Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Making Things Difficult

On the day of the Xu Mansion’s autumn feast, early in the morning, Mrs. Dong boarded a carriage with the girls from the mansion heading towards the Xu Mansion.

Mrs. Dong took a large maid and a matron in one carriage, the sisters from the mansion shared another, and Lin Youning traveled with Nanny Chang and Hailan in her own carriage. Originally, Shanmoi was supposed to join them, but she suddenly had a stomachache right before departure, so they had to bring Hailan instead.

Three carriages in total, along with the small green-covered carriage carrying the maids and matrons, followed by a dozen or so guards, made their way to the Xu Mansion.

The Xu Mansion was also located in the East Market, though it was very close to the West City Gate, settled on Shengping Street. Just going past the house would lead directly to the city gate.

The East Market was home to noble families, and it was usually peaceful, so Mrs. Dong only brought a dozen or so guards.

Once they arrived at the Xu Mansion, several other families’ carriages had already arrived. First, they went to Mrs. Xu Sr., who held Lin Youning’s hand and asked questions, while her maid led the sisters of the Xu Mansion to the garden.

Walking in the corridor, Sister Yue approached Sister Hui, “Sister Hui, Mrs. Xu Sr. seems to really like Aunt, but it’s a pity Aunt is already engaged, otherwise she might be kept here to become a granddaughter-in-law. I heard that the eldest son of the Xu Mansion is highly talented and has passed the scholar examination.”

“Fourth Sister, it’s best not to speak such words carelessly, lest it tarnishes Aunt’s reputation.” Sister Hui had a serious expression.

Sister Yue wasn’t angry, just stuck out her tongue, “Sister Hui, don’t be angry, I was just speaking off the cuff, I won’t make such a mistake again in the future. Please don’t tell grandmother.”

“Don’t worry, Fourth Sister, as long as you don’t make the same mistake in the future, I won’t tell grandmother.” Sister Hui wasn’t bothered by Sister Yue’s provocation at all.

Sister Jian and Sister Ran walked behind, whispering to each other with their heads down, listening to the commotion in front, finally relaxing when it quieted down.

When legitimate daughters spar, if they get involved, they’d be the ones to take the fall in the end.

By the time Lin Youning was led to the garden, many young ladies had already gathered there. It was her first visit and she wasn’t familiar with anyone, but looking at the faces, she could tell whose family some of them belonged to and who would marry whom, how their lives would turn out.

Lin Youning saw from a distance that Sister Yue and the others were feeding fish, and there was a crowd gathered there, so she chose not to join them and instead found a quiet place to sit.

When young girls gather, it’s usually just about whose rouge is good or which family’s robe has a new design.

After hearing a few bits of gossip, Lin Youning saw Wu Xueqin from the Minister Mansion approaching.

Lin Youning stood up, and after exchanging greetings, both sat down again. Wu Xueqin’s eyes were bright, and there was joy in her eyes when she smiled, “Sister Lin, since the last meeting I’ve been wondering when I would see you again, and now here we meet unexpectedly.”

Lin Youning picked up a handkerchief, covering her mouth slightly as she smiled, “Why doesn’t Second Sister Wu paint with them?”

She didn’t respond to Wu Xueqin’s words.

In her past life, she hadn’t heard of Wu Xueqin being a talented woman. As the saying goes, “If something is unusual, there must be a demon,” so she dared not interact easily and just observed quietly.

What’s more, the title used by the second young lady of the Wu Family was somewhat perplexing.

Sister Lin?

This was only their second meeting, wasn’t it?

The familial connection seemed a bit far-fetched.

“I usually like to paint before sleep, so at this time I let them play by themselves.” As Wu Xueqin spoke, she was also examining Lin Youning.

With snow-white skin, small red lips, and a petite and delicate figure, such a girl was unfortunate to become a concubine.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy.

Lin Youning responded to kind words with a faint smile, directing her gaze to the group having fun painting together, without saying anything.

Wu Xueqin didn’t seem to mind the cold reaction, “I read in a book that Snow Foxes grow new fur in winter, snow-white as snow. I wonder if the Snow Fox the Marquis gave you will be as described in the book.”

Lin Youning gave a gentle smile, “It shouldn’t be difficult; when winter comes, we shall see.”

Wu Xueqin’s breathing paused slightly.

She had made it this obvious.

But the person in front didn’t seem to have picked up on the meaning.

With such a disposition and mind, if she became Gu Er’s concubine, it was uncertain how long she could keep the man within her chambers.

She knew that Sister Lin was quite skillful.

Otherwise, after such an incident in the past, how could she be living so gloriously now? It spoke to her abilities.

Lin Youning wasn’t aware of Wu Xueqin’s thoughts but couldn’t understand why she wanted to enter the Marquis Mansion.

However, after the Wu Xueya incident at Ten-Mile Pavilion, Lin Youning was not inclined to be close to the Wu Family.

Moreover, Mrs. Wu of the Wu Family is actually Kong Tianru’s own aunt.

Lin Youning thought that if she remained silent, Wu Xueqin would leave, but unexpectedly, she always had something more to say.

Fortunately, at around noon, Feng Yufu arrived.

When she was younger, Feng Yufu had a dignified demeanor, but now she had grown much gentler and more charming. Dressed in a light pink straight-cut robe and a peach-red chrysanthemum-patterned overskirt, the hair ornaments on her bun swayed gently with her movements, captivating the hearts of onlookers.

This was a person destined for the palace.

With such a look, Lin Youning could somewhat understand.

Feng Yufu was on good terms with Wu Xueqin. As soon as she saw Wu Xueqin from afar, she made a beeline for her, and other young ladies desiring to befriend Feng Yufu gathered around as well.

Lin Youning had chosen a small pavilion under a rockery earlier. Now, with so many people crowding in, it became a bit cramped, with some remaining outside the pavilion.

Feng Yufu, initially unnoticed, greeted Wu Xueqin and then saw Lin Youning to the side.

Lin Youning had dressed simply today, wearing a white overskirt paired with a yellow straight-cut robe, with her unfinished hairstyle adorned only with a silk flower.

Along with her petite and exquisite appearance, this attire lent her an ethereal and fairy-like quality, making her stand out immediately among the group.

Feng Yufu certainly noticed, furrowing her brows slightly, “Who is this?”

Vaguely familiar, yet she couldn’t recall where they had met before.

Wu Xueqin pursed her lips into a smile, not in a hurry to introduce them.

If everyone was already familiar, such a question would be taken as a joke, not serious, but aside from a few, most did not know each other.

At this point, with Wu Xueqin not introducing her, Lin Youning found herself in a slightly awkward situation.

Lin Youning didn’t have time to think much or wonder if Wu Xueqin was doing it on purpose; before she could stand up to introduce herself, Xu Ya’an squeezed in from outside. She had been busy entertaining guests and now came over, smiling, “What are you all talking about? Why gather here?”

Her gaze then fell on Lin Youning in the pavilion, exclaiming, “Whose family are you from? Why haven’t I seen you before?”

Being the host today, Xu Ya’an’s inquiry led the others to regard Lin Youning with a slight sense of disdain.

Sister Hui had close friends and wasn’t fond of crowding in, so she wasn’t there, but Sister Jian, Sister Ran, and Sister Yue were present among the group.

Sister Jian and Sister Ran, being concubine’s daughters, dared not speak with Sister Yue around.

Meanwhile, Sister Yue appeared to be observing like the others without saying anything.

For a moment, all eyes were on Lin Youning.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep