Mother’s painstaking efforts, Yun Jinnian understood them.
She tightened her grip on Mrs. Han’s hand.
Over the years, she had felt hate and resentment and had been working hard to change, not wanting herself to end up as miserable and tragically dead as in her dreams, her child—from being lovely and lively to dull and slow.
Now the first step was complete.
Her parents had come back; she was a child who was loved. At least in the future, when facing matters of marriage, her parents would ask for her opinion, no longer would no one inquire if she was willing.
She would no longer shrink inside her shell, timid as a mouse.
Upon arriving at Niannian Garden,
Danxia and the others were already waiting at the door, each with reddened eyes.
Yun Jinnian looked at them indifferently, regardless of how much sincerity or pretense they had, because they would not stay by her side for long; sooner or later, she would send them away.
"We greet the lady, we greet the Fourth Miss!"
Mrs. Han nodded slightly, "All dispensed with the formalities!" Then she looked at Yun Jinnian, "Jinnian, go inside. Your mother will return to Qiyue Academy first!"
Yun Jinnian had thought that Mrs. Han would enter for a sit.
But she walked away upon reaching the door, slightly puzzled, yet she nodded, "Take care, mother!"
After sending off Mrs. Han, Yun Jinnian quietly said to Ming Yang, "Go see if my mother is going directly back to Qiyue Academy, will you?"
Ming Yang nodded and left.
Yun Jinnian entered the parlor.
The room was warm, the stove obviously lit, and the Duobao Pavilion was adorned with delicate jade and gold articles.
On a stand, there was a jade bowl housing three goldfish.
Compared to the previous Niannian Garden, it was more than ten times more exquisite.
Yun Jinnian sat on the Arhat bed in the parlor, looking at the people before her, she spoke indifferently, "From now on, Ming Yang and Ru Yue will be the head maids, while the wet nurse will manage Niannian Garden. You must all respect her. Danxia, Dangui, and Ru Yang will be secondary maids, and the two wet nurses will continue their roles as coarse maids!"
Danxia, Dangui, and Ru Yang were dissatisfied at heart, but had no better place to go.
They could only softly answer, "Yes!"
Yun Jinnian, too lazy to pay them any heed, commanded, "Danxia, go get me a cup of hot water!"
Ru Yue and the wet nurse began to tidy things up.
There weren’t many clothes to sort, but Yun Jinnian did move a box of books from Yun Qi’s study outside.
Seeing Yun Jinnian’s fondness for reading and her decent calligraphy, Yun Qi immediately gifted her a set of the Four Treasures of Study and ten scrolls of fine Xuan paper, which Yun Jinnian also fetched to place on the desk in her study.
"Do you think I should give everyone some gifts?" Yun Jinnian asked, having her own plans in mind.
"What does the Miss wish to give?"
Yun Jinnian thought for a moment, "Father bought quite a few gold hairpins for me the other day. I can’t wear so many, so let’s give one to each sister. As for grandmother and my eldest uncle’s wife, I’ll give them copies of Buddhist scriptures written by myself!"
Mrs. Yuan asked puzzledly, "Miss, you don’t bear any grudges?"
Yun Jinnian just smiled, saying nothing.
How could she not hold any grudges? The experiences of the past were deeply ingrained, but her mother was right.
Filial piety is the most important of virtues; if she was to act, she would do so flawlessly.
Mrs. Yuan also felt she had asked a foolish question and said no more, arranging everything properly.
Ming Yang quickly returned, entering the study and bowing to Yun Jinnian, "Miss!"
"The lady went to Cixin Academy with Bai Que!"
Yun Jinnian was slightly taken aback.
She went to Cixin Academy, what for? And what was it that her mother meant to discuss earlier? Yun Jinnian grew curious!