Chapter 150: Chapter 149: Involved [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Lin Youning wasn’t overly fussy; just like when she was a child, she leaned into Mrs. Gu Sr.’s arms and acted coquettishly. Mrs. Gu Sr. poked her nose with a smile and took a few more glances at the plum blossom hairpin on her head.

Lin Youning took it off and handed it to Mrs. Gu Sr., “It was given to me by Mrs. Zhao. I originally didn’t want it, but she insisted, so I accepted it. I was thinking of discussing with Aunt what I should return as a gift.”

When Lin Youning returned, she wore the hairpin. She thought it over; rather than hiding it secretly, it was better to reveal it. If her lineage were ever revealed, Aunt wouldn’t blame the Zhao Family for keeping it a secret. She might even think the Zhao Family was not yet certain.

Mrs. Gu Sr. examined the hairpin in her hand, “This hairpin is quite valuable.”

Lin Youning also thought so. After all, her brother was just an Assistant General; having a hairpin made of such fine warm jade wasn’t easy.

Mrs. Gu Sr. called Nanny Chi in, “The young lady of Assistant General Zhao’s family is weak. Go to my private storage, find some old herbs and ginseng, and send them to the Zhao Mansion. Just say they are a gift from Sister Ning.”

Nanny Chi responded and left.

Lin Youning felt a bit embarrassed, “Is it necessary for Aunt to give such valuable things? Since Sister Ling is young, I’d rather pick a few items from the things Aunt gave me to send over.”

Mrs. Gu Sr. gently placed the hairpin back in her hair and smiled, “Sister Ling is weak, so sending other things would be useless. It would be better to send some medicinal herbs. You just returned, so go freshen up. Come back for lunch; I’ve had the main kitchen add some dishes.”

Lin Youning nodded and withdrew.

As soon as she returned to Tingxue Hall, when Shanmoi came in to serve her, she quietly relayed what she had learned, “The Holy Emperor bestowed marriages to the Wu Mansion and the Feng Mansion, and even gave gifts. However, the day after, the Second Miss of the Wu Mansion ran away. I heard she was seen in Sister Jian’s courtyard this morning. The Madam got wind of it and brought her to the Old Madam, then sent a message to the Wu Mansion. Just before we returned, the Wu Mansion sent a carriage to pick her up.”

“I heard when the Second Miss Wu arrived, her eyes were swollen, and she was wearing a maid’s clothes. If Sister Jian hadn’t added dishes, the Madam wouldn’t have noticed.”

“People outside are saying the Wu Mansion arranged a marriage for the Second Miss Wu in Jiangnan, but she disagreed and sneaked away,” Shanmoi said a lot, then finally added, “A man is to marry, and a woman to be wed. Why did the Second Miss Wu have to run?”

“How’s the situation with Sister Jian?” Lin Youning could understand the underlying reason and didn’t say much.

“She’s confined, and Aunt Lv was reprimanded too and is still kneeling in the Madam’s courtyard.” Shanmoi didn’t have much sympathy.

Aunt Lv was the distant cousin of Mrs. Dong. Over the years, they were considered as one.

The current situation puts Mrs. Dong in a bad light, doesn’t it?

No wonder Aunt Lv, with her high pride, is kneeling in the yard; it has certainly tarnished Mrs. Dong’s reputation.

“And what about the Marquis?” Lin Youning fiddled with the water, letting Shanmoi wash her hair.

“The Marquis only reprimanded the Madam a bit, but didn’t seem angry. However, the Old Madam criticized the Madam, saying she wasn’t strict in managing the household, allowing outsiders to enter the Marquis Mansion easily. What if someone with ill intentions came in? What would happen to the people here?”

Lin Youning’s eyes flickered slightly.

Back when Gu Er kept a mistress outside, Aunt wasn’t aware, but Mrs. Dong surely knew. Not mentioning it to the Marquis or Aunt, just watching from the side — who isn’t aware of this?

When the matter surfaced, Aunt couldn’t speak up; after all, Gu Er was at fault. Yet Mrs. Dong, as the head mistress, disregarded the future of the entire Marquis Mansion. How could Aunt not keep this in mind?

Now, with an outsider sneaking in, Aunt wouldn’t let Mrs. Dong off easily.

Stepping out of the water and cleaning herself up, Lin Youning put on her usual cotton clothes. Once her hair was dry, she combed it again, dressed neatly, and went to Shi’an Garden.

It’s rare to see Mrs. Kong here.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was instructing her on some matters, and Lin Youning quietly sat aside after greeting Mrs. Kong.

This time, Mrs. Dong was stripped of some power; the purchases in the mansion were now under Mrs. Kong’s control.

There’s room to earn silver in this area, with plenty of benefits. Mrs. Kong was full of respect, and after Mrs. Gu Sr. finished speaking, she let her leave.

Now that she knows her own lineage, Lin Youning feels even less towards Mrs. Kong.

Moreover, unlike in her previous life, this life has Aunt Yan, which is already troublesome enough for Mrs. Kong.

“I thought I could relax as I aged, but none of them let me rest,” Mrs. Gu Sr. sighed, having the meal served while pulling Lin Youning over to ask about the Pure Path Temple.

Lin Youning talked about encountering Xu Kuan at the Pure Path Temple and returning to the city together.

“Outsiders admire our noble family, but they don’t know how much is beyond our control.” Someone like Mrs. Gu Sr. wouldn’t be deceived by appearances.

Lin Youning just pretended not to understand, and Mrs. Gu Sr. smiled without pressing the matter, “The sixth of June is both your birthday and your coming-of-age ceremony. Keep this plum blossom hairpin for then.”

Lin Youning obediently agreed, but inside, she felt tense. Could it be that Aunt discovered something and that’s why she said this?

Lin Youning had originally considered this, but feared arousing Aunt’s suspicion, so she dared not express it, only saying it was a gift from the Zhao Family.

Moreover, Aunt hadn’t mentioned anything before, so why bring it up now?

The meal didn’t appeal to Lin Youning, and after, she intended to return, but Sister Hui and some others came.

Ever since Mrs. Dong’s two nieces temporarily stayed at the mansion, Sister Hui had developed a habit of visiting Mrs. Gu Sr.’s courtyard daily.

Because of this, she often ran into Lin Youning. Though their previous interactions were limited, their relationship never broke.

Sister Yue entered, immediately noticed Lin Youning’s plum blossom hairpin, and said, “Aunt, this hairpin is beautiful. Where did you get it?”

Her remark drew the attention of the other young ladies in the flower hall, namely Sister Ran and Sister Hui, since Sister Jian was confined.

As for Gu Chaoxuan, he had been sent to the Capital Camp after the Dragon Boat Festival.

With Gu Chaoxuan gone, Aunt He felt better, her spirits lifted, and she became more active in the mansion, even sending a couple of sachets to Lin Youning.

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