During these three days, although Lauren Brooks was not allowed to get out of bed, she became familiar with all the various items on the bed, especially the assortment of needles and threads in the box at the headboard. There were purses, fan tassels, handkerchiefs, shoe uppers... In short, everything one could possibly need. Even though she used to be quite skilled at needlework to save money, and could even tailor clothes, back then she still had a sewing machine. Now, this was genuine embroidery, and her little bit of stitching skill was hardly worth mentioning. If not for all these things left behind by the original owner, plus her injuries providing an excuse, how else could she muddle through when it came time to give gifts during the New Year?

After keeping Ian Brooks with her for a while longer, Lauren Brooks ultimately did not mention what Mrs. Carter had said, only instructing him to be careful and not get into trouble. Once he left happily, Lauren Brooks pressed her hand to her chest and took a deep breath.

Although she knew nothing about the history of this era, whether in modern times or ancient, life without parents was always the same. What’s more, the people and affairs here were even more complicated and difficult than her previous circumstances. Still, as long as she was alive, there was hope. Since she had been reborn, she was determined to live well in place of this poor girl who had lost her parents but was devoted to protecting her younger brother, and she would certainly take good care of Ian Brooks for her!

Besides recuperating, she also had to seriously consider the matter Mrs. Carter had mentioned before about having Ian Brooks move to the outer courtyard. Ian Brooks was only eleven years old, with no parents to look after him, living all alone in the outer courtyard—who knew what might happen? This was not only for his sake, but for her own as well. She knew that, for now, her greatest support in this household was this younger brother.

Chapter 004: The Elder’s Gift (Part 1)

The Marquis of Yangning’s residence occupied the entire Yangning Street, with pavilions and towers layered front and back, countless halls and chambers, and even a stream called Little Jade Creek drawn from Shichahai, giving the rear garden a touch of the water towns of Jiangnan. This grand mansion was originally bestowed by Emperor Taizong, built according to the regulations for marquisates, with a three-bay, five-rafter gatehouse, gold-lacquered beast-faced tin rings, and the four large characters “Marquis of Yangning Residence” on the plaque written by Grand Scholar Zhang, the first chief minister appointed by Emperor Wuzong.

In front of the seven-bay, nine-rafter main hall was a small two-bay side hall, usually used to receive ordinary guests, called the Hall of Three Virtues. The central hall, also seven bays and nine rafters, was called the Hall of Blessings and Auspiciousness, with a plaque and imperial seal bestowed by Emperor Taizong enshrined in the central room. This was not usually opened, only on holidays or when distinguished guests arrived. The rear hall, the Residence of Celebration and Happiness, was seven bays and seven rafters, and for decades had been the residence of the Dowager Madam Ms. Turner.

After the previous Marquis of Yangning, Evan Brooks, passed away, Ms. Turner moved out and took up residence in the east wing, Liao Xiang Courtyard. Although she had no sons, her legitimate eldest daughter married into a ducal family, and later had two sons and two daughters. Six years ago, her eldest daughter stood out among the legitimate daughters of all the noble families in the imperial prince’s consort selection and married the current emperor’s second son, Prince Jin, as his principal wife.

Because of this, no one in the family dared to slight this matriarch. Even after becoming the Marchioness, the second madam Ms. Harris never mentioned moving into the Residence of Celebration and Happiness, but instead expanded her own residence, Zining Pavilion. Since she took over half of the main branch’s Fangfei Hall, she used the excuse that Fangfei Hall’s rooms were old to move Lauren Brooks to the westernmost Jinxiu Pavilion, while Ian Brooks was placed in the nearby Bamboo Grove Courtyard.

Jinxiu Pavilion had a pleasant name, but in fact, it was the most remote place in the entire marquisate. To reach the central hall or the rear hall, one had to first go around a long corridor and then pass by the courtyards of the other residences. Therefore, Lauren Brooks used to have to walk a long way every day for her morning and evening greetings, and after hearing so many cold remarks, she became even more reclusive in Jinxiu Pavilion, keeping only her brother for company.

Now that this Lauren Brooks had become another Lauren Brooks, she was actually quite satisfied with this secluded place and had no intention of changing her reclusive lifestyle for the time being. In these first few days, she simply stayed in to recover from her injuries while quietly gathering information from the maids.

Fortunately, the Marquis of Yangning’s The Brooks Family did not believe in the saying that “a woman’s lack of talent is a virtue.” They had previously hired tutors to teach the young ladies, so reading was not a problem. As a result, more and more books began to pile up at her bedside. But these were not the poetry and classics she had once studied so hard, but rather miscellaneous books—some from the study, some gifts from Ian Brooks—covering astronomy, geography, travelogues, and all sorts of topics.

Day by day, time passed. When the white Korean paper on the window could no longer withstand the wind and sand and became covered with a layer of dust, the imperial physician who came every few days to check her pulse finally brought good news: her injuries had healed. After a few more days of recuperation, when she was finally dressed and ready with the help of the maids and stepped outside, standing in the sunlight and breathing in the long-missed fresh air, Lauren Brooks felt all the pent-up emotions in her heart suddenly lift.

“When Fourth Young Master comes back from the academy and finds out that Miss has fully recovered, he’ll be overjoyed.”

As Fiona Quinn spoke, she draped a slightly worn but still bright red Zhang velvet cloak over Lauren Brooks. She was a maid of medium build and dignified appearance. Seeing Lauren Brooks standing motionless in the cloak, she couldn’t help but worry. After hesitating for a moment, she softly advised, “Miss, the wind is strong outside. You shouldn’t stand out here for too long. Please go back inside. The old madam has excused you from morning and evening greetings for two months, and with the New Year coming soon, it won’t be too late to attend the ancestral rites when you’re feeling completely well.”