The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law
Chapter 556 - 566: Must Not Break Trust with Others

Chapter 556: Chapter 566: Must Not Break Trust with Others

Lin Qianqing was so astonished that she opened her mouth wide; her cousin’s defense was so remarkable that she couldn’t find words to refute it.

"Alright, granted, your reasoning is sound, but let’s see how you explain to grandmother about spending the night out and then following me to the Jie Family’s residence first thing in the morning once we get back home."

Although Lin Qianqing said that Gu Youyou would be in trouble when she returned, she still voluntarily took the blame upon herself.

"Grandmother, it was I who asked my cousin to accompany me to the Jie Family," she said.

Both girls were kneeling in the room of Madam Lin, the Lin Family matriarch, who was seated next to the Jin Family’s Madam Lin.

Gu Youyou understood why she took the blame upon herself; aside from the grandmother, Madam Lin from the Jin Family was also present.

As Qianqing’s birth mother, Madam Lin wouldn’t punish her daughter too harshly for her mistake, but it was different for Gu Youyou. Since arriving at the Lin Residence, the girl had gained the special favor of both the venerable Lin Xingyi and the old Madam Lin, yet she lacked the temperament of a refined lady that she appreciated, and was even a bad influence on her daughter. Two tigers cannot share one mountain, let alone when she was but a poor relative.

Next to the old lady, the head maid Lusun was massaging her legs. She glanced at Madam Lin and said indifferently to the two kneeling girls, "The floor is cold, and your health isn’t well, so stand up. Lusun, bring a stool for the young miss and her cousin."

"Yes, old Madam!"

If uncle were here, it would be a tribunal.

Gu Youyou and Lin Qianqing sat upright on the round stools.

Observing the two girls, the old Madam Lin sighed deeply and said, "Since it’s already done, let it be. Fortunately, Youyou isn’t seriously ill, but be more careful in the future. It’s better to recuperate at home when sick, rather than needlessly causing others to worry."

The old lady spoke plainly and then turned her gaze towards Madam Lin.

Madam Lin looked pale. Was the old lady implying that she should not pursue the matter further?

But how could that be acceptable? Even if Gu Youyou wasn’t a young miss of the Lin Family, she was an orphan relying on them, and if she lost face, it reflected poorly on the Lin Family as well. Moreover, her own daughter had been growing closer to her lately, so naturally, she couldn’t just let it go.

"Youyou, you spent the whole night away from home, a first among the young ladies of Beijing," she said.

Her implication was that Gu Youyou was the only woman bold enough to spend a night away from home.

Sitting up straight, Gu Youyou replied, "I had fallen ill from the afternoon and was unconscious until I woke up this morning, upon which I immediately returned to the Lin Residence."

The old lady seemed taken aback for a moment, then relaxed, before turning to watch Madam Lin as if anticipating a good show.

Madam Lin frowned, her face darkening.

"If you were unconscious and out of your senses, after waking up and coming home, you should not have gone out again. How did you end up causing trouble at the Jie Family’s place?"

This time, Gu Youyou didn’t speak; Lin Qianqing was the one carrying the burden for her.

"Mother, don’t blame my cousin. I was the one who dragged her there," Qianqing said.

"You? You might be impulsive at times, but you should still know better. Knowing full well that your cousin was unwell, you still took her to the Jie Family."

Qianqing hung her head, saying, "There’s a reason for that. My cousin had already agreed to go with me yesterday, and I had informed Qinyun in advance. If I then didn’t go, wouldn’t I be breaking my promise to Qinyun? Father always said that a gentleman’s word is his bond, and his actions resolute. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Lin Family, how could I break faith with someone?"

"You..." Madam Lin, shaking with anger, pointed at Lin Qianqing but didn’t manage to utter a single word.