The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 160 - 159: Lady Lin

Lady Lin looks very young, appearing several years younger than her actual age. She is delicate and frail, her speech carrying the same quality, especially when she smiles; it feels as if her smile reaches into one’s heart.

Her blue-green robe paired with a white ruqun gives her a clean look, yet not one of nobility.

Beside her stands a girl who appears to be thirteen or fourteen, yet she is strikingly beautiful. Her simple bun is adorned with a red jewel hairpin, and her earrings are rubies, clearly part of a set.

Her yellow ruqun and the white robe embroidered with peonies look very joyful.

Mrs. Lin embodies the gentleness of a cherished wife, while Miss Lin possesses a striking flower-like beauty, though it is somewhat cold and unapproachable.

Lin Youning is wearing a simple ma mian skirt today, with a slightly cross-collared jacket, the soft pink hue making her appear all the more delicate and charming.

As she entered the flower hall, she instantly felt the gaze of two pairs of eyes from the left side appraising her. She quietly and unassumingly advanced to salute Mrs. Gu Sr.

Mrs. Gu Sr., with affection, beckoned her to sit on the couch. Lin Youning, as usual, smiled and took her seat, unperturbed about appearing improper to outsiders.

Precisely this natural demeanor reveals how much she is doted on in daily life, rather than merely performing for outsiders.

Mrs. Gu Sr. patted her hand and said, "There are your mother and sister, who have been living elsewhere all these years. Last year, they returned to the Capital, busy with your father’s matters, and only now have they gotten a chance to come see you. Go greet them now, lest your mother thinks I have raised you without manners."

As soon as Mrs. Gu Sr.’s words came out, Lady Lin’s face showed a bit of awkwardness. However, when her eyes landed on Lin Youning, they turned colder.

Lin Youning responded with a smile and rose to greet Lady Lin, sensing the coldness but paying it no mind.

If she didn’t know her true identity, she would undoubtedly feel hurt by her mother’s cold attitude.

But times have changed, and now this person before her is just a stranger or perhaps even an enemy, so why care?

"You have learned the rules well here with the elderly lady. Who in the Capital does not know the elderly lady values etiquette? You must always remember her teachings," Lady Lin admonished after Lin Youning finished her greeting.

Without any dissatisfaction on her face, Lin Youning respectfully complied.

Then she turned to the side towards Miss Lin, "Sister."

She only offered a half-bow.

Lin Qining, having received the salute, then stood up, "I’m Qining, sister can just call me Sister Ning."

While speaking, Lin Qining stepped forward a couple of steps toward Lin Youning, "I felt fondness for you as soon as I saw you, sister. Before, I only knew I had a sister but was never able to meet her because I was away. Today, I finally get to see her."

Lin Youning gave a shy smile, which seemed bashful in outsiders’ eyes.

But she felt that Lin Qining’s mind was not as shrewd as her appearance suggested. Her aunt had already referred to her as Sister Ning, yet Lin Qining introduced herself insisting to be called Sister Ning.

Is this an attempt to replace her?

Suppressing a chuckle, Lin Youning thought, if that were truly her intention, it would be even better.

Mrs. Gu Sr., however, disliked the mannerisms of the Lin mother and daughter, beckoning Lin Youning to sit beside her, smiling and saying, "This child is well-behaved and usually doesn’t require my teaching; she notices everything herself."

That Lady Lin would scold Lin Youning in front of Mrs. Gu Sr. had already made Mrs. Gu Sr. uncomfortable. However, seeing that Lady Lin seemed oblivious, she chose not to dwell on it.

Yet, when seeing the second miss from the Lin family, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s expression darkened. Never would she be willing to receive Ning’s sister’s courtesy, but here this girl from the Lin family was, acting so haughtily, sitting there receiving Ning’s sister’s courtesy before standing up.

And afterward, what did she say?

Sister Ning?

Does she wish to overshadow Ning’s sister?

Even trying to snatch a name?

Truly without any manners.

Mrs. Gu Sr. originally intended to treat Ning’s sister’s family with extra kindness, but seeing how they disregarded proper etiquette and Ning’s sister’s position, why should they put on airs and step over Ning’s sister?

After Lin Youning took her seat, she felt her aunt’s grip tighten on her hand a few times, understanding that her aunt felt for her, feeling more guilty. But thinking of Gu Er, she steeled her heart and feigned ignorance.

Lady Lin’s emotions were conflicted upon witnessing Mrs. Gu Sr.’s deep affection for Lin Youning. Lin Qining, still young and pampered, couldn’t mask her irritation as her gaze turned icy towards Lin Youning.

This demeanor Mrs. Gu Sr. did not wish to see, "Lady Lin, coming to the mansion today, is there any particular matter?"

Mrs. Gu Sr. had a mind to hurry them along.

Lady Lin, having mingled in various noble houses, easily caught the hint, her ears burning as she smiled, "I merely wanted to come see Youning. She was taken here right after birth, and with her father, being busy outside all these years, I hadn’t returned. I just wanted to see her before her coming-of-age."

Lady Lin awkwardly smiled, "It’s partly due to this girl of mine; since returning to the Capital, she has continually clamored to see her sister. Back then, my husband had instructed not to disturb Youning, but, and I hope Mrs. Gu Sr. won’t laugh, Youning is still my flesh and blood. Especially since returning to the Capital, I can’t help but think of her every day..."

Lady Lin lowered her head, wiping away her tears.

Mrs. Gu Sr. frowned, the speech almost sounded like an accusation of them taking her child away.

Fortunately, Ning is understanding; otherwise, hearing these words, what would she think?

Could it be that the Marquis Mansion obstructed Ning’s meeting with her family?

Mrs. Gu Sr. fumed inwardly, feeling someone gently stroke her hand, glanced down to see Ning’s reassuring look, and she patted her hand, signaling she was fine.

"Since sister wants to see me, she can stay in the mansion for a few days," Lin Youning gracefully intercepted the conversation.

"How could we impose?" Lady Lin inquired, looking to Mrs. Gu Sr. for approval.

Having spoken those prior words, Lady Lin probably wouldn’t dare to accuse directly; clearly, she wanted to raise her daughter’s profile for marriage.

If they stayed at the mansion, naturally, no one would think the Marquis Mansion is preventing Ning’s reunion with her family, so Mrs. Gu Sr. picked up on this.

She would not be swayed by such veiled threats.

After all these years, why would she mind anymore?

Yet hearing Ning’s words, Mrs. Gu Sr. realized Ning acted with her best interests at heart and wouldn’t contradict Ning’s wishes, only then smiled and said, "Very well, let the sisters spend some time together."

Lady Lin looked overjoyed, "Mrs. Gu Sr. truly dotes on our Ning. Let them spend some days together then."

Who Ning’s sister was referring to in her speech was unclear; the last sentence seemed like the mansion was begging her.

Lin Youning slightly lowered her head, just thinking poorly of the Gao Mansion’s upbringing of their daughter.

Lin Qining’s face brimmed with joy, and neither mother nor daughter paid heed to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s cold demeanor.