The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 347 - 339: Inquiry

Gu Yifeng knew that his mother was looking for him certainly because of what he had just said at the dining table.

"You have always been sensible. Now, calling you here to talk alone, I believe you’ve already guessed what I want to say. I just want to ask you one thing: are you planning to give up the Dingyuan Marquis title? Although I’m old, my mind isn’t muddled. I know your nature well. Today is the second time we’ve talked about this. Who doesn’t want their family to thrive for a hundred years? But I see you don’t want this at all. I know your grandfather didn’t return from the battlefield back then, and this has weighed on your heart ever since. But how can this dictate the rise and fall of our Gu family?" Mrs. Gu Sr. knew her son’s burden, "I could see you had feelings for Sister Ning. It was rare for someone to enter your heart, which put me at ease. I always thought there was something in this world you cared about. If it weren’t for me, I’m afraid you would have already left the Capital for the border, paying no heed to the situation at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. Even with no heirs in the mansion, you don’t care at all. Am I wrong? But now I see I was too relieved too soon. Even with Sister Ning, you haven’t changed your mind."

Gu Yifeng sat there silently. Mrs. Gu Sr. was not anxious, and she continued, "Eldest son, mother knows you’re always one to take responsibility. You’ve seen the mess your second brother made. Who knows what trouble he’ll get into in the future? The Marquis Mansion relies entirely on you now. If you don’t manage these things, what will happen to these people in the future? Initially, I thought Brother Xuan was decent, even though he is an illegitimate son; at least he knows manners. But later, I realized I overestimated him. Brother Zong is still young, and Mrs. Dong is quite incompetent. Are you really going to watch the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion decline like this?"

"Do you know how we obtained the Dingyuan Marquis title? You were only fifteen then, fighting fearlessly on the battlefield to earn it. You worked so hard to prove yourself, wanting an heir to carry on the family’s legacy. But now, you’re about to abandon it easily. Do you truly want me to leave this world with regrets?" As Mrs. Gu Sr. spoke, her eyes reddened. "I know you have always been decisive, that what I say might not change your mind, but knowing all this, I still want to speak to you. Just consider it a mother’s plea. After I’m gone, please don’t abandon the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion."

Gu Yifeng sighed, "Mother, you don’t need to worry. When I said those things at the dining table, I didn’t mean to abandon the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion. I just wanted to tell you that the prosperity of a family can’t go on forever. When it reaches a peak, it has to decline, like climbing a mountain. Once at the top, you must descend; you can’t keep climbing forever. Everything reaches a peak, and when there’s no road ahead, you can only go down."

"Over the years, although I’ve been at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, mother can see that incidents have been happening one after another. It seems like fate. As for Mrs. Dong’s poor management, I don’t blame her. Perhaps it is destiny. As mother knows, I’ve never taken these things seriously, so you can rest assured about what worries you. I’ll certainly do my best where I can. If it is the will of heaven, I won’t stubbornly try to change it." This was Gu Yifeng’s true feeling.

Mrs. Gu Sr. sighed in relief, "If it’s just like this, then I can be at ease. As for Mrs. Dong, this is my fault. Who could have expected the daughter from East Lake to turn out like this? This is my fault too. If I hadn’t spoiled her and set some proper rules for her, she wouldn’t have become what she is now."

"Some things are inherent and can’t be changed no matter what you do. They’ll surface sooner or later. Given how things are now, it’s good in a way. At least we don’t need to place too many burdens on her. You know I am cold by nature, and people around me find it hard to endure. The fact that Mrs. Dong and I have come this far involves my wrongdoing. I’ve already done everything I can to make amends with Mrs. Dong. Now with Sister Ning, I haven’t done anything unjust. If Mrs. Dong were truly good, I would feel guilty for turning my heart to Sister Ning. Perhaps this is also fate."

This was the first time Mrs. Gu Sr. heard her son express love, saying his heart belonged to Sister Ning, making her happy. "Eldest son, hearing you say so, I’m at peace. You and Sister Ning should cherish each other; I have no other worries. Well, it’s getting late, so you should return. Although Sister Ning is pregnant, she seems stressed. Spend more time with her. As for the Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion, the Emperor has sent Chancellor Liu out for duties, which is unprecedented. Everyone in the Capital is saying it’s because of acknowledging Sister Ning as an outside relative that the Emperor moved Chancellor Liu away. But don’t let this reach Sister Ning’s ears. She’s soft-hearted, and if she blames herself, it could affect the child she’s carrying."

"Mother, rest assured. I’ve been keeping this from Sister Ning, and she’s not as fragile as you think. You needn’t worry about this. I’ve heard from the Holy Emperor that in a few months, Chancellor Liu will return." Gu Yifeng knew his mother was worried, but he found it amusing. "Seeing how much you’re concerned about Sister Ning, it makes me, as your son, a bit jealous."

Mrs. Gu Sr. was amused by her son, and her previous discontent vanished. She waved her hand to see him off. Only then did Gu Yifeng stand and bid farewell with a smile.

After Gu Yifeng left, Mrs. Gu Sr. shook her head with a smile, "Seeing all that’s happened, I have enough to be grateful for in this lifetime. Despite the hardships others might see, having such an excellent son is something everyone envies."

Nanny Chi, Nanny Chang, and Suyi joined in, delighting Mrs. Gu Sr. with their mirthful compliments.

Meanwhile, in Yingshui Garden, Mrs. Dong had smashed everything in a room.