Yun Jinnian was astonished when Chu Yu had already leaped out of the window.
Gazing at the open window, Yun Jinnian was slightly dazed and raised her hand to rub the top of her head.
Mrs. Yuan pushed the door open and saw Yun Jinnian standing by the window, perplexed, "Miss, why are you up so early?"
"It's New Year's today, so I got up a bit earlier!" Yun Jinnian said, concealing the emotions in her eyes.
Mrs. Yuan chuckled, then sniffed deeply, "Huh?"
"What is it?"
Mrs. Yuan pondered for a moment, "It's nothing, Miss. Let's light some incense in the room!"
Yun Jinnian immediately realized what was happening, but Mrs. Yuan had already brought some incense to light and pushed open the window to air out the room, and even took a rag to wipe everything down inside and out.
"Nurse..."
Mrs. Yuan looked at Yun Jinnian and said, "Everyone has their secrets. I won't ask, but you must be more cautious next time, Miss!"
As she spoke, Mrs. Yuan pointed to a bloodstain on the ground.
Yun Jinnian's face changed slightly after seeing it.
Because she had checked last night, there was no bloodstain on the floor... This spot...
Chu Yu, that bastard, he did it on purpose!
What was he trying to test?
Yun Jinnian felt her face burning. It was fortunate that only the nurse knew; if someone else found out, she would have to spend a lot of effort explaining.
...
Since it was New Year's, nobody would go out.
After getting ready, she donned happy New Year's clothes and put on beautiful hair ornaments before heading to Cixin Academy.
Everyone was already there, with Mrs. He talking to Mrs. Han.
"Greetings, Grandmother, Aunt!" Then, turning to Mrs. Han, "Mother!"
After performing courtesies to her sisters and elder brother, Yun Jinnian sat next to Mrs. Han, who grasped Yun Jinnian's cold hand, "Your hand is so cold, why don't you hold a hand warmer?"
"I don't really like it!"
Her hands had been cold for so many years, she truly didn't like it.
Mrs. Han sighed and stuffed her own hand warmer into Yun Jinnian's hands.
The Old Madam didn't like Mrs. Han or Yun Jinnian, so after sitting for a while, she let everyone go and do as they pleased. Xu Xinmo suggested playing a game of cards, and the girls went together to play.
Mrs. He took the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Han, "Second Sister-in-Law, let's go see how the preparations for the New Year's Eve dinner are coming along and if there's anything amiss."
"Sure thing!"
They walked leisurely along the Yun Family's corridors, and Mrs. He hesitated for a long while before saying, "Second Sister-in-Law, we're missing two decorative pieces, and those two pieces were unfortunately sent to the palace!"
Mrs. He had reluctantly managed to get back the other pieces, but those two sent to the palace...
"I have already retrieved those two pieces; send the rest to Qiyue Academy!"
Mrs. He sighed in relief.
After a round in the kitchen, Mrs. Han returned to Qiyue Academy. Mrs. He had already instructed for the items to be returned, and for the missing two, Mrs. He gave raw stones. Mrs. Han picked them up, looked at them, laughed, and put them back.
"Madam!"
"Put them away, and in a few days we'll take them back to the Han Family. They will be part of Jinnian's dowry!"
After this incident, Mrs. Han had lost the mood for carving.
In the warm room
Yun Muyou, Xu Xinmo, Yun Jinnian, Yun Musi, and Yun Mulan were playing a card game together, with several half-sisters watching and snacking by the side.
Yun Mu Lan and Yun Musi, being young, teamed up on one side and, afraid of losing, had Yun Zihan watch over their game. Yun Jinnian, not wanting Yun Zihan to be put in a difficult position, intentionally lost to Yun Musi and Yun Mu Lan, who were ecstatic.
Yun Zihan was smart and clearly saw what was happening.
Xu Xinmo was having bad luck and kept losing, her complexion changing and her speech becoming less refined.
Yun Jinnian put down the cards, "This is no fun, I'm not playing anymore!"
"Older Cousin Four, you can't handle losing, can you?" Xu Xinmo snorted coldly with a forced smile.
"Can't handle losing? It's only a bit of silver!" retorted Yun Jinnian, and added, "Let's go admire the plum blossoms instead, the garden's plum trees have bloomed!"
"I won't go!" Xu Xinmo was the first to decline.
Yun Muyou also said she would not go, followed by Yun Musi, Yun Mulan, and then Yun Zuomo, Yun Qingqing, and Yun Qingzhi stated they wouldn't go as well.
Xu Xinmo looked on smugly at Yun Jinnian.
Yun Zihan stood up, "Fourth Sister, I'll go with you. We could also pick a couple of plum blossoms to put in a vase!"