Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Involved

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Gu Yifeng looked at the two people hugging each other and crying, his frown deepening.

One is his mother, the other is the young girl he’s cherished since childhood. He couldn’t bear to say anything harsh to either.

The anger spilled onto the servants, “Go and persuade Mrs. Gu Sr. and the girl.”

He turned and asked sharply if Doctor Li Si had arrived yet.

Suddenly, Shi’an Garden was thrown into chaos.

Everything was fine, but Miss Lin suddenly fell ill. The Marquis lost his temper, and all the servants in the courtyard held their breath, not daring to make any noise, fearing to incur the Marquis’s wrath.

Gu Yifeng walked a circle outside and then returned inside, “Mother, you’re worried about Sister Ning. Sister Ning is sick now, and emotional upheavals are harmful to her.”

Mrs. Gu Sr. truly cared for her deeply. Hearing her son’s words, she quickly dried her tears and comforted the person in her arms, “Alright, alright, let’s stop crying.”

Gu Yifeng sensed she wasn’t genuinely angry, as if facing some matter, his gaze fell on Hailan. Feeling the Marquis’s eyes on her, Hailan lifted her gaze lightly, then lowered her head, and quietly left the room when no one was looking.

Gu Yifeng stood in the courtyard with his straight back, his physique elegant, yet not lacking in presence.

Years ago, when Hailan was bought back by the Marquis from outside, seeing such a Marquis made her feel ashamed. Over the years, as she entered the Marquis Mansion, she diligently learned decorum but found the Marquis remained unattainable, someone she couldn’t directly look at.

In front of this majestic Marquis, she felt inferior.

Gathering her thoughts, Hailan hastened forward to pay her respects, “Marquis.”

“Did anything happen at Zhao Mansion?” His chilly voice revealed no joy or anger.

Yet Hailan sensed the Marquis was angry, “Madam and the Young Master treat the girl as their own, everything is done for her, and she has never been wronged.”

“Did anything happen these days?” Gu Yifeng pressed.

Hailan pondered for a moment.

Gu Yifeng, standing with his back to her, his insight apparent, took note of her hesitation, “Speak.”

Undeniable.

Hailan spoke of how the Second Miss of Dong Mansion took the girl to Jade Leaf Teahouse the other day, and there they encountered the mansion’s eldest son, even revealing how the eldest son addressed the girl during the greeting.

“Although nothing seemed different that day, the servants brought by Dong Mansion looked at the girl with strange expressions.” Hailan was unsure if she should say this.

But the eldest son indeed humiliated the girl.

Gu Yifeng responded with a faint hum, leading Hailan to retreat back into the house.

Unaware, Gu Yifeng’s expression darkened. Brother Xuan had admitted his wrongdoing, claiming it was unintentional. Yet now even a servant could perceive the peculiar gazes, indicating how awkward the scene must have been.

The girl he raised from childhood was harmed by his own son; Gu Yifeng’s anger turned into hollow laughter, truly remarkable.

He wanted to see where his unfilial son would go with nothing said.

On one hand, he regretted sending her back to Zhao Mansion. Although he anticipated such things might happen at the time, now that it truly occurred, he couldn’t resist his heartache.

Gu Yifeng mulled over it in the courtyard, thinking to talk to his mother later and suggest Sister Ning should stay in the mansion.

With a decision in mind, Gu Yifeng felt relieved.

The Imperial Physician arrived, diagnosed the pulse, and advised relaxing the mind, leaving without prescribing any medication.

Lin Youning pretended to be asleep, fearing facing her aunt, uncertain how to respond to her queries.

She didn’t know how to speak out.

Having listened to her son earlier, and now hearing from the Imperial Physician about the heavy thoughts, Mrs. Gu Sr. refrained from further questioning, instructing Nanny Chang to watch over, then she went to the flower hall.

The Imperial Physician had been sent off, leaving Gu Yifeng reassured. As he supported his mother to sit on the soft couch, “The doctor also said there’s no problem, Mother should ease her mind.”

“I’ve already regretted sending this child back to Zhao Mansion.” Mrs. Gu Sr. frowned, “Thinking over the years the child’s thoughts would gradually fade, yet they seem to remain deeply held. Send a message to Zhao Mansion, saying I want to keep Sister Ning here for a few days.”

“Someone has already gone over, Mother, after a day of fussing, should also rest. Sister Ning’s side son will keep watch.” Gu Yifeng eagerly wanted to enter to see her, to talk with Sister Ning.

But with his mother present, it didn’t seem appropriate to enter.

Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t think much, trusting her eldest son, “Sister Ning always listens to you, once she awakes, advise her more. I will go offer incense at the temple.”

Gu Yifeng agreed, sent his mother out, then returned inside.

Lin Youning wasn’t actually asleep, hearing the aunt and elder brother converse in the flower hall, she began introspecting her behavior.

It was she who was anxious to leave the mansion back then, even though it was elder brother who encouraged. Now she was here, wallowing due to a sudden realization, without her aunt and elder brother’s spoiling her, this attitude wouldn’t be likable.

Indeed.

Just as she liked, so what?

As long as she conceals her thoughts well, hides them for a lifetime, no one would know.

Who doesn’t have a thought buried deep inside in their life? It’s not a shameful thing, people have seven emotions and six desires, she’s just an ordinary person, why demand such high standards from herself?

Her mind settled, as footsteps approached, along with Hailan’s courtesy sound, Lin Youning opened her eyes.

“Awake?” That familiar voice from memory.

Lin Youning took a deep breath, turned her head, a smile already on her face, “Awake, let elder brother laugh at me.”

“Zhao Mansion sent a message, you should stay in the mansion for a few more days.” Gu Yifeng recalling her stubbornness, emphasized again.

Lin Youning smiled, “I’ll follow elder brother’s advice.”

Yet her heart felt a slight ache, but also relieved.

Yes, as long as she dared face it, courageously confronted it, everything wasn’t as difficult.

Gu Yifeng looked at the desolation hidden in her smile, his heart twisting, feeling that within a short time, the person before him had changed, yet he couldn’t articulate how precisely.

“That’s good, you rest first, tonight I’ll take you to stroll Flower Street.” Gu Yifeng’s thoughts were confused, an experience he hadn’t encountered before, needing careful sorting.

Lin Youning let Hailan escort him out. Perhaps her inner thoughts that morning had startled her, as soon as she closed her eyes, she was quickly asleep again.

Gu Yifeng returned to Woodland Pavilion, unable to calm down, pacing back and forth in the study, calming himself only when Mrs. Dong arrived.

“Marquis, today is the Double Seventh Festival. I remember when we were newlywed, you took me out. Now, after so many years, I wonder if the Marquis has time tonight?” Mrs. Dong thought for a long time and decided to try changing the relationship with the Marquis.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep