The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 65: Caught in the Act

This kind of situation was also the first time Ryuzhi encountered it. Who could have thought that during today’s banquet at the mansion, such a thing would happen?

She called a young maid to accompany Hailan to change her clothes. Ryuzhi asked someone to fetch Lin Youning’s clothes from the carriage of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and then walked into the garden, just happening to see Hongzhi and hurriedly called her over.

She quietly explained the situation, and Hongzhi exclaimed in surprise, then quickly said, "You are also confused. Now that such a thing has happened in our mansion, how can we let Miss Lin wait there? I remember there’s a small Warm Pavilion near the front courtyard. You should first take Miss Lin there to freshen up, and I’ll have someone send hot water. I heard that Miss Lin’s health is weak. If something happens to her in our mansion, none of us serving beside the young lady will be able to escape responsibility."

It’s no longer important now to investigate whether it was the young lady who instructed someone. After all, the event has already occurred.

Ryuzhi nodded solemnly after hearing this, "Then let’s also keep our movements small. I’ll take Miss Lin over now, and you should also have someone heat some water, and someone must inform the old lady, and also communicate with the Dingyuan Marquis."

Hongzhi nodded and then went separately to manage their tasks.

However, Hongzhi did not immediately have someone report to the old lady, considering Miss Lin’s current state, it would be more challenging for Xu Mansion to speak out. It’s better to wait until Miss Lin has changed her clothes and freshened up.

Ryuzhi did not know Hongzhi’s plan. She found Lin Youning, shivering and huddled together, by the rockery, quickly stepped forward, and covered her with her own long robe, explaining her intentions.

She made sure to mention Hailan’s name.

Lin Youning did not have to ask anything; upon seeing the other party, she knew they used Hailan to prove her identity, proving to be dependable.

Thus, she followed her to the Warm Pavilion; this place was near the front courtyard, so it didn’t take long, and they avoided other people.

After entering the Warm Pavilion, Ryuzhi guided Lin Youning behind the folding screen, "Miss, I’m sorry to trouble you. Please take off your wet clothes here. Hot water will be delivered soon, and with the heavy chill of autumn, soaking in hot water would be better after falling into the water."

Lin Youning expressed her gratitude, waited until Ryuzhi withdrew, and then turned behind the curtain to unwrap her wet clothes, all the while listening intently for movements outside.

Shortly after, she heard footsteps and voices from Ryuzhi and other maids, followed by Ryuzhi bringing in hot water.

Ryuzhi poured half a measure of water into the bath barrel, tested the temperature, and then said, "Miss, please soak for a while. I will go outside to check if the clothes have arrived."

"There won’t be any men coming in here, will there?" With what had happened before, Lin Youning asked an extra question.

On the way here with Ryuzhi, Lin Youning also learned that this maid was the principal maid beside Xu Ya’an, recognizing her attire and demeanor were different from the younger maids, making Lin Youning somewhat convinced.

"Miss, rest assured, even though this place is near the front courtyard, it is still considered the inner courtyard, and no outsiders will come in. Please forgive today’s incident, I have already had someone deliver a message to the old Madam, it’s probably not long before she comes over," Ryuzhi replied respectfully.

Only then did Lin Youning wave her hand for them to leave, her body soaking in the warm water, feeling the warmth spreading throughout.

But she dared not linger too long, fearing further unforeseen events.

Especially in the unnerving silence, too quiet, making one feel uneasy.

Lin Youning slowly stood up from the bathtub, just as she heard the door being pushed open. She exhaled deeply, thinking it was Ryuzhi returning, but upon hearing the heavy footsteps, her uneasiness rose again.

"Who?" Her voice just came out.

As the curtain was pulled open, a tall figure stood before her.

Lin Youning took a deep breath, sinking her body into the water, her mind buzzing into chaos.

Who was plotting against her?

Could it be Kong Luoru?

Was the past repeating itself?

In an instant, all color drained from Lin Youning’s face.

Having lived quietly in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion for ten years, just to avoid repeating past mistakes and keeping her distance from Gu Chaoxuan, how did she end up in such a situation?

While pondering these, Lin Youning didn’t even focus on the person’s appearance before her.

Feeling as if she had fallen into an abyss.

"Do not fear, I entered here by mistake. No one has seen me." The man, upon seeing her bathing, hesitated, noticing her pale face, promptly offered explanation while hurriedly turning around to leave.

And Lin Youning, upon hearing his voice, suddenly raised her head. In that moment, they made eye contact as he was turning around.

"It’s you?" It turned out to be Xu Kuan.

Inexplicably, Lin Youning truly felt a sense of relief, even a touch of gratitude in her heart that it was this man.

Xu Kuan first noticed her beauty, a beauty that made one want to protect her, and then hearing that she recognized him, paused for a moment and then turned around and walked out quickly. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

With an apologetic tone, he added, "Today’s matter was my oversight, I’ll come to apologize another time."

The tall and sturdy figure exited.

Lin Youning muttered his words to herself.

Apologize?

Does he mean to come to her mansion to apologize for this matter, resulting in her being taken as a concubine by Xu Kuan?

Earlier, she was pleased to see it was Xu Kuan, not an inappropriate man; but upon hearing his words, Lin Youning felt so indignant she nearly cried.

This man truly was unchanging.

In two lifetimes, nothing changed.

In her past life, even after she was married, bearing the weight of the Gu Mansion, and Gu Er was still alive, he insisted on proposing, causing her to be criticized for impropriety by the residents of the Capital.

Even sneaking into her boudoir at midnight, never minding her reputation.

In this lifetime, just because of this mistaken intrusion, he wants to apologize, again risking her reputation, potentially forcing her to be a concubine.

Reflecting on how dreadful this man was through both lifetimes, Lin Youning’s eyes reddened.

Realizing both lifetimes she couldn’t rid herself of this scoundrel.

She cupped her face, silently cried for a while, and then heard footsteps outside again. Only after hearing Nanny Chang’s voice did her anxious heart settle.

"Nanny...." Seeing Nanny Chang, Lin Youning’s eyes reddened again.

Nanny Chang’s heart ached, "Miss, you’ve been wronged. Please come out of the water first and change your clothes, don’t catch a cold."

Especially as this is someone else’s mansion, staying in the water longer isn’t suitable either.

Lin Youning, with tears, nodded to let Nanny Chang help her change clothes.

Ryuzhi, wanting to step forward to help, was refused by Lin Youning, leaving Ryuzhi feeling uneasy.

Before long, Hailan arrived, holding a bowl of ginger soup, "Outside, I met a young maid who brought it, it’s still warm, please have it, Miss."

Lin Youning shook her head.

While Nanny Chang combed the young lady’s hair, she persuaded, "Miss, you should drink it. Autumn waters are cold, ladies should avoid them."

For it might affect future offspring.

Only then did Lin Youning, taking the words to heart, finish the ginger soup in one breath, which Hailan then took away and handed to Ryuzhi.

"Nanny, I want to return home." After the incident with Xu Kuan, Lin Youning had no urge to deal with social customs anymore.

And at this point, neither the Marchioness nor Mrs. Xu Sr. had come, implying the situation wasn’t reported to them at all.

Given such an incident occurred at Xu Mansion, Lin Youning dared not stay a moment longer.

Nanny Chang deduced some clues, "Alright, then let’s go home."

Ryuzhi, hearing this, was anxious, "Miss Lin, if you leave like this, the Marchioness of Dingyuan might worry. Why not inform her first?"

Hailan directly interrupted her, "My young lady fell into the water and feels unwell, do we still have to show our respects while ill? What kind of family hosts with such rules?"

"Hailan." Lin Youning gently chided, "You’re out of line."

Hailan obediently withdrew behind her.

Ryuzhi hastily offered apologies, but in her heart, she knew no maid would dare to speak out without her mistress’s consent, indicating it is Miss Lin’s intention.

Nanny Chang smiled, "This maid of mine is spoiled by the young lady; she speaks without thinking."

"Not at all, Nanny Chang gives me too much credit." Ryuzhi hastily admitted her fault.

Only after escorting them to see them off at the gate did Ryuzhi hurry to report to the inner courtyard. By the time Mrs. Xu Sr. and Mrs. Dong heard the news, Lin Youning had already returned home.

Upon alighting from the carriage, Lin Youning couldn’t help but have her eyes reddened, she bit her lip and asked the doorkeeper boy, "Has the Marquis returned yet?"