The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 343 - 335: Punishment

When Lin Youning returned to the mansion from Wu Xueqin’s place, she hadn’t planned on going to the Marquis Mansion, but since Xu Ya’an had come, she also followed her to visit Mrs. Gu Sr. at the Marquis Mansion.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was naturally delighted to see Lin Youning and quickly had her sit by her side, as if she couldn’t get enough of her. This was done right in front of Xu Ya’an, making Lin Youning feel quite embarrassed.

Xu Ya’an laughed at the side, saying, "Sister Lin is truly blessed. Look at how much the old madam loves you."

"You silly girl, doesn’t your grandmother love you just as much? Hearing you talk, it’s as if no one cares for you," Mrs. Gu Sr. teased, "Be careful, or I’ll tell your grandmother, and have her deal with you."

Xu Ya’an quickly pleaded, "Old madam, please spare me? I only said it out of admiration. If grandmother finds out I implied she doesn’t love me, I’d have to kneel in the ancestral hall when I get home. For the sake of the love you’ve shown me since I was young, please forgive me this once."

Mrs. Gu Sr. was amused by her, "You little girl, you’re quite the talker, trying to make this old lady laugh to death, aren’t you?"

Xu Ya’an didn’t speak further, exchanged glances with Lin Youning, and both of them smiled at each other.

Since they were at Mrs. Gu Sr.’s place, she certainly wouldn’t let them leave right away, insisting that they stay for dinner before returning, while also sending a message to the Xu Mansion.

"Old madam, there’s no need to send a message. My grandmother knows I’ve come here and would understand I plan to stay for dinner. Sending someone over is unnecessarily troublesome," Xu Ya’an said considerately, not wanting to cause inconvenience.

Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded, "You’re right, then we’ll do as you suggest and not send a message to your grandmother. After all, she knows, and nothing will happen after you arrive here."

While having Nanny Chi and others prepare the meal, Mrs. Gu Sr. asked about the happenings at the Wu Mansion. After hearing that Sister Ran quarreled with the daughter of Vice Minister Zhang, Mrs. Gu Sr.’s brows furrowed.

"Old madam, you mustn’t worry too much. The younger generation has its own fortune; as long as you take care of yourself, that’s the most important," Xu Ya’an consoled her.

Mrs. Gu Sr. smiled, saying no more, clearly understanding the issue wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Meanwhile, when Aunt Lv learned of the affair, she didn’t say a word but instead slapped Sister Ran harshly.

"You useless thing, how could you do such a thing? So what if she was appointed a Lady by the Holy Emperor? Wasn’t she originally an aunt who left our Marquis Mansion? Now, you lower yourself to ingratiate her in front of everyone in the Capital’s noble family? What do they think of you, and what do they think of our Marquis Mansion? The old madam can’t stand this facade, you are merely a concubine’s daughter, yet you cause such a disgraceful incident outside. How could she possibly let you off lightly?"

Sister Ran knelt on the ground in silence, obviously displeased with Aunt Lv’s admonishments.

Aunt Lv angrily slapped her twice more, "You’ve grown and developed opinions, I can’t control you anymore. In your eyes, you never respected me as an aunt. I intended to plead with the old madam on your behalf to find good marriages for you and Sister Jian, and now it’s all ruined. You have offended the old madam, so how could she care about you? I only regret my unfortunate fate, coming to the Marquis Mansion as an aunt, bearing one daughter after another, Sister Jian can’t speak, which at least prevents major troubles. But you? Unable to differentiate good from bad, lacking depth; I don’t know how I birthed such a foolish child like you."

Aunt Lv’s harsh words left no dignity for Sister Ran, especially with servants present in the yard. Aunt Lv knew this embarrassed her daughter, but what could she do? If she didn’t act this way, the old madam would strike harder.

Sister Jian kneeling beside, pleaded, "Aunt, please spare Sister Ran this time. You know her nature, always straightforward, she wasn’t currying favor with Mr. Wu, merely took an interest in the tea and asked about it. Who would’ve thought Vice Minister Zhang’s daughter would target her?"

"Do you know why she targeted you? Because she was originally intended for Brother Xuan. But what happened? After the scandal in the mansion, this was no longer possible. Vice Minister Zhang’s daughter, though of lower status compared to our Marquis Mansion, was a proper born heiress rejected by a concubine’s son. How could this not be a slap in her face? Naturally, she took her anger out on you."

Sister Jian and Sister Ran both turned pale upon hearing this, realizing why Vice Minister Zhang’s daughter would target them.

Sister Ran’s face turned even graver, never expecting to be implicated because of Brother Xuan. Brother Xuan was a concubine’s son and never close to them in the mansion, let alone having any dealings with them.

Moreover, Aunt Lv has always looked down on Aunt He, never putting her in her eyes, causing Brother Xuan to be even more distant from them.

Now, being inexplicably implicated because of Brother Xuan, how could they not be indignant?

Even Aunt Lv was upset recalling this incident, wishing for an opportunity to properly deal with Aunt He. However, remembering the advice she gave Aunt He—if Aunt He indeed finds her way to Princess Yuanhua, then without her intervention, Mrs. Gu Sr. and the Marquis wouldn’t spare Aunt He.

Thinking of this made Aunt Lv feel a bit better, knowing also that Aunt He had indeed sent someone to the second master’s mansion.

"Alright, there’s no use in talking more about this for now. Go kneel in the old madam’s courtyard. Whenever the old lady forgives you, you may rise again. The Xu Mansion’s girl is visiting, in view of outsiders, the old lady will consider the family’s face and won’t punish you severely," Aunt Lv said, though distressed, seeing no other option. "Sister Ran, I know you look down on your biological mother who comes from a concubine, but you crawled out of my womb. Your disdain means nothing. Furthermore, acting like this will only cause everyone to disregard you. You’re no longer a naive girl, you should understand such matters. Reflect on it seriously."