Lin Youning had a talk with her two maids, and Shanmoi’s heart was settled; she seemed more energetic.

After they had dinner in the evening, Sister Hong and the others sat there for a while longer before returning to rest. Lin Youning, however, couldn’t fall asleep. Her belly was already protruding, making it inconvenient to move around. Usually, with her elder brother by her side, Lin Youning didn’t notice it much, but only now with people around did she realize it.

Without asking Hailan and the others to keep watch at night, Lin Youning sat up. Her elder brother and brother had gone to the Pure Path Temple, and it had been a day without any news from them. She was unsure about their condition.

Lin Youning had just sat up and was in a daze for a while when she heard noises and fighting sounds in the courtyard. She hurriedly sat up. In her two lifetimes, she had never encountered such a thing, but even without going out, she knew someone had intruded.

Before she could call anyone, Nanny Guo and Hailan Shanmoi came in. Nanny Guo first approached the bedside, seeing the girl was awake, she quickly said, "Miss, there’s no need to worry, it’s just a small thief who broke in. The guards are handling it in the main courtyard, it’ll be fine soon."

Lin Youning nodded, "Nanny, rest assured, I am aware."

Or rather, she was mentally prepared.

She just didn’t expect that as soon as the Marquis left, the Eldest Prince would focus on her. She was associated with Prince Shou’s daughter’s matter, which the Eldest Prince didn’t know, but she didn’t understand why the Eldest Prince was pestering her so relentlessly.

The fighting in the courtyard, as Nanny Guo said, quieted down soon, and Zhao Wu’s voice was heard reporting from outside, "Madam, the thief has been apprehended, you can rest peacefully now."

Hailan received a nod from the young lady before she went out, exchanged a few words with Zhao Wu, after which Zhao Wu led the guards away.

When Hailan returned, Nanny Guo was advising, "Miss, don’t overthink, it’s just a careless thief. You should rest now as you’re pregnant; your health is most important."

Lin Youning nodded, "Sister Hong and the others are okay, right? They shouldn’t be frightened."

"The two young ladies are settled in the back courtyard, you can relax. They weren’t disturbed," said Nanny Guo.

Lin Youning finally sighed in relief, "Initially, there was no issue, but it’s hard to keep it from them. Tomorrow I’ll need to speak with them, advising not to tell their grandmother, so she doesn’t worry too."

"It’s just a small thief; with the Marquis’s guards here, the old madam will also be at ease." Nanny Guo asked Shanmoi and Hailan to leave, offering to keep watch herself.

Lin Youning knew that after such an incident at night, even if she asked Nanny Guo to go back, she wouldn’t rest easily, so she didn’t stop her.

But the next morning, Lin Youning called Sister Hong and the others over for breakfast, and before she could talk about the night’s events, Shanmoi came in from outside, looking quite ill-at-ease.

"Miss, Miss Dong has come."

Lin Youning realized immediately, no wonder Shanmoi looked so displeased.

Sister Hong and the others weren’t aware of the matters at hand, so they didn’t find it unusual; they just knew Youning had frequent interactions with the second girl of the Dong Mansion, nothing else.

Lin Youning frowned slightly, "Send her back, there’s no need to say anything else."

Shanmoi had thought the girl would let the person in, and upon hearing her decision, was happy to comply and exited. Lin Youning didn’t explain anything to Sister Hong and Sister Ying, and after breakfast, Sister Ran and Sister Hui came over.

As for Dong Boyun, when Shanmoi didn’t return with any more messages, Lin Youning knew she had left.

Though Dong Boyun had done such things before, considering Dong Boyun’s pride, as long as she didn’t meet her, Lin Youning believed Dong Boyun wouldn’t show up at the mansion.

Lin Youning sent Sister Hong and the others to play, then called Hailan over, "Go ask Zhao Wu if there’s any news from the Marquis?"

Hailan gave a slight bow and left. Before long, she returned, "There’s no letter from the Marquis, but Zhao Wu said they’d gone to the mountains, likely not arrived yet, so there’s no safety concern; the Marquis went out with guards and won’t be back for days. If the young lady needs anything sent, she can have it delivered to the Marquis."

Lin Youning nodded, "There’s no need to send a letter as long as everyone is safe. Also, tell Zhao Wu not to report last night’s incident there."

"Miss knows, but Zhao Wu likely already sent word last night." Hailan knew the young lady cared most about the mansion’s safety.

Lin Youning nodded, "Yes, then let it be."

Hailan then added, "Miss, the Prince Mansion sent an invitation, inviting you to the mansion on the wedding day."

"Was the invitation sent from the palace?"

Hailan nodded, "When the Marquis left, he instructed that invites could be directly refused, but this came from the palace. An eunuch placed it at the gatehouse and left, saying he had more invitations to deliver."

Lin Youning nodded, "Where’s the invitation?"

Hailan then produced the invitation from her sleeve. Lin Youning glanced at it and placed it on the tea table, "The Prime Minister’s Mansion will certainly receive an invitation too. Consort Zhou will surely attend, uncertain what will ensue, but there are two days left, and beyond what my elder brother prepared, it seems I’ll have to bring it myself now."

"Miss, please don’t worry. Though the Marquis isn’t here, the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the Marquis Mansion’s old madam will attend. Last time, Capital gossiped extensively about Consort Zhou; she’ll likely remain cautious."

Lin Youning smiled, "What ought to come, can’t be avoided. This time, even if Consort Zhou dared to truly trouble me, I can’t repeat last time."

Hailan smiled, "The miss is right."

The master and servant smiled, while on the other side, after Dong Boyun didn’t meet Lin Youning and left the East Mansion blankly, she didn’t know where to go.

Currently, Wang Wen was involved with Wu Xueqin, and the Dong Mansion wouldn’t help her. Without her brother, the entire mansion was in chaos, and she, just a concubine’s daughter and married off, wouldn’t be cared for.

Dong Boyun sat in the carriage, unsure of her destination, after circling the Capital twice, finally returning to the Wang Family.

Mrs. Wang Sr. also received an invitation from the Prince Mansion, calling her daughters-in-law over, only to hear the second daughter-in-law had left the mansion.

Mrs. Wang Sr., slightly displeased, suppressed it, considering the recent Capital rumors.

It wasn’t until evening did she hear the younger daughter-in-law had returned. Mrs. Wang Sr. nodded faintly, instructing to pay attention, "If Second Young Master returns, have him come to me."