Chapter 433 - 425: Threat
Mrs. Dong’s face had turned as pale as paper, completely devoid of any color.
She hadn’t expected her mother to reveal everything now. She even knew that her mother had become obsessed, deeply affected by the news of Side’s death, otherwise how could she reveal such things?
"Mother, I know you’re feeling miserable right now, but please don’t ever speak of these things again. When I got married, you told me to keep these matters buried in my heart forever, never to tell anyone, as it concerned the reputation of the Dong family. But now, you’re using these words to threaten me. I understand you’re grieving for Side, but if these words get out, both I and the Dong Mansion would be ruined. Besides, Sister Ming hasn’t married yet; she’s about to be brought into the Prince Mansion. Do you really want to ruin her marriage too?" Mrs. Dong knew she had to mention Sister Ming to hold her mother back somewhat.
Mrs. Dong Sr. sneered coldly, "The Dong Mansion no longer has a legitimate heir now. A daughter, when married, becomes someone else’s family. What else do I care? I’m not using these words to threaten you. I just wanted to tell you, I did so much for you back then. Now, I have only this one request. If you can’t fulfill it, then our relationship as mother and daughter truly ends."
"Mother, I’ve already said I will do my best. It’s not that I don’t want to help you." Mrs. Dong didn’t know how to convince her mother to stop pressuring her.
Even those things she had long forgotten were now brought up by her mother’s words, making Mrs. Dong feel she had come to the wrong place or that if her mother hadn’t seen her, she wouldn’t have remembered these things.
"I have matters to discuss with your elder brother. You should leave. In the next few days, when you’ve handled everything, I’ll have your brother send the birth horoscope to your mansion. Although Side is no longer with us, the formalities still must be observed." Mrs. Gu Sr. dismissed her without further word.
Mrs. Dong didn’t dare speak further. After leaving the room, she felt as if all her strength had been drained. Jingfu, unaware, came forward to support her.
Mrs. Dong didn’t linger even for a moment and immediately took a carriage back to the Marquis Mansion. Once home, she sent everyone away and locked herself in her room. Everyone thought she was grieving for her nephew’s death, so no one questioned it.
Mrs. Dong sat on the soft couch, lost in a daze.
At that time, she had been very young. Although engaged to the Dingyuan Marquis, he was often at the border and seldom in the Capital. She often attended banquets, and it was during such an occasion she had an unexpected encounter with Prince Xian. By then, Prince Xian was already married to Princess Xian, a mature man with a royal standing, and exceedingly charming. Young Mrs. Dong fell for him at first sight.
Prince Xian, a man with a history of romantic escapades, naturally saw through Mrs. Dong’s emotions. Taking advantage of her frequent outings, the two gradually became involved, and he even took her virginity. Mrs. Dong thought she would enter the Prince Xian Mansion as a concubine.
However, the Gu Family, loyal to the Da Xian Dynasty, had produced three honorable men. Prince Xian feared punishment and didn’t dare to provoke his fiancée further, cutting all ties with Mrs. Dong.
By then, Mrs. Dong was already pregnant with Prince Xian’s child. When Mrs. Dong Sr. found out, she scolded her fiercely while sending messages to the Prince Xian Mansion, which were met with silence, like stones sinking into the sea.
The Royal Family was untouchable, and in her rage, Mrs. Dong Sr. found someone to buy medicine to abort the child. Taking the medicine harmed Mrs. Dong’s health, which is why she couldn’t conceive after marrying into the Marquis Mansion.
The incident was covered up, and everyone thought Mrs. Dong was devoted to the Dingyuan Marquis, willing to wait despite her age.
Prince Xian has grown old, and the Dingyuan Marquis is deeply trusted by the Emperor, so this matter cannot be revealed.
The Dong Mansion suffered quietly, heirless and guilty, unable to speak up, so the incident was gradually suppressed and pretended never to have occurred.
As for how Mrs. Dong managed the night of her wedding, she counted herself fortunate. That night, the Marquis drank heavily, and with his cold nature, when he was upon her, Mrs. Dong let out a soft cry, and he stopped, leaving the rest unfinished. Thus, Mrs. Dong escaped a disaster.
So many years have passed, and now her daughter is about to marry, yet her mother brings up the matter again. How could Mrs. Dong not be terrified? If this matter is truly exposed, she knows what awaits her.
This was one issue.
The other reason is her son, Brother Zong. Mrs. Dong initially wanted a legitimate son, thinking that if the Marquis favored her, he would always take her side. That’s why she schemed to drug the Marquis’s wine. As for the child, Mrs. Dong sought out a Daoist’s help, becoming pregnant in secret during visits to the Dong Mansion.
Mrs. Dong did all this with Mrs. Dong Sr.’s assistance, believing her biological mother wouldn’t harm her. Who would have thought that her mother would use this to threaten her today?
How could Mrs. Dong not be so frightened that she couldn’t walk?
Mrs. Dong knew that to silence her mother’s threats, she would have to let Sister Jian marry into the Dong Mansion. But in her current state, she couldn’t make such decisions. Even if she could, neither the Marquis nor Mrs. Gu Sr. would agree given the circumstances.
Pushed to such a point, Mrs. Dong broke down in tears, eventually realizing she could only rely on her own daughter.
Thinking of her kind-hearted daughter, if she confided in her, even without Sister Jian’s agreement, as long as her own daughter consented, the matter could be resolved.
With no other options, Mrs. Dong called her daughter. Sister Hui saw her mother’s swollen eyes and guessed she knew about her cousin but didn’t go to the mansion due to the engagement and subsequent events.
"Mother called me, is there something you want to discuss?" Sister Hui felt anxious as her mother held her hand tightly, "Mother, please speak; I’m here listening."