The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 57: Deviation

This was the first time Kong Tianru came to Tingxue Hall. In her previous visits to the Marquis Mansion, this was Mrs. Gu Sr.’s backyard, which they were not allowed to enter.

She only knew there was a small garden behind it. Now, upon entering the Warm Pavilion and seeing the interior decor, Kong Tianru realized how well Lin Youning lived in the Marquis Mansion.

Suppressing the jealousy in her heart, Kong Tianru entered the inner room but, despite being an elder, had to lower her face and admit her mistakes. This action surprised the servants in the room.

Nanny Chang quickly led the servants out.

"I was possessed by demons the other day. Sister, be magnanimous and forgive your sister-in-law," Kong Tianru said while dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

Lin Youning was disgusted by her pretentious behavior, yet she had to engage in courteous exchanges. "Look at what Second Sister-in-law said, we are all family. Second Sister-in-law shouldn’t dwell on past matters," Lin Youning replied with a sweet smile.

Gu Yixuan felt sorry for Lin Youning’s understanding, "This is also your sister-in-law’s intention, but it has wronged you."

"Second Brother, Sister Ning is not wronged," Lin Youning lowered her head.

In others’ eyes, it seemed like shyness, but Lin Youning was afraid she couldn’t hide her look of disgust.

Kong Tianru’s smile was ugly, almost making her spit blood at Gu Yixuan’s words.

Clearly, he’s her husband, yet he sides with the other side—this is a slap in her face, isn’t it?

Clenching her handkerchief, Kong Tianru took a deep breath to calm her inner irritation.

She thought it would not be too late to slowly deal with Lin Youning after coaxing people back.

The 25th year of Yongxian, late autumn.

In the Warm Pavilion of Tingxue Hall, Lin Youning wore a white robe embroidered with auspicious clouds on the collar. Since it was already deep autumn, a fur-lined outer garment was draped over her. Her small, thin face was half-hidden in the fur, melting the hearts of those who saw her.

Lin Youning was now fourteen. Her eyes, neither joyful nor displeased, carried a hint of emotion. At just one glance, they could stir the heart. She was tranquil as a flower and moved like a swaying willow, as delicate as a flower in the morning dew.

When Gu Yixuan came over, the servants in the courtyard who saw him wanted to go in and report but were stopped by Gu Yixuan. Thus, when he entered, this scene was what he saw.

A small figure leaned against the soft couch, half-covered with a quilt and holding a scripture book.

Yes, it was a scripture book.

Gu Yixuan thought every time he visited, Ning was holding a scripture book.

"Greetings to Second Young Master," Shanmoi in the room hurried forward to pay respects upon seeing him enter.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Youning finally looked up, her expression a bit complicated.

She had lived in the Marquis Mansion for ten years now.

Gu Yixuan seemed to have changed from his previous life; he frequently visited her.

It’s said that boys and girls shouldn’t sit together after the age of seven.

The two of them had a marriage arrangement, so Gu Yixuan coming and going freely wouldn’t attract gossip.

During these ten years, she had lived withdrawn, never going further than the large garden in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, and that was accompanying Mrs. Gu Sr.

Most of the time, she stayed in Tingxue Hall or Shi’an Garden, almost never stepping out.

She always pondered how to break away from the marriage with Gu Yixuan, but ten years passed in a blink, and she seldom left the courtyard. How could she find a way?

Seeing that next year she would come of age, was she really going to be tied to the man before her for her entire life?

No.

This couldn’t be the reason she was reborn.

Lin Youning took a deep breath; if she couldn’t convince her aunt, she could turn to her older brother.

In previous years, the border was unstable, and Gu Yifeng had gone there for five years. He sent back gifts every year, showing genuine care for her.

Moreover, when reading letters to her aunt, she knew her older brother would return soon.

If she couldn’t find a solution herself, she must seek her older brother’s help.

Her mind was chaotic, yet Lin Youning stood up, "Second Brother."

She wanted to get off the soft couch.

Gu Yixuan quickly took a few steps to the side of the soft couch, "We’re family; there’s no need for such formalities, Sister Ning, please sit."

Lin Youning didn’t intend to perform a full courtesy anyway, so after hearing Gu Yixuan’s words, she obediently responded and sat back down on the couch.

The scripture book she was reading was already in Gu Yixuan’s hands.

Lin Youning made no sound, just instructed Hailan to serve tea.

Since having the nanny that her aunt arranged, Lin Youning had unconsciously distanced herself from Tingnan, sending her to manage meals, leaving Shanmoi and Hailan in the Warm Pavilion.

Shanmoi had reached the marriageable age.

Lin Youning wanted to release her, but Mrs. Gu Sr. believed once Lin Youning came of age next year and married, she could marry Shanmoi to a servant in the mansion, making her a housekeeper’s wife, to stay by Lin Youning’s side.

Therefore, Tingnan’s and Shanmoi’s marriage matters were put aside for now.

Before the tea was served, Gu Yixuan, already impatient, put down the book he had flipped through, "Sister Ning, you are still young; don’t always read these scriptures. You should also go out more often. In the future, you will be the mistress; you can’t always confine yourself to the room."

Lin Youning bowed her head and remained silent.

Every time Gu Yixuan came to sit, he would preach, while Lin Youning let it all go in one ear and out the other.

In her past life, she had already become skilled in managing a household, so marrying wasn’t a concern.

Gu Yixuan advised with good intentions but didn’t realize he was the thorn in Lin Youning’s heart.

After a long speech, Gu Yixuan felt bored seeing Lin Youning just bowing her head, as she always did.

After saying a few more words, Gu Yixuan left.

Hailan went out to see him off, and Suyi had the servants remove the tea set, unable to help but worry, "Miss, every time Second Young Master visits, you always act like this. What if Second Young Master gets tired? What will you do in the future?"

Initially, even when Second Young Master was cold towards Second Madam, Second Madam, being able to endure, had managed to win him back with her humble patience over the years.

She even promoted Yinchun to a concubine, and along with Wenxin, there were three women in the second house courtyard.

Yet over the years, there had been no more children besides the twins born to Second Madam.

Lin Youning found another comfortable position to lie down in on the soft couch, "So what if he gets tired? A woman cannot live based solely on a man’s affection for her entire life."

There it was again.

Suyi sighed.

Seeing her lady like this, she wondered how could she not care.

For ten years, Suyi watched her mistress with her characteristic indifference to all things and initially wasn’t concerned. But seeing she was about to come of age and likely to marry soon, how could she captivate Second Young Master’s heart like this?