Chapter 310: Chapter 302: The Truth

Lin Youning lay on the soft couch, not having moved at all. Gu Yifeng knew he had upset her, so he hurried over to apologize, but Lin Youning simply ignored him. Gu Yifeng had no choice but to return to bed and sleep alone.

Lin Youning rested on the soft couch. When noon came and the meal time had passed, they both got up. Hailan had someone send over the meal, and she entered the room to serve.

Without Shanmoi to serve her, Lin Youning found herself a little unaccustomed at the beginning of the day. Watching as her older brother occasionally picked food for her, Lin Youning showed no expression on her face but understood in her heart that her brother was indirectly apologizing.

After the meal, Lin Youning no longer felt upset with her brother over the previous incident. Just as she was thinking about asking Hailan to bring out the chess set, Gu Yifeng stood up.

Lin Youning was taken aback, “Is Master going to the front yard?”

It was already this late, and it was dark outside.

Gu Yifeng shook his head, “I’m going to Aunt Wu’s place.”

The smile on Lin Youning’s face nearly vanished.

Gu Yifeng pretended not to notice and simply nodded at her before walking out of the room with big strides, leaving Lin Youning and her servant momentarily stunned.

Hailan dared not overthink, quickly suggesting, “The Marquis probably has some matters to discuss with Aunt Wu. Would you like to do some needlework, Miss?”

“Yes.” Lin Youning nodded.

Only after Hailan went into the inner room did she lower her head and take a deep breath. She realized how foolish she had been to naively believe those words.

Her brother said he was devoted to her, but he never mentioned not interacting with other concubines.

By the time Hailan returned with the sewing box, Lin Youning had already resumed her usual composure.

On the other side, Gu Yifeng entered Aunt Wu’s courtyard to Li Si’s surprise. Inside, Wu Xueqin was reading trivial gossip books. When a little maid rushed in saying the Marquis had arrived, Wu Xueqin sat up in surprise, but Yangtao reacted first, quickly collecting the books from the tea table.

“Auntie, you’d better get up. The Marquis must have already entered the courtyard.” Yangtao had inquired with the maids and knew the Marquis was at the main courtyard.

Coming at this hour, he was evidently from the main courtyard.

Wu Xueqin calmed her expression after her initial surprise, getting off the soft couch without much excitement, “The Marquis must be here for something, no need for such excitement.”

Yangtao, stunned by her mistress’s words, was momentarily at a loss for words and stood there blankly.

Wu Xueqin laughed at her, “Silly girl, let’s go.”

She then took large strides forward.

Yangtao hurried to follow.

When Yangtao reached outside, she saw that her mistress had already greeted the Marquis, who instructed, “Rise,” before striding into the room. Yangtao retreated to the side, lowering her head, and only followed inside once she saw her mistress entering.

Gu Yifeng sat on the armchair without entering the Warm Pavilion, and once seated, he said, “Everyone, leave.”

Li Si proceeded out, and Yangtao dared not hesitate, retreating with him.

As the door closed, Yangtao worriedly glanced at the room, only to meet Li Si’s gaze. Quickly, she lowered her head, remembering the cold look Li Si had given her.

Wu Xueqin stood obediently, waiting for the Marquis to speak, fully aware that it would not be about anything good. She had long understood her precarious position.

“How many times have you communicated with the Eldest Prince, and what was discussed?” Gu Yifeng asked directly, “Previously, I had someone leave a note by your pillow advising what to do, indicating you had already been in contact with the Eldest Prince.”

If it had been in the past, Wu Xueqin would have been utterly shocked. But ever since she realized her true situation, she cared for nothing.

“When you saved me back then, I suspected it was a setup. Now, it seems I was not wrong,” Gu Yifeng’s gaze was calm, yet it was freezing, “The Marquis Mansion doesn’t mind another mouth to feed, but if that mouth causes trouble, the Marquis is unwilling to keep it.”

Wu Xueqin bit her lip in silence, realizing any excuse now would be a mistake. She candidly spoke, “Marquis, I admit that saving you was something I learned secretly from overhearing conversations between the Eldest Prince and my father. It was then that I went out and saved you, not a plot against you. I am merely a concubine’s daughter, with neither the virtue nor capability for such a scheme. As for the Eldest Prince, I always thought he was unaware. On his visit to the border city, during my outing, he sent word that he knows I eavesdropped.”

Taking a breath, Wu Xueqin explained everything, “Why the Eldest Prince mentioned it or used it to coerce me, I don’t know. But after his departure, he never contacted me again.”

Wu Xueqin met Gu Yifeng’s inspecting gaze unflinchingly. Gu Yifeng’s eyes narrowed; he truly admired this woman. Faced with exposure, an ordinary housewife would have panicked long ago.

Yet this woman remained composed when her secrets were laid bare, instantly concocting a strategy to benefit her most.

Gu Yifeng believed she spoke the truth without deceit.

“Under such circumstances, you genuinely saved me,” Gu Yifeng stood, “You can live peacefully at the Marquis Mansion, but remember your role. Do not reach for things beyond your grasp.”

With these words, Gu Yifeng glanced at her before striding out of the room.

Listening to Yangtao see off the Marquis outside, Wu Xueqin finally exhaled deeply, realizing that despite her earlier claims of indifference, one’s life is cherished perhaps until death.

When Yangtao returned, she found her mistress sitting in a daze and sighed in relief, “Auntie… ”

Wu Xueqin smiled gently, “It’s fine. From now on, just do as you wish, no need to worry about me.”

Yangtao did not understand why her mistress said this, but seeing her smiling face, she dared not relax, unsure if her mistress had been provoked.

Back at the main courtyard, as Hailan noticed her mistress’s silence and was about to inquire outside, she saw the Marquis return and breathed a sigh of relief, simply excusing herself to serve tea before leaving.

Lin Youning lifted her head, smiling widely, yet unsure of what to say. Gu Yifeng approached and embraced her, “Are you angry?”

Initially, Lin Youning felt bothered, but once her brother hugged her like this and spoke playfully, her mood inexplicably lightened, even eliciting laughter.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep