Chapter 227: Chapter 228: Counterattack

Jingfu was the chief maid serving Mrs. Dong, yet she had no idea what Miss Lin wrote in the letter to Madam.

However, she could sense that Madam was in a bad mood and was enduring some kind of discomfort.

Unlike usual, Jingfu instinctively felt that if she tried to offer words of comfort this time, Madam might punish her.

After hearing that Sister Ning sent a letter to Mrs. Dong, Mrs. Gu Sr. appeared surprised, “Did you find out what it’s about?”

Mrs. Dong did not like Sister Ning, and Sister Ning was never close to Mrs. Dong. Mrs. Gu Sr. was surprised to hear about the sudden delivery of a letter.

The main point was that the letter was delivered directly to the gatehouse.

It’s clear that Sister Ning wanted everyone to know she had sent a letter to Mrs. Dong.

“I couldn’t find out anything about it; the people at the gatehouse sent it directly to the first madam,” Suyi said, “However, the girl has always been prudent in her actions, and there must be a reason for doing this.”

Due to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s setup against Sister Ning, the girl has distanced herself from Mrs. Gu Sr., and Suyi naturally feared that Mrs. Gu Sr. might again misunderstand the girl at this time, making the gap between them grow wider.

Mrs. Gu Sr. smiled, “You’ve been by my side for years, and you practically watched Sister Ning grow up. I understand what you are worried about. Rest assured, I know that child well.”

Suyi blushed slightly, “You’re indeed perceptive, Madam, you always know what I’m thinking.”

“Nowadays, with so few people genuinely caring for this old woman, like you do,” Mrs. Gu Sr. thought of something and her face turned grim.

During these days, many things have happened. Suyi knew that Mrs. Gu Sr. was also forcing herself to maintain her spirits.

At Woodland Pavilion, Gu Yifeng recalled the letter’s contents and smiled faintly. It truly matched her personality, always indifferent to these domestic matters, and responding directly to Mrs. Dong.

Li Si thought about the letter contents he secretly peeked at from the gatehouse and felt relieved upon seeing the Marquis’s joyful expression.

Looking back at Miss Lin’s words in the letter, they were simple: she stated plainly that she would not fail the family’s expectations.

Li Si knew that, as a mere servant, the matters within were complex and he couldn’t grasp their meaning, but seeing the rare happiness of the Marquis, Li Si felt that Miss Lin must have done the right thing.

But the eldest miss and the others went to Pure Path Temple today, and logically Madam sent a letter to Miss Lin, and Miss Lin returned it, but she didn’t come along.

Li Si shook his head, dismissing these thoughts, as he couldn’t understand them anyway.

Indeed, Gu Yifeng was pleased.

Or rather, his long-standing concerns were slightly eased. He saw his mother’s scheming, Sister Ning’s despondency, acknowledged them silently, yet when Mrs. Dong sent the letter over, Gu Yifeng hesitated but ultimately didn’t intercept it, as he wanted to see how Sister Ning would respond.

As it turns out, Sister Ning’s approach was exactly what Gu Yifeng hoped for, though her response was succinct, it was filled with determination.

Mrs. Dong’s tactics were slightly narrow-minded; Sister Ning wasn’t marrying into the Marquis Mansion but belonged to the Gu Family’s main branch, so Sister Ning did not compromise. She was direct, making her stance clear, subtly advising Mrs. Dong about her future approach.

Mrs. Dong’s probing was met with Sister Ning laying all her cards on the table, straightforward and with swift methods, surprising Mrs. Dong, who might not have anticipated it?

Gu Yifeng was satisfied with the situation, helping Sister Ning become resilient, but he couldn’t help but feel a pang of empathy.

Gu Yifeng didn’t ponder too long before Zhang Wu hurriedly came in, “Sir, Consort Zhou’s messenger has arrived.”

Gu Yifeng frowned slightly, then moved quickly to leave, asking as he went, “Who was sent?”

“A little eunuch from the palace, says there’s an urgent matter for the Marquis to attend to,” Zhao Wu replied.

Li Si followed out of the study, and as they reached the courtyard, they saw a small-statured man in a green robe without a beard standing there, who stepped forward to salute upon seeing Gu Yifeng come out.

Gu Yifeng immediately helped him up, “No need for such courtesy.”

The little eunuch responded, “Your kindness, Marquis. I am only following Her Highness’s orders to deliver a few words to the Marquis, and then return to the palace.”

Without further pleasantries, the little eunuch delivered the message, “Her Highness has always cherished this daughter, and now the Holy Emperor blames the Princess for losing face for the Royal Family. Her Highness said the Holy Emperor has always trusted the Marquis, and now only the Marquis can protect the Princess. Please, Marquis, intercede, for the sake of the Gu Mansion and the young master, trouble yourself for this matter.”

Gu Yifeng, sending the messenger away, was unconcerned with the letter from Consort Zhou. Did Consort Zhou imply that the blame on Princess Yuanhua by the Emperor would also implicate the Gu Mansion?

After all, palace women can nail one’s weakness with just one move.

Gu Yifeng had long anticipated this, was unworried as he instructed Li Si, “Tell Second Young Master that if he wants to survive, he should go kneel outside the palace until they send a message that allows him to stand.”

Li Si responded and left.

The Holy Emperor felt his honor was lost, and Princess Yuanhua with another man; naturally, he was enraged. But after all, she was his daughter; even if truly angry, one still can’t bear to act ruthlessly. What was needed was a way to step down from the throne.

Their genuine affection for one another and the man’s willingness to sacrifice for the woman; these reasons sufficed.

Gu Er was stunned upon hearing this and remembered Mrs. Kong’s words, leaving his face drained of color.

“Second Young Master, you should go now,” survival is crucial.

Li Si sincerely felt troubled over this Second Young Master.

Given the status, Consort Zhou sent the letter out, which shows the significance of the matter.

“I… I have no position or status, kneeling there is futile. If my elder brother truly cares for me, he should go beg on my behalf,” Gu Er rejected anxiously.

Li Si chuckled, “But haven’t you already severed ties with the Marquis Mansion? Now wishing the Marquis to intervene, Second Young Master probably wouldn’t like that either?”

Gu Er glared.

Li Si remained unfazed, “I have conveyed the message and shall not disturb the Second Young Master further.”

Li Si departed.

Gu Er smashed a teacup, then strode out. Though timid and fearful, Mrs. Kong’s words had enlightened him that escape was impossible; after struggling for a while, he finally marched out of the secondary residence toward the palace.

Although Li Si delivered the message and left, he was still uneasy, secretly keeping watch outside, only relaxing once he saw the Second Young Master heading out, and returned to report it.

Gu Yifeng merely nodded upon hearing this, refraining from further comment. After Gu Er knelt outside the palace for two days, he finally moved His Majesty, Princess Yuanhua was demoted to commoner status, and bestowed marriage as Gu Yixuan’s wife. As for how Gu Yixuan would deal with Mrs. Kong in the mansion, that was his own concern.

Gu Er was carried back to the estate by the Zhou Mansion’s men. Having knelt for two days and nights, had the Zhou Mansion not watched over him, he might have fled long ago.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep