The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 127 - 126: Trouble Erupts

Lin Youning glanced over the white hairpin, then let her gaze fall on other pieces of jewelry, which were delicate yet not lacking in elegance. They looked tasteful and graceful.

"Did these come from Jiangnan?" In her previous life, such jewelry had been popular, but this time they reached the Capital earlier than last time.

Mrs. Xu Sr. always reminisced about that incident at the temple, and each time she acquired new items, she would have someone send them to the Marquis Mansion. This put Lin Youning’s mind at ease.

As for the extra white hairpin, Lin Youning raised her brow slightly. Thinking of Xu Yuxian stopping her to say those words, it was possible that he had slipped it in secretly. He’s capable of anything.

However, these things were sent in Mrs. Xu Sr.’s name this time, so they wouldn’t cause any trouble.

Even if it truly belonged to Xu Yuxian, it was now Mrs. Xu Sr.’s item.

"Let someone store the items." Lin Youning added before leaving, "Place them at the bottom of the box."

Out of sight, out of mind.

The items arrived through proper channels, sent over by her aunt, so her aunt must have seen what they were. Lin Youning, with Shanmoi, walked toward Yingshui Courtyard, and when there were no outsiders on the road, she softly instructed Shanmoi.

"There’s no need to tell outsiders about this matter, and when you see that hairpin in the future, don’t panic. It came through proper channels and was sent by Mrs. Xu Sr.; just treat it as a gift from her." This was Lin Youning’s first time going to Yingshui Courtyard in this life, so it was unfamiliar, yet she still remembered the way.

Shanmoi was also regretful, but luckily, Hailan didn’t ask further at that time. "It’s all my fault, Mistress."

"This kind of temperament needs to be changed, or else it will lead to big trouble in the future." Although Lin Youning was gentle, it didn’t mean she had no temper.

Shanmoi quickly lowered her head, responding respectfully.

When the master and servant duo arrived at Yingshui Courtyard, the girls of the house were already there. They seemed to have just heard a joke, as laughter filled the air and hadn’t stopped when Lin Youning entered.

Mrs. Dong also had a smiling face, beckoning Lin Youning to come over, "You are late; Sister Yue just told us a joke, not sure where she heard it from, but it amused us all."

Sister Yue laughed, "I am just here chattering away, hoping it might cheer up Aunt a bit, maybe she’ll make me a new outfit. Now that all the sisters are laughing, Aunt can’t possibly refuse."

"Oh well, it’s just an outfit. If I really don’t make it for you, word might spread that I’m a stingy aunt." Mrs. Dong’s smile didn’t fade, and she called for the tailor from the dress shop to come in for measurements. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Your second sister-in-law hasn’t been feeling well lately, so after the measurements, let the people from the tailor go to Jinghe Courtyard." Mrs. Dong smiled and patted Lin Youning’s hand, "On the fifteenth of this month, we’ll have guests for a banquet. The house will be full of people, and I’ll need you to help entertain them."

"Look at what Sister-in-law says; it also shows Sister-in-law trusts us." Lin Youning answered gracefully.

As for why Mrs. Dong suddenly mentioned Mrs. Kong in front of her, Lin Youning didn’t bother to pay attention, pretending not to understand.

Mrs. Dong didn’t mention it again either. Once everyone dispersed to their respective courtyards, Lin Youning asked Shanmoi, "What’s keeping my second brother busy these days?"

"Miss usually doesn’t concern herself with Second Young Master’s affairs, so I haven’t paid attention. I’ll ask around among the servants when we return." Shanmoi had become much more compliant now.

Seeing Shanmoi’s fearful look, Lin Youning shook her head silently, not saying more.

Later in the afternoon, she went to Shi’an Garden to chat with Mrs. Gu Sr. for a while before returning to Tingxue Hall.

Gu Yifeng had been out recently and hadn’t returned to the mansion. As for what he was doing, even the household didn’t know. Lin Youning suspected Mrs. Gu Sr. might know.

She just didn’t want others to know, and Lin Youning wouldn’t inquire about it either.

Before dinner, Shanmoi returned with news, "Since teaching at the academy, Second Young Master hasn’t been returning home at night. It’s said he’s staying at the academy. Second Madam sent for him a few times, but Second Young Master scolded them, causing Second Madam to lose face, so she claimed to be ill."

"The academy can’t be that busy unless he’s a visiting lecturer from elsewhere who often resides there." Lin Youning was embroidering a pouch, having practiced for a long time before making it. "Unless there’s one possibility."

Some lecturers keep a mistress outside, only then staying away like this.

Lin Youning was still a fifteen-year-old girl, so couldn’t speak of such matters openly. If people found out and questioned where she learned it from, it would be hard to explain.

Besides, such matters, if Gu Er kept a mistress, it wasn’t her place to spread it around.

Mrs. Dong likely heard whispers too, otherwise, why act the way she did today in front of Lin Youning? Likely, she wanted her to know, being the one to marry Gu Er, she would care. It’d certainly reach Mrs. Gu Sr.’s ears.

If she were a true little girl, she might feel aggrieved, but Lin Youning was no ordinary girl, her essence long changed.

Moreover, she had learned etiquette from her aunt for years, and with memories from her previous life, she still held a younger sister’s role, so how could she meddle in her brother’s affairs?

Thus, Mrs. Dong’s calculations were destined to fail.

Shanmoi didn’t know what else might be possible, still waiting for direction from her mistress, who said nothing further.

Having figured it out, especially this matter, Lin Youning felt unusually happy, "You don’t need to inquire about these things; we just live our lives well."

Gu Er keeping a mistress was known even to Mrs. Dong, so it wouldn’t be long before it reached her aunt’s ears, or perhaps her aunt already knew.

Who knows.

Lin Youning was in high spirits, and if things escalated with Gu Er’s questionable behavior, it would make her matters easier.

Indeed, Mrs. Gu Sr. knew about it long ago, and her fainting in the Buddhist Hall was entirely due to this issue.

Later, her eldest son came, took over the matter, not letting Mrs. Gu Sr. worry. Believing in her son, she let it go.

No one knew about it, and Gu Yifeng simply had the family sent out of town.

Gu Er, guilty and scared, kept it quiet, and the matter passed.

But after arriving at the academy, he unexpectedly took interest in a teacher’s daughter. They met privately, and although she came from a modest family, she was well-educated and gentle.

Though Mrs. Kong in the household appeared gentle, she was only pretending.

Gu Er had long grown weary of her; finding someone who truly understood him, he’d abandoned all restraint, often not returning at night.

With Gu Yifeng away, Mrs. Dong worried that telling Mrs. Gu Sr. might affect her health, so she kept it hidden, waiting for the Marquis to return.

But as they waited, the girl showed up on the day of the Marquis Mansion’s banquet—because she was pregnant.