"Mother, why do you think Yu Yan has been unconscious all this time?"
In the presence of outsiders and her father, Leng Yu Yan temporarily referred to Mrs. Feng as mother.
Mrs. Feng's feigned sorrow had not yet faded, and she could only force an awkward smile, "My child, why would mother think that?"
Damned little girl, she really underestimated her.
To be able to call her mother so deferentially.
Yet, this address of 'mother' always seemed chilling, making Mrs. Feng shiver uncontrollably.
Leng Zongfa glanced at Mrs. Feng and asked, "Grand Doctor Zeng, how is my daughter?"
Grand Doctor Zeng pondered, "In the early spring, the mornings and evenings are chilly, easily leading to cold entering the body and causing unconsciousness."
It was rumored that Fifth Miss of Lai had been punished by Father Lai to kneel in the ancestral hall, but as an outsider, it wasn't appropriate for him to point this out; hence, he simply blamed the chilly weather.
"How should we treat her?" Leng Zongfa asked again.
"Take more walks outdoors to strengthen the body and improve the mood," Grand Doctor Zeng got up from his stool, walked to the table, and began to write a prescription, "I will prescribe something here, and she should take good care of herself."
Leng Zongfa nodded, "Thank you, Grand Doctor Zeng!"
Hearing the physician's words, a slight smile tugged at the corner of Leng Yu Yan's lips under her veil. Being able to walk more outdoors was exactly what she wanted, making her efforts in controlling her own pulse worthwhile earlier.
However, the fact that Ye Yiheng sent an imperial physician instead of requesting the Emperor to cancel the marriage arrangement was exceedingly frustrating!
--
Two days later, it was the holiday for the brothers Leng Zongfa and Lai Zonghui, and Old Madam proposed a family reunion meal since Leng Yu Yan had returned a few days ago.
At noon, the reunion meal commenced in the dining hall.
Before the meal, Leng family members gradually arrived, and Old Madam introduced with a smile, "Yu Yan, come and meet your uncle and aunt."
Second Young Master Lai, Lai Zonghui, entered with his wife, Ms. He, followed by their children.
Lai Zonghui, although somewhat resembling Leng Zongfa, was more refined and scholarly; Ms. He had a round face and seemed gentler than Mrs. Feng.
Leng Yu Yan rose to greet them, "Greetings, uncle, greetings, aunt."
Lai Zonghui smiled and nodded, while Ms. He extended her hand to help Leng Yu Yan up, "You are too polite, child."
During the conversation, Ms. He asked the children behind her to greet Leng Yu Yan.
"Fifth Sister," the siblings from the second family branch greeted as equals.
Leng Yu Yan shifted her gaze to behind Ms. He and responded, "Sixth Sister, Third Brother."
There were a total of six daughters and three sons in Marquis Ningyuan's Mansion, sorted separately by gender.
Leng Zongfa had five daughters and two sons. The eldest and second daughters were already married. The eldest son, Leng Yi, was Leng Yu Yan's full brother and had died on the battlefield five years ago.
The pair of children from the second family branch were the youngest among all siblings.
At that moment, another mother and daughter approached, and Old Madam pointed them out, "Yu Yan, this is your Aunt Hu and Fourth Sister."
Mrs. Hu was an aunt; given the presence of Old Madam and the second family, she immediately took her daughter Li Lu to greet.
"Your servant greets Fifth Miss."
Li Lu reluctantly knelt in greeting, "Fifth Sister."
Being born out of wedlock meant she had to greet her legitimate sister first.
Leng Yu Yan gave a slight nod in return and smiled, "Second Sister is married, and Aunt Hu still looks so young. Fourth Sister is truly enviable to have such a mother."
Aunt Hu had an oval face and willow-leaf eyebrows, still as enchanting as years ago.
If she had given birth to a son instead of two daughters, she might have had the chance to compete with Mrs. Feng five years ago.
As Mrs. Feng stepped through the threshold, she heard Leng Yu Yan say that Mrs. Hu was young. She pinched her palm with her nails and quickly a smile surfaced on her face, "I arrived late."
Before long, the reunion dinner officially began.
When they were almost done eating, Leng Zongfa pulled out a golden flower postcard, "Yu Yan, you will start school at Xinya Academy tomorrow."
"Yes, Father," Leng Yu Yan accepted the postcard with both hands and scrutinized it carefully.
The golden flower postcard, made with plain silk as the scroll and decorated with golden flowers, was similar to those used to announce the joy of new Advanced Scholars.
Could Xinya Academy have some significant prestige?
To use a golden flower postcard as an admission notice!
When Lai Manting saw the golden flower postcard in Leng Yu Yan's hand, her eyes narrowed sharply, "Father, isn't Fifth Sister supposed to marry the Crown Prince? Why is she still going to academy?"
"The wedding date I discussed with the Emperor was initially set for next month. Yesterday, the Crown Prince went to the palace to see the Emperor, saying that next month is his mother's birthday," Leng Zongfa explained patiently, "It's the month of the Late Empress' birthday. The Crown Prince, being benevolent and filial, cherishes her memory, so the Emperor agreed to defer the wedding to after next month."
Hearing this, Leng Yu Yan was somewhat surprised.
Lai Manting was very displeased, as she had put much effort into obtaining the admission postcard for Xinya Academy. Leng Yu Yan did nothing and got it so easily.
What upset her further was that there were rumors once the Crown Prince was married, he would officially be disqualified, and then it would be Prince Liang's opportunity. Now, she had to wait another month.
Leng Zongfa noticed his third daughter's thoughts and turned his head to his fourth daughter, Li Lu, "Take Yu Yan to Xinya Academy tomorrow."
Li Lu quietly glanced at Lai Manting and nodded slowly, somewhat reluctantly, "Yes, Father."
After dinner, everyone gradually left the dining hall.
Lai Manting walked ahead, and Li Lu immediately followed, walking as if there was some friction between them.
Leng Yu Yan slightly raised her eyebrows; Li Lu had apparently become Lai Manting's follower.
Not wanting to follow behind them, Leng Yu Yan turned and walked towards a side path.
Before long, she heard a crisp voice from behind, "Fifth Sister!"
Leng Yu Yan stopped and turned. It was her cousin Leng Jiajia.
"Is there something, Sixth Sister?"
Leng Jiajia stared at her face, batting her watery eyes, "I saw Sister lifting her veil while eating. I heard your facial spots are quite frightening, is it true?"
Leng Jiajia familiarly changed her address from Fifth Sister to Sister.
Looking at Leng Jiajia, who was only a year younger than her, Leng Yu Yan calmly said, "Do you want to see?"
She shook her head, "I don't want to. No woman wishes to have spots on her face; surely Sister doesn't either. If I looked, and it hurt Sister's feelings, that would be wrong."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Her voice was light but not distant.
Leng Yu Yan turned back and continued walking.
Leng Jiajia followed step by step, "Then, let's go to the academy together."
"Aren't you going with Third Sister and Fourth Sister?"
"They won't let me follow."
"Why?"
"The academy is organizing a competition. The winning team will get to portray the Flower God and the flower fairy at the Flower Festival. When forming teams, they didn't want me, so..."
Leng Jiajia lowered her head and pinched her fingers; actually, they never really considered her, but she was too embarrassed to say it.
Listening to her dejected speech, Leng Yu Yan softened her tone, "Tell me about Xinya Academy."
Leng Jiajia's voice brightened, "Sure, Xinya Academy was founded by the Late Empress..."
She opened up like a chatterbox, talking nonstop as they walked.