The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 118 - 117: The Cause

In the first month of the lunar year, one event followed another, and Mrs. Gu Sr. privately discussed with Lin Youning. They decided that after entering March, they would go and stay at Pure Path Temple for a few days.

As the first month passed, the weather gradually warmed up.

The thick winter jackets were replaced with lighter ones. Lin Youning still had Shanmoi inquire about the Lin Mansion’s affairs, and the news Shanmoi brought back came intermittently.

Mr. Lin had taken a position as a clerk at the Imperial College, so the family stayed in the Capital.

The position of a clerk at the Imperial College was a seventh-rank official position; the Imperial College was the highest institution of learning, but the position of a clerk involved managing student records and held no real power.

If there were any promotions in the future, it would be to the position of Vice Director of the Imperial College, also a seventh-rank official, which could grant some authority.

The Imperial College was located in the area of Shanxing Street, just outside the Imperial City.

Lin Youning calculated that they were just separated by a main street; they had to leave the city to go to Pure Path Temple, and it was in the completely opposite direction to the Imperial College.

As such, it seemed they would not have the opportunity to visit.

On the day they were to go to Pure Path Temple, Lin Youning and Mrs. Gu Sr. boarded the carriage early. Along with the guards, maidservants, and matrons, the group, comprising more than thirty people, was escorted by Gu Er towards the East City Gate.

It was already the second time at the Pure Path Temple for Lin Youning, who was not unfamiliar with the place. After settling in, she greeted Mrs. Gu Sr. and took Shanmoi and Hailan to the main hall.

Seizing the rare opportunity to be out, Lin Youning wandered around the temple with her attendants until lunchtime before returning to their guest room.

Gu Er had already been sent back by Mrs. Gu Sr., who had to perform religious rituals and would stay for several days. Lin Youning, therefore, strolled with the maids every day and unexpectedly met the wife of Lieutenant Zhao, whom she had met at the Xu Mansion before.

Mrs. Zhao, who had a little girl with her, had brought her daughter Zhao Ling, who was just six years old. The little girl was weak due to premature birth, so Mrs. Zhao would bring her to the mountain to pray every month.

This time, they could enter Pure Path Temple because they heard that it was effective for making wishes. Lieutenant Zhao had requested permission from the Marquis to enter.

Now learning that Mrs. Gu Sr. was there and having arrived with an invitation from the Marquis Mansion, Mrs. Zhao naturally needed to bring her daughter to pay respects to Mrs. Gu Sr.

Seeing Mrs. Zhao made Mrs. Gu Sr. happy, and she was even more pleased to see Sister Ling. "I feel an affinity with this child. In the future, when you have time, bring her to the Mansion to play."

Receiving such words from Mrs. Gu Sr., Mrs. Zhao was naturally delighted and agreed with enthusiasm.

Once Mrs. Zhao and Sister Ling had left, Mrs. Gu Sr. smiled and said, "Did you notice anything special about that child?"

Lin Youning feigned ignorance, "I don’t understand what Aunt is asking about."

Mrs. Gu Sr. knew she was trying to amuse her, so she smiled, "I feel an affinity with that child because she resembles you between the brows, which is why I like her. Think about it, do you see the similarity now?"

Lin Youning hugged Mrs. Gu Sr. "Aunt, this is like loving one thing on account of another, and that is Sister Ling’s blessing."

Mrs. Gu Sr. playfully tapped her on the forehead, "You are quick-witted."

But she was still amused into laughter.

Nanny Chi also chuckled beside them.

At night, when it was time to rest, Shanmoi continued talking about it, "Miss resembles Sister Ling; I noticed it immediately but didn’t dare to say anything, fearing that Nanny Chi would scold me for lacking manners. Now that even Madam has seen it, it’s obvious I wasn’t wrong."

Hailan jestingly remarked, "Yes, yes, our Sister Shanmoi has the sharpest eyes. Tomorrow, when there’s time, we should let Miss and Madam know so that Madam might grant Sister Shanmoi a suitable husband."

Shanmoi spat at her jokingly, blushing as she laughed and scolded, "Pei, pei, pei, getting more improper by the minute, how can you say such things in front of Miss. Be careful, if Nanny Chang hears it, she might tear your mouth apart."

Hailan humorously curtsied and confessed, "It’s my mistake, I won’t say such things in front of Miss again."

Shanmoi wouldn’t listen further; she directly pinched Hailan, and the two started playing around, with Lin Youning laughing and watching from the side.

Meanwhile, on her return to the General’s Mansion, Mrs. Zhao was talking with her husband.

"Today, I observed carefully again; indeed, Sister Lin resembles Mother-in-law, and even has some resemblance to our Ling. But Sister Lin, being the daughter of the eldest Miss of General Gao’s Mansion, was given away as an adopted daughter upon birth and is destined to become the head mistress of the Gu Mansion’s main household. How could she possibly be Sister Min? I know they look alike, but she is not Sister Min. Husband, do not dwell on this any further."

It turned out that at the Xu Mansion, when Zhao Housheng sought Xu Yuxian and witnessed Xu Yuxian stopping someone to deliver something, he couldn’t act and had to stay aside. Upon seeing the little girl being stopped, he was stunned.

Listening to the conversation, he realized the girl being stopped was the Marquis Mansion’s child bride; seeing her appearance was shockingly similar.

Years ago, when the family was poor and his father was a mere schoolteacher, despite the small stipends, it was insufficient for the family’s needs.

His mother, after giving birth to his sister, Sister Min, who was ten years younger, still had to work for city households. Later, Sister Min was kidnapped.

This was Zhao Housheng’s sorrow; after all, if not for the need for his school fees, his mother wouldn’t have needed to work right after confinement, and Sister Min wouldn’t have been taken.

When Sister Min was lost, his mother became bedridden and passed away shortly after he married. His father, deeply sorrowed, followed within a year.

Unable to find Sister Min, he joined the army in anger, and for six years had lost hope. Yet witnessing such a familiar face as his mother’s shocked him profoundly.

He discreetly inquired about the little child bride in the Marquis Mansion and paid close attention to the household’s events. Hearing his wife remark on the resemblance made Zhao Housheng even more restless.

Given Mrs. Gu Sr. was going to offer incense, he sought a permit for his wife to enter Pure Path Temple, hoping she could confirm the likeness.

But as his wife said, what if they resemble each other?

That girl was the granddaughter of General Gao, how could she be his sister Min?

Yet watching the hope slip from his fingers, Zhao Housheng felt an oppressive weight on his chest.

"Liang Hui, I know, I understand, but seeing a face so like Mother’s, how can I remain unmoved?"

Mrs. Zhao, surnamed Liang, was named Hui.

"Don’t worry, with Mother watching over us from above, Sister Min will surely be safe." Liang Hui, having grown up in the same village as Zhao Housheng, naturally shared a unique bond in their marriage.

Meanwhile, back at Pure Path Temple, Mrs. Gu Sr. and Lin Youning returned to the Mansion on the day before the Flower Festival.