At this mont, Lin Youning had no other thoughts, knowing that she must go to her aunt’s place, so she had to pull herself together and first went to Shi’an Garden.
Upon hearing what had happened, Mrs. Gu Sr. was so angry that she smashed the teacup in her hand and imdiately called for the Imperial Physician.
Lin Youning couldn’t stop them, so she let Suyi go to call the Imperial Physician.
After a chaotic commotion, by the ti the Imperial Physician finished checking the pulse and prescribing dicine, Lin Youning returned to her Tingxue Hall an hour later.
Lin Youning was half-leaning on the large pillow on the couch, leisurely gazing out at the scenery outside the window. The branches in the small garden were bare, with only a few scattered leaves hanging on them.
The bleakness of autumn made her mood darken slightly.
When Shanmoi brought in the dicine tray, she saw her lady looking like a figure in a painting, giving off a feeling of detachnt from the worldly.
Having served beside the lady for so many years, Shanmoi was still always montarily stunned by her lady’s appearance.
"Miss, the dicine has cooled; it’s ti to take it." Suyi thought that the young lady was unhappy because she had been wronged outside.
Lin Youning slowly sat up, took the dicine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, then rinsed her mouth with the water Shanmoi handed over, and leaned back into the big pillow.
She had just opened her mouth, "Has Hailan taken her dicine?"
"The doctor has already prescribed dicine for her, rest assured, Miss." Shanmoi called a little maid to take the things out, and seeing Nanny Chang co in, she then left.
Nanny Chang bowed before speaking, "Miss, the madam has returned to the mansion, and with her ca the Imperial Physician called by the Xu Mansion, but the old lady already sent him away."
Nanny Chang’s words were tactful, ntioning only the Imperial Physician, not the madam.
Lin Youning knew this ant the madam’s situation might not be good. "Where is the madam?"
The old lady only said she had a headache and didn’t let anyone in or leave, so the madam and several young ladies are waiting in the corridor." Nanny Chang hesitated.
Waiting?
To put it plainly, they were being indirectly punished by standing.
Lin Youning realized that Nanny Chang wanted her to intervene.
Her aunt was now venting her anger on the madam and the young ladies. If it was spread that the Marchioness was punished for the sake of an adopted daughter, outsiders would say that this adopted daughter didn’t know her place.
Even the madam would harbor resentnt towards her because of this.
Lin Youning sighed, "Nanny, ask Suyi to co in and help dress."
Nanny Chang finally breathed a sigh of relief, smiling, "Let this servant assist the young lady. It’s been years since the old servant has had the opportunity to serve you closely since the young lady has grown up."
"Nanny, what are you saying? You ca as part of my aunt’s dowry and have been with since childhood. Though not a wet nurse, you are better than one, and I know you truly care about ." In her previous life, Lin Youning didn’t have any reliable help.
Yet, perhaps due to fate, the nanny her aunt found for her in this life happened to be Nanny Guo, who taught her the ways of life in her previous life. Nanny Guo was released from the palace, later married, and reportedly, her husband was an estate manager.
However, she got embroiled in the conflicts among the won in the inner household, and the whole family was sold, only to be bought by Mrs. Gu Sr., and her entire family was then registered under Lin Youning’s na.
Now, with Nanny Chang by her side, Lin Youning, having learned the rules, also let Nanny Guo return to the main house’s estate to reunite with her husband, saying that she’d bring her back when she got married.
Over the years, Nanny Chang had treated her like her own, so Lin Youning couldn’t bear to send her back, and she didn’t ntion having her return to her aunt’s side.
Upon hearing her young lady’s words, Nanny Chang’s eyes turned red, "It’s what this old servant ought to do."
Seeing her lady grown and understanding made her proud.
Lin Youning only finished dressing and was about to leave when Suyi ca in. Lin Youning quickly greeted her, but Suyi sidestepped, returned the courtesy, and said, "This servant can’t accept your courtesy, Miss. The old lady only said she wants to rest now and told you not to go over. Just stay in Tingxue Hall for dinner. Since you got wet, you need to take good care of your health."
The little maid was then called to bring up the blood bird’s nest, "This is sent by the old lady for you to nourish your body."
"Thank aunt for being so concerned, and please tell her there’s nothing serious; otherwise, Sister Ning would be unfilial." Lin Youning was deeply moved.
Aunt knew that she was standing at the madam’s place, so Suyi was sent to stop her, making it so the madam couldn’t find fault with her.
After all, she wanted to go, but the old lady wouldn’t allow it, and even sent a close maid to say so.
"Miss, it’s only right for the old lady to care for you, so take a good rest. This servant will leave first." Suyi bowed and allowed Nanny Chang to see her out.
Lin Youning let Suyi change her into her usual cotton robe worn indoors again, holding a scripture in hand, zoning out.
Things with Gu Yifeng weren’t working, and it seed to have aroused suspicion. It appeared she would have to think of another way.
Lin Youning stared at the pages, deep in thought. Gu Er was an arrogant man. If he was to be paired with a legitimate daughter from a noble family—who couldn’t be a concubine—then marrying into the main house as a wife could work.
This thought had always crossed her mind, but she never thought it through until now, realizing it might be the only option.
In the Woodland Pavilion of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Xu Kuan, in a blue-green robe, strode in. He hadn’t even entered the study before his laughter echoed, "Taichang, it’s rare for you to call here; there better be good wine, or I won’t leave."
His tone was teasing, as he pushed open the door and walked in.
Facing Gu Yifeng’s perpetually cold face, he joked, "Why the sullen face when you have a guest over?"
Gu Yifeng lifted his gaze from the book, his voice cold as ice, "Who said inviting you here was as a guest?"
Xu Kuan raised an eyebrow, casually sitting on the couch, "Why would you call for then?"
But he didn’t take it seriously.
Gu Yifeng put down the book in his hand, "Did you run into soone bathing at the mansion today? And now you want to bring her in as a concubine?"
Xu Kuan was wide-eyed in surprise, "Taichang, when did you start fortune-telling? I haven’t even found out whose house she belongs to, and you already know. Don’t tell it was one of the girls at the gathering?"
In guessing this, Xu Kuan was genuinely startled.
If there was a girl of age in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, it would only be Taichang’s eldest illegitimate daughter.
Thinking of how Taichang suddenly summoned him to the mansion and now asked this question, Xu Kuan couldn’t help but shiver.
What a big misunderstanding.
"Whoever it is, give up on the idea." Gu Yifeng warned sharply.
The little sister he’d spoiled from a young age could never beco a re concubine.
Though just a girl, she was indeed quite beautiful.
Xu Kuan chuckled, "I just thought, since I stumbled upon her, I’d take responsibility. But since I don’t have to, all the better. You know, if I really liked won, how co there’s been no head lady in my mansion all these years?"
The word ’won’ earned him another cold glare.
Xu Kuan chuckled, realizing his mistake, deciding not to continue.
Yet, being the domineering type, he hadn’t taken the matter seriously. But seeing how important it was to Gu Yifeng, he mused, puzzled, "Knowing you, she’s not likely your illegitimate daughter, as that would break customary protocols and you’d not talk calmly but start swinging fists. Could she be... could she be that little child bride of the family?"
[Book "The Sixth Concubine" goes on sale on the sixth, don’t forget to make it your first purchase of the day. It plans to update every day post-launch.]
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