Chapter 213: Chapter 214: The Scheme

Tomorrow is the day of the banquet at the Marquis Mansion. Although everything has been arranged, the maids and servants are still checking the details to be noted for tomorrow throughout the night.

In Tingxue Hall, Lin Youning gazed distantly at the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Earlier, she found it difficult to explain matters to her aunt, so she refrained from inquiring about those noble families.

Seeing Hailan and Nanny Guo coming in with dresses and jewelry, Lin Youning felt a headache, “Did Aunt arrange for these again?”

She had only stayed in the mansion for a few days, and Aunt had already sent so many things. She feared that when she returned, she would have to load a full cart.

“Miss, please try them on. They are all made to your previous measurements. Mrs. Gu Sr. mentioned that many guests will come to the mansion tomorrow, and you’ll need to look after things, so you should also dress nicely.” Hailan put down the items, “These are made from satin sent from Jiangnan.”

“Nanny is from the palace. Let nanny take a look; if they don’t fit, it’s too late to remake them.” Lin Youning was reluctant to move; she was on her period, and although she had been taking care in the mansion for years, every time her period came, she felt stomach cramps and chills all over.

Hailan and Nanny Guo knew this, so they didn’t insist and brought a warming pan in the evening.

Lin Youning felt much better after placing it on her stomach. When she awoke the next day and checked the mattress, it was stained. Lin Youning frowned. Today was the heaviest day, and she still had to entertain guests, so she would have to be more cautious.

When she went to Shi’an Garden for breakfast in the morning, Gu Yifeng was there too. Lin Youning went forward to pay her respects, “Big Brother.”

Gu Yifeng nodded, his gaze moving away from her before falling back, “You don’t look well-rested; didn’t sleep well last night?”

“I stayed up quite late.” Lin Youning blushed slightly.

Gu Yifeng was momentarily stunned. Although he didn’t understand why she blushed, he nodded and didn’t ask further.

Mrs. Gu Sr. glanced at the two of them and did not pursue the topic. She just called them over for breakfast. Within less than fifteen minutes after breakfast, people from various mansions started arriving.

Lin Youning stood at the mansion’s gate with Mrs. Dong, receiving guests. The ladies and young women from each house greeted Lin Youning not with surprise, but as if meeting an old friend.

Mrs. Dong had brought Sister Hui and others along, so when young women from various houses arrived, Sister Hui and her companions led them to the grand garden, while Lin Youning accompanied the ladies to Shi’an Garden to meet Mrs. Gu Sr. Once everyone had gathered, they went to the grand garden together.

The young women from each house gathered, and as soon as they entered the grand garden, laughter echoed through the place. Mrs. Gu Sr. was so pleased that her eyes turned into slits with joy, “No need to accompany me; go and play with the other young ladies.”

Lin Youning bowed slightly before heading over to the group of young ladies. The only familiar face was Dong Boyun, but she was engaged and did not attend this time.

The young ladies she usually met were also present. In the past, she was just an adopted daughter in the Marquis Mansion, looked down upon by others. Now that she acknowledged her kin, she was of Third-Rank, yet having risen from a humble background, the family lacked foundation, making others unwilling to associate closely with Lin Youning.

Amidst the crowd, Zhou Yuyan from the Zhou Mansion and supporters of the Eldest Prince were gathered together, with Dong Poming and Wu Xueqin among them.

There was a young lady unfamiliar to Lin Youning, to which Hailan came forward and quietly explained, “She is the legitimate daughter of General Gao Mansion. She rarely attends banquets in various houses. It is said by the veterans in the mansion that this legitimate daughter of the Gao Mansion resembles the late Madam very much.”

Lin Youning nodded slightly, “Indeed, she resembles Aunt.”

Although the memories were vague, upon seeing that face, Lin Youning felt a sense of familiarity, reminiscent of that kind and gentle face in her memory.

The other party noticed Lin Youning and, disregarding the side glances from others, approached her as Lin Youning looked at her.

She bowed slightly, “You must be Sister Ning? I am a year older than you; you can call me Sister Yue.”

Lin Youning returned the bow slightly, “Sister Yue.”

Gao Yue smiled warmly at her and nodded, “Though I was young then, I remember Aunt’s demeanor. Watching Sister Ning from afar, I recognized you at once.”

Lin Youning agreed, “Indeed, Aunt was always a gentle person.”

Though she was about five years old then, she didn’t remember her aunt having any interaction with her mother’s family.

Now understanding the intentions of the Gao Mansion, Lin Youning felt even more disdain, particularly at that moment when Gao Yue mentioned her aunt, which deeply irked her.

Hence, she became increasingly disinclined towards the person before her.

However, Gao Yue seemed oblivious to Lin Youning’s distance, “This is my first time leaving the mansion, and here at that. I heard there’s a lotus pond here. I wonder if Sister Ning can take me to see it. I always loved painting lotuses at home. It’s said that the flowers here are a rare species in the world.”

“That would be fine as well.” Lin Youning certainly couldn’t refuse.

The two ignored the curious glances around them and headed towards the lotus pond through the corridor. The grand garden of the Marquis Mansion was its own yard, so there was no worry about encountering any men.

The lotus pond was extensive, especially in this season when the lotuses were in full bloom. The green leaves swayed gently in the breeze.

The two stood under the corridor, unafraid of the scorching sun outside damaging their skin.

Lin Youning thought that Gao Yue’s approach might not simply be for viewing lotuses, but upon reaching the location, she merely admired the lotuses without saying much. Perhaps Lin Youning was overthinking.

Nanny Chang handed over some tea, “Miss, have some tea first.”

Lin Youning, feeling unwell in her stomach, nodded, accepted the tea, and drank slowly. Hailan had been called to assist elsewhere, leaving Nanny Chang by her side, allowing her no room for worry about unexpected incidents.

After tiring from admiring the lotuses, Gao Yue returned to the corridor, “The lotuses in the Marquis Mansion are truly rare species. Look at these buds…”

Listening to Gao Yue praise the lotuses, Lin Youning was genuinely impressed by her knowledge of these flowers.

The sun rose higher, and Gao Yue looked at it, “I’ll go pick a couple of flowers for Grandmother, and then we’ll head back.”

Lin Youning merely nodded with a smile, while Nanny Chang chuckled, “Let me help too.”

The two walked front and back, accompanied by the maid from the Gao Mansion. As Lin Youning turned, she heard the sound of someone falling into the water, followed by the Gao Mansion maid’s scream.

Looking again, Lin Youning saw that Gao Yue had fallen into the water, and Nanny Chang had also fallen in. Only the maid from the Gao Mansion was there, and without thinking much, Lin Youning strode over.

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