Lin Youning lowered her head, embarrassed to speak of the matter between her and her elder brother in front of others.

However, Prince Shou had his own ideas, "Since you’re back at the mansion this time, stay a few more days. Besides, Mrs. Gu Sr. also has her opinions, let her understand our stance over here."

Lin Youning agreed but didn’t say much.

Just thinking that since she married her elder brother, this was the first time they had been apart for so long, and judging by her father’s intentions, it seemed she wouldn’t be allowed to return home for half a month at least.

Prince Shou was very satisfied to see his daughter listen to him, thinking how obedient she was, just like her mother, and the more he looked, the more he liked her.

As Lin Youning followed her father and brothers away, Gu Yifeng returned directly to the Marquis Mansion. Mrs. Gu Sr. was still unaware of Sister Ning’s departure and only asked after they sat down, "Prince Shou has left? What does the Holy Emperor say? And what arrangements have been made for Prince Shou? How was Sister Ning today?"

"From Prince Shou’s words, I learned that the Holy Emperor wants to acknowledge Prince Shou, there should be news in a few days," Gu Yifeng mentioned the main issue first, then added, "Sister Ning was taken away by Prince Shou."

Mrs. Gu Sr. was taken aback, "Taken away?"

Evidently, she still did not understand the implications.

Gu Yifeng nodded, "Prince Shou is dissatisfied with the idea that I manage two households, so he directly took Sister Ning away."

"This... Sister Ning is already married into this family, how can she just be taken by Prince Shou like this? This is against all propriety! Prince Shou has stayed in the mountains for many years and disregards these regulations, why didn’t you remind him, and what about Sister Ning? Did she just leave with Prince Shou without saying anything?" Mrs. Gu Sr. was anxious.

Gu Yifeng was not in a hurry, "What could Sister Ning say? She was set up when she married in, and you know that, Mother. Now that she has just reunited with her father, how could a child oppose her parents? I promised to treat Sister Ning well, but Prince Shou does not believe it, saying that even if I stay here all the time, Mother would still have opinions."

Gu Yifeng glanced at his mother and lowered his head.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was left speechless by her son’s words. Her son did not refuse her suggestion, because she was his mother, and the same logic applied to Sister Ning, so she couldn’t blame Sister Ning.

Thinking again about what Prince Shou said, Mrs. Gu Sr. found it hard to believe such coincidences in the world, and she sternly said, "Dalang, are you behind all this?"

Gu Yifeng raised his head with a helpless smile, "What is Mother thinking? Today, Prince Shou suddenly came to the mansion, cleared the room of servants, and directly stated he was not pleased with me. If he had returned earlier, he wouldn’t have let Sister Ning marry in."

"This Prince Shou... how could he think like this," Mrs. Gu Sr. lost a bit of her confidence but then spoke harshly, "Whether it’s Prince Shou’s idea or you’re behind it, let me tell you, even if Prince Shou has opinions, it doesn’t matter for the Marquis Mansion or the East Mansion, I have already asked Nanny Chi to bring Sister Xian from Vice Minister Zhang’s family here, she’s now living in my courtyard, I’ll call someone in to introduce you later."

"As for Mother’s decision, your son does not dare to oppose it." Gu Yifeng did not refuse either.

Mrs. Gu Sr. felt frustrated, calling Suyi to come in, and when Suyi entered, she instructed, "Go and invite Miss Zhang in."

Suyi dared not look towards the Marquis, acknowledged, and retreated.

With no one else in the room, the mother and son didn’t speak further, waiting until Zhang Xian was brought in by Suyi, a scene that felt somewhat familiar to Gu Yifeng.

Zhang Xian approached to pay respects to Mrs. Gu Sr., who happily said she was well, and introduced, "You came at just the right time today, the Marquis is also here, greet the Marquis." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Zhang Xian blushed and turned slightly to pay respects to Gu Yifeng, who merely responded with a light "Hmm," without saying more, making Zhang Xian’s smile stiff.

Gu Yifeng, however, ignored her.

Mrs. Gu Sr., sitting above, was not surprised by her son’s demeanor, unbothered, she beckoned Zhang Xian over, "Nowadays, the young ladies in the mansion are all discussing marriage, and I’m left all alone without someone close, bringing you here to keep me company. Don’t feel bored. If you do, it’s okay, Sister Ning living at the East Mansion next door has a good character, you can sit and chat with her when I recite scriptures."

While Mrs. Gu Sr. spoke with Zhang Xian, she occasionally glanced at her son, and seeing no reaction when mentioning visiting East Mansion, she felt like she was punching into cotton, unable to exert any strength.

"Bringing you into the mansion like this, I don’t even know what you like to eat. Tell Suyi, and the kitchen will prepare it for you." Mrs. Gu Sr. was very close to Zhang Xian.

Zhang Xian, somewhat nervous due to the Marquis’s presence, did not answer before Gu Yifeng stood up, "Since Mother has guests, I shall return to the front courtyard."

Mrs. Gu Sr. called to retain him, "Since Sister Ning is not at the East Mansion today, you have no engagements, stay here and have dinner. I’ll have the kitchen prepare it, and we can all eat in my courtyard tonight."

Mrs. Gu Sr. did not wait for him to refuse and instructed Suyi beside her, "Invite the Second and Third Misses for dinner here, and ask Miss Xian’s maid what she likes to eat, then inform the main kitchen."

Suyi withdrew.

Zhang Xian, not daring to glance at the Marquis, said, "There’s no need for the Madam’s trouble, it’s a blessing for Sister Xian to be liked by the Madam, I’m not picky about food at home either."

Mrs. Gu Sr. laughed, patting her hand, "I like an honest child like you, straightforward and open. Consider this your home, don’t be so restrained. Are you intimidated by the Marquis? He has always been stern-faced since childhood, that’s just his nature."

Zhang Xian blushed, "Who in the Capital doesn’t know that the Marquis is a great general of our Da Xian Dynasty? How could Sister Xian be scared?"

Mrs. Gu Sr. was increasingly pleased with Zhang Xian’s bashful look, she knew her son couldn’t possibly be unattractive to others.

Gu Yifeng sat there, lips tightly pressed, not speaking, his hand fidgeting with the jade pendant at his waist, eyes staring at the ground, as if lost in thought, completely ignoring the conversation between Mrs. Gu Sr. and Zhang Xian.

Seeing her son like this, Mrs. Gu Sr. felt even more irritated. On the other hand, observing Zhang Xian gradually becoming less reserved, she felt more satisfied the longer she looked.