The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 90 - 89: Minister Mansion

Lin Youning wore a light yellow straight jacket, with a sleeveless peach-colored lined jacket on the outside. On her simple hair bun, she wore the white-green warm jade jewelry bought that day, making her appear as delicate as a flower in a greenhouse during winter.

Among these young girls, most were around fourteen or fifteen years old. They wore hair accessories studded with crimson gold and gemstones or various jade pieces, with a light dusting of powder, making them appear more dazzling than usual.

In the winter, the colors in the garden were monotone, but with these flower-like young women gathered in threes and fives, it was more dazzling than spring flowers.

Mrs. Wu Sr. loved lively atmospheres and watched these delicate figures from afar with the other elderly ladies, grinning broadly.

She reminded Mrs. Wu to entertain the guests well and inquired about the stage area, noting that everyone was heading there.

The Wu Mansion’s stage was set in front of the Embroidery Pavilion in the garden. The male guests sat below the stage, while the female guests were upstairs.

The male guests entered from the front courtyard through the main gate, while the female guests entered directly from the back door of the Embroidery Pavilion to the second floor.

Zhou Wu, dressed in a bright red robe and holding a paper fan, appeared cultured but his actions were lewd, not like the son of a noble family.

Wu Chuhao was anxiously stomping beside him, "Alright, let’s hurry back, if someone finds out, we’re doomed."

Along with Zhou Wu standing behind the rockery peeking at the small path behind the Embroidery Pavilion were several sons of noble families.

Wu Chuhao was so worried that he paced nervously in place. If it weren’t for his mother asking him to entertain Zhou Wu, this situation wouldn’t have occurred.

Sons of great families sneaking to the backyard to peep at ladies, if word got out, even the Wu Mansion would be implicated.

Yet, Wu Chuhao dared not make a fuss, since Zhou Wu was the nephew of the currently favored Imperial Concubine and the Eldest Prince was well-liked by the Emperor, with rumors even suggesting that the Eldest Prince might replace the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.

Who in the entire court would dare offend the Zhou Family now?

So Zhou Wu had become a notorious bully in the Capital.

A burst of coquettish laughter reached them, and Zhou Wu motioned for Wu Chuhao not to speak as he excitedly looked ahead.

The crowd, initially stirring, fell silent upon seeing that yellow enchanting figure within the group, only regaining awareness after the group had moved far, leaving the path empty.

"There’s actually someone this beautiful in the world," someone in the crowd whispered softly.

Zhou Wu, who had been quite excited earlier, was unimpressed upon seeing her, saying, "Not as beautiful as my aunt, I thought she’d be stunning, but the rumors were indeed unfounded."

It turned out they had all heard of the beautiful child bride raised in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and had hidden here to sneak a look.

Wu Chuhao wasn’t in the mood to discuss this, "The play is about to start, let’s head back."

Finally listening to him, the group took a different path from the rockery to move forward.

On the second floor of the Embroidery Pavilion, Lin Youning sat at the back, with various madams in the front and young girls in the back, preferring to chat over watching the play.

Wu Xueya, one of the guests today, busily mingled among the girls, but didn’t forget to spare a moment to speak with Lin Youning.

In the eyes of others, their relationship appeared exceptionally close to Lin Youning.

While drinking tea, Lin Youning covertly observed the people in the Embroidery Pavilion. From the alliances between girls from various noble families, it was evident that the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Eldest Prince had become open.

But judging by the present strength of the Crown Prince, he was no match for the Eldest Prince, clearly being overshadowed.

The most striking person in the crowd was a red-dressed young girl surrounded by others.

Tall in stature, at fourteen or fifteen, she already showed hints of a feminine curve, with curved eyebrows, large eyes, skin like snow, and a red jade flower in her black bun, so meticulously crafted it could be mistaken for a real flower.

But these weren’t the reasons why she was immediately noticeable; it was her slightly raised chin and the arrogance in her demeanor that made her particularly prominent among the young noblewomen.

The noblewomen were gentle, showcasing a soft, serene beauty, whereas she embodied a vibrant beauty, one that shimmered with life.

How could one not find her remarkable?

This woman, Lin Youning remembered, was the legitimate granddaughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the Imperial Concubine’s niece.

No wonder she didn’t display the humility typical of women; someone raised in such a noble family would naturally be adored by everyone.

Lin Youning lowered her gaze; who would know that such a proud woman would end up being sent to a temple by the Wu Mansion after the downfall of the Zhou Family?

Indeed, in the previous life, this legitimate daughter of the Zhou Family married Wu Chuhao, the legitimate son of the Wu Mansion.

Mrs. Wu, a lady from the Duke Mansion, believed that the marriage between the Zhou and Wu Families would align the Duke Mansion with their side, thus increasing their chances in the struggle for the throne.

The current splendor, who could foresee the future misery?

Like herself, wasn’t she just as miserable in the previous life?

The sound of gongs and drums pulled everyone’s attention away.

The first play was titled "The Top Scholar," telling the story of a village scholar who became the top student, staying in the Capital to marry a noblewoman. Meanwhile, his original wife faithfully awaited him, raising his child alone, who later also became the top student, bringing her to the Capital, where she met her husband, now a high-ranking official, reuniting the family.

In the previous life, Lin Youning disliked such stories, wondering why this woman, already a mother, would still accept the man who had abandoned her. The man, not only having a wife and children but also being old, what more was there?

Living this lifetime again, Lin Youning, upon hearing this opening play, had some realizations. In today’s society, where women abide by the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues," such dedication was seen as truly virtuous.

"See how they’re all moved to tears by this woman, yet you seem untouched, could it be you think she’s foolish?" A crisp voice quietly broke through.

Lin Youning turned her head, not knowing when the legitimate daughter of the Zhou Family had sat beside her, and recalling her words, she couldn’t help but be amazed.

This Princess Consort Zhou was clever, otherwise how could she gain the Emperor’s favor and bear the Eldest Prince?

But looking at this niece, she wasn’t as smart, openly calling someone ’foolish’. Ignoring the disdain on her face, Lin Youning rather liked her candidness.

But she also understood they could not be friends with such a person.

Aside from her identity as a child bride, Lin Youning didn’t wish to associate due to the Zhou Family’s eventual downfall.