CHAPTER 1107: CHAPTER 225: EMBROIDERED PILLOW, ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS SHOWDOWN (PART 3)

Yi Suchen finally noticed the bloodstains on Yun Ya’s chest. She had heard about what happened in the Plum Forest. She looked up at Yun Ya a few more times, a fleeting mysterious light crossing her eyes. She smiled and nodded, "Alright, you go ahead. I’ll head over first."

With those words, she brushed past the three of them and walked away gracefully.

Yun Ya turned to look at her back. Yi Suchen was slender, her silhouette carried an ethereal grace.

"Yun Ya, let’s go."

Yun Ya nodded and asked, "The second aunt seems a bit melancholy."

Yan Hua sighed, "Ever since the incident, second uncle rarely leaves the house. Second aunt used to be very lively, but she became melancholic after that, completely indifferent to the outside world."

"Doesn’t the second aunt have any children?" Yun Ya asked.

Speaking of this, Yan Hua replied helplessly, "Second aunt is a pitiful woman too. She and second uncle had a daughter, but she died of illness at the age of three, the same year second uncle had his incident. Later, second aunt got pregnant a few times, but each time she couldn’t keep it. Gradually, she lost hope. She’s forty-seven now, and it’s difficult to conceive again. I only know all this from my mom."

Yun Ya could imagine how devastating it must be for a woman to lose her husband to an accident, then her child, followed by multiple miscarriages.

No wonder her eyes always seemed so melancholic.

"Actually, second aunt once adopted a daughter, but that daughter..., sigh, it’s better not to mention it." Yan Hua shook his head.

Saying this, the two entered the room where Yan Song was waiting at the door.

Yan Hua took out a piece of clothing, "This is the New Year’s outfit my mom got for me. I’ve always been reluctant to wear it. Since we’re about the same size, I’m lending it to you. I hope you won’t mind."

It was a cotton-padded jacket adapted from a qipao, with delicate hand-embroidered small flowers, intricate hemstitches, lifelike, especially the elaborate sleeve cuffs and collar, adding elegance to the garment, matching Yan Hua’s temperament well.

"It’s prepared especially for you by the Lady, I can’t wear it." Yun Ya casually pulled out something from the wardrobe, "I’ll take this one, this one’s alright."

Yan Hua snatched the clothes from her hands and shoved the dress at her, "I don’t care much about clothes or anything, it’s the same whoever wears it. If you really consider me a friend, wear this one. Otherwise, I’ll be upset."

Yun Ya sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine, I’ll listen to you."

Yan Hua immediately smiled and pushed her inside, "Hurry up and change."

Two minutes later, Yun Ya opened the door and walked out. Yan Hua was drinking tea and, hearing the sound, looked up, suddenly dropping her teacup to the floor.

"So beautiful, this dress looks like it was tailored just for you."

Yan Hua wasn’t exaggerating. Yun Ya’s figure was remarkably similar to hers, both tall and slender. The dress fit Yun Ya perfectly, the simple elegance of the color complementing her delicate grace, with especially the white fox fur trim on the collar and cuffs adding a touch of opulence, making it hard for anyone to look away.

"I told you it would look great on you, doesn’t seem like a waste for this dress."

Yan Hua pulled her out, and as expected, Yan Song couldn’t take his eyes off her. Yan Hua covered her mouth to suppress a laugh, "Big brother’s eyes are glued."

Yan Song glared at her, then walked over and took Yun Ya’s hand, "Let’s go."

In the front courtyard’s banquet hall, the tables were already set. Yan Guosong and Yan Guobai sat at the main table. Yan Nanxiao, Yan Nanrong, and Yan Nankun mingled among the guests, raising their glasses and chatting joyfully.

At a nearby table sat the ladies, with Lu Yuke, Meng Shujing, and Su Yu entertaining the female guests, the hall bustling with activity.

Yan Xing sat close to Meng Junci, leaving the seat beside her empty, frequently glancing outside, "Where’s second sister? Great-grandfather’s almost here. What’s she up to?"

Meng Junci had been deep in thought, completely missing what Yan Xing had said until Yan Xing nudged her, "Sister Ah Ci, what are you thinking about? I’m talking to you, and you don’t even respond."

Meng Junci snapped back to reality, looking somewhat dazed, "What?"

Yan Xing rolled her eyes at her, "Are you daydreaming?"

Meng Junci pursed her lips.

"Oh, have you seen my second brother? He’s alone and bored. You should take this chance to get closer to him. Don’t say your younger sister didn’t give you a heads-up."

Meng Junci followed her gaze and saw the bored young man sitting at the edge of the main table, with Yan Guobai talking to him, Yan Ke responding indifferently, clearly disinterested.

"I... there are so many people, I better not." Meng Junci took a sip from her cup, the tea a bit hot, causing her to cough and hurriedly put her cup down.