Chapter 288: Chapter 289: Heard

This table of dishes was made with care, and not only did they taste good, but they also had unique characteristics. The Eldest Prince had traveled from Jiangnan to here, previously hiding his identity and not eating well, so naturally, he ate a lot of these delicacies now.

Gu Yifeng glanced at the food on the table and then lowered his gaze without saying much.

Earlier, because of the Eldest Prince’s words, Gu Yifeng was unhappy, but now he felt much more at ease.

He knew that Sister Ning had a lively disposition, but seeing her childish behavior now, he couldn’t help laughing to himself.

It seemed that the Eldest Prince hadn’t noticed anything amiss, thinking that the Dingyuan Marquis’s side was rather good at enjoying life, judging by the spread of delicious food.

After the meal, the Eldest Prince didn’t mention to Gu Yifeng why he was here, and Gu Yifeng didn’t inquire, as it was an Imperial Order.

Upon hearing that the Eldest Prince would leave in a few days, Gu Yifeng arranged for a guest room in the front courtyard to be prepared, allowing the Eldest Prince to stay at the residence.

Keeping him at the residence made it easier to watch him.

When Wu Xueqin heard that the Eldest Prince was staying at the residence, she was dumbfounded. She had just received a letter from the Eldest Prince yesterday, and today he was at the residence. She didn’t know why he wrote her that letter or why he was using the matter to threaten her. She also didn’t know what he wanted her to do.

Yangtao didn’t know what was wrong with the girl, only that she seemed anxious, as if something was about to happen.

Wu Xueqin, who had been busy with the greenhouse, now had no interest in those matters. She just stayed in the courtyard, not taking a step outside.

When Lin Youning heard that the Eldest Prince was staying, she wasn’t displeased but rather happy, instructing Shanmoi to make sure the kitchen prepared good food for the Eldest Prince every day.

Shanmoi nodded understandingly and left.

When Hailan entered from outside, she held a letter in her hand, “A letter was sent from the young master’s side, miss, please take a look.”

Her brother had departed a few days later than them and should have arrived alongside Wu Xueqin’s group. Although they hadn’t caught up with Wu Xueqin, they shouldn’t be far behind. Receiving her brother’s letter now made Lin Youning naturally happy.

However, after reading the letter, the smile on Lin Youning’s face faded a little. Hailan, worried, asked, “Did something happen to the young master on the road?”

Lin Youning placed the letter on the tea table and shook her head, “Elder Brother is already outside the city. He heard the Eldest Prince is at our residence, so he found an inn to stay in, saying he’ll enter the city after the Eldest Prince leaves.”

“Didn’t the young master buy a house here?”

“That’s the strange part. Even if he doesn’t come to our residence, he should at least go back to his own house. But upon hearing that the Eldest Prince is here, he avoided entering the city.” This was something Lin Youning couldn’t understand.

Seeing the girl’s low spirits, Hailan quickly suggested, “The young master probably has his considerations. You need not worry, miss. The young master’s already outside the city, and having safely arrived in just a few days, he can enter the city once the Eldest Prince leaves.”

Lin Youning nodded. What worried her wasn’t her brother staying outside for a few more days, but the fact that upon hearing the Eldest Prince was in the city, her brother refused to enter.

It was evident that her brother was avoiding the Eldest Prince. Based on his character, when she was kidnapped by the Eldest Prince’s men and nearly died outside, her brother would have found a way to do something about it. But now, seeing the Eldest Prince, he was clearly avoiding him.

Confused by this, Lin Youning instructed Hailan to send the letter to the front courtyard, to her elder brother.

After Gu Yifeng received the letter, he took the opportunity when the Eldest Prince was resting to come to the back courtyard, “I’ve already sent Li Si to see what’s going on outside the city, so you needn’t worry. Your brother not coming into the city probably means he has his own plans.”

“I just can’t figure out why he’s so worried or if he did something that caused the Eldest Prince to follow him here?” Concern tends to muddle the mind, as Lin Youning now understood.

“Since the Eldest Prince is here at the residence these few days, and he usually goes into the city for his affairs, let’s prepare. Even though it’s snowing, it’s not heavy. We can go hunting outside the city; this way, we can also see your brother’s side without drawing the Eldest Prince’s attention,” said Gu Yifeng as he looked at her, “The Eldest Prince won’t stay long here, as he has to return for the New Year. He definitely won’t spend the New Year here.”

“Let’s not. We can’t just rush over there because of my issues. Going over now wouldn’t help either, as Elder Brother is avoiding the Eldest Prince. Even if we go, he won’t come back with us. We should wait until the Eldest Prince leaves, then they can enter the city, and we’ll find out what’s happening.” Lin Youning didn’t want to trouble her elder brother.

Gu Yifeng wanted to persuade her, but Lin Youning showed no interest in continuing, knowing her temperament, so he said no more.

He merely changed the subject, “How is Aunt Wu doing these two days?”

“She’s been staying in the courtyard without stepping out these days.” Lin Youning didn’t want to cause her elder brother concern, “However, I checked out the greenhouse she built. It’s quite ingenious. Marquis should take some time to see it too. I think this method can be taught to those foreigners; that way, they can grow some food in winter and won’t invade our territory for resources anymore.”

Gu Yifeng nodded, “I’ve nothing pressing now, so let’s go see it. If it’s as you say, it’s not a bad idea at all.”

Lin Youning then asked Shanmoi and Hailan to come and help her with her cloak. Once ready, they headed towards the greenhouse.

The residence wasn’t large, and the place set aside for Wu Xueqin to grow a large greenhouse was just a small garden within the courtyard. The area was prone to sandstorms and arid climate, so there weren’t any flowers or trees. Entering, they saw it had earth dragons set up around it, resembling a small house, but it had the form of a greenhouse.

The craftsmen, seeing the Marquis arrive, hurriedly paid their respects, not daring to glance at Lin Youning.

Standing to the side, Gu Yifeng asked a few questions, and the craftsmen, skilled in these matters, acknowledged that this was their first time seeing such a Marquis, but even they knew the greenhouse was feasible.

Gu Yifeng’s face showed a hint of satisfaction. Despite his poor impression of Aunt Wu, he couldn’t deny her capability, regretting only that she wasn’t a man.

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