Yun Jinnian was speaking when suddenly she paused.
Her Niannian Garden never had anyone delivering coal for the fire. Where could the nanny fetch coal from?
Mrs. Yuan also stood frozen in place.
Yun Jinnian took a deep breath, "Nanny, pour me a glass of water, please!"
"What about the coal fire?" Mrs. Yuan tentatively asked.
"No need to light it!"
Mrs. Yuan heaved a sigh of relief, fearing that Yun Jinnian would ask her to light the coal. After pouring the water for Yun Jinnian and seeing her drink one glass and then asking for another, Mrs. Yuan relaxed.
After drinking the water, Yun Jinnian felt much better. Leaning against the bed, she looked outside.
"Nanny, where is Ru Xin?"
"The old lady sent someone to take her away, and it seems she was sold off!" Mrs. Yuan said with a guilty conscience.
Yet Yun Jinnian breathed a sigh of relief.
At least Ru Xin's being sold meant that things were different from her dream.
"Nanny, could you find out where my granduncle is staying tonight?"
Mrs. Yuan didn't understand.
"Nanny, my granduncle, being an Imperial Censor of the fourth rank, is renowned for his integrity. He would never allow anything like mistreating a legitimate daughter to spread from his backyard, lest people mock him for not managing his own household while he advises others!" Yun Jinnian spoke, her eyes gradually lighting up.
The granduncle, he was the cure for her dire situation.
Mrs. Yuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly it dawned on her, "Which dress should the young miss wear tomorrow?"
"The one my older sister gave me!"
It had been altered and fitted her well.
"Yes!"
Mrs. Yuan slipped out quietly. Having been in the manor for ten years, she had her ways and quickly returned while Yun Jinnian waited, not yet asleep.
"Miss!"
"Hmm?"
"I've found out. The great master stayed with Concubine Cui!"
Yun Jinnian nodded, "Alright, I know now. Nanny, you should go to sleep early too!"
Early the next morning
Yun Jinnian got up early from bed.
She dressed up, braided her hair into buns, wore the pearl flowers twisted by Mrs. Yuan, and, accompanied by Mrs. Yuan, left Niannian Garden.
No one would believe that she, a legitimate daughter from the second branch, had only a maid and a nanny by her side, with no coarse maidservants or old women to attend to her.
Washing clothes, serving tea, and carrying water – it all had to be done by Mrs. Yuan.
Yun Jinnian waited in the shadows for a while before she saw the great master, Yun Chen, approaching.
He was in his forties, very scholarly and serious, with an elegant face and tightly pursed thin lips.
Yun Jinnian quickly stepped forward and bowed slightly towards Yun Chen, "Jinnian pays respect to granduncle!"
Yun Chen looked at Yun Jinnian and smiled faintly, "Ah, Jinnian, where are you going so early?"
"Granduncle, I heard that the plum blossoms in the garden have bloomed. I wanted to pick a few for grandmother," replied Yun Jinnian sweetly.
Such filial piety.
Yun Chen nodded in approval but then noticed something familiar about the clothes Yun Jinnian was wearing, "Your clothes look nice, and the color suits you well!"
"They were a gift from my older sister, but they were a bit big on me, so the nanny altered them. Quite a lot of fabric was cut off; it's such a pity. However, the cotton inside is brand new and keeps me warm!" Yun Jinnian gestured, inadvertently revealing the old lining inside her garment.
Yun Chen suddenly remembered the idle chatter he had heard the previous day.
At the time, he thought it was a maid from one of the concubines or daughters speaking disrespectfully about their mistress, and he had casually remarked, "What use is retaining a servant who disrespects their master? It's best to sell them off."
Now, seeing Yun Jinnian's clothes, he began to understand.
The maid was one from Yun Jinnian's side.
Looking at the pearl flowers on Yun Jinnian's head, such ornaments wouldn't be worn by maids who had some standing in the manor, yet they adorned the head of Yun Jinnian, a legitimate daughter.
"Truly a good child. Go and pick plum blossoms!"
"Yes, granduncle!" Yun Jinnian bowed and left with Mrs. Yuan.
Yun Chen watched Yun Jinnian's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly. He left the inner courtyard and went to the study in the outer courtyard.
He summoned the butler, "Come, tell me about the affairs of the backyard!"