Lin Youning wasn’t truly a fourteen-year-old girl, so despite the embarrassing scene before her, she didn’t find it overwhelmingly difficult.
She had long co to terms with her identity as a child bride fostered in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, and even if the marquis household tried to gild her, to outsiders, she was always seen as a person without background.
Ignoring those waiting to see her make a fool of herself, Lin Youning gracefully stood up, "Lin Youning of the Lin family, living in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion." After speaking, she didn’t forget to give a slight curtsey.
Lin Youning’s graceful deanor, neither obsequious nor pushy, wiped away the smiles from the faces of those in the pavilion.
The child bride pampered by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion?
Everyone in the Capital, high and low, knew about it.
Now, what would the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion think about giving her this embarrassnt?
For a mont, no one had an idea, and they all looked toward Xu Ya’an.
Xu Ya’an was stunned for a mont, her face flushed red, and she hurriedly returned the courtesy to Lin Youning, "So it’s Sister Ning. I’m sorry my eyes didn’t recognize you, Sister Ning, please don’t take offense."
A guest at their mansion, yet subjected to such public embarrassnt.
In addition to Lin Youning’s calm deanor, the Xu Mansion and everyone present found themselves in an awkward position, subtly giving these noble won a slap in the face.
Lin Youning’s attitude wasn’t ingratiating, yet not without warmth, "Sister An, you’re overthinking. I rarely leave the mansion, so how could you recognize ? There’s nothing to bla you for."
"Sister, you’re generous." Xu Ya’an’s smile was sowhat forced, and she quickly turned to greet Feng Yufu, who was sitting there, "Sister Feng, the banquet is ready over there, and the n’s poems have also been delivered, shall we go and have a look?"
It was a way to help Feng Yufu step down gracefully.
Feng Yufu nodded, her expression sowhat cold, and as she got up to leave the pavilion, she glanced at Lin Youning.
Wu Xueqin also smiled awkwardly at Lin Youning before leaving.
In her heart, she realized she had underestimated things earlier.
Sister Yue and the others remained silent, seeing their own being bullied, which made them uneasy, "Aunt, we didn’t have ti to explain, and it turned out this way. Please... don’t take it to heart, they really didn’t an to harm."
Sister Jian was a bit scared and wanted to pull on her sister’s hand.
Sister Ran, however, was indifferent, "Everyone’s gone to the waterside pavilion, let’s head there too."
After speaking, she turned and left first.
Lin Youning nodded at them, "Sister Ran is right, let’s hurry over."
Sister Jian, afraid her sister might cause trouble, followed quickly.
Sister Yue forced a smile and followed along.
Lin Youning let out a sigh, and Hailan ca up, "Miss."
Her eyes showing concern.
Lin Youning smiled, "I’m fine, let’s head over too."
Just as they left the pavilion, a little maid in a blue coat ca up to her, "Miss Lin, my mistress would like to speak with you alone."
"Whose maid are you?" Lin Youning didn’t respond, and Hailan stepped forward to question.
Her eyes fixed tightly on the little maid, who hurriedly curtsied in panic, "In response to you, elder sister, I’m a family servant of the mansion."
A servant of the mansion ans it was Miss Xu who wanted to see their mistress.
Hailan turned to look at her mistress.
Lin Youning thought for a mont before asking, "Is your mistress not entertaining the other young ladies at the banquet?"
"My mistress let sister Hongzhi take the ladies over, while she waited for you by the lotus pool," the little maid replied smoothly.
Lin Youning nodded, "Lead the way then."
Having arrived at the Xu Mansion, Lin Youning wasn’t particularly worried.
The maid and her mistress followed the little maid past rockeries and down a long corridor to the lotus pool, but Xu Ya’an was nowhere to be seen. Just as Hailan was about to ask, she was heavily pushed toward the pool.
They were walking on a narrow path over the lotus pool, with water on both sides, and Hailan scread as she fell into the pool.
Lin Youning was startled, instinctively reaching out to pull her back, but was bumped herself and also fell into the pool.
With a splash, both mistress and maid fell into the water.
The little maid who led them had already turned and fled, disappearing around the corner of the lotus pool in a few steps.
Hailan was terrified, only calling out, "Miss, Miss."
But Lin Youning remained calm, and after being subrged, aside from swallowing a mouthful of water, she found she was able to stand as the water was only waist-deep, "Hailan, it’s okay, the pool isn’t deep."
At her words, Hailan cald down, but started crying again the next second, "Miss....."
"Forget it, it was our own foolishness and can’t bla anyone else. Let’s get out before we catch a cold. I’ll wait here for you to find a servant, explain the situation, and send a ssage to the Madam. Change your clothes in the carriage and bring mine back," Lin Youning said, while attempting to climb back onto the narrow wooden path.
Luckily, Hailan ca over to help her up, and Lin Youning managed to climb out, then extended her hand to pull Hailan up, and laughed.
Seeing her mistress still capable of laughing, Hailan nearly cried, "Miss, how can you still smile at a ti like this?"
"Why not laugh?" Lin Youning shivered, "Aunt has treasured all these years, this is a rare opportunity for to resemble a drenched rat."
Internally, she felt grateful for the small creek in her courtyard over the years, where she would always secretly wade in the water when the sumr heat was unbearable.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have remained calm after suddenly falling into the water today.
Hailan, hearing her mistress’s words, felt unable to cry, only watching her mistress shiver worriedly, "Miss, your clothes are drenched, it’s not appropriate to be seen like this. Let’s hide by the rockery."
Lin Youning hugged herself, and once Hailan saw her mistress take cover, she hurried to find help.
Ryuzhi, carrying items towards the banquet, noticed an unfamiliar little maid, drenched from head to toe, "Whose maid are you? How did you end up like this?"
The clothing wasn’t what the mansion’s servants wore, and today being a flower viewing banquet, it must be an external maid.
Hailan was troubled about not finding anyone and, upon seeing Ryuzhi, hastened to explain everything. Ryuzhi was stunned for a long ti before regaining her voice, "Right now the Madam and the young ladies are at the banquet, so first co with , get your mistress her clothes, and avoid catching cold. Ensure your mistress’s wellbeing before all else. I’ll find soone to inform the Madam discreetly."
Suppressing her anxiety, Ryuzhi thought about the fact that an incident occurred with Miss Lin and, given it involved her mansion, regardless of the nature of the event, it was important to contain the situation first and secretly report it to the Madam.
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