Yun Jinnian smiled gently and softly.
She wondered if Ruan Wanrong knew that the coachman outside was from the Duan Family, a fact she herself dared not forget.
Fortunately, Ruan Wanrong’s final words were quite pleasing to the ear, and if relayed to Duan Qimeng, they would certainly add luster to her.
"Sister Ruan is truly kind!"
Ruan Wanrong shook her head slightly, "You’re the truly kind one to have followed me to the Duan Family without a second thought, I don’t know how to thank you enough!"
"To live a harmonious and happy life with Young Master Duan for a lifetime is the greatest thanks you could give me!"
Ruan Wanrong paused, then nodded firmly, "I will!"
A few girls chatted about poetry, Buddhist studies, and then about playing Doudizhu.
Since they had brought some silver with them, they started to play, but the stakes were small, with limited wins and losses, purely for fun.
Just so the atmosphere wouldn’t grow cold.
Yun Jinnian and Ruan Wanrong had been gone for quite a while without returning, seemingly caught up in a thorny issue. The others didn’t complain; when compared to a human life, what was there to fuss about?
When Yun Jinnian and Ruan Wanrong returned, the girls noticed they had changed clothes. "What happened?" Dai Hanmi asked.
"The elderly madam vomited blood while I was giving her an acupuncture treatment, and it stained our clothes, so we changed!" Ruan Wanrong explained, seating Yun Jinnian down and pouring her a cup of water, "You must be thirsty!"
At the Duan Family, Yun Jinnian had been busy for quite some time and hadn’t even had a chance to drink a cup of water.
Even if her throat was parched, Yun Jinnian didn’t take it to heart and could understand the Duan Family’s feelings.
She took the teacup and sipped slowly.
Only then did they bring up Hu Shuiling’s marriage.
"Sister Hu is betrothed too?" Yun Jinnian was indeed surprised.
"Yes, to a family from Su Hang!" Hu Shuiling said, blushing.
"Congratulations to Sister Hu, but I wonder, is the wedding date set?" Yun Jinnian asked softly.
"It’s set, for this September. Could Sister Jinnian possibly make it back in time?" Hu Shuiling asked, holding Yun Jinnian’s hand.
She definitely couldn’t make it back.
If she went, Yun Jinnian planned to stay a bit longer.
Hu Shuiling nodded slightly, "Your matters are more important. If you can come back, then do, if not, when sending gifts, don’t forget and make sure they are substantial!"
After Hu Shuiling finished speaking, she was the first to laugh.
Everyone else bent over laughing along, teasing Hu Shuiling.
The sorrow of parting was diluted somewhat.
Dish after dish was served, and the girls ate heartily.
It wasn’t dark yet, but their families had sent people to pick them up. They were all waiting downstairs at Huiquan Tower, Dai Hanbo and Ruan Sicheng also came over.
Ruan Sicheng, already betrothed, was very fond of his future wife. He politely bid farewell to Yun Jinnian, then left with Ruan Wanrong.
Dai Hanbo, preoccupied with Yun Jinnian, kept stealing glances. Dai Hanmi, aware of her third brother’s affections, dragged her feet in conversation with Yun Jinnian, allowing time for Hu Shuiling and Chen Danyan to leave while still appearing reluctant to part.
"Sister Jinnian, why don’t you stay at our place tonight? We can have a proper talk!" Dai Hanmi suggested.
Doing so would also give her foolish third brother more time to spend with Yun Jinnian.
"Maybe next time. For sure next time, I’ll come over to Sister Hanmi’s for an all-night conversation!" Yun Jinnian declined gracefully.
"All right then, we have a deal. Next time you come back, we’ll talk all night long and, oh, remember to bring back some rare treasures from the outside world!"
After sending off Dai Hanmi and her brother, Yun Jinnian and her sisters boarded the carriage to return to the Yun Family.