novelbin Chapter 516 - 508: Counterquestion
Chapter 516 - 508: Counterquestion
Lady Lin always felt that she had done nothing wrong, and this time she came over with a sense of entitlement. She did not believe that Lin Youning would have any excuse to refute her.
However, Lin Youning was not in a hurry. She simply glanced at her before speaking, "The gentleman is from the Gu Mansion, but Lady Lin came to the wrong person. This is the Gu Mansion, but it’s the main house of the Gu Mansion, not the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. If Madam truly wants to find someone to adjudicate, you should go to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, not to me. Allowing Madam to come in today was out of past sentiments. After all, Madam adopted me back then and sent me to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion as a child bride, so whenever Madam comes to the house, I won’t block you. But letting Madam in doesn’t mean I will let Madam lecture me arrogantly."
Lady Lin was slightly stunned, "Right now, who in the Capital doesn’t know that the Dingyuan Marquis has always been at the Marquis Mansion? Where else would I go if not here? You really have both ears closed, ignoring everything. Isn’t this somewhat self-deceiving? You still remember that you were adopted by our Lin family. Now that you are so valued by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, you owe it to our Lin family. It’s good to remember this, or people will say you are ungrateful, and your reputation, already not good, will only worsen."
"I’m not trying to blame you, but you should look at yourself. Although you now have the support of Prince Shou as your father, you should remain steady. Don’t let people say you rely on the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion and become arrogant and forgetful. You shoulder the responsibility of the Gu Family’s main house; you should know that. The Dingyuan Marquis doesn’t belong to you. Now that you keep people here, those in the Capital might not discuss things in front of you, but do you know how they talk in private? Take Mrs. Dong, for example; although the Dong Mansion can’t compare to the Prince Shou Mansion, the collective gossip from everyone can overpower you."
Lady Lin continued without pausing, speaking in a seemingly considerate manner, "Only I would say these things; who else would, if not me? Now you cite your status as the main house of the Gu Mansion to evade responsibility. Remember, the grace of rearing is greater than the grace of giving birth. Don’t forget these words."
Hailan and Shanmoi, listening on the side, looked visibly upset. Seeing that their lady didn’t speak, they also didn’t dare to speak.
After hearing these words, Lin Youning nodded, "Madam is right. I am aware of the discussions outside. Just like the matter Madam mentioned today, I’m sure it’s spreading in the Capital too. I can control my tongue but not others. Let people say what they will, I have never cared; otherwise, how could I keep the Marquis tied to the East Mansion? As for the grace of rearing? That was granted by the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, not someone else. I remember the matter of Madam adopting me back then, but I was abducted then. Currently, my father is still investigating. When the time comes, Madam might be bothered. As for the gentleman’s matter, if Madam wants to find the Marquis, then please wait here; he should be returning from the Marquis Mansion soon."
Lin Youning stood up to leave, and when Lady Lin saw this, she got anxious, stood up intending to block her, but Hailan and Shanmoi, having prepared in advance, immediately stepped forward to stop Lady Lin.
"What are you doing?"
"Lady Lin, my lady has said for you to wait here, the Marquis will be here soon, and you can discuss matters with him. There’s no need to speak with my lady about affairs of the Marquis Mansion; it would be improper for Madam to insist on keeping my lady here." Shanmoi, sharp-tongued, retorted immediately.
Lady Lin, face cold, retorted, "What’s wrong with you, young girl? Do you think I would hurt your lady? It’s just that I hadn’t finished speaking, and she is about to leave. Do you think I have any other intention? You don’t need to worry. I wouldn’t do anything to your lady. Everyone in the Capital knows how precious she is now, and I won’t trouble myself."
Shanmoi, red with anger, replied, "If Madam says so, why come to block my lady? My lady is heavily pregnant and cannot bear Madam stopping her, so please step back."
"Such lack of decorum," Lady Lin, unable to force it, had to step back, feeling disgraced, "Sister Ning, you shouldn’t let the maids around you act so imperiously, or it would affect your dignity."
Lin Youning, supported by Hailan, just smiled faintly, "Please wait here, Madam. The Marquis will be here soon."
She nodded again, then turned and walked away, not saying another word to Lady Lin.
Lady Lin was furious, her eyes glaring, but she felt helpless. Just the thought of facing the Marquis made her uncertain, yet she felt it would be humiliating to leave. After hesitating for a long time, she chose not to leave.
She hadn’t waited long when Gu Yifeng received the message and hurried back. He walked in briskly, bringing a gust of cold wind with him, his expression even colder than the weather outside.
Seeing Gu Yifeng’s cold face, Lady Lin felt even more uncertain, while Gu Yifeng walked straight to the main seat and sat down before speaking, "State your business, Madam."
"I came to discuss the matter of the gentleman of the house..."
Just as Lady Lin began, Gu Yifeng interrupted her, "Madam, your words are indeed interesting. If it’s about Brother Xuan, why come to the East Mansion? Please don’t go to the wrong place in the future if you have matters to settle. My temper is not very good; if I speak harshly, Madam might not be able to bear it."
Lady Lin sprang to her feet, "I did think about going to the Marquis Mansion to find someone, but everyone in the Capital knows the Marquis is at the East Mansion, not the Marquis Mansion. I’d probably go there for nothing."
"Madam is mistaken, the Marquis Mansion and East Mansion are separated only by a wall. If I knew Madam had business, I would certainly go over. How could it be that you wouldn’t find anyone?" Gu Yifeng didn’t even blink, "As for what Madam said, I know about Brother Xuan getting into a fight, but it was merely drunken talk and not to be taken seriously. Madam need not take it to heart, but if Madam truly finds it unacceptable, I can make the decision to dissolve their marriage."
Lady Lin was dumbfounded, "Dissolve the marriage? It’s said better to tear down a temple than to ruin a marriage. How can the Marquis do this? Is the Marquis guilty of heart? Afraid of us Lin family causing trouble demanding an explanation?"
Gu Yifeng laughed at her words, "Does Madam think the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion would fear such a thing?"