The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 261 - 262: Change

Gu Yifeng clearly sensed that the small body beside him tensed up, yet he pretended not to notice and asked.

"What’s wrong? Is there something bothering you?"

"No, nothing." Lin Youning nervously opened her mouth.

A trace of a smile flashed across Gu Yifeng’s face. He turned his body slightly, tightening the hand on her slender waist, "While I was away from the mansion recently, what have you been up to? How is your elder brother? Has there been any emotional upheaval?"

Lin Youning felt puzzled. Her elder brother also had a Hidden Guard, so he should be aware of such things. Why would he ask her? Moreover, it was surprising that her elder brother was holding her waist.

Lin Youning was tense. She instinctively wanted to evade, but was fearful that her elder brother would think she was overthinking the situation. Such an intimate gesture had never occurred between the two of them.

Lin Youning quickly found reasons and excuses, convincing herself that her elder brother must be worried for her. What other reason could there be?

Lin Youning breathed a sigh of relief, trying her best to relax. "My elder brother seemed fine after he came out of the jail cell, just quieter than usual. I think he’s a bit downhearted."

After all, as the Heir of Prince Xian had said such things, her elder brother was always protective of her. How could he not feel hurt?

Lin Youning could imagine how her elder brother felt. He worked so hard, fighting on the battlefield, risking his life for accomplishments, yet he couldn’t even deal with a mere loafer. As a Third-Rank official, how could he not feel disheartened?

Her elder brother had always been a person who despises evil and fights against injustice. He could never accept the intrigues between the noble families and the bureaucratic circles.

Gu Yifeng listened without saying a word, furrowing his brows. After a long pause, he said, "How about I transfer your elder brother to the border in a few days?"

"No." Lin Youning quickly refused, "Sister Ling is still young."

Lin Youning had her own selfish reasons for not wanting her brother to go. There was always the possibility of battle, and it was such a dangerous place—how could she let her brother go there?

"Sister Ning, you should know your elder brother’s temperament. He isn’t suited for living in the Capital. Besides, he’s a military general. For him to rise, he needs to make contributions. Staying in the Capital, he would have no hope of advancement."

"I understand." Lin Youning didn’t even need to ask to know her brother would surely be willing to go. But she had just reunited with her family, was she really going to part from them so soon?

"As winter approaches, I must return to the Northwest, and I will likely be there for two or three years. Why don’t you come with me then? You haven’t seen the Northwest’s landscape, have you?" Gu Yifeng originally had no intention of bringing Sister Ning along.

However, upon realizing his true feelings today, Gu Yifeng wanted to keep Sister Ning by his side. He knew that Sister Ning always saw him as an elder brother.

Even though the thought of marrying her only came after his mother’s passing, when he realized how important Sister Ning was to him, Gu Yifeng changed his mind. He wanted Sister Ning, whether as an elder brother or a husband.

If Sister Ning treated him as an elder brother now, he could wait—he could wait a lifetime.

However, what he really wanted was to slowly transform their relationship over time. He believed that, over time, Ning would notice the changes in him. Gu Yifeng knew it wasn’t the right moment to voice these thoughts. He didn’t want to scare Sister Ning.

Even he was startled when he realized his own feelings; how much more so for the timid Sister Ning.

Gu Yifeng was determined by nature. Once he decided on something, he would act immediately without giving himself a chance to hesitate.

He knew what he wanted.

He wanted Sister Ning. Once he knew that, no matter the obstacles or events standing in his way,

Gu Yifeng would not consider anything else. As long as he achieved his objective, that was enough.

Lin Youning was taken aback, especially hearing about going to the border. She didn’t care how ambiguous their current positioning was and turned to face her elder brother. "Is it certain that you’re going to the border? When will you be leaving?"

"Very soon, I suspect. Upon my return to the Capital, there should be news from the Holy Emperor. I initially intended to travel only with your brother, but given recent events in the Capital, I thought it safer to bring along your entire family."

It was a completely logical reason, thought Gu Yifeng, though he had his own motives.

His expression unchanged and serious, as if discussing something important.

Lin Youning pondered briefly. This did seem like the best course of action. She couldn’t stay in the Capital forever. Even if she never left the house, the Eldest Prince could still send someone to the mansion.

The only one who could offer protection now was her elder brother. But if he left for the Northwest, he couldn’t always focus on the Capital. She couldn’t let her issues distract him.

The most important thing for Lin Youning was her brother’s advancement. If he achieved new successes at the border and rose in rank, wielding substantial power, even the Eldest Prince couldn’t ignore him. The Prince Xian Mansion should also be wary.

Gu Yifeng observed her carefully, knowing she was considering everything. He wasn’t worried that she would refuse. After all, he had numerous reasons to persuade her to go to the Northwest. Even without those, he could simply take Sister Ning, and it would still be fine.

Moreover, even their mother would agree.

Lin Youning finally nodded, "I’ve never seen the scenery of the Northwest. Going with my elder brother this time would allow me to see it too." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

A trace of a smile crossed Gu Yifeng’s eyes. This little girl was clearly finding favorable reasons for herself while pretending otherwise.

Understanding she was giving herself an out, Gu Yifeng didn’t expose it.

"We might not know how long we’ll stay there, maybe a year, or several. There’s no need to bring too much stuff—just the essentials. If we’re short of anything, we can buy it there. Even though it’s a border area, you can find everything you need."

Gu Yifeng was a thoughtful person. He knew what to say to relax Ning or how to close the distance between them at that moment.

One couldn’t deny he was sharp. He brought up a conversation so close to daily life, planning their stay there, and Ning relaxed more, completely forgetting they were lying together.