Chapter 211: Chapter 211: News

Lin Youning merely smiled, didn’t say much, and lowered her eyelids, with a hint of melancholy flashing through her eyes.

That was the backyard of the elder brother, where all the women belonged to the elder brother. After all, Lin Youning had such thoughts and did not want to get involved or comment. Moreover, after Nanny Chang came here last time, she introduced a few suitable noble families that her aunt recommended from old acquaintances, intending for Lin Youning to choose someone she liked.

Being able to do this, she was already very content. After all, not fearing to offend the Zhou Family, those families were still willing to accept her.

Although she had previously called off the engagement with Gu Er, she had still grown up in the Gu Mansion, and the other party did not mind this. Lin Youning was satisfied, showing that these indeed were families with a profound heritage.

Lin Youning also planned to take advantage of the banquet this time to have a good look. If truly feasible, then a decision could be made.

Nanny Guo sighed, “Last time Nanny Chang came, though she didn’t say it directly, I could tell from her words. Consort Zhou has intentions of asking the Emperor to arrange a marriage for the Gu Family’s main branch. Back then, the Gu Family’s main branch gave their lives father and son on the battlefield for our Da Xian Dynasty. If the Emperor remembers that, it can be considered an honor for the Gu Family. Unfortunately, now they’ve caught the eye of Consort Zhou. If it’s someone from that side, along with the Wu Mansion, things could be difficult for the Marquis.”

Lin Youning was slightly startled, “Why hasn’t Nanny Chang mentioned this to me?”

“The message came from General Gao Mansion. Last time, the Gao Mansion sent a note to the Marquis Mansion because of this. But since it was a rumor, Nanny Chang decided not to tell Miss.”

Lin Youning did not relax her mind because of this explanation. “There’s no smoke without fire. Even if the Zhou Mansion cannot gain the Marquis Mansion’s support, it will push the Crown Prince to exclude the Marquis Mansion.”

The Zhou Mansion’s intentions were straightforward: if it couldn’t gain, it wouldn’t let the Crown Prince approach.

Nanny Guo hadn’t expected Miss to immediately think of such a sensitive issue. She always knew Miss was steady and thoughtful beyond her years. Now, she realized that Miss could see through such sensitive matters just as well.

It’s a pity that Miss’s foresight wasn’t that of a matriarch of a great family.

Lin Youning, unaware of Nanny Guo’s thoughts, figured a candidate must be decided upon quickly. And the fact that General Gao Mansion brought this news to the Marquis Mansion was also meant to gain face for the daughter of the Gao Mansion within the Marquis Mansion.

It seems that the General Gao Mansion also eyed that position but stood by the Eldest Prince. No matter what, the Marquis Mansion would not choose them.

It’s just like how Consort Zhou wanted to have her niece bestowed to Gu Yifeng by the Emperor.

Once Consort Zhou’s idea came forth, who else would dare compete with the Zhou Family except for General Gao Mansion, which, after all, was still associated with Consort Zhou.

Lin Youning felt more confused the more she thought about it and simply decided not to think about it. “Aunt and elder brother will surely figure out a way.”

Nanny Guo smiled dotingly, “Miss is right.”

She only intended to remind Miss of the current fierce contest between the Eldest Prince and the Crown Prince, where only the Eldest Prince seemed to be stirring unrest, while there was no reaction from the Crown Prince’s side.

At the end of July, the Wu and Feng Mansions held a wedding, and Feng Yufu got married. Lin Youning did not attend because the matter with Kong Tianru left some resentment in both mansions, feeling this matter started because of Lin Youning.

Dong Boyun’s marriage couldn’t proceed since her elder sister, Dong Poming’s marriage hadn’t been settled yet.

After going to the Wu Mansion, Dong Boyun came by with a mischievous grin. Once the maids withdrew from the room, she couldn’t wait to tell Lin Youning about what happened on the day of the Wu Mansion’s wedding.

“Wu Xueya cursed Xu Yuxian as not a man in front of so many noble young men. Xu Yuxian left, shaking his sleeves and never returned to fetch Wu Xueya, who was sent back by my legitimate mother. But she returned with a sour face, undoubtedly since Mrs. Xu Sr. wouldn’t have said anything nice.”

Saying a man isn’t a man, what does that imply?

Xu Yuxian is powerless?

Such words Dong Boyun couldn’t directly speak in front of Lin Youning, but her smile revealed everything.

Lin Youning, recalling Xu Yuxian’s bullying nature from her previous life, laughed, “With Wu Xueya making such a fuss, certainly, the relationship between her and Xu Yuxian will only grow more distant.”

Handling a couple’s strife like this isn’t easy.

“Yes, I’ve heard Mrs. Xu Sr. is now selecting a concubine,” Dong Boyun remarked gleefully, “It’s all because of her own antics. Clearly, everyone sees she cares for him, yet she causes such a scene. Who knows what she’s up to? Her parents have argued several times over this.”

“You even know about their parents?” Lin Youning was unwilling to discuss their family matters further and shifted the topic.

Dong Boyun smiled, “Apart from staying in the yard, I only go over to pay my respects. Once, I overheard in my legitimate mother’s courtyard. She’s busy dealing with the fuss my elder sister creates and has no time for me. I accidentally overheard that time, but my aunt has sent a message, it seems she’s also interested in the Gu Family’s main branch. My elder sister seems wavering as well.”

“I don’t know how mother convinced her. My elder sister used to disdain such things.” Dong Boyun shrugged, “But why did you call off that engagement?”

The Dingyuan Marquis is admired by many women. Even Dong Boyun once admired him, though knowing her own status, she couldn’t match him and didn’t want to become a concubine, so she gave up.

Besides, the Marquis Mansion had only two concubines over the years, and Dingyuan Marquis didn’t seem to indulge in female companionship.

Thus, dispelling the ideas of many young ladies, even if there was someone after him, it wouldn’t be her as he was only her titular uncle.

Lin Youning smiled at her, “I explained to you before, why are you still asking about it?”

“I just felt sorry for you, but now stepping away also seems good. Watching them fight against each other,” Dong Boyun stuck her tongue out.

Lin Youning chuckled, fighting until head and blood?

Thinking about it, it probably won’t come to that, yet she was aware of elder brother’s popularity.

Dong Boyun left after having lunch there. Nanny Guo wasn’t fond of Dong Boyun’s carefree nature, “Miss and Miss Dong get along well, but don’t follow her ways.”

“Don’t worry, Nanny, I won’t,” Lin Youning knew Nanny feared she might be led astray.

At the start of August, Lin Youning packed her things, left Shanmoi to accompany Sister Ling, and took Hailan and Nanny Guo on a carriage headed to the Marquis Mansion.

Zhou Wu, having sent people to monitor her, upon seeing this, quickly reported back to the Zhou Mansion. Zhou Wu, upon hearing this, was displeased, “Can it be she’s still thinking about that Gu Family main branch’s position?”

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