Chapter 248: Chapter 249: Origins

Lin Youning was still mulling over a solution, when Mrs. Gu Sr. had already sent a message for Lin Youning to come to the mansion.

Lin Youning knew her aunt must have heard that the prison had blocked medicine supplies, so she tidied up briefly before taking a soft sedan chair to the Marquis Mansion.

Mrs. Dong was also attending to Mrs. Gu Sr., and when she saw Lin Youning enter, she hurried forward to greet her, taking her hand, “Mrs. Gu Sr. will surely have a solution, so don’t worry. You talk first; I’ll go to the kitchen to prepare lunch, and you can eat here at noon.”

Before Mrs. Gu Sr. could speak, Mrs. Dong had already found an excuse to leave, showing both tact and intimacy. Mrs. Gu Sr. had been somewhat unaccustomed to this tactful nature of Mrs. Dong before, but now she had gradually gotten used to it and found it rather agreeable.

After Mrs. Dong left, Mrs. Gu Sr. beckoned Lin Youning over, and she sat beside her, saying, “You heard, didn’t you, Aunt? Troubling you once again.”

“I’m fine; what’s important is for you to hold firm. Have you thought of any solutions?” Mrs. Gu Sr. queried.

Lin Youning shook her head, “Older Brother already instructed to take care of someone in the prison, but we’re hitting a wall with Prince Xian Mansion and can only block medicine supplies.”

After all, he was the Emperor’s blood brother, not an ordinary person; simply blocking medicine supplies was already a minor tactic.

Lin Youning truly didn’t know what to do if any other incident occurred.

Perhaps, as she thought, if all else fails, that might be their only option.

Not to mention anything else, her eldest brother’s medicine must not be cut off, or else his wound might deteriorate, risking his entire leg.

Mrs. Gu Sr. patted her hand, her expression turning solemn, “I’ve spoken with Xu Mansion, but it’s clearly ineffective; our people never associate with those from Consort Zhou’s side. Now I do have a notion. Initially, I never planned to tell you, but given the situation, the only option is to go to Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion.”

Lin Youning was slightly startled, not expecting her aunt to have the same thought as her—it involved Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion.

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say; it concerns you and your brother’s lineage.” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s expression was grave, sinking Lin Youning’s heart.

“My and my brother’s lineage? Aunt knows?”

Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded and then sighed deeply, “Now only if Prime Minister Liu speaks up, your brother can be saved; originally, I intended to keep this buried for life, but Dalan is yet to return, it’s likely they can’t protect your brother’s leg even if they safeguard his life.”

Lin Youning was astounded; her aunt clearly knew her and her brother’s origins, and her words implied a connection with Liu Mansion.

“I and your mother were very close; I was already married at that time. Your mother was a few years younger and often came to the mansion, eventually becoming dear friends. Your mother was Prime Minister Liu’s youngest daughter, born late in life, deeply favored, and quite talented. Do you recall the hairpin your brother gave you, which he claimed your father carved himself? If it was indeed carved by your father, then I wasn’t mistaken—your mother was indeed Prime Minister Liu’s youngest daughter who eloped with the Capital’s top artisan years ago. This is why the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s female kin do not associate with the Capital’s noble families. Prime Minister Liu always believed if his youngest daughter hadn’t mingled with the noble families back then, the elopement wouldn’t have happened.”

“After your mother left, she sent me a letter stating she had gone; at that time, I couldn’t stop her even if I tried, nor did I know where they had gone, leaving only a hairpin carved by your father. It’s fate, I suppose, as I remember giving you that hairpin when you were little. Now you have another one from your brother; keep them both as mementos.”

“Though Prime Minister Liu harbors blame toward your mother, it’s born from deep affection—deep wounds heal deeply. Over the years, with no word from her, I suspect Prime Minister Liu doesn’t know their whereabouts either but simply chose to fulfill your mother’s wish. If not for the influence of Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion, how could they not have found the two of them?” Mrs. Gu Sr. reflected deeply, “Now, you must go to Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion with the hairpin to claim your kinship. Once Prime Minister Liu speaks up, even the Eldest Prince and Prince Xian’s Mansion will defer to the Crown Prince, for Prime Minister Liu is aligned with the Crown Prince. Moreover, your brother isn’t merely a third-rank Assistant General but Prime Minister Liu’s grandson. With such identity, even Prince Xian Mansion would show some leniency and release your brother.”

“You and your brother are indeed the only legacy your mother left in this world; Prime Minister Liu surely won’t disregard you.” Mrs. Gu Sr. said, patting her hand again, “I know revealing all this suddenly is overwhelming, and I hadn’t planned to say these things before because your brother was hiding your father’s identity, presumably out of concern. Now, preserving life is urgent; regardless of any instructions left by your parents, your brother’s survival matters most now.”

Lin Youning was undoubtedly shocked; she had initially thought to threaten Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion, but who could’ve foreseen Prime Minister Liu being her grandfather?

When she seemingly reached a dead end, suddenly a path appeared; how could Lin Youning not be delighted? Yet, along with excitement, an unspeakable sadness washed over her heart.

Her father and mother surely wanted to assert themselves by refusing to recognize Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion, but now they had no choice but to seek recognition from them.

Would Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion look down upon them?

Lin Youning took a deep breath; perhaps her grandfather might underestimate her and her brother, but she wouldn’t let her grandfather intervene in vain. Perhaps she could exchange some of what she knew.

Mrs. Gu Sr. said no more afterward, and Lin Youning didn’t hastily depart, staying at the Marquis Mansion until after lunch before leaving.

Back at East Mansion, Lin Youning pondered deeply, ultimately penning a letter to be sent directly to Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion.

Aunt was right; her parents harbored pride, but nothing was more crucial now than preserving her brother’s leg and life.

Moreover, Lin Youning wouldn’t seek their help for free—being reborn, she vowed to ensure the safety of everyone in Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep