Chapter 295: Chapter 296: Mockery

Wu Xueqin couldn’t hide her smile after hearing that.

“Let’s go, let’s head to the main courtyard and have a look. Madam is not feeling well now, I should spend more time with her.” Wu Xueqin stood up.

The matter of the Eldest Prince had been handed over to her these past few days, and only she knew how she had endured it. Now that she had the rare opportunity to see Lin Youning in trouble, how could she let it pass?

Yangtao initially said those things to cheer up her own girl, and seeing the girl heading towards the main courtyard, she hurried to persuade her, “Madam is upset now, you shouldn’t go over, Aunt. If she takes it out on you, wouldn’t it be for nothing?”

“Don’t worry, she’s not like that.” Wu Xueqin was already walking out, “Madam has always been gracious and magnanimous, I’m just going over for a sit. If she were to blame for that, wouldn’t that spark more gossip among the servants?”

Yangtao felt uneasy but seeing the girl already out the door, she could only follow along.

Lin Youning had just changed her clothes and was sitting on the couch. When she looked up, she saw Wu Xueqin in the courtyard. She handed the robe she was making to Shanmoi to put away as Wu Xueqin walked in.

After the greetings and sitting down, Wu Xueqin smiled, “These days Marquis Gu hasn’t come back. I suppose there’s a lot of work at the camp. Should Madam consider sending some food over?”

“If Aunt Wu has something she wants to make for the marquis, just make it and have someone send it over,” Lin Youning lightly sipped her tea, “Although we live in the same courtyard now, after all, they’re two separate households. You came to the border to care for the marquis, so do whatever you want, you don’t have to ask me.”

Shanmoi stood next to them, her eyes wide open. If it hadn’t been for the rules, she would’ve chased her out.

Who in this household didn’t know that the marquis and madam were in a tiff, and that the marquis hadn’t been at the estate these days? It’s assumed the marquis is angry with madam. Now Aunt Wu was saying this, wasn’t it just to stab madam in the heart?

Wu Xueqin quickly stood up to apologize, “If I have spoken out of place, please forgive me, madam.”

Lin Youning put down her teacup and looked at her with a smile, “What’s the matter, Aunt Wu?”

“I don’t mean to compete with madam for the marquis, I just thought that since the marquis hasn’t returned for many days, perhaps we should send some food,” Wu Xueqin feigned fear.

Lin Youning smiled, “I really don’t understand what you’re saying, Aunt Wu. The marquis is a person, how can one compete for him? I’ve never stopped the marquis from going to your courtyard. If there’s a misunderstanding because of this, I can have the marquis explain it to you.”

Wu Xueqin flusteredly apologized, “Calm down, madam, that’s not what I meant… I just didn’t want madam to misunderstand….”

Lin Youning interrupted her, “Alright, if there’s nothing else, you may leave.”

If she was truly afraid, why not kneel and apologize?

Clearly more arrogant than anyone, not even bowing, yet putting on this pretense, Lin Youning felt only irritation.

Wu Xueqin still wanted to speak, but Shanghai stepped up, “Aunt Wu, madam says she is tired. It’s best for you to return. As for sending food to the marquis, you can have Li Si take it after you’ve prepared it.”

Seeing that she’d upset Lin Youning, Wu Xueqin was secretly pleased and retreated with a look of mock fear.

Hailan wasn’t worried, she called a maid in to clear away Aunt Wu’s tea set, saying, “There’s no need to worry about her, she’s just an aunt, hardly important to the marquis.”

Lin Youning sighed, “Although I don’t think much of her, she still managed to ruin my good mood. What are the servants gossiping about?”

Hailan dismissed the maids before replying, “It’s just a misunderstanding, thinking madam and the marquis argued. Once the marquis returns, these rumors will collapse on their own.”

Lin Youning smiled, “Alright, now you all are the ones comforting me. I’m not someone who can’t think things through.”

Hailan laughed, “It’s good if you don’t take it to heart, madam.”

Shanmoi saw Aunt Wu off with an angry face, while Nanny Guo came over with a smile. Shanmoi poured out everything that happened like spilling beans, but Nanny Guo just continued to smile.

“Nanny, you need to manage these little maids in the household.” Shanmoi said, glancing at the maids.

The maids hurriedly lowered their heads in fear.

Nanny Guo didn’t say much and turned to leave.

She managed this courtyard by herself; how would any maid dare gossip privately? This was specifically instructed by Nanny Guo to leak the words into Aunt Wu’s ears.

Now the marquis was avoiding home, due to a quarrel with madam. Even though the girl didn’t say anything, she was visibly much more despondent than before.

Nanny Guo had to think of a way to get the marquis to come back willingly.

Li Si is astute, and with news of today spreading, he’ll surely report it to the marquis. The rest is beyond her control, but given Marquis Gu’s fondness for the girl, she couldn’t believe knowing she was belittled by an aunt wouldn’t spur him to return.

Nanny Guo, after all, had her brief stint in the palace. With a simple trick, Gu Yifeng returned before darkness fell. He even carried the chill of frost as he entered the courtyard.

But it wasn’t as chilling as his face.

Lin Youning was having dinner, with just some porridge and pickles. Seeing her elder brother walk in, Lin Youning paused as no one announced his arrival.

While Lin Youning still held her bowl, Gu Yifeng saw what she was eating, his face darkened further, and he took off his cloak, tossing it aside where Li Si quickly caught it.

Lin Youning also put down her bowl, “You’re back, have you eaten dinner yet?”

Gu Yifeng’s tone was ice-cold, “Is this all you’re having for dinner?”

His words made Sister Ning freeze.

Regretting his harsh tone, Gu Yifeng softened his expression and voice, “Your health is fragile, how can you eat so plainly?”

Seeing her wide eyes, a trace of embarrassment crossed Gu Yifeng’s face, and he instructed Shanmoi, “Go ask the head chef to prepare a few more dishes.”

Seeing the marquis back, Shanmoi couldn’t hide her joy, eagerly nodded, and left. Lin Youning, no longer in the mood to eat, set her bowl and chopsticks aside, “Would you like to freshen up first, elder brother?”

Gu Yifeng assessed her, noticing she looked thinner, and his guilt grew, thinking how he left, causing Sister Ning to be belittled by Aunt Wu.

Lin Youning felt uncomfortable under her brother’s gaze, “Is something wrong? Did something happen on your end?”

She felt as if he had something to say but couldn’t quite express it.

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