When Shanmoi and the others ca in to dress her, Lin Youning was also observing their expressions. In the future, when she leaves the Marquis Mansion, she plans to take them with her.
At this ti, it was also an opportunity to test who truly had genuine feelings for her. This way, she would know whom to take when she departs.
"Miss, do you want to go to the front and see the Seven-Colored Fish?" Shanmoi teased with a smile.
Pretending to look at fish was just an excuse to cheer her up with mories of Mrs. Kong, right?
Lin Youning laughed, "Why not? Although I’ve often co to Pure Path Temple over the years, I’ve never been there."
There was still so ti before the al, so Lin Youning took Hailan and Shanmoi towards the front hall.
Pure Path Temple is a Royal Temple, and only the noble families can enter. There are no commoners. Lin Youning didn’t need to wear a veil. There were not many people around, and even if seen, nothing would go wrong in this sacred Buddhist place.
From afar, Lin Youning saw a figure by the pond, and just from the back, she recognized Xu Kuan. Now that her concerns had been settled, she no longer felt the need to avoid Xu Kuan as she once did.
After all, this was a temple; it wouldn’t be right for him to appreciate the fish while others hid away.
For the first ti, with this newfound confidence, Lin Youning giggled quietly behind her handkerchief.
Her laughter puzzled Shanmoi and Hailan.
Even Xu Kuan by the pond noticed the laughter and turned around. Upon seeing who it was, a slight smile tugged at his lips.
"When did Sister Ning co to the temple?" Xu Kuan’s voice was always a bit husky.
Unlike Gu Yifeng’s aloofness, though also a military general, he had a smile like a sly fox from a noble family, but his eyes were filled with a domineering darkness.
Gu Yifeng, however, was like an iceberg, perpetually immovable, and just looking at him sent a chill through one’s body.
"I ca with Mrs. Zhao," Lin Youning replied graciously, performing a curtsy before speaking to him. "What brings General Xu to the temple?"
"Today is my late wife’s morial day." Xu Kuan didn’t elaborate.
Lin Youning nodded.
She didn’t ask further.
But she knew in her heart.
Every year, Xu Kuan would co to the temple to perform rites for his late wife, not out of affection for her, but to show the Liu Family.
The forr Pri Minister was surnad Liu, and Xu Kuan’s wife was the daughter of the Pri Minister Liu’s brother, making them true in-laws. Pri Minister Liu supported Her Highness.
Xu Kuan didn’t want to get entangled in the struggle for succession, so he refused to take another Liu daughter as his concubine, using the excuse of being unable to forget his late wife over the years to decline.
Obviously, no one else knew about these things.
It was only in a previous life when Xu Kuan barged into Lin Youning’s boudoir, fearing she would misunderstand the rumors about him not forgetting his late wife, that he explained the situation to her.
By then, the Crown Prince had already ascended, and Xu Kuan wasn’t afraid of the story getting out when he told her.
Gazing at the small fish in the pond, Lin Youning slowly snapped out of her mories, feeling her ears warm under his gaze.
This rogue.
He had no sense of decorum, clearly a brute. Although she didn’t look back, she could guess he was staring at her intently, showing no concern if the servants noticed such rudeness.
Originally, Lin Youning pretended not to notice, but ti ticked by, and he hadn’t looked away. Frustrated, she could no longer focus on the fish and, without saying a word, led her two maids away.
Yet, as soon as she moved, the person behind followed, maintaining a distance of ten steps.
Walking behind, Shanmoi and Hailan exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of General Xu’s intentions.
Previously, he was rude enough to stare at the young lady, and now that she’s leaving, he’s following behind. He seed like a philanderer.
But Lin Youning didn’t worry about that, only regretting not avoiding Xu Kuan as soon as she saw him, having forgotten he was a rascal.
"Miss, it’s getting late, Mrs. Zhao might be looking for you. We should head back," Shanmoi suggested, seeing that person still following, unable to confront a general directly, they could only try another approach.
Lin Youning nodded, giving her two maids a look, and the three of them headed back.
Xu Kuan didn’t stop them this ti and didn’t follow but rely watched the three leave with a smile tugging at his lips.
Actually, Xu Kuan had noticed Lin Youning and her maids when they arrived at the front hall. He stayed silent, thinking the young lady would run as usual since every ti she would flee upon seeing him.
But this ti was different, which surprised him. This young lady actually approached, and he was curious to see how long she’d last.
Truly a contradictory young girl—clearly uncomfortable with his stare but still pretending to be calm until finally fleeing.
Xu Kuan didn’t know why, but teasing her brought him such joy.
Lin Youning returned to her room, finally letting out a sigh of relief. Before she could fully rest, Liang Hui arrived.
Lin Youning had the vegetarian al sent to the soft couch, where they sat side by side, eating and listening to Liang Hui recount the happenings at ho over the years.
Servants were present, yet their conversation was enough to reveal family matters to Lin Youning without raising suspicions.
After the al, they strolled in the courtyard for digestion, without the servants following, as they could see the surroundings at a glance.
Though they stayed close enough to be heard by no one else, they could clearly see the area, unafraid of eavesdroppers.
"I’ve sent soone down the mountain to get a ssage to your brother. With his quick temper, he might co tonight. I’ve also inford those at the temple to keep an eye out," Liang Hui said.
Though she had acknowledged their relationship, the thought of her brother’s visit made Lin Youning nervous.
Feeling her anxiety, Liang Hui patted her hand gently, smiling sweetly, "Don’t worry, though he looks cold, you’ll find no one more soft-hearted than your brother once you get to know him."
In truth, having just recognized family, Liang Hui was reluctant to say more. Otherwise, back ho, she’d candidly ntion her husband could also beco cold, which must be learned from the Marquis.
But being a private matter, Liang Hui refrained from speaking bluntly.
Liang Hui prepared Lin Youning for what lay ahead, and together they decided to stay together that night, dismissing the servants to rest in the side chambers, while leaving the courtyard gate key with Liang Hui’s maid.
This way, if Zhao Housheng arrived at night, he could enter without disturbing anyone in the courtyard.
That night, neither Lin Youning nor Liang Hui could sleep easily. As expected, Zhao Housheng, familiar with his wife’s nature, arrived. The maid from Zhao Mansion let him in, escorting him to the main room without raising any alarms.
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