The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 152 - 151: Affection

Gu Yifeng, dressed in a deep blue robe, stood with his back straight, exuding an air of authority even as he remained still.

Though he had achieved success at a young age, the sudden events at home had given his face a detached, world-weary expression.

Mrs. Dong remembered when they first married; as the veil was lifted, she saw the same indifferent face, unchanged over the years.

Her husband’s distant personality certainly had its reasons, yet she had never acted coquettishly like other women. No wonder there was such coldness between the couple.

"I thought Marquis loved beef, so I had the kitchen make some today, and there’s also Jiangnan wine Father sent. Please try them, Marquis." Mrs. Dong showed a flash of awkwardness but relaxed when she saw that Marquis displayed no unusual expression towards her.

Dinner was already set, and Mrs. Dong dismissed the servants, choosing to serve him personally.

"Sit, there’s no need for such formality," Gu Yifeng waved his hand.

Mrs. Dong replied with a coy smile, "When we first married, Marquis said the same. All these years in the Marquis Mansion, I never set any rules, because of the love from Old Madam and Marquis."

Gu Yifeng looked at Mrs. Dong, puzzled by her actions today. He picked up his chopsticks but then put them down again, "Is there something wrong?"

Mrs. Dong’s smile stiffened but quickly recovered, shyly looking down, "No, I just suddenly realized that years have passed with Marquis, yet I focused on the inner chambers, seldom conversing or dining with you, unlike a wife should, which has only distanced Marquis."

Her face flushed as she finished speaking.

This act of a concubine seeking favor was one she despised, yet here she was doing the same.

She felt a mix of grievance, pondering the coldness between her and her husband and wondering who was to blame.

Why had she foolishly maintained the demeanor of an upper-class lady in front of her husband back then?

"You’ve done well, don’t worry about these things." Gu Yifeng sighed internally.

He had hoped for harmony with his wife, but seeing the dignified Mrs. Dong, any inclination for that faded away; originally uninterested in such matters, their relationship grew even colder.

Years of companionship had become his norm.

Faced with Mrs. Dong’s sudden desire to change, Gu Yifeng felt the former situation was better.

His words subtly revealed his thoughts, causing Mrs. Dong’s face to pale slightly, but pride prevented her from lowering her head. She smiled, "If Marquis thinks I’m fine this way, then I shall continue like this, listening to Marquis."

Confronted with Mrs. Dong’s smiling face, Gu Yifeng lost his appetite.

Imperial Tutor Dong had remained in obscurity for years, avoiding court matters, but his son was closely connected with the Eldest Prince, suggesting Imperial Tutor Dong was only feigning ignorance.

Mrs. Dong appeared to prioritize him but privately followed her maternal family’s wishes.

Gu Yifeng never confronted her about it; court matters were beyond a wife’s domain.

Yet her loyalty lay with her maiden home, driving a wedge between them over the years.

Another reason was offspring.

The Gu Family was known for their valor.

Offspring were few, and having survived the battlefield, Gu Yifeng valued heirs immensely.

Though he was indifferent to romantic matters, he never neglected any woman he spent nights with, yet beyond a single illegitimate son and three daughters, no news of new life emerged from the courtyards.

This was why he had agreed to elevate a concubine upon his mother’s advice. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Mrs. Dong, seeing the Marquis deep in thought, dared not speak further, quietly finishing her meal.

Gu Yifeng rose, "I’m going to see Mother."

Then left without lingering.

Mrs. Dong watched as the Marquis left swiftly, her chopsticks and bowl still in hand, not even having time to rise and send him off before he disappeared.

Tears fell into her bowl as she mechanically stuffed rice into her mouth until she gagged, breaking into sobs on the table.

Outside, the servants dared not enter until the Madam called for help to clean up.

Gu Yifeng strode out of Yingshui Courtyard, through the passage, into a side door, then into Tingxue Hall, where his restless heart gradually calmed.

Tingxue Hall was always quiet, as if it were Shi’an Garden.

A young girl lived here, yet it was so peaceful.

Considering this, Gu Yifeng paused.

Li Si noticed the master staring absent-mindedly towards the small bridge and whispered, "Master, Miss Lin might be having her meal now. It’s been a while since you joined her for dinner."

Gu Yifeng responded with a faint hum and walked inside.

Lin Youning hadn’t eaten at that hour either, having just dined with her aunt at Shi’an Garden and awaiting her stomach to settle before warming her meal in the small kitchen, all the while having Shanmoi and others bring out her private account books.

Should the day come when her true heritage was revealed, she’d need to leave the Marquis Mansion and determine what she could and couldn’t take.

Upon hearing the servants’ greetings outside, Lin Youning had them put away the books as Gu Yifeng entered.

"I won’t bother with formalities with Big Brother." Lin Youning smiled, inviting him to sit and arranging for tea.

"Has Big Brother eaten? Or were you visiting Aunt?" Lin Youning asked, smiling as he sat down.

"Haven’t eaten, thought I’d try my luck here," Gu Yifeng quipped with a smile.

Lin Youning squinted her eyes with a grin, her small cherry lips adorably pouting together, "I’m just about to eat myself. Let me set the table, and if you don’t mind, join me."

"No rush, what were you busy with just now?" Gu Yifeng, not in the mood to eat, found conversation appealing.

His gaze shifted, noticing the hairpin in Lin Youning’s hair, "Did Zhao Mansion gift this?"

Though unspoken, Lin Youning understood his inquiry and lightly nodded, "I mentioned it to Aunt, who selected items to return as a gift."

Gu Yifeng glanced at the hairpin before withdrawing his gaze. He said nothing, yet Lin Youning grew suspicious of the hairpin.

If it were an ordinary piece, Sister Yue and Sister Hui wouldn’t inquire, nor would Aunt mention using it on the coming-of-age ceremony, now Big Brother brought it up, indicating its significance.

Having finished their meal, the sky outside had darkened. Gu Yifeng then left, not visiting Shi’an Garden, returning instead to Woodland Pavilion. Mrs. Dong heard this, nodded, dismissed everyone, and sat in a daze, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Lin Youning lay in bed, examining the hairpin in her hand.