Chapter 141: Chapter 140: Setting Out

Lin Youning listened, secretly grumbling, and indeed did not guess wrong.

But if Lin Family has a Miss Lin, then what am I considered?

Does the Lin Family not have a daughter like me?

This speculation weighed heavily on Lin Youning’s heart, yet thinking about seeing her father that day, she braced herself again.

It’s not that they don’t want her, but they don’t want her to be unhappy in the Marquis Mansion, which is why they treat her this way.

Dong Boyun, a concubine’s daughter, didn’t know much about the relationships among the noble families. Being able to talk about these things with Lin Youning meant she didn’t know that this Clerk Lin’s family was actually Lin Youning’s biological family.

She was so engrossed in talking that she didn’t notice the changed expressions of the two servant girls behind Lin Youning.

Li Si, being a man, followed five steps behind, head down. Whether he heard anything was unknown.

“That time it was Vice Minister Zhang’s family hosting a feast because the concubine had a son and they were celebrating. Such a household wouldn’t attract much attendance. I heard the wife of Clerk Lin took Miss Lin along, getting very close with Zhang’s concubine, leaving Vice Minister Zhang’s official wife neglected. People who returned from the event privately said the Lin family must have some urgent matter with Vice Minister Zhang. Otherwise, why would they curry favor with a concubine and lose their status like this?”

“With behavior like that, who would want to associate with their family? Everyone is afraid of losing their status.”

“Miss Lin didn’t realize this herself and got into an argument after being mocked a few times at a banquet at Governor Wang’s house, which quickly tarnished her reputation in the Capital.” Dong Boyun laughed with a hint of self-mockery, “But even so, she is a legitimate daughter, not like us concubine’s daughters, who can never escape the label of being born to a concubine, no matter how good we might be.”

After a long chat, they found themselves on the street. Dong Boyun noticed Lin Youning’s silence and said, “Sister Ning, did I say something that upset you?”

The two were close friends, and in private, Lin Youning didn’t insist on her calling her Aunt, having her call her Sister Ning instead.

Lin Youning gave a bitter smile and didn’t hide it from her, “Actually, I only just found out recently that my biological parents are from the Clerk Lin’s family you mentioned.”

Dong Boyun was taken aback, but soon calmed down and smiled, “Look at me, talking about your family matters right in front of you. Just don’t hold it against me; I was unaware.”

“The Miss Lin you just mentioned is the eldest daughter of the Lin Mansion. In their eyes, I haven’t been their daughter for a long time.” There was nothing to hide, Lin Youning blinked, “You lament about your birth, but in reality I am no different, just slightly better fate.”

Dong Boyun laughed, “Listening to you, I think you’re even more pitiful than I am. At least I have a father and a concubine who care for me.”

Shanmoi behind furrowed her brows tightly. What nonsense was Miss Dong saying? How could she speak like this?

But the lady was peculiar, she happened to like such a Miss Dong.

Lin Youning just pursed her lips in a smile without saying much. The two seemed to have discovered a mutual secret and became even closer.

Lin Youning was originally stunningly beautiful, and even wearing a veil, her eyes sparkled when she smiled; paired with her graceful figure, it was obvious she was a beauty, attracting countless glances on their way.

Thankfully, with Li Si and the guards following, no one dared to step forward and bother them.

Upon arriving at the restaurant Dong Boyun mentioned, they saw a classic sign reading ’Amber Leaf Tea House’.

“Interesting, clearly it’s a restaurant, yet it mentions tea fragrance.” Seeing the name brought joy to Lin Youning.

In her previous life, she heard people talk about Amber Leaf Tea House but never visited. In this life, she happened upon it with Dong Boyun, finally fulfilling the past regret.

The furnishings inside the Amber Leaf Tea House were made from top-quality rosewood. Stepping inside, Lin Youning was amazed, while Dong Boyun laughed beside her.

“The first time I came, I was even more amazed than you, and I even touched them to check if they were real, which made me the object of much ridicule.” Dong Boyun led her upstairs, “I asked my father to reserve a private room for us, it’s even better up there, you’ll see.”

The crisp sound of women’s voices outside Amber Leaf Tea House caught Xu Kuan’s attention. He lifted the edge of the curtain; as he saw the figure on the stairs, his expression paused slightly, then he smiled faintly.

Lin Youning, ever sensitive, felt someone was watching her. She looked around and froze upon spotting the black-robed figure but quickly turned away.

Since the last encounter, Lin Youning had been worrying, having called his name, but fortunately, Xu Kuan hadn’t barged into her boudoir at night as in the previous life.

Today, she hadn’t expected to run into him here and could only hope that with outsiders present, he wouldn’t come over unwelcome.

Dong Boyun noticed someone watching them, and when she turned to look, she saw a man dressed in a black robe. Not feeling embarrassed, she sized him up a few times before looking away.

Such behavior was quite peculiar.

“Do you know that man?” In the private room, Dong Boyun asked.

“That’s General Xu.” Lin Youning didn’t want to talk about him. She walked around the private room, where bamboo, orchids, and chrysanthemums flourished. Growing such flowers in this season, especially in a restaurant, was truly rare.

Only large noble families now maintain greenhouses. Could it be that this restaurant is run by one of those families?

Dong Boyun was rather astonished, “So that’s General Xu? I’ve heard of him but never saw him. Didn’t he go to the border?”

“That I don’t know.” Lin Youning genuinely had no idea.

Dong Boyun nodded, “I was confused, you know less than me.”

Laughing, she instructed a servant to order dishes, picking the best from the menu.

Dong Boyun seemed unfamiliar with the place, having ordered, she waved off the maid from the room, “You go to the main hall and order a table, but charge it to the Dong Mansion account.”

Shanmoi and Hailan hesitated looking at the lady but Lin Youning waved a hand, “We’ll be in the private room, you’ll be in the main hall, anything happening will be in view.”

Only then did they salute and withdraw.

Once everyone left, Dong Boyun’s smile faded, “Sister Ning, have you considered looking for your family? After all, if they are willing to stand up, maybe you can decide your own life.”

But a family like that, with such social standing, probably wouldn’t be useful.

Though Dong Boyun didn’t say the latter part, her expression revealed her thoughts.

“You actually know well, asking me these things is just for those words. I grew up in the Marquis Mansion, even you only know Miss Lin from the Lin Mansion. If I went back, what would it mean? Wouldn’t it just make everyone uncomfortable?”

“However, I noticed that the expression Miss Lin gave when she looked at you suggests she knows who you are.” Dong Boyun furrowed her brows tightly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep