Chapter 565: Chapter 566, Persuading Mrs. Han
Mrs. Han covered her heart and asked herself, what was wrong with her?
She had been looking forward to her daughter’s return for so long, she should be happy, so why the tears out of nowhere?
But when she saw Jinnian, she felt aggrieved again.
Her mind was cluttered with this and that, so muddled that she hardly felt like herself, Mrs. Han Shuniang.
"Madam, if you really want the young mistress to stay, just say so. Why say one thing and mean another, letting the young mistress leave? The young mistress has always been with Mrs. Yuan, and Mrs. Yuan was originally just a village woman without much decisiveness, not to mention knowledge of the ways of the world. How could she teach the young mistress everything? The young mistress herself is of a reserved nature; how would she know what you’re thinking if you don’t tell her, madam? You’re suffering here, while the young mistress might even think that you don’t like her!" Bai Que said each word seriously.
Mrs. Han quickly sat up and retorted, "How could I not like her? She’s the child I bore through ten months of pregnancy and intense hardship; how could I not love her!"
By the end of her declaration, Mrs. Han’s face was already streaming with tears.
If she loved her, why did she push her away? Jinnian had wanted to stay earlier!
"Madam!" Bai Que said with pity.
She took a handkerchief to wipe Mrs. Han’s tear-streaked eyes. "When you have time, have the old master take your pulse, or after the young mistress enters the palace, we can go to Huguo Temple and stay for a while. We’ll go to the former meditation room where the young mistress stayed. I think the abbot must have kept it for the young mistress and has it cleaned every day!"
Bai Que was also afraid that if Mrs. Han stayed, she might go mad.
After helping Mrs. Han to bed, Bai Que went to Niannian Garden.
Inside Niannian Garden, there was immense rejoicing, and it instantly became the envy of all the maids, matrons, and servant boys in the Yun Residence.
Gold hairpins, brocades—those were coveted rarities.
Especially since it was said that the hairpins were bought from Qiaoshi Pavilion, and the fabrics came from Jinshang Pavilion, which made the envy of the maids and matrons all the more intense.
They too wished they could serve in Niannian Garden.
However, except for Ru Yue, the maids and matrons in Niannian Garden were all brought from outside by the fourth mistress and were, therefore, extraordinary.
"Sigh..."
They could only dream about it.
Yun Jinnian was reading Medical Books by the window, and Mrs. Yuan was in the small hall dividing the items, remembering who had selected which items and making sure there were no mistakes.
When Bai Que arrived, Mrs. Yuan immediately approached with glee, "Bai Que girl has come, come quick, this is what the young mistress picked out for you!"
Mrs. Han’s share had already been given out by Yun Jinnian earlier. Bai Que’s share, however, was packed together with those for Mrs. Yuan and the rest.
Bai Que smiled, "I have something too?"
"Yes, yes, the young mistress has been thinking of you!" Mrs. Yuan said, her smile wide with joy.
She was naturally a person of little thought and easily contented.
She didn’t notice the worry on Bai Que’s face.
"Where is the young mistress?" Bai Que asked softly.
"The young mistress is by the window, reading Medical Books!"
After hesitating for a moment, Bai Que entered the study and saw Yun Jinnian lazily leaning on a chaise longue, intently reading a medical book, seemingly unaffected by the noise coming from the small hall.
It seemed as though she was even enjoying herself.
"Bai Que pays her respects to the young mistress!" Bai Que bowed slightly.
Yun Jinnian looked up upon hearing her, blinking her dry eyes, "Why have you come? Did my mother have any instructions?"
"No, madam sent me to ask when the young mistress will be entering the palace?" Bai Que changed her mind halfway through her words.
Yun Jinnian furrowed her brows slightly, "I’m not sure about that myself; it all depends on when the Emperor summons me. But I think it will be within the next few days!"