Chapter 74: Chapter 73: Youth

Mrs. Dong, after hearing Kong Tianru’s words, not only did not get angry but also secretly smirked.

This sister-in-law is indeed smart to the point of being inappropriate. Now, in front of outsiders, she gives her eye drops, which counts as airing family scandals outside, and Mrs. Gu Sr. would not tolerate throwing disgrace outside.

However, Mrs. Dong did not wait for Mrs. Gu Sr. to reprimand Mrs. Kong. After all, with outsiders present, she only gave Mrs. Kong a faint glance, which made Mrs. Kong jittery.

Over the years, Mrs. Gu Sr. hadn’t cast even half a glance at Mrs. Kong, choosing to directly ignore her. Now that the twins are ten years old, suddenly receiving such a glance, Mrs. Kong almost couldn’t maintain her smile.

Sister Yue noticed that something was wrong and quickly approached Mrs. Gu Sr., “Grandmother, the other day at Cousin’s place, I got a parrot that can mimic speech. I was just thinking of bringing it to you, but knowing you’ve always valued quietness, I didn’t dare to bring it abruptly, fearing you’d say I’m too playful. So I came to ask you today.”

“Don’t you know the rules? Didn’t you see there are guests?” Mrs. Gu Sr. feigned anger and scolded, but at the same time said, “I’ve never liked such things. Since you got it from your Cousin, just keep it for yourself.”

Without waiting for Sister Yue to speak again, Mrs. Gu Sr. instructed Mrs. Dong, standing by, “Have the kitchen prepare dishes, we’ll hold a banquet here at noon. The young ones find it boring to listen to us old folks talk, call the girls from the mansion over, let them take a stroll in the back small garden. Don’t they love admiring the snow? Send more nannies and maids so they don’t freeze.”

Mrs. Dong respectfully agreed and turned to leave.

Sister Yue, still pouting cutely, was abruptly disregarded, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Mrs. Kong dared not show a change in expression. Knowing she had overstepped earlier and made the Old Madam unhappy, she was anxious seeing her daughter embarrassed, yet had no means to remedy it.

Mrs. Xu Sr. laughed, “Brother Xian is also here for the first time, don’t be restrained with the girls of the house, go along with your fourth sister.”

“Take your Brother Xu,” Mrs. Gu Sr. said and then patted Lin Youning’s hand beside her, “You accompany them too, young as you are, you shouldn’t be so lifeless.”

Lin Youning blushed slightly, “I’m an aunt, being with them feels somewhat disrespectful for my age.”

“Haha, this child…” Mrs. Xu Sr. was amused.

Mrs. Gu Sr. also raised her hand to poke her head, pointing to Sister Yue standing aside, “Look, they’re all learning from this girl, getting increasingly unruly. Alright, alright, you all go.” Xu Yuxian looked at Lin Youning with sparkling eyes, also smiling foolishly along with both elders.

Lin Youning smiled and agreed, performed a curtsy, and then backed away.

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s mention of Sister Yue also somewhat restored her face.

Sister Yue’s face appeared better, yet she dared not smile as vibrantly as before, “Then I’ll take Brother Xu to the garden now.”

Xu Yuxian bowed to take leave, following Lin Youning and Sister Yue out, walking behind them, he could see the slender figure ahead with a mere lift of his eyes.

Reaching the courtyard, Sister Yue’s eyes turned red.

Lin Youning pretended not to notice, “Since we’re here to admire the snow, I’ll have some snacks prepared.”

Leaving the two behind, she went to Tingxue Hall.

Xu Yuxian was also present earlier and felt awkward being left here, “Fourth sister, I’m troubling you.”

Again, he bowed.

Sister Yue, seeing this, quickly suppressed the tears in her eyes, and her face showed a hint of shyness, “Brother Xu, I must have embarrassed myself.”

“Fourth sister, you’re too polite,” Xu Yuxian made a gesture of invitation.

Only then did Sister Yue smile again, leading Xu Yuxian to the backyard.

When Sister Hui arrived with two concubine’s daughters, Lin Youning had already set a table under the pergola in the small garden, with snacks from the mansion made that morning, still warm.

In her past life, while she was in favor, Lin Youning hosted quite a few banquets, but people were mainly drawn by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion title. In her past life, she didn’t understand, but living again, Lin Youning naturally didn’t want to engage in such thankless efforts.

Now, however, she couldn’t help but comply with hosting duties, unnoticed by others, but Sister Hui noticed.

This young aunt was poised and composed in hosting guests, not the least bit like it was her first time entertaining, especially since this occasion included male guests. Her downcast eyebrows reflected the years spent by her mother’s side, witnessing the management of the household, and learning from her mother, yet her first time might not compare to this young aunt’s grace.

Truly well-hidden.

After noticing this, Sister Hui couldn’t help but glance at her young aunt, and Lin Youning certainly noticed.

Once their eyes met her curious gaze, Lin Youning smiled mildly and looked away, somewhat unclear why Sister Hui kept glancing at her.

But in her past life, she didn’t have much interaction with this Sister Hui, who, like Mrs. Dong, carried a sense of pride, seldom associating with Lin Youning.

The two wouldn’t have conflicts, and Lin Youning didn’t bother with her observed actions.

Sister Jian and Sister Ran, as daughters of concubines, dared not overshadow a legitimate daughter, so when neither Sister Hui nor Sister Yue spoke, they too remained silent.

At twelve years old, Sister Hui lacked maturity when speaking with outsiders, thus leaving Sister Yue and Xu Yuxian to converse.

Sister Yue, having only passed by the small garden before, never strolled it, felt each plant and tree reeked of Lin Youning’s presence, irking her.

Now accompanying Xu Yuxian around the small garden left her uneasy, having no clue about many parts.

Xu Yuxian noticed, finding her an out, “Last time, when Marquis brought back the small Snow Fox, I wonder how it is now?”

The Snow Fox was a gift for Lin Youning, unattainable even by daughters like Sister Hui, let alone Sister Yue from the second house of the Marquis Mansion.

Sister Yue’s mind wasn’t on that, she squeaked, “Brother Xu, how did you know Aunt has a Snow Fox?”

“Could it be that last time when Brother Xu visited our mansion, he saw Aunt?” Guessing so, Sister Yue inquired.

Yet, with her implication of a meeting between a man and a woman, the reputation could turn unsavory.

Sister Hui frowned, “Sister Yue, don’t speak nonsense.”

It was rare for Sister Hui to scold Sister Yue.

Sister Hui didn’t want to speak up either, but considering a woman’s reputation, even if the young aunt’s name were tarnished, it would implicate them.

On another angle, grandmother was still upset with them about last time; if now they spread bad rumors about their aunt in their own mansion, Grandmother wouldn’t just ignore them for months anymore.

Sister Yue wasn’t angry, just sticking out her tongue.

After quite a while, Xu Yuxian, seeing Lin Youning didn’t intend to reply, awkwardly scratched his head, “When the mansion went to Ten-Mile Pavilion to pick up the Marquis, I just happened to meet them there, hence I knew Lin… Aunt had a Snow Fox.”

That title of aunt slipping from his mouth, Xu Yuxian felt an indescribable bitterness.

The sisters of Gu Mansion called him Brother Xu while addressing Sister Ning as aunt, so how could he call Sister Ning by name?

Lin Youning couldn’t care less about the minds of the little girls in the courtyard. Being one generation higher, she had no interest relations with them; whatever schemes they had didn’t concern her.

With Xu Yuxian’s words, she finally smiled and spoke, “Each day it runs outside before dawn, returning only at night. During the day, I often can’t find where it goes, probably roaming the large garden.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep