Chapter 85: Chapter 84: Foreplay

Mrs. Wu saw her daughter’s demeanor, called several times but got no response, so she gently pushed her daughter.

Only then did Wu Xueya turn around, “What’s wrong?”

Mrs. Wu raised her hand and poked her daughter’s head, “What’s wrong? You didn’t sit in the back carriage and ran to my side. Be careful that complaints will be made against you back there, and your father will lecture you again.”

The concubine’s daughter was the capital’s number one talented woman, which elevated her mother’s status in the mansion.

She would occasionally sow discord in the master’s eyes; Mrs. Wu didn’t speak of it but was inwardly furious, thinking that eventually, there would be a day they’ll cry.

To speak of it, Mrs. Wu and Minister Wu had a harmonious relationship, but Mrs. Wu Sr. in the mansion somehow brought a distant cousin to Minister Wu. Minister Wu didn’t intend to marry her, but Mrs. Wu Sr. disagreed, and when Minister Wu tried to send her away after marriage, Mrs. Wu Sr. tearfully argued that it would ruin the girl’s reputation.

Eventually, Minister Wu, in order to fulfill his filial duty, had no choice but to take her as a concubine.

Men are such that their bodies are more honest than their hearts; Mrs. Wu initially did not care, but upon noticing Minister Wu frequently visiting her, she started realizing what was going on.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought of causing a fuss, but she understood it would be useless and would only push the man toward the other side, so she maintained a demeanor of virtuousness, thinking it was only a concubine and she’d deal with her sooner or later.

But the concubine’s luck was also good, she bore a talented daughter who was sweet-tongued, and even Mrs. Wu sometimes thought having such a girl around daily made her happy.

It’s just that the man in the mansion is Minister Wu; inevitably, to compete for the man, the concubine resorts to some lowly tricks, though Mrs. Wu doesn’t mind them, but when seeing her daughter suffer, she cannot let it slide.

“Let her complain if she wants; Father won’t say anything to me.” Wu Xueya sneered, “She’s just a concubine. Father isn’t foolish, I am the legitimate daughter of the Minister Mansion.”

Mrs. Wu was amused by her daughter’s words, “Alright, alright. Just sweeten up to your father daily and don’t always be so stubborn.”

Giving her daughter a pointed remark, she then asked, “What were you thinking just now? Why didn’t you respond when I called you, and why did you suddenly come to my carriage? I know you usually avoid me, and wouldn’t take the initiative to come here.”

Wu Xueya linked arms with her mother with a hint of currying favor, “Mother, today at the Marquis Mansion, I noticed something interesting.”

Then, Wu Xueya recounted the incident, “Who would have thought the Marquis keeps such a thing.”

Mrs. Wu’s eyes twinkled as if she discovered something, though she smiled and said, “The Marquis was at the border fighting wars; it’s not strange for him to keep an eagle.”

Wu Xueya replied with a long “Oh,” disinterestedly, “I was making a fuss over nothing.”

“What else could it be?” Mrs. Wu laughed, “You’re a grown girl now, you must be steady. Don’t be so easily startled in the future. There’s one thing I’m curious about—how did you get close to Aunt Lin at the Marquis Mansion?”

Wu Xueya’s mention of the Marquis Mansion served its purpose; she spoke no more, especially as her mother switched topics, which suited Wu Xueya, “Cousin is the second wife’s lady at the Marquis Mansion; it’d be foolish to ostracize Sister Ning like outsiders.”

Mrs. Wu’s eyes flickered; she knew her daughter very well and didn’t believe such words.

But since her daughter was grown and had her own ideas, she’d let her be, as long as no serious trouble came of it.

While the mother and daughter were talking here, in the carriage behind sat Wu Xueqin, looking troubled.

She was continuously attentive to the legitimate mother’s movements; upon hearing that the legitimate mother was going to the Marquis Mansion, she cooked and massaged to coax the legitimate daughter to bring her along.

Before, she didn’t want to come nor care to come.

But since she met Dingyuan Marquis, Wu Xueqin’s heart was deeply taken.

It was inconvenient for ancient ladies to leave home; even though she now frequently went out with people connected to Xu Mansion and Imperial Tutor Mansion, she still hadn’t any chance of seeing Dingyuan Marquis.

Besides visiting the Marquis Mansion, there was no other chance.

But today, after so much effort to get inside, she didn’t even catch a glimpse of him. How could her heart not be forlorn?

After getting off the carriage, she wasn’t in the mood to find her father and talk behind Wu Xueya’s back; she only thought of ways to get a chance to see him.

Racking her brains, she couldn’t figure it out.

Except to interact more with the Marquis Mansion, there was no other way.

Now her only relief was befriending the concubine’s eldest daughter; in the future, if she invites her to visit the mansion, that would be great.

Xu Mansion and Gu Mansion were family friends; Gu Mansion was at ease with Lin Youning attending social events, so when Lin Youning brought the invitation from Wu Mansion, Mrs. Gu Sr. knew she couldn’t return the invitation and couldn’t avoid going, so she immediately began instructing.

Lin Youning understood it all, but still patiently listened to her aunt’s instructions, which was exactly what Mrs. Gu Sr. liked.

For such a young child to sit down and listen patiently to the elders talk was already commendable.

Many were insincere, but Ning Sister genuinely listened to the advice.

“Since the banquet is only days away, there’s no time to make new clothes. Ask Nanny Chang to pick out some suitable clothes for you and let me see them.”

“Aunt, don’t worry. I have eight sets of clothes made every season; I haven’t grown much these years, and those clothes haven’t even been worn,” Lin Youning said, laughing, trying to reassure her aunt, “It’s just a banquet, you can rest assured.”

“Going to Xu Mansion is like going to your own home, but Wu Mansion is different. You’re still young and may not understand, but you’ll learn. It’s settled, there’s not enough time for new clothes, but you must add some jewelry; no arguments.” Mrs. Gu Sr. looked like she’d be upset with any further objection.

Lin Youning finally agreed with a smile.

Having lived two lives, how could she not understand what her aunt’s concerns were?

It was merely about her status, while Mrs. Wu and Mrs. Kong were cousins.

If she visited the mansion and they treated her well, it would be a slap to Mrs. Kong.

Yet Wu Mansion sent an invitation, and she couldn’t avoid it forever; some matters need facing sooner or later.

Back in Tingxue Hall, Shanmoi was making the bed inside while Lin Youning, wrapped in a big cotton jacket, sat in the Warm Pavilion gazing out the window at the courtyard. On the snowy tree branches, the snow fell gently, and upon closer inspection, perched there was none other than the white eagle.

The eagle was originally white and was perched on snow-covered branches; if it hadn’t flapped its wings and shook the snow off the branches, it would’ve been impossible to spot it.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep