As soon as Mrs. Wu finished speaking, Shanmoi suddenly spoke up.
"Madam, let this servant go. I just ca from there, so I know the way." The sudden statent from the maid drew everyone’s attention.
Lin Youning wished she could rush over and cover Shanmoi’s mouth.
They ca from there, and even if the maid saw the letter on the ground, it might not necessarily have anything to do with them. After all, there were several paths leading to that corridor, and who knows who left it there.
Yet, Shanmoi stood up and said such a thing.
Even if nothing happened, it would make people overthink.
Everyone present was astute.
Lin Youning understood that Shanmoi was worried about her, but this was indeed a case of trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice.
Mrs. Dong’s gaze searched for Lin Youning, as Shanmoi was a maid by her side.
Lin Youning suppressed a breath, stepped forward with a shy face, perford a curtsey, and then said, "Earlier, I heard that Aunt was sick, so Sister Ya wanted to take over, which even upset Miss Zhou and Sister Ya. This maid of mine has always been simple-minded and perhaps wanted to take this chance... It’s all because I haven’t properly instructed my servants, and offended Madam."
Lin Youning didn’t say the rest.
But everyone understood.
She wanted to use this opportunity to regain so face for Miss Wu with Miss Zhou.
Especially since it was handled by the maid by Lin Youning’s side, it was even better.
So, everyone believed it, but Mrs. Dong did not, nor did Mrs. Wu. Seeing the urgency in the maid’s eyes, it was clear it wasn’t for that reason, but out of panic.
Mrs. Wu didn’t want to investigate deeply; after all, they were at the Wu Mansion today, and if anything happened, it wouldn’t look good for the Wu Mansion. She smiled and said, "A loyal one, such a maid is rare. Sister Ning is indeed fortunate to have such a loyal maid thinking for you. It’s alright, our two families are not outsiders."
Lin Youning apologized again before retreating to Mrs. Dong’s side. As the ladies left, she followed with small steps, while Shanmoi was already scared out of her wits. She was gently pulled by her master, and only then did she co to herself, face pale.
She dared not let anyone see her guilt, but was full of remorse. She wanted to help the young lady but failed, almost causing trouble instead.
With the earlier incident, Mrs. Wu did not send the maid to deliver the letter but instead took the ladies to the Warm Pavilion. The letter left in the corridor had disappeared, and Lin Youning lowered her eyes.
It seed to be Wu Xueya’s doing.
Failed in her calculation, she still knew to retrieve the letter, not completely foolish.
But she didn’t understand why Wu Xueya said Mr. Xu had written to her. Could there be sothing causing Wu Xueya’s misunderstanding, hence... A sudden flash of realization.
Lin Youning understood, the Wu and Xu families seed to be discussing marriage.
If Wu Xueya likes Xu Yuxian and misunderstood that she and Xu Yuxian secretly exchanged letters, then this trick makes sense.
But how could such rumors be credible?
She was a girl from the boudoir and had a childhood betrothal; it’s impossible for her to do such things.
Now that Lin Youning found the source, she wasn’t anxious any longer, knowing now where to start. Checking with the letters written before upon returning to the mansion would clarify things.
Before reaching the Warm Pavilion, Wu Xueya and Zhou Yuyan ca out, greeted the ladies, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then approached Lin Youning.
"Sister Ning, Chunzhi thought that you had returned, so she ca back from the side path. I only found out now. Luckily, sister and the madams were together, otherwise, if I had left you alone in the garden, it would have indeed been my fault." Wu Xueya spoke earnestly.
Lin Youning smiled softly, "At the Hanging Flower Gate, I t the madams. Besides, the garden is only so big. I rember this path; walk forward to the Embroidery Pavilion, backward to your courtyard. No way to get lost, sister don’t worry."
This was Wu Xueya’s calculation.
If Lin Youning didn’t show her so colors, she’d truly think she was easy to bully.
Through these words, Lin Youning indirectly warned Wu Xueya. Even if she was an adopted daughter, she was still of the Dingyuan Marquis, and if the Minister Mansion could compete with the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, they were welco to play their tricks again.
Everyone present understood.
They couldn’t help but look at Lin Youning with a slight surprise. Earlier, she seed like a gentle and ek sort of person adopted by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
But listen to these words; this is not a weak temperant.
No one here was foolish.
Today, they were guests at the Wu Mansion, and Lin Youning looked clever now, but speaking like this publicly, showed that the Wu Mansion had indeed offended soone.
So, no one spoke up, pretending not to hear, and followed Mrs. Wu to the main courtyard.
Mrs. Wu tightly twisted the kerchief in her hand, holding a breath of anger, knowing well that this was not the ti to argue with such a girl.
Mrs. Dong, anwhile, disapproved sowhat of Lin Youning’s behavior. Regardless, this was at the Wu Mansion, yet she, being just an adopted daughter, was using the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s influence to step on others.
It seed she would need to speak with the Marquis when they got back.
Their thoughts shifted in the blink of an eye.
Listening to Lin Youning, the smile on Wu Xueya’s face stiffened slightly.
Zhou Yuyan, beside her, also sensed sothing off and laughed, "Isn’t that right? How could the Minister Mansion compare to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion? Miss Lin has gotten used to living there, and might find it hard to adjust if she moves after marriage."
Zhou Yuyan, a legitimate daughter of a noble family, hinted that, in the future, Lin Youning would just be an ordinary person after marrying, not even an official’s wife, and should not rely too much on the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion now, leaving herself so room.
Being the Imperial Concubine’s niece, her words favored the Wu Mansion, making everyone, who might have known the wrongs lie with the Wu Mansion, not take Lin Youning’s side.
Hence, when they looked at Lin Youning again, their gazes carried a hint of criticism, as it was also a tacit statent against Princess Consort Zhou’s side.
Lin Youning was not afraid of offending the Zhou Family; wouldn’t it be better to offend them?
Letting the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion have a rift with the Zhou Family would ease any possible issues when the Crown Prince ascends the throne.
Understanding this, she didn’t care if Aunt complained to her and smiled lightly, "Rest assured, Miss Zhou, I was originally from a small family; no matter when, I’ll be used to wherever I end up, only seeking peace of mind."
This is peace of mind for .
For you, it is unease.
Zhou Yuyan is a daughter of the Zhou Family.
What does the Zhou family’s unrest represent?
If such a reputation spreads, it would an that soone is daring to criticize the Zhou Family openly.
Lin Youning lives at Dingyuan Marquis Mansion; do her words represent Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s attitude toward the Zhou Family and Princess Consort Zhou?
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