Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Affection

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When Gu Yifeng strode into the flower hall from outside, the dishes were already set.

In a white robe, with a white sachet embroidered with green bamboo hanging from his belt, it looked particularly striking.

When Lin Youning saw this sight, her eyes curved like a crescent moon, her sparkling eyes making her glamorous face shine even more than usual.

Gu Yifeng paid his respects to Mrs. Gu Sr., his eyes sweeping across with a profound gaze, a fleeting yet invisible tenderness.

Mrs. Gu Sr. watched her son with increasing satisfaction, steady and dignified yet without losing authority, her heart full of pride, nodding with a smile.

After the greetings, everyone finally sat down according to hierarchy, observing the rule of not speaking during meals or before sleep, as was customary in the Marquis Mansion.

Lin Youning sat at the same table as Mrs. Gu Sr., but she couldn’t help glancing downward. Unaware of her unusual behavior, Mrs. Dong, bearing prior grievances on her shoulders, harbored resentment towards Youning. Her focus was also drawn to that sachet. Before she married, having been betrothed, she had embroidered sachets for the Marquis, which he accepted but never wore.

Even after marriage, she embroidered ones, feeling it would be natural for the Marquis to wear them then.

But the sachets she sent seemed to vanish like stones dropped into the sea. Eventually, she realized the Marquis never wore such things.

Yet one day, after all these years, she suddenly saw the Marquis wearing a sachet made from the fabric rewarded from the palace, the very fabric she had hoped to save for her daughter.

No need to inquire; she knew who gifted it.

More shockingly, the Marquis actually wore it, and even as she recalled now, Mrs. Dong could remember the startling feelings.

Sister Ning truly seemed special to the Marquis.

Seeing Sister Ning today, despite her ordinary attire, she wore a green Jade Pendant sculpted with bamboo at her waist. Though she hadn’t seen it for years, she remembered it was the one the Marquis always wore until one day it disappeared.

She didn’t ask, for perhaps the Marquis put it away. She vaguely heard the maids in the mansion mention it was a gift from the old General.

To the Marquis, such a prized possession was given to Sister Ning. How could Mrs. Dong not feel envious?

She was the Marquis’s wife, after all.

During the meal, Mrs. Dong found the food tasteless, while Lin Youning ate until her stomach was full. After the meal, everyone moved to the Warm Pavilion to chat.

Mrs. Gu Sr. showed her concern, “A girl must marry someone whose heart holds her dear, who cares for her in every little way. You are still young and may not understand what it feels like to fancy someone. Such matters are indescribable, until one day, whether awake or asleep, this person’s figure is always in your mind. That is when you likely fancy them.”

Lin Youning’s face blushed slightly, “Aunt, rest assured, when it comes time to consider marrying someone, I’ll first pass them by your approval.”

No maiden speaks of her own marriage without blushing, of course, Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t dwell on it. Even Sister Hui, who was not hearing of her own marriage, blushed listening.

After all, young women in the boudoir rarely hear such words.

“Oh, why is your hand so cold? You must not be ill?” Mrs. Gu Sr. frowned, and before Lin Youning could stop her, Suyi had already been sent to call the Imperial Physician.

“Aunt, I’m truly fine,” Lin Youning was even more unsettled.

“If it’s nothing, a checkup won’t hurt. Just listen to your aunt,” Gu Yifeng, who had been sitting beside her, also spoke up.

His voice was cool, yet one could hear the concern in his words.

Lin Youning felt unsure whether her heart was sad or sweet. Seeing her aunt’s worried gaze, she finally nodded.

But her heart was in chaos.

Recalling what her aunt had just said only made it harder to ignore the thought lingering in her heart. Did she fancy her elder brother?

How could she develop such feelings for her elder brother?

She always despised Gu Er, so what did that make her now?

Suddenly, it seemed like all the strength was sapped from her body. Unaware of this, Gu Yifeng glanced at her face, his eyes narrowing with concern.

Seeing this, Mrs. Gu Sr. felt even more distressed. She sent Mrs. Dong and Sister Hui away, had Lin Youning helped to an inner room to lie down, and urged someone to hurry the Imperial Physician.

Gu Yifeng entered the inner room at this time, sitting by the bed, “Is there anywhere you feel unwell?”

His cold voice carried a tinge of worry.

“Sorry to trouble elder brother and aunt. I’m fine.” Her voice was weak, her face pale, her gaze vacant, but as soon as she saw him, tears welled up.

In such a state, how could she possibly be fine?

Gu Yifeng’s tone was urgent, “In this condition, how can it be nothing? Stay here tonight and rest. I will send someone to the Zhao Mansion.”

“Elder brother, I’m really fine. I just felt a little unwell, but I’m okay now. I should go back.” With such thoughts in mind, staying here was unbearable for Lin Youning.

It would be torturous for her.

Moreover, it left her without the face to face the concern and affection of her aunt and elder brother.

Lin Youning only felt ashamed.

In this life, she thought of marrying but never of fancying someone.

Especially fancying her elder brother, who had been her brother for so many years.

Feelings that must be buried in her heart for a lifetime, never to be spoken.

Such sordid thoughts, if voiced, how could she face everyone?

Aunt and elder brother are perceptive people. The longer she stayed, the more likely her façade would slip. Thinking of this, Lin Youning struggled to get up.

But every ounce of strength had left her, and several attempts to prop herself up ended with her sinking back onto the bed.

In such a state, her body was unreliable at this moment of all times. Must it humiliate her this way?

The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt, tears rolling down like beads.

Gu Yifeng’s expression grew colder, “Do as I say, rest in the mansion and regain your health first.”

His tone left no room for argument.

He was angry she thought of returning in this condition, angry she longed to go back to the Zhao Mansion.

All in all, Gu Yifeng didn’t know what was wrong, but he was very angry.

“I’m really fine, just seeing how good you and aunt have been to me, it makes me feel so sad.” Lin Youning forced a smile, but tears streamed uncontrollably.

Mrs. Gu Sr. had already come from outside, seeing them, heart aching, “My dear, what is the matter?”

Her call only made Lin Youning’s tears flow harder.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was shedding tears too, holding her in an embrace, “No more tears. If you’re ill, we’ll see to it. You have your aunt here.”

Even though she hadn’t lost weight even back at the Zhao Mansion, Mrs. Gu Sr. keenly felt that Sister Ning was not quite her usual self anymore.

She was someone raised by Mrs. Gu Sr.’s side. Now, returning to her seemed like an outsider, a feeling Mrs. Gu Sr. couldn’t bear.

Seeing the little one in her arms crying so sorrowfully, Mrs. Gu Sr., too, was overwhelmed.

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