When the two sat down, the entire station fell silent. Hailan was calr and more composed than Shanmoi. Shanmoi seed a bit nervous when she first sat down, but upon seeing the poised Hailan opposite her, Shanmoi gradually relaxed.
Although Hailan didn’t say anything, after noticing Shanmoi’s changed deanor, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Hailan’s eyes.
During the past half hour, Zhang Wu, who had been staying in the Woodland Pavilion at the Marquis Mansion, also ca out. Li Si stayed behind with Aunt Wu, overseeing the belongings.
Zhang Wu took care of arrangents along the way, and after feeding the horses, he ca inside and saw Shanmoi and Hailan dining downstairs.
Zhang Wu approached, "There are many people here. There’s a small private room over there. You can go there, and I’ll have soone bring the dishes to you."
Zhang Wu and Li Si were about the sa age, but Zhang Wu managed affairs within the Marquis’s inner residence, while Li Si attended to external matters with the Marquis.
Thus, Zhang Wu appeared more reserved; he didn’t talk much, and his composed deanor made him look a bit older.
He wasn’t fond of smiling and spoke sparingly, which made him seem sowhat intimidating and morose.
Hence, when he spoke now, Shanmoi glanced at Zhang Wu with surprise, but Zhang Wu turned and left without saying much.
Hailan stood up, "Let’s go."
She didn’t say much.
Considering they were servants from the Marquis Mansion, even as major maids, they were accustod to riding in sedan chairs when moving around the Capital. Away from ho, there weren’t as many formalities, and since guest rooms were occupied, they couldn’t hold airs and dine in the guest quarters.
Now Zhang Wu provided a solution, which was fortunately convenient.
Shanmoi followed Hailan to the inner room. Their departure gradually restored the liveliness in the hall.
Shanmoi’s face was filled with excitent. If Zhang Wu hadn’t co in, she would likely have pulled Hailan for more conversation.
anwhile, in the upstairs guest room, Lin Youning’s bowl was frequently piled high with dishes by her elder brother. Initially, she ate silently, but every ti she seed to finish, her brother would heap more food in her bowl.
She put down her chopsticks, "Brother, you should eat too. I can manage myself. I’m not a child, so don’t worry."
"Eat more, we have to travel outside today. It’ll be late night by the ti we reach the next station, where we’ll have so snacks in the carriage for dinner," Gu Yifeng coaxed lightly, "This green vegetable is tenderly cooked. Since you love vegetarian dishes, have so more."
Lin Youning couldn’t refuse and picked up her chopsticks again, eating while saying, "Once we return from the Northwest, I fear I’ll beco chubby."
"A little chubby is good," Gu Yifeng, seeing she really couldn’t eat anymore, stopped piling food on her plate, "Your brother will leave a few days later; after all, he has to settle matters at the Outer Suburb Garrison. The Liang Family has accompanied him back and forth for years, accustod to the bumps of the road, and should catch up with Li Si and his group in a few days."
"Will brother be riding on horseback this afternoon?" Lin Youning had heard that frequent horseback riding could chafe the inner thighs.
"This afternoon, let’s just play chess in the carriage and take a nap, since we must be vigilant during the night journey," Gu Yifeng waited until she put down her chopsticks before he did.
Lin Youning noticed that her elder brother had been accompanying her, evidenced by his empty bowl from an earlier ti.
Even such a small gesture could truly demonstrate the other’s care and attention.
Lin Youning’s heart tightened slightly, resisting overthinking.
Her brother cared for her like a sister; she couldn’t allow herself to imagine otherwise or hope for anything beyond.
She also tempered her dependency on such feelings, fearing she might find herself in an awkward predicant.
Gu Yifeng slightly squinted his eyes; Sister Ning’s disappointnt and hesitation had not escaped his notice. However, he didn’t understand what Sister Ning was recalling to cause such expressions.
The simple hairstyle bore a single white hairpin given by Zhao Housheng to Sister Ning; though her attire was simple, it had a unique, clean charm.
Like a small wildflower beside a spring on a hot day, its coolness refreshes one’s heart.
Gu Yifeng moved his gaze away, "Did you recall sothing unpleasant?"
"No, just suddenly rembered that I haven’t offered incense to my biological parents yet. After all, it was because of , and my brother had originally agreed we’d go together, only delayed by circumstances, so we haven’t gone yet." Lin Youning’s thoughts cald upon raising her head, "I know he doesn’t want to reveal sothing, hence the procrastination."
Lin Youning couldn’t fathom what might be concealed, preventing incense offerings to her parents.
Gu Yifeng paused in thought, "If this bothers you, I’ll find ti to have soone enquire at the countryside where your brother once lived to see where they were buried."
"Forget it." Lin Youning winked, "Brother tends to keep things close to the chest; if he doesn’t wish to say, outsiders can’t pry out the truth. I suspect perhaps parents entrusted him with sothing before passing, now he doesn’t allow to go, feeling worse internally. Yet, I’ve devised a plan; you just watch, I’ll surely get my brother to reveal it himself."
"Naughty." Gu Yifeng laughed but didn’t stop her further.
After the al, they had so tea before preparing to depart.
This ti, Gu Yifeng sat inside the carriage while Shanmoi and Hailan stayed outside, sitting alongside the carriage driver.
The carriage interior was spacious enough for Gu Yifeng’s tall fra to lie down, requiring only slight bending of his legs.
A small folding tea table attached to the back of the carriage wall could be folded up when not in use, saving space.
Lin Youning pulled the chess pieces from a small cabinet behind, and although having just eaten and being in the carriage, after a few gas, she beca drowsy.
As Gu Yifeng placed the last piece down, finishing the ga, his slender hands gathered up the chess pieces, "Rest a while; only then can you have the strength to travel tonight."
Though riding in a carriage, the night journey was arduous.
Despite having rested only through the morning, Lin Youning already felt fatigued, though recalling the incident during their previous rest at the mansion made her hesitant, "I’m not tired."
Finally deliberating, she spoke aloud.
She feared the recurrence of such a situation.
"Then I’ll nap for a bit first." Gu Yifeng didn’t say more, requesting a small blanket and reclining next to Lin Yingzhen.
The carriage was quiet; as Lin Youning watched her elder brother sleep, the gentle rocking of the vehicle lulled her to drowsiness.
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