Chapter 176: Chapter 175: Stirred Up

The coming-of-age ceremony was bustling, especially with the white hairpin worn by Lin Youning, immediately drawing the attention of everyone.

Lin Youning didn’t think much of it, and everything went smoothly until the hairpin was attached.

Mrs. Dong led everyone to the garden to watch a play, while Lin Youning returned to her courtyard to change dresses.

Lady Lin followed alongside the group, her presence neither too prominent nor overlooked, as with such rumors, how could anyone ignore her?

The group had just settled themselves under the stage when someone rushed up to Mrs. Dong, whispering a few words into her ear.

Mrs. Dong’s expression changed, and after giving some instructions to a maid, she walked over to Mrs. Gu Sr., whispering a few more words.

Seeing this, everyone wished their ears could grow longer so they could hear what was happening.

After all, ever since they entered the Marquis Mansion, they had been waiting for something to happen. With everything proceeding so smoothly, how could they remain calm?

However, apparently, they waited for a while, and Mrs. Gu Sr. made no move, not until after the banquet when the ladies of each household went home first.

Lady Lin, however, was kept by Mrs. Gu Sr. who already knew what was going on. She suppressed the excitement in her heart and didn’t show it on her face, yet she also realized that Mrs. Gu Sr. wouldn’t bring it up in front of everyone.

Once everyone had left, the smile vanished from Mrs. Gu Sr.’s face. She instructed Suyi at her side, “Bring the people up, and also call the girl.”

Lady Lin sat below, looking puzzled, “Madam, I don’t know what is happening?”

Pretending as if she knew nothing, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s eyes flashed coldly, her expression still not pleasant, “Today, someone came to the mansion, claiming to be Sister Ning’s biological parents. That’s why I kept you back, to discuss the rumors we’ve been hearing.”

Lady Lin feigned surprise and scrambled, “Madam, such rumors from outside should not be believed.”

“I naturally don’t believe them, but the person accurately described the shape and location of the mark on Sister Ning’s body; I can’t help but think more about it. Lady Lin, given the long-standing connection between our families, I want an honest answer: is Sister Ning truly your biological child?” Mrs. Gu Sr. pursued relentlessly.

Lady Lin was stuck, hemming and hawing for a long while without saying anything substantial. Seeing her playing dumb, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s expression grew even colder.

“So, it turns out that Sister Ning wasn’t really your daughter?” Lin Youning happened to hear this as she walked in from outside.

She remained calm, stepped forward to pay her respects to Mrs. Gu Sr. and Lady Lin, then knelt down without saying a word, keeping her head lowered.

“You just came in, but you should have heard clearly what was said just now.” Mrs. Gu Sr. looked lightly at the figure kneeling on the ground, her demeanor bringing a sense of relief to Lady Lin.

Now, observing Mrs. Gu Sr.’s attitude, she felt she could speak truthfully. It seemed Mrs. Gu Sr. indeed valued one’s origin.

Being questioned, Lin Youning calmly responded, “Yes.”

Only then did Lady Lin feel reassured and took over the conversation appropriately, “Madam, this matter has been buried in my heart for more than a decade. After my brother-in-law’s accident, I was always worried about my sister. Later, when my sister wanted to raise a daughter as a child bride, I had just given birth to a son. Just then, a maid in the mansion found a child, who was precisely Sister Ning. Back then, I thought to send her to my sister first, and after a year or two, if I had another daughter, I would switch her with my sister.”

Mrs. Gu Sr. stayed silent, so Lady Lin continued, “But as time passed with my husband taking me elsewhere, we never returned over the years, and my sister suddenly passed away. At that time, I thought it was settled. Perhaps my Lin family was not destined to have a daughter, or maybe it was fate that I gained another daughter. Thus, I acknowledged Sister Ning as mine. But who would have thought someone would come searching for her true family now.”

Lady Lin feigned wiping her eyes, “I have wronged my sister, as well as the house.”

Clearly driven by personal desires, she covered it with a façade of concern.

Shameless.

Upon hearing Lady Lin reveal her parentage, Lin Youning truly felt a sense of relief. On her way over, she had been wondering how her aunt would respond upon learning her true identity. Seeing her aunt’s indifference upon entering was, to be honest, heartbreaking.

However, having enjoyed so much happiness and privilege under this identity over the years, it seemed only fair to return it.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Youning reverently kowtowed three times to Mrs. Gu Sr., “As Youning is not a daughter of the Lin Mansion, but has enjoyed the Madam’s kindness over the years, I feel ashamed and today willingly give back the marriage to the Lin Mansion’s daughter.”

Lady Lin sat there with reddened eyes, “Youning, although you’re not my biological child, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. We didn’t originally plan to reveal your identity after returning, but who would have thought your biological family would come to the Marquis Mansion for you.”

“Madam should not blame herself. This rightfully belongs to the mansion’s daughter, and I’m not an adopted one. Enjoying these years of blessings has already been a kindness from heaven.” Lin Youning responded neither arrogantly nor humbly.

Sitting above, Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded in satisfaction. Although not born of the Lin Mansion, having been raised by them, her demeanor was incomparable to the Lin Mansion’s daughters.

With just this glance, Mrs. Gu Sr. felt even more assured of her decision, knowing it was undoubtedly the right one.

“Suyi, help the girl up.” Mrs. Gu Sr. instructed her maid and personally got down from the soft couch. Once Suyi had helped her up, she approached Lin Youning, took her hand, saying, “In your aunt’s eyes, regardless of whether you’re a daughter of the Lin Mansion or not, you are a bride raised by our Gu Mansion, and the future bride of the Gu Mansion.”

Lin Youning was taken aback by her aunt’s sudden change of attitude, slightly stunned.

She soon understood the reason behind her aunt’s actions, feeling a warmth spring to her eyes as tears began to fall uncontrollably.

She had been thinking about using this opportunity to leave the Marquis Mansion, even though when questioned earlier if the Marquis wanted to shoulder the responsibility, she remained unwavering.

But seeing her aunt’s sincere affection for her in contrast made her feel like an ungrateful person.

“Silly child, you’re the daughter your aunt watched grow up, making you her own daughter,” Mrs. Gu Sr. said, red-eyed, gently comforting her in an embrace.

Suyi and several others, who had been serving alongside her for years, all lowered their heads to wipe away tears.

That entire day they, as servants, had also been worried that even though the girl wasn’t of the Lin Mansion, she was someone they had seen grow up.

Seeing the Madam’s sudden and cold demeanor had also worried them secretly.

Now it was okay; everything had passed.

But on the side, Lady Lin was left dumbfounded, wasn’t Qining supposed to assume this identity of a child bride? Why was it not so?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep