The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 24: Exploitation

Lin Youning is not a fool. She heard that someone from the Duke Mansion had already visited after her return, and Gu Yixuan mentioned watching fish during dinner, clearly wanting to use the opportunity to meet with Kong Tianru.

She definitely didn’t want to be used as an excuse by those two.

If she didn’t go out, she believed Madam wouldn’t allow Gu Yixuan to go out either.

Although she didn’t want to ruin the relationship between Gu Yixuan and Kong Tianru, being able to frustrate them like this wasn’t bad.

Thinking this way, Lin Youning became even more determined not to go, clinging to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s arm like a spoiled child, "Madam, didn’t you say Granny Xu would be coming? I want to wait for her here."

"Call her Madam, ’Granny’ is a term for small households," Mrs. Gu Sr. corrected with a smile and then explained, "Madam has not been well these past years. She sometimes stays on the mountain, especially now in autumn when the cold is intense, and her body cannot bear it. She just sent someone to deliver a message that she will come down the mountain tomorrow to meet you; she won’t be coming tonight. You should go watch the fish with your second brother."

Lin Youning still wanted to find an excuse, but Gu Yixuan couldn’t wait any longer. He stepped forward, disregarding etiquette, and directly picked up Lin Youning, scaring her into a scream.

"You child, you’ve scared your little sister. Put her down quickly," Mrs. Gu Sr. frowned tightly.

Lin Youning struggled too; in this life, she would rather hug a pig than be held by Gu Yixuan.

Yet Gu Yixuan ignored all this. "Mother, I’ll take my little sister out. Don’t worry."

By the time he spoke, he was already out of the hall, striding quickly toward the courtyard. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Lin Youning couldn’t break free and could only compromise, "I want to walk by myself."

Gu Yixuan had just received an urgent message from Sister Ru and couldn’t delay, "Second brother carries you faster."

Despite his words, he quickened his pace even more. Within a few turns, they shook off Nanny Chang who was trying to follow. It was nighttime, and the Jinglai Temple corridors were winding through one hall after another, indistinguishable. Even though Nanny Chang was anxious, she couldn’t find them.

Seeing the servants had been left behind by Gu Yixuan, Lin Youning knew he did it on purpose. She started making a fuss in his arms, "I want to get down. I want to get down."

"Be good, little sister, we’re almost there." Gu Yixuan steadied himself and held Lin Youning close.

Gu Yixuan was only fifteen this year, and scholarly built. Carrying the five-year-old Lin Youning for such a distance at such speed was indeed tiring for him.

Moreover, with Lin Youning’s struggling, Gu Yixuan was finding it difficult to hold on and was afraid of dropping her. He stopped to comfort her, only to be seen by Kong Tianru, who they were scheduled to meet.

Kong Tianru’s eyes reddened with jealousy, suppressing her envy, she approached with swift, purposeful steps, sweetly saying, "Sister Ning, what’s the matter? Are you quarrelling with your second brother?"

When she was a few steps away, she smiled more broadly, "What a coincidence. I heard the little monk here say the fish in this pond are beautiful, so I came to have a look and didn’t expect to run into you here."

Kong Tianru’s voice made Lin Youning’s body instantly stiffen, all the humiliation from her previous life surged dolorously into her mind. Gu Yixuan felt his sister in his arms suddenly stop moving and relaxed a little, but upon seeing her dazed look as if she had been frightened, he panicked.

"Little sister, don’t be afraid. Second brother is here, say something to him." Gu Yixuan gently patted the little person in his arms.

Lin Youning stared at the gentle and softly speaking Gu Yixuan in front of her, that face overlapping with the one calling her as his second sister in distress, made her head throb unbearably, as though ready to explode. She clutched her head with both hands, shaking it furiously, hoping to clear her mind of these thoughts which were tormenting her until she felt suffocated.

Gu Yixuan was startled, holding her tightly, "Little sister, don’t be scared, Second brother is here, don’t be afraid."

Kong Tianru, ignored on the side, was already displeased, watching Gu Yixuan tenderly soothe Lin Youning, holding her closely in his arms. The jealousy in her heart had long been overturned.

If Lin Youning was merely a cousin, it might have been different, but this was someone who, no matter how young at five years old, would one day compete with her for her man. Watching Gu Yixuan’s gentle demeanor was unbearable. Everyone knew him to be a pampered young master who never considered others’ feelings, and yet here he was, showing patience to coax a child, inevitably arousing envy.

Kong Tianru clutched her handkerchief tightly, "Yixuan, since Sister Ning is scared, let the servants take her back first, so she doesn’t catch a cold outside."

Gu Yixuan lifted his head impatiently, rocking gently as he soothed the little person in his arms, "Where are the servants? If you have something to say, just say it quickly. I’ll take my little sister back right after."

Kong Tianru bit her lip, only looking at Gu Yixuan with grievance and saying nothing. He was too occupied with his little sister to notice her. After a while, hearing no sound, he lifted his head only to see Kong Tianru now with red eyes, almost in tears.

Though it was nighttime, the moonlight on the mountains was bright. Seeing her like this, Gu Yixuan frowned deeply, "If you have nothing to say, let’s leave it today. I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning."

After saying that, Gu Yixuan paid no further attention to Kong Tianru, holding his little sister as he strode back. Someone who was lively just moments ago was suddenly like this. On the way back, they encountered Nanny Chang and the others. When she saw Lin Youning’s ghastly pale face and dazed expression, she was startled, and they all hurried back together. When they reached Mrs. Gu Sr., Gu Yifeng was present, and upon seeing his second brother carrying back the ashen-faced, vacant-eyed child, his gaze chilled abruptly.