The butler watched from a distance, heaving a deep sigh.
After eight years, the Second Master still ended up here. In the end, he came to this point—will he regret it in the future?
There was no need to wait for the future; Yun Qi already regretted it deeply at this very moment.
The satisfaction of the flesh, the emptiness of the soul.
Yun Qi didn't know what was on his mind the moment he possessed Yu Rou.
After much hesitation, the butler stepped forward, "Second Master, the day is bright. You should put on some more clothes!"
Yun Qi turned to look at the butler, "I have ultimately lost her completely!"
"Ah!"
With a sigh, the butler didn't know what to say!
On the twelfth day of the first month, Yun Qi returned to the Yun Residence. Gazing at the signboard of Qiyue Academy brought back memories of that time when Mrs. Han tenderly nestled in his arms, softly saying, "Through life and death, we make our vows; holding hands, we shall grow old together!"
But they had not grown old yet, and were already as distant as swallows parting ways.
She was in sunny lands, he was on a solitary bridge; destined to not cross paths even unto death.
But...
As long as Yun Jinnian bore the Yun surname, and Mrs. Han had not divorced him, they could not be destined to not cross paths even unto death!
"Master!"
The servants in Qiyue Academy were devoted to Yun Qi.
Yun Qi looked at these people, remembering how Mrs. Han had stood silently at the gate that day before entering the small hall.
Yun Qi had examined the small hall, he'd looked through Mrs. Han's bedroom.
There were almost none of Mrs. Han's possessions; the Han family hadn't provided much for her dowry in the first place. The few items she did have were her favorites, displayed in the room, yet Mrs. Han had plenty of silver—estates and shops even more so. One could say that the entire Han Family was hers.
He went to Niannian Garden next.
Mrs. Yuan was quite surprised to see Yun Qi and quickly came forward to greet him, "Second Master!"
"I just came to take a look!"
Yun Qi didn't go into the house, nor did he know when Yun Jinnian would return; the heating in Niannian Garden had already been turned off.
Yun Qi furrowed his brows and went to Cixin Academy.
The dowager lady scoffed a few times upon seeing Yun Qi return, but was happy at heart, "You still know to come back?"
Yun Qi couldn't help but smile wryly, "I have returned to tell Mother that I plan to enter government service."
To enter government service was to become an official once again!
The dowager lady was overjoyed, "It's about time!"
"Tomorrow, I will bring Mrs. Han and Jinnian back. Mother, give me a word today -- is there really such deep-seated hatred?" Yun Qi asked.
Caught up in her happiness, the dowager lady didn't pay attention to Yun Qi's mood, "Ah, if you're going to fetch them, then just bring them back. From now on, it doesn't matter if you don't like them very much; just don't deliberately make things difficult for them!"
Yun Qi stood up and paid his respects to the dowager lady, "Thank you, Mother!!"
Han Residence
When Han Xuzi learned that Yun Qi had slept with a woman, he merely laughed coldly, "A dog can't change its nature; in the end, he still values himself more!"
Han Zhong kept silent.
Deep down, he also held Yun Qi in utter contempt.
Yun Qi was unworthy of the clever-minded Mrs. Han, let alone deserving to be called 'father' by Yun Jinnian.
On the thirteenth day of the first month.
Yun Qi personally went to the Han Residence to bring Yun Jinnian and Mrs. Han back. Mrs. Han looked at Yun Qi for a good while before lowering her eyes, unable to stir up any more waves in her heart.
"Madam Han!"
Yun Qi called out softly, feeling somewhat guilty.
Yet somewhat hopeful.
Mrs. Han sneered.
He should indeed feel guilty. Those purple kiss marks under his jaw, huh...
"Please wait a moment; we mother and daughter will be ready shortly!" Mrs. Han said and went to find Yun Jinnian.
She took Yun Jinnian's hand, seriously instructing, "Jinnian, I am only going to say this once, and you must remember it!"
Yun Jinnian nodded.
Mrs. Han then spoke earnestly, "Your father is no longer the man he was before the new year; or perhaps he is still the same person, but his heart has changed. From now on, I won't be using him for anything. Jinnian, you must learn to grow up, understand?"