Though Sister Ling is just a child, she’s old enough to recognize the situation after standing blankly for a while, a look of panic crossed her face.
"It’s alright, it’s alright. The nursemaid is guarding outside, don’t be frightened." Seeing her scared, Lin Youning quickly reassured her, though she was also a bit worried inside, "Sister Hong, go over and take a look, this is Sister Yue’s first ti here, and no one is with her, make sure she hasn’t gone to the wrong place."
The child lives in the sa courtyard as Lin Youning; how could she go missing? This was rely a matter of appearances, the main concern was over there, so Sister Hong was asked to check.
Sister Hong understood the signal, nodded, and Sister Ling also comprehended, "I’ll go too."
Lin Youning knew that if she didn’t allow her to go, it would be even harder for her to bear, so she nodded, "Go ahead, we’ll have dinner together later."
Sister Ling was still far too young, she couldn’t hide anything on her face, which was why she has been so pampered growing up. The Zhao Family has just one child and wouldn’t let her be wronged, hence not binding her with those rules and formalities.
According to Zhao Housheng, having only such a daughter, she is destined to marry into a military family in the future, hence no need to learn the grand rules of noble households.
Watching Sister Hong and Sister Ling walk away, Lin Youning reassured the nervous Sister Ying beside her, "Don’t worry, this is the East Mansion, maybe I’m thinking too much, but nothing will happen, even in our kind of family, so things should be paid attention to over ti."
Sister Ying nodded, "Cousin, this is also the reason why grandmother wants us to marry into lower-status noble families, isn’t it? We actually know this in our hearts."
"As long as you understand, rember that grandmother is your true grandmother, she would never hurt you, only think wholeheartedly for you." Lin Youning smiled, "Also, marriage is a lifeti affair, firstly consider the person’s character, then see if you like being with them, and finally consider their family’s status. A woman’s happiness in life is being with the man she loves."
Sister Ying’s face turned red but she continued, "Cousin doesn’t worry, seeing you and Marquis like this, who knows how many people envy you. Nowadays, many ladies in the Capital aspire to be like you."
Lin Youning couldn’t help but laugh, "Oh? Is that what they’re saying in the Capital? I didn’t know, but it’s normal. I don’t have much contact with various noble families in the Capital, and now with the pregnancy, I’m afraid I’ll be cut off from everyone."
Sister Ying pursed her lips and smiled, "Even if cousin doesn’t interact with people in the Capital, they talk about cousin the most. Grandmother also said that a woman should live happily like cousin. It’s only natural that people in the Capital envy cousin."
Lin Youning laughed, "Has grandmother spoken to you about this?"
But thinking about grandmother’s personality, she could indeed say such things.
Sister Ying nodded, "Though grandmother appears strict, she is very kind. Before, my sister and I didn’t have much contact, we always felt that grandmother looked down on our birth because we were born into a secondary branch. It wasn’t until we interacted with cousin that we realized it was our misunderstanding."
Thinking of all this, a hint of shyness appeared on Sister Ying’s face.
Lin Youning laughed, "You were young before, it’s not your fault, anyone would feel that way, and you are good kids."
While they were talking, Sister Hong and Sister Ling hadn’t returned yet. As ti passed, Lin Youning began to feel anxious, but having just given birth, she couldn’t get out of bed, and Sister Ying noticed.
"Cousin, I’ll go take a look, they might have gotten caught up in sothing." Sister Ying stood up.
Lin Youning nodded, watching Sister Ying leave.
Outside, Sister Hong and Sister Ling were anxious, the nursemaid had fainted in the room, and there was no sign of Brother Zong nor Sister Yue.
When they entered the room, they knew sothing was wrong, hurried out to find Nanny Wang, not daring to alarm Lin Youning inside, while Hailan was busy entertaining guests up front, the incident happened while she’d just been out for the morning, she was so scared that she couldn’t defend herself.
"This must be reported to Marquis imdiately." Hailan wouldn’t wait a second, being nudged by Nanny Wang, she turned around and rushed to the front courtyard.
Nanny Wang’s face was tense as well, "I’ll go ask the servants when they last saw anyone, you should go inform Mrs. Liu Sr. about this."
Sister Hong and Sister Ling’s expressions were grim, especially Sister Ling who was practically supported by Sister Hong, upon hearing Nanny Wang’s instruction, they headed towards Mrs. Liu Sr.
As soon as Mrs. Liu Sr. heard about the lost child, she blacked out and almost fainted, Liang Hui hurriedly supported her, asking sharply, "What exactly happened? Isn’t there staff in the courtyard? How could Brother Zong go missing?"
"It was Aunt who told to take Sister Yue to see Brother Zong, she said she’d watch a little longer, so I left. Who knew Brother Zong would be gone? The nursemaid was also drugged." Sister Ling cried out.
"It’s alright, it’s alright, the East Mansion is not a place anyone can enter at will. The person couldn’t have left the mansion, perhaps they’re hiding sowhere; has Marquis been inford?" Liang Hui managed to stay calm, asking Sister Hong beside her.
Sister Hong nodded, "It’s been reported, Nanny Wang has gone to question the servants."
Liang Hui comforted Mrs. Liu Sr., advising, "Madam must remain calm, Sister Yue is just a girl, she wouldn’t dare harm Brother Zong, at most she might want to take Brother Zong for so kind of leverage."
Her words hit on Mrs. Liu Sr.’s worry, Mrs. Liu Sr., though hearing this, still didn’t feel assured, "The child is only two days old, with this cold weather outside, what if anything happens, how would Sister Ning endure it?"
While speaking, Mrs. Liu Sr. sat up, "No, I must go out to find him, even if it costs my life, it’s worth it to bring Brother Zong back."
Liang Hui knew she couldn’t hold back at such a mont, had soone fetch a cloak for Mrs. Liu Sr., wearing one herself, she hurried out, glancing at her daughter whose eyes were red from crying, she sighed quietly and couldn’t comfort her, needing to go outside first.
Sister Ling understood the urgency over her own feelings right now, following her mother out of the room.
The courtyard was already in disarray, Lin Youning waiting impatiently for news, was anxious sitting up when hearing footsteps outside, she looked over to see Hailan coming in, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
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