Chapter 436 - 428: The Inside Story
Lin Youning nodded.
"But the eldest sister over there will definitely not agree, and mother knows it, so she set her sights on me." Sister Hui lowered her head, "I know that for mother’s sake, I should hold on to cousin’s monument and enter Poet Dong, but living like this for a lifetime, my conscience would never be at peace. I’d be better off going directly to a monastery."
"I thought about talking to my aunt. She would never tell outsiders. Although I don’t interact much with her usually, I know her character."
"Mother always had complaints against my aunt. I thought about it before, and later, seeing the smile on father’s face when he was with my aunt, I realized it wasn’t about mother being good or bad, but that she wasn’t the one father was looking for. Moreover, father has shown enough respect to mother, and now hearing mother say such things, I even feel mother is unworthy of father." Sister Hui had a bitter smile on her face, "I know saying these things, if they spread, would ruin mother. But I know my aunt would never use this to seek favor with father."
Lin Youning nodded, "I won’t speak of these things either. I just didn’t expect you to trust me so much, to tell me about it. Thank you for your trust. I understand now. You were right. Regardless of the pressure from your maternal grandparents’ side, don’t agree to their conditions. Your mother’s mistakes should be borne by her alone. If they blackmail her once, they can do it a second time. Never let others have the chance to blackmail you, holding you tightly. If you really agree to your mother, even if you enter the Dong Mansion, you would live neither as a person nor as an apparition. Your maternal grandmother already ignores your mother, can even say things like this to threaten. You are just her maternal granddaughter; she cares even less. So you must not be confused about this matter."
Having said this, Lin Youning took a deep breath, "Before your mother married into the Marquis Mansion, she did something to wrong the Marquis. Even if this matter surfaces, it would only be your mother’s burden. She might be sent to a temple or divorced, but the Dong Mansion over there, having done such a thing, would definitely be pointed at. So thinking carefully, it’s the Dong Mansion itself that’s truly implicated. Don’t let this matter trouble you. Considering the Dong Mansion’s current situation, your cousin is about to enter the Prince Mansion as a concubine, they wouldn’t dare tarnish their reputation now."
After hearing this news, Sister Hui’s eyes reddened and her face relaxed, although she was crying, she obviously seemed happy.
"I knew finding my aunt would definitely yield a solution. Hearing her analysis now, my mind is at ease. Last night, I thought it over for an entire night, always feeling unfilial, that I should sacrifice myself and agree with mother’s way. But then grandmother’s actions felt too unreasonable. One cannot live a lifetime like a puppet, being blackmailed and controlled."
"Thinking like that is correct. Well, it’s not a big deal." Sister Hui, having found herself, revealed such an earth-shattering secret, knowing she had opened her heart to her, Lin Youning had never expected such a day.
"My aunt’s health is not well. Today, finding a way out with you, I’m relieved. I’ll leave now, or my father will overthink when he returns. I ask my aunt to keep today’s meeting confidential." Sister Hui stood up and bowed.
"Rest assured, I won’t mention this matter to your father. Now, I won’t hold you back any longer." Lin Youning called Shanmoi and the others, letting them escort Sister Hui out.
Actually, when Sister Hui mentioned the Marquis, Lin Youning’s heart wavered. After all, her big brother was inside the pavilion, and having spoken such things to Sister Hui, he surely heard it all. He still didn’t know what his mood was like.
Watching Sister Hui leave the courtyard, Lin Youning finally left the soft couch and went inside the Warm Pavilion. She saw her big brother sitting in the soft chair, looking outside through the window, albeit with a sheer curtain so the outside couldn’t see inside.
Lin Youning walked over, dared not speak, merely extended her hand to grasp her big brother’s, "Sister Hui came to me for help, and big brother just heard it all. I’m unsure if I made the right decision. Could you offer advice? If you find it improper, I could send a message to Sister Hui."
Gu Yifeng pulled her onto his lap, his cold face emotionless, "Back when I married Mrs. Dong, I didn’t want to return to the Capital at all, only thought of my father and grandfather fighting on the battlefield, and I should be there with them, even spending a lifetime at the border seemed appropriate. But the Capital had my aunt and mother still. At that time, Brother Xuan was still a child, and I was the only one to support the mansion, moreover, Mrs. Dong waiting for me all these years, felt it was unfair to let a lady wait. On the wedding day, I drank a lot, only thinking of substituting grandfather and uncle, drinking in their stead, hoping they’d be happy seeing me wed. I remember my eldest brother passing in my arms, saying it was a pity he couldn’t see me marry. That night, I drank heavily. In the bridal chamber, I didn’t even see Mrs. Dong’s face clearly, but I knew she cried, so I withdrew. The next day I saw Mrs. Dong was a virtuous and rule-abiding woman, thought it was good. Even if stationed at the border, I needn’t worry about the Capital anymore."
"Hearing Sister Hui today, I realize the Mrs. Dong I saw then wasn’t who she appeared to be. Now, after all these years, if not for hearing these, I might never have known." Gu Yifeng lowered his head; Lin Youning couldn’t see his expression and therefore didn’t know his feelings.
Yet, hearing her big brother discuss past matters, even mentioning the deceased, she knew his mood must be poor.
Especially as she previously felt like she stole Mrs. Dong’s husband, though it was clearly a mutual choice rather than theft, Lin Youning still felt guilt.
But at this moment, seeing her big brother’s sombre demeanor, Lin Youning felt she no longer needed to feel guilty towards Mrs. Dong.