Chapter 86: Chapter 85: True Intentions

The large eagle seemed as though it had a spirit, having noticed Lin Youning’s gaze. It settled on a tree, tilting its little head to look at her. Although it was far away and nighttime, Lin Youning felt as though its little black eyes must be rolling around.

When Tingnan led the little servant girl with hot water inside, she saw her mistress sitting on the couch with a gentle face, looking out the window. She didn’t dare raise her head; ever since she was sent away by the girl, nominally promoted, but not serving beside her mistress, it meant no matter how grand her responsibilities, she wasn’t one of the favored.

Perhaps sometimes she wasn’t even as dignified as the little servant girls who served closely by the mistress.

Tingnan understood this but didn’t understand why the girl had to send her away. She didn’t have chances to serve inside the room, so she came in daily with the opportunity of bringing water, hoping the girl would remember their old affections and return her to her side.

Yet every time she entered, the girl never noticed. Sometimes, she was stopped halfway by Hailan who directly intercepted her outside, accusing her of being the big servant girl in the courtyard, questioning why she should take on these lesser tasks.

In front of the little servant girls, she was criticized without any dignity left, Tingnan’s face alternating between red and green. Later, she could hear little servant girls discussing her in private.

She protested several times before those rumors were subdued.

Today, it was rare that Shanmoi and Hailan were not present, Tingnan bit her lip, steeled herself, signaling the little servant girl to bring in the water. She stepped up to the couch, kneeling on the ground, “Tingnan greets the girl.”

Lin Youning heard the sound, withdrew her gaze from outside, and upon spotting Tingnan kneeling on the ground, took some time to recognize her before saying, “Ah, it’s Tingnan, get up.”

Her tone was indifferent, revealing no hint of joy or anger.

Tingnan’s heart sank; the girl took so long to recognize her, evident her affections were lost long ago. She dreaded even trying to plead with the girl to serve her again, fearing it was impossible.

But if she truly couldn’t return to the girl’s side, wouldn’t she be forgotten by the girl increasingly over time?

Tingnan began to overthink.

Lin Youning was impatient, “Aren’t you working in the courtyard? What brings you inside the room?”

“Today a little servant girl wasn’t feeling well, so this servant covered for her.” Tingnan didn’t know why but felt the girl was inexplicably angry, quickly apologizing.

Shanmoi heard the commotion from inside and came out, immediately stepping forward to reprimand, “In terms of stature, you are a big servant girl in the courtyard, this trivial matter should be covered by the other servant girls if ill, not for you to cover. If such upheaval breaks the hierarchy, wouldn’t it disrupt order, and the girl might even look past it due to kindness. Now leave.”

Tingnan was already terrified by the girl’s indifferent gaze, soaked in cold sweat, hurriedly apologized and withdrew.

Once outside, the cold wind struck, making her shiver, feeling as though she had been on the verge of life and death. Despite the fact little servant girls outside were lowering their heads in feigned ignorance, Tingnan felt they heard everything inside and were enjoying her misery.

Moreover, having thought she entered the manor with Shanmoi, yet Shanmoi showed no leniency in scolding her, she ran out of the courtyard, covering her mouth in grievance.

Inside the Warm Pavilion, Shanmoi still offered indignation, “The girl is gracious, but Tingnan’s disposition is always like this, without ulterior motives.”

Lin Youning glanced at her, “You are kind-hearted, protecting her like this, but I fear she won’t be grateful, resenting you instead. Would you be okay being caught between things?”

Someone who can betray even their mistress, let alone siblings amongst servants.

Lin Youning felt it was benevolent she hadn’t expelled Tingnan yet, considering a master-servant bond preserved from the previous life. Otherwise, given Tingnan’s actions, she had every reason to send her away.

But now it seemed Tingnan was discontent, warranting vigilance. Finding a chance to send her far away seemed the best solution.

Shanmoi softly laughed, following the girl to the boudoir, “Regarding however Tingnan perceives it, this servant can’t control. This servant is at peace fulfilling past affections.”

Lin Youning smiled silently; Shanmoi spoke little ordinarily, yet she was straightforward, apparent also in solitude among servants, bearing some aloofness.

However, Lin Youning liked this about Shanmoi; having lived two lifetimes and seen it all too clearly, those with schemes, with small minds placed before her eyes were bothersome.

She extinguished the lamp, turning over restlessly, unable to sleep. Since entering the twelfth month, she instructed Shanmoi and Hailan not to stay the nights but to rest in the outer green gauze cabinet.

Upon hearing rustling sounds outside, she sat up, wondering if the large eagle hadn’t left?

In this thought, Lin Youning stepped barefoot from the couch, quietly opening the window at the soft couch, wind flushing in, instinctively tightening her jacket.

By moonlight she saw indeed the large eagle on the branch, remarkably Snowball was acting fiercely, jumping at it in a circle, intermittently looking up and leaping toward the branch. At each attempt, the eagle fluttered its wings, causing snow to fall from the branches.

Lin Youning couldn’t help laughing; the eagle’s single wing dwarfed Snowball, yet Snowball showed a tough stance, intimidating the eagle.

Unable to sleep, leaning by the window watching, wrapped in her jacket till chilled through, she then snapped out of it, uncertain what hour it was, yawning before shutting the window and going back to rest.

The next morning, when Lin Youning woke up, daylight was bright; she ordinarily rose at a quarter past 5 a.m., but today it was already 7 a.m.

Shanmoi and Hailan heard movement, then entered to assist in dressing, “Old Madam sent word over, advising the girl not to hurry, to have breakfast first before going, coincidentally Jinyu Hall’s jewelry has arrived.”

Lin Youning confessed sheepishly, “I woke late, did Aunt say anything?”

“Old Madam hearing the girl was still asleep instructed us not to disturb, saying the girl should rest well, young days ought to be leisurely in winter.” Shanmoi relayed proudly.

This represented Old Madam’s favor towards their girl.

Remembering her tardiness reason, Lin Youning couldn’t resist peeking outside; the branch appearing bare, no sign of the eagle, recalling Snowball prompted a query.

“Why isn’t Snowball around?”

Shanmoi and Hailan exchanged glances, Shanmoi laughed, “Early morning, Marquis’s man Li Si sent Snowball back, saying last night the skyward eagle raised by the Marquis took it back. But the servant checked him for injuries, upon Li Si’s release, Snowball dashed away unseen.”

Lin Youning gazed at Shanmoi in astonishment, seeing Shanmoi and Hailan acknowledge with smiles, she too joined in the laughter.

Inwardly relieved for Snowball, grateful the eagle was full, otherwise, it’s uncertain whether it would live.

After the residual dread, after breakfast heading to Shi’an Garden, Lin Youning admonished Hailan to find Snowball, ensuring such events do not occur again.

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