Lin Youning looked at Shanmoi, who entered in a panic, and smiled.
She didn’t speak, just looked at her.
Shanmoi rushed in, clearly anxious, bringing in a chill but dared not approach the bed, standing five steps away from it. Hailan, who had been joking earlier, now retracted her smile upon seeing her state.
"What’s wrong with you?" Hailan was worried about the recent troubles in the residence, fearing more issues.
"Miss, Miss Dong... Miss Dong has arrived." After taking several deep breaths, Shanmoi finally spoke.
"Did Miss Dong not return ho with Second Young Master from the Wang Family?" Hailan paused and then realized, "Oh yes, Mr. Wu is now with the Wang Family, and Second Young Master Wang had to return since it was a marriage granted by the Holy Emperor."
Lin Youning seed to understand that this wasn’t the reason causing Shanmoi’s panic. Before Shanmoi could say the next sentence, Gu Yifeng strode in against the chilly wind. His face was colder than the winter outside; he glanced coldly at Shanmoi, and she lowered her head in fear, daring not to speak further.
Hailan, sensing the situation was wrong, quickly stepped forward to greet him, but Gu Yifeng waved them off. "You both can leave."
The two didn’t dare stay longer and retreated.
"What happened? Elder Brother, with a cold face, has frightened all my girl attendants."
Gu Yifeng first ward himself by the fire and then sat by the bed. "As long as you’re not frightened. Just now, the Wang Family’s second young master and his wife ca to the residence. I sent them back for now. You’re recuperating, not suitable to et outsiders. They can co back when you’re better."
"Elder Brother, are you hiding sothing from ? Just now, I saw Shanmoi co in with sothing to say but was frightened back by you." Lin Youning smiled wryly. "Just tell if there’s anything. I’m fine."
"What could there be? That girl has always been unstable. If not for her loyalty to you and that she’s Li Si’s wife, I would’ve sent her away long ago." Gu Yifeng sounded sincere.
Lin Youning tugged at his sleeve. "I know Elder Brother always cares for . I’m aware. But Shanmoi has changed a lot, I see it, and it makes comforted. Don’t you think so, Elder Brother?"
"Alright, alright, I was just saying. She’s your attendant; even if she causes trouble outside, I’d have to protect her." Gu Yifeng tapped her nose. "Since when have I been so petty in your eyes? I just feel jealous seeing you favor that little girl."
Lin Youning couldn’t help but laugh, and after laughing enough, she said coquettishly, "Elder Brother hasn’t said yet, what are you hiding from ."
"You little girl, always so perceptive." Gu Yifeng tucked her hair behind her ear. "It’s nothing else. That girl might have wanted to tell you that I sent soone away. Also, with Brother Zong, I heard from the nurse he caught a mild cold. I had the Imperial Physician check him, gave so dicine, and he’ll be fine after a few days. So, it’s best you don’t et Brother Zong for now."
Lin Youning seldom t Brother Zong, and hearing of the child’s illness, she couldn’t help but worry, "Why did he catch a cold? Is the room cold? Maybe add so more charcoal braziers; I thought they slled, so I didn’t put many in the room, forgetting that children are more fragile."
"See, I knew you’d bla yourself the mont you knew." Gu Yifeng consoled her. "It’s not your fault; the nurse was ill and passed it to Brother Zong while feeding him. I’ve already sent her away and found a new one."
"It’s good that Brother Zong is fine." Lin Youning was still sowhat worried.
Even though he wasn’t her own child, since he was in their residence, they must take good care of him, as he is a little life.
Outside, Hailan led Shanmoi aside to talk. "What on earth happened? I see the Marquis’s face doesn’t look good."
"What else could happen? Didn’t I just say Miss Dong ca? She ca holding a child, claiming it was our residence’s little master. I rushed over without having ti to explain, and the Marquis chased away." Shanmoi still recalled the Marquis’s stern look with fear. "I just thought our Miss treated Miss Dong thinly. Now our little master is found, yet she brings a child claiming to be him, truly without conscience."
Hailan thought more deeply, "It’s good you didn’t blurt it out then; had you done so, have you considered the consequences?"
"What consequence could there be? It’s better for Miss to see her true colors and save soft spots causing future troubles." Shanmoi had her thoughts.
Hailan sighed, "You act too impulsively. Why haven’t you thought it through? Miss Dong isn’t foolish; she knows our residence’s little master is found yet brings a child claiming to be him; what does that suggest? So may think she has ulterior motives, but most would suspect the child found by us is fake. Even Miss would think this way. Miss is just recovering, and it’s the New Year; revealing it to her now will only disturb her emotions, haunting her mind with this uncertainty."
Shanmoi was stunned.
"Why else would the Marquis interrupt you and chase us out? To prevent you from speaking thoughtlessly." Hailan sighed. "I’m truly relieved you didn’t speak. Otherwise, if Miss’s recovery gets affected, what would you do then? I wouldn’t plead for you either."
Shanmoi’s face fell. "Sister Hailan, I only acted out of anger, not thinking so much. I truly didn’t an for this."
"Alright, don’t worry, since you didn’t say it, let’s consider this matter over. Later, when with Miss, don’t bring it up. Miss is sharp and won’t ask about it either." Hailan comforted her but felt uneasy herself.
Miss Dong’s character she understands a bit; she wouldn’t do such a thing, so it might be true. But how could Miss Dong confirm the child she found was indeed the residence’s little master?
Also, is the little master found by the residence indeed a fake?
Hailan pondered the attitude of Miss and the Marquis toward the little master in recent days; it wasn’t quite warm. She could understand Miss’s indifference due to her health, but the Marquis’s attitude seed odd.
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