Chapter 131: Chapter 130: Letting Go

Gu Yixuan strode into Shi’an Garden; he didn’t have as many thoughts as Tang Ping. After entering the flower hall and paying his respects, he searched for the chair closest to Mrs. Gu Sr. and sat down.

“Has anything happened in the mansion?”

“What could possibly happen? It’s just that I haven’t seen you for days, so I thought of having you come back. I don’t even know how you’re doing, so I had someone fetch you. If you have business to attend to, go ahead.” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s expression appeared no different from usual.

Her words, however, carried a hint of sarcasm.

Gu Yixuan is the most idle person usually; even now, when he has something to do outside, it’s nothing but tutoring.

Gu Yixuan’s face grew hot, “These days, everyone’s been setting up poetry societies, so I’ve been spending less time at the mansion. It’s unfilial of me, causing you to worry.”

“I didn’t mention that; rather, you’re quick to feel guilty.” Mrs. Gu Sr. sighed, “You’re a father with children. You should know what to do and what not to do. I’m old and may soon go down to meet the ancestors, unable to supervise you for long.”

“Mother!” Gu Yixuan stood up with sincere fear, “Wherever I’ve erred, please scold me directly. Why say such things that make my heart ache?”

“Ache? I only regret spoiling you from a young age, leading you now to dare to keep an outside woman, something no one in the Gu family lineage has ever done.” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s voice suddenly sharpened.

Gu Yixuan’s eyes widened, unable to react momentarily.

Standing outside, Tang Ping’s legs nearly buckled at hearing this, about to kneel over, as indeed Mrs. Gu had found out.

“Today, as guests gathered at the mansion, your outside woman came to the door. How timely they come! If your sister-in-law hadn’t brought her into the courtyard, she might have made a scene outside. The woman just entered, claiming you took advantage of her while drunk. Is it true? Now she’s pregnant, seeking a name for the child. I’ve managed the household all my life without encountering such a matter. Perhaps you can teach me what to do.”

As Mrs. Gu Sr. finished, Gu Yixuan was already kneeling on the ground, his face filled with panic.

Seeing such an incompetent son, Mrs. Gu’s heart grew more disappointed.

As a man, he lacks the courage to face the consequences, a testament to her failure as a mother, having raised him so.

Mrs. Gu Sr., who originally reclined on the soft couch, slowly sat up. After his initial shock, Gu Yixuan lowered his head under his mother’s piercing gaze.

“Did you think my sudden ill health was uncaused? It wasn’t due to anger from having such a disgraceful affair and thinking you could deceive me. That woman, if not for your brother moving her away, she’d have long been taken by your father-in-law’s side.”

Gu Yixuan raised his head in shock, provoking Mrs. Gu’s anger. She waved her hand, “Did you think you could hide it? Do you truly believe it’s so simple? Now, with the Eldest Prince and Crown Prince contesting, do you realize how many eyes are on Dingyuan Marquis Mansion? Initially, I hoped the issue would teach you a lesson, but now it’s clear I overestimated your cleverness.”

Truly a decadent, lacking the mind to understand the gravity.

Previously, Mrs. Gu could excuse Yixuan’s mischief, but now he’s bold enough to keep an outside woman, it’s corrupted to the core.

Recalling these things, Mrs. Gu didn’t want to say much more.

Gu Yixuan knelt on the ground without moving. He didn’t expect Ms. Yan would find her way to the mansion and reveal everything.

Claiming not to begrudge her was false, but recalling Ms. Yan’s gentleness these days and the grievances of living as an outside woman, his resentment slowly faded.

“I’ve been foolish, but Ms. Yan carries my bloodline. I can’t let the Gu family’s lineage fall outside; I beg you to pity her, Mother. Although Ms. Yan’s background isn’t noble, she’s well-mannered and aware of propriety. All my fault for harming her; she, without blaming me for making her a concubine, has remained an outside woman, disregarding her own reputation, thinking I’d tell you later about bringing her into the mansion. Now that she’s come here, there’s no alternative; a woman’s belly grows bigger, seen by others, and she couldn’t live on.” Gu Yixuan gritted his teeth, hoping his mother would accept Ms. Yan.

But Gu Yixuan forgot that at this moment, the more he mentioned Ms. Yan’s virtues, the more Mrs. Gu Sr. despised her.

Indeed a vixen, daring to come on the day of an event at the Marquis Mansion due to pregnancy, showing her depth of scheming.

Yet, hearing this, the son felt no resentment toward her, even pleading for her; if such a woman entered the mansion, could peace remain?

At this moment, a fierce intention flashed in Mrs. Gu Sr.’s eyes, even momentarily wanting to have her beaten to death.

She suppressed her impulsive thoughts, squinted at her son pleadingly bowing for a woman, disappointment seeping deep into her heart, cooling her whole body.

“If I pity her, then who will pity Sister Ning?” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s voice carried a tone of weariness and disappointment, “Do you know you’re supposed to bear responsibilities? Do you realize you’ve married with two concubines? Does your wife prevent you from taking more?”

With each question, Gu Yixuan shook his head blankly, the guilt deepening on his face, “Mother… My son… My son…”

He wanted to say this was the last time, that he’d never let his mother down again, but when facing her cold gaze, he couldn’t speak.

Seeing her son’s hesitation, Mrs. Gu Sr. realized suddenly her persistence was wrong; he wasn’t her son anymore, just a spoiled scion blinded by women.

“Enough, enough, your affairs, you handle them. You may go.” Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t want to say another word, annoyed with her son, while instructing the servant Suyi beside her, “Have someone also send Ms. Yan to the courtyard of the second household; let them deal with how she is managed.”

“Mother…” Gu Yixuan panicked.

If his mother won’t manage him, what will he do in the future? Moreover, she just mentioned Sister Ning; does she not want him to marry her now?

No, the marriage is set; it won’t be destroyed.

With a returning color to his otherwise bloodless face, Mrs. Gu already leaned on Sumian’s hand, entering the Warm Pavilion, never glancing back at the son kneeling outside.

“Second Young Master, Ms. Yan is in the side room; please follow me.” Suyi sighed inwardly; Second Young Master is very foolish.

At such a time, why not just soften to the old Madam, eventually asking her to invoke Ms. Yan into the mansion? She’s pregnant; the old Madam has longed for grandchildren, how could she bear to refuse further?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep