Yun Musi and Yun Mulan, having been advised by Mrs. He, went to find Xu Xinmo to come along, and Yun Matriarch still didn’t make things difficult, only asking them to sit and talk.
When Yun Jinnian arrived, her eye corners and brows were adorned with a faint smile, appropriate and graceful, pleasing to the eye.
"Greetings to Grandmother!" Yun Jinnian slightly curtsied.
Yun Matriarch nodded, "Hmm, sit down!"
"Thank you, Grandmother!"
Yun Jinnian was somewhat surprised that she was not troubled, but seeing Yun Matriarch’s displeased expression, she scoffed inwardly.
I fear she won’t hold back for long!
"You are all grown girls now, and you come from the Yun Family. In the future, you will marry into prominent families as mistresses, and the most important thing for such families is decorum. I have neglected this in the past, but from today onwards, we must learn the rules!" Yun Matriarch said, sipping tea lightly before continuing, "The rules are nothing more than the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. At home, obey your father; after marriage, obey your husband; if your husband dies, obey your son. The four virtues are female morality, female speech, female appearance, and female labor. Go back now and copy them five times each, and show them to me tomorrow!"
Yun Matriarch appeared gentle and loving, a picture of a good grandmother.
Yet, inwardly elated.
Copying the Three Obediences and Four Virtues five times, Yun Jinnian won’t have time to read books, and her wrist will likely ache, over time leading to laxity.
She won’t act foolishly like before, outwardly tormenting her.
In the future, she must change methods so everyone sees no fault but praises her kindness.
Yun Jinnian responded with a light smile.
Xu Xinmo and others followed suit, but their individual feelings were only known to themselves.
Yun Matriarch continued, "Jinnian!"
"Now in this family, you are the elder sister, also the Commandery Princess, having traveled far several times. Xinmo and the others are still young; you must take good care of them and be a good example, understand?"
"Rest assured, Grandmother, I will remember!" Yun Jinnian replied obediently.
Grandmother to her was merely a title, without any affection or expectation.
"Hmm, that’s good!" Yun Matriarch nodded, then asked, "Yesterday, the child who came with your maternal grandfather... what’s his name?"
Yun Matriarch was a bit startled, "Eleven years old, yet he looks fifteen or sixteen, quite a handsome fellow!"
Appearing somewhat familiar.
Yun Matriarch pondered carefully but couldn’t recall who he resembled!
Yesterday, Tianci came over, his face slightly altered, looking somewhat like the third uncle but not quite.
Seeing Yun Jinnian silent, Yun Matriarch smiled, "Alright, you all may go back now!"
They stood up and exited Cixin Academy.
Copying the Three Obediences and Four Virtues five times amounted to quite a number of words indeed.
"Cousin, do you have any Xuan paper?" Xu Xinmo asked.
"I do. Do you want to come with me to get it, or should I send someone to deliver it to you?" Yun Jinnian asked.
She had several boxes of fine Xuan paper, enough to give each person a stack.
It wasn’t for Xu Xinmo, Yun Musi, or Yun Mulan since they had silver, and Lady He would sort things out. But Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingqing, and Yun Qingzhi did not have it.
At that time, even the Xuan paper would be divided into grades, making them unable to lift their heads, originally being of a lower birth.
"Then I’ll go with Cousin to get it!" said Xu Xinmo, stepping forward intending to take Yun Jinnian’s arm affectionately.
Yun Jinnian skillfully evaded, "Then let’s go!"