Chapter 308: Chapter 309: Relatives

Gu Yifeng only dozed off for a moment before getting up.

Although he moved very quietly, he still had to gently place Sister Ning down from his embrace, and with just a slight movement, Sister Ning also woke up.

When Lin Youning first opened her eyes, she was still a bit disoriented, but in the next moment, she immediately sat up, “Is it already daylight? How are things?”

“It’s fine. You can sleep a bit longer.” Seeing that Sister Ning hadn’t fully woken up, Gu Yifeng’s face was full of concern.

While he was speaking, he too prepared to lay back down. Lin Youning found a comfortable position in his arms but didn’t stop, “The Eldest Prince is leaving today, we all have to see him off, it would be late if we don’t get up now.”

Lin Youning said this but didn’t move. She had gone to bed almost past midnight last night; she had never slept so late before, not even during the New Year’s Eve vigil. Her aunt always said her body was weak, and never allowed her to stay up late.

Seeing her lazy appearance, Gu Yifeng playfully tapped her nose, “Then let’s get up.”

It was clear he was teasing her.

Gu Yifeng didn’t even realize that while being with Sister Ning, his little actions had increased.

Lin Youning’s face turned slightly red, “I’m just noticing that even master hasn’t gotten up yet.”

Knowing that her laziness was noticed by her elder brother, after being together for so many years, they’ve understood each other’s habits thoroughly.

Some things don’t even need to be said, and you can understand.

Gu Yifeng knew he shouldn’t say more, otherwise the little girl in his arms would certainly become embarrassed and angry. After lingering in bed for a while, they reluctantly called the servant in.

Shanmoi was also confined, so only Hailan came in to serve. Gu Yifeng just glanced without speaking, and after getting dressed, he mentioned going to the front yard to accompany the Eldest Prince for a meal.

Lin Youning escorted him to the door, watching as he left the main courtyard and entered the front yard, before retracting her gaze and returning indoors.

Gu Yifeng asked once again, “What mistake did Shanmoi make?”

Li Si had been looking for an opportunity to complain to the Marquis, and now seeing that the Marquis proactively asked, he exaggeratedly reported everything Aunt Wu had done. Gu Yifeng glanced at him, and Li Si quickly shrank his neck.

Gu Yifeng didn’t say more and left with large strides, and only then did Li Si breathe a sigh of relief.

He thought to himself, it’s indeed impossible to lie, as the Marquis could see through it at a glance.

But regardless, things involving Aunt Wu had already been reported to the Marquis, and she would surely face consequences when the time came.

Thinking about the confined Shanmoi made Li Si feel distressed, yet he dared not go see her directly, fearing others would notice something.

Unlike usual times, when Shanmoi always served beside the Madam, he could seize more opportunities to gaze at her.

After Gu Yifeng finished breakfast with the Eldest Prince and as he was about to set off, he had Li Si go to the back yard to call out the Madam.

This time, when he saw Lin Youning, the Eldest Prince didn’t say anything, mounted his horse, and left with his entourage.

After sending them off, Lin Youning tugged at her elder brother’s sleeve, “Did the Eldest Prince ask about that matter?”

Gu Yifeng shook his head, “He’s not someone who lacks tact.”

Lin Youning breathed a sigh of relief, glad she didn’t cause trouble for her elder brother, but was also irritated that her brother had kept things hidden. She then instructed Hailan to send a message to the Zhao Mansion, inviting her brother and sister-in-law to come over as guests.

But the real purpose of this invitation was naturally to ask her brother what exactly happened.

Seeing her like this, Gu Yifeng knew she was worried for him and couldn’t help but feel happy, as Sister Ning was clearly siding with him.

Lin Youning never imagined her elder brother would think like that, only feeling that her elder brother had gone too far, keeping things hidden and only thinking of asking others to stand up for him when things went wrong at the last moment.

Before Hailan could send someone, they hadn’t been sitting in the back yard for long when Zhao Housheng came to report that Uncle had arrived.

Li Si even changed the way he addressed them, which made Lin Youning’s ears burn.

There was a hint of a smile on Gu Yifeng’s face, “Let him in, he’s no outsider after all.”

Li Si responded with a smile, and soon Zhao Housheng arrived, though he came alone, without Liang Hui or Sister Ling.

Without thinking, it was clear he came because of last night’s incident.

Hailan immediately led the other servants out, and she and Li Si guarded the door.

Upon entering, Zhao Housheng dared not look at his younger sister, feeling guilty.

“Thank you Marquis for helping with last night’s matter.” Zhao Housheng cupped his hands in gratitude to Gu Yifeng who sat across from him.

“We’re all family, no need for courtesy. Big brother, have a seat.” Gu Yifeng did not use formal titles.

Changing this manner of address, not to mention Gu Yifeng himself feeling awkward, even Lin Youning and her brother Zhao Housheng were uncomfortable.

Lin Youning blushed and dared not look at him, while Zhao Housheng twitched his mouth awkwardly and sat down first.

To break the awkwardness, Lin Youning spoke first, “Big brother, what exactly happened last night? What was Wang Er doing to get caught by the Eldest Prince’s men? At this point, you shouldn’t keep it to yourself anymore. Whatever it is, just say it; the Marquis and I can help.”

“Sister Ning, it’s better if you don’t know about this. Now that the Eldest Prince has left, I believe there won’t be any trouble in the future.” Zhao Housheng was reluctant to say more.

Lin Youning was exasperated, “Fine, if you don’t want to say it, then I won’t ask. Otherwise, you’ll think I’m forcing you.”

After saying that, she turned her head away, not looking at him and puffed up angrily on the side.

Zhao Housheng had always doted on his sister, especially since she was recently found. Seeing his sister angry now made him anxious, but thinking of the matter at hand, he bit his tongue and swallowed the words.

Nonetheless, he compromised a bit, “Wang Er is one of my men, the Eldest Prince might have captured him to inquire about my affairs, though I don’t know what of mine would interest the Eldest Prince.”

“Alright then, tell me why Wang Er was out in the middle of the night, not staying in the mansion?” Lin Youning pressed him.

“Wang Er has relatives in this border city, and after arriving in the city, he busied himself with tasks at the mansion and only returned to visit his relatives after finishing. He stayed late, which is why he was returning so late and got noticed by the Eldest Prince’s men.”

Lin Youning snorted, “Wang Er isn’t he the one who has been with you since childhood? I’ve heard sister-in-law mention that Mother specifically brought him to accompany you. It was said that a family in our village, having too many children, intended to sell him off, and Mother found it pitiful, so she bought him and he’s been with our family ever since. Although he’s your personal servant, he’s part of our family, am I wrong?”

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