Mrs. Dong has been pregnant for nearly four months, but apart from the reply from the Marquis after she sent a letter, she hasn’t received any other correspondence from the Marquis.
Now, because she is still early in her pregnancy, Mrs. Gu Sr. also does not allow her to leave the mansion, and even personally sent a letter to the Dong Mansion, inviting her mother to stay with her.
Ostensibly, it was for her own good, but Mrs. Dong always felt that the old lady seed to be watching her.
Mrs. Dong had nothing to say; her mother stayed in the mansion for a few days, advising her before leaving.
Now, Mrs. Dong remained in the mansion, unable to go anywhere. Whenever she thought about these things, she couldn’t help but get angry, but thinking of the child in her belly, she could only suppress her anger.
Sister Hui, however, was more considerate and often ca to accompany Mrs. Dong, chatting with her. Mrs. Dong knew Sister Hui was worried about her, but she didn’t show it. The affairs of the mansion had all been handed over to Sister Hui, while Mrs. Dong focused solely on nurturing the child in her womb.
Only a few days remained until the New Year, when finally, a letter arrived from the border. As Mrs. Dong read the Marquis’ letter to her, it rely ntioned that she should not worry and should take good care of herself, just like the previous letter, without much difference.
Mrs. Dong knew it would be like this. She set the letter aside, only hoping for a reply from the east. Her father had already sent people to the hotel to gather information, and it had been several months. She thought the news should have been returned by now.
The day before the New Year, Mrs. Dong Sr. ca to the mansion under the guise of visiting her daughter and carefully shared the gathered information with her daughter: "...The Marquis only took two people with him, and the old lady of your mansion always dotes on her, naturally showing her more affection. You should turn a blind eye to these things; after all, it’s a household matter. When back in the Capital, such things won’t happen, since the Marquis holds a title, while the old master of the Gu Family doesn’t have any title."
Mrs. Dong Sr. didn’t speak too bluntly, but Mrs. Dong understood.
On one side is a title, on the other an ordinary person; anyone would choose the title over being ordinary.
While most people wouldn’t worry after hearing such words, Mrs. Dong knew the Marquis well and couldn’t view him through the lens of ordinary expectations, let alone make judgnts.
When Mrs. Dong heard from her mother about how the Marquis pampered Sister Ning, her chest couldn’t help but feel stifled.
She still rembered what the Marquis said when rejecting her, but now? The Marquis shows such fondness for Sister Ning, even more than when she was just getting together with him.
The Marquis never made exceptions for anyone, but from her mother’s words, she could hear that the Marquis had changed greatly for Sister Ning, almost becoming a different person. She couldn’t believe the Marquis was capable of these things.
Mrs. Gu Sr. saw her daughter silent and knew she was holding back anger, sighing, "Let’s not talk about that; let’s discuss the child in your womb. You must know how difficult this child ca to be. If you sulk and can’t keep the child, what then? You’re still early in your pregnancy. People lose children even at seven months pregnant; you should think carefully."
Mrs. Dong finally raised her head, "Mother, don’t worry, I understand all this. I was just temporarily confused; now that I’ve thought it through, these aren’t big matters. The Marquis just favors her for a few days, just as he took care of her from a young age, he should spoil her for a few days, given there’s the old lady above. It’s only Aunt Wu that bothers ; she’s not much different in age from Sister Ning, yet she makes no progress."
"She’s just an aunt; given the Marquis’ caution in your mansion, Aunt Wu naturally doesn’t catch his eye. You shouldn’t think about this matter anymore." Mrs. Dong Sr. saw things clearly, "Your father always wanted to draw the Marquis close; you’ve seen it over the years. Because of this, the Marquis also has a gap between you and him. After all, your father depended on it, so I couldn’t say much before. But now things are like this, I can’t hope for it here, you should also be closer to the Marquis, don’t let distance between husband and wife diminish the final bits of affection."
Mrs. Dong remained silent, only nodding, although internally she felt resentnt.
If consideration had been given for her back then, her relationship with the Marquis would not have beco like this, now to the point where they are like strangers.
Seeing her daughter unwilling to talk, Mrs. Dong Sr. sat for a while and then left.
Jingfu saw her Madam in a bad mood and dared not say much. Upon hearing the departure of Dong Mansion’s people, Mrs. Gu Sr., hearing Mrs. Dong Sr. left with an unpleasant expression, rely nodded without further comnt.
The New Year in the Marquis Mansion was spent quietly. Mrs. Gu Sr. was Buddhist, eating vegetarian during the New Year. Since Mrs. Dong was pregnant, Mrs. Gu Sr. suggested they celebrate together, but Mrs. Dong declined, feeling unwell. This left two aunts dining together, and she returned to rest early.
anwhile, at the border, Lin Youning was busy in a large tent, making food with her sister-in-law and the kitchen servants.
Outside the tent, Gu Yifeng and the guards personally skinned hunted ga, and Zhao Housheng then directed the setting up of the grill, clearly planning to roast the wild ga.
Sister Ling, accompanied by Shanmoi, played in the snow with freshly hunted ga beside them, a few live wild chickens and rabbits, legs tied, struggling in place.
Sister Ling found it amusing and played nearby.
Inside the tent, Liang Hui softly reminded Lin Youning, "You’re doing well now; the Marquis is here too. Though you’re young, having a child is most important, better to have one early on."
Lin Youning simply nodded without much to say.
Liang Hui assud she was indifferent, uncertain what more to say. With servants and maids in the tent, saying too much might lead to rumors; hence she ceased speaking.
Back in the city, Wu Xueqin looked at the dishes on the table; the house cold and quiet, with only her and Yangtao.
She could not shake the feeling of bleakness.
She never imagined she’d end up in such a situation, especially being reproached in a letter from Madam for not fulfilling her duties as a concubine. Understandably, Mrs. Dong wanted her to contend with Lin Youning, but how could she vie?
Even during New Year, the Marquis abandoned her. With the prior remarks from the Marquis, she feared she’d no longer have the chance to be near him.
While outsiders were unaware, she understood more clearly than anyone.
User Comments
0 comments from readers