Chapter 117: Chapter 116: Offering Counsel

Aunt He forced a smile on her face and welcomed the guest to the couch, while instructing a young maid to serve tea.

Aunt Lv, who had a straightforward nature, stopped the young maid, “There’s no need. I’m just here for a short visit to chat with your aunt. You can leave; there’s no need to serve tea.”

The young maid saw that her own aunt nodded, and only then did she retreat.

Although Aunt He was a concubine, because she had given birth to the eldest son, she was treated well in the mansion, even the servants showed her extra respect.

Especially in recent years, since Madam’s belly had shown no movement, the Marquis only had this one son. If the Marquis only had this one son, the person to succeed the title in the future would undoubtedly be the eldest son.

With no outsiders in the Warm Pavilion, Aunt Lv’s smile faded away, “Sister, you’ve been locked in the courtyard and don’t know that the eldest son has been sick up until now. The Marquis forbade anyone from entering the courtyard; it was Madam who pleaded before the Marquis allowed a doctor to be summoned. Who knows what happened to the eldest son to have suffered like this. You tell me, the Marquis only has this one brother, how could he be so cruel?”

Upon hearing that the eldest son was ill, Aunt He’s eyes turned red again, “Sister, I really have no way out of this. I still don’t know what kind of wrong the eldest son committed.”

Aunt Lv’s eyes flickered, “Oh, this child seemed so honest usually, who knows what happened. But now that he’s recovered, you don’t need to worry. Once the Marquis lifts your restriction, it won’t be too late for you to visit him.”

She stood up, “It’s late, I should be going back now.”

Aunt He got up to see her off, returned to her room, and sat in a daze instead of crying.

Having stayed in the mansion for so many years, she knew if she were stupid, she wouldn’t have stayed safe all this time. Aunt Lv seemingly came to see her but was actually hinting at how well Madam treated the eldest son. But wasn’t it just a reminder of the benefits Madam received?

In truth, Aunt Lv was probing what mistake the eldest son had made.

However, the Marquis and Mrs. Gu Sr. kept things tightly under wraps, even Madam couldn’t find anything out, so how could she, a mere concubine, know?

Lowering her head, suddenly the worry on Aunt He’s face disappeared. The Marquis only has this one eldest son; Madam’s belly hadn’t shown any signs of movement. What’s Madam worrying about? Isn’t she trying to hold the eldest son’s charges over his head, so she can control him in the future?

The more anxious Madam is and the more she watches over the eldest son, it only proves that the eldest son is more secure.

Aunt Lv left without achieving her goal. After reporting back to Mrs. Dong the next day, she pondered as she returned to her courtyard, hearing her servant say that the Duke had come to visit. Aunt Lv chuckled, thinking things were lively in the Second Courtyard.

When the Duke Mansion visited, Lin Youning was accompanying Mrs. Gu Sr. playing cards. Upon hearing the report, she asked for the items to be put away and tried to hide inside, but Mrs. Gu Sr. called her back, so she could only sit down nervously.

Mrs. Dong was led in by the servants, followed by Mrs. Kong. After exchanging formalities and taking seats, Mrs. Dong first praised Lin Youning, and then acknowledged her mistake.

“I didn’t dare to come to the mansion all these years because I was too ashamed to face Mrs. Gu Sr. But today, I muster the courage to come because this child truly knows her wrongs. I ask Mrs. Gu Sr., for the sake of the two children, to give her another chance.”

Mrs. Kong also stepped out from behind her mother and knelt before Mrs. Gu Sr., “Daughter-in-law knows her wrong.”

“It’s been so many years in a blink, Brother De and Sister Yue are grown up and soon they will talk about marriage. If the second daughter-in-law truly thought of the two children, she shouldn’t have done such things,” Mrs. Gu Sr. said with a hint of anger, appearing helpless, “Forget it, I sent her back to reflect, and moreover, for beating her husband until his head bled, she must show some attitude, otherwise how could the second son’s position be straightened in the future. Now that she knows her faults, let’s consider it in the past. But if there are such things again in the future, I will not forgive her.”

“Daughter-in-law thanks Mother greatly.” Kong Tianru wiped away her tears, kowtowing to express her gratitude.

Suyi stepped forward to help her up, saying, “Second Madam, don’t blame the elders for being harsh; the elders had no choice.”

“I understand, thank you, Sister, for enlightening me.” Kong Tianru immediately thanked cautiously.

Suyi smiled, “I don’t deserve the title of Sister from you, Madam, that would be too much for a servant. Seeing that your makeup is smudged, let me take you to freshen up.”

Then she supported Mrs. Kong to leave.

The room was left with only Mrs. Gao and Mrs. Gu Sr., sitting beside Mrs. Gu Sr. was Lin Youning, and the other servants were led away by Sumian.

Mrs. Gao understood that Mrs. Gu Sr. had something to say, so she remained silent, just waiting.

“The second son will shoulder responsibility for two households in the future. Sister Ru’s temperament needs to be shaped a bit; otherwise, I fear she might cause big trouble in the future. Our two mansions have an understanding. I just want this child’s future to be smoother. As a mother, you know what’s good for her,” Mrs. Gu Sr. expressed her intention sincerely.

She didn’t let Lin Youning leave.

Lin Youning understood, her aunt was standing up for her, and in the future, if Kong Tianru did anything, it would be best if Mrs. Gao didn’t just side with her own daughter.

Mrs. Gao knew too and inwardly sighed, thinking how blessed Sister Lin must be for Mrs. Gu Sr. to value her so much.

“Mrs. Gu Sr. truly has Sister Ru’s well-being at heart. I understand, and I will counsel her in the future, not to disappoint your care for her,” Mrs. Gao also subtly pledged allegiance to Mrs. Gu Sr.

Having conveyed her message and attitude, Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t bring the matter up again, and invited Mr. and Mrs. Gao to stay for lunch at the mansion. Mrs. Dong also came to help entertain. The Duke and Gu Yifeng drank quite a lot, and when leaving, he patted Gu Er’s shoulder, expressing his sympathy.

The Duke managed to restore face for Gu Er; this incident couldn’t be suppressed by the Marquis Mansion because Mrs. Kong’s uproar was too loud, and she didn’t rein in her courtyard’s servants afterwards.

Nanny Guan was focused on watching over Mrs. Kong and had no energy to handle this, so the matter spread.

In the Capital, it naturally became a laughingstock for people over tea and meals. Although Gu Er had forgiven Mrs. Kong, she still resented her when outsiders joked about it.

Mrs. Kong understood, and after this event, she changed, frequently visiting Shi’an Garden and becoming more talkative when seeing Lin Youning.

Lin Youning, however, felt uneasy about this change, feeling it was unlike Kong Tianru’s character, reminiscent of how in a previous life Kong Tianru schemed against her and Gu Chaoxuan.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep