The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 154 - 153: Facing One’s Heart [Requesting Monthly Votes]

Chapter 154: Chapter 153: Facing One’s Heart [Requesting Monthly Votes]

Shanmoi was the first to notice Gu Er standing in the corridor, and she turned around to quietly give a reminder.

Lin Youning paused her hand holding the palm fan, "He stands there; the path leads one way to Shi’an Garden and the other to their courtyard. Who says he’s standing there to see me?"

Lin Youning did not turn her head back.

Shanmoi glanced at Hailan. Ever since the Second Young Master spoke in a way that upset the lady, the lady’s attitude toward him has changed, showing no pretense and is directly expressed on her face.

Seeing the usually composed Hailan remain silent, Shanmoi also kept quiet.

On the other side, Gu Er, seeing that Shanmoi noticed him, assumed Sister Ning would turn around, but after waiting for a while with no response from her, she turned and walked inside without even a sideways glance.

Gu Er felt inexplicably lost.

Who was Gu Er, after all?

The Second Young Master of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, pampered since childhood—who would dare overlook him?

All the women fawn over him.

This feeling of being ignored was a first for him. Gu Er, seeing no sign of the beauty, touched his nose.

"Master, the young lady is too proud."

Gu Er lifted his leg and kicked him lightly, "Fool, what do you know? The young lady understands decorum. She was raised by the old lady—there’s no second like her in the entire Capital."

The kick was merely for show, with no real force.

Tang Ping cheerfully said, "Isn’t this servant only trying to make the master happy, noticing the master’s mood isn’t good? The servant knows that just mentioning the young lady is sure to lift your spirits."

Gu Er was amused by him, "Enough, enough, I know you are loyal."

Being teased by Tang Ping dispelled the little disappointment in Gu Er’s heart, and the two left. Inside, Shanmoi, having seen this, went to report.

Lin Youning was sorting through her jewelry, thinking to separate the valuable from the ordinary. However, after a long selection, she found each piece highly valuable; even the ones chosen by comparison weren’t inexpensive.

It was evident from these items how much affection her aunt had shown her over the years.

Hailan was on the side, directing the young maids to carry the jewelry boxes to the couch, filling both the couch and the floor with them.

When Shanmoi entered, she circled a few areas in the palm-sized space before reaching the couch.

"You girl, why are you still thinking about this? Whether he chooses to stay or leave is his own affair, what’s it to us?" Lin Youning pointed to the open box on the floor, "Bring over that box of pearls."

The pearls in the box were full, smooth, and lustrous, and they weren’t the usual color but black-blue.

Shanmoi turned to fetch the small box, still saying, "I was only reflecting on how my words just now might have upset you."

Lin Youning set aside the more ordinary pieces she’d already picked out, clearing space in front of her so Shanmoi could place the pearl box there.

Sifting through the pearls with her fingers, a whole box of them, she curled her lips, "These were sent to me from the border by big brother years ago, saying they were for me to play marbles with."

Young ladies in the boudoir couldn’t leave the mansion, usually finding their own amusements. Playing marbles was one pastime, and girls from noble families often used pearls—though usually ordinary ones, not the good kind.

But Lin Youning’s box contained large pearls, the kind rarely seen even in hair ornaments.

Shanmoi remembered and laughed, "The Marquis has always loved the young lady, giving her only the finest pearls for marbles."

Everyone in the mansion knew of the Marquis’s and the old lady’s love for the young lady.

Lin Youning closed the box, "Put this out. When I find the time, I’ll tell Aunt, and have the jewelry shop outside make combs and earrings."

Shanmoi nodded repeatedly, "The young lady is at the right age, using these pearls for jewelry is perfect."

Lin Youning thought for a moment, "No need to take them all; just pick some that are enough, and keep the rest for future use."

Seeing the young lady so particular about the pearls, Shanmoi nodded earnestly, as if accepting a significant task.

Hailan smiled with pursed lips, reminding Shanmoi, "Just place it by the bedside. The jewelry boxes usually there have been taken down, so it’s empty now."

Shanmoi obeyed, moving the box over. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As a result, as Lin Youning organized the jewelry, she unknowingly sorted out all the ones given by her big brother separately.

That evening, at Mrs. Gu Sr.’s place, Lin Youning mentioned, "I never noticed before, but once organized, I realized my big brother’s gifts fill twenty-four boxes. Didn’t he empty his private treasury for me? What if my sister-in-law finds out, what am I to do?"

Mrs. Gu Sr. tapped her nose, "You sneaky girl, don’t I know, your heart is overjoyed, isn’t it? Did you come to show off to this old woman?"

Lin Youning, originally just being coquettish, giggled at the nose tap, "Don’t worry, Aunt, I haven’t said yet, but Aunt’s gifts filled more than half the inner chamber."

"Oh, you still have some conscience, knowing who treats you best." Mrs. Gu Sr., amused by the flattery, chuckled. After the laughter subsided, she continued, "Though your coming of age ceremony is still more than half a month away, it’s time to prepare. Since you said you’d use pearls for a hair comb, think over what else you’d like. I’ll have everything brought together tomorrow, and we’ll arrange it all."

Lin Youning thought about hurting someone who had been so kind to her and felt increasingly guilty, burying her head in Mrs. Gu Sr.’s embrace, "Aunt, you’re so good to me."

"Silly child, you’re my child. Who would I be good to if not you?" Mrs. Gu Sr. patted her back.

Looking at her, still like a child, she felt a mix of heartache and worry, thinking of her disappointing son and such an endearing nephew, she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

Lin Youning had just returned from Shi’an Garden to Tingxue Hall and had changed into her usual cotton dress when Suyi hurriedly ran in, "Miss, something bad has happened; the old lady has fainted."

Lin Youning, shocked, stood up, nearly dropping the lotus cup in her hand, "She was perfectly fine just now; how did Aunt faint?"

"I heard the Marquis encountered assassins outside and was wounded, now resting at the manor, and Li Si sent back the news. The old lady fainted upon hearing it." Suyi’s eyes were red.

Lin Youning rushed out, "Quick, summon the Imperial Physician, and let someone inform my sister-in-law."

"The old lady is already awake, and the Imperial Physician has been summoned. The old lady asked me to tell the young lady to prepare to visit the manor to see the Marquis’s current condition." Suyi followed behind, hastily replying.