Eunuch Hai spoke softly, his eyes downcast and breath scarcely escaping.
The Emperor waved his hand, signaling Yun Qi and Yun Chen to enter the Imperial Study.
Once they entered the Imperial Study, they saw the Emperor sitting regally on his throne, smiling at them, "We greet Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!"
"My dear courtiers, please dispense with the formalities. I have summoned you to the palace today to inform you both that I have just received news that the Yun Family’s Fourth Miss will be able to return to the Capital City before the fifteenth of August. I have decided, then, to hold a Mid-Autumn banquet in the palace at that ti. Do rember to bring your family mbers. Oh, by the way, does the Old Mada of the Yun Family presently have an Imperial Decree?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Qi felt that this was not a good sign.
Now with a son, his persistence towards Mrs. Han seed to have waned as before.
Moreover, Auntie’s tender care and exceptional talents were not the least bit inferior to Mrs. Han, without the many rules and tempers, and she was exceedingly thoughtful towards him.
Even when he went to rest at Auntie’s place, she wouldn’t utter an extra word.
Yun Chen hastily replied, "Answering Your Majesty, she has not!"
"Ah, this is my oversight," the Emperor said, pausing montarily. "In that case, let us bestow upon the Old Mada of the Yun Family the title of Old Madam of the First Rank. She has birthed three sons, all pillars of the Imperial Court, and is indeed worthy of this title!"
Although Yun Chen was taken aback, he was nonetheless overjoyed. "This subject thanks Your Majesty. Long live, long live, long live the Emperor!"
Yun Qi, puzzled, followed suit with the formalities.
"Alright, you may both withdraw for now. The Imperial Decree will reach the Yun Residence shortly; have the Old Madam prepare herself!"
Compared to Yun Chen’s joy, Yun Qi was much more composed.
He always felt that sothing was amiss.
Could it be that the Emperor wanted to reutilize the Yun Family?
The Old Mada of the Yun Family... should now be addressed as the Old Madam.
Since she had been granted the Imperial Decree to beco the Old Madam of the First Rank, the Capital City was abuzz with excitent, those who were well-acquainted with the twists and turns of the Yun Family naturally scoffed.
Esteed families simply sent respectful gifts, but would not personally visit, whereas smaller households flocked to their door, the Yun Family’s status soaring overnight, practically trampling their doorstep.
What surprised people the most was that the Emperor had arranged a new position for Yun Zhen and permitted him a second chance at the imperial examination in two years’ ti.
Suddenly, the Yun Family was in the lilight.
Yun Muyou’s marriage to the Marquess Yuanshen had been going well; her dowry covered all of their household expenses. Weng Jianrui was clever, having coaxed Yun Muyou into taking out her dowry savings to open a shop, which did well in business.
Now that the Yun Family suddenly had an Old Madam, and Yun Zhen had been given a position, though not a major one, Weng Jianrui was even better to Yun Muyou.
Yun Zihan’s married life with Liao Shijie was also prosperous, with no overbearing mother-in-law to manage her, nor sisters-in-law or younger brothers-in-law to worry about. All she needed to do was to take good care of Liao Shijie and hold onto his heart.
However, with more than a dozen hotown acquaintances living in their residence, their expenditures suddenly increased greatly, to the point of deficit.
This greatly troubled Yun Zihan.
"What’s the matter?" Liao Shijie asked.
Yun Zihan smiled at him, took his hand, and sat in his lap, "It’s nothing serious, just, take a look at this account book, will you?"
Liao Shijie imdiately understood.
Three als a day for over a dozen people, plus tea and snacks, seasonal clothing, and the expenses for maids, nannies, and servants indeed consud a considerable amount of silver.
With a modest family fortune, such spending was unsustainable for them.
"It’s my lack of foresight. Now that they’re already residing in the house, it would probably be unseemly to send them away!"
And among these acquaintances, so truly had talent, but were poor and had already spent their traveling funds upon arriving in the Capital City. As a forr schoolmate and good friend, he naturally couldn’t leave them in the lurch.
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