Chapter 399 - 391: Confrontation
Gu Yifeng had already risen from the couch, and Lin Youning hurriedly got up as well, with Gu Yifeng quickly reaching out to support her.
As they walked out together, Gu Yifeng asked, "How is he? Where is he?"
"He was brought back by the Hidden Guard, covered in blood on his chest, a doctor has been sent for. Li Si had someone deliver a message to the Marquis, saying that they encountered an ambush just after leaving the estate. It seems those people were already around the estate, ready to intercept anyone who left."
Faced with such an incident, Lin Youning pressed her lips tightly together, suspecting it must be related to the Eldest Prince, though she didn’t understand why the Eldest Prince was so desperate to find Prince Shou, or what use Prince Shou could be to him.
Gu Yifeng nodded, "You and Madam stay in the back courtyard, I’ll handle the front."
He paused, "Now that you’re pregnant, you can’t be around anything bloody. Stay here well, and I’ll return after handling this. If I come back late, just go to sleep first."
Lin Youning nodded, knowing she shouldn’t add to her brother’s burdens at this time. She only reminded him not to worry about her and watched as he left before gripping Hailan’s hand.
"Miss, the Marquis has gone over, everything will be all right." Hailan’s face was also filled with concern.
Lin Youning nodded vigorously, "I have the little maid here, you go see if there’s anything you can do. Li Si should’ve stayed at the manor, but he turned back halfway, which didn’t feel right. Now it seems something indeed happened. Shanmoi isn’t here, and the two are about to marry. I just hope nothing happens to Li Si."
"Don’t worry, miss. Although Li Si is severely injured, I heard he wasn’t hurt in any critical places, so he will be fine." Hailan was also anxious, "I can’t do much help in the front, and there’s no one close to Madam here either, it’s better for me to stay."
"No, you should go. Not knowing how Li Si is doing bothers me." Lin Youning disagreed.
"Let me stay by the young lady’s side." Nanny Wang entered from outside.
Hailan was slightly startled, knowing from earlier conversations that this person was someone by the young lady’s mother’s side. But after all these years, Hailan didn’t dare to trust her easily. Lin Youning, upon seeing Nanny Wang, agreed, "Hailan, listen to Nanny Wang and go."
Seeing the young lady speak again, Hailan nodded and left.
Once Hailan left, Lin Youning breathed a sigh and said helplessly, "I’m sorry for the trouble, Nanny. Such things keep happening nowadays. Although Li Si is by the Marquis’s side, he’s no different from family to us."
"I understand how you feel, miss." Nanny Wang sat down, "The young lady should stay at ease at times like this; the more tumultuous the times, the more one should stay composed. The Dingyuan Marquis has wielded prominence at the border for many years. The one behind this is most likely from the Eldest Prince’s side."
Lin Youning nodded, "You’re impressive, nanny, to deduce it’s the Eldest Prince after being away from the Capital for so long."
"Even though I’m not in the Capital, I know the Crown Prince won’t do such things, as long as he maintains himself, the Emperor won’t depose him. Furthermore, given the Empress’s character, I believe the Crown Prince is not that kind of person." Nanny Wang smiled softly, neither prideful nor humble.
This demeanor is not cultivated overnight, and only those from noble families or the palace emerge with such grace.
Nanny Wang pondered for a moment and pulled out the Dragon and Phoenix Pendant from her bosom, presenting it to Lin Youning, "Miss, this was entrusted to me by the Prince when he left, instructing me to give it to you should I find you one day. This pendant is the token of affection between the Emperor and the Princess from back then. After leaving the palace, the Prince always carried it, apart from the Jade Pendant given to the Grandmaster at his birth. This one was left. I had thought of waiting until the time is more stable to give it to the Marquis, but now it seems it’s uncertain what the future holds, and this pendant might just save the young lady’s life."
Lin Youning accepted the pendant, her eyes reddened, "Before, I always thought myself an orphan, fostered by others, with no one to care for me. Gradually, I learned about my heritage, and now I have a father alive. Though we can’t meet, and I don’t know his whereabouts, I am content just to receive his love."
"Don’t be sad, miss, or else I’ll feel uneasy too." Nanny Wang comforted her, "As for the Eldest Prince, it must be that he learned someone was dispatched back or a message sent, and couldn’t bear it any longer, so acted in broad daylight. With the Marquis handling things there, the young lady can rest assured that everything will be fine."
Lin Youning nodded, "It’s just that Li Si got hurt."
"He is merely a servant, miss, your heart is too soft. Servants are servants, their loyalty is their basic duty, while the master remains the master. How can servants and masters be equated? The young lady is the Prince’s daughter, this identity will be impossible to conceal in the future. Matters like these, the young lady must keep in mind, those noble families will look down upon people. Being kind to servants, in their eyes, they only consider you unprincipled."
Lin Youning understood this and smiled, nodding in agreement, then said, "I have a nanny by my side who came from the palace too. She went with me to the border last time, surname Guo, the Marquis bought her to serve me when I was little."
"Guo? What a coincidence, I had a good sister in the palace named Guo. I wonder how she is now." Nanny Wang’s face briefly showed rare regret upon mentioning this.
Lin Youning suddenly perked up, "Nanny Guo came with us on this trip and has been caring for my meals. Shall I call for Nanny Guo to see if you recognize her?"
"Better not, it’s late already. The young lady must rest early since she’s pregnant. Working together, we’ll eventually meet sometime; if we recognize each other, it’ll be a blessing." Nanny Wang stood up, "I’ll prepare the bed for you, miss. When a woman is pregnant, everything revolves around the baby; matters outside are for the men to handle, remember this, miss."
Lin Youning found that spending extended time with Nanny Wang revealed her to be a talkative person who valued tradition.
At times, she was also somewhat assertive.
Still, such a Nanny Wang always left one feeling close, much like having a mother nearby.
In the front courtyard, Gu Yifeng had the guards apply medicine to Li Si’s wounds. Having spent much time on the battlefield, he knew it was just a flesh wound, and his heart eased as he got up to go outside.