The unknown fear left Xu Xinmo utterly distraught.
Her small face was deathly pale, and her body was covered in cold sweat; she suddenly seemed dazed.
"Wuwu..."
She burst into tears all of a sudden.
But those people behind her kept pushing her, and several times she nearly fell. Xu Xinmo's little hands frantically grasped at anything, whether it was clothing or someone else's arm, only to be ruthlessly pushed away.
Then, after being shoved into a corner, Xu Xinmo didn't dare to move anymore. She tightly hugged her body, curling up into a ball.
Yun Musi and Yun Mulan weren't faring any better. Even though Yun Zhen and Yun Yi held on to them, they were jostled quite harshly. Once the crowd had dispersed, both girls had tear-filled, bewildered eyes.
"All right, let's first find Youyou and our cousin!" Yun Zhen said, his mind swiftly turning.
That sudden flood of people just now—was it really an accident?
But if it wasn't, who in the Capital City could summon so many people on such short notice?
They quickly found Xu Xinmo, who by then was utterly terror-stricken.
Yun Xuan also came over with Yun Muyou.
Yun Zhen didn't dare to take them out for amusement anymore. The servants had been scattered but had frantically searched and returned. Yun Zhen immediately ordered them to retrieve the carriage so they could head back to the Yun Residence.
Mrs. He and the Lady, upon hearing of the incident, were frantic with worry. They immediately called for a doctor and ordered the maids to brew a tranquilizing tea, keeping busy until midnight before they could sleep.
Yun Jinnian learned of the incident the next morning and said nothing.
Mrs. Yuan, Ming Yang, and Ru Yue carried their bundles while the butler waited at the gate, "Fourth Miss!"
"Hmm!"
"The carriage is waiting at the back door..."
"Butler!" Yun Jinnian rebuked in a low voice.
The butler, taken aback and confused, looked at Yun Jinnian, "Fourth Miss, please give your order!"
"I am going to Yingci'an to pray for my family, not because I have done something wrong and am being sent there. Why should I have to leave through the back door? Whose idea is this? Uncle, Aunt, or Grandmother? Or is it yours, Butler?" Yun Jinnian said sternly, her complexion very unsightly.
Could it be that because she never contended for anything, these people thought she was easy to bully?
She had retreated step by step, and they pressed closer with each concession.
She was going to pray for her family, and it would have been fine if no one had come to see her off, but they dared to mistreat her like this.
It was utterly contemptible.
The Butler's heart skipped a beat, "It's all my fault for the oversight. I will immediately have the carriage brought to the front door. Please wait a moment, Fourth Miss!"
Yun Jinnian nodded.
Her expression eased slightly.
The butler wiped his sweat and turned to have the carriage brought to the front door, feeling somewhat nervous inside.
It was the Lady's intention. The Lady and the Master had remained silent, which was a tacit approval.
And the young masters and misses, fully aware that Yun Jinnian was going to Yingci'an today, did not come to see her off, showing how indifferent the sibling relations were.
Yun Jinnian walked slowly on her way. As soon as the maids and old women saw her, they instantly dodged out of the way, and no one else came by.
However, Yun Zihan stood at the corner with a little maid, ceaselessly wiping her tears. On seeing Yun Jinnian approach, she stepped forward with reddened eyes, shoved a purse into Yun Jinnian's hands, and quickly walked away.
Without saying a word, but with that purse, Yun Jinnian felt its weight as if it were a thousand catties.
In the vast Yun Family, only Yun Zihan came to see her off.
Upon exiting the grand doors of the Yun Residence and seeing the green-cloth carriage waiting there, just one, meant to seat the four of them – her servants, their belongings, and a box of miscellaneous items they needed – Yun Jinnian smirked coldly and started to laugh.
She boarded the carriage.
The four of them in one carriage made it quite cramped. Ming Yang and Ru Yue were somewhat worried about Yun Jinnian, but she sat composed, not talking, nor showing sadness.
Mrs. Yuan's eyes stayed red, her hands clenched tightly.
The carriage clattered its way out of the city gate, first heading to the Yun Family's rural property.
Yun Jinnian's mother, Mrs. Han, lived on that very property...