Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Fleeting Years

The young girls in the flower hall, though young, each carried themselves with the demeanor expected of nobility, not showing any liveliness due to their age.

On the joyous day at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, most guests were from noble families, but not many had children as young as Lin Youning.

Currently, those sitting in the flower hall were all acquainted with Lin Youning, as in her past life, she had played with them. To the left sat two girls from the Minister Mansion; the one in a red dress was Wu Xueya, the legitimate daughter, a year older than Lin Youning, while the girl with a delicate appearance next to her was the concubine’s daughter, Wu Xueqin, the same age as Lin Youning.

Lin Youning remembered this concubine’s daughter, Wu Xueqin, not as timid and fearful like others, following behind the legitimate daughter. Instead, Wu Xueqin always overshadowed Wu Xueqin; it was said that despite her young age, she was a prodigy, able to write poetry and always had some fresh ideas. The softembrace that each family now held was said to have been invented by Wu Xueqin.

Seated right next to the concubine’s daughter of the Wu family was Feng Yufu, the legitimate granddaughter of Mr. Feng, the Crown Prince’s Tutor. In her previous life, she married into the palace as a consort, but her naturally haughty disposition did not win her the Crown Prince’s favor in the palace.

In her past life, Lin Youning was vain and always tried to ingratiate herself with these people, looking down on the concubine’s daughter Wu Xueqin, but it never gained the favor of those people. After all, she was a low-born girl adopted by the Gu Family as a child bride. Even if she were to become the future head mistress of the main house of the Gu Mansion, so what?

The main house of the Gu Mansion, after all, had no males left, only the supported Gu Er. Gu Er, spoiled by the family, although talented, did not apply his skills to the imperial examinations path. Even if he succeeded as the top scholar, he would be the Second Young Master of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, unrelated to the main house of the Gu Family.

So in this way, Lin Youning was just an orphan girl with no future in officialdom, which is why these noble families did not regard her.

The matters she couldn’t understand in her past life, in this life Lin Youning understood. Therefore, when her aunt asked her to entertain these noble family’s young girls, she agreed but only had the servants serve snacks and sweet drinks, then quietly sat by herself.

Lin Youning had no intention of currying favor with them, and the others had no intention of befriending Lin Youning, making the flower hall particularly quiet; clearly a group of children, yet exuding an inexplicable strangeness.

Until a series of chaotic footsteps sounded, Xu Ya’an strode in, her crisp voice following, “Xueya, when I came, I passed by with mother and wanted to take you along, not expecting you to arrive early.”

Wu Xueya’s mother and Kong Tianru’s mother were legitimate sisters, but as the Wu Mansion and General Xu’s Mansion were adjacent, Xu Ya’an and Wu Xueya’s relationship was especially close.

Also, because both of their names contained the character ’Ya’, they were often teased by family as ’Big Ya’ and ’Little Ya’.

Wu Xueya was a year older than Xu Ya’an, “Little Ya, why are you here? I thought you just returned to the Capital not long ago, so you wouldn’t come here.”

“My grandmother and Mrs. Gu Sr. are old friends, how could I not come.” Xu Ya’an smiled as she pulled Wu Xueya’s hand, looking her up and down, “I recognize this tunic skirt of yours, it’s from the Hall of Prosperity and Peace in the Capital, right? I saw it when it required one hundred silver taels, grandmother said it’s not worth spending that money on just a dress.”

As she spoke, Xu Ya’an wore a look of grievance.

Wu Xueya glanced at the higher-seated Lin Youning, “You’re also sensible and didn’t truly want it, otherwise how could your grandmother not give you that, as she is your legitimate grandmother.”

Seated above, Lin Youning played with the handkerchief in her hands, the corners of her mouth gently curling up, having always been looked down upon by Wu Xueya, who seemed to think it was due to Lin Youning competing with her cousin Kong Luoru for the same husband, she made things difficult for her everywhere.

Now, due to just a dress, she was being indirectly insulted, at such a young age, truly inheriting the bloodline of the Gao family, with innate sharpness.

Xu Ya’an seemed to be single-minded and unaware that she was being manipulated. Meanwhile, Feng Yufu and Wu Xueqin exchanged a glance.

Speaking of this, Feng Yufu was a proud person, yet somehow Wu Xueqin, born a concubine’s daughter, caught her eye. Occasionally, Feng Yufu would invite Tian Xueqin to the Imperial Tutor Mansion.

This, in turn, elevated Wu Xueqin’s standing, leading Minister Wu to value this concubine’s daughter more.

“You’re the one who understands me, knowing about my mother…, now neither my brother nor I can wear such bright colors.” Xu Ya’an looked downcast.

Wu Xueya comforted her, “Your grandmother just doesn’t say it, afraid of hurting your feelings, don’t dwell on it. It’s rare for us to gather today, we can’t dampen it with tears.”

One sentence managed to turn the tears in Xu Ya’an’s eyes into laughter.

The two chatted warmly, and no one else in the flower hall interrupted, with Xu Ya’an intentionally ignoring Lin Youning, speaking to Wu Xueya even more enthusiastically than usual.

Wu Xueya also wanted to put Lin Youning down; she secretly overheard her mother and aunt talking, blaming Lin Youning for the problems between her cousin and the cousin’s husband, so she was inclined to vent her cousin’s anger.

Feng Yufu only spoke to Wu Xueqin, leaving Lin Youning out in the cold by herself.

Lin Youning didn’t feel anything about it, but the servants standing by had different thoughts.

Those from the Minister Mansion naturally sided with Wu Xueya, but the Feng Mansion’s servants, coming from the Imperial Tutor Mansion, were more perceptive than those from the Minister Mansion. Seeing a girl in such a setting only speaking to a concubine’s daughter, they were somewhat worried.

After all, lineage was important now; mingling between legitimate daughters and concubine’s daughters could lower the legitimate daughter’s status.

Standing next to Lin Youning, Nanny Chang, seeing that her own young lady showed no sadness or loss from being neglected, felt proud; this was a girl raised in a noble family, unfazed by honor or disgrace.

Shanmoi also looked proud; her own young lady’s demeanor was unlike theirs, lifting her chin high.

By the time Xu Yuxian and others arrived, this scene unfolded—a slender young figure sitting isolated above, with a calm expression. Below, two groups, highlighting her even more prominently.

Xu Ya’an rejoiced upon seeing her brother enter and warmly approached, “Brother, Brother Wu, Brother Feng.”

Xu Ya’an greeted them all, then provocatively glanced at the seated Lin Youning. Lin Youning remained indifferent, her eyes innocent, not saying a word, this mere look making Xu Ya’an stomp her foot in frustration.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep