Chapter 448 - 440: Following
Although Lin Youning only glanced briefly, she could see Wu Xueqin and the man entering a residence together, and it was clear from their interaction that they were quite close. The man seemed to appear somewhat conflicted as well.
Thinking of this, Lin Youning called Hailan over. "Soon, send someone to find out which family they visited and what they were doing there. Also, find out which family the man with her belongs to. Make sure not to alert them."
The man accompanying Wu Xueqin piqued Lin Youning’s curiosity.
Shanmoi glared at Hailan, full of envy, understanding that the young lady instructed Hailan to inquire because Hailan was more reliable than her.
Hailan agreed, and when Lin Youning and the others returned to the East Mansion, Hailan stayed behind instead of returning. This area of the East Market mostly housed wealthy families, and the residence they stayed in, although bought by Gu Yifeng for them through Li Si, was formerly a mansion of an affluent family, granting them respect due to the reputation of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Therefore, it was not difficult to inquire about Wu Xueqin’s matters. Lin Youning hadn’t been seated long after returning to the East Mansion when Hailan returned. "I asked around. The household belongs to Mr. Li, an Imperial Craftsman. Mr. Wu went there to discuss her artwork with him because ordinary craftsmen claimed they couldn’t create it. That’s why they approached Mr. Li. Accompanying Mr. Wu was Mr. Wang, who is working on imperial orders with her."
Hailan paused before adding, "It turns out he is the husband of the second young lady of the Dong Mansion."
Initially, Lin Youning listened with indifference, merely nodding, but her composed expression changed upon hearing this. She sat upright, "Did you find out clearly?"
Hailan nodded, "While inquiring, I also heard some rumors but was afraid they might offend you."
"You’ve been with me for years; you don’t need to mind that. Just speak," Lin Youning said with a smile.
Hailan continued, "I heard some girls saying that Wu often appears with Mr. Wang, and although they are acting under imperial orders, they seem very intimate. Those with some standing in the Capital are aware of this. Mr. Wang is already married to the second young lady of the Dong Mansion. When Mr. Wang passed the civil service exam, everyone envied the second young lady, although she was a concubine’s daughter and married beneath her stature, she married a good person. The Wang Family doesn’t allow concubines. But seeing Mr. Wang and Mr. Wu together like this, many feel Mr. Wang is an amorous man."
"Now that you’ve heard it too, such rumors must be circulating widely. There’s no smoke without fire. It seems there is some truth to it. I wonder how Dong Boyun is reacting to this news," Lin Youning mused.
In her heart, she thought that if it wasn’t for her suggestion, there wouldn’t be the current situation with Wu Xueqin, and the affair with Wang Wen wouldn’t have happened; Dong Boyun might have been happier then.
"She disregarded your kindness and treated you this way, so why worry for her? After her miscarriage, they say Mr. Wang visited a few times to accompany her back from the Dong Mansion but never appeared in the Capital again. With the eldest son of the Dong Mansion gone, and for a concubine’s daughter no less, the Dong Mansion faced scorn. She miscarried, and her days in the Wang Family might not be easy either. She brought this upon herself; why pity her," Hailan rarely spoke so harshly.
Lin Youning understood the girl’s concern for her and smiled, "I was merely speaking. The bond between us ended long ago. Over the years, I believe I’ve treated her well enough. When I introduced her to a marriage prospect, it was without expectation of repayment. Yet, she repaid me by plotting against me. Just for that, any bond is void. I’m merely lamenting the unpredictability of life. As you said, her life is already difficult and another woman, Wu Xueqin, now complicates it further. One under the pressure of family scandal and the other a rising star everyone wants to flatter; in comparison, she naturally falls short."
"You are too kind. If you hadn’t spared her, she would have been dismissed from the Wang Family and sent to the estate by the Dong Mansion. You spared her, did not pursue things, and now despite the affection Mr. Wang and that woman share, she remains the Wang Family’s Second Madam. That outcome isn’t bad," Shanmoi chimed in, carrying in fruit, "If you ask me, go straight to the Wang Family, tell them her deeds, and see what she does. Save us the hassle of dealing with later betrayals."
Hailan just smiled, and Lin Youning joined in the laughter.
They knew Shanmoi was like that, always disdainful of wrongdoers.
Lin Youning said no more, only reaching for an orange and peeling it as she nodded, "Was this orange sent from the estate? It tastes refreshing. Have them send more, green ones."
"Sour cravings mean you’re expecting a son," Shanmoi laughed, "No need to ask them. The Marquis has already arranged for plenty to be sent from the estate this time. You can have as much as you want."
"That won’t do. The physician said too much sour food upsets the stomach. You just started eating again without any reactions, keep it measured," Hailan cautioned.
Shanmoi grinned guiltily without arguing.
Watching the two girls, Lin Youning smiled with eyes slightly narrowed.
Meanwhile, over at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Gu Yifeng was sitting with a stern face in the study with Mr. Dong Sr. Mr. Dong Sr. had heard his sister was sent to an estate and lacked confidence, so he braved coming to the mansion to find out what exactly happened.
In such circumstances, he felt obliged to come. His sister had been sent to an estate, and her family needed to speak for her.
Though Mr. Dong Sr. typically carried official authority, this diminished before Gu Yifeng, "What the Marquis says is right. Sending her to the estate for reflection is appropriate. But Brother Zong is still young and needs his birth mother. Though my sister was wrong, as her elder brother, I apologize here first on her behalf. For the sake of the children, please forgive her this time, Marquis."
As long as those matters weren’t brought up, Mr. Dong Sr. felt relieved, though he couldn’t understand why his sister caused such trouble. She had a legitimate son, yet didn’t choose to live peacefully. Why do this?
Being sent to the estate only increased gossip about the Dong Mansion.
Mr. Dong Sr. felt weary, his son’s incident seeming to have aged him decades in an instant.