The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 188: Every Hue

Lin Youning shook her head. She had just heard from her aunt that Gu Er was punished by both her aunt and her elder brother because of her. Even though she hadn’t seen today’s events with her own eyes, she knew Gu Er must have done something even more excessive.

Liang Hui noticed her husband couldn’t take his eyes off his sister and couldn’t help but laugh, "We’ve found your sister, look at you, acting as if she might get lost. Let’s give her a few days to pack her things, and then she can send us a message. We’ll pick a day to bring her back, and our family will be reunited."

"I’ve been thinking these years, Sister Min has been by our side, and I’ve been to the Marquis Mansion many times, yet somehow we never met. Otherwise, I would have brought her back long ago." Zhao Housheng laughed.

"Heavens be praised, we’ve finally met, haven’t we?" Liang Hui patted her husband’s hand, her eyes full of admiration.

Zhao Housheng also felt grateful, "Hui Niang, you’ve endured a lot these years."

"What are you saying, husband? Aren’t a husband and wife supposed to be one? Besides, when I married you, mother-in-law didn’t mind that I was a farmer’s daughter. You were a scholar then and could easily have married a daughter from an official family instead of someone like me, who couldn’t help you with her family connections."

Lin Youning watched the interaction between her brother and sister-in-law and couldn’t help but smile, which made both their eyes brim with warmth.

"I don’t have much to pack. It’s been my fortune to be favored by my aunt over the years, so I really shouldn’t take everything away. One must know contentment." Lin Youning knew her brother and sister-in-law were not greedy people, but having family made her want to share her thoughts with them. "I’ll just take a few unimportant things and leave the rest at the mansion."

As for the shops and estates her aunt had given her, she didn’t plan to take those with her either.

From now on, she would be a girl from a modest family and couldn’t bring the luxury of the Marquis Mansion home with her.

"Your thinking is correct. Although we can’t compare to the Marquis Mansion, every penny we’ve earned is by our own hands. Father always said that wealth should come from one’s own efforts and never to covet others’ riches. The care Mrs. Gu Sr. has shown you over the years is something we can never repay. Once we’re back, we’ll find a time to light an eternal lamp in the temple for Mrs. Gu Sr., as a token of our gratitude." Zhao Housheng spoke with patience, showing the thoughtful side of a man seemingly built of strength.

Lin Youning smiled and nodded, "Don’t worry, brother, I understand all this."

"We just arrived today, so we shouldn’t stay too long. Let’s say farewell to Mrs. Gu Sr., and when you send word, we’ll come to get you." Liang Hui deferred to her husband in all things and never objected to his decisions.

As for the things from the Marquis Mansion meant for Sister Ning, whether she took them or not, Liang Hui had no intention of coveting them.

Lin Youning stood to see them off to Shi’an Garden, where Mrs. Gu Sr. was visibly lacking in spirit but still mustered enough energy to exchange a few words with Zhao Housheng and his wife before they took their leave.

Lin Youning remained in Shi’an Garden, sitting quietly beside Mrs. Gu Sr., who gently stroked her hair, just as she had when Lin Youning was little, even though the two small braids had now become a bun.

"Do you resent your aunt?" Mrs. Gu Sr. asked softly.

"Aunt has always had my best interests at heart; how could I not understand that?" Lin Youning removed the hairpin from her head. "Does Aunt know my parents?"

She had been pondering this matter, realizing it was not as simple as just knowing who made the hairpin.

"You..." Mrs. Gu Sr. sighed softly, took the hairpin, and seemed lost in thought. Lin Youning thought she wouldn’t speak again until her aunt continued, "Actually, I didn’t know your father; I knew your mother. Even if you hadn’t asked me today, I would have something to tell you."

"Just remember, once you’re with the Zhao family, tell your brother that no one must discover your father was the master craftsman." Mrs. Gu Sr. said this with utmost seriousness.

Lin Youning nodded earnestly and did not wait for her aunt to say more.

She felt a bit disappointed, like there was a great secret just out of reach, tantalizingly mysterious.

"Though you’ve had my care these years in the mansion, you lived cautiously in every way. Now that you’re joining the Zhao family, even if they’re small, you’re their legitimate daughter, so you needn’t tread so carefully." Mrs. Gu Sr. advised in a soft voice, "With your looks, who knows how many people will be scheming after you once you’re in the Zhao family. You’ve just come of age; there’s no need to rush into any marriage arrangements. Even though your brother is above you, any such matter should be vetted by me first."

Lin Youning agreed with a smile, "How could my brother dare to decide on my behalf? Such matters would surely involve you, Aunt."

"As long as you’re aware." Mrs. Gu Sr. looked at her with reluctance, studying her face. "I’ve raised Sister Ning and now she must leave; be sure to visit often."

"Aunt, all these years you’ve stayed within the mansion. When the weather is nice, let me bring you to stay at my place for a few days." Lin Youning, too, felt a pang of reluctance, leaning against Mrs. Gu Sr.’s bosom like a child, "If I miss you, Aunt, I will also come back to the mansion, and you mustn’t turn me away."

"Look at that, already making demands." Mrs. Gu Sr. knew she was being coaxed, and smiled, "You’ve claimed your place in the Zhao family, but that doesn’t change the fact you grew up in the Marquis Mansion. Anyone who dares show you disrespect will have to answer to the Marquis Mansion; this is the time to test the hearts of others."

Lin Youning knew her aunt was teaching her how to judge people, so she listened attentively. Even though she had learned these lessons in a previous life, her aunt’s words were still comforting.

That evening, Lin Youning stayed in the Marquis Mansion, and news in the Capital spread about her reclaiming her birthright and soon leaving the mansion.

The affairs of the Marquis Mansion had been tumultuous for a while. With one wave after another, the public seemed less interested in Lin Youning, the adopted daughter’s, return to her birth family.

Their curiosity piqued more by which family Lin Youning belonged to; upon hearing it was Lieutenant Zhao’s family, there was surprise. Compared with an orphan, she now had a brother who was at least an Assistant General. Although their status was lower than that of the Marquis Mansion, they were still an official family.

Lin Youning’s belongings had long been packed, but her departure awaited Mrs. Gu Sr.’s word, for she knew her aunt was reluctant to let her go.

It wasn’t until five days later, at Tingxue Hall, that she saw Gu Yifeng.

Lin Youning learned that Mrs. Dong had gone to the Lin Mansion, and the very next day arranged a marriage for Gu Chaoxuan. Meanwhile, Gu Yifeng had been away at the Capital Suburb Camp and hadn’t been heard from at the mansion until she saw him now, knowing he was back.