Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Hidden and Revealed

Lin Youning searched the courtyard for a week, but couldn’t see anyone in the trees. She lowered her head in disappointment, gently pursed her lips, and stood there thoughtfully. In Gu Yifeng’s eyes, who was watching from the tree, she looked like a gardenia flower buffeted by the cold wind.

For a moment, Gu Yifeng wanted to jump down from the tree, but he controlled himself. He came just to see how she was doing here, so that he could report back to his mother. How could he disturb her now?

Since she was allowed to return to the Zhao Mansion, he should no longer disrupt her life, letting her live the life she desires.

Gu Yifeng took a deep breath. Thinking of these things, he felt much calmer. His mother had once suggested taking responsibility, and he had thought about keeping Sister Ning with him. But seeing Sister Ning’s longing for family and yearning for the outside world, Gu Yifeng gave up that sudden idea.

Under the tree, Lin Youning still stood there quietly with her head down. She really was obsessed. How could big brother come here?

Of course, this was no longer the Marquis Mansion. Big brother wouldn’t come to her courtyard at night.

Now they were considered outsiders by society, and even seeing each other in broad daylight was inappropriate, let alone at night.

She turned her head to see Snowball already rushing out in the courtyard, snuggling up with Xiao Bai, gently expressing their longing for each other. At that moment, Lin Youning suddenly felt jealous of them.

Look how free they are. When they miss each other, they can be together regardless of what anyone thinks.

Wait.

Lin Youning widened her eyes in shock.

’Together’? How could she think of that?

The thought that suddenly jumped into her mind frightened Lin Youning. She swayed slightly, holding onto the wall to steady herself.

The calmness she once had could no longer be regained. How could she have such a thought?

Having lived two lives, Lin Youning was no longer a child untouched by the world. Discovering she still had such thoughts, her mind became increasingly clear.

After being reborn, she only wanted to rely on big brother, so she would have support in the Marquis Mansion in the future.

Later, when big brother went to the border, he would send her things every season. From joy, to anticipation, to taking it for granted—even when she grew up and big brother returned from the border to her courtyard to play chess and talk, she never felt there was anything inappropriate.

She always saw him as her brother.

But in a noble family, there were boundaries between siblings. Their situation was not common.

She had always thought it was natural.

Until now, coming out of the Marquis Mansion, she realized her heart felt empty, as if something was missing.

Now she finally understood what was missing.

Lin Youning felt ashamed of the thought that had emerged from the depths of her heart, even feeling she had no face to see big brother again.

How could she have fallen for big brother?

Clearly, her heart had already died in the previous life and would not be moved for any man again, yet unknowingly, she had given her heart to someone else, only realizing it at this moment.

Realizing this, Lin Youning frantically thought about her usual behavior in the Marquis Mansion, reviewing it from beginning to end. Fortunately, she hadn’t noticed her feelings at the time, and her interactions with big brother didn’t seem inappropriate.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Lin Youning felt all her strength drained and comforted herself, perhaps she was mistaken. She was only accustomed to being with big brother, not liking him.

The moon hid behind the clouds; Gu Yifeng couldn’t see the expression of the small figure in the courtyard but could sense her disappointment.

When the moon slowly emerged, allowing him to see her expression, she was clearly dismayed, yet managed to force a smile as if comforting herself.

Gu Yifeng’s heart tightened. Could this girl be upset because she hadn’t seen him?

In just a moment, Gu Yifeng regretted not going down when she ran out, but it was only a fleeting thought.

When he saw her entering the courtyard, with no figure by the window bench, he finally jumped down from the tree.

Li Si saw his master coming down and didn’t dare to ask more. He followed closely behind. When he saw his master walk out of the alley without mounting his horse, he could only follow, leading the horse, and they returned to the Marquis Mansion in the middle of the night.

Over at the Zhao Mansion, early the next day, Shanmoi and the others noticed that the young lady seemed dispirited and spoke less.

During breakfast with the family, Lin Youning forced herself to be lively, fearing her brother and sister-in-law would misunderstand. As soon as she returned to her courtyard, she lay back on the couch.

“Didn’t sleep well from changing places last night. You all go ahead and get busy. I’ll call you if there’s anything.” Lin Youning knew these few people were worried about her.

Nanny Guo, who had come from the palace, wasn’t as worried as Shanmoi and Hailan. She took Lin Youning’s order and went back to the Marquis Mansion to report.

Sister Ling needed to attend private tuition in the alley every day, Liang Hui went out to purchase servants, and Zhao Housheng had matters in the camp, going to the Capital Suburb Camp. For a moment, Lin Youning rarely enjoyed such peace.

She didn’t know what was going on. Clearly, she had thought things through the night before, yet she was not happy upon waking in the morning.

In the side room, Shanmoi and Hailan whispered, “The young lady must be missing Madam. Nanny Guo will surely deliver the message this time.”

“It’s just the beginning. She’ll be fine soon,” Hailan looked worried, “I just hope Madam won’t overthink.”

“Let’s wait for Nanny Guo to return before making any decisions. We can’t decide on our own. The young lady always listens to her, so let her persuade the young lady.” Shanmoi appeared to be increasingly steady.

Hailan nodded in agreement.

It wasn’t until midday when the front courtyard delivered an invitation from Miss Dong of the Dong Mansion, inviting them over to play the next day, that Lin Youning seemed more spirited.

Perhaps it was because of a nap, she didn’t seem as downcast as in the morning.

Nanny Guo also managed to return before lunch, accompanied by Nanny Chang. Upon seeing them, Lin Youning’s eyes grew red, “Why have you come, Nanny? Is Aunt not feeling well?”

“Madam is as she always is, just worried about you and sends me to check on you,” Nanny Chang said, her eyes also reddening, as she looked at Lin Youning. Seeing her lack of energy but otherwise well, she felt relieved, “Madam knows you miss her and specially sent me to tell you that on the seventh day of July, you can come play at the Marquis Mansion and attend the flower market in the evening.”

Lin Youning felt guilty at heart, “I let Aunt worry, it is my lack of filial piety. Please tell Aunt, my brother and sister-in-law treat me very well, I’m just thinking of Aunt, everything else is fine.”

Nanny Chang agreed repeatedly, and Liang Hui, who was there, invited her for lunch but she was eager to return and relay the message.

During lunch, Liang Hui teased Lin Youning, “Madam truly cares for you. You shouldn’t cry and make her worry anymore.”

Seeing that her sister-in-law had noticed, Lin Youning blushed and nodded, and her spirit truly seemed to lift.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep