The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 304 - 305: Anger

Shanmoi was quite sharp-tongued, and the matter of reprimanding Yangtao quickly spread throughout the courtyard. For a while, Aunt Wu’s courtyard suffered even more scorn, as even the food was noticeably not as good as in previous days.

Upon hearing Shanmoi’s words, Wu Xueqin was filled with anger. Now that she saw even the meals were being skimped on, she could not hold back anymore and immediately headed towards the main courtyard, with Yangtao unable to stop her.

Over in the main courtyard, Lin Youning had a simple lunch at noon and took a nap in the afternoon before getting up. As for Gu Yifeng, because the Eldest Prince was returning to the Capital tomorrow, he went to the front courtyard.

These past few days, Gu Yifeng had been in the camp, so he hadn’t had a proper chance to entertain the Eldest Prince. Naturally, tonight he planned to host him properly. However, instead of hosting a banquet in the mansion, he booked a place at an external restaurant.

Lin Youning naturally preferred this. The Eldest Prince was always ruthless, and on the day he entered the mansion, just one glance at her led him to utter such words. For someone like him, she couldn’t be bothered to engage. Besides, the meals she prepared for the Eldest Prince over these days were enough for him to endure.

When Wu Xueqin burst in, there was a clamor outside. Shanmoi and Hailan tried to stop her but failed; they hadn’t expected Aunt Wu to be so ungracious as to storm in.

Lin Youning furrowed her brows tightly, looking at the furious Wu Xueqin standing there. She waved off Shanmoi and Hailan, who had followed her in, and the two of them retreated to the side.

"I wish to ask Madam, what exactly did I do wrong that even the meals in our courtyard are being reduced? Since this is a matter between the two households, it does not concern our house; why act behind the scenes?" Wu Xueqin was full of anger. "I know Madam has always understood the rules and cares about these things. It’s just that I sent Yangtao over this morning to ask Madam a question; please don’t let this matter spread and give servants the chance to accuse you of being narrow-minded."

Lin Youning didn’t know what was going on, so she looked at Shanmoi and Hailan standing behind. Shanmoi, knowing she was in trouble, stepped forward to admit her mistake and explained how she stopped Aunt Wu in the morning.

Wu Xueqin sneered twice, "The maids by Madam’s side are indeed bold; they dare to intercept the master’s message midway and not even inform the master. I don’t know how they became so audacious. If I hadn’t come today, this matter would have remained in the dark. It turns out Madam wasn’t aware of it here. I suppose by causing such a scene now, although I broke the rules, the matter has at least been brought to light."

Hailan, anxious in the background, knew that what Shanmoi did was wrong, but Shanmoi was so bold that she didn’t even inform the young lady.

Lin Youning didn’t expect Wu Xueqin to make such a fuss. It seemed Wu Xueqin was indeed not planning to seek favor in the back courtyard; otherwise, she wouldn’t have caused such a commotion.

Lin Youning was annoyed, vexed at Shanmoi’s increasing audacity, but she knew this was not the time to speak of such matters. "Since it’s the fault of my maid, I won’t let it go lightly, Wu Xueqin can rest assured. But what this maid says is also true: after all, the two sides are under different households. When Aunt Wu left the Marquis Mansion, she was given instructions; surely she remembers them. As such, Aunt Wu should simply follow those instructions and not report everything to me. I simply cannot interfere in my uncle’s household."

By seniority, the main household that Lin Youning presides over is the elder sister-in-law to Mrs. Dong.

It was the first time Lin Youning had drawn such a clear line between the two households in front of Wu Xueqin, presenting such a direct stance.

Wu Xueqin bowed slightly, displaying a smile, "I understand what to do now. Today, it was inappropriate of me to act this way, and if I offended you, I hope the First Madam wouldn’t take it to heart. However, the servants around you shouldn’t be spoiled, as the Gu family’s reputation matters, and no good comes of having maids bolder than their masters, should it get out."

After leaving one last remark, Wu Xueqin glanced at Shanmoi kneeling on the ground, turned around, and walked away. Nearby, Yangtao trembled with fear and hurriedly followed after.

After Aunt Wu left, the room was silent. Hailan also went up and knelt down, "I beg the young lady to spare Shanmoi. This girl has always been protective of her master. This morning, when the young lady and Marquis were resting, Yangtao came, and Shanmoi stopped her outside. The young lady also knows that Shanmoi speaks without thinking, and the servant believes Shanmoi won’t dare to do so again. I plead for the young lady to forgive her this once."

Hailan’s choice to switch from calling her Madam to Young Lady was clear to Lin Youning, as she used their previous rapport to plead for Shanmoi.

Seeing Shanmoi kneeling silently beside her, Lin Youning felt a sense of powerlessness. She knew Shanmoi was loyal, but such a breach of protocol made her worry that if it went unchecked, the maid would cause even bigger trouble in the future.

Hailan, seeing that her words hadn’t prompted the young lady to speak, dared not continue as she knew the young lady held affection for them. But this incident, troubling as it was when it happened, was further exacerbated by Shanmoi’s stubbornness and her bold action in even preventing little maids from informing Nanny Guo.

"I understand the relationship between you and Shanmoi. But if you genuinely care for her, you should consider the magnitude of today’s incident. I won’t say much more, but Shanmoi won’t need to attend to me for the next couple of days. Besides, there’s nothing much happening here, just stay in your room and contemplate what to do next." Lin Youning’s voice was soft, but her tone carried the firm decision she wouldn’t change.

Shanmoi bowed her head, "The servant thanks the young lady."

The young lady had been lenient, even granting her the dignity of saving face. Without actions for further punishment, how could Shanmoi not be grateful?

Yet she regretted her impulsiveness, allowing Aunt Wu this opportunity to reproach the young lady.

"Alright, both of you can stand up now too; it wouldn’t look right for the little maids to see this." Lin Youning sighed, "Zhang Wu has been back for some days now. I wonder if there has been any news sent from the Capital."

Last night, her elder brother had already mentioned Mrs. Dong’s pregnancy and explained that he hadn’t told her because he felt awkward about it. Though she knew she shouldn’t feel so selfishly happy about it, she couldn’t help but feel a flutter of sweetness in her heart at her elder brother’s affection.

As for Mrs. Dong, Lin Youning wasn’t inclined to think much about her now.