Chapter 277: Chapter 278: Novelty

Yangtao had already made the bed over there, and only then did she cautiously approach.

“Aunt, you should rest early too.”

Wu Xueqin lifted her head, “Yangtao, do you really think being born legitimate is that important? We all come out from a mother’s belly, some of those from legitimate births are not even as good as those from illegitimate ones. Why must one cling to that status?”

Yangtao looked at her own lady, understood what she was thinking, and felt sorrow for her, “My lady, I know how good you are, but just because you came from Aunt Wu’s belly, there are some things you must just accept. I also hope that in the next life, you can come from the Madam’s belly, so you won’t suffer these grievances.”

Yangtao’s eyes reddened as well, she went over and gently squatted down, holding her lady’s hand, “The lady has always been broad-minded, this is just the beginning. At least compared to the two other aunts in the residence, you have already been brought to the Northwest by the Marquis. As long as you are close to the Marquis, there will always be opportunities for him to see how good you are.”

Wu Xueqin nodded, then curled her lips into a smile, “Yangtao, thank you for staying by my side. Don’t worry about me, as you said, there will always be opportunities.”

Seeing her lady smile, Yangtao felt relieved and only then got up to attend her lady to bed.

Meanwhile, in the guest room on the other side, Lin Youning was also awake. Shanmoi and Hailan were lying on another bed, and upon hearing their master turning over, they knew she couldn’t sleep in the new place and both sat up.

Upon hearing the commotion, Lin Youning turned sideways and stopped them, “I’m fine, I just slept too much earlier, so I can’t sleep now. You two have been freezing outside for half the night, hurry and sleep, tomorrow we have to get up early for the journey, I can still sleep in the carriage. If you’re not in high spirits sitting outside, you won’t be able to endure.”

The two knew their lady was considerate, so they didn’t say anything else and lay back down.

Lin Youning was thinking about Wu Xueqin. She knew her elder brother had a cold nature; except for her, he was scarcely a man of words.

But today, when close to Wu Xueqin’s courtyard, she noticed that Wu Xueqin didn’t look well. It was probably because her elder brother had cared so much for her before, but Aunt Wu ignored it; that must be why she felt uncomfortable.

Being a woman herself, Lin Youning felt sorry for Wu Xueqin, but from her elder brother’s words that day, it was apparent that Wu Xueqin was not as simple as she seemed. Lin Youning was curious about what purpose and temptation Wu Xueqin had to get close to her elder brother.

Thinking about these matters, Lin Youning fell asleep unconsciously but felt she hadn’t slept long before Shanmoi gently woke her.

The sky outside was just starting to brighten a little. Lin Youning was woken by Shanmoi; it was time to get up. Although she did not want to move, she still got up with energy.

After a simple wash and comb, she didn’t let Hailan adorn her hair with any accessories, still using the plain white jade hairpin.

When leaving, she ran into Wu Xueqin outside, who clearly had been up for a while, all dressed and waiting for her in the courtyard.

“It’s all in the carriage along the way. Here, I have a strategy for gomoku that Madam and the Marquis can use when bored. It’s just something to pass the time, so I hope Madam and the Marquis won’t mind,” said Wu Xueqin as Yangtao handed over a piece of paper.

Shanmoi stepped forward, took the paper from Yangtao, and then stepped aside.

Lin Youning thanked her, and upon seeing Li Si enter, she knew it was time to leave and nodded to Wu Xueqin before heading out.

It wasn’t until they were in the carriage moving onward that Yangtao whispered, “My lady, why do this? I see Madam doesn’t even value it. The gomoku strategy was researched by you, yet letting Madam take it—what if she later claims it was hers and gains fame from it?”

“The Marquis always pampers Madam. If she gains stature, the Marquis would naturally be pleased. Moreover, Madam isn’t that sort of person, so you needn’t worry. I am more worried that Madam might never take it out to play. After all, once she does, the Marquis would certainly ask where it came from.” Wu Xueqin leaned against a soft pillow, reading a book in her hand.

After yesterday’s cold reception, Wu Xueqin was indeed disheartened, but after resting for a night, her fighting spirit was more invigorated.

No matter if Madam claims she invented this gomoku strategy herself, Wu Xueqin believes the Marquis will know who truly did. As long as she appears before him, leaving an impression, over time, she doesn’t doubt the Marquis will be curious about her.

Yangtao was not foolish and quickly understood the nuances here, then smiled, “My lady, you surely have foresight.”

Wu Xueqin didn’t speak further, while in the carriage ahead, Lin Youning took the paper to study it. Because they had set out early, her elder brother was not in the carriage but riding on horseback.

As for their breakfast, it wasn’t taken at the post station; they heard that after traveling for two hours, there was another post station ahead, and that one was slightly larger, so the food would also be better.

Looking at the gomoku instructions, Lin Youning raised an eyebrow, finding it quite interesting. Although simple, playing it well took some brainpower indeed.

Thinking of waiting until her elder brother got into the carriage to study it together.

Shanmoi made a face on the other side, “Aunt Wu wants to make an impression on the Marquis.”

But she didn’t even look to see that the Marquis only had eyes for their lady. It was just the second day on the road, and Wu Xueqin had already resorted to such means to attract the Marquis—typical behavior from someone illegitimate, full of petty airs.

Still, over these days, Shanmoi had progressed, knowing which words could be spoken and which couldn’t. Just a hint sufficed.

Hailan glanced at her and, noticing her improvements, didn’t say much. Lin Youning smiled, “She’s my elder brother’s concubine, naturally all her thoughts are with him. In the future, pay more attention to any movements from there and report anything amiss to me.”

Shanmoi, thinking her lady was concerned about the Marquis, eagerly obliged.

Perhaps due to resting for a little while, the two-hour journey felt quick, and they arrived before long.

This post station was large, and from here heading west on the carriage, it would take no more than two months to reach the Northwest.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep