Chapter 168: Chapter 167: The Decision

Mrs. Gu Sr. made up her mind, and instantly looked more spirited. Lin Youning observed her and felt uncertain inside.

“Aunt is fine now, there are matters to attend to, you should go back,” Mrs. Gu Sr. patted Lin Youning’s hand, “No need to worry, the girl from the Lin Mansion is here, we can’t neglect her, but this affair in the mansion can surely make others mock us.”

Lin Youning understood her concern, “Don’t worry, aunt, sister-in-law is already here. When I came over, I instructed Sister Suyi to keep order in the courtyard, so you can rest assured.”

“Good,” Mrs. Gu Sr. finally felt relieved.

After Lin Youlin left, Gu Yifeng sat by the bed, “Mother, have you decided something?”

“Over the years, if it weren’t for you, Gu Mansion wouldn’t be what it is today. Your younger brother is already ruined, and now I’m not worried about his heirs; Brother De and Sister Yue are grown, in a few years, they can marry. But the main house, when your elder aunt passed, she held my hand with many exhortations to ensure Sister Ning is well cared for to preserve the lineage. But now I have to let your elder aunt down.” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s complexion was sallow, lacking energy, “Sister Ning, you’ve watched her grow, you know her character. I thought of adopting an heir for the main house, but letting Sister Ning live a widow’s life forever, I can’t bear it. Yet with the second son’s situation, I want you to take this on, can you do this?”

Mrs. Gu Sr. knew such a request was excessive and inappropriate, especially since her son was a Marquis.

But faced with these happenings, she had no choice.

“Mother…” Gu Yifeng frowned, “I’ve always thought of Sister Ning as my sister.”

“I know, but in our family, there’s only Brother De as the legitimate son, adopting is impossible, your courtyard has no legitimate son, do we have to find a child from outside to adopt?” Mrs. Gu Sr. disagreed when it came to blood relations.

“My dear, mother hasn’t asked you for anything in her life, this time consider it her request, Sister Ning grew up with us, you can’t let her life be destroyed.” Mrs. Gu Sr., strong for her life, never showed sadness to outsiders or children.

But today, she wept.

Gu Yifeng’s mind flashed countless smiling faces of Sister Ning, always taken as a sister, now he’s to marry her as a wife.

But seeing his mother’s agony, Gu Yifeng took a deep breath, “I promise, mother.”

“Really?” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s face was still tear-streaked.

Gu Yifeng nodded helplessly, only then did Mrs. Gu Sr. breathe a sigh of relief, “Good child, I know it’s hard for you, just do it for your elder aunt.”

Thinking of the cousin who died on the battlefield for him and his elder aunt’s wish, Gu Yifeng’s wavering heart firmed.

After they agreed, Mrs. Gu Sr. turned to handle her younger son’s issue.

Two hours passed.

Mrs. Kong, exhausted, was dragged into the Warm Pavilion by two maids. Mrs. Gu Sr. leaned against the bed, her eyes coldly staring at Mrs. Kong on the ground.

Once the maids released her, Mrs. Kong collapsed onto the floor, resembling a heap of mud.

“You know how you entered the Marquis Mansion, yet you show no gratitude, harboring jealousy, and harming your husband. Such a good daughter from the Duke Mansion.” Mrs. Gu Sr.’s voice was icy, her teeth gritting, wishing to devour the person before her.

No wonder the son’s courtyard was silent for years, thinking she meddled with the concubine, Mrs. Gu Sr. blamed herself for negligence, not suspecting Mrs. Kong’s own barrenness.

If she noticed then, the son might have been saved, but after so many years, even an Immortal Pill might not cure his ailment.

“Jealousy? What unmarried daughter shares her husband even before marriage? As a woman, Madam should understand how I feel? Blame me, but who knows my pain?” Mrs. Kong’s face twisted, “I knew this day would come; in the Marquis Mansion, it seemed glamorous, but my life wasn’t better than a nun’s. Man or no man, what’s the difference? With this exposed, I leave it to Madam’s disposal.”

Surrendering, giving up.

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s gaze was cold, “Aren’t you afraid Brother De would be harmed, you’ll have no legitimate son baton? You’re so harsh on yourself, showing how vile your heart is. Rest assured, I won’t kill or send you to a temple, but you’re a poison woman to Brother De and Sister Yue; they are Gu Family’s descendants, I can’t disregard them. If word spreads, how will they marry?”

Mrs. Kong laughed bitterly, tears covering her cheeks, “Descendants? To Madam’s eyes, only a foster daughter matters, not Gu Mansion’s heirs. You’ve raised a foster daughter for years, how do you feel raising a concubine’s daughter?”

Servants inside inhaled sharply, did Second Madam know the girl’s origins? Is she a concubine’s daughter?

Gu Yifeng’s indifferent face showed no surprise, only a slight squint of his profound eyes, glanced over Mrs. Kong, then looked away.

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s expression didn’t change, the surprise in her eyes fleeting, refusing to engage further, “Take Second Madam to Jinghe Courtyard, she should recuperate, no need to leave the courtyard, her former servants, tie them up and send them back to Duke Mansion, replace them with reliable maids to attend her well.”

Only when Mrs. Kong heard her servants would be sent away did she panic, but Mrs. Gu Sr. refused to glance at her, waving servants to take her off.

Mrs. Kong’s mouth was covered in time, allowing no sound to escape.

“You’ll still need to visit Duke Mansion,” Mrs. Gu Sr. looked weary, “Something Mrs. Kong said out of jealousy, but investigate where the rumor spread.”

When Mrs. Kong spoke, Madam showed no sign but remembered it.

Gu Yifeng agreed, yet Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t notice the strange look in her eldest son’s eyes, overwhelmed by the day’s events, she soon fell asleep.

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