However, Yun Jinnian waited until it was dark, and when dinner was delivered to Niannian Garden, no one came to invite her.
Mrs. Yuan felt uncomfortable, but Yun Jinnian calmed down, peacefully eating her dinner, and actually ate more than she had at lunch.
Danxia and the others all seemed somewhat downcast.
"Don't be disheartened. The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge. Go and eat, everyone. Uncle's promotion is a good thing, wet nurse!"
"Yes!"
"Reward each person with a silver!"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Yuan pursed her lips and turned to fetch the silver.
It was only then that Danxia and the others cheered up.
With the silver in hand at Niannian Garden, and more to be had at Lady's place—how wonderful!
Yun Chen was promoted two ranks and was overjoyed, walking with a spring in his step. He went with his colleagues to the tavern for a drink and didn't return home until dark.
The old Lady, the Lady, and the concubines, children of the main branch, as well as everyone from the second branch, except for Yun Jinnian, and a few other concubines' daughters were all waiting in the hall.
"The master's returned!"
The old Lady quickly got up, smilingly watching Yun Chen enter with his head held high.
"Chenchen!"
"Mother!"
The Lady immediately came forward to greet him, and the children also hurried up, "Father!"
"Uncle!"
"Great-Uncle!"
Yun Chen responded to each of them.
But he noticed that two people were missing, one was his legitimate son Yun Zhen, and the other was Yun Jinnian!
Seventeen-year-old Yun Zhen was studying at Songshan Academy because he was to take the imperial examinations in the spring of next year, in February. If he managed to rank among the top three candidates for the tribute scholar, that would truly be a great fortune.
So it was no surprise that Yun Zhen was absent.
But Yun Jinnian's absence...
Yun Chen's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
He had heard during the drink that the position of Imperial Censor from the third rank had already been decided upon. It was just that this morning at court in the Jinluan Hall, the Emperor suddenly appointed him.
It was quite puzzling.
But it was an appointment everyone envied.
Yun Chen, recalling the words of the monk from the day before, gradually sank into a somber mood, "It's getting late. Everyone, go back to your own places!"
"But we've prepared the meal!" The old Lady hastily said.
"Mother, I have already eaten outside, and I've had a drink too. I'm going to rest for a while; you all go ahead and eat," Yun Chen said, then turned and left.
The Lady and the old Lady were both shocked.
The children were even more frightened, and the concubines didn't dare to speak up.
"Wasn't everything fine earlier?" the old Lady tentatively asked the Lady.
At first, the Lady didn't understand, but after the old Lady mentioned it, it dawned on her.
Yet she dared not tell the old Lady, "Mother, the master must be tired from socializing outside; let's eat!"
The dinner tasted like wax in their mouths, and afterwards, everyone retreated to their own quarters.
Xu Xinmo, helping the old Lady back to Cixin Academy, said, "Grandmother, why do you think Uncle suddenly became unhappy?"
Everything was fine; what could have made him unhappy all of a sudden?
The old Lady tried hard to think, but could not figure out the reason.
"Child, don't make wild guesses. Your uncle is simply too tired. You should also freshen up and rest early, as you need to go to the girl's school tomorrow," the old Lady said affectionately.
Her most beloved granddaughter looked good to her no matter how you looked at her!
"Understood, Grandmother. You should rest early too!" After sending the old Lady back to her main house, Xu Xinmo returned to her own small room.
Her room had the best furnishings and decorations out of all the Yun family daughters' rooms, even better than those of the eldest daughter, Yun Muyou.
"Daidai!"
"Miss!"
"Why do you think Uncle suddenly became unhappy? He seemed very pleased at first, didn't he?"
Daidai, around fifteen or sixteen years old, with a round face and single eyelids, would narrow her eyes when she was thinking.
After a while, she finally said, "Miss, do you think it could be because of the fourth Miss?"
Xu Xinmo suddenly sat up, "What did you say?"