Lin Youning pursed her lips into a slight smile, a few hints of brightness flashing in her eyes. Just as Gu Yifeng entered, he saw her this way, and Gu Yifeng’s lips also curved into a smile.

Hailan, upon seeing the Marquis arrive, felt curious inside, but still respectfully withdrew.

Gu Yifeng sat down beside her, "What are you thinking about that’s making you so happy? I see a mischievous smile on your face, what exactly are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about the Dong Mansion," Lin Youning didn’t hide, "Mrs. Dong returned to the mansion, and the Second Prince will certainly seize this opportunity to have Dong Poming come over. Now, the Holy Emperor plans to pass the position to the Crown Prince, but the Second Prince is not willing to accept it. What he must do is find a way to take down the Crown Prince, which means targeting the people around him. After my father returns, he will have dealings with the Crown Prince; if anything happens that implicates my father and then involves the Crown Prince, the Second Prince’s goal will be achieved."

Gu Yifeng tapped her nose with a smile, "You’ve thought it through comprehensively. On the way back to the mansion, Mrs. Dong was already being pursued by assassins sent by the Second Prince’s side. This was their last hope. Since they have such intentions and do not behave, I simply bring Mrs. Dong back to the mansion. If they want to act, let them do so under our watch. It’s easier this way."

Lin Youning’s eyes brightened, "Now the only person they can send here is Dong Poming. But Mrs. Dong isn’t doing anything at present, and they know that too. What use will it be for Dong Poming to come to the mansion? I really can’t figure this part out."

Gu Yifeng nodded, "No matter what they plan to do, we’ll just watch from the sidelines."

"Big brother clearly knows but refuses to say. Since that’s the case, let’s just watch from the side."

"If we all knew now, it would be boring," Gu Yifeng pulled a thin blanket over her, "It’s getting colder, and you walk outside a lot on usual days, so you should rest more."

Lin Youning let him tuck the blanket around her and yawned, "I am indeed a bit tired, so I’ll take a nap. Call me when it’s time for lunch, big brother."

"Alright, sleep," Gu Yifeng wrapped his arms around her, picked up a book on the tea table, and Lin Youning finally closed her eyes.

The winter days are short, but Lin Youning slept until the afternoon; she didn’t even eat lunch and only woke up because she was hungry. Gu Yifeng just had them serve some bird’s nest to fill her stomach before ordering the meal.

Lin Youning is at a stage where she can eat well—her belly isn’t too big and doesn’t press against her stomach. Later, when her belly gets bigger, she’ll want to eat but can’t. Gu Yifeng kept serving her dishes, watching her eat until she was nearly full before he started eating himself.

Once Lin Youning put down her chopsticks, Gu Yifeng also finished eating. There were over a dozen dishes on the table, and Lin Youning managed to eat more than half of them. After eating, she patted her stomach, looking somewhat unsatisfied.

Gu Yifeng, however, was afraid she’d overeat, so he asked for a thick cloak. After covering her up, they left the house. It was already dark outside, but the yard was lit with lanterns, the red lanterns contrasting beautifully with the white snow.

The two took a stroll around the courtyard, and then Li Si came, "The Dong Mansion has sent a note saying they will visit the madam tomorrow."

The ’madam’ Li Si referred to, of course, was Mrs. Dong.

Gu Yifeng nodded, "Keep a close watch."

"Rest assured, my lord, the arrangements have already been made," Li Si, rolling up his sleeves, seemed like he had been waiting for this moment. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

After Li Si left, Lin Youning lost any further interest in walking, instead whining about the cold. Gu Yifeng, knowing she had something on her mind, went along with her. Once they were back inside, Lin Youning got into bed, looking both excited and as if secretly smiling, like something good had happened.

Gu Yifeng knew what she was thinking about and didn’t reveal it. Uncharacteristically, Lin Youning, who usually rose late, got up early the next morning, surprising even Hailan.

Gu Yifeng’s eyes carried an amused smile, while Lin Youning felt a bit sheepish. However, after breakfast, Gu Yifeng spoke first, "There’s nothing going on today; let’s go sit at Shi’an Garden for a while."

Lin Youning naturally wanted to agree immediately, but thinking she was going to watch the excitement, she felt it wasn’t good to be too eager. So she appeared hesitant, "I wonder if Aunt has any plans today?"

"Mother doesn’t have anything planned," Gu Yifeng said deliberately, "If you don’t feel like moving, stay at the mansion. I’ll check if there’s anything at the Prime Minister’s Mansion to deal with. We don’t have to visit Shi’an Garden."

Upon hearing this, Lin Youning quickly said, "Let’s still go and have a look."

Gu Yifeng laughed.

Lin Youning, truly feeling a bit embarrassed, refrained from saying more, knowing that explaining herself too much would make her seem even more self-conscious. After changing their clothes, the two went to Shi’an Garden.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was quite surprised to see them, but was pleased they could visit. They had only been there a short while when news came that the Second Prince’s concubine had arrived.

Mrs. Gu Sr. furrowed her brow, "This must be the young lady from the Dong Mansion, here to see Mrs. Dong?"

Gu Yifeng nodded and motioned for someone to take them to Mrs. Dong’s courtyard while explaining to his mother, "They sent a note yesterday."

"Those people belong to the Second Prince, better to have less interaction. But the second household married off a daughter to the Second Prince’s side, so the relationship isn’t easy to sever," Mrs. Gu Sr. frowned, "Since she’s here, it wouldn’t be right not to have any female company. Let Sister Hui attend to them."

Gu Yifeng agreed, and Suyi, having received instructions, quickly left.

Meanwhile, with Mrs. Dong, Dong Poming had her attendants bring up the items she brought, "These were prepared by Grandmother. Since elder brother left, grandmother’s spirit has been unsteady. Mother is constantly grieving and has fallen ill. Everyone in the Dong Mansion has met with such a fate. Father pondered over it all and came to the Marquis to seek justice for Auntie. Fortunately, the Marquis agreed to bring Auntie back. As long as Auntie is back, things will gradually get better. Auntie must take care of herself, you’ve lost some weight."

Mrs. Dong looked at the neatly arranged items and coldly laughed, "That must have taken a considerable effort from your father, hasn’t it? I feel it on my conscience."

Dong Poming’s eyes flickered, "What’s the matter, Aunt? It sounds like there’s some misunderstanding between you and Father?"

Dong Poming appeared as if she didn’t know what was going on, but in her heart, she was alarmed, wondering if Auntie had learned something. Why else would she say such things?