The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 162 - 161: Hypocrisy

The person who had been angry just a moment ago suddenly had tears in their eyes and began crying softly.

They spoke in a gentle voice, "I’m not oblivious. If Sister doesn’t like me, she could just say so directly. Why bother with words that hurt me? Although I’m not from a prominent family, I’m from an official family and have been bound by feminine rules since I was young. If my reputation outside is bad, can I really be blamed? If people choose to slander me, what can I do to stop them?"

"Sister was also raised by the elder ladies of the boudoir, so how can she believe those rumors? Believing them would make her no different from those people."

Although these words aren’t direct, they accuse Lin Youning of using rules against others while being just as unruly herself.

Lin Youning couldn’t help but laugh, thinking this was the definition of distorting truth. It’s fortunate she and Lin Qining are not real siblings; otherwise, with such a sister, she wouldn’t let her marry and bring harm. It might be better to send her to the Nun Temple to prevent further harm.

Feeling relieved, Lin Youning gradually calmed down, realizing that Lin Qining’s behavior, so different from her usual arrogance, must have another motive.

Perhaps she wanted to take her place.

This speculation excited Lin Youning, aligning with what she and her brother had been planning. If the second daughter of the Lin Family had this thought, they could discreetly support her, making it more fitting for the Lin Family to reveal her adopted status.

"I’ve already said everything I could. If you choose to think of me this way, I can’t change that. It’s getting late, you should wipe your tears and go rest." Lin Youning lifted her teacup, lowered her eyes, and drank tea, showing her intention to send the visitor away.

Seeing that Lin Youning was not afraid, Lin Qining felt both anger and fear, worried about offending Lin Youning and being kicked out of the mansion. She could only show weakness, "Sister, I’m not resentful towards you. It’s just hearing others talk about me that way, and then Sister believing them, makes me sad. I understand Sister hasn’t interacted with me much, so hearing outside gossip might form a negative opinion of me."

Lin Youning simply sipped her tea silently.

Lin Qining bit her lip, thinking to herself about the arrogance of a mere orphan, but outwardly she continued, "I once saw Sister from a distance, but at that time, Sister was surrounded by girls from noble families, so I dared not approach and interrupt, nor did I recognize Sister. Being in Jiangnan, I’ve often heard Father mention Sister, and I always wondered when I might meet her. Unexpectedly, it wasn’t until today that I’ve met you."

Playing the family card, perhaps?

Lin Youning recalled her brief encounter with Lin Sheng, thinking he was a loving father, but lamenting such a family situation.

Lin Qining was not without tact, seeing Lin Youning deep in thought and knowing her words had worked. "Sister, Father loves painting, even though he hasn’t met Sister, he often paints many small portraits of you—some showing anger, others showing playfulness, capturing all kinds of expressions. Mother calls Father possessed by his dreams."

"Does Father paint every year?" Lin Youning was touched, increasing her fondness for Lin Sheng. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"At least four paintings a year, one for each season, but sometimes he paints more if he has time." Lin Qining stopped crying, her spirits lifted. "Father keeps these paintings in the study, and brought them back when we returned from Jiangnan. Interestingly, recently Father painted again, and it resembles Sister a lot."

At this, Lin Qining seemed surprised, "Really, it does resemble you. Could it be that Father saw you after returning to the Capital?"

Last time at the dragon boat race, Lin Qining only caught a glimpse from afar, knowing the person was attractive and wealthy, but didn’t see their features clearly.

Lin Youning wouldn’t reveal going to the Imperial College to see him, but smiled sincerely when speaking of Lin Sheng, "How could that be? I rarely leave the mansion, and when I do, it’s with Auntie. Father is a man; it’s unlikely he would come to our area."

Lin Qining nodded, not suspecting anything, "That’s true, it’s the heart connection between father and daughter. Even though Father hasn’t seen Sister since arriving in the Capital, he always thinks of her."

Lin Youning felt complicated emotions. How could she not be moved by such a father? But the unfortunate reality was that this father was no longer hers.

Thus, Lin Youning’s feelings towards Lin Sheng were quite complex.

"Sister, why not do this? I’ll have Ping’er fetch those paintings for you to see tomorrow?" Lin Qining cautiously suggested, sensing the conversation was going well.

Lin Youning thought for a moment and shook her head, "Better not, it’s against propriety. We can talk about it later when the opportunity arises. It’s quite late, I’ll let Shanmoi escort you back to rest; you’ll need to visit Auntie in the morning."

Upon hearing she wouldn’t be sent away tomorrow, Lin Qining breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and gracefully took her leave.

Over at Jinghe Courtyard, Mrs. Kong had just finished eating and saw her daughter with a sullen face, casting a glance, "What kind of family did you come from? Though she’s a legitimate daughter of the General Mansion, she married only a County Magistrate. You haven’t even listened to how people outside talk about the girls from the Lin Mansion, yet you think of bringing her into the courtyard."

Mrs. Kong was frustrated with her daughter’s lack of sense, not to mention, Lin Youning was bound for important responsibilities, and the daughter wanted to bring Lin Youning’s sister into the courtyard; it’s unclear how the Lin Mansion raises daughters to be so improper, wanting to live in someone else’s courtyard without kinship, possibly even serving the same husband.

Thinking about the Lin Family’s conduct, if they truly had such an idea, it’s possible they might act on it.

With an air of disdain, Mrs. Kong saw her daughter throwing a tantrum and ignored it, simply sending her off to rest, watching her leave with a flick of her sleeve.

Seeing Pianqiu enter, she asked, "Is there a problem? Has the courtyard become restless?"

"Second Young Master has returned." Pianqiu made a small bow, "He went to see the old lady about the family matters."

Mrs. Kong sneered, "He’s come back after everything’s settled, just to be scolded by the old lady. No need to keep the door open here for him; he’ll surely be going to Ms. Yan’s place, so it doesn’t concern us."

Pianqiu responded and retreated.

After calming down, Mrs. Kong was no longer as agitated as before, but as for Gu Er, he didn’t even meet Mrs. Gu Sr.; he simply said he was going to rest and sent someone away.

Gu Er was embarrassed and aware of his fault, thus didn’t linger but walked back, pausing by Tingxue Hall when he saw movement in the garden.

In the moonlight, he could only make out a silhouette, asking Tang Ping, "That doesn’t seem like a girl; has the mansion received guests?"