Lin Youning’s arrival caused a slight surprise among the people at the table. After all, Wu Xueqin was an aunt in the Marquis Mansion, and whether she was tainted or not was unknown to everyone. But now, having left the Marquis Mansion, she couldn’t erase her past involvent with the mansion. As for Lin Youning, she grew up in the Marquis Mansion, which put her in a superior position compared to Wu Xueqin, who wasn’t even considered a master.
Logically, given their past relationship, Wu Xueqin shouldn’t have invited Lin Youning. But unexpectedly, Wu Xueqin did invite her.
Everyone watched the two with the anticipation of drama, but throughout the al, Wu Xueqin was there entertaining guests, looking confident with nothing untoward showing. The sa went for Lin Youning, sitting there composedly, letting everyone inquire about her while secretly observing Wu Xueya.
Wu Xueya appeared much more downcast, seemingly older than anyone else present and clearly not living well, with no trace of a smile and a somber deanor.
Lin Youning knew she was having a hard ti, with Xu Yuhang not in the Capital, leaving her alone here, making it evident what was going on.
Wu Xueya’s situation has been a subject of ridicule secretly among the people in the Capital, and Wu Xueya knew about this. Regardless of what she did, people would mock her, and now she seed unbothered by the mockery.
Even when looking at Lin Youning, she t Lin Youning’s gaze with a cold, sarcastic smile.
Lin Youning also noticed that Wu Xueya no longer cared about others mocking her. Seeing Wu Xueya like this, Lin Youning lost the curiosity she had before.
After the al, Lin Youning, being pregnant, frequently visited the washroom. When she went outside, she didn’t expect Wu Xueya to follow her from behind.
"Who would have thought? Originally, you were a little orphan girl despised in the Capital. Who could have imagined? First, you beca the General’s sister, and then you recognized ties with Pri Minister Gao Mansion’s relatives. But over the past six months, Chancellor Liu was sent away. Now that you’ve returned to the Capital, you still haven’t visited your maternal grandfather’s family. I wonder if it’s because of you that they got caught up in this."
"You don’t need to worry about that. My maternal grandfather’s family is fine. Though they were ordered by the Emperor to go there, it’s more like traveling. I thought you only cared about your own affairs. Now it seems you still have the mind to care about others. How rare." Lin Youning stopped, looking up with a smile, "Back when you sched against at your mansion, you treated as a little orphan, so you didn’t care. Now, don’t you find the changes in life amusing?"
"That’s fate, I suppose. When such things happen to , I’ve never blad anyone, because I know this is probably heaven’s punishnt for . I’ve had so many things happen that I feel heaven has already punished enough. But one’s luck can’t always hold." Wu Xueya’s gaze fell on her belly, and then she strode away.
Lin Youning’s gaze coldly followed her back. She couldn’t believe Wu Xueya’s previous expression was rely accidental. Obviously, Wu Xueya knew she was pregnant and even knew so insider details. Otherwise, why focus on her belly?
Thinking that Wu Xueya could be among those scheming against her, Lin Youning tightened her grip on her handkerchief. Shanmoi and Hailan ca forward, whispering, "Miss, she’s in a bad mood now. You needn’t take her words to heart. Why let soone like her affect your mood?"
"It’s nothing. Let’s just go back." Lin Youning sighed and walked toward the corridor with her maids, only to encounter Xu Ya’an.
Xu Ya’an stood quietly there, and upon seeing Lin Youning, she rembered Dong Boyun saying that the Emperor wanted to betroth her to the Crown Prince as the Crown Princess Consort.
Upon seeing Lin Youning, Xu Ya’an tugged a smile across her lips and approached, "Sister Lin, it’s been a long ti. I didn’t have the chance to speak with you alone in the hall. You don’t look well, are you sick? I was going to send an invitation to your mansion, but grandmother said you weren’t feeling well. You know my grandmother and your mansion’s old madam, even if they don’t visit, still exchange ssages. Because of this, I didn’t send you an invitation."
"It’s been a while, how are you?" Lin Youning didn’t feel much warmth towards Xu Ya’an. She knew Xu Ya’an had difficulties back then, but given that Xu Ya’an made those choices, as a sheltered maiden, Lin Youning couldn’t bring herself to forgive Xu Ya’an.
Xu Ya’an could see Lin Youning’s distance, "I know you’re still upset with , Sister Lin. That issue has passed, and I don’t know how to explain further. Just hearing you’re unwell, I thought I’d co over since I ran into you today."
"Thank you for your concern. I’m fine, just weary from traveling back, needed so rest, but I’m better now." Lin Youning nodded.
"That’s good. Let’s return; everyone must be in the flower hall now." Xu Ya’an said no more.
Lin Youning nodded, and they returned quietly to the flower hall, where chaos erupted. Sister Ran was arguing with another woman, yet only Sister Jian was trying to intervene while Sister Hui couldn’t persuade them. The others sat watching the commotion.
Seeing this scene, Lin Youning said nothing. Her condition wasn’t stable yet; how could she intervene? But Wu Xueya spoke up, "Speaking of, Miss Lin, being an elder here, you should say sothing."
Realizing Wu Xueya knew about her pregnancy and seeing Sister Ran arguing over there, Lin Youning knew Wu Xueya wasn’t well-intentioned. She glanced at her before lowering her eyes.
She instructed Shanmoi and Hailan, "You all should intervene. We can’t let the Marquis Mansion lose face like this. Don’t let people mock you. The Marquis Mansion has rules, and Mrs. Xu has spoken. You heard it; I don’t need to say more, do I?"
By directly calling her Mrs. Xu, Lin Youning subtly retaliated, and naturally, everyone in the flower hall heard this, leaving so unable to suppress the corners of their mouths from curling up.
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