Chapter 394 - 386: Apology
Lin Youning shook her head and refused without a second thought.
Lin Youning never brought up the matter of Dong Boyun, because she was too disappointed and heartbroken. She always regarded Dong Boyun as a friend and never guarded against her, yet who would have thought Dong Boyun would act that way in the end.
Although Dong Boyun later came to the mansion to admit her mistakes, Lin Youning still wouldn’t forgive her. As for her husband coming to the mansion, besides admitting faults, there was nothing else.
Gu Yifeng nodded, "Then I’ll have someone return the note and decline, only say that we’ll talk about it on the farm later."
"How is Grandfather doing? Has there been any news from Elder Brother?" Lin Youning changed the subject.
"The Hidden Guards have been tracking along the way there. I think it won’t be long before we receive news, unless the Crown Prince has sent someone to harm him there. However, your elder brother knows the Crown Prince has been keeping an eye on him, so I think he must be on guard."
"But since they haven’t shown up yet, perhaps something unexpected happened on the road." Lin Youning continued, "Why does the Crown Prince keep an eye on elder brother? Does he have any evidence that makes the Crown Prince suspect the connection between Prince Shou and elder brother?"
A person pronounced dead suddenly was said to be alive again.
Gu Yifeng knew more than her, and he even realized that Prince Shou might be their father, naturally understanding why the Crown Prince was fixated on Zhao Housheng.
In the face of Sister Ning’s troubles, he didn’t elaborate further, feeling it was better for Sister Ning to know less about these matters.
Sister Ning saw her big brother smiling but saying no more, so she didn’t inquire further.
Meanwhile, at the Marquis Mansion, Sister Hui knelt before Mrs. Gu Sr., biting her lip and red-eyed without saying a word. Mrs. Gu Sr. closed her eyes; apart from Nanny Chi, there were no outsiders in the room.
Before long, Suyi came in from outside, bowed to Mrs. Gu Sr., "The servants report that Sister Jingfu has already pleaded for leniency before the Marquis in the East Mansion, and the Marquis has already said there’s no need to send the Madam to the temple."
Sister Hui promptly opened her eyes, but she quickly knelt and kowtowed to Mrs. Gu Sr. above, "Thank you, Grandmother, for your compassion."
Mrs. Gu Sr. opened her eyes, and Suyi then went over to help Sister Hui up and led her to a chair nearby, while Mrs. Gu Sr. said, "You understand more than your mother does; your mother brought this upon herself. For a woman, the important thing isn’t how well she knows the rules, but whether she can keep a man’s heart. With a man’s support, what counts as an issue within the inner chamber? You’re also going to be married, remember these words in your heart, and when you later visit the Dong Mansion, although it’s your maternal home, you mustn’t act wilfully. Now that there’s no issue, go check on your mother."
Sister Hui then went out.
She knew that if it weren’t for Grandmother’s intervention, Sister Jingfu wouldn’t have been able to leave the Marquis Mansion. Others might not understand, but she knew in her heart; since Father made such a decision, of course, Grandmother wouldn’t be unaware.
Yet fortunately, Father didn’t insist on sending Mother away.
After this affair, hopefully, Mother’s side will cease the tumult?
Upon returning to the main courtyard of Yingshui Courtyard, Sister Hui found the yard quiet. Although it was often like this, she never thought it felt lonely before, but today it felt very quiet.
In the main house, Mrs. Dong was teasing Brother Zong, without lifting her head, "Hard on you, having to run everywhere for a mother like me."
Sister Hui looked up and didn’t see Sister Jingfu, so she asked, "We should thank Sister Jingfu for this incident; why isn’t she here?"
"Her clothes were torn, and her forehead was injured. I let her rest below, for fear she’d be stopped by guards, she herself tore open her clothes on the chest." Mrs. Dong lifted her head, directing the nanny to take Brother Zong away, leaving the mother and daughter alone to talk.
Sister Hui sat down, momentarily unsure of what to say.
"After this incident, I’ve come to understand, your father is determined now. If I keep fighting, he won’t even let me stay in this Marquis Mansion anymore." Mrs. Dong cried.
Sister Hui remained silent, just crying along.
After crying for quite some time, Sister Hui finally stopped, "Mother, though Grandmother says nothing, I see from her dealings with Father that they’ve still given you face. In the future, Mother should simply fulfill the role of the Madam of the Marquis Mansion, why always provoke Father’s displeasure? As for the East Mansion, Mother should just regard it as a concubine and maidservant; there are men who favor their concubines and maidservants as well. Mother often says that your upbringing included the Three Obediences and Four Virtues taught by maternal grandmother. How could you forget these?"
"You’re right, I should just view her as a status-seeking concubine, no need to make myself miserable here." Mrs. Dong took a deep breath and stopped crying.
Sister Hui lowered her head; she knew she shouldn’t say these things, but she also understood that only by easing her mother’s heart would she stop causing trouble. Once Mother remains calm, why would Father make things difficult for her?
After Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin Youning prepared to go to the farm with her big brother. Though she didn’t want to think about Mrs. Dong’s situation, she still heard from Shanmoi about the rumors outside, knowing people in the Capital were saying Dingyuan Marquis currently disregards the proper wife, staying only with the concubine of secondary status.
When Shanmoi recounted these words, she was reprimanded by Hailan at the time. Shanmoi’s eyes turned red, realizing her words were spoken too hastily; such remarks could upset the young lady.
Though the matter wasn’t spread outside, when it came time to go to the farm, Shanmoi was left at the mansion, along with Li Si.
Shanmoi dared not show any grievance, but once she watched the young lady and others’ carriage leave, tears couldn’t be held back anymore. Li Si quickly comforted her, "The Marquis and the Madam also trust you, letting you look after the affairs here at the mansion. Don’t think too much."
Shanmoi shook her head, "You don’t need to say these things to me, I understand it’s my actions that displeased the Marquis, causing him to leave me behind."
Li Si was helpless, "Then... Then just avoid saying too much in the future. After all, those are rumors from outside, and who isn’t the subject of gossip behind their back? You might speak frankly, but as someone serving under the masters, you should understand what to say and what not to say."
Li Si felt Shanmoi had been spoiled by the Madam, always escaping punishment for her mistakes. Now, he only hoped the Marquis’s actions this time would serve as a warning for Shanmoi.
Shanmoi nodded, not offended by Li Si’s harsh words, fully understanding it was her fault.
Lin Youning and her companions had barely traveled ten miles out of the Capital when someone stopped their carriage. Luckily, Lin Youning was leaning against her big brother, and the sudden halt of the carriage did no harm.
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