Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Longing

Lin Youning changed into a cotton dress, removed the jewelry from her hair, and even tied a small floral cloth on her bun, making her look no different from a countryside woman. Although Hailan helped the young lady with this attire, she regretted not stopping her and personally setting it up.

“Miss, should I change your outfit again? Even though you want to help in the kitchen, you just returned from the Marquis Mansion, wearing like this might not look good to Madam and the Master.” After entering the Zhao Mansion, Hailan and others changed how they addressed Zhao Housheng and his wife.

Lin Youning smiled slightly, “It’s alright, if I really dressed like that, sister-in-law wouldn’t let me in.”

Lin Youning instructed Hailan to carry the prepared gifts while she held Sister Ling’s hand and headed toward the passage.

“Aunt, when we used to visit the village, I saw others dressed like you are now, but none looked as beautiful as you,” Sister Ling looked up innocently.

Hailan laughed behind them while carrying things, “Little Miss, your words are sweet.”

Lin Youning poked her head, “You little girl.”

Such a simple action made her reminisce about the times at the Marquis Mansion, where every time she cheered up her aunt, her aunt would poke her head like this.

In retrospect, living through two lifetimes, the days at the Marquis Mansion in this life were the happiest and carved deep in her heart.

Today, she joyously moved back to the Zhao Mansion, wondering how her aunt has been?

Should she let Nanny Guo go back for a look?

“Aunt, what’s wrong?” Lin Youning heard Sister Ling calling her, she lowered her head, and Sister Ling continued, “Father called you several times just now, but you didn’t hear.”

“Aunt was thinking,” Lin Youning forced a smile to explain to Sister Ling, then looked up toward the corner door in the front.

She saw her brother Zhao Housheng alongside a rugged figure in a blue Python Robe, none other than Xu Kuan.

Lin Youning was slightly stunned.

Xu Kuan stood next to Zhao Housheng, seemingly anticipating Lin Youning’s surprised expression, a smile forming at the corner of his lips.

This smile, seen from Lin Youning’s perspective, only seemed rogue.

“Big brother,” Lin Youning respectfully addressed Zhao Housheng and turned to greet Xu Kuan, “General Xu.”

Zhao Housheng, aware of his sister’s adherence to rules, especially having grown up in the Marquis Mansion, said, “General Xu is here for something. Your sister-in-law is in the kitchen, you go ahead.”

“Alright.” Lin Youning smiled at her brother before leading Sister Ling away.

After passing through the passage, Hailan’s face also brightened with a smile. The Master truly cares for the young lady, fearing misunderstandings, he even explained male hosts outside, female hosts inside, yet he is mindful of the young lady’s feelings. This clearly shows the Master’s importance to the young lady.

Upon returning to the mansion earlier, Hailan was worried, but now she is relieved. Though the Zhao Mansion is not the Marquis Mansion, it is still the young lady’s brother’s home.

Lin Youning, without slowing her steps, led Sister Ling all the way to the kitchen, secretly relieved. Xu Kuan visiting on her first day back at the mansion didn’t seem coincidental to her.

She couldn’t believe that there were no rumors in the Capital about her return to the Zhao Mansion today, yet Xu Kuan chose this exact day to visit. Lin Youning pursed her lips, hoping she was overthinking things, rather than Xu Kuan fancying her like in the past life.

She had already witnessed his rogue skills, and now that she is unmarried, if he set his sights on her, their opportunities together could progress even further than the last lifetime?

Yet this time, she only wants to live a simple life, and with Xu Yuxian fancying her, how could she contemplate marrying Xu Kuan?

Moreover, how would she conduct herself in Xu Mansion again?

Lin Youning suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind, setting aside Xu Kuan, and entered the kitchen.

In the storeroom, Shanmoi’s dress was disheveled, with traces of unknown smudges on her face streaked with a few black lines.

Lin Youning couldn’t help but laugh, “Alright, you go with Hailan and distribute the gifts I prepared, I’ll cook with sister-in-law.”

“You all can leave, I can manage alone.” Liang Hui laughed, “In the Marquis Mansion, you never encountered these things, even wanting to help isn’t urgent. I’ll speak with your brother tomorrow to get two maids.”

Understanding that if she didn’t hire servants, Sister Ning would end up cooking with her, Liang Hui decided to hire two people eventually.

“I’ve cooked in the mansion, let me.” Lin Youning stepped forward to help with a smile, especially when washing vegetables. Her familiar moves seemed practiced, and Liang Hui didn’t stop her anymore.

Shanmoi wanted to stay in the kitchen, but she only added to Madam’s troubles. Seeing the young lady chase her out, she obediently left.

Seeing her appearance, Hailan laughed, “Go wash up, Little Miss and I can handle these.”

Shanmoi blushed, nodded, and headed to the backyard.

Nanny Guo hurried over from the backyard. Upon seeing the young lady in the kitchen, she showed a surprised face, her expression serious, clearly disapproving.

Nanny Guo said nothing, instead went over to help Hailan sort things out.

Outside the Zhao Mansion wall, Xu Kuan sat, observing the busy petite figure in a cotton dress through the open window.

His steady, cool demeanor was adorned with an amused smile.

When he first saw the small figure in coarse cloth at the corner door, Xu Kuan was indeed surprised, yet felt this was truly her.

Despite others seeing the Marquis Mansion’s foster daughter as delicate and well-mannered, Xu Kuan always felt this wasn’t her true nature. Much like that night when he took her alone to the servants’ courtyard, she glared stubbornly, calling his name directly.

That was her.

Now, returning to the Zhao Mansion, dressed in simple attire with poise and openness, that’s truly her as well.

In the kitchen, Lin Youning felt someone watching her, instinctively looked up, but only saw the smooth wall and courtyard outside through the window, with Sister Ling seeking advice from Nanny Guo, dismissing any earlier illusion.

She shook her head and refocused.

Meanwhile, Xu Kuan, who had been on the wall earlier, leapt down as soon as the small figure in the kitchen raised her head, humming a tune while walking away.

Coming to Zhao Mansion today, surely was the right choice.

With a smile on his face, Xu Kuan’s expression left his attendant wide-eyed. In the morning, General pushed aside his affairs to head straight to Lieutenant Zhao’s Mansion ostensibly for a drink invitation.

While it seemed strange then, now it was clear he came for the recently recognized lady of the Zhao Mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep