.
Yun Jinnian merely curved her lips faintly.
For some reason, with those dreams in her mind, she was always able to remain calm in many situations and accept things serenely.
"Nurse, I’m hungry; please bring me a bowl of porridge!"
After Mrs. Yuan brought back the porridge and fed Yun Jinnian, she told her to rest.
She was deeply distressed.
"Nurse, if you keep the room heated with a charcoal brazier, don’t close the windows entirely. Leave one open to air out the room!"
Mrs. Yuan opened a window and tucked Yun Jinnian in, "Miss, go to sleep, your nurse will watch over you!"
"Nurse, you go rest as well. I want some time alone to be quiet."