Mrs. Gu Sr.’s face flashed with a trace of disgust when she heard that Mrs. Dong called the eldest son but didn’t keep him long.
"How can soone like that be liked?" Mrs. Gu Sr. shook her head.
However, to her surprise, Mrs. Dong ca during dinner that evening and even served her al.
Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t stop her, wanting to see how long Mrs. Dong could persist like this. But with Sister Hui present too, Mrs. Gu Sr. only allowed her to pass a few dishes and then let her sit down to eat.
Even when Mrs. Gu Sr. mocked her with a few words, Mrs. Dong responded with a smile and didn’t get angry.
After everyone left, Mrs. Gu Sr. laughed with those around her, "She’s really changed her nature, making feel a bit uneasy. Has anyone gone to the East Courtyard? What are the eldest son and Sister Ning doing?"
"Nanny Guo’s ssage says the young lady and Sister Ning are playing chess; they’ve been playing since dinner and even had supper on the small table of the divan," Nanny Chi laughed.
Mrs. Gu Sr. nodded contentedly, "The eldest son’s temperant is cold; he only talks more in front of Sister Ning."
But when they will consummate the marriage is the most important matter right now.
The servants around her understood the urgency in the old madam’s heart, but even if they wanted to help, they couldn’t.
Could they really resort to administering drugs again?
The young lady would likely resent them for the rest of her life.
Even the Marquis might be angry at the old madam for a lifeti.
Mrs. Dong returned to her courtyard with a smile, "In the past, mother had so misunderstandings and didn’t do well. Fortunately, you were around to keep an eye on things. Now I’ve co to understand, so you can rest assured in the future."
But Sister Hui still couldn’t ease her mind, "If mother feels bored in the mansion, why not visit grandmother? It’s better than staying in the mansion all the ti."
The people in the mansion rarely attended outside banquets, and Sister Hui was still sowhat unaccustod to her mother’s sudden change.
She worried her mother might have been stimulated by sothing.
"You child," Mrs. Dong understood what her daughter was worrying about, glanced at Jingfu, and watched Jingfu retreat with a small handmaid before pulling her daughter’s hand and walking into the courtyard, whispering as she went, "Earlier, I incited Aunt Wu to win over your father; but when I returned to my room, I didn’t know why, suddenly feeling that over the years I’ve kept your father at a distance, and it’s partly my fault that we’ve co to where we are today. I’ve decided to clear things up with your father. At first, I wasn’t sure how to express it, but once I did, I felt completely relieved."
Sister Hui gave her mother a once-over, "It’s good that mother can figure things out."
As a daughter, she naturally hoped her parents could respect each other.
"Don’t worry," Mrs. Dong patted her daughter’s hand, "I’ve been bothering myself in this place for so ti and haven’t visited your grandmother’s house in a while. I’m planning to go back tomorrow. Would you like to co with ? What do you think of your cousin’s steady temperant?"
Sister Hui blushed slightly, "Mother knows best; how can a daughter make such decisions?"
"This is a big matter; it has to be to your liking," Mrs. Dong sighed, "This ti when I return, I’ll discuss with your aunt and set your matters down."
Sister Hui blushed slightly, only separating from her mother to return to her own courtyard after they reached it.
Not only was Sister Hui puzzled as a daughter, but even Lin Youning was taken aback when she received the fruits sent from Mrs. Dong. This abrupt change was too sudden and unaccustod.
Three days after the wedding, Lin Youning returned to the Zhao Mansion.
Zhao Housheng took the Marquis to the study, while Liang Hui pulled Lin Youning aside to chat. Lin Youning didn’t hide the fact that they hadn’t consummated the marriage and shared the Marquis’s thoughts.
Liang Hui was both happy and worried—happy that the Marquis truly cherished Sister Ning, but worried about how Sister Ning’s status would affect her prospects if she ever left the mansion.
But seeing the smile on Sister Ning’s face, Liang Hui didn’t say much, not knowing what the future held. Although the Marquis regarded Sister Ning as a sister, who could tell if they might truly fall for each other soday?
anwhile, Mrs. Dong returned to the Dong Mansion. Since Sister Hui hadn’t accompanied her, Mrs. Dong rarely stayed overnight at the Dong Mansion.
After staying in the East Courtyard for three days, Gu Yifeng returned to the Marquis Mansion. According to Mrs. Gu Sr., it was three days here and three days there, neither more nor less.
After returning from the Dong Mansion, Mrs. Dong personally cooked that night, prepared dishes, and sent a ssage to Woodland Pavilion, and indeed Gu Yifeng returned to the main courtyard.
Wu Xueqin was making dicinal food in the small kitchen and faintly smiled upon hearing this, saying nothing but ate the prepared dishes herself.
The primary mistress may speak well on the surface, but who wouldn’t truly feel jealous?
In the evening, Mrs. Dong filled the wine glass, "Marquis, try it; it’s an aged wine I requested from my father’s side, said to have been buried underground for years."
Gu Yifeng tried to adapt to getting close to Mrs. Dong, and when she poured the wine, he drank it all at once. In this manner, it didn’t take long for the jar of wine to be finished.
"I’ve made so soup to sober up; Marquis, why don’t you rest on the divan?" After the al, Gu Yifeng felt sowhat dizzy.
However, he wasn’t worried about being drunk.
At the border, when celebrating with the soldiers, they’d drink for days and nights without getting knocked out.
But when Gu Yifeng suddenly opened his eyes while lying on the divan, it was already the next day; he wasn’t lying on the divan but on a bed, his clothes already discarded, and beside him slept Mrs. Dong, naked.
It felt like a delirious dream.
Gu Yifeng slowly sat up, his gaze falling on the divan from last night and the scattered clothes, yet he couldn’t recall what exactly had transpired the previous night.
"You’re awake, Marquis?" Mrs. Dong’s slightly hoarse voice erged.
Gu Yifeng first picked up the middle garnt from under the divan before calling soone in to serve him, "Was I drunk last night?"
"Marquis drank quite a bit," Mrs. Dong responded bashfully, lowering her head while pulling the quilt over herself as Jingfu ushered the servant girls inside.
Gu Yifeng’s brow didn’t relax; it was the first ti he’d drunk too much and sothing had happened. When he finished washing up, Mrs. Dong, assisted by Jingfu, was also in her inner chamber getting dressed.
"Marquis, have breakfast before you leave," Mrs. Dong suggested with a rosy complexion.
When she looked at Gu Yifeng, her eyes were filled with affectionate emotion.
Gu Yifeng nodded, had breakfast, and then asked Li Si as he headed out, "Did I drink too much last night?"
"Lady Jingfu from the mistress’s room said the Marquis drank too much and ordered to rest until the Marquis woke and called over," Li Si remarked, surprised by the news of the Marquis’s drunkenness yesterday.
User Comments
0 comments from readers