Chapter 412 - 404: Playing Along
Sister Ying kept silent on the side, clearly upset. After all, she was younger than Sister Hong and less composed.
"We understand what you’re saying, cousin, and we don’t fear your laughter. When we left the mansion today, Grandmother already spoke to us about this, so we were prepared. We didn’t expect to encounter such a situation immediately upon arrival. Sister Ying is younger and can’t grasp it immediately, but she’ll understand after experiencing it a few more times. Cousin, you needn’t worry. You’re expecting and should take good care of yourself." Sister Hong looked apologetic.
"That’s good to hear. Grandmother is right; you shouldn’t take what others say to heart. Just be yourself. As for other matters, it’s not always about status. Whether one is from a legitimate line or not, if you have self-respect and know how to respect others, that’s not something that can be changed by just being born into a legitimate line." Lin Youning took Sister Ying’s hand, "Sister, don’t take it to heart. Since we’re here at the Zhou Mansion’s banquet, let’s enjoy ourselves. You’re both grown now, and such matters are unavoidable in the future. You must face the world eventually. If you hide away because of a few words from others, wouldn’t that just make them more satisfied?"
"I understand now, cousin." Sister Ying replied, looking embarrassed.
Sister Ran added, "I was originally from an outside line and have been mocked and looked down upon many times when socializing. Now I’m used to it; it’s just a status. As long as you respect yourself, what does it matter if you’re from an outside line? I used to envy others, but now I’ve realized that others’ mockery brings me nothing, even their praise doesn’t help. What’s important is living comfortably yourself."
Thinking about her own sister’s actions earlier, Sister Ran felt uncomfortable, even though she was straightforward.
She knew she often bullied her sister in the mansion, but she never intended to tarnish her reputation. The last time, she stopped her sister from doing something wrong, upsetting her sister and leading her to complain to their aunt, who scolded her sister. That’s likely why her sister bore a grudge.
Lin Youning looked at Sister Ran, "You’re right, Sister Ran. You’ve grown up to say such sensible things. You three get along well, try to meet up more often. Once you’re married, it won’t be as easy to visit each other, as you’ll have household duties."
Sister Ran felt embarrassed by Lin Youning’s praise. She used to look down on her little aunt and would often oppose her, gossiping behind her back. Now, Sister Ran felt awkward as her little aunt bore no grudge.
Lin Youning noticed but didn’t point it out, "I don’t see much in the garden, shall we head back?"
"Yes, seeing how close you sisters are, I feel envious. My mother passed early, otherwise, I might’ve had a sister too." Xu Ya’an said longingly.
Lin Youning smiled faintly, saying nothing. She wasn’t sure how to respond since she knew both father and son from the Xu Family liked her, something Xu Ya’an was also aware of.
Because of the Xu Family matters, Lin Youning thought it best to say less.
The group left without noticing Sister Jian hiding in the corner. Sister Jian planned to come out but noticed a figure that seemed like a man who also noticed the women and hid. She hesitated and decided to wait.
After they left, she didn’t come out until the man did.
"Cousin, why are you here?" she asked. The man hiding was Mrs. Dong’s nephew, Dong Side.
Dong Side was surprised to find someone else there and realized he’d been caught eavesdropping. He looked embarrassed and quickly bowed to his cousin, "Cousin."
Dong Side was quite handsome and still youthful. His bow made Sister Jian’s face turn red, and she stepped aside.
She replied quickly, "Cousin, why are you doing this? I happened to pass by and saw you. Now, you’re bowing so formally, what am I to do?"
Sister Jian was also quite pretty, but her quiet nature usually made her go unnoticed. As she spoke, he couldn’t help but secretly glance at her.
The sight of a shy young woman was captivating.
He stared in a daze, and Sister Jian saw him staring, making her face even redder.
"Did you come with cousin?" Sister Jian’s face was so red it seemed ready to drip water.
Her bashful look only made it harder for him to look away. Dong Side forgot to speak, just staring, and even instinctively reached to gently touch her cheek.
Sister Jian was startled but forgot to avoid his hand.
The two stood unabashedly in the garden, intimately interacting, unaware that Wu Xueqin had seen it.
Wu Xueqin smirked, "How interesting. I didn’t expect to see this scene. I suppose the East Mansion and Gu Mansion will be stirred up."
Yangtao laughed afterward, "Exactly. I was shocked, this wasn’t meant for the third girl, was it? How did it become entangled with the eldest girl? Who knows if outsiders know about this?"
"This can’t be kept secret. Let the third girl know, as a courtesy for Mrs. Dong’s care at the Marquis Mansion." Wu Xueqin seemed to help but was causing trouble.
Yangtao, chuckling, curtsied, "Rest assured, I’ll pass this along."
Wu Xueqin left, uninterested, and Sister Jian finally came back to her senses, turning aside, "Cousin, how can you do this? If my third sister finds out, what will she think of me, and mother won’t forgive me."