Little sister?
Lin Youning didn't remember how many years it had been since she last heard that name, long enough for her to forget she even had such a childhood name.
Indeed.
As she became more pampered and willful over the years, she gradually transitioned from being called Little Sister to Sister Ning.
Looking at the slightly handsome face in front of her, not yet grown into the elegant features it would become, the gentle voice that spoke now did not call her the evil woman it did in her memory, but rather addressed her childhood name so tenderly.
Lin Youyu lowered her eyelids, feeling only annoyance, "Second brother, I'm tired."
For the grievances of the past life, considering Madam's feelings, she wouldn't hold them against him. But to face Gu Yixuan as if nothing had happened was impossible, let alone to get close to him.
In this life, she no longer wished to have any ties with him. His arrival reminded Lin Youning of the most important task after her rebirth.
To sever her ties with Gu Yixuan, she could no longer be the child bride of the Gu Family's main household. With Madam's fondness for her, she only needed to convince Madam to choose another girl to marry Gu Yixuan, and the matter would be resolved.
Lin Youning buried her head in thought, while Gu Yixuan, watching her, felt his heart tighten, his brows knitting together.
He spoke earnestly, "Little sister, the Buddhist Scripture says there are eight sufferings—birth, aging, illness, death, separation from loved ones, resentment towards encounters, unfulfilled desires, and the five aggregates. Birth, aging, illness, and death, things don't always go as wished; you should let it go. At such a young age, carrying heavy burdens all day long, your body can't take it."
"Thank you for your concern, second brother. Sister Ning will remember your teachings," Lin Youning's voice was distant.
She automatically ignored Little Sister, directly replacing it with Sister Ning.
A childhood name was something only those close could call her, and Lin Youning's words clearly stated her stance.
"It's good that you can let it go. I heard this morning that mother was ill. I only found out when I returned to the manor that you were also ill. Now seeing you well, I am relieved. Sir… Sister Ning, rest well," Gu Yixuan heard it clearly, and his eyes were filled with increasing doubt.
Yet his voice remained gentle, like a brother caring for his sister.
"Sister Ning bids farewell to second brother." Lin Youning made to get up.
"Sister Ning, just sit down. We are family; there's no need for so many formalities." Gu Yixuan raised his hand, and Lin Youning sat back on the couch.
In truth, she never intended to get up.
As Gu Yixuan walked out, he instructed the maids inside the room to take good care of her.
When Shanmoi returned to the courtyard with bird's nest, she saw the departing figure of the Second Young Master, noting that besides the senior maid Tingnan at the door, there were four young maids.
Tingnan approached Shanmoi, speaking softly, "I don't know what happened to the young mistress today, treating the Second Young Master so coldly. Luckily, he didn't mind."
"The old lady has passed. The young mistress is grieving; she couldn't think of anything else," Shanmoi said dismissively, her round face breaking into a smile, dimples appearing at the corners of her lips.
Tingnan stamped her foot anxiously, "You're too carefree! In the future, the young mistress is meant to be with the Second Young Master for life. If she makes him resent her now, and with the old lady gone, without anyone to support her, how will she manage in the future?"
"Madam treats the young mistress as her own. Even the Marquis and the Second Young Master take a backseat, so you needn't worry about that." As they reached the main room door, Shanmoi stopped talking, letting the young maid lift the curtain before entering the main room.
Tingnan reached out to hold Shanmoi back, but Shanmoi moved quickly, striding in.
Lin Youning sat on the couch by the window, observing everything in the courtyard. As Shanmoi entered, Lin Youning withdrew her gaze, sitting upright on the couch, "What were you and Tingnan talking about just now?"
"Tingnan was concerned about the distance between the young mistress and the Second Young Master, wishing for me to talk to the young mistress," Shanmoi replied as she placed the bird's nest on the table, simultaneously serving it into a bowl.
Both Shanmoi and Tingnan were only ten years old, bought into the manor at five by the old lady to serve by the young mistress's side. They had known her gentle nature since childhood, never punishing servants, let alone reprimanding them.
Seeing the young mistress suddenly asking such questions today, Shanmoi glanced again when she stepped aside, noticing the young mistress sipping the soup, exhibiting a manner of elegance and grace beyond her mere five years, explaining why the Madam and Madam treated her so favorably.
The old lady valued etiquette greatly, and being raised by the old lady, the young mistress developed excellent manners from a young age, unlike other girls who needed to be taught by a nanny.
Not speaking while eating nor talking before going to bed, seeing the young mistress eating, Shanmoi remained silent.
Lin Youning finished half a bowl of bird's nest, and after setting down the bowl, she took out a silk handkerchief to dab her mouth, "Aunt is ill, I should visit her. Have Tingnan stay; you accompany me."
She had long forgotten about the severe illness she suffered after her aunt's death in her past life. Even now, after consuming half a bowl of bird's nest, she did not feel full. However, having been raised with her aunt, she developed the habit of eating only 70% full; even with the desire to eat more, she would not take another bite.
Shanmoi, who had served her since childhood, noticed the young mistress ate the same amount as usual and did not persuade further. She called the young maid outside to clear away the bowls and chopsticks, then summoned Tingnan to come and assist in dressing the young mistress.
Since they were in mourning, she only changed into a neatly pressed, unwrinkled white hemp dress, covered with a black straight-collared coat, and her hair was meticulously styled, adorned with a small white hemp flower beside the topknot. Though already appearing frail, this attire made her seem even more delicate.
Once dressed, Lin Youning left Tingxue Hall, leading Shanmoi toward the Shi'an Garden at the front.