After the deep autumn, the weather grew colder, and Mrs. Gu Sr. fell ill once, with Lin Youning attending to her closely every day.
By the ti they received another letter from Gu Yifeng, the frost had set in, and the day after tomorrow would be the Double Ninth Festival.
Mrs. Gu Sr. couldn’t stop smiling, "Look, your big brother is coming ho, and he said he’s bringing you a gift."
The letter was read by Lin Youning, who naturally knew about it, but to humor Mrs. Gu Sr., she playfully said, "When has big brother ever not brought a gift? Aunt, you mustn’t say I’m so ungrateful."
"Yes, yes, it’s Aunt who misspoke." Mrs. Gu Sr. fondly patted the spoiled body in her arms, "Alright, you’re all grown up and still acting like such a child, it’s the most laughable."
"Aunt won’t laugh at ." Lin Youning said, yet she sat properly.
Mrs. Gu Sr. reached out to adjust her collar, "These years, you have led a simple life, and haven’t even stepped out the Marquis Mansion gates. I’ve gotten older; otherwise, I should have taken you out to see the world. Otherwise, when you manage household affairs in the future, you’ll need to interact with outsiders, and if you don’t know what to do, what can be done?"
"Aunt, I’m not a child. Although I haven’t interacted with the outside these past few years, by observing Madam and Second Sister-in-law’s dealings, I’ve still learned a bit." Lin Youning lowered her head with a shy smile, full of helplessness, yet forced to be spirited, "Moreover, I’ll marry Second Brother in the future with Aunt by my side, so I’m not worried about those issues."
Lin Youning’s shy appearance delighted Mrs. Gu Sr., who held her hand and laughed, "You child, Aunt can’t be with you for a lifeti."
Perhaps due to her good mood, Mrs. Gu Sr. added, "Tomorrow is Frost Descent; I’ll let your Second Brother prepare a carriage to take you to the Ten-Mile Pavilion to et your big brother, and while you’re at it, go out and see. You’re still young; you can’t be cooped up like this old lady."
"Going out of the mansion?" Bound within the Marquis Mansion for ten years, Lin Youning had never thought of venturing out.
She was utterly surprised.
In her past life, after such incidents, she secluded herself within the mansion, finally forced to leave for the sake of sustaining the main Gu family, to the village and shops.
And now, she was to leave the mansion.
For Lin Youning, it was stepping into an unknown world she had never understood.
For a mont, she stood there, dazed.
Mrs. Gu Sr. thought she was pleased, and with growing affection, pulled her into her arms, "Silly child, it’s Aunt’s fault. These years, I only thought of caring for you and forgot to let you go out and see the world. This ti, let your Second Brother take you out to see more. You’ll co of age next year, becoming a young lady, which will make going out even more inconvenient later."
"Aunt... I... I..." Lin Youning took a deep breath, despite everything, at the thought of going outside like other girls, joy slowly surged within her, "I... then I’ll go prepare now, to et big brother tomorrow."
Mrs. Gu Sr. smiled, "That’s right, go prepare now, and no need to co back for dinner; just have the kitchen send it to your courtyard."
Ultimately a young girl, usually composed, but now couldn’t remain calm.
Lin Youning cheerfully acknowledged, then headed back with her entourage.
Mrs. Gu Sr. had soone send a ssage to Yingshui Courtyard to prepare a carriage for tomorrow’s outing.
After Mrs. Dong had the maid deliver Suyi away, she called Nanny Wang, "Old Madam wants a carriage prepared for Second Young Master to take Sister Lin to welco the Marquis tomorrow; what do you think?"
"From my perspective, Old Madam wishes for Second Young Master and Sister Lin to spend more ti together, with no other intentions. Congratulations, Madam, the Marquis is returning, a joyous occasion indeed." Nanny Wang was brought by Mrs. Dong, rarely appearing by her side, but was a confidant.
"Indeed, it’s been seven years since the Marquis left, and Sister Hui has not even seen her father’s face." Mrs. Dong hesitated, "Nanny, seeing Sister Hui greeting the Marquis would surely bring joy to his heart."
But this would go against Old Madam’s intentions of pairing her uncle with Sister Lin alone, surely displeasing Old Madam.
With a knowing glance, Nanny Wang understood Madam’s intent, humbly smiling, "It’s not difficult; Madam ntioned gifting Sister Yue new Fragrant Cloud Silk previously, so I’ll deliver it today."
Tian is one of Mrs. Kong’s twins, the legitimate daughter of the second house.
The Fragrant Cloud Silk was sent from the Dong Mansion.
Mrs. Dong’s eyes slightly moved, quickly understanding, sweetly smiled, "The Fragrant Cloud Silk was given by the ancestors, hard to buy, I’ll trouble Nanny to make the trip."
Nanny Wang was eloquent, upon reaching Jinghe Courtyard, handed over the silk to Mrs. Kong before speaking with the escorting servant.
Just a few words, not overtly significant, passed onto Mrs. Kong’s ears about Old Madam’s plans for Second Young Master to take Miss Lin out tomorrow.
Mrs. Kong had the silk stored, sipped tea offered by Pianqiu, elegantly smiled, "Our Marchioness wishes to ddle with my hand, but these years, rarely seen her lose composure."
Pianqiu, typically taciturn, found Mrs. Kong more composed these years, gaining her favor.
Pianqiu stayed silent, yet Mrs. Kong did not mind, "But she forgets, I’m no fool. Just now winning back Second Young Master’s heart, how can I jeopardize it for her sake?"
Mrs. Kong appeared serene, yet the thought of Old Madam pushing Second Young Master with Sister Lin felt like a knife carving her heart.
At such an age, focusing not on piety but pushing won to her son’s side.
It’s utterly exasperating.
Subduing her irritation, Mrs. Kong motioned, "Prepare more of Second Young Master’s favorite dishes tonight, send a ssage to the front yard saying I need to see him."
The more Dong Shushen tried to utilize her, the more Mrs. Kong aid to be gracious and prudent, reminding Dong Shushen that not everyone could be manipulated.
Upon Gu Yixuan’s return, he heard from the guards that Shi’an Garden wished to see him imdiately.
And also that the Second Madam at Jinghe Courtyard sought him for sothing.
Upon hearing his mother’s summon, Gu Yixuan dared not delay and went directly to Shi’an Garden,
After hearing from his mother to take Sister Ning to the Ten-Mile Pavilion to et his brother, Gu Yixuan respectfully agreed.
Between Sister Ning and him, there’s an increasing distance as ti passes.
Gu Yixuan wasn’t oblivious, and seeing his mother’s intent to send them out together, acted as if unaware and agreed.
After leaving Shi’an Garden, he went towards Jinghe Courtyard.
Seeing the flower hall set with delicacies by Mrs. Kong, Gu Yixuan steadied himself until Mrs. Kong ntioned tomorrow’s outing, "It’s Sister Ning’s first ti out, Second Young Master, if you have ti, show her around more; it can’t be a wasted outing. Girls are curious about these things; don’t let her be disappointed."
Gu Yixuan joyfully held her close, "You’re so considerate, Madam. Tomorrow is for eting my big brother; there’ll be plenty of opportunities to stroll later."
Mrs. Kong’s generosity earned Gu Yixuan’s genuine treatnt, naturally making her happy, so much so that the couple shared so affection that night.
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