Chapter 153: Chapter 152: Comparison

Through the gauze curtain, the dim yellow light outside slowly seeped in. Lin Youning held a warm jade hairpin, examining it under the brocade-covered quilt.

In her view, it was just a piece of warm jade; there was nothing particularly special about it. She thought of the red jade hair comb her aunt had given her, which was the most precious among her jewelry.

She was not used to having someone keep watch at night, so she didn’t disturb Shanmoi outside. After getting out of bed, she found a red box at the bottom layer of the cabinet, carried it back to bed.

In the box was a hair comb, carved with peonies, made from a whole piece of red jade, which alone showed its preciousness.

Furthermore, this hair comb was crafted by the first artisan of this dynasty, just as Sister Hui said, the works of the first artisan were vivid, rare and sought-after, and not many were carved before the artisan disappeared.

So anything carved by this artisan could be passed down as a family heirloom.

Lin Youning compared the hairpin and observed carefully; some techniques were similar, but on closer comparison, the hairpin seemed more exquisite.

Lin Youning suppressed her surprise. Could her biological father be that first artisan?

But if that were the case, why was their family so impoverished?

Lin Youning shook her head, feeling that since her life had changed, she was inclined to overthink everything.

Having put things away, she lay back on the bed.

Life in the mansion continued as usual, though news from the Capital occasionally arrived. Second Miss Wu was engaged by the Wu family, but she didn’t agree and secretly ran away. After this matter spread through Capital, private inquiries revealed that the Wu family had arranged a marriage for Second Miss Wu with a wealthy Jiangnan merchant, who was nearly forty and had grandchildren. Marrying such a person as a concubine would not be acceptable to the city’s most talented young lady, Second Miss Wu.

Such gossip sparked criticism of the Wu family.

Those aware of the inside story knew the Wu family had incurred the Holy Emperor’s displeasure due to the Feng Mansion and Wu Mansion. If the Wu family didn’t act, how could they explain themselves to the Holy Emperor?

Mrs. Wu and the Duchess were sisters by birth. After the incident, the Duke Mansion sent a message asking Mrs. Kong to return.

Mrs. Kong reported to Mrs. Gu Sr., who didn’t ask much and simply nodded her head.

Mrs. Kong went back with Sister Yue, and they returned in the afternoon. At that moment, Sister Hui and Sister Ran were sitting in Lin Youning’s yard doing needlework when Sister Yue walked in, dressed in a vibrant red skirt.

After all, she was a just ten-year-old child, and despite being dressed so brightly, it didn’t seem garish, rather full of vitality.

Everyone in the mansion knew Sister Yue always dressed like this in front of Sister Ran, as a way of suppressing her.

Sister Ran, being a concubine’s daughter, such colors were not suitable for her to wear; Sister Yue subtly displayed her status as a legitimate daughter.

“Wu Xueqin has been grounded and, after a few scenes, accepted her fate. She’s currently preparing her dowry.” Sister Yue threw a mocking glance at Sister Ran, “Though she’s famous for her talents, it’s said she’s not skilled in needlework, but can always come up with intriguing things. Remember those pillows in Eldest Sister’s possession? I think they’re not as comfortable as big bolster pillows, too soft.”

No one responded, but Sister Yue didn’t feel embarrassed, “Aunt, you’ve not seen what bolster pillows look like?”

Lin Youning nodded slightly, “No, I haven’t seen them.”

“They’re square, stuffed with cotton. After Second Miss Wu created them, many ladies in the capital imitated her.” Sister Yue, as long as someone engaged in conversation, would steer it back to her topic, “Eldest Sister has a set; I could borrow them for Aunt to see.”

“No need.” Lin Youning didn’t want to be used as a pawn by her, especially since the little maids in the yard had made them before, she’d seen them, but Sister Yue had mentioned that Sister Jian had a set, she couldn’t say the maids played with that too, it would sound like she regarded Sister Jian as a servant. Besides, Lin Youning agreed with Sister Yue; big bolster pillows were more comfortable, “I’m not interested in those, unlike you who have little playmates to explore such things.”

Moreover, the feud between Sister Yue and Sister Jian was known to Lin Youning to some extent, and this was just the beginning. Remembering the previous life when the two argued over a marriage proposal, even causing conflict between the sisters-in-law, Mrs. Kong and Mrs. Dong.

Mrs. Kong sought a Scholar from a poor family who had scored highly, thinking Sister Yue’s spoiled temperament suited such a match, relying entirely on the Marquis Mansion without daring to criticize Sister Yue.

Yet that Scholar had plans himself, unwilling to flatter. During a visit to the mansion as a guest, he met Sister Jian, liked her quiet demeanor.

When he returned home, he had a matchmaker propose, and Mrs. Kong felt Sister Jian had stolen Sister Yue’s marriage.

After all, the Scholar studied at the same academy as Brother De, was invited to the mansion by Brother De after scoring high, with Mrs. Kong intending to match Sister Yue.

Who would have thought her long-term plan would fail and Sister Jian benefited?

Mrs. Dong didn’t want to argue with Mrs. Kong, directly refused the marriage, though Mrs. Kong wouldn’t let it go, resulting naturally in a stalemate with Mrs. Dong.

For Lin Youning, these matters were forgotten, and seeing how Sister Yue targeted Sister Ran now, slowly recalled events from years ago.

Now Sister Yue used her name to mock Sister Jian, Lin Youning wasn’t foolish, wouldn’t be used, nor liked her mindless approach.

“It’s getting late, let’s disperse, though it’s warm, it’s not yet summer, evenings have a chill.” Lin Youning looked concerned for her juniors.

Implied she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

Sister Hui didn’t like hearing Sister Yue, but couldn’t leave, felt relieved, handed her needlework to a maid beside her, “Aunt, we’ll head back now.”

Sister Ran rose and bowed, well-behaved from her upbringing, yet her stubborn gaze showed her nature wouldn’t change.

Sister Yue bowed too, “Aunt, I’ll take my leave as well.”

While catching up with Sister Ran, “Fourth Sister, you can ask Eldest Sister not to worry about Second Miss Wu, she’s been sent to a manor outside the capital to embroider her dowry, and she’ll be married off to Jiangnan once Uncle Wu’s marriage is completed.”

This wasn’t a kind gesture of sending a message; after previous issues, Sister Yue was obviously disgusting Sister Jian and her sister.

Lin Youning shook her head, ordered for the needlework box to be collected, walked leisurely in the garden, fan in hand.

A beauty, a white fan, slender figure, wearing a white curved-sleeve dress, standing under a tree, a picturesque scene.

When Gu Er walked in briskly, it was exactly such a scene he saw.

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