The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!

Chapter 558 - 550: Request for an Audience

Mrs. Liu Sr. now saw that Sister Ning was truly alright, naturally she was relieved. After lunch had been eaten and she sat for a while, she left, and Chancellor Liu, who had also been staying here for a few days, left together with her.

Lin Youning’s aunt never showed up, but Liu Wen, as an uncle, spoke a few words with Lin Youning through the curtain.

Liang Hui wasn’t in a hurry to leave, since Lin Youning didn’t have any elders around, he stayed with Zhao Housheng.

Gu Yifeng, after sending off Chancellor Liu and his wife, returned to the backyard.

Lin Youning watched the wet nurse feed Brother Zong, the small child eating as if starved for a long time, like someone would snatch the food away. Although she knew the child wasn’t hers, seeing him so small and abandoned, Lin Youning felt distressed.

When Gu Yifeng entered from outside, he saw Sister Ning sitting dazed on the bed, eyes fixed on the child. His heart twisted, uncertain if it was because of his guilty conscience, he sometimes felt that Sister Ning knew the child wasn’t Brother Zong.

But then he thought he was overthinking, Sister Ning was in a coma for three days, and Shanhai and Hailan knew nothing of the inside story, so how could Sister Ning know?

Lin Youning raised her head, seeing her Big Brother standing by the curtain without moving, she smiled and said, "Big Brother, what are you looking at?"

"It’s nothing, just looking at you." Gu Yifeng finally stepped inside.

Seeing that the wet nurse had just finished feeding the child, Lin Youning waved her hand at her, "Brother is tired too, take him down. The weather is cold now, no need to bring him over every day, I will come see when it’s a good day."

The wet nurse dutifully agreed and carried the child to leave.

Gu Yifeng took off his cloak, felt the robe on himself, then walked quickly to the bedside, "It’s okay if the wet nurse brings Brother Zong over, you don’t have to be so worried."

"The child is so little, taking him out every day to face the wind, I can’t bear it." Lin Youning spoke truthfully, although partly she didn’t want to see him, fearing it would make her heart ache more, "New Year is almost here, you have to handle the mansion affairs. How is Aunt now? I can’t go see her due to giving birth, hope she is well."

"You don’t need to worry about that, Mother is doing quite well, she seems more spirited. Heard that you gave birth to a son, she was so happy she ate more than usual that day."

Lin Youning smiled, "Even without seeing her, I can imagine how happy the wet nurse is. I’ll go see Aunt after my confinement."

Gu Yifeng just held her in his arms, "Sister Ning, when you’re better, shall we go to the Northwest? You’ve always liked it there, right? When we get there, we can live freely. I’ll teach you to ride, take you hunting, alright?"

"The child is still so small, let’s go when he grows a bit bigger." Lin Youning thought of finding Brother Zong before agreeing to anything.

For now, nurturing her body back to health was her priority, so she could then devote her energy to finding Brother Zong.

Gu Yifeng agreed, holding her in his arms without saying more.

Time passed quickly, five days later it was New Year. The palace sent rewards down; Lin Youning, being in confinement, couldn’t go anywhere. It was only when Liang Hui and the others returned from the palace and visited her that she learned some gossip.

The Duke was stripped of his title for drunkenly molesting a palace maid. The Duke cried innocence, claiming he didn’t molest the maid, that she leaned on him first and he didn’t even realize what was happening before the maid cried misconduct.

When Lin Youning heard, she widened her eyes, "Weren’t there others around?"

"There seemed to be no witnesses, the maid kept accusing the Duke of misconduct. The Holy Emperor was furious, considering the mourning at Duke Mansion just ended but such a scandal occurred, said the Duke broke rules and stripped him of his title." Liang Hui sighed, "But I find this situation strange. Rumors are that the Emperor is avenging you for Brother Zong being stolen, everyone in the Capital knows, and even though the Duchess died by crashing into the wall, the Duke Mansion can’t be left unscathed."

Lin Youning blinked, "How could people in the Capital think this way? How can His Majesty, as ruler of the country, frame the Duke Mansion?"

"Exactly; it’s uncertain how the rumor started, but it reached the Emperor’s ears, and he was livid, ordering an investigation. It led to finding Madam from Dong Mansion was behind it, and Mr. Dong Sr. was demoted, supposedly reassigned as a magistrate back in his hometown." Liang Hui shook her head, "During New Year, these two major incidents certainly make people uneasy."

Lin Youning twisted her mouth, "Duke Mansion and Dong Mansion both encountered troubles, indeed surprising."

Initially when Duke Mansion had issues, Lin Youning didn’t think much, but now Dong Mansion is in trouble too, both mansions having offended her, Lin Youning thought it impossible for such a coincidence in the world.

Liang Hui, worried she’d tire Sister Ning, chatted for a while before leaving, since it was New Year, they returned to the Prince Mansion. Being in confinement, Lin Youning couldn’t leave the mansion, lingering inside, Shanmoi and Hailan, concerned she might be bored, often brought some nice picture books for her to see.

Lin Youning saw Zhao Wu these days but not Li Si, so she asked, "Wasn’t he the one to send people off? Should be back by now, why hasn’t he returned?"

Lin Youning asked Hailan, since Shanmoi wasn’t present at the moment.

Hailan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, "Afraid Miss might worry, we didn’t mention, Li Si lost contact after going to send someone, there hasn’t been any news yet. Marquis already sent people to search, but Miss should rest assured; Shanmoi said Li Si is clever and will be fine."

Lin Youning put down the picture book, "When did news stop coming? Why didn’t you tell me? Did Marquis investigate? Is it related to Dong Mansion?"

"Don’t worry, Miss. We didn’t mention it because of your health." Hailan wasn’t afraid of Miss getting angry, tidying up the picture books beside, "Now we’re telling you."

Lin Youning glared at her, "You speak only when it can’t be concealed. If I didn’t ask, you’d still not say. Never mind, never mind, you’re all thinking of me, how could I blame you? Asking you is useless; I’ll ask the Marquis later."

Hailan pursed her lips and smiled, seeing Shanmoi coming in with a laugh, she teased her, "Is someone chasing you?"