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

Chapter 540 - 532: Concealment

Hailan saw the anxious look on the young lady’s face and knew that she was worried, although her heart was in turmoil, she still put on a calm demeanor, smiling and striding to the bedside.

"What’s wrong, young lady? The Imperial Physician has mentioned that the young lady should rest well. Although the childbirth went smoothly, the body constitution is poor; after all these years, it’s still back to how it used to be."

Lin Youning was truly relieved to see Hailan, "Where are Sister Hong and the others? Why did they leave and not come back? What about Sister Yue?"

Upon hearing the young lady’s question, Hailan’s heart sank, but she smiled and said, "The meal in the front courtyard has been prepared, people have been called to eat, so they didn’t come over. Mrs. Liu Sr. feared that the young lady would worry, so she sent me to inform you."

"Is that true?"

"As the young lady said, if it weren’t true, why would I deceive you?" Hailan pulled up the quilt, "The little master is very obedient, he fell asleep after being fed, not crying or fussing at all. Does the young lady want to see the little master? If so, I can ask someone to bring him."

Lin Youning, hearing this, finally believed, "If he’s asleep, let him sleep. It’s so cold outside, don’t let him catch a cold."

Hailan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Would the young lady like to eat something? I can bring over the soup."

Lin Youning was indeed hungry, and after Hailan brought the soup, she ate a bowl and started feeling drowsy again. Only then did she fall asleep with Hailan accompanying her; just before sleeping, Lin Youning pondered on Brother Zong’s unhappiness.

Watching the young lady fall asleep, Hailan finally relaxed and stepped out.

Outside, Gu Yifeng’s face was colder than a harsh winter, standing in the courtyard directing people to find someone, "Since she hasn’t left the mansion, she must still be inside. Search thoroughly; I want to see what she can do."

Even though jealousy brewed inside regarding Sister Ning’s feelings for Brother Zong, at this moment Gu Yifeng understood that if anything happened to Brother Zong, Sister Ning might not survive either.

He wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.

The mansion was already in chaos, Zhao Housheng also led guards in search everywhere, while Prime Minister Liu stood by, stroking his beard without speaking, though his expression was evidently angry.

Mrs. Liu Sr. initially wanted to go out searching, but she was stopped by Prime Minister Liu, who had a sullen expression and said nothing, so she didn’t dare ask more, only stood in the courtyard.

Looking around, though several people stood in the courtyard, no one spoke first, Sister Ling standing behind dared not cry aloud, only quietly wiped her eyes.

Sister Hong and Sister Ying also dared not speak, gently patting Lingling’s arm occasionally, as a sign of comfort.

The entire East Mansion was shrouded in a tense atmosphere; the household staff knelt, barely daring to breathe.

Meanwhile, Sister Yue, who had been sought after, wrapped Brother Zong tightly in a quilt at the side gate connecting East Mansion and the Marquis Mansion. Hearing footsteps approaching, her face frozen pale like paper, only relaxed when the small side gate was opened from the Marquis Mansion end. She then carried Brother Zong inside.

Opening the door for Sister Yue was a strange old woman, who after letting her in locked the side gate without saying much, then glanced around, whispering, "Fourth Miss should follow me quickly, the carriage is at the back corner gate of the Marquis Mansion. Once the young lady boards the carriage, someone will deliver you to Madam."

Sister Yue said nothing more, following the old woman’s words towards the back gate, fearing being spotted, cautiously observing her surroundings, while the old woman vigilantly watched around. Finally, Sister Yue was escorted onto a carriage parked in the alley behind, only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.

Watching the carriage depart from a distance, the old woman returned through the side gate to the Marquis Mansion, just locked the gate when she turned around and spotted someone standing behind her, her face turning pale with fear.

Nanny Chang eyed her coldly, "What are you doing here? Which courtyard are you from?"

The unfamiliar old woman quickly performed a greeting, "I’m from the main kitchen overseeing firewood. Today there was a delivery, so I came to check."

Nanny Chang nodded, then scrutinized her again, finally turning to leave.

The old woman breathed a sigh of relief, not daring to linger, hurrying towards her quarters, understanding she shouldn’t stay here long, especially after being seen. Anyway, the silver note she received was sufficient for her family to live on for a lifetime, escaping seemed best for now.

Meanwhile, the other side of the East Mansion was thoroughly searched without finding anyone, Gu Yifeng eyed the kneeling staff, squeezing words through his teeth, "She hasn’t gone through the main gate, nor is she in the mansion, meaning she’s elsewhere. She’s a young lady, unlikely to have the skill to climb over walls."

Gu Yifeng paused, "Send someone to check the Marquis Mansion, ask Nanny Chang and Nanny Chi."

This task naturally fell upon Zhao Wu, who left with the command.

Gu Yifeng did not regard the kneeling staff further, turning to Prime Minister Liu beside him, "Grandfather should head inside, resolving this matter seems to take time."

Prime Minister Liu was wise, nodding and striding ahead, followed by Mrs. Liu Sr. and others, whereupon Mrs. Liu Sr. couldn’t help but softly cry upon entering, "Sister Ning’s fate is so bitter, how did this happen? If the child learns of it, how can he endure?"

Prime Minister Liu didn’t intervene or stop her, Liang Hui gently comforted her, also quietly wiping tears, Sister Ling cried aloud, with Sister Hong and Sister Ying worried, but being young ladies, dared not cry out openly.

Gu Yifeng sat in silence, while Zhao Housheng spoke up, "Why did Sister Yue choose to do this? What benefit does she gain from it?"

Gu Yifeng regarded him, as Zhao Housheng continued, "I rather suspect this involves Mrs. Kong."

Over there, Mrs. Liu Sr. ceased crying, "Mrs. Kong? She’s married into Prince Xian Mansion, what relation does she have to this? Why would she target Sister Ning?"

"Initially, the matter concerning the heir of Prince Xian can’t be divorced from the Marquis’s involvement. If Mrs. Kong seeks to please the heir, although she’s pregnant now, it’s rumored she’s not faring well in Prince Xian Mansion, and the heir is afraid of losing his title, always trying to stir things up," Zhao Housheng sneered, "To protect the child in her womb, Mrs. Kong might well resort to such actions, since only keeping the child ensures her stability in Prince Xian Mansion."

Zhao Housheng’s words seemed to awaken everyone from their baffled state, finally bringing clarity.