The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 59: The Ten-Li Pavilion

Just like the last time she went out, Lin Youning was still seated in a horse carriage. At this time, those who could afford a carriage were mostly noble families.

Originally, according to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s plan, they were to bring maidservants, servants, and guards, totaling at least twenty people.

Lin Youning thought such a display was too excessive. After all, she wasn’t truly the Marquis Mansion’s daughter, so she refused, saying that with Brother Gu accompanying, there was no need to worry about safety, and she didn’t want to attract attention.

She thought her elder brother might feel the same way.

Only then did Mrs. Gu Sr. relent.

In the end, Lin Youning only took Nanny Chang and Shanmoi with her when leaving the mansion.

Gu Yixuan was on horseback, a handsome man in luxurious clothing, naturally attracting the glances of young girls and housewives on the street.

Lin Youning lifted the corner of the window curtain just in time to see Gu Yixuan enjoying the admiring looks all around. She felt tired of it in her heart, casually dropped the curtain, and lost her interest in the spectacle.

The bustling streets were filled with vendors’ cries, especially lively.

In a private room of a teahouse, Xu Yuxian and the Wu siblings were sitting inside. Wu Xueya’s red robe paired with a white ru skirt lining and a red gemstone hairpin was particularly eye-catching.

Compared to her striking attire, the concubine’s daughter Wu Xueqin was dressed in men’s clothing. Her features were stunning, and even in men’s garb, it was clear at a glance she was a woman.

However, this masculine attire seemed to have more allure compared to the women’s attire of Wu Xueya.

Today, the group had come out to visit a bookstore. To say the least, the Minister Wu’s Mansion was indulgent toward this concubine’s daughter, Wu Xueqin. Otherwise, no other noble family would allow a woman to behave thus.

Nowadays, who in the Capital doesn’t know that the Minister’s second daughter is a talented woman? Her poems are all masterpieces, garnering praise. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Even the Emperor had praised her, so how could Minister Wu not dote on this concubine’s daughter?

"Oh, it’s Mr. Gu. Is he traveling with female companions?" Wu Chuhao noticed Gu Yixuan, who was on horseback.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuxian leaned over, his eyes scanning toward the carriage, "I wonder which family’s female companions are in that carriage."

Being reminded of the small face from childhood memories, Xu Yuxian fell momentarily dazed.

Wu Chuhao laughed at his words, "Since Mr. Gu is traveling with female companions, they must be women from the inner residence."

Wu Xueqin teased, "Big brother, you’re not entirely correct. Mr. Gu doesn’t accompany just one household’s female members."

In the end, she didn’t reveal more, merely leaving it at that.

Wu Chuhao slapped his forehead, "Right, right, I forgot about that. It’s just that the child bride hasn’t been seen for years, so I forgot such a person existed."

"Hmm." Wu Xueya huffed softly.

She harbored a dislike for Lin Youning, given that she was a woman competing with her cousin for a husband.

However, with Xu Yuxian present, she didn’t wish to ruin her own image.

"I heard from Sister Feng that Dingyuan Marquis has pacified the border and will soon return to court. Could it be that they are heading to welcome the Dingyuan Marquis?" Wu Xueqin dismissed the legitimate daughter’s behavior and showed interest in this Dingyuan Marquis.

At fifteen, he had already achieved military merits and was a favored target among court officials for currying favor.

Though she had only glimpsed him from afar, she distinctly remembered his sharp, sword-like eyes that seemed to penetrate one’s soul.

A person with such eyes naturally commanded authority from a high position.

Even in modern times, as a campus beauty, Wu Xueqin had always dreamed of marrying such a man or winning over such a man.

Naturally, she paid more attention to Dingyuan Marquis.

Although Wu Chuhao was inclined toward literature, he admired heroes, and upon hearing this, he became lively, "Really? If so, why don’t we accompany them?"

Since they were out for leisure, meeting Dingyuan Marquis would certainly be worthwhile.

Xu Yuxian’s heart had long been captivated by the carriage, so upon hearing this proposal, he naturally didn’t object.

Wu Xueya glanced at Xu Yuxian and, seeing him without objections, naturally had none as well.

Wu Xueqin was the most enthusiastic, "Then let’s quickly catch up."

The four of them, along with their servants, pursued Gu Yixuan’s group. Seeing them exit the city gates from afar, the four naturally became more thrilled, convinced they had guessed correctly.

When they reached the Ten-Mile Pavilion in the city and saw the Gu family’s carriage halted there, the four finally slowed their carriage.

With Shanmoi’s help, Lin Youning alighted from the carriage. Nanny Chang had long placed a cushion on the stone bench at Ten-Mile Pavilion. Just as she was about to wait, she noticed another carriage arriving from behind.

The Ten-Mile Pavilion was a place for farewells and greetings, so Lin Youning thought nothing of it.

But upon seeing Gu Yixuan exchanging greetings with the incoming group, she glanced over again.

"Originally planned to visit Pure Path Temple, but unexpectedly encountered Brother Gu here. May I ask what brings you, Brother Gu?" Wu Chuhao looked toward the pavilion with curiosity.

Xu Yuxian was completely captivated by that figure, staring dumbfoundedly after dismounting.

She paid no attention to everything around her.

Wu Xueya, seeing this, angrily twisted the handkerchief in her hand, cursing the temptress in her heart.

A straight robe embroidered with bamboo leaf edges in white, paired with a pale yellow coat outside, a half-bound cloud bun adorned with just a single plum blossom jade hairpin.

A pair of eyes alternating between teasing and smiling, full of affection when looking at you, like a pool of water; her lips, unpainted but naturally red, resembled ripe cherries waiting to be picked.

What kind of charm is this?

Even Wu Chuhao, who always paid little attention to women, was entranced.

Once they entered the pavilion and greeted each other, everyone was stunned by Lin Youning’s beauty, leaving them speechless for a moment.

Gu Yixuan, after observing all this, had a proud expression on his face. He knew Sister Ning’s appearance well, and she was to be his wife in the future. Now that she had amazed everyone, how could Gu Yixuan not be proud?

The smile on his face grew even more kindly as he put on an elder’s air, "Aren’t you going to the Pure Path Temple?"

"Since Cousin is waiting for the Dingyuan Marquis, it’s only proper we greet him upon this encounter; there’s no rush to head to Pure Path Temple," Wu Xueqin, having overheard Mr. Gu’s explanation outside the pavilion, replied.

The girl’s playful male attire caught Gu Yixuan’s attention, causing him to glance at her a few times, "Cousin’s intentions, I shall thank you on behalf of my brother."

"Cousin, why say such formalities? We are family, no need for such courtesies. It has been years since we last saw Sister Lin, making her almost unrecognizable," Wu Xueqin diverted the topic to Lin Youning.

Lin Youning, not fond of mingling with them, merely replied with a polite smile and remained silent.

Gu Yixuan thought of her as preferring quietness and spoke on her behalf, "Sister Ning has always been frail and seldom leaves the house. If you wish, feel free to visit her at the mansion in the future."

"Cousin, you better not go back on your word and grumble when we do come around," Wu Xueqin playfully stuck out her tongue.

Gu Yixuan laughed heartily, "Cousin, you have free rein to visit."

With Wu Xueqin present, the Ten-Mile Pavilion gradually became lively.

Yet Lin Youning remained silent the entire time.

She felt the occasional gaze from Xu Yuxian and was puzzled until she finally caught him; Xu Yuxian, as if caught doing something wrong, hurriedly looked away.

Blushing from face to ear.

Lin Youning couldn’t help but lower her head and chuckle to herself, she had only heard that Xu Yuxian was a tyrant of the Capital, yet he was such a shy man.

"Sister Lin, all these years you’ve been following Mrs. Gu Sr., eating vegetarian and reciting Buddhism, have you gained any insight into the Buddhist heart?" Wu Xueya couldn’t restrain herself from the subtle interactions between Lin Youning and Xu Yuxian and asked suddenly while everyone was talking.

Her question abruptly halted the conversation, drawing attention.

Wu Xueya’s face flushed, though she couldn’t take back her impulsive question, so she forced herself to maintain eye contact with Lin Youning.

Lin Youning didn’t rush to answer, she bent her head in thought for a moment before looking up, her eyes glistening with a subtle smile, "It’s not good enough, I don’t know how to cultivate to achieve the Buddhist heart; I’ve only heard that monks in the monastery who pursue it for a lifetime might achieve enlightenment."

Wu Xueqin’s question was sudden and seemingly targeted at Lin Youning.

Gu Yixuan frowned; she was a lady and a cousin from his wife’s side, therefore, it was hard to directly address it.

Wu Chuhao paid it no mind.

In his mind, his sister had always been proud and couldn’t endure anyone better than her. Sister Lin’s beauty was bound to stir envy in her heart.

Xu Yuxian disagreed, he wanted to speak up but saw Wu Xueqin had already spoken.

"One flower, one world; one Buddha, one enlightenment. How could those of us, locked in our chambers, attain such understanding? If it were indeed so simple, there wouldn’t be so many troubles in this world."

"Cousin, well said, ’one flower, one world; one Buddha, one enlightenment’. I never realized your comprehension of the Buddhist scripture was so profound," Gu Yixuan applauded, praising her.

Wu Xueqin smiled faintly, "It’s nothing more than an expressive insight."

"No, you must be mistaken, not even the master could articulate such insight," Gu Yixuan’s face beamed with genuine admiration, "Cousin truly lives up to the reputation of the first talented lady."

Wu Xueqin’s words eased the awkwardness, and everyone tactfully avoided mentioning the prior incident, allowing the moment to pass.

Wu Xueya clenched her handkerchief tightly, glaring resentfully at Wu Xueqin—a mere concubine’s daughter—and yet father adored her for reasons beyond her understanding.

Feeling wronged, Wu Xueya’s eyes reddened as she glanced towards Xu Yuxian, but he was just secretly looking at Lin Youning. Seeing she appeared unbothered, he thought even more that Sister Lin possessed a good temperament.

Such a gentle woman was only Sister Lin.

In the distance, dust clouds rose, and the rhythmic sound of hooves approached. A silver-robed man rode the central black horse, though his features were indistinct. Who could have such presence if not Gu Yifeng?