It’s quite a painful thing to maintain updates of ten thousand words daily and do so regularly, as most of my energy is dedicated to this. I spend most of my ti writing, so I appreciate your support and ask for monthly tickets.
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The group got on their respective carriages and left, as if General Xu’s confession earlier never happened.
Xu Kuan rode on his horse, shaking his head with a smile, and showed no disappointnt from being rejected, nor did he feel he lost face in front of everyone.
Seeing his master like this, Zhang Rang shook his head. With such an open confession, which girl wouldn’t be embarrassed and angry? How could she agree?
Whether the master’s confession was genuine or ant to make things difficult for Miss Lin, no one knew. But in Zhang Rang’s eyes, it was clearly a deliberate humiliation.
Obviously, Zhang Rang wasn’t the only one who thought this way; Liang Hui sat in the carriage with a face full of reproach, "Even though General Xu is a warrior, how could he humiliate soone like this? To say such things in front of so many people, Sister Ning is also a lady. How can he act like this?"
Zhao Housheng also frowned, "Sister Ning has already turned him down. Just let it go. If we continue to dwell on it, Sister Ning will feel pressured."
"I saw Marquis’s face was unpleasant. After all, Sister Ning used to be associated with the Marquis Mansion. From General Xu’s behavior, it seems he’s been interested in Sister Ning for so ti." Liang Hui barely voiced her guess, "When General Xu ca to the mansion that day, he was probably there for Sister Ning, wasn’t he?"
"I’ve thought about that too." Zhao Housheng nodded.
The couple fell into silence.
Rembering what her husband said to Sister Ning when General Xu visited the house, Liang Hui understood the probing intent, realizing her husband had been aware of it for a while.
Liang Hui asked no further questions. Over at the Marquis Mansion’s carriage, Sister Yue laughed excitedly.
"General Xu must have had feelings for her for a while? Today is the day of Qixi! Otherwise, how could he openly say such things?" Sister Yue laughed mischievously.
But no one responded to her. Sister Jian and Sister Ran kept their heads down, while Sister Hui frowned, showing her disapproval.
Still, they didn’t interfere, knowing that since the second house’s issues erged, Sister Yue often behaved outrageously, even indulging herself.
Everyone in the Marquis Mansion could see it and felt sorry for her, so they didn’t hold it against her.
Besides, Sister Yue had beco soone who attacked anyone contradicting her.
Who would want to be the one to appease her?
Without any response, Sister Yue wasn’t angry, continuing to speculate, "I wonder if the two of them had any dealings before? They didn’t seem like they’ve only known each other for a few days. If Grandmother finds out, who knows how furious she’ll be."
Inside the carriage, aside from Sister Yue’s voice, only the sound of horse hooves was audible.
anwhile, in the front carriage, Gu Yifeng suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and spoke with a voice filled with concern, "Today’s incident, you need not take to heart. He is a military general, typically dismissive of rules."
Here, Gu Yifeng felt he hadn’t made himself clear, "His legitimate son is married; you entering as a substitute wife is inappropriate."
Lin Youning smiled and nodded, "Don’t worry, big brother. Even if General Xu didn’t have a legitimate son, I wouldn’t marry him. We’re just not suitable for each other."
Gu Yifeng nodded in satisfaction, "As long as you’ve thought it through. Don’t worry about the marriage; I’ll make arrangents for you."
"No need." Lin Youning imdiately refused, slightly nervous under Gu Yifeng’s gaze, she explained, "I’ve just reunited with my family and don’t want to marry so soon."
Gu Yifeng nodded, "That’s good too."
Pondering Xu Kuan’s actions today, Gu Yifeng felt uncomfortable, knowing it was necessary to offer more comfort to Sister Ning. But he didn’t feel like dealing with it, his expression was indifferent, and he closed his eyes.
It was the first ti Lin Youning had seen her big brother act unwilling to speak while with her, worrying whether he suspected she had secret interactions with Xu Kuan?
Lin Youning furrowed her brow. They indeed had previous contact, but only that once. Because of her past life’s knowledge of Xu Kuan’s character, she understood his rogue actions were deliberate.
Still, to explain it to others, they’d think she’s imagining things.
They might accuse her of making things up.
Lin Youning smiled bitterly; it’s truly difficult to explain such matters.
By the ti they returned to the Marquis Mansion, it was already deep into the night. Mrs. Gu Sr. had long since retired, and Lin Youning headed straight to Tingxue Hall, where nothing had changed. Nanny Chang had already brought the young maid to wait in the courtyard.
Seeing the young lady’s silence, Nanny Chang didn’t ask further questions, promptly arranging for bath water to be brought in. After bathing and preparing for rest, she pulled Hailan aside for questioning.
Upon hearing Hailan’s words, Nanny Chang gasped in shock, "This General Xu’s actions truly lack propriety. Doing this now, who below the Xu Mansion in the Capital would dare seek marriage proposals anymore? Whether he’s truly fond of the young lady or intends harm is unknown. But I’ll keep an eye on things, and you should encourage the young lady to open up if she’s troubled."
Hailan solemnly agreed, "I will rember."
Only then did Nanny Chang rise to leave.
At Shi’an Garden, Mrs. Gu Sr. had long retired, so Nanny Chang didn’t dare disturb anyone.
Yet others in different courtyards hadn’t retired so early. Listening to the news, Mrs. Dong had an unusual smile, "What a pity. Marrying into the Xu Mansion would have been a decent match. If General Xu was indeed interested, Mrs. Xu Sr. should’ve co to the mansion to discuss with Mrs. Gu Sr. first. Acting impulsively lost the chance. But with sincere effort, it might still work out."
Sister Hui, being a maiden not yet married, felt discussing such matters with her mother inappropriate and excused herself politely.
Upon hearing Jingfu report the Marquis’s return to Woodland Pavilion, Mrs. Dong waved her hand to dismiss the servants, not feeling disappointed by the Marquis’s absence from the main courtyard given her mood from the news about Xu Kuan.
In Woodland Pavilion, Gu Yifeng held the teacup but neither drank nor put it down, his eyes fixed outside the window, evidently lost in thought.
Li Si dared not disturb him, noticing it was already late night with no signs of the Marquis retiring, he secretly yawned, startled by the sudden noise in the quiet study, quelling his rising sleepiness.
"It’s late already, get so rest." Gu Yifeng stood up and swiftly exited the study.
Li Si hurried to follow.
Sighing in relief, finally enduring the night, but uncertain of what the Marquis concluded after thinking for so long, dealing with General Xu could prove difficult.
Xu Kuan, anwhile, returned to the mansion and went to the backyard to seek Mrs. Xu Sr. Though she had retired, hearing her son’s request to see her, she allowed the maids to assist her in donning her regular attire before moving to the Warm Pavilion.
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