The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 17: Speaking Candidly

In the early morning, the servants were bustling around Shi’an Garden, looking even busier than usual, yet it was still very quiet. Lin Youning, her hair in a young girl’s hairstyle, was dressed in a black gauze robe, with a white blouse embroidered with dark blue pearl patterns underneath. She was carried by the nanny to Mrs. Gu Sr.

"Oh, look at our little sister, she’s truly beautiful." Mrs. Gu Sr. extended her hand, and Lin Youning called out ’aunt’, while sitting down in Mrs. Gu Sr.’s lap.

Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded with satisfaction as she held Lin Youning in her arms, "Hmm, you look better than yesterday."

In her past life, Lin Youning single-handedly supported the main house of the Gu family, but now she was still treated like a child. Feeling embarrassed, she gave a shy smile and hid behind Mrs. Gu Sr., which made her laugh.

The servants standing around also started laughing.

Just then, a servant reported from outside, "Madam is here to see the old lady."

The smile on Mrs. Gu Sr.’s face faded a bit, "Let her in."

Mrs. Dong, her hair in a round bun, wore two silver and white jade hairpins on either side. Her hand was wrapped with a string of white agate beads, each intricately carved. She was dressed in a white robe with dark patterns—simple yet suitable for visiting the Duke Mansion, respecting both propriety and the Gu family’s mourning customs.

Mrs. Dong first greeted Mrs. Gu Sr., then inquired about Lin Youning’s health before discussing the visit to the Duke Mansion, "...a century-old ginseng has been prepared, along with a box of red bird’s nest and various top-grade medicinal materials sent by the Marquis’s subordinates last year."

Since the Gu family was still in mourning, sending these gifts was appropriate, considering the Duke Mansion also had an elderly lady, maintaining both etiquette and dignity.

Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded, "You handle these matters, no need to consult me."

Mrs. Dong quickly stood up, "As your daughter-in-law is still young and may do things improperly, I need your guidance."

"It’s getting late; you should head out early and return soon." Mrs. Gu Sr. waved her hand impatiently.

She was most displeased by her daughter-in-law’s demeanor, so young yet appearing so mature, with no trace of vitality. Remembering that her son’s residence now had only a concubine-born child, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s brows furrowed further.

Hiding in Mrs. Gu Sr.’s arms, Lin Youning secretly observed Mrs. Dong. In her past life, she hadn’t interacted with Mrs. Dong much, and even when things went awry, Mrs. Dong never showed what she thought and always lived quietly, like a non-existent Marquis’s wife.

Although Mrs. Dong had left, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s mood was visibly affected, not as cheerful as before, "Take the girl for a walk in the garden."

She then instructed the little sister in her arms, "Aunt will go burn incense, you go play in the garden with the servants first."

"I want to stay with Aunt," Lin Youning tightly clung to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s sleeve.

Faced with those pitiful eyes, words of refusal stuck in Mrs. Gu Sr.’s throat, those eyes looked at you like a little abandoned puppy, melting her heart into a puddle.

"Fine, if you feel bored, Nanny Chang will take you to the garden." Mrs. Gu Sr. finally relented.

Lin Youning gleefully threw herself into Mrs. Gu Sr.’s arms, causing her to laugh heartily.

The small Buddhist Hall of the Gu Mansion was located in the large garden, adjacent to the western wall of Tingxue Hall. The Buddhist Hall was expansive, occupying a large northern section of the garden, facing the Shadow Hall, housing a three-foot Guanyin statue. The incense burner emitted a scent of precious nanmu, filling the courtyard with aroma.

Inside the small Buddhist Hall, only two of Mrs. Gu Sr.’s close servant girls and Nanny Chang, carrying Lin Youning, had followed. Nanny Chang was Mrs. Gu Sr.’s dowry maid, and her husband, also surnamed Chang, was the Marquis Mansion’s chief steward, while her son managed the Marquis Mansion’s external lands.

Kneeling on a prayer mat, Mrs. Gu Sr. silently prayed and recited scriptures. Lin Youning quietly sat on a couch beside a window, with scriptures on the table. She casually picked up the Diamond Sutra placed there; in fact, she didn’t need to read it, having memorized it in her past life. During the deep, silent nights, only the scriptures brought her peace, accompanying her through each evening.

After finishing a section of scripture, Mrs. Gu Sr., initially worried that little sister would be bored, saw her attentively reading and furrowed her brow slightly. On the way back to Shi’an Garden, she lingered in the small garden for a rare moment.

"It’s hard for you, child, having to accompany me and your aunt reading these dull scriptures. Once you’re in better health, you can join your brother Xuan at the Institute of Profound Knowledge, how does that sound?"

"As Aunt says." Reflecting on her widowed aunt’s constant care for her, Lin Youning couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Back then, a war nearly wiped out the men in the Gu family. It was due to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s noble birth, from a renowned military family, that she could uphold the household—she wasn’t an ordinary woman. Even though she became a widow young, she remained dignified and proud, always looking down on others from above, where even a glance was considered a favor.

But it was such a person she had disappointed in the past life.

No wonder in the end, Aunt didn’t stand by her—it was her own stupidity, letting Kong Tianru disgrace her without the means to fight back.

Since living a second life, she couldn’t be so foolish again.

Firmer in her heart, Lin Youning resolved.

And Mrs. Gu Sr. was exceedingly pleased with Lin Youning; though the child’s demeanor was still a bit too calm, she was far less suspicious and speculative than before.

The peach trees in the courtyard had borne some fruit, appealing to the eye. It was rare for the widowed Mrs. Gu Sr. to have leisure for a stroll, but it wasn’t long before a young maid came running over.