Chapter 225: Chapter 226: Exploitation

Yangtao stood up from her side, after all, she had just seen the Marquis, which startled her. Their young lady had entered the mansion for several months, and it was indeed the first time the Marquis had visited their courtyard.

Wu Xueqin also stood up, “This concubine greets the Marquis.”

Gu Yifeng nodded and walked briskly to the seat Wu Xueqin vacated and sat down, “I’ve been handling numerous matters these days and haven’t come to see you. You’re doing well.”

Wu Xueqin’s face flushed slightly, “This concubine is merely doing what is expected of me, not worthy of the Marquis’s praise. But now that the Marquis is here, have you had dinner?”

When Wu Xueqin came from the main courtyard, it was already dark outside. She suppressed her excitement, wondering if the Marquis intended to stay the night here?

“Remembering your role is what’s commendable. The medicinal meals you’ve been sending to Shi’an Garden these days, the old lady has noticed them. There’s no need to continue in the future; it’s enough that she knows your filial piety.” Gu Yifeng glanced around the room. Unlike the other courtyards, it was sparsely decorated, with more small items made by a young woman.

Indeed, a young girl.

This was Gu Yifeng’s first thought after looking around.

Wu Xueqin’s face flushed slightly, “This concubine will remember.”

But in her heart, she still couldn’t figure out why the Marquis came here. If it was just for that sentence just now, there was no need to come personally; he could have sent someone instead.

But clearly, the Marquis didn’t do that; he came in person.

However, when she intentionally asked if the Marquis had eaten, he didn’t answer. Wu Xueqin was at a loss for words.

She had encountered men from ancient times, like her nominal father, her brother, and the young masters of various families, who idled away their time.

So she disdained to engage with those noble family young masters, but with the Marquis in front of her, she genuinely didn’t know what to say. Wu Xueqin somewhat regretted that back then when she was with those noble young masters, she should have asked more about their daily activities.

At least now, she wouldn’t be at a loss for words.

“It’s getting late, you should rest early.” Gu Yifeng stood up, not allowing more conversation, and strode out.

Wu Xueqin hurriedly chased to the doorway, but all she could do was watch the man stride away.

Mrs. Dong heard from Jingfu’s report that the Marquis sat in the backyard for a while before leaving again. She was momentarily puzzled but said nothing.

Those were the Marquis’s concubines; the Marquis could visit them, and as the first wife, she couldn’t stop him. But today, she had just displeased the old lady at Shi’an Garden, and now the Marquis went to Mrs. Wu in the backyard. What would the whole mansion think?

Mrs. Dong didn’t know whether to think this way or if she should feel that the Marquis was warning her.

She had merely followed the trend of the times, wanting the Marquis to stand by the Eldest Prince, so why did the Marquis react so severely?

Mrs. Dong couldn’t understand. If the Marquis truly regarded her as his wife, why didn’t he consult her in anything?

At the Dong Mansion, her father would always inform her mother of major matters. She admired that back then and thought it would be the same when she married. But now it seemed she overestimated herself; the Marquis was always silent and reticent and wouldn’t discuss major matters with her, like today at Shi’an Garden, where she was with her daughter, and had to leave when the Marquis arrived.

And then? The Marquis first sent a message to the gatehouse and then went to Mrs. Wu’s courtyard. Mrs. Dong took a deep breath; after so many years of marriage, the Marquis was still this indifferent.

As for Gu Yifeng, he indeed intended to affront Mrs. Dong slightly, even thought about staying overnight at Mrs. Wu’s when walking to the backyard, but as soon as he sat there, he suddenly didn’t want to stay a moment longer.

He only stopped at Woodland Pavilion, took a deep breath, “What has the young lady been busy with recently?”

Li Si also noticed that the Marquis seemed to calm down whenever he heard about the young lady when he was agitated, so he meticulously reported the news from that side to the Marquis.

Gu Yifeng looked exhausted, “Has there been any news from the Imperial Palace?”

“After Princess Yuanhua entered the palace, she was summoned by the Emperor and hasn’t returned any message since.” Li Si mentioned the news from Zhou Mansion, “But Mr. Zhou seems to have some urgent matter, he’s invited several officials he’s acquainted with to his mansion.”

Gu Yifeng nodded, “The East Courtyard is almost ready, tomorrow, deliver a message to the old lady.”

Li Si respectfully acknowledged and retreated.

Over at Lin Youning’s, she heard that Gu Er had returned and was with Princess Yuanhua, her eyes widened in surprise. If Mrs. Guo hadn’t told her, she wouldn’t have believed it was true.

In her past life, Princess Yuanhua had returned, but it was to visit relatives, and she left the Capital after a few months.

She hadn’t heard that Princess Yuanhua divorced in her past life.

Now it seems something has changed? Maybe Princess Yuanhua lied, or perhaps her rebirth altered many things, and it’s posalable that Princess Yuanhua truly divorced.

But the news of Gu Er being with Princess Yuanhua was good news for Lin Youning.

She could finally break free from her entanglement with Gu Er; with the Princess from the Royal Family involved, whatever thoughts Gu Er had, he wouldn’t dare act rashly.

One can certainly say, Princess Yuanhua is someone who can keep Gu Er in check.

Now she just wants to see how Mrs. Kong will handle this situation.

Mrs. Kong was indeed aware of the situation, as Gu Er’er personally told her, even directly proposing a divorce.

“Gu Yixuan, how can you do this to me? I’ve borne children for you, and now you are climbing up socially and propose divorce. If you truly dare to divorce me, I’ll go to the Holy Emperor to appeal.”

Mrs. Kong looked at him, her eyes glinting with malice.

“Go ahead, but think about what you’ve done? Given your malicious intentions, divorcing you is already an act of kindness.” Gu Er thought about how he missed Sister Ning because of this venomous woman in front of him, “The Princess’s intention is for the Holy Emperor to grant a marriage. However, to save your face, if you voluntarily step down, it could preserve the reputation of the women in Duke Mansion. If you insist on refusing, then wait for the Emperor’s decree.”

“There’s no need to threaten me with this. I understand it; you have a wife, and yet Princess Yuanhua is with you. With something like this, the Holy Emperor would neither approve the divorce nor issue a decree.” Mrs. Kong coldly stared at him.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep