Chapter 437 - 429: Bygone Days
After Gu Yifeng finished speaking, he didn’t say anything more but just held Sister Ning tightly in his arms. Sister Ning, however, could feel her clothes getting wet on her shoulder, and she dared not move.
She stayed silent, knowing that her big brother was feeling sad at this moment, so she quietly let him hold her, feeling the sadness together with him.
She understood that what was upsetting her big brother was the memory of those family members who had passed away.
"Our eldest cousin has no heirs, and our younger cousin died saving me. Our second cousin has now been given medication that prevents heirs. Now, I’m the only successor from the two families. According to the clan inheritance system, one person must shoulder the responsibility for both families. Thus, I can marry two wives at the same time, without any distinction of seniority. One wife is considered the son’s daughter-in-law of my uncle and aunt, and the other is my parents’ daughter-in-law. This is what is called ’shouldering two families.’ Originally, this was a matter of course, but I’ve always felt sorry for Mrs. Dong due to my feelings for you. Despite Mrs. Dong’s many mistakes, I’ve been lenient with her, feeling guilty and trying to make up for it with these actions. Now, it seems I no longer need to feel so guilty." Gu Yifeng raised his head, "You handled this matter well. Sister Hui’s trust in you, as she turned to you, indicates her trust, even though people don’t trust Mrs. Dong. Now I’m at ease. However, I’m thinking that Brother Zong should be placed under our mother’s care so he won’t be negatively influenced in the future."
Lin Youning saw that her big brother had come to terms with it and finally breathed a sigh of relief. "I, too, have always felt guilty toward that side. Although my big brother shoulders the responsibility for two families, I’ve always felt like I’ve taken someone else’s husband. During that time, I struggled until my big brother told me that in the future, we would stay at the East Mansion. When big brother made that choice, I, too, was torn and felt increasingly guilty. I kept reassuring myself, thinking if it wasn’t me, any other woman would still be the lady of this mansion, and my big brother would still do so. Now, I know that side also wronged big brother, so perhaps there’s no debt owed to each other anymore."
Lin Youning lowered her head; she could only comfort herself this way.
According to the normal rule, the big brother should equally shoulder both families, as he is the man of both families.
But after being with her, the big brother no longer returned to the Marquis Mansion. She knew that in everyone’s eyes, they must think she used a lot of underhanded means.
No matter what others say, she couldn’t bring herself to send the big brother back, especially after knowing Mrs. Dong had wronged the big brother from the start. Lin Youning finally felt she didn’t need to feel guilty anymore.
Lin Youning didn’t spread this matter; only she and the big brother knew. However, seeing the brother’s demeanor, clearly more depressed, since sometimes, when others were around, Lin Youning couldn’t ask much. She could only wait until nighttime, lying together with the big brother, before she asked about it.
"Is big brother still angry with Mrs. Dong? Or is he brooding over that matter? Sister Hui has already pleaded with me not to tell others about this, but since big brother was present, just pretend you don’t know about this." It was rare for Sister Hui to ask her, and this was the outcome.
"I am just wondering who was the man Mrs. Dong admired back then? If I had known, I wouldn’t have made things difficult for Mrs. Dong and let her stay with the man she admired, sparing two people from so many years of torment. Now, Mrs. Dong has ended up in such a state. Since Mrs. Dong Sr. has spoken such words, she will certainly not let Mrs. Dong off easily. It seems we should send Mrs. Dong away, and only then will the Dong Mansion let her go." Gu Yifeng propped his head with his hand, turned sideways to face Sister Ning, and lightly placed a hand on her slightly bulging belly.
Lin Youning nodded, "The Dong Mansion is just using this matter as leverage. As long as Mrs. Dong can endure it, nothing will happen. Besides, the Dong Mansion is close to the Eldest Prince now, so if a scandal arises, Sister Ming from their mansion might not get into the Prince Mansion."
Lin Youning wasn’t worried about this.
"With this matter coming out, I’m wondering if Brother Zong is even my child?" Gu Yifeng suddenly said.
Lin Youning paused slightly, uncertain in her tone, "Don’t overthink, big brother. Even though Mrs. Dong did such things before entering the Marquis Mansion, she shouldn’t have dared after entering."
"I’m indeed overthinking, it’s getting late, let’s sleep." Gu Yifeng, however, didn’t voice his doubts.
After drinking at Mrs. Dong’s place, he remembered nothing of the night. He kept recalling these events, unsure of Mrs. Dong’s intentions, but that night Mrs. Dong became pregnant and eventually bore a legitimate son.
Yet, the wine saved at the Dong Mansion was no longer there, things coincided too well.
Now knowing Mrs. Dong’s actions before entering the mansion, a chill swept over Gu Yifeng. He couldn’t easily let go of the Dong Mansion, but considering his dual responsibilities and his feelings for Sister Ning, he no longer wanted to dwell on this. However, he no longer intended to share days with Mrs. Dong.
Still, if Brother Zong wasn’t his child, it couldn’t be easily brushed off, as Brother Zong is to inherit the Marquis title.
Listening to Sister Ning’s steady breathing beside him, Gu Yifeng gently got out of bed, called Hailan inside from outside to watch over them, and then went to the study.
Li Si and Zhao Wu stood below, heads lowered, uncertain why the Marquis summoned them in the middle of the night, but they knew it must be big.
"Now go in different directions to investigate. Last year when I went to the border, Mrs. Dong frequently returned to the Dong Mansion. Investigate what Madam did upon her return, the more detailed the better."
Li Si and Zhao Wu nodded in agreement.
Gu Yifeng continued, "I see your wedding day approaches quickly; are your wedding items prepared? If anything is missing, feel free to get silver from the accounting room. You two are by my side, and Shanmei and Hailan are by Madam’s side. After you’re married, I’ll give you your contracts. It counts as a rare joyous occasion for our mansion this year."