Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Reenactment

Lin Youning, however, did not pay further attention to Xu Kuan’s side. After the family finished dinner, they gathered in Zhao Housheng’s study to talk, and Sister Ling was also sent away by Zhao Housheng.

Shanmoi and the others knew that the master had something to discuss with the young lady, so they tactfully withdrew.

“Brother, if you have something to say, just say it.” Lin Youning also gathered the expression on her face and looked seriously at him.

“Don’t be nervous, it’s just about the matter of your coming of age. You are now at the age of marriage, this is the time when other girls are already engaged, but since you just returned home, I mean to ask you if you have any thoughts in your heart?” This matter should originally be discussed by parents, but in this world, there was only the brother and sister, so Zhao Housheng could only handle it personally.

Lin Youning did not have the shyness of common young ladies, “I just returned to the mansion, and I don’t want to rush to marry. I want to stay a few years in the mansion. As for what kind of family to marry into, I do not seek riches and glory, only that the person is good.”

Zhao Housheng nodded, “It’s good that you think this way. Although I don’t know much about those wealthy families, I do know that women do not live happily in their courtyards.”

Lin Youning noticed her brother seemed to have something difficult to express, “Brother, do you have something to ask?”

Besides this, Lin Youning couldn’t think of anything her brother might find hard to say.

“Nothing really, just that I saw General Xu come to the mansion today and thought he was a nice person, only he already has a son who is married.” Zhao Housheng felt his ears warm when his sister saw through his thoughts.

Liang Hui then understood why her husband wanted to talk with Sister Ning alone after dinner, “Although General Xu is nice, if the sister marries him, she would be a second wife. Moreover, he has many like Sister Daining.”

Although she did not directly refute him, it was almost like that.

Lin Youning felt warm in her heart when she saw her sister-in-law speak up for her against her brother. She smiled and said, “I know brother means well for me, but sister-in-law also voiced my thoughts. Besides, I already told brother that I just wish to marry into a small household and live a plain life. Noble families may look glamorous, but behind the glamour, there are countless unspoken pains, which only one knows himself.”

“Alright, I understand.” Zhao Housheng also felt helpless.

Today, General Xu suddenly came to the mansion, claiming he had no specific reason for the visit and just wanted to drink with him. Zhao Housheng wasn’t stupid; when he saw his sister coming out and noticed General Xu seeming distracted, he had vaguely guessed something.

Especially when later, General Xu mentioned some matters about Sister Ning, Zhao Housheng felt even more surprised.

He didn’t know if General Xu had intentions when he came and said those words, and he didn’t know how Sister Ning perceived it, so he left her to talk after dinner.

After a few words, seeing that his sister had no interest in General Xu, Zhao Housheng relievedly took a breath, realizing it was merely that General Xu fancied Sister Ning.

But it was clear that General Xu’s interest in Sister Ning was not recent, having such thoughts even while Sister Ning was engaged. This lowered Zhao Housheng’s good opinion of General Xu.

What is the difference between coveting an engaged woman and coveting a married woman?

Fortunately, his sister did not share feelings for General Xu, which was good. Towards people with character issues, Zhao Housheng could not garner any fondness.

They talked a little more, especially when hearing her brother say she could leave the mansion and stroll the streets if she wanted, which made Lin Youning very happy.

Returning from the study, Liang Hui worried Ning Jie might overthink and explained a few things. Seeing Ning Jie didn’t take it to heart, she felt relieved.

Back in the rear courtyard, Sister Ling was already asleep in the west room, accompanied by Shanmoi. Lin Youning did not let Hailan keep watch, merely saying it was a tiring day and that she should rest as there were matters to handle tomorrow. Hailan agreed.

At night, unable to sleep after moving to a new place, Lin Youning got up and sat at the soft bench under the window. July would soon arrive, and now she had reunited with her family. Thinking of the approaching Qixi Festival on the seventh day of the seventh moon, she thought she might go see.

Having been engaged since a young age, she had never gone out during the Qixi Festival.

Bathed in the moonlight, Lin Youning felt more awake rather than sleepy. She was also worried about her aunt at the Marquis Mansion, intending to send Nanny Guo back to check tomorrow morning.

The Zhao Mansion was located near the city wall in Taian Lane, with no neighbors behind, only some trees. These old trees had been there for years, too big for two people to encircle.

Gu Yifeng stood in the tree, watching the small figure sitting by the window. Even without any lights and only faint moonlight, he recognized her immediately.

Could it be that she’s unable to sleep in a new place too?

Or maybe she’s thinking about the Marquis Mansion?

A flash of concern appeared on Gu Yifeng’s cool, impassive face. If it weren’t for worrying about this little girl, how could he possibly be spying on a young lady in the middle of the night?

This kind of thing, even he found hard to believe.

The moon hung high; it was deep into the night.

Li Si stood under the tree, alert to the surroundings, occasionally glancing upwards. The marquis, constantly looking toward the courtyard, made Li Si suspect that the marquis indeed had spotted Miss Lin.

Luckily, Miss Lin was also not asleep at this hour; otherwise, they would have come here in the middle of the night for nothing, and the marquis even climbed a tree. If Miss Lin had slept, it would not justify the marquis’s painstaking effort.

In the east room, Lin Youning heard a fluttering of wings. She had already gotten up to rest but stopped and returned to the window, peering outside.

The look of surprise on her face followed, noticing who was strolling in the courtyard like a “master” but Xiao Bai.

How come Xiao Bai was here? This creature usually never leaves big brother’s side!

Could it be?

Gu Yifeng in the tree regretted pampering this creature too much when he saw the white eagle in the courtyard. Looking toward the house, he saw the little person inside already startled, retreating after glimpsing Xiao Bai.

Gu Yifeng, unsure if the creature had caused trouble, was suddenly flooded with an unprecedented sense of loss.

Yet, the next moment, when seeing the delicate figure running out into the courtyard only in her underwear, Gu Yifeng’s icy expression brightened with a dazzling smile.

He had thought this little girl might not be pleased, or perhaps she might think he had overstepped bounds.

But now it seemed he had guessed wrong; the petite figure in the courtyard, eager and joyous, had started walking toward the tree after a brief search.

The excitement and joy on her face were like dew on a flower petal at dawn, clear and inviting cherishment.

Under the tree, Lin Youning paced around the wall a few times, unable to see any silhouette above, her joy slowly fading away. She was madly deluded, Xiao Bai being here must be to find Snowball. Someone as stoic and principled as the big brother wouldn’t creep into a lady’s courtyard at night like a rogue such as Xu Kuan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep