Chapter 166: Chapter 165: Adultery, Affair [Seeking Monthly Votes]

Gu Er was walking on his own, but the face of Tang Ping following behind him was pale, while Aunt Yan was different. She was being held up by two guards, her mouth stuffed, struggling desperately but unable to move at all, as the guards almost dragged her along.

Gu Yifeng glanced briefly towards the small garden, then strode off towards Shi’an Garden.

The group followed him without pausing, and Tingxue Hall fell quiet once more.

Lin Qining stood there shocked, “Is that the Marquis?”

Towering and upright, exuding a commanding presence without anger, those deep eyes cast a casual glance that would leave an indelible impression for a lifetime.

So this is what Dingyuan Marquis looks like, someone as aloof as jade, as if detached from the worldly affairs, harboring desires for nothing.

Shanmoi glanced at Lin Qining’s infatuated expression, exchanged a glance with Hailan, and they both giggled secretly.

Lin Youning had lived two lives, long devoid of a young girl’s admiration; rather, she was distracted by the recent events during the meal.

Regarding Gu Er, she definitely couldn’t go to Shi’an Garden.

After the meal, Lin Youning called Lin Qining to speak in the room. Lin Qining was obviously absent-minded, responding half-heartedly to Youning’s questions.

“Why don’t you take a nap this afternoon? It’s summer now, and the days are longer.” Lin Youning, seeing her distracted, did not insist on talking and waved her hand for Shanmoi to lead her away. Then she reminded, “With trouble at the mansion now, don’t wander around. If you act like last night, even if I want to keep you, Mrs. Gu Sr. won’t.”

Lin Qining’s expression froze, she replied faintly with an “um” before stepping out of the main house, lifting her eyes to see Sister Yue and Mrs. Kong leading servants towards Shi’an Garden from the covered corridor.

Indeed, troubles arose at the Marquis Mansion; as an outsider, how could she not be curious?

“Miss, let’s go back.” Ping’er, afraid the lady would cause trouble again, hurriedly advised.

Lin Qining, however, turned back to the main house. Lin Youning was asking Hailan questions when she barged in. Lin Youning frowned, waved to send Hailan away, and the servants withdrew.

“Your manners are reckless; is this how you usually learn so-called etiquette? Go back and let your mother teach you what it means to be a proper lady, and the proper conduct of a lady.”

“Lin Youning, what qualifies you to teach me? You’re just a…” Lin Qining retorted angrily, nearly blurting something out, but swallowed it back.

Now aware of her background, Lin Youning naturally understood what Lin Qining was about to say, smiling at her, “And what am I? Go ahead, I would like to hear.”

“You say I don’t understand etiquette, but what about you? Troubles arise at the Marquis Mansion, everyone goes over, yet you’re just raised by the mansion; why not show gratitude and attend when things go wrong?” Lin Qining felt justified in her reasoning.

Lin Youning smiled at her, “You know I’m raised by the Mansion, not one of its members, right? Did you learn that as an outsider you’re not to meddle in others’ inner household affairs? Since I’m not part of the Marquis Mansion, how could I go when their household faces trouble?”

Lin Qining was speechless for a moment; although she held ample reason initially, Lin Youning turned it invalid.

Lin Youning was always the reasonable one.

Even though they had interacted only for two days and a night, Lin Qining had already recognized this.

“I’ve said the Marquis Mansion is vast, with many inner house matters not for outsiders to meddle in unless you’re one of them.” Lin Youning considered this beneficial; allowing Lin Qining to face setbacks might spur her dissatisfaction with her current position, pushing her to strive upward.

“Go back, use your brain for what you do and say in the future.” Lin Youning waved her off.

Lin Qining bit her lip, turned and walked away swiftly. Just an orphan from a peasant family; someday, she’ll make Lin Youning understand who the real lady is.

Watching the anger-driven figure leave, Lin Youning smiled, looked up to see Shanmoi entering, and beckoned her over, “What’s happening in the front courtyard?”

“Sister Suyi sent word, telling that the old Madam advised Miss not to dine over tonight.” Shanmoi looked worried, “Reportedly Aunt Yan climbed the wall outside and was caught by Li Si beside Marquis.”

Lin Youning nodded, “I understand, keep the people here in line, no running to the front.”

That Gu Er, always irresponsible, finding a woman outside, capable of such actions was expected, nothing surprising.

As for being caught by Li Si.

Lin Youning smiled, likely big brother had already discovered this, instructing Li Si to catch her, otherwise would Li Si, always by big brother’s side, just happen to step away at that time and encounter such matter?

Even saying further, Ms. Yan doing such a thing must have hidden it from others, how could she be seen, and by Li Si of all people?

Anyone with some brains would deduce it was an intentional confrontation. No wonder Gu Er wore such a grim face; being made a cuckold, how could he not look dead gray?

In the previous life, Gu Er and Mrs. Kong got along well. Gu Er had mistresses but never sought outsiders like this, never had someone like Aunt Yan.

Ms. Yan was a surplus from the start, now encountering trouble was only natural.

In Shi’an Garden, Mrs. Gu Sr. stared at her son on the ground, expression calm, showing neither joy nor anger, yet the more her gaze remained peaceful, the heavier Gu Er felt it weighed on him.

Mrs. Kong followed behind Gu Er; she hadn’t expected merely to spectate and ended up kneeling too. Had she known she wouldn’t have come.

Yet she regretted her husband’s incompetence, always involving his wife in kneeling with him.

“So, is the child in Ms. Yan’s belly not Er’s?” Mrs. Gu Sr. opened her mouth, sounding just as usual.

Gu Er urgently defended, “Mother, the child must be mine, it’s just this wretch climbed the wall afterwards.”

Admitting that Ms. Yan had a connection with Liu Shusheng while with him reduced him to picking up a broken shoe?

Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t speak, directly hurling the teacup beside her. The tea leaves inside hit Gu Er, the teacup rolling and shattering on the ground with a crisp sound.

Even so, no one dared speak in the flower hall, Gu Er was dumbfounded by the teacup throw, staring at his mother, full of disbelief.

“Fool, at this point, you cling stubbornly.”

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