Chapter 120: Chapter 119: Predicament

In Gu Er’s eyes, Sister Ning was delicate and beautiful, but too frail, and he always thought she should eat more.

Today, when the topic of offspring came up, he was suddenly obsessed with the thought that one day Sister Ning would have to bear him children. Could such a weak body bear it?

That’s what he thought, and although he didn’t say it directly, that was indeed the implication.

Seeing that he had made her cry, Gu Er panicked, “Second Sister, I’m sorry, it’s all my clumsy words. Please don’t cry, just forgive me this once.”

Lin Youning felt a deep sense of grievance, and, forcing back her tears, managed a bitter smile, “I’m just an adopted daughter, a child bride. Who in the Capital doesn’t know that? Aunt treats me kindly and makes me forget my status, but it’s not frivolous for Second Young Master to speak to me like this. It’s my fault for overestimating myself. Second Young Master need not apologize, for he hasn’t done anything wrong.”

The words ’Second Young Master’ only made Gu Er more fearful, “Sister Ning, you know I’ve always been careless with my words, and I never meant to belittle you. I just thought that since we are bound to wed, speaking frankly shouldn’t matter.”

“In a proper arranged marriage, a man and a woman hardly meet, let alone have the opportunity to say such things. Second Young Master need not say anything further; I understand in my heart. I’m also tired today, so please, Second Young Master, do leave first.”

Understanding her status and her position in the Marquis Mansion.

Gu Er wanted to say more, but understanding her temperament, he realized it was no use now and could only rise and leave.

Shanmoi, the maid standing in the room, didn’t dare to breathe loudly. Indeed, Second Young Master’s words had gone too far, no wonder the girl was angry.

“Miss…”

“I’m fine, you can leave as well.” Lin Youning waved her hand weakly.

Not daring to argue, Shanmoi quietly retreated.

Gu Yifeng originally intended to go to Shi’an Garden, but upon reaching Tingxue Hall, he remembered that after the young girl came down from the mountain, they hadn’t had the chance to talk, nor had they played a game of chess in days, so he came over. Little did he know, standing on the small bridge, he could see the scene in the Warm Pavilion.

Lin Youning usually opened her windows, allowing Gu Yifeng a clear view of the beautiful woman and the handsome man sitting there talking. The scene was so beautiful that one couldn’t bear to disturb it.

Without staying long, he turned and went to Shi’an Garden.

After chatting with his mother about taking a concubine, they heard Second Young Master had arrived.

Gu Yifeng raised an eyebrow.

Gu Er came in with a dejected face, and Gu Yifeng’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Gu Er wanted to discuss things with his mother but didn’t expect his brother to be there, so he only said a few words before leaving again.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was also puzzled by her younger son, who came and went without apparent reason. After sitting for a while, he left again.

It was clear he had something he didn’t dare to speak about.

Knowing his younger son feared his elder brother like a mouse fears a cat, Mrs. Gu Sr. couldn’t help but sigh.

Such a person, what will he do when he’s living alone in the future?

“You know, I have never liked the concubines of the inner house, but you don’t even have a legitimate son now, and with Brother Xuan’s character, the hundred-year prestige of the Gu Mansion cannot be ruined. Take a proper girl from a respectable family into the mansion. If she gives birth to a son, she can be elevated to a concubine. I will discuss this with your wife, and I have already asked Gu Er to choose some candidates. Their portraits have been sent to the Woodland Pavilion. Take a look and see if anyone appeals to you at a banquet. Let’s settle this matter.” Mrs. Gu Sr. made the decision without seeking her son’s opinion.

“I leave it all to you, Mother. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first.” Gu Qiefeng wasn’t passionate about matters of men and women; having more or fewer women made no difference to him.

The issue of offspring, however, was his mental burden.

As for elevating a son to a concubine if he is born, he understood his mother’s intentions.

Mother was disturbed by what happened with Brother Xuan and believed that one’s origins are important. A proper girl from an official’s family should be brought in because such a girl, once in the manor, can’t possibly keep a child while losing the mother.

But if the child is passed on to the Madam’s name, how can the identity remain hidden? When he’s gone one day, the son becomes Marquis, how could he not acknowledge his birth mother? What about the legitimate mother then?

Rather than let the Gu Mansion become precarious in the future, it might be wise to settle everything that can happen now.

Passing by Tingxue Hall, Gu Yifeng’s pace slowed, “Go find out if something happened to Miss Lin?”

Otherwise, what would have Gu Er looking so gloomy?

Li Si received the order and hurried to the main courtyard, coincidentally finding Shanmoi outside, anxious and unsure of what to do. Seeing Li Si come over, asking about the Marquis’s inquiry, she explained what happened in the room, and Li Si left after getting the information.

On his way back, while Li Si rushed, Gu Yifeng happened to reach the corner door but hadn’t left Tingxue Hall’s courtyard yet.

Hearing Li Si’s report, Gu Yifeng furrowed his brows, evidently displeased.

Without hesitation, he decisively turned back to the main courtyard of Tingxue Hall.

Seeing the Marquis arrive, Shanmoi felt like she had met a savior. She quickly came forward to greet him, almost on the verge of tears.

“How is your lady?” Gu Yifeng didn’t rush in.

“Miss said she wanted to be alone for a while. The Warm Pavilion is quiet, so I don’t know how she’s doing now.” Shanmoi feared the girl might do something reckless but dared not go in.

Gu Yifeng nodded, had the little maid hold the curtain aside, and strode inside.

Behind him, Shanmoi tried to follow but was held back by Li Si.

Shanmoi looked at him in confusion.

Li Si, with a condescending look, said, “In such matters, how could your lady cry in front of the servants? What are you thinking going in there? Truly lacking perception.”

Hearing the first part, Shanmoi thought him clever, but by the second part, she felt like her eyes could shoot fire at him.

Li Si ignored Shanmoi’s angry look and found a wind-sheltered spot to lean.

Their Marquis, ah, he would always become different when it concerned Miss Lin.

Others might not see it, but since he’d been by the Marquis’s side since childhood, he’d seen it clearly—Miss Lin was the apple of the Marquis’s eye. The Marquis, though seemingly cold in affection, didn’t show it outwardly. Who could see it?

Li Si had even sighed before, thinking, how it might have been different if Mrs. Gu Sr. had allowed the Marquis to have Lin. Wouldn’t Miss Lin end up marrying the Marquis?

And not the Second Young Master as she was now.

So some things are just like that; by a quirk of fate, they were missed.

Shanmoi, brooding alone, faintly heard voices coming from inside and, realizing the lady was alright, finally breathed a sigh of relief. As a servant, your heart is always inclined towards your master. Shanmoi had pondered before why the role fell to Second Young Master. But deep down, she understood—what was the Marquis? He was the Marquis! How could he be chosen for such a task?

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