Chapter 165: Chapter 164: Taking Action

Sister Yue listened and was also furious, but felt a bit uncomfortable inside.

The person Lin Qining mentioned was her own father. As a daughter, how could she speak ill of her father?

But Lin Qining said it in front of her, seeing her father making things difficult for a young girl, it put her in an awkward position.

Fortunately, Lin Qining’s last sentence made Sister Yue breathe a sigh of relief. She began to comfort her, “Aunt has always been a rule-abiding person. If you’re walking in the courtyard so late at night, she would surely admonish you. It’s not your fault; Aunt should have told you not to wander at night. After all, everyone going to Shi’an Garden must pass Tingxue Hall first, and it would be improper if any male guests saw you. It was Aunt’s oversight.”

“Yes, after I returned, I also thought about it. Although I was wrong, my sister should have reminded me as well. I don’t know if it’s because she finds having a family like ours disgraceful, showing indifference towards me, even saying she wants to send me back yesterday.” Lin Qining lowered her head, looking very aggrieved.

Sister Yue widened her eyes, “She’s your own sister; you just arrived at the Marquis Mansion and haven’t even attended the coming-of-age ceremony. How can she want to send you away so soon? What would others think of you?”

Completely unafraid of causing trouble.

Yet, this approach resonated with Lin Qining, drawing her closer to Sister Yue, “Only you think highly of me. My father is merely a clerk, just a seventh-rank Capital Official, hardly anyone wants to socialize with our family. Invitations to banquets in the Capital rarely come to us. Having a family like ours naturally disgraces my sister.”

Sister Yue’s eyes darted around, agreeing verbally, “You’re not wrong. After all, Aunt was raised in the Marquis Mansion; how could she quickly accept being the daughter of a clerk?”

These words were meant to comfort, yet they deepened the resentment in Lin Qining’s heart, making her face even more somber, “Look down on a clerk’s daughter? If it weren’t for my mother, she wouldn’t even be a clerk’s daughter, just…”

Realizing she might have said too much, Lin Qining hastily stopped, “Never mind, I won’t bother with her.”

Inwardly, she also began to resent her mother. Clearly she was the real daughter of the Lin Family, that one was just picked up; why should she get to enjoy everything as the Lin Family’s daughter?

Also, those lovely accessories, the grand coming-of-age ceremony, why should a farmer’s daughter receive all that?

Those originally should all be hers.

Yet, her mother insisted on keeping silent. If she had spoken out, everything Lin Youning owned would be Lin Qining’s now.

Sister Yue seemed to notice something, but didn’t inquire further, chatting about other topics instead. Seeing it was almost noon, she then took Lin Qining back to Tingxue Hall.

Lin Youning had already set up a meal under the vine trellis in the little garden, “Sister Yue, join us for the meal here.”

“No need to trouble Aunt, my mother told me to eat back there,” Sister Yue lively curtsied, then bid farewell to Lin Qining and left.

Lin Youning had Shanmoi assist Lin Qining with handwashing, while she sat by the table waiting.

After Sister Yue returned to Jinghe Courtyard, she went straight to her mother’s main courtyard, not bothering to knock and rushing straight in.

Mrs. Kong saw her behaving this way, furrowing her brow, “Why such a lack of manners?”

Sister Yue nonchalantly seated herself on the soft couch, waving off the servants in the room, then whispered, “Mother, guess what interesting thing I discovered today?”

Mrs. Kong continued to look down at the accounts from her estate, “It’s just petty gossip from those lowborn families, nothing interesting.”

“Mother guessed wrong this time, it’s about Aunt.” Sister Yue’s eyes shone brightly.

Mrs. Kong put down the account book in her hands, “What is it?”

Since marrying into the Marquis Mansion, she had wanted to deal with Lin Youning but found no opportunity. Lin Youning no longer played with her as before, and with the old lady watching over there, she couldn’t act.

Thus, it had dragged on until today.

Sister Yue, full of smugness, recounted what Lin Qining said earlier, “…Mother, do you think these words imply something’s not right? Anyway, after hearing, I feel Lin Qining implied Aunt is not Lady Lin’s daughter or perhaps is a concubine’s child, and grandmother has unwittingly raised a concubine’s daughter all these years.”

Thinking of how grandmother despises concubines’ children, Sister Yue felt a thrill inside.

If true, wouldn’t grandmother feel slapped in the face? Wouldn’t it be disgraceful for her?

Imagining how all of grandmother’s affections have been snatched by Lin Youning, in the future, once grandmother grows resentful, it would be a fall from grace.

Mrs. Kong nodded, “You guessed right, I didn’t know the Lin Family had such matters. Just act like you don’t know anything, I will have someone investigate.”

Sister Yue nodded.

Mrs. Kong couldn’t wait a moment longer, calling Nanny Guan in for instructions, who was greatly surprised upon hearing and solemnly agreed.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Kong hadn’t been happy for long before seeing Pianqiu rush in a panicked state.

“Madam, something bad has happened; the Marquis pressed Second Young Master and Aunt Yan to the old lady’s place.”

Mrs. Kong almost dropped the teacup in her hand, “Did they say why? Did the Marquis storm into the courtyard to catch them? Why didn’t anyone send a message to the main courtyard?”

Pianqiu shook her head, “They were pressed back from outside. Aunt Yan’s mouth was gagged, Second Young Master looked terrible, like he was stupefied.”

“Outside? When did Second Young Master and Ms. Yan leave the mansion?” Mrs. Kong couldn’t sit still upon hearing, “Why didn’t anyone report to me?”

She had been waiting to catch adultery, and now they left the mansion without her knowledge, how could Mrs. Kong not be angry?

Pianqiu didn’t dare withhold, “Second Young Master took Aunt Yan through the back door, didn’t pass through the passage in front of the main courtyard, and instructed the courtyard’s servants not to speak out. I only found out about the incident and questioned the servants in Aunt Yan’s courtyard.”

Mrs. Kong sneered repeatedly, “Look at this, the master of our courtyard doing such things, for an aunt even lies and disregards rules, truly bewitched by a temptress.”

Pianqiu didn’t dare say more, “Madam, should we go to Shi’an Garden?”

“Go, how could we not, I also want to see what happened that made the Marquis press them back.” Mrs. Kong spoke through gritted teeth, “Bring my bright red robe, on such a joyous day, I should dress joyfully.”

Pianqiu didn’t dare persuade further, quickly calling maidservants to help Mrs. Kong change clothes, and hurriedly headed to Shi’an Garden.

In the courtyard of Tingxue Hall, Lin Youning was having a meal with Lin Qining when they heard chaotic footsteps in the corridor. Without sending Shanmoi to check, they saw Gu Yifeng, with a furious expression, pressing Ms. Yan and Gu Er as they headed towards Shi’an Garden.

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