Early the next day, Nanny Chang visited the Zhao Mansion again. Liang Hui did not make a fuss about it; instead, she warmly welcod her into the backyard, and wisely stepped aside when needed.
"Did Aunt hear about the matters outside and send the nanny over?" Lin Youning spoke up before Nanny Chang could say anything, "Nanny, you’re not allowed to lie to ."
"Miss, your perception is getting sharper." Nanny Chang knew she couldn’t conceal the truth and smiled as she explained, "... The old madam is distressed that Miss is being undervalued by others. Fortunately, Marquis Gu visited last night, comforted her with a few words, and only then did she manage a restful sleep."
Recalling these things, Nanny Chang couldn’t help but show a worried expression, "Miss has never been apart from the old madam since childhood. It’s normal for the old madam to be like a startled bird now; I suppose she’ll be better in a few days."
Those last words from Nanny Chang were ant to comfort Lin Youning, to ease her worries.
Yet, Lin Youning couldn’t help feeling distressed, "It’s my failing; I’m making Aunt worry. I will return to the manor with the nanny now."
Nanny Chang was satisfied at heart; indeed, the old madam hasn’t spoiled Miss in vain. However, she said, "When I ca today, the old madam instructed that if Miss wants to return, tell her not to hurry. The old madam understands that if Miss returns to the Marquis Mansion because of current rumors, it would undoubtedly lead to more gossip. So she decided not to have Miss return just yet. Having thought it through, she’s waiting for the seventh with Miss’s favorite dishes prepared."
"Nanny..." Lin Youning’s eyes reddened.
"Miss, the old madam realizes her affection towards Miss over the years was not in vain, and that is enough. Miss will face many such situations in the future. Without Marquis Gu’s persuasion, the old madam definitely wouldn’t remain idle, but under such circumstances, Miss would endure even more criticism." Nanny Chang knew Miss understood these things, yet couldn’t help but feel heartbroken, "I watched Miss grow up, I believe Miss will get through this."
Lin Youning, teary-eyed, replied, "Don’t worry, Nanny, I won’t disappoint you all."
"Alright, alright, Miss, don’t shed tears, or I will be at a loss when reporting back to the old madam." Nanny Chang jested, "Now that Miss has understood, I’ll head back first; the old madam is awaiting news."
Lin Youning felt embarrassed, "Troublemaking you again, Nanny."
After sending off Nanny Chang, Lin Youning felt heavy-hearted too. Seeing her sister-in-law’s caring gaze, she explained the situation.
"The old madam truly cherishes you." Liang Hui was genuinely happy for Sister Ning; despite lacking blood ties, soone cared so deeply for her.
"Sister-in-law, now everything at ho is starting anew, and there’s much to do. If you need help, just call ; I can always lend a hand or two." After speaking with her sister-in-law, Lin Youning felt better.
"It’s only a couple of days until the Double Seventh Festival; it’s your first ti celebrating it properly. Prepare well for going back to the Marquis Mansion. You also want to make sothing personally for the old madam. Although our ho doesn’t compare to the Marquis Mansion, sothing made from sincerity will be more precious to the old madam than anything." Liang Hui, having heard outside rumors, could finally relax.
Liang Hui had been worried that Sister Ning would fret alone over recent events. After seeing how these things unfolded, she now felt assured that whatever happens in the future, Sister Ning will be alright.
Lin Youning was relieved her sister-in-law didn’t resent her for the troubles brought to their ho, finally feeling a sense of belonging.
At night, while resting, Lin Youning recalled Xiao Bai from that evening. Early she had sent Nanny Guo and others to rest, leaving herself alone to sit idly on the couch in her room. From the west chamber occasionally ca Sister Ling’s laughter and Shanmoi’s soft chatter.
This peace allows one to not worry about future life; Lin Youning couldn’t resist smiling.
However, her gaze was always drawn to the courtyard; it’s already July with the weather heating up. At the Marquis Mansion before, there was ice to use, but Zhao Mansion lacks such facilities.
Lin Youning, being sensitive to cold, doesn’t feel hot without ice in sumr. She fanned herself casually.
Though not physically warm, her heart was unexplainably restless.
As if in anticipation, while knowing such thoughts are naive and shouldn’t be entertained.
Yet her mind refused to obey, drifting to hope. The courtyard seed empty, but who knows where Snowball erged from, tumbling around alone. Lin Youning chuckled; this fellow’s antics indeed proved Shanmoi’s reprimand right—tonight’s bath was a waste.
Snowball’s presence lifted Lin Youning’s mood considerably. She felt Snowball might be waiting for Xiao Bai; otherwise, why would it run all over the courtyard? In such heat, it would typically hide away.
Xiao Bai’s arrival would always lead to the illusion that Big Brother might also be present.
Aware of how absurd the notion was, Lin Youning couldn’t justify it.
Despite waiting until late at night, and seeing Snowball leave, Xiao Bai didn’t appear, making Lin Youning smile ruefully.
See, she knew she was overthinking it; Xiao Bai must have co because he discovered Snowball missing that day.
Unable to shake the disappointnt, Lin Youning left the couch and retired to bed. Though very late, sleep eluded her.
Outside Zhao Mansion’s walls, Gu Yifeng stood, hands behind his back, staring at the top of the fence, as if by doing so he could see everything inside the courtyard—like a cypress uprooting at the mountain’s peak bravely facing storms and snow yet unmoving.
Li Si stood respectfully behind him, not daring to breathe heavily. After Marquis Gu visited the Woodland Pavilion earlier that day, though he said nothing, Li Si understood Marquis was displeased.
As darkness fell, Marquis said nothing, left the mansion—Li Si knew he went to Miss Lin’s place, yet upon arriving, didn’t climb the tree, even locking Xiao Bai in the yard before leaving.
Just what Marquis was thinking, Li Si truly couldn’t decipher; if worried for Miss Lin, he could simply see her directly, why then stand here each night?
While contemplating this, he suddenly noticed Marquis turning to look towards the other side of the alley and then agilely jumped up a tree branch, prompting Li Si to follow suit, the master and servant concealing themselves among the branches.
Soon, two figures wavered towards them; rather than walking, it seed more like swaying. Under the moonlight, Li Si recognized the people in the alley—it was none other than General Xu.
Internally surprised: Why had General Xu co here?
After all, this is West Market.
While Xu Mansion is in East Market.
Knowing General Xu’s skills, Li Si held his breath, worried about alarming those below.
"Sir, today the old madam sent word, urging the Marquis to return early." Zhang Rang quietly reminded.
"Don’t you find tonight’s moonlight delightful? Furthermore, watching the moon here adds a certain flavor." Xu Kuan remained still, gazing towards the wall above.
The direction of his gaze was exactly towards the Zhao Mansion.
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