The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 50: Apology

In a few days, it would be Mid-Autumn Festival, and though there was mourning in the Marquis Mansion without grand preparations, the household was bustling due to Gu Er’s wedding set for the twenty-second.

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the family only gathered in the evening for dinner. This was Lin Youning’s first time seeing Gu Yifeng’s concubines and illegitimate children since her return.

Gu Yifeng had few offspring. The illegitimate eldest son, Gu Chaoxuan, was conceived by a concubine when Gu Yifeng was heading to the battlefield. The Gu Family broke tradition and raised a maid to a concubine in one night, resulting in her pregnancy.

After giving birth to the eldest son, she was promoted to Aunt He, a maid bought from outside with no relatives.

She was sincere and honest, ordinary-looking, standing there easily overlooked.

Another concubine had been brought into the mansion since Mrs. Dong entered, named Aunt Lv, a distant cousin from her mother’s side, vibrant and energetic.

After giving birth to Gu Yifeng’s eldest daughter, Aunt Lv was pregnant for three months, and then Mrs. Dong also conceived, giving birth to the legitimate daughter three months after Aunt Lv delivered.

To date, Gu Yifeng, twenty years old, had one son and two daughters, one wife, and two concubines. Though he seemed to have many offspring, only one was legitimate, and she was a girl.

Mrs. Gu Sr., widowed early, did not value the illegitimate descendants. Mrs. Dong’s daughter, Sister Hui, was frail and sickly from birth, and Mrs. Gu Sr. increasingly cared less, hardly getting close to her.

Thus, the only one close to Mrs. Gu Sr. was Lin Youning.

While eating, the children sat at one table, served by nannies and maids. Sister Hui and Aunt Lv’s daughter, Sister Jian, being only two years old, were held by their nannies only for appearance, and soon taken away.

Finally, the only ones sitting at the table were Lin Youning and Gu Chaoxuan.

Lin Youning, attended by Nanny Chang, quietly ate, avoiding interaction with Gu Chaoxuan, aware of him occasionally glancing at her, yet she did not look up.

Gu Chaoxuan, a year older than Lin Youning, was once fond of his aunt, often playing with her and secretly saving treats for him. Now, suddenly ignored, as a child, he struggled to understand, feeling low and depressed, barely eating.

At another table, Gu Yifeng and his wife, along with Gu Yixuan, accompanied Mrs. Gu Sr., while the two concubines sat at a separate table.

The three tables were set in the hall, yet conspicuously quiet.

Gu Yixuan used to lively chat, but since returning from the Pure Path Temple and being confined, he was only released today.

Even after changing and grooming, he seemed visibly thinner and drained.

After greeting Mrs. Gu Sr., he remained silent.

Mrs. Gu Sr., unfazed, pretended as if nothing happened, while everyone knew the situation but dared not speak.

The Mid-Autumn dinner felt especially stifling; afterward, Aunt He and Aunt Lv bid farewell, while Gu Chaoxuan kept looking towards Lin Youning, who stayed near Mrs. Gu Sr., ignoring him.

Feeling dejected, Gu Chaoxuan then bade Mrs. Gu Sr. farewell and was led away by his nanny.

The room was left to Gu Yifeng, his wife, and Gu Yixuan, as Suyi astutely dismissed the servants standing inside, before she and Wenxin withdrew outside.

"The task of Gu Er’s wedding falls to you two; everything is already prepared, nothing extra needed, just follow the previous arrangements. Have someone plan for tomorrow; I’ll take little sister to the manor for a few days; as the weather gets colder, we’ll only head to the mountain base next year. Now, there may be wild fruits to enjoy."

"Mother..." Gu Er was stunned, interrupting his mother’s words, disbelief and sorrow on his face, standing then kneeling again, "It’s all my fault, please forgive me this time."

Gu Er had not anticipated his mother’s intense anger this time.

If Mother went to the manor, not attending his wedding, what would the entire Capital think?

Not to mention anything else, the first impression would be Mother displeased with this marriage.

Previously a harmonious wedding suddenly displeased, what’s the reason?

How could people not wonder?

Now being titled as a scholar, if Mother didn’t attend his wedding, it would imply poor character, affecting his future official prospects.

Gu Er dared not think further.

Gu Yifeng sat beside, expression unchanged, his eyes slightly narrowed, leaving others unclear about his thoughts.

Mrs. Dong was unsettled, learning about her brother-in-law’s issues later.

The rumors outside, though chaotic, remained insignificant as long as both families kept tight control and nothing was confirmed.

But Mother insisted on stubbornness, openly exposing the matter.

Outsider opinions might not matter, but the brother-in-law was part of the Marquis Mansion, and poor reputation would affect the girls’ futures.

How couldn’t Mother consider these?

Even though Mrs. Dong disagreed in heart, she dared not voice it, having served little under Mother and adhering mainly to Marquis’ opinions.

The room was silent, Lin Youning sitting tense, glancing at her aunt, noticing her meditating, fingers shifting a string of prayer beads, seemingly oblivious.

"Aunt, I’d also like to see Brother Er’s wedding," Lin Youning sighed internally, yet displayed innocence, clutching Mrs. Gu Sr.’s sleeve.

Knowing Aunt’s anger partly stemmed from the family’s reputation, more to defend her.

However, in this life, Lin Youning had no desire to marry Gu Er. Now, as Kong Tianru’s face was affected, later discussions would regard Kong Tianru as impulsive and pitiable.

Thus, no need to grant Kong Tianru such a chance; let her owe forever, whenever remembered, looking down upon Kong Tianru.

Mrs. Gu Sr. opened her eyes, sighed deeply, "Child, you’re too kind-hearted."

Lin Youning smiled, "It’s Aunt’s love."

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s affection towards Lin Youning deepened.

A discerning child knew of kindness.

It’s not kindness wasted.

Mrs. Gu Sr. looked towards her son kneeling, soft expression gone, "Today, for little sister’s plea, I’ll let it pass. After all, I’m aged, having devoted years to prayer, so the new bride needn’t greet me."

With that, Mrs. Gu Sr. waved, clearly tired, signaling them to leave.

Gu Er dared not speak further, standing.

Lin Youning and others left Shi’an Garden, glimpsing Gu Er awaiting her at the archway between Shi’an Garden and Tingxue Hall.