Yun Jinnian had always known what they were up to, but she kept silent and ignored them, allowing them to do as they pleased.
Xu Xinmo watched and thought these three children must be out of their minds.
What was so special about Yun Jinnian that made them compete for her attention in such a harmonious way?
The three children were very well-behaved and obedient.
During this season, there were no fresh fruits.
Chu Yu had secretly sent over some oranges and grapefruits from last year. Although they were sweet, the taste was still different from fresh ones.
However, it was rare to have something to eat, so the three children still ate with relish. Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingzhi, and Yun Qingqing also ate small bites, while taking the opportunity to care for Yun Kuan, Yun He, and Yun Mu.
This allowed Yun Jinnian to focus on talking with Xu Xinmo.
Though Yun Zuomo and the others didn’t say anything, they were still concerned about Yun Jinnian in their hearts. They were worried that Yun Jinnian would be busy taking care of her three younger brothers and end up being schemed against by Xu Xinmo.
Xu Xinmo smiled and said, "Cousin, can you take me with you?"
"You want to go too?" Yun Jinnian asked.
"Yes, Cousin, please take me with you. I promise to be obedient!"
Yun Jinnian smiled slightly, "It’s fine to bring you along, but I also have to take Kuankuan, Hehe, Mumu, and the three of them. I might not be able to look after you, so you’ll need to bring two more people with you, preferably ones who know some martial arts!"
"Thank you, Cousin, I’ll remember that!"
Yun Musi and Yun Mulan quickly added, "Fourth Sister, take us with you too!"
"You can come as well, just like Xinmo!"
They decided to have lunch at Niannian Garden. Yun Jinnian was worried that Yaniang wouldn’t be able to manage everything on her own, so she had Shi Jiayu and Ru Yue come to help, and also brought a cook from Qingjue Academy. The lunch was still very sumptuous.
Yun Kuan, Yun He, and Yun Mu ate seriously. Yun Jinnian picked out the bones from the fish and said, "Eat slowly, if you get a fishbone, just spit it out!"
"Thank you, Sister!" Yun Mu said obediently.
Yun Kuan didn’t want to be left out, "Thank you, Sister!"
Yun He just kept eating, continuously.
"Hurry up and eat. After we eat, let’s get ready. Once we finish dinner, we’ll go to the Lantern Festival for some fun!"
After lunch, Yun Jinnian had someone take Yun Kuan, Yun He, and Yun Mu back to Rou Yiniang and Lian Yiniang to prepare.
Rou Yiniang and Lian Yiniang were both worried about their children going out but were hopeful that their children could see the world.
As concubines, they couldn’t go out themselves. Now, Yun Jinnian had shown them favor by willing to take the children, so they were keen for it.
Normally, they would compete with each other, but this time, they unanimously agreed.
For dinner, Grandmother Yun decided to have the whole family eat together. Despite their frail health, Yun Yi and Yun Xuan also made an effort to come.
Grandmother Yun sat with the main families of the first and second houses at one table, while the concubines and illegitimate children sat at another. The dishes were the same for both tables.
Yun Qi and Yun Chen sat on either side of Grandmother Yun, while Xu Xinmo sat next to Yun Jinnian, chatting with her.
"Let’s start eating!"
As Grandmother Yun spoke, everyone began to use their chopsticks.
Yun Qi hesitated for a long time before picking some food and placing it in Mrs. Han’s bowl, "Shuniang, try this!"
Mrs. Han was slightly startled, but she politely smiled at Yun Qi, "Thank you!"
She also picked some food for Yun Qi.
Yun Qi immediately felt a surge of happiness.
Mrs. Han then picked some food for Yun Jinnian, but she didn’t urge her to eat more since Yun Jinnian would be out at the Lantern Festival later, where she would have plenty to eat.
Xu Xinmo also picked some food and placed it in Yun Jinnian’s bowl, "Cousin, try this, it’s really tasty!"