"Sister Jinnian has already been here; since the grandmother of Sister Ruan’s future husband is not feeling well, Sister Jinnian suggested we go visit her!" Dai Hanmi hurriedly explained.
"So soon?" Hu Shuiling asked anxiously.
"Sister Jinnian has to make a trip out tomorrow!"
Hu Shuiling immediately felt a bit upset, "Then she won’t be able to see me off when I get married!"
Dai Hanmi took Hu Shuiling’s hand, "Sister Jinnian is someone who has to deal with important matters. Let’s not trouble her with these sentimental trifles of young love!"
"We’ve only just returned, haven’t had a proper gathering, and she has to leave again..."
Dai Hanmi was really scared of Hu Shuiling’s feelings, hurriedly presenting the gifts Yun Jinnian had prepared, "Look, this is a peace charm that Sister Jinnian got for us from Huguo Temple. It has been blessed in front of the Buddha for many years. This purse was also embroidered by Sister Jinnian herself, and the fabric is Yunyan Brocade!"
Upon hearing there were gifts, Hu Shuiling smiled again.
Dai Hanmi and Chen Danyan exchanged smiles and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ruan Wanrong was the most vivacious, Dai Hanmi the most astute, Hu Shuiling the most melancholic autumn moon, and Chen Danyan the most knowledgeable and reasonable.
And Yun Jinnian, she had some of the best qualities of all four people.
But she lacked Ruan Wanrong’s vivacity.
After all she had been through, Yun Jinnian just couldn’t be vivacious no matter what.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duan Residence.
The Duan Family itself was also quite legendary. The Duan Family originally were farmers, poor commoners at that. Later on, through trade, they even became royal merchants at the height of their wealth. In recent generations, they had produced many talented individuals, with dozens becoming scholars or completing scholarly achievements.
Ruan Wanrong’s betrothed, Duan Qimeng, was particularly remarkable. Skilled in both literature and martial arts, he was the top scorer in the imperial examinations just three years ago at the age of eighteen.
Now he worked at the Hanlin Academy as an editor with the official rank of forth-grade.
Once Ruan Wanrong stepped down from the carriage, with another young lady by her side, the gatekeeper paused, then quickly understood—immediately one came forward to greet them while another quickly ran to report their arrival.
"This humble one greets Miss Ruan, and also extends greetings to this young lady!"
The gatekeeper had barely finished speaking when the beaming butler arrived, "Miss Ruan has arrived, we have already sent someone to call the madam!"
The head of the household, Mrs. Duan Qimeng, Duan Qimeng’s mother.
As Duan Qimeng was the eldest son in the household and also a top scorer, Mrs. Duan as the mother of the top scorer was also very respectable.
Upon learning of Ruan Wanrong’s visit and that she brought another young lady, Mrs. Duan was pleased.
"Quick, go inform the master and the young master that they have returned; also, please have the third and fourth young ladies come over to entertain the guests!"
She was extremely satisfied with Ruan Wanrong in her heart.
If the old madam passed away, her son would have to observe mourning.
Observing mourning for three years, who knows if he would still have a foothold in the imperial court by the time he returned!
That Ruan Wanrong could invite Yun Jinnian showed that she was on good terms with Yun Jinnian, had the Duan Family in mind, and already considered herself a daughter-in-law of the Duan Family.
Mrs. Duan greeted them cheerfully, "Wanrong is here!"
Ruan Wanrong quickly performed the formalities, "Greetings to my aunt!"
"Good child, good child!" Mrs. Duan was so delighted she couldn’t stop smiling, then turned to Yun Jinnian, "And this is?"
"Yun Family’s Jinnian greets the madam!"
"No need for formalities, no need!" Mrs. Duan was overjoyed and immediately presented Yun Jinnian with a meeting gift—a green old jade bracelet.
"It’s a bit big; keep it to wear later!"
Old jade was rare, and Mrs. Duan’s heavy meeting gift left Yun Jinnian quite flattered.
Ruan Wanrong immediately explained the purpose of their visit, and Mrs. Duan nodded in agreement, "Then go to the old madam’s courtyard first. The silver needles and such, I will have someone prepare and send over immediately!"