Aunt Lv could not sit still after hearing the news and went directly to Aunt He. Aunt He had just been awakened by a pinch from her maid and didn’t have the mood to entertain when she saw Aunt Lv arrive.
Aunt Lv sighed directly, "How could the old Madam suddenly want to bring in a concubine? Although our eldest son is of a second-wife birth, look at his learning and appearance. Even if Madam truly has no descendants, why can’t the eldest son inherit the title? Sothing must have happened to him, and soone must be working against him for the eldest son to end up like this."
Before leaving, Aunt Lv said these words. Aunt He slowly pondered them, her mind entrapped. Soone must be plotting against the eldest son; otherwise, he was ant to beco the Marquis soday.
Aunt He was very quiet, but her eyes held a trace of determination, as if she were resolved to uncover the person harming the eldest son.
Chunhua, the servant attending to Aunt He, couldn’t help but worry seeing her in this state.
After settling Aunt He, Chunhua pulled another senior maid, Qiushi, aside to talk secretly, "Aunt Lv has always been high and mighty, never bothering with our Aunt He. Why is she suddenly so kind as to stand up for her now?"
"We must be cautious about this matter. Aunt Lv is Madam’s person. This might be Madam’s idea. We can’t let Aunt He do sothing foolish after hearing this." Qiushi was sharp-witted.
If sothing happens to the master, the servants like them would have a hard ti.
Aunt He, after a few visits from Aunt Lv, felt uneasy and often sat alone, lost in thought.
Qiushi had been summoned to serve Aunt He only after she beca a concubine. Qiushi was young back then, just a little maid. Aunt He trusted her for her loyalty.
Now that she was old enough, she could marry a young man from the mansion’s staff and live a settled life elsewhere without wanting to be involved.
Chunhua was straightforward, and Qiushi reminded her, "If Aunt He does anything wrong in the future, and things really can’t be stopped, go report to the old Madam in Shi’an Garden. Don’t let Aunt He act on her whims. If disaster strikes one day, as a servant, how much is your life worth?"
Hearing her life was at stake, Chunhua turned pale with fear, "Sister, don’t worry, I’ll keep this in mind every day."
Qiushi knew Chunhua was honest and timid, so seeing her agree, she didn’t say more.
Out of the mansion, Lin Youning had no idea the household was getting restless over Gu Yifeng planning to take a concubine. Even if there was sothing going on, she didn’t feel it concerned her.
Once on the main street, Gu Yifeng rode off, leaving Li Si to follow Lin Youning.
Lin Youning wanted to go to the Imperial College without anyone knowing, aning she had to shake off her followers. Having been a woman of the household in her past life, she knew that so large jewelry stores often had back doors; this was a thought she had before leaving the mansion.
She had Li Si directly take her to the biggest jewelry store and went inside. People from big families like hers could choose things in private rooms, thus making it inconvenient for Li Si to follow. He waited in the hall.
Once inside the private room, Lin Youning gave Shanmoi a look. Shanmoi took out a piece of silver and slipped it into the attendant’s hand, "My lady wants to choose by herself. Brother, please prepare so tea and snacks."
The shop attendant, seeing such a large piece of silver, dared not accept it, "It’s my duty to serve."
Shanmoi directly put it in his hand, "There’s a back door here, right? My lady doesn’t want to be followed and will return in less than an hour. You know what to say if soone asks, right?"
Upon hearing that there was a request, the attendant finally accepted the silver and smiled, "The lady can go; I’ll keep watch here for her, ensuring nothing gets exposed."
The attendant had seen such things often, simply assuming it was a rendezvous that needed to be kept from the household.
Lin Youning wore a veil and knew he had misunderstood but did not explain. She let the attendant take her to the back door and told him to pick her up in an hour before leaving with Shanmoi.
Once out of the alley, the two won moved slowly on foot, so they rented a carriage and headed towards the Imperial College.
Lin Sheng was rely a clerk, mainly responsible for organizing student files. Although it was a promotion to be transferred to the Capital, he had no real power, unlike being a county magistrate elsewhere.
This day, while idly sipping tea, a minor official approached, saying soone outside was looking for him, a young lady.
As Lin Sheng’s daughter often ca to see him, as this was the Imperial College filled with scholars, Lin Sheng assud this girl had a budding romance. Though knowledgeable of his daughter’s intentions, he chose not to reveal it and let her be.
For this, Lady Lin often scolded him, saying such spoiling would ruin their daughter.
Today, the ssenger was a minor official Lin Sheng had not seen before, whom he assud didn’t recognize his daughter. Without overthinking, he rose, straightened his official robes, and went outside.
As he drew closer, seeing an unfamiliar face, Lin Sheng hesitated but approached.
"Is this young lady looking for ?" he asked with a slight frown upon seeing the girl wearing a veil.
Thinking she was inappropriate.
Lin Youning was also observing her father, whom she was eting for the first ti in two lifetis. Not yet forty, he stood with his hands behind him, clad in official robes, and spoke with an air of authority.
His features were proper and severe, giving an impression of integrity at first glance.
Seeing his displeasure as he asked her, and without knowing why, Lin Youning felt joy at seeing such a proper family mber. The initial sadness of seeing a relative was dispelled.
Shanmoi, too, was observing, startled by the intimidating look as he glared, considering the resemblance between the girl and her father.
Lin Youning had already removed her veil, revealing her tender and striking face. Lin Sheng’s eyes flashed with an impressed look, though he did not linger on her face.
"Unfilial daughter Lin Youning pays respects to Father." Lin Youning bowed formally.
Unfilial daughter.
Lin Youning.
Shocked, Lin Sheng looked at the young lady before him. This was his daughter, who had been sent away at birth and now suddenly reappeared before him with no warning.
Years ago, when his wife gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, he was overjoyed. How could he not be pleased, being a re scholar with the affection of a girl from the General Mansion?
It was happiness falling from the sky, striking hard on him.
Even the General Gao Mansion did not object, and when his wife quickly beca pregnant after marrying, Lin Sheng felt life was perfect, so blissful that even being a celestial immortal held no appeal.
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