Chapter 81: Chapter 80: Testing the Waters

As winter month arrived, the weather became colder day by day. Lin Youning nestled in Tingxue Hall, received several letters from Wu Xueya, which described interesting events at the household. In the end, she asked how Lin Youning’s Snow Fox was doing?

Lin Youning dutifully replied, only mentioning the Snow Fox and omitting everything else. Every letter was written in the presence of Mrs. Gu Sr., and after finishing, she would read it aloud for Mrs. Gu Sr. to hear.

Mrs. Gu Sr. chuckled, “You’re like a child, unafraid of being laughed at.”

“Everyone in this room is Aunt’s people. What am I afraid of?” Lin Youning pouted coquettishly.

Such vivaciousness amused Mrs. Gu Sr.; she laughed.

Lin Youning was also hiding a clever thought. It was still unclear why Wu Xueya suddenly acted this way, but she had to be cautious. What if Wu Xueya used the letters to falsely accuse her of secretly communicating with a man outside?

She suffered from schemes involving maids and outsiders in her previous life, so this time, Lin Youning was more guarded.

Gu Yixuan started not coming home frequently, and they could only see each other every few days, so the little misunderstandings between them passed.

Leaving Shi’an Garden, Lin Youning coincidentally met Gu Yifeng coming from the corner gate. Since what happened at Woodland Pavilion, the two hadn’t been alone together.

Now encountering him, Lin Youning subconsciously tensed, then performed a formal greeting, “Big Brother.”

Gu Yifeng nodded but did not move.

Lin Youning intended to leave after he did, but seeing that he wouldn’t move, she reluctantly said, “Big Brother must be going to see Aunt, she hasn’t yet rested.”

In other words, you should go quickly.

Don’t be late, and have her already asleep. Your trip would be in vain.

Such obvious meaning made Gu Yifeng raise an eyebrow, thinking to himself, this little girl holds a grudge.

He didn’t object last time and didn’t blame her, yet she remembered the grudge.

In the past, she used to greet him eagerly as ’Big Brother’ every time she saw him, seemingly having endless things to say.

Now, she avoided him as if he were a scorpion.

A trace of discomfort arose in Gu Yifeng’s heart, unbeknownst to him.

“I actually have business with the Xu Mansion to discuss with you.” Without much thought, he spoke.

Clearly, he saw the other’s body stiffen, her face gradually turning pale—she was scared.

Gu Yifeng regretted a little, why bother being at odds with a little girl, why scare her?

Ultimately unable to bear it, he said softly, “Let’s go inside. Don’t catch a chill.”

Lin Youning didn’t even register the concern in those words; her mind only had one thought, he was looking for her.

For what?

Could it be because of what she said in the study last time?

Or because Xu Kuan saw her bathing and now wants to take her as a concubine?

She had steeled herself for a gamble back then, the arrow had been shot, there was no turning back.

Thinking of her previous life’s dire ends, every recollection brought a dull ache in her bones.

If heaven allowed her a rebirth, why should she compromise again?

Her handkerchief twisted tighter involuntarily; if so, why rebirth?

In this moment, she was even prepared for Aunt to learn her thoughts, even if Aunt disliked them, she no longer feared.

But thinking this made her entire body cold, from her heart to her fingertips.

Gu Yifeng walked ahead, noticing the delay, turned his head to see, and was taken aback—a bloodless, pale face and tightly pursed red lips, as if heading to the gallows.

“Are you cold?” Forgetting rules and conventions, Gu Yifeng stopped, extended his large hand to grasp hers, her hand icy and temperatureless, deepening his frown.

Shanmoi saw Marquis’s action, unimpressed, as Marquis had been close to Miss since young, caring for her as his own sister.

The maids around Lin Youning had long abandoned strict protocol between men and women.

The warmth transmitted through his hand brought Lin Youning back to her senses, yet she didn’t pull away; she quietly let him lead her into the Warm Pavilion. The maids brought over a brazier, served tea, only when a cup of tea’s time passed did the pavilion quiet down.

The smell of smoke from the brazier made Lin Youning frown. In her prior life, she believed in Buddhism, rarely using these. In this life, she couldn’t avoid them; even with the best charcoal, she could smell it.

Gu Yifeng noticed her subtlety, signaled Shanmoi to take the brazier out, and had people bring more warmers. Once prepared, Gu Yifeng waved everyone to leave the room.

Lin Youning traced the edge of her teacup with a finger; after such time, she had slowly calmed down.

Yet, the now silence between the two seemed a bit awkward.

“Did you meet any outside men at Xu Mansion this time?” His calm voice made Lin Youning suddenly lift her head.

Her eyes filled with disbelief, shock, confusion, dismay…

Gu Yifeng realized she misunderstood and sighed, “If there’s anything, just tell me. Don’t bear it alone; you’re the Gu Family’s young lady. If trouble arises, the Marquis Mansion will back you.”

So it was like this.

Big Brother didn’t disdain her over last time’s events.

All emotions gathered and ultimately turned into tears falling. She had always felt that her rebirth over these past ten years was waiting for such words, then she could truly live again.

“Big Brother…”

To the Gu Family, she was an outsider, an orphan they raised as if precious. Now grown, she had to leave, yet he did not blame her for ingratitude, but instead forgave.

This affection wasn’t false.

They truly considered her family.

No matter what happened in the previous life, it was past; Lin Youning bit her lip to stifle her sobs, yet tears fell like broken pearls.

Gu Yifeng sighed, “I didn’t intend to make you worry all day, only to make you cry instead.”

Usually reserved and aloof, such words were unexpected, making Lin Youning find it contradictory, yet she couldn’t help but laugh.

With such a brother who cared for her this much, what else was there to fear?

Her heart settled; taking a handkerchief to wipe her tears, she said, “Sorry to make Big Brother laugh, I was just too happy and couldn’t hold it in. Usually, I rarely cry.”

Lin Youning wasn’t lying; despite her frail appearance, her past life hardened her resolve long ago. She seldom cried, yet now, seeing Aunt and them treat her with kindness, her heart ached uncontrollably.

She understood it’s because her previous life was too harsh and lonely.

Gu Yifeng nodded, “That’s good. If Aunt sees, she’ll likely worry for you again.”

“Yes, I’ll remember Big Brother’s words,” Lin Youning acknowledged the difficulty on Aunt’s side.

Crying like this would surely worry Aunt, who would have people find out what happened.

It’s better to be careful—the long-lived boat stays secure.

Now with the weight off her chest, she should have been happy, yet her heart grew inexplicably heavy. Ultimately she would disappoint Aunt and Big Brother’s care.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep