Chapter 269: Chapter 270: Analysis

Lin Youning opened her eyes wide, thought for a moment, and showed an incredulous expression.

“Are you saying, big brother, that the assassination could have been a trap, or perhaps a scheme, and Aunt Wu was a pawn in it?” Lin Youning could hardly believe it could be so.

She asked three questions in a row.

In her view, Aunt Wu was someone with her own pride, and although she was a concubine’s daughter, she always lived more proudly than the legitimate daughter.

Aunt Wu holds the title of the Capital’s first talented woman and grew up adored by the Wu Mansion. If it hadn’t been for the incident between Wu Chuhao and Feng Yufu, it is assumed Aunt Wu’s fate would have been good.

Gu Yifeng seemed to anticipate her reaction, “She’s the daughter pampered by Minister Wu, and Minister Wu put so much effort into raising her; it’s unlikely she’d just become a pawn. Besides, when I analyzed this event, how could it be such a coincidence? That she managed to save me? She’s merely a woman from inside the house, who managed to block the knife for me before it reached, despite her untrained speed, responding so quickly. This point is quite unusual.”

“Big brother is indeed very right.” Lin Youning originally had a decent impression of Aunt Wu, yet at this moment, hearing big brother’s analysis, she suddenly disliked him.

“This matter is just my one-sided analysis; the actual details still need to be observed slowly in secret. Once you reach the Northwest, you need to be more cautious.” Gu Yifeng assigned this task to her, watching the little girl nod firmly, drawing a smile on his lips, “But you don’t need to be so tense; once you’re in the Northwest, we’re in our territory. If she is smart, she probably won’t do much.”

At this point, a cold glint flashed in Gu Yifeng’s eyes; if she does act, all the better.

No need to have someone watch her closely; if she delivers herself, wouldn’t that be perfect?

But if wronged, and she’s only an ordinary woman of the inner house, it’s better; the Marquis Mansion isn’t lacking her a mouthful.

Gu Yifeng is a typical man of noble family in ancient times; in his view, despite Aunt Wu saving him, he felt bringing her to the mansion was repaying the favor.

If he didn’t repay it, merely offering some things, given Aunt Wu’s status and past actions, she could directly marry into a wealthy merchant’s family, someone old enough to be her father.

Comparatively, even if not favored in the Marquis Mansion, at least she’d live safely for life, her status higher than a merchant’s concubine.

That is why, after bringing her into the mansion, there was no favor shown, and Gu Yifeng never felt guilty.

The sky outside had turned dark already; Lin Youning thought of reminding big brother to go back, but seeing him ask for the chessboard, she said nothing more, and once they started the game, unconsciously, it was deep into the night. Seeing it was so late outside, Lin Youning found it even harder to ask big brother to leave.

However, thinking back to that day, when she awoke leaning against big brother’s chest, she quietly retreated. Whenever recalling this awkward moment, Lin Youning always felt a little embarrassed.

Luckily, big brother didn’t notice; as she thought again about the night on the mountain when they were stranded, big brother also held her as they slept.

Perhaps big brother always viewed her as a sister; if thinking he’d care for a sister made it seem less strange between them.

When resting at night, there was still a pillow separating them, placing the pillow made Lin Youning embarrassed, and didn’t dare glance toward big brother—after all, on the mountain, they did rest while embracing.

Once the lamp outside was blown out, she felt somewhat relieved.

Inside the curtain was pitch black; after Lin Youning lay down briefly, she sensed big brother entering, lifting and lowering the curtain, and the sound of him lying down finally brought peace.

“Will sister-in-law overthink?” Lin Youning immediately thought of Mrs. Dong.

“In Yingshui Garden, usually, I also resided alone in Woodland Pavilion; these years, I’ve been accustomed to sleeping alone. Yet resting here in the East Courtyard makes me feel relaxed; I don’t suffer insomnia, which is quite odd.” Gu Yifeng answered slightly off-topic, “Your move from Tingxue Hall to here, would you be uncomfortable? I remember how you liked the peach trees inside that courtyard at Tingxue Hall; come spring, I’ll have the peach trees moved here.”

“There’s no need, if I wish to see them, since it’s so near, I can go over directly. They’ve been planted there for centuries; if moved, what if they die?” Lin Youning noticed big brother didn’t want to discuss Mrs. Dong, hence didn’t bring it up again. She turned sideways, noticing big brother lying flat, “Is there any news from the Eldest Prince’s side?”

To be honest, she believes she won’t stay in the mansion for long, even if moved here, she’ll still leave eventually.

“With the Eldest Prince’s affairs, he’s quite occupied. In Jiangnan, it’s his people dealing with the flood, and the embankment hasn’t been repaired despite putting in more workforce. The Holy Emperor is livid, with the Eldest Prince packing to head for Jiangnan.” Gu Yifeng’s voice was very soft, “The Eldest Prince has never traveled far; on the road, he’ll endure much hardship, not knowing how he’ll manage it. On our side, he’s helpless.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Youning’s mind suddenly had a thought pop up, and she blurted it directly, “Did big brother suggest to the Emperor for the Eldest Prince to go to Jiangnan?”

Even imagining what the Eldest Prince might suffer on the journey, Lin Youning believed big brother’s interference behind the scenes, yet felt it improbable given the Eldest Prince’s status. Should big brother act this way, how would the Holy Emperor perceive it?

“I merely remarked to the Holy Emperor that the Eldest Prince should be trained.” Gu Yifeng didn’t hide from her, and he turned his body to face her.

The sudden move caught Lin Youning off guard, her heart tensed slightly, instinctively wishing to turn over; fearing big brother’s misinterpretation, she restrained herself, facing him in the dark.

“The apparent act against him, the Eldest Prince must know it’s big brother’s doing; might he secretly retaliate?” Lin Youning calmed her expression, trying to maintain a steady tone.

Despite the surrounding darkness, accustomed as she was to seeing in low light, she could see big brother watching her with eyes wide open.

Big brother had never done this before, leaving Lin Youning increasingly unsure of his intentions, feeling it might be her imagination. Big brother stated being relaxed with her; if she imagined him as vile, she’d feel ashamed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep