The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 73 - 72: Invitation

Lin Youning hesitated for a moment, then nodded before assisting Mrs. Gu Sr. to meet the guests.

Mrs. Xu Sr. was dressed in a dark yellow satin coat, with her hair styled into a bun adorned with a crimson jade hairpin. Surrounded by maidservants, she was guided in by Mrs. Dong.

Her face bore a gentle smile, looking spirited and capable.

The Xu Mansion came from a military general background, and even Mrs. Xu Sr. carried a certain straightforward vigor.

"Old sister." As soon as she entered, she greeted Mrs. Gu Sr. with a smile.

Mrs. Gu Sr. also wore a smile, "You are quite quick, I haven’t even stepped out yet, please come in quickly and sit down."

She welcomed them to the couch and instructed someone to serve tea.

The green gauze cabinet suddenly became lively.

It was rare for Shi’an Garden to be so bustling, and the young maidservants in the courtyard were all filled with joy.

Kong Tianru also heard the news and brought Sister Yue to Shi’an Garden, pulling a young maid aside to ask, "I heard Mr. Xu from the Xu Mansion also came?"

The young maid courteously replied, "Replying to Second Madam, Mr. Xu is currently with the old madam."

Kong Tianru nodded, waved the young maid away, and then pulled her daughter aside, "When you get to your grandmother, you must be well-behaved."

Sister Yue nodded, "When am I not well-behaved? Mother makes it seem like I’m usually very willful."

Kong Tianru seeing her daughter so oblivious, refrained from saying more—true transparency could hinder action at times.

In the green gauze cabinet, Mrs. Gu Sr. was talking with Mrs. Xu Sr., "Now you’re no longer among the young ones, how could I let you come to see me."

Being older and the family matriarchs, their identities set their prestige, not everything could disturb them.

Mrs. Xu Sr.’s actions today were an apology for the recent issue with Sister Ning.

Mrs. Gu Sr. understood deeply and felt touched, valued their mutual friendship genuinely.

Otherwise, how could one put down their pride?

"Don’t speak like that. Between us sisters, there’s no need for so many formalities." Mrs. Xu Sr. sighed, her smile fading slightly, "When you’re older, there are always things you lack the power to control. As long as you understand me, old sister. Now that I heard you’re not well, I dared to come by. Otherwise, how would I have the face to see you?"

"If you say that again, I will be upset. This isn’t something anyone wanted to happen. Call me ’old sister’ and let’s not mention it again." Mrs. Gu Sr. motioned to Lin Youning, who then stepped forward gently. Mrs. Gu Sr. took her hand, "I’ve raised this child like my own daughter, and the incident that happened was her own fault for being thoughtless, not to blame others."

"It was the mansion’s servants’ boldness, how can Ning be blamed? She regarded the mansion as her own home, so she didn’t guard against such things." Mrs. Xu Sr. felt even more ashamed, "After all, the event occurred at the mansion, I bear responsibility too, I’ve wronged Ning."

Mrs. Xu Sr. leaned forward, and Lin Youning, who was standing in front of the couch, had her other hand grasped, "Good child, this old lady has wronged you. The next time you come to the mansion for a gathering in our 24 Halls, I’ll ensure no one dares to make a move."

Who?

This statement was intriguing.

Though Mrs. Xu Sr. didn’t explicitly state it, she pointed out that Lin Youning was troubled by a young maid at Xu Mansion but wasn’t instigated by anyone from Xu Mansion.

Thinking carefully, it was true—the Xu Mansion’s reputation would also be tarnished among noble families, as the incident occurred there, so why would they do such a thing?

If it really were Xu Mansion’s doing, who would dare visit their mansion as guests in the future?

Mrs. Gu Sr., who was shrewd, understood the nuances, even though she hadn’t attended banquets for years, nodding knowingly to Mrs. Xu Sr.

With a smile, she said, "Rest assured, a girl from the Gu Mansion wouldn’t be so timid, and as it’s your mansion’s gathering, how could she not attend?"

"With you saying that, I feel relieved." Mrs. Xu Sr. also smiled. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The two chatted happily, while Mrs. Dong diligently attended beside them, serving tea and water. Mrs. Gu Sr. seemed not to notice and treated her as one of the maidservants, without offering her a seat.

Xu Yuxian, however, upon entering, was completely absorbed in Lin Youning, but didn’t dare stare, only stealing glances when he thought no one noticed.

Her delicate movement swayed Xu Yuxian’s heart like a fluttering butterfly.

Just then, another commotion was heard from outside as Kong Tianru brought Sister Yue around from behind the green gauze cabinet.

Kong Tianru wore a pink ruqun under a knee-length coat, originally quite beautiful, with a red gemstone and crimson gold sway attached to her hair bun.

Next to her, Sister Yue, only ten years old, styled with a twin bun, wore a pale pink coat, exuding exceptional purity.

As the mother and daughter entered, they instantly drew the eyes of everyone present.

Mrs. Dong, always mindful of her status, avoided flamboyant attire, usually opting for dignified, elegant, and sober colors.

Meanwhile, Lin Youning kept her appearance understated, preferring simplicity and didn’t pay much attention to adornment, casually wearing a parted hanging coif in the mansion.

She adopted a hairstyle typical of unwed girls, with divided hair tied at the top without ornamental pins, allowing the hair to fall naturally, with the ends resting on her shoulders.

Nonetheless, because Mrs. Gu Sr. often remarked on her overly simple dressing, every morning, young maidservants from the flower house would bring fresh flowers to Tingxue Hall for Lin Youning to choose and wear.

In winter, seeing fresh flowers was already rare, only noble families could afford such indulgence. Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s use for personal wear reflected favoritism.

Today, a red peony was tucked on her side, with light makeup, she appeared soft and gentle like water.

Although Kong Tianru and her daughter appeared striking and resplendent, compared to Lin Youning, they seemed a bit garish.

Though Kong Tianru only glanced briefly upon entering, she immediately noticed and darkened her gaze. But a smile soon returned to her eyes as she stepped forward to greet Mrs. Gu Sr. with a curtsy, "Mother."

Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded, and only then did she greet Mrs. Xu Sr., "Greetings, old madam. I rushed over as soon as I got the news. Please forgive my tardiness, old madam."

Kong Tianru’s words carried implications, rushing over upon receiving news.

However, Mrs. Xu Sr. and Mrs. Gu Sr. had already conversed for as long as half a cup of tea before she arrived, making her words seem to imply the message delivery was somewhat delayed.

Mrs. Dong raised an eyebrow but remained silent.