Lin Youning returned to Tingxue Hall and changed into her usual hall dress, then leaned onto the soft couch. If she slept at this hour, she might suffer from insomnia again at night.
So she asked Shanmoi to bring over a half-finished sachet for her to embroider. She had barely put in a few stitches when Hailan ca in.
Hailan usually spoke little, but her sudden entrance ant there was news. Lin Youning set aside her needlework to look at her.
"Just now, the First Madam brought a woman to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s courtyard. The servants are whispering that a woman from outside, pregnant with the Second Young Master’s child, has co seeking him." Hailan looked worried.
After all, the young lady was to marry the Second Young Master in the future. The Second Young Master being so indiscreet and now bringing in an outsider, how could others perceive the young lady? How was the young lady supposed to feel?
Hailan, having pondered over whether to speak, felt she should tell the young lady, rather than have her hear it from elsewhere and risk showing a telling expression that could spread.
She sighed with relief when she saw the young lady remained calm.
Beside her, Shanmoi’s mouth was wide open, but since Lin Youning had already told her off for being too reckless before, she didn’t scream in surprise this ti, only covering her mouth with her hand.
"Let others say what they will; we mind our own business and needn’t worry about it," Lin Youning said, taking up her needlework again. "Though I have an engagent with Second Brother, it is rely an arrangent between the Gu Family and the Marquis Mansion; it will eventually be divided. For now, it’s a matter within the Marquis Mansion and has nothing to do with us."
Today, she hadn’t managed to see Gu Er as planned, which left Lin Youning disheartened. As for Gu Er keeping a mistress outside, she was slightly aware and wasn’t particularly surprised.
"I will rember your teachings, Miss," Hailan respectfully said, then curtsied and left.
Shanmoi couldn’t quite fathom whether the young lady cared or not. Truth be told, the young lady rarely showed interest in the Second Young Master from a young age, treating him almost like a stranger.
Still, when the Second Young Master visited, the young lady always behaved quite naturally.
Shanmoi, not being too bright, couldn’t grasp the nuances as she furtively observed her mistress.
Now, seeing the Second Young Master act like this, she didn’t like him at all anymore.
He was supposed to marry the young lady, yet he had a mistress outside; his moral conduct was unacceptable.
She had thought he sincerely liked the young lady, but now it seed any woman would do for the Second Young Master.
Though Tingxue Garden received the news quietly, N the other side, Mrs. Kong was dumbfounded upon hearing it.
The next mont, she stord out in her embroidered shoes, only to be held back by Sister Yue. "Mother, Grandmother is handling this matter now. If you go over like this, what will people think?"
She gestured to her mother’s common dress and the embroidered shoes she hadn’t put on.
Mrs. Kong, overwheld with wrath and sha, cald down a little after her daughter’s reminder and called for soone to help her dress properly. Without stopping for a mont, she headed to Shi’an Garden.
Over in Shi’an Garden, Ms. Yan was kneeling on the ground pleading with Mrs. Gu Sr., her voice filled with emotion, looking like a victim.
Mrs. Gu Sr. hadn’t yet spoken when Mrs. Kong burst in. "Since you dared get pregnant with a lord’s child, you must have so skills. Why bother pretending to be a victim here asking for help? Does anyone really believe you’re soone worthy? What is Dingyuan Marquis Mansion? Even soone of peasant stock wants to enter? A woman like you could never catch the Second Young Master’s eye! The bastard in your belly is probably soone else’s! Trying to pin it on our Second Young Master? Forget it!"
Inside, Mrs. Dong and a few others were stunned. Mrs. Dong quickly intervened, "Sister-in-law, don’t be hasty; Mother will decide everything."
With the old lady present, Mrs. Kong’s aggressive approach seed to disregard her entirely.
Mrs. Dong knew Mrs. Kong lacked decorum, but hadn’t expected her to be so reckless as to argue like this in front of outsiders. Even if her grievances were justified, the old lady would not be pleased.
"Dear sister, there’s no need to dissuade . Who could stay calm in such a situation? A woman shows up out of nowhere claiming to be with our husband’s child. If we acknowledge her, won’t anyone be able to co to the Marquis Mansion in the future with child? What would the Mansion beco?" Mrs. Kong was burning with fury. "Even if she is connected to the Second Young Master, a woman capable of fooling around outside with a lord could do the sa with others! Clearly, she’s no decent woman. Is the child in her womb We still have reason to question if the Second Young Master’s child!"
As she spoke, Mrs. Kong’s eyes fixed fiercely on the kneeling Ms. Yan, who trembled, "Madam, I cannot accept this accusation. Though I wasn’t formally married to the Second Young Master, I’m a scholar’s daughter. Were it not for the Second Young Master stumbling drunk into my chamber, this wouldn’t have happened. Though forced, I regard the Second Young Master my husband and now bear his child. I ca here because I had no other way; I couldn’t shalessly beg otherwise."
"Nonsense, the Second Young Master wouldn’t do that..." Mrs. Kong’s jealousy intensified hearing that the Second Young Master had taken her forcefully.
"Enough!" Mrs. Gu Sr.’s temples throbbed, barely restraining herself from rushing over to slap Mrs. Kong. "Take the Second Madam away."
Despite her being the Second Madam of the Marquis Mansion and daughter of the Duke Mansion, her actions fit no noble status, arguing fiercely with a commoner, without bothering for her reputation, sullying the Marquis’s dignity.
"Mother, I did nothing wrong, and now this woman has co; why can’t I stay?" Mrs. Kong’s grievances surged as tears stread uncontrollably.
No wonder the Second Young Master stayed at the academy, refusing to return. She had been rebuked when she sent for him, causing her public embarrassnt.
Turns out he had a little mistress outside, yet if she spoke now, her mother-in-law didn’t support her but instead reprimanded her?
What was the point?
The more Mrs. Kong thought, the sadder she beca, drawing out a handkerchief to cover her mouth, and began to cry softly.
As a fellow woman, Mrs. Dong, though often disapproving of her sister-in-law, felt sympathy now and went to comfort her, "Mother always respects the rules, and will surely give Sister-in-law a proper explanation. Let’s go rest in the side hall."
While also requesting permission to leave from Mrs. Gu Sr.
Mrs. Gu Sr. wore a grim expression, grateful the eldest daughter-in-law was prudent. If this continued like Mrs. Kong with no sense, they would only be a laughing stock for Ms. Yan.
In the flower hall silence resud, Ms. Yan occasionally wiping tears. Mrs. Gu Sr. pursed her lips, half-closing her eyes. Had it been in her youthful days, such a person would have been swiftly dealt with; yet years of devotion and prayers had inevitably softened her heart.
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