Yun Jinnian did not share extra words with Ming Yang or Ru Yue, having some distrust towards them.
She also did not confide in her wet nurse, Mrs. Yuan, because Mrs. Yuan was very innocent and had no schemes; her only quality was her genuine heart towards her.
At the moment of the New Year, the Yun Residence too set off fireworks, but Jinnian sat inside the house, not even glancing at them once.
It was said that Mrs. He rewarded the servants handsomely that night—silver, fabric, jewelry—and even arranged marriages for several maids.
She also allowed several older butlers to retire to their hometowns, annulled their servant status at the Governor's Office, and gave them a generous severance in silver.
All these matters had nothing to do with Yun Jinnian.
Yun Jinnian had been holding onto the New Year's money from Chu Yu for many days, not daring to open it, feeling it was too heavy to casually look at.
In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth day of the new lunar year.
Mrs. He, with Yun Muyou and others, went to visit relatives and pay New Year's visits to various families. Some people came to the house to extend their greetings, yet still no one called for Yun Jinnian, because Yun Chen took his brothers Yun Zhen and the other two to visit renowned scholars.
To this, Yun Jinnian was indifferent.
When she would truly leave, she could carry very little with her; she just needed to have enough silver notes.
The Seventh Day
Abbess Hui Ling met with the old lady, who sent Hui Ling away with joy, and then instructed Yun Jinnian to go to Cixin Academy.
Yun Jinnian felt a flutter of excitement in her heart, a little thrill.
Finally, finally she could leave with legitimate reason.
Upon arriving at Cixin Academy, Yun Jinnian respectfully greeted the old lady, "I pay my respects to Grandmother!"
"Hmm!"
Because the old lady had private matters to discuss with Yun Jinnian, she had sent away everyone from Cixin Academy early on.
Yun Jinnian got up, standing upright and properly.
She was not verbose or close to the old lady.
The old lady took a deep breath to suppress her loathing and dislike, "Abbess Hui Ling of Yingci'an visited today, do you know?"
Yun Jinnian shook her head slightly.
"What I mean is, I want you to stay at Yingci'an for some time. Later, I will send someone to fetch you. Unless it is my command, you should not return with anyone else. If your uncle sends for you, you tell him 'Sincere devotion brings divine response' and that you want to stay longer at Yingci'an to pray and bless me!"
Yun Jinnian calmly looked at the old lady, "Old lady!"
"What did you call me?" The old lady was shocked and angrily asked.
"Jinnian called you the old lady!" Yun Jinnian calmly replied, showing no fear.
There is undutifulness in the world, but there is also unkindness.
Just this statement from the old lady, if it were spread, even the spittle would drown her.
"You, you, you…" The old lady pointed at Yun Jinnian but could not complete a sentence.
"The old lady's request, Jinnian is not necessarily unwilling to agree to, but Jinnian has two conditions!" Yun Jinnian said firmly, her eyes coldly and mercilessly watching the old lady.
"Fine, fine, that's very good, you say!"
As long as it would make Yun Jinnian leave, the old lady could no longer care about much else.
Because Xu Xinmo had said that if Yun Jinnian didn't leave, she would return to the Xu Family.
The old lady could not bear to see that happen, only consenting to make Yun Jinnian leave.
Today, as Abbess Hui Ling came to chant scriptures, the old lady had the bright idea to send Yun Jinnian to Yingci'an.
Of course, Yun Jinnian would have to talk to Yun Chen about it herself.
That way Yun Chen couldn't blame her, the mother.
"Firstly, I wish to see my mother. Secondly, I want to bring my wet nurse and two maids with me!"
The old lady pondered for a moment, "You may. But, you must tell your great uncle that it was your own decision to go to Yingci'an!"
"Agreed!"
Having said this, Yun Jinnian turned and left, exiting Cixin Academy.
Her heart suddenly became clear.
She would return, she definitely would.
When the time came for her to return, no one would be able to insult her easily anymore, no one!