However, on the second day after Gu Er’s incident, a rumor spread from the Marquis Mansion, and the heavy responsibility of the Gu Family fell on the Dingyuan Marquis.
No one knew where the rumor originated, yet it stirred a great uproar in the Capital.
Upon hearing the rumors, Suyi hurriedly reported to Mrs. Gu Sr., who nodded slightly while half-closing her eyes but didn’t say much.
As for Lin Youning, she was completely in the dark. However, on the sa day, Lady Lin paid a visit. She first went to Mrs. Gu Sr.’s courtyard and then explained her purpose, which was to take Lin Qining back ho. After all, she had stayed in the mansion for a few days, and she ntioned that she would return on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony.
Mrs. Gu Sr. did not insist on her staying longer, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then sent soone to Tingxue Hall to call Lin Qining over. Lin Qining was a little reluctant upon seeing her mother, but when she saw her mother giving her a look, she suppressed her displeasure.
The mother and daughter didn’t stay long in the Gu Mansion; they got up and left. Once they were outside the Marquis Mansion, Lin Qining grumbled discontentedly, "Why did Mother co to fetch ? Did sothing happen at ho?"
"What do you know?" Lady Lin said with a smile, her eyes fixed on her daughter, growing more delighted the more she looked. "Qining, let tell you, you’re going to have so great luck this ti."
Lin Qining still rembered the grievances she suffered in the Marquis Mansion, "What good fortune could I have? Even a daughter of a fallen household seems better off than , and I have to endure her lecturing every day. I don’t understand why Mother doesn’t expose her identity? She’s enjoying everything that should be mine."
It was rightfully hers; she is the daughter of the Lin Family.
But being a young lady, Lin Qining dared only to think these thoughts but did not dare to voice them.
"Alright, alright, I know you’ve been wronged, but it won’t be long before you don’t have to endure it anymore," Lady Lin said mysteriously. "Today, I went to the Marquis Mansion to drop a hint, to see if the rumors outside are true."
"Rumors?" Lin Qining, having stayed in the Marquis Mansion, was unaware.
Lady Lin then discarded her smile, "Do you know that the responsibility of the Marquis Mansion has fallen on the Dingyuan Marquis?"
Lin Qining shook her head like a rattle, but her expression was excited, "Mother, what are you saying? The Marquis is responsible? Is it true? When did it happen? How co I haven’t heard of it in the Marquis Mansion? Are you mistaken?"
"Alright, calm down," Lady Lin was equally delighted. "We’re not going ho; I’ll take you directly to your grandfather’s. Once we’re there, just listen to your grandmother and do as she instructs, understand?"
"Mother, are you saying that Grandmother can help ?" Lin Qining’s eyes lit up.
"Alright, it’s not convenient to say much now." Lady Lin patted her daughter’s hand.
Her daughter was excited, but how could Lady Lin’s heart not be just as excited?
Ever since she brought her daughter to the mansion, she had been quarreling with her husband at ho. Her husband even insisted she bring Qining back. If not for her husband’s persistence, she would have long taken her daughter to the Marquis Mansion; there was no need to wait until her daughter was ostracized outside.
Angry, Lady Lin had returned to her parental ho, and upon hearing the rumors, she listened to her mother’s advice and went to the Marquis Mansion. Ostensibly to bring her daughter back, but in reality, to probe whether the rumors were true.
Now that the responsibility of the Marquis Mansion indeed fell on the Dingyuan Marquis, the matter could not be left to her husband; she had to strive for it.
After all, since the Dingyuan Marquis has no legitimate son, if a legitimate son is born, wouldn’t the position of the Princely Heir not fall to their side?
Lady Lin dared not think further, afraid her excitent would lead to mistakes. As she rode the carriage to the Gao Mansion, a maidservant by Mrs. Gao Sr.’s side was already waiting, ready to carry Lin and her daughter to the inner courtyard on a soft sedan chair.
In the inner courtyard, besides Mrs. Gao Sr., was also General Gao Sr. Upon seeing them enter, Mrs. Gao Sr. signaled the head maid to take the servants out, leaving only Lady Lin and her daughter along with General Gao Sr.’s family.
"How is it?" In fact, when Mrs. Gao Sr. saw her daughter co in with a smile, she already knew that the matter must be true.
Lady Lin nodded with a smile, "Mother, it’s true."
Mrs. Gao Sr. laughed and exclaid ’good’ three tis, "This is Qining’s fortune, a blessing left to her by her aunt. Your big sister’s lifelong hardships have exchanged for Qining’s happiness, it’s worth it."
General Gao Sr. wore a stern expression, his deanor serious, "This matter was originally your hidden intention back then. When you heard that Wanjing wanted to adopt a child, you took one from outside and claid it as your own. Such an action is enough for the Marquis Mansion to refuse this marriage. And now you want to reveal the truth. I advise you to think carefully to avoid future regrets."
It’s not the first ti soone has tried to be clever only to end up worse off.
Mrs. Gao Sr. remained silent.
Lady Lin, being the youngest daughter, was spoiled back then which led her to insist on marrying Lin Sheng; Gao’s couple only agreed reluctantly. Hence, even now, being a mother herself, in front of the Gao couple, she still had the deanor of a spoiled daughter.
"Father, wasn’t it just to cheer up my sister who had lost her voice? That’s why we ca up with such an idea. I thought I would switch after giving birth to another daughter, to explain the truth. Who knew my sister would pass away?" Lady Lin dared not be too presumptuous, speaking half in a coy manner and half defending herself.
General Gao Sr. grunted, "For years, our mansion has had no dealings with the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. You should know the saying ’a man after he’s dead and the tea after it’s cold’. You were thinking of your sister back then, but she’s gone. If the Marquis Mansion asks why you didn’t visit in previous years, but you visit now, what will you say?"
Lady Lin was at a loss for words.
Lin Qining also understood and beca anxious, "Grandfather, it’s not that we didn’t want to clarify at the Marquis Mansion. We’ve been outside the Capital all these years, and never ca to the Capital. But now that we’re back in the Capital, isn’t it ti?"
General Gao Sr. gave a sharp look, and Lin Qining felt as though she had been pierced by cold arrows.
Frightened, she shivered and dared not speak again.
Lady Lin also scolded her daughter, "Haven’t you learned manners? How dare you interrupt when elders are speaking?"
"Qining understands her mistake." Lin Qining knew her mother didn’t truly an to reprimand her.
General Gao Sr. snorted and stood up, "I already said no to this. If you insist, I won’t stop you, but rember, any consequences in the future will have nothing to do with the Gao Mansion."
With a flick of his sleeve, General Gao Sr. left.
Mrs. Gao Sr. breathed a sigh of relief but still warned her daughter, "Think carefully about how you’ll speak to the Marquis Mansion. Otherwise, Qining might not only miss out on happiness but also beco enemies with the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion."
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