Chapter 172: Chapter 171: Repercussions

Sister Yue knew that having just lost her temper and now lowering her head to beg was humiliating, but thinking of her mother, she could only set her pride aside.

“Do you know what mistake your mother made? Besides, even if Aunt over there cares for me, I’m merely an outsider and it’s not my place to interfere with the affairs of the mansion.” Lin Youning took a few sips of egg custard and half a bowl of rice before setting down her chopsticks, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, “The person you should be asking isn’t me, but Aunt over there, Sister Yue. Don’t forget, you’re the Fourth Miss of this mansion.”

Speaking of which, her status was much more legitimate than that of this adopted daughter.

Shanmoi and Hailan quietly cleared the table beside them, and with no outsiders in the room, Sister Yue became even more willing to shed her dignity. “Aunt, I may not know what mistake my mother made, but Nanny Guan and the others have been sent back. Grandmother has always favored Aunt, please, Aunt, plead on my behalf.”

“Have you still not understood what I’m saying?” Lin Youning felt she had been clear enough, but Sister Yue clearly wasn’t grasping it.

She was an outsider, but Sister Yue was a legitimate daughter.

If she went to Aunt’s place, even if she couldn’t release her, at least Aunt could tell her the reason.

Otherwise, from anyone else’s mouth, Sister Yue couldn’t find out the cause of the matter.

Sister Yue felt that Lin Youning simply didn’t want to help, and stood up angrily, “If Aunt won’t help, she won’t help. Why bother with all those roundabout words.”

“Think whatever you like.” Lin Youning knew that no matter what she did, those two ingrates wouldn’t have anything good to say.

Just like in the past life when Mrs. Kong had ended Gu Er’s lineage, yet still ruined her reputation.

Sister Yue was born of Mrs. Kong; how could she not inherit some of Mrs. Kong’s traits?

Those traits ran bone-deep.

Sister Yue stormed off angrily. At the door, she encountered Lin Qining, who had just managed a smile only to be greeted with a fierce glare from Sister Yue, leaving her rooted to the spot.

After glaring, Sister Yue briskly headed to Shi’an Garden. She wanted to find out what matter could have caused Grandmother to lock her mother up.

If Grandmother wouldn’t release her, she could still return to the Duke Mansion; surely her maternal grandmother couldn’t just ignore her mother.

Lin Qining stood there, watching the empty courtyard where Sister Yue had long since left, “Ping’er, do you think I’ve done something to upset Sister Yue?”

Ping’er dared not speak carelessly, “Miss, there are many affairs in the Marquis Mansion now. We should return to our room, the First Young Lady has also instructed not to wander about.”

“First Young Lady? What kind of First Young Lady is she?” Lin Qining was displeased, and hearing Lin Youning’s name made her even more so, “Just a fallen woman, thinking she’s so precious.”

Ping’er’s face turned white with fright.

Fortunately, Lin Qining was aware of their location and didn’t say more, turning on her heel and returning to her room angrily.

Soon after, they saw Sister Yue crying as she exited Shi’an Garden on her knees. Lin Youning, sitting by the window, witnessed the scene but didn’t comment.

Although something had happened in the mansion, Sister Hui and the others were unaware. Now, with Sister Yue running out crying, the news spread.

All they knew was that Second Madam was unwell, and the Old Madam instructed that no one be allowed out of the courtyard, nor allow visitors, citing it as an infectious disease.

Fourth Miss wanted to see her mother, but the Old Madam did not permit it, causing Fourth Miss to rush out of Shi’an Garden.

When Sister Hui heard this from the maid, she inquired, “What about Mother?”

“Madam said she wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t allow you to have dinner with her tonight. She also excused the two aunts from morning greetings.”

“I understand, you may leave.” Sister Hui waved her hand, and the young maid left.

Sister Hui stared blankly out the window; she didn’t believe Second Aunt was sick, nor that her mother wasn’t feeling well,

It must be related to Second Uncle and that Aunt Yan’s affair. It was only after Grandmother fainted that they weren’t allowed to visit.

After waking up, it seemed circumstances had changed.

Sister Hui couldn’t fathom the reason and didn’t allow herself to think further; after all, it was Second Uncle’s affair, unrelated to Yingshui Courtyard.

At the same time, the Duke Mansion found no peace.

Mrs. Gao had sent Nanny Chi of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion away and was still in the hall, unable to recover from the news she brought.

She thought of her daughter, daring to administer infertility medicine to her husband, and now it had been uncovered.

A life ruined.

Mrs. Gao only knew that it was over.

No matter how much they admitted their wrongs, the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t relent.

She was fortunate not to be divorced and sent back home; at least this spared the Duke Mansion some face, otherwise, how would the girls in the family get married in the future?

Having such an aunt, even a future daughter in a future generation would find marriage difficult.

To raise such a disaster, harming three generations.

Mrs. Gao was nearly out of tears when the Duke returned, having heard from the gatekeeper that someone from Dingyuan Marquis Mansion had come and sent back the aunt’s maid, he knew something had happened.

Returning to the courtyard and seeing his wife’s tear-stained face, the Duke felt powerless; he sat silently in the armchair, saying nothing and asking nothing.

Until Qinglu came in from outside, quietly reporting to Mrs. Gao, “Madam, Nanny Guan has passed away. When discovered, her body was already cold.”

“They think that’s the end of it?” A fierce glint flashed in Mrs. Gao’s eyes, “Having the audacity to incite the girl to such deeds, sell her family to the hardest places, making them suffer a lifetime, with no comfort.”

Qinglu answered and retreated.

Tears again filled Mrs. Gao’s eyes, “Sister Ru is finished, truly finished this time. She gave Gu Er infertility medicine, and it’s been exposed.”

A cup cracked against the floor as the Duke’s eyes widened in disbelief. Seeing her husband’s expression, Mrs. Gao’s heart sank, she knew nothing more could be said; her husband would no longer care for Sister Ru.

“From now on, it’s as though we have no such daughter. Send someone to the academy to check on Brother De, keep the boy’s spirits up. As long as we have him, the Marquis Mansion might still consider our standing.” After all, this matter of cutting off progeny could ruin the entire reputation of the Duke Mansion.

The Duke aged overnight, stood up, “I’m staying with Lady Wang tonight.”

Without even looking at Mrs. Gao, he strode away.

Of course, this affected Mrs. Gao as well.

Hearing her husband was visiting Lady Wang, Mrs. Gao’s heart twisted in pain.

Lady Wang was the concubine raised by the Old Madam, whom the Duke rarely visited, to keep up appearances. Now that he’s going to Lady Wang, Mrs. Gao understood all too well what it implied.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep