Chapter 283: Chapter 284: Arrival

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, when Lin Youning woke up, she found that her elder brother’s figure was no longer beside her in bed.

Without such an awkward situation occurring, Lin Youning also breathed a sigh of relief. On her way to the Northwest, it snowed continuously, and after she had breakfast that morning, it started snowing again.

Lin Youning felt a bit disappointed after seeing it. She had originally thought that if the weather was nice, she would go out and have a look.

But seeing the weather like this, she knew it wouldn’t be possible.

Having just arrived here, the matters within the mansion were being handled by Nanny Guo and the others, so Lin Youning didn’t need to worry much. However, she quickly discovered a difference in the food; in the Capital, it was mostly vegetables, but here she found that most of the dishes were meat, and it was rare to see greens. Even if there were greens, it was mostly cabbage and similar things.

Lin Youning thought for a bit, and after the meal, she called Nanny Guo to her side. “I heard that the Northwest is rather barren; where does the food we use in our mansion come from?”

“Miss, don’t worry. These things are all brought from outside by people sent by the Marquis. Perhaps they seem precious to outsiders, but our master is a marquis, after all,” Nanny Guo had not yet changed her way of addressing, and Lin Youning felt close hearing this term of address.

“I know our Marquis Mansion is not short of these things, but I was wondering if we could handle this ourselves?” She couldn’t always let her elder brother worry about her.

Especially since this is an inner courtyard matter, which should originally be handled by her as a woman.

Nanny Guo laughed, “This is not something the Marquis manages personally; it’s all handed over to Li Si. It’s just that sometimes the Marquis asks a few questions intermittently. The Marquis is also concerned about Miss; as you know, he is very attentive to such matters even back in the Capital.”

Lin Youning didn’t think much of it, but Nanny Guo’s intention was to indirectly remind her that the Marquis was interested and attentive to her.

Currently, Miss and the Marquis are still like this; she could see that Miss is still untouched, and probably nothing has happened between her and the Marquis yet.

However, seeing that the young lady clearly did not understand her implication, Nanny Guo didn’t say much more. She knew the young lady was not ready to speak up yet, perhaps also afraid to face her feelings directly.

If she spoke directly, the young lady would definitely feel embarrassed, but Nanny Guo could see that the Marquis was gradually approaching her.

Seven or eight days passed like this, with Gu Yifeng staying more often at the camp, and Lin Youning since arriving at the mansion had not gone out again. The people in the border city were curious about the Dingyuan Marquis’s madam but couldn’t see her.

At this time, Wu Xueqin, who had been walking behind, finally arrived. Wu Xueqin was unhappy as originally it was agreed that Li Si would travel with them, but in the end, Li Si left them and followed a group behind, walking with the Marquis.

However, upon entering the mansion, Wu Xueqin got off the carriage and came directly to bow and pay respects to Lin Youning.

“You’ve been traveling for many days; you must be tired. There are not so many rules here, so go and rest early.” Lin Youning politely nodded to her.

Wu Xueqin smiled, curtsied, and retreated respectfully.

The little maidservants in the mansion were surprised to see another mistress arrive and Wu Xueqin, being open and straightforward, allowed them to look her over as Shanmoi led her to the small courtyard prepared for her. It was actually through a small door to the West Wing from the front, just a small courtyard.

The yard was not big, and Yangtao frowned upon entering. Shanmoi saw this and explained, “The mansion originally only had two courtyards; the area there is the main courtyard, while this side is specially reserved for the mistress. The front is where the guests live, and now that the Marquis is conducting affairs there, it’s best if the mistress can bear with it for now.”

Wu Xueqin smiled, “Sister Shanmoi is too kind. If the Marquis and the madam can endure, I am merely a mistress, and besides, this courtyard is quite large. I dare not act presumptuously.”

Those were clearly pleasantries, but her last words were somewhat sharp, evidently accusing the other of arranging things too pointedly.

Shanmoi naturally understood, smiled, and acknowledged her with a bow, “Then, mistress, please rest well; just call upon the little maidservants in the yard if you need anything.”

Then she turned and left, not paying him any more heed.

Their things had already been moved to the yard by servants and maidservants, and they waited for Yangtao to direct arrangements.

Watching Shanmoi depart, Wu Xueqin withdrew her smile, strode into the main room, which was quite spacious, and although there were two basins of coal, it still felt cold inside as no one had yet lived in it.

Wu Xueqin wrapped her cloak around herself, sat on the couch, and watched Yangtao direct the little maidservants and servants to arrange the things, while the maids and servants stole glances at her.

Once the courtyard was quiet, Yangtao stepped forward to pay respects, and Wu Xueqin nodded, “Prepare some hot water; I need to wash up now.”

“Mistress, please wait; I’ve already instructed the little maid to bring hot water. I also heard that since arriving, the Marquis has only stayed in the mansion two nights, spending the rest of the time at the camp.” Yangtao hoped such news would lift the mistress’s spirits.

Ever since being left on the road by the Marquis, they were escorted here by a group of guards while Li Si went with the Marquis.

Throughout the journey, the young lady rarely spoke, and Yangtao didn’t know what to say to comfort her, but fortunately they finally arrived here.

Wu Xueqin’s eyelid twitched, “The Marquis traveled with her all the way, and now that they’ve reached the border city, naturally they don’t need to be together every day.”

Seeing the young lady still upset, Yangtao didn’t know what to say now. After hot water was brought and Wu Xueqin had washed, she changed into a peach-red dress and took Yangtao to the main courtyard.

Lin Youning was about to eat when she heard Wu Xueqin had come again. She didn’t say much and just let her in.

“I didn’t expect Madam to still be having a meal at this time.” Upon entering and seeing the dishes on the table, Wu Xueqin spoke apologetically, “I’ve got nothing to attend to, so Madam, please go ahead and eat.”

“Since you’ve caught me at this time, we might as well eat together; there’s no one else in the mansion. Besides, it’s more lively with two people eating together,” Lin Youning figured Wu Xueqin came for something, and being watched would make eating uncomfortable.

After all, it’s just an extra set of dishes and chopsticks.

Hearing the mistress’s words, Shanmoi had already ordered the maidservant to prepare tableware. Wu Xueqin saw this and didn’t refuse, bowed slightly, and sat across from Lin Youning.

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