Chapter 445 - 437: Resistance
When Lin Youning arrived at the Marquis Mansion, she heard that Mrs. Dong was kneeling on the ground, crying all the while and defending herself. Standing outside, she hurriedly stopped Suyi, who was about to go inside to report, and shook her head at her.
At this moment, it was not good for her to step forward; it was the time when Mrs. Dong was losing face. Originally, Mrs. Dong always had opinions about her, and if she went in now, Mrs. Dong’s resentment toward her would only deepen.
"I’ll just go to the side room and wait for a while. I originally came today to visit Aunt, who would have thought I would encounter such a thing." Lin Youning pulled Suyi along as they walked over, "I haven’t been here for some time. How is Aunt doing these days?"
The two walked toward the side room, so it was not suitable to go inside and report further. However, before they reached the side room, a commotion arose from the main room. Inside, there were exclamations and the sound of an old woman scolding. Soon after, the curtain was lifted, and Mrs. Dong was pulled out by Nanny Chi and Nanny Chang. Mrs. Dong was struggling all the while, shouting loudly as she was dragged out.
"I’ve done nothing wrong. On what grounds does the Old Madam treat me this way? She took this opportunity today to throw me out of the house. I think she has long planned this. She just needed an excuse to get rid of me. I’m the legitimate wife brought back by the Marquis. The Old Madam arbitrarily decided my guilt without cause. I won’t accept it. If the Old Madam is going to throw me out, I’ll confront her in front of everyone in the Capital."
Lin Youning stood in the courtyard, utterly shocked. She hadn’t expected the conflict between Mrs. Dong and her aunt to escalate to this extent. And yet, Mrs. Dong hadn’t noticed Lin Youning at all, still loudly proclaiming her grievances.
The serving maids in the courtyard were so frightened they knelt on the ground. The voice of Mrs. Gu Sr. came from the main room. As her voice carried through, the curtain was drawn aside, and the Old Madam leisurely walked out, "Then go to the Capital and let them judge. I’d like to hear what you have to say, but it will just add to the gossip about the Dingyuan Marquis. Now that the Dingyuan Marquis is already like this, we don’t mind another scandal. But you’re quite adept; you caused such a scene today. Our Dingyuan Marquis Mansion won’t want you anymore. You can go back to the Dong Mansion, do whatever you please, and we won’t stop you."
The confrontation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had reached a breaking point. It wasn’t the first time Mrs. Dong acted this way. Previously, Sister Hui had pleaded for her, but today Sister Hui stood silently next to her grandmother, lowering her head, thinking that if her mother continued to cause trouble in the mansion, it would be better for her to leave. Even though as children they couldn’t point out their parents’ mistakes, Sister Hui couldn’t accept what her mother had done.
Mrs. Dong was quite strong, and Nanny Chi and Nanny Chang forcefully pinned her to the ground as she continued to resist. She lifted her head stubbornly, "Even though I haven’t given birth to a legitimate son for the Marquis Mansion over the years, now I have Brother Zong. How could the Old Madam find such an excuse to kick me out without cause?"
With the situation escalating this far, Mrs. Dong no longer cared about fear. In any case, no matter what she did, the Old Madam disliked her. Now it was evident the Old Madam would send her back to the Dong Mansion. In recent days, only her brother had come from the Dong Mansion to deliver a letter. Inside, Mrs. Dong dwelled on what her mother said, feeling that someday her mother might suddenly decide to use her as leverage.
Being constantly on edge like this, she had truly had enough. Especially since the Marquis was still investigating the Dong Mansion’s wine matters, Mrs. Dong feared the issue regarding Brother Zong would surface. If it did, she feared for her life.
After pondering for several days, and with the Old Madam’s recent accusations forcing her out, Mrs. Dong thought it might be best to take the opportunity to leave the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. Returning to the Dong Mansion was out of the question; she would move with her people to a country estate. By hiding there, the Marquis would likely cease pursuing her, and slowly perhaps the matter would be forgotten.
Thinking of all this, a sadness arose in Mrs. Dong’s heart. She never expected to end up in such a predicament.
Mrs. Gu Sr., however, was unwilling to engage in further discussion. The quarrel in the house had already been intense, and Mrs. Dong disregarded propriety. Now, she was causing another scene in the courtyard, questioning her reasons. Facing Mrs. Dong like this, Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t want to say more.
She simply waved her hand to have her taken away, and only then did they notice Sister Ning standing aside. A hint of awkwardness flashed across Sister Ning’s face; caught in such a scene, she couldn’t hide away and had to nervously walk to her aunt’s side.
By now, Lin Youning’s belly was slightly showing. Though not very large, it was evident she was pregnant. Mrs. Dong knelt on the ground, reflecting on her dire situation. Seeing the person in front of her, already pregnant and favored by both the Marquis and the Old Madam, filled her with resentment.
Mrs. Dong glared bitterly at Lin Youning, but Lin Youning was being affectionately chatted to by Mrs. Gu Sr., who smiled and glanced at Sister Ning’s belly, "Look, the belly is already showing. Why come over in this condition? If you miss your aunt, send a message and she’ll visit you. And remember, you’ve recently had issues with your pregnancy. Don’t cause further strain."
Lin Youning, amused and exasperated by her aunt, said, "It’s just a short walk. I haven’t seen Aunt in a while, and after the scare last time, she’s been worrying. So I thought I’d take some time to visit today."
She hadn’t expected to encounter such a scene upon arriving.
Mrs. Gu Sr. understood, taking her hand and leading her indoors. "Did Dalan accompany you here?"
Paying no mind to Mrs. Dong forcibly held on the ground behind them, Sister Hui glanced at her mother, suppressing her own feelings of discomfort. She supported her grandmother into the house.
Mrs. Dong’s mouth had been covered, otherwise, seeing Sister Ning, she would surely have lashed out.
Once seated inside the house, Lin Youning spoke, "My maternal grandfather sent a message asking my older brother to visit. He’s already gone to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. I thought he might have lunch there, so I came to Aunt’s to bide time with some food."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Gu Sr. understood there must be some matters at hand and nodded with a smile, "Rest assured, with you here, I’ll make sure all the good food is brought out."
She instructed Suyi to prepare the meal, and Suyi left with a smile.