The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 218 - 219: Visiting

Ever since the incident at the Marquis Mansion banquet, the Capital seemed to have quieted down overnight.

This kind of quiet always makes people feel like it’s the calm before the storm. Lin Youning also stayed reclusive; just when she started returning to Zhao Mansion, she would often wrap herself up and go for a stroll. Now, she doesn’t even step out of the mansion gates.

She doesn’t know why, but when she returned to the mansion, her older brother told her not to leave the mansion easily. But since her older brother has instructed her so, regardless of the reason, Lin Youning feels she should comply.

During this time, Dong Boyun sent her several letters, all saying that there was something happening at their mansion and that she would come to see her in a few days. It wasn’t until after Mid-Autumn that Dong Boyun came to visit.

Dong Boyun looked noticeably thinner, which startled Lin Youning. She pulled her to sit on the soft couch, "What happened to you? I didn’t hear you mention being sick. How did you become like this?"

Dong Boyun smiled, "It’s nothing serious, just not feeling well lately. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d worry, especially since you already have enough on your plate."

Lin Youning noticed that she obviously had things she couldn’t say, so she didn’t press further, "There’s no need to talk about my matters; you probably have heard. If you really want me to say, I don’t even know where to start."

"This is fate. What is yours cannot be escaped from no matter how you try; what isn’t yours cannot be forced," Dong Boyun spoke with a hint of ridicule on her face, "Our mansion’s legitimate mother is still busy helping my older sister look for a match."

Lin Youning noticed a flash of fierce intent in her eyes as she spoke, understanding that this was another conflict with Dong Poming.

"As long as you’re healthy, that’s all that matters. But you don’t seem to be in high spirits. You know there’s nothing much happening on my side, so why come? If you truly want to see me, I’d rather come to your mansion to visit you." Lin Youning, aware of her worries, laughed, "Even if I’m not present, I can’t stop them from gossiping about me behind my back. They’ll talk regardless, so why hide?"

"That’s true, but hearing those words and seeing their faces still feels unpleasant. Besides, coming over to your place helps me relax. Otherwise, staying in the mansion all day feels suffocating." Dong Boyun’s face looked much better now, "But this really is satisfying. You wouldn’t believe how many people in the Capital had their eyes on that position, only for it to circle back to you. Imagine how frustrated they must be. Who knows how many are secretly cursing you. And take our mansion’s case, for example; when they went to attend the banquet, they had this intention, only for it to come to nothing. Although it wasn’t openly stated, who doesn’t know their thoughts? Even if they don’t say it, they must feel embarrassed."

Talking about these matters brought Dong Boyun great joy, "But now, among the noble families in the Capital, who would fancy her? Initially disdainful of the Marquis Mansion, only to later cozy up; who would marry someone like that? In the end, it would only bring criticism."

"Are they making things difficult for you at your mansion? Your father has always doted on you. If things aren’t pleasant, now that the weather is warm, you could stay at the family estate for a few days." Lin Youning offered her advice.

"No need. I haven’t done anything wrong, so why should I hide from them? Although I’m a concubine’s daughter, the mansion is still my home." Dong Boyun’s smile faded, "I shouldn’t be discussing these matters with you, but it’s been bothering me too much. Back when I was interested in this marriage, they looked down on him. Now? They think I’ve sought marriage first, forcing my legitimate sister to find someone early. Hearing them speak doesn’t bother me, but it’s unfair that Aunt Wu gets scolded day after day by the legitimate mother. How could I feel at ease?"

"Your Aunt Wu’s greatest wish is for you to be well. Once you’re married and become the household’s mistress, you won’t lead the kind of life your Aunt Wu has. These things matter more than anything else. What’s happening now doesn’t matter; don’t fuss over it with them." Listening to this, Lin Youning nodded. Anyone facing such matters wouldn’t be in a good mood. No wonder Dong Boyun fell ill; she’s a proud person and naturally looks down on their petty tricks.

"Don’t worry, the more they don’t wish for us to be well, the better I and Aunt Wu will be." Dong Boyun smiled, "But let’s talk about you. When does the Marquis Mansion plan to conduct the marriage? It’s been dragged on for years. I don’t think they’ll delay past this year. Seems you’ll be married before I am."

"I don’t know." Lin Youning smiled at her, "Speaking of which, you’re quite shameless, not afraid of being overheard and feeling embarrassed."

"Oh, it’s nothing. I don’t believe those women aren’t looking to marry a good husband." Dong Boyun was indifferent.

Lin Youning shook her head, knowing she has always been straightforward and indeed can’t keep things bottled up.

It wasn’t until after dinner that Dong Boyun left.

By the end of August, before the Marquis Mansion held the wedding, the second house moved out; previously, they only blocked the side gate and left through the main gate, but this time they distributed the ancestral property to the second house.

This time, Gu Chaoxuan got married, and Lin Youning did not attend, only Zhao Housheng went.

The wedding was set for the first day of September, and on the second day, the second daughter of the Wu Mansion was also carried into the Marquis Mansion in a small sedan chair.

Though called a concubine, she would only be elevated to that status after giving birth to a son. Currently, she only entered the mansion as a maidservant.

Lin Yongning, upon hearing this, said nothing, but surely, Wu Xueqin would feel the most upset about it. After all, she was once the Capital’s most talented woman, and ultimately ended up as a concubine.

Just as Lin Yongning imagined, after Wu Xueqin entered the Marquis Mansion, she spent the entire night alone in an empty room, not seeing any sign of the Marquis. She considered many scenarios and what she would say when they finally met.

But evidently, the Marquis never gave her the chance; he didn’t even show up on the wedding night.

Being modern, Wu Xueqin wasn’t too heartbroken. She knew the Marquis was indifferent to matters between men and women, and given her status as a concubine saved by a debt of gratitude, it was somewhat disgraceful for a man like the Marquis.

However, since she was already in the mansion, there was no rush.

According to Gu Yifeng, the reason given was that the old lady was unwell, and he stayed by her side the whole night out of filial piety, feeling guilty towards Aunt Wu. The next day, he sent gifts to Wu Xueqin’s courtyard.