Chapter 203: Chapter 203: Confession

Sister Yue leaned fearfully against Dangxia, trembling and looking around at the pitch-black surroundings. Apart from the trees, there was the sudden and unknown cry of birds that startled the two of them, causing both master and servant to huddle together in panic and run forward.

“Miss, it’s alright, we just need to keep following this path forward, and we’ll definitely return to the city.” Dangxia was comforting her mistress, and by doing so, she was also comforting herself.

“Dangxia, why doesn’t my brother care about me? We are twins, after all. I’ve been living in the mansion like walking on thin ice; he knows it, yet even though I’ve sent him letters, he pretends not to know and doesn’t return to the mansion. Is he ignoring father and mother as well?” Sister Yue walked with Dangxia, stumbling along while cannot help but sob out loud, “Others see me as the Fourth Miss of the Marquis Mansion, but who knows that I’ve no parents to care for me and no one to love me?”

“Miss, I know. The Young Master must have either not received the letters or cannot free himself, otherwise he would never ignore you.” Dangxia followed, crying and trying to persuade her.

“You don’t have to lie to me. In the mansion, he was never close to me; his cold eyes regard nobody, he is heartless.”

“Even the Duke Mansion doesn’t care, they’ve abandoned us all. Grandmother only dotes on the one adopted from outside, and if the choice is to be mistreated in the mansion, I would rather die out here.”

Sister Yue continued to fear the surrounding darkness, wiping tears as she cried, and Dangxia followed her in tears.

Xu Kuan originally brought his servant just to see what the Fourth Miss of the Marquis Mansion was up to outside the city, but ended up witnessing their disorientation and overheard such words.

Xu Kuan found it amusing, while Zhang Rang following behind his master showed a face of helplessness. The General didn’t leave the Capital now, just stayed here, yet kept doing these uninteresting things, even following a little girl, which is hardly something a general would do.

Seeing someone approaching ahead, Xu Kuan’s eyes moved before revealing himself from the woods.

Sister Yue and Dangxia screamed out of fright, yet Xu Kuan appeared quite composed, “Oh? Whose family is this? Why are you here in the middle of the night?” Xu Kuan made a surprised demeanor as if encountering people.

Zhang Rang’s mouth twitched behind him.

Sister Yue, seeing by the moonlight who was in front of her, broke into a smile despite her tear-stained face, “General Xu, greetings to General Xu.”

“Oh? And you are?”

“I’m Sister Yue from the Marquis Mansion’s second branch.” Sister Yue hastily wiped tears off her face.

“Oh, so it’s the Fourth Miss.” Xu Kuan seemed to just recognize her, “But what are you doing here?”

“I and my maid wanted to visit the academy but went astray, failing to find the way back to the Capital. Is General Xu returning to the city?”

“A young lady is not safe at this time, I happen to be going back to the Capital, let me escort you.” Xu Kuan faintly heard footsteps approaching, bringing a smile to his face.

Sister Yue was very willing, swiftly expressing gratitude, thus master and servant began to follow Xu Kuan and his servant back to the city, when only a short distance revealed people from the mansion seeking them.

It was Li Si leading a group, showing astonishment upon seeing General Xu with the Fourth Miss, yet quickly suppressed the surprise to proceed with greeting.

“Useless servant, how did you serve the duty?” Seeing them, Sister Yue recalled her previous fright and disregarded etiquette to chastise them.

Li Si admitted his fault, not daring to refute.

Xu Kuan didn’t leave, instead, conversed with Li Si while returning, “Has your Marquis returned to the mansion?”

“The Marquis and several young misses are at the Fragrant Pavilion, but upon missing the Fourth Miss, the Marquis ordered us to search for her.” Li Si replied respectfully.

Xu Kuan nodded, “At times like these, staying outside longer fits better, and as my work here is done, I’ll head to the Marquis Mansion for a drink.”

Li Si grinned wryly; when did General Xu need an excuse to create noise at the Marquis’s place?

Could it indeed be due to Miss Lin?

Suppressing the surprise within, Li Si dutifully followed the others.

Sister Yue was angry initially, but calmed down when reaching the city, especially upon entering, growing more concerned.

No matter the situation, she had abandoned her guards during the night. Returning to the mansion she would surely face reprimand, hoping earlier to reach the academy and discuss matters with Brother De, yet accomplished neither and faced scolding.

At the Fragrant Pavilion, upon her return, the group showed no obvious change, with Sister Hui manifesting her legitimate daughter’s demeanor, pulling Sister Yue close, while outside, Xu Kuan’s arrival brought liveliness.

Lin Youning hearing his voice sensed deliberate loudness, as if announcing his presence to those inside.

After dinner, as Lin Youning prepared to return to the Marquis Mansion, discussing it with Lang Yue, Xu Kuan stepped over, drawing Lin Youning’s vigilant eye and Liang Hui’s puzzled appearance.

“General Xu,” bowed slightly, greeting.

Xu Kuan nodded, “Madam Zhao, I have a few words to say to Miss Lin alone, would it be convenient?”

How could that be convenient?

Liang Hui looked at the proper General Xu, then turned to Sister Ning, leaving her decision.

Such conduct from Xu Kuan had caught Gu Yifeng and Zhao Housheng’s attention, the two originally discussing matters now turned their heads to observe.

Xu Kuan, undisturbed, stared straight at Lin Youning.

Lin Youning nodded, “General Xu can speak here, to Sister Ning, sister-in-law is not an outsider.”

She hadn’t wanted to listen to him, understanding Xu Kuan well enough; if he remained unheard now, he might intrude rooms at night, which he was capable of doing.

Engaging individually with him would serve her purpose of discovering his intentions.

“Really alright to speak here?” Xu Kuan carried a gentle smile, yet his gaze bore a certain pressure, guiding actions as he wished.

Lin Youning nodded forcefully, “General Xu, please speak.”

Xu Kuan smiled, indeed beneath the frail form rested a stubborn soul, “I intend to take you as my wife.”

Lin Youning felt a hush fall across the scene.

Even a sharp, cold gaze shot towards Xu Kuan, capable of freezing, painted Gu Yifeng’s eyes.

Others displayed wide-eyed shock at General Xu simply declaring such.

“Thank you, General Xu, for your affection, yet marriage decisions rest with parents. Although they aren’t here, my elder brother oversees these affairs, which I cannot decide.” Lin Youning hesitated not, politely rejecting.

Previously, due to Xu Yuxian’s situation, having realized her affections, Lin Youning wouldn’t accept Xu Kuan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep