Chapter 424 - 416: Father and Daughter
Mrs. Dong did not feel better after hearing this.
"With such matters arising, if he continues to remain indifferent to the affairs of the mansion and neglects our daughter, who knows what outsiders might say? He supposedly cares about our mother-daughter bond, but in truth, it’s merely his reputation he’s worried about. If he genuinely cared about the happenings in this house, would the Marquis Mansion appear in this state today? Not to mention outsiders, even our own family members look down on me now that I lack any standing, daring to bully me."
Mrs. Dong always felt that the day’s events were entirely caused by a close friend.
After all, if the Marquis respected her, would her own nephew have dared to act as he did today?
Dong Side wouldn’t have the audacity to act this way, would he? Isn’t it merely because he feels she holds no power in the mansion that he does as he pleases, knowing she wouldn’t say a word?
Thinking of how even her family member’s nephew acted this way made Mrs. Dong sorrowful.
Jingfu continued to comfort her for a while longer, and when Madam finally calmed her emotions, she called the young maid to come in and tidy things up.
At Sister Hui’s courtyard, Gu Yifeng arrived to find Sister Hui engrossed in her reading. Seeing his daughter so composed, seemingly untouched by recent events, his brow furrowed ever more tightly.
After exchanging courtesies, Sister Hui spoke, "Father need not worry about me. It’s just an engagement, and it seems there wasn’t meant to be a connection between my cousin and me. Given that elder sister and cousin have a bond, let it be."
It was rare for Father to visit her courtyard, and Sister Hui naturally understood the reason. Sensible enough not to burden her father with concerns, she spoke up.
Sister Hui saw Father saying nothing, merely fixing his gaze on her, causing her to lower her eyelids and stand silent.
After half a serving of tea’s time had passed, Gu Yifeng finally spoke, redirecting his eyes away from his daughter, "Do you know why your elder sister acted this way towards you?"
"Daughter doesn’t know," Sister Hui replied.
"Since you don’t know, I’ll tell you. You sent your elder sister to fetch something from the East Mansion, and the two of you came to an agreement, but when your commitments were unmet, your elder sister acted as she did. Am I wrong? You’ve always been kind-hearted, abiding by rules, so why send your elder sister to the East Mansion’s study are matters I won’t elaborate on, which you understand well in your heart. Failing to fulfill your promise to her has left you with guilt, prompting you to abandon the engagement and pass it to her to ease your guilt. Am I wrong?" As Gu Yifeng finished, Sister Hui’s standing figure slightly shifted.
Sister Hui raised her head in shock; her expression was clearly shaken, not expecting her father to know about these matters.
Sister Hui did not defend herself. Tears began to fall uncontrollably, knowing the truth behind such deeds would eventually surface.
Upon learning of the relationship between Cousin and Elder Sister, Sister Hui was indeed hurt, finally understanding why Cousin avoided her gaze while at the Zhou Mansion, realizing now that it was out of a guilty conscience.
Even upon returning from the Zhou Mansion, seeing Elder Sister’s somewhat smug gaze directed at her, Sister Hui was puzzled, though now that the Zhou Mansion’s affairs were exposed, she felt there was little left unexplained.
Her heart was indeed filled with resentment. She hated Cousin’s betrayal towards their relationship and Elder Sister’s actions. But she also understood that if not for the promise between her and Elder Sister, today’s events wouldn’t have unfolded. All is the consequence of one’s actions, a karma she herself created.
Seeing matters as they were, Heaven’s retribution was something she accepted, having lived her life without ill intent. Even if unable to fulfill a promise, she felt remorse time and again. Now, amidst unfolding events, Sister Hui felt relieved.
Believing that matters had passed, it surprised her that Father had surfaced them directly. Sister Hui hadn’t realized Father had always known, feeling all the more guilty, unable to face him.
"You’ve always been a kind-hearted child. Father understood these matters clearly. I’ve kept silent, understanding you likely had no choice, and without consequences arising, the matter passed. In the future, be mindful of your actions; what to do and what not to do. Wealth and prosperity are important, but peace of mind when night falls is the true lifelong pursuit," Gu Yifeng stood, "This engagement with Dong Mansion is unsuitable for you, as it is for your elder sister. I’ve discussed it with your mother, and tomorrow you’ll send her to the estate, and in a few years, we’ll find her a family to marry far away. At the border, I have some subordinates with decent homes. Not large noble families, but proper households. I’ve sent letters to see if there’s a suitable match. Though not exceedingly wealthy, they can provide a stable life. If you’re unwilling, you can refuse your mother tomorrow."
"Daughter is willing and knows her wrongs," Sister Hui hurriedly knelt, "Daughter thanks Father for his love; it’s the daughter who erred."
"If so, then let it be. The remainder of the matter will be handled by your mother; you needn’t face those from Dong Mansion again. Tomorrow, visit your grandmother to fulfill your filial duties; she’s fallen ill over these matters," Gu Yifeng stated, striding away.
Upon hearing of her grandmother’s illness, Sister Hui did not wait until the next day but promptly packed and went to grandmother’s Shi’an Garden.
Knowing grandmother had settled matters, Sister Hui still arranged for a chamber to stay at Shi’an Garden, understanding Father didn’t want her to meet Dong Mansion’s people again.
Sister Hui felt relieved, as she no longer wished to see those from Dong Mansion. Before, when grandmother asked her to do things, her heart was in turmoil, and fortunately, those tasks went unaccomplished, providing her with inner relief. Now, the promises unfulfilled made her develop a bias against grandmother’s conduct.
With her and Cousin’s engagement now untethered from Dong Mansion, connections should be severed, leaving no reason to maintain ties.
Upon careful contemplation, those from Dong Mansion had wronged her rather than vice versa.