Chapter 122: Chapter 121: Suspicion

Mrs. Dong didn’t wait for Mrs. Kong’s response, but instead learned the next day that the Marquis was leaving the mansion for business and was taking Sister Ning with him.

Mrs. Dong paused while inserting a hairpin into her coiffure, “Have the stables been properly instructed? Sister Ning is weak, they must drive steadily, and who has the Marquis appointed to accompany Sister Ning?”

“I heard it’s Li Si.” Jingfu observed Madam’s expression and only relaxed when she saw no change.

Actually, even by observing closely, nothing could be discerned. Madam rarely showed her emotions, much like the Marquis in this aspect.

“He is by the Marquis’s side, so nothing will happen with him around,” Mrs. Dong mumbled to herself.

Yet she was not fond of Li Si, as he kept his mouth tightly shut, revealing nothing.

He didn’t even give face to her, but since he was trusted by the Marquis, there was nothing she could do.

At Shi’an Garden, Mrs. Gu Sr. gave many instructions before letting them go. After they left, she dismissed all the servants, leaving only Nanny Chi and Suyi to talk.

“Having just returned from Pure Path Temple, why did the Marquis want to take Sister Ning out?” Mrs. Gu Sr. used to appreciate it when Sister Ning was close to her two sons.

But ever since what happened with Brother Xuan, she had been cautious.

However, her eldest son had always been reliable, so she didn’t think in that direction.

Now, suddenly, she felt a vague concern.

Suyi, knowing the situation, recounted what she heard in a teasing manner about Tingxue Hall and Shi’an Garden, and Lin Youning didn’t hide it from anyone, so it was naturally known.

After listening, Mrs. Gu Sr. shook her head helplessly, “The second one has always been a bit rebellious. Sister Ning was raised by me and is a person who values rules. After hearing those frivolous rumors, it’s already generous that she didn’t throw him out. Now the Marquis has to clean up the mess for him.”

Hearing about this, Mrs. Gu Sr. felt uncomfortable, but her son was flesh and blood; she couldn’t bear to choose. She was glad her eldest son was thoughtful and helped clean up the mess.

“Have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes tonight. Spring ingredients are scarce, so make more varied dishes. I see that Sister Ning has lost weight after going to the mountains with me these days.” Mrs. Gu Sr. knew the two wouldn’t be back for lunch, so she started rambling about when to invite those prospective families to the mansion.

At the same time, she asked someone to invite Mrs. Dong over.

Mrs. Dong, knowing her mother-in-law was looking for her, dared not delay. She put aside unfinished tasks and went over. After greeting and sitting down, Mrs. Dong inquired about her mother-in-law’s stay at Pure Path Temple before waiting for her to speak.

“I went to Pure Path Temple for the Marquis’s heir. He is thirty this year and has only a illegitimate son, without a legitimate son. I know you are virtuous and took the initiative to welcome concubines for the Marquis, and I have seen all you’ve done. However, the Gu family’s century-old reputation cannot be cut off in terms of heirs.” Mrs. Gu Sr. looked at Mrs. Dong, satisfied with her attentiveness, “You are still young and cannot adopt others. Besides, your uncle only has Brother De. I have selected some official daughters in the Capital. You should take a look and choose a well-behaved and honest one to bring in. When a son is born, elevate her to a concubine position. As the legitimate mother, you are always above her, so in old age, there’s no need to worry about others.”

Mrs. Dong might have accepted what was said before because it was her own inability. There were already two concubines in the house, so bringing in another concubine was no different and wouldn’t feel like too much.

But when the senior lady spoke of elevating one to a concubine, Mrs. Dong’s face turned pale. Although a concubine was not higher than a legitimate wife, she understood why her mother-in-law did so, for she came from a respected family and understood.

But she could not accept it in her heart.

Mrs. Gu Sr. noticed her silence, her eyelids slightly lowering, “This is just a plan I’ve thought of. Go and arrange when the banquet will be. I’ll have someone send you the list, and you just need to send out invitations.”

“Mother…” Mrs. Dong opened her mouth.

Mrs. Gu Sr. interrupted her, “You have several nieces from your family. Invite them to the mansion together when the time comes. You can personally make the trip. These years, you’ve been managing well in the mansion, only returning for the New Year. This time, take the opportunity to visit.”

Mrs. Gu Sr., on the surface for her daughter-in-law’s good, but Mrs. Dong understood that her mother-in-law was dissatisfied with her performance now.

Not bearing a child and disagreeing with bringing a concubine into the house would surely lead to divorce.

Her mother-in-law was warning her.

The Dong family, knowing some matters, would also scold her for being disrespectful. Either way, it was her fault, as she hadn’t borne a son.

Mrs. Dong didn’t know how she got out of Shi’an Garden. Sister Hui, who had gone to greet her mother in the morning, wasn’t relieved when she heard she went to Shi’an Garden and had been waiting in the Warm Pavilion. Seeing her mother come in with a pale face, she was startled.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” She quickly stepped forward to take her mother from the servants’ hands.

Meanwhile, she waved everyone else away.

Mrs. Dong sat back on the couch, “Your father must have known beforehand, yet didn’t let anyone inform me, causing me to lose face with the senior lady.”

Speaking, she began to weep in grievance.

Sister Hui got more worried seeing her mother cry, “The Marquis must have his reasons for not telling mother. Wait until he returns, and you’ll understand.”

“Will I ask if he agrees with bringing in a concubine?” Mrs. Dong dabbed at her tear-filled eyes and calmed down, “I can’t blame anyone for this matter. It’s just my failure to bear a son.”

Sister Hui remained silent, unable to offer comfort as before.

She had anticipated it long ago. Unless her mother got pregnant, but after so many years, it remained the same. Not to mention she, a daughter, even her mother understood, that this day would eventually come.

They had thought it would be a concubine but didn’t expect it to be a concubine equal to a wife.

No wonder her mother was so heartbroken.

Watching her mother like this and facing this kind of life, Sister Hui became bewildered, wondering what kind of situation she would have if she married, even growing averse to the idea of marriage.

The matter of the senior lady wanting to bring a concubine into the mansion for the Marquis spread in the mansion, whether intentionally by Mrs. Gu Sr. or done by Mrs. Dong, soon spread. Aunt He, who was grounded, fainted when she heard it.

If it were just a concubine, it wouldn’t signify much.

But elevating one to a concubine meant the eldest son certainly wouldn’t inherit the title.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep