Old Yin and Yang Man
Thinking about Huo, it seemed he didn't want her to appear in front of others too often.
However, Yuhuayuan had sent a nanny to summon him. Yu Linlang had no choice but to go reluctantly.
When Yu Linlang arrived, she saw Yu Pianpian nestled on a cushion at the old lady's feet, telling jokes that made the old woman laugh heartily.
Yu Qiuping sat quietly to the side, a faint smile on her lips, her expression peaceful and composed.
Yu Zhihuan sat beside Aunt Su. When he saw Yu Linlang enter, he raised his head, glared at her slightly, and then turned away in anger.
Aunt Cui wore an especially festive outfit today—a gorgeous silk jacket and an elaborate headdress adorned with pearls.
As soon as she saw Yu Linlang, she greeted her warmly. "Miss Linlang, you're finally here. The old lady and everyone else have been waiting for you."
"Linlang is here." The old lady nodded with a smile. "Since everyone has arrived, let's go to the flower hall next door and take our seats."
"There's no need for formality. Tonight, we're just having a family reunion dinner." The old lady patted Yu Pianpian's little hand and looked at everyone with a gentle smile.
Yu Linlang quietly glanced around and noticed that, in addition to Aunt Ma, Aunt Su, and Aunt Cui, there were three other beautiful women she had never seen before.
Aunt Ma looked the most worn by time.
She was older and lacked the means to maintain her appearance, making her seem far less radiant than the younger, well-dressed Aunt Cui.
Moreover, Aunt Ma was not talkative and often went unnoticed.
Aunt Su, still carrying a scholarly aura, sat next to Yu Zhihuan, offering a polite nod with a faint smile.
Governor Yu helped his mother to her seat at the head of the table. For once, a rare smile appeared on his face as he looked at everyone. "Today, thanks to the old lady's generosity, the whole family is gathered for a reunion dinner."
"This meal is not about status or hierarchy—just family. Let's all sit down and enjoy."
As soon as Aunt Cui sat, she wiped the corners of her eyes with a silk handkerchief and spoke in a soft voice. "Master, you look so haggard. You need to rest more at night."
Huo sneered. "The master is busy with important matters. How can he just put them aside and rest?"
"Madam, that's not what I meant—"
"Enough. Eat more, talk less," Huo interrupted, giving her a cold glance before personally placing a piece of braised fish on Governor Yu's plate. "Master, have some fish."
"Thank you, Madam." Governor Yu nodded with a smile, then turned to his son, seated on the other side of the old lady. "Boyan, how has your studying been this year? What does your teacher say?"
"Sir said that, given my current knowledge, I could attempt the exam this year. If I pass, that would be great. If not, there's always next year or the year after."
Governor Yu's expression softened with pride. "My son has never disappointed me."
Huo, clearly pleased, smiled and said, "Sir believes Boyan doesn't need to rush. But Master, have you given any thought to his future?"
"Grandmother, Father, Mother," Yu Boyan said firmly, "I would like to take the exam this autumn."
"Good, good!" Governor Yu, suddenly energized, nodded approvingly. "There are rumors that the imperial court plans to reform the examination system, and the next round might not open for a while. Taking it this year is a wise choice."
"I will do my best," Yu Boyan said with a smile.
Pride gleamed in Huo's eyes. She put down her chopsticks and added, "Master, you may not know this yet, but Pianpian also achieved the highest marks at the end of the year."
"Is that so?" Governor Yu beamed.
"Yes, she is truly my son's sister. Such intelligence runs in the family," Huo giggled behind her veil.
Everyone turned their eyes toward Yu Linlang.
She, however, kept her focus on the braised pork knuckle before her, neither reacting nor acknowledging the attention.
Governor Yu, sensing the tension, quickly picked up his chopsticks. "Everyone, let's eat. Don't be shy."
Yu Linlang quietly placed a small piece of pork knuckle into her bowl and took a slow bite.
But then, Governor Yu turned to her with a warm smile. "Linlang, you've been working hard lately. Eat as much as you like."
Yu Linlang continued eating, not saying a word, never once glancing in his direction.
Governor Yu coughed awkwardly. "Ah, by the way, Linlang, Mother Ya mentioned something to me. After the Lantern Festival, we will be sending you to Shuyun Women's Academy."
"I've already spoken to Headmistress Yang, so there shouldn't be any issues. As for the fees, you'll need to go to the accounts office and pay 500 taels of silver. You'll also need to buy everything required—pens, ink, paper, inkstones, a guqin, chess set, embroidery materials, and even horse-riding equipment."
"Make sure to get everything. Shuyun Women's Academy has an extensive curriculum, and we wouldn't want you to lack anything," Governor Yu said before turning to Yu Pianpian. "Pianpian, help your sister make a list of all the learning tools she'll need. You two will be studying together, after all."
"Of course, Father. I will take good care of Sister Linlang," Yu Pianpian said sweetly, turning to smile at Yu Linlang.
Unfortunately, she directed her warmth at the wrong person. Yu Linlang never looked up, remaining focused on her meal in silence.
Seeing her passive, indifferent attitude, Huo's frustration flared again.
She wiped the corners of her mouth and muttered, "Didn't she already receive 500 taels before? How much does she need for a year? Even if she gets another 500, that's only 1,000 taels total. Surely, buying some stationery doesn't cost that much?"
Yu Linlang lowered her eyes and spoke softly, "If the family has no money, then don't give it to me. I'd hate for everyone to starve because of me. I wouldn't want to be blamed for bankrupting my parents and causing our family's downfall. That's a burden I cannot bear."
The table fell into a stunned silence.
Miss Linlang truly dared to say anything!
She was the embodiment of an old Yin-Yang master—turning a festive reunion dinner into an awkward mess.
"Yu Linlang." Huo gritted her teeth. If not for the elders present, she would have slammed the table.
"Oh, madam," Governor Yu hurriedly stepped in with a smile. "My salary is for my family, of course. And isn't it thanks to my wife's investments that we have our wealth? Linlang needs a lot for her first year of study. A guqin alone can cost several hundred taels, right?"
"She's a beginner. There's no need to buy an expensive one. A basic one for a few dozen taels will suffice."
Yu Linlang shook her head. "I won't buy a guqin or play it. My hands cannot touch one. You may remove that lesson from my schedule."
Huo slammed the table. "Who do you think you are to refuse a lesson? You will learn it!"
Governor Yu, eager to smooth things over, turned to Linlang. "Why can't you touch the guqin?"
Yu Linlang lifted her gaze, her eyes cold and unwavering.
"Because my guqin is only meant for killing."