Chapter 443 - 435: A Chance Encounter
When Kong Tianru arrived at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, she had just stepped out of the carriage when she encountered Gu Er and Princess Yuanhua, who were coming out of the Second Young Master’s Mansion next door.
The three of them met in this way. Princess Yuanhua had seen Kong Tianru on the day of the wedding, so it was nothing new, but it was the first time Gu Er and Kong Tianru had come face to face.
As the saying goes, when enemies meet, their eyes blaze with fury.
Even though Gu Er’er resented Sister Ning and Brother De’s betrayal, he hated this Kong in front of him the most.
As soon as he saw Kong, Gu Er’s eyes glared at her with hatred.
Compared to Gu Er’s expression, Kong looked much more relaxed. She even took the initiative to walk over, nodded to the two of them, and said in a elder’s tone, "Are you going out? What a coincidence, I came to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion as a guest, and didn’t expect to run into you."
"How lucky you are, Her Highness. You’ve just had your wedding day and can still find time to come out and hear about the affairs of Prince Xian Mansion. Now that you’re managing things, you must take care of yourself, because what my uncle hopes for most is that you will soon bear a child."
Princess Yuanhua knew that Gu Er’er did not like Kong, so when Kong came forward like this to flaunt her status, she naturally wouldn’t speak kindly, indirectly pointing out what Kong had married into Prince Xian Mansion for.
After hearing these words, Kong’s face did not show any displeasure, and she continued to look at the two with a warm expression.
Her display of this kind of virtuous demeanor only frustrated Gu Er, reminding him of the things Kong had done to him in the past. Her face looked just like this—appearing virtuous but in reality, she was the one who gave him the drug to destroy his offspring. It was such matters that suddenly changed his fate.
His current desperate situation was inseparable from Kong as well.
If he hadn’t taken the offspring-destroying drug, even if Sister Ning and Brother De betrayed him, they wouldn’t find a proper excuse to do so.
But now, he himself personally handed over the reason.
Kong fixed her gaze on Gu Er, "How is Sister Yue now? I haven’t seen her these years. Now that I’m back in the Capital, I usually stay in the mansion. Sister Yue is not young anymore; when you have the time, let her come to the mansion."
"What to do in the mansion? Call you mother in front of Prince Xian? Aren’t you embarrassed? Sister Yue would feel ashamed too. Since you’ve remarried, live your life well, and keep your malicious thoughts in check. Prince Xian Mansion is not like our Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. If you commit those wicked acts, Prince Xian won’t show mercy. If Her Highness has nothing more, we have matters to attend to and won’t disturb you." Gu Er deliberately emphasized the words Her Highness.
It was a way of humiliating Kong implicitly.
Kong Tianru did not take it to heart. When she decided to remarry into Prince Xian Mansion, she had thought about what she would face. Seeing Princess Yuanhua glaring at her as if she wanted to eat her, along with the hatred in Gu Er’s eyes, not only did it not upset her, but it made her feel that what she did was not wrong.
She nodded at the two before entering the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Princess Yuanhua’s gaze faintly pulled back from Kong Tianru’s retreating figure, "I find it curious. Clearly, someone dismissed from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion still comes to visit. Isn’t the Old Madam always strict with these rules? Why do such things now?"
"No need to think; it wasn’t my mother who did this, definitely Mrs. Dong." Gu Er said with a dark face, "I don’t think Mrs. Dong has any good intentions, letting Kong Tianru into the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. You should watch over our mansion, especially Sister Yue and Brother De. Don’t let them have any dealings with Prince Xian Mansion. Otherwise, they’ll embarrass us for no reason."
Princess Yuanhua nodded, "Don’t worry about this matter, Second Young Master. Even if Sister Yue and Brother De go to Prince Xian Mansion, given my uncle’s reputation, he wouldn’t allow it to avoid shame. Kong had just said those things in front of us, merely to show off her status."
Gu Er nodded; although her words made him feel better, meeting Kong as soon as he stepped out still affected his mood.
Inside the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, Kong had reached Mrs. Dong’s courtyard. After the two greeted each other and sat down with tea served, Mrs. Dong then asked, "Her Highness seems more spirited. I heard Prince Xian is known for being gentle. How has life been for you since entering the mansion?"
"Prince Xian is indeed gentle and has always treated me kindly, not minding that I was once married. I’m trusted with all the mansion matters now. Being someone who was dismissed, I’m quite content with this life. I have no other aspirations now but to live well. Since I’m back in the Capital, having known each other all these years, I thought to come and see Madam." Kong did not think much of it, after all, now that she’s remarried, no one would speak good words to her.
Mrs. Dong’s thoughts were different; she felt her current plight was driven by Prince Xian. In her youth, she had feelings and was pregnant by Prince Xian. If he had been a man of affection, he wouldn’t have treated her so.
For years, they had not been in contact, and Mrs. Dong had gradually forgotten about him. If her mother hadn’t mentioned it recently, she would’ve forgotten such a man she once loved.
Faced with Kong, Mrs. Dong’s feelings were complex; she was both jealous and couldn’t help but resent Prince Xian, transferring all to Kong.
In comparison, back then, as a young girl, she gave herself to Prince Xian, who never took responsibility and even avoided her. But Kong, a woman who had children and was dismissed, is now so valued by Prince Xian.
Mrs. Dong took several deep breaths to calm herself, reminding herself that though the Dingyuan Marquis didn’t have as high a status, he too held a title and was young.
Comparing the two, Mrs. Dong thought herself fortunate. As for Prince Xian, she didn’t believe he hadn’t considered that as an elder nearing end of days, he couldn’t compare to the current favored Dingyuan Marquis?
This comparison soothed Mrs. Dong, and when speaking again, her tone was less targeted than before.