Upon hearing the news that Man Niang had sent someone to send her away, Minglan silently kissed her son's little face. Nanny Chang, who was sitting beside her, happily took the child over, coaxing and teasing him. All the worries and depression of the past few days were swept away, and she was smiling brightly. Rong Jie'er stood beside her, saying nothing, neither crying nor laughing, and looked dazed, with a brow locked with worry. She had been like this for the past two days.
That day, Man Niang, seeing no hope of recovery, begged to see her daughter. Gu Tingye sneered and agreed, and Nanny Chang hurried over to personally bring Rong Jie'er to him. Mother and daughter reunited after years apart, but the scene could only be described as bizarre: one side mobilized all its strength, tears and snot to express the depth of a mother's love and the sense of necessity she felt, while the other side remained numb and bewildered.
As Nanny Chang expected, after some singing, reciting, acting and fighting, Man Niang cried and asked her daughter to plead with her father, and then pulled out her son to meet him. If the brother and sister could hug each other and cry bitterly, with a heartbroken mother, it would be even more touching.
Unfortunately, Rong Jie'er was only four or five years old when she was sent to the Marquis' Mansion, and Chang Ge'er was even younger. The elder sister felt unfamiliar with her younger brother and didn't know what to say, while the younger brother didn't recognize his sister at all. The scene was so cold and ridiculous that it was impossible to stir up any atmosphere.
"Come and see your brother."
Nanny Chang smiled and carried the child closer. Sister Rong craned her neck to look. The baby babbled softly, its large, round eyes distinctly black and white. The little girl smiled, a hint of sadness on her face. Minglan felt sorry for her and said softly, "You're tired today, too. Go back and rest. Sister Xian has been here, and she said Mr. Ming'er wants to check on your homework. Go back and review your lessons."
Rong Jie'er responded softly, walked out of the door with light steps, and when she turned around, even the hem of her skirt did not move, only the emerald brocade sash tied around her waist swayed slightly in a graceful arc - she was no longer the stubborn, unruly and rude girl she used to be.
Minglan sighed softly as she watched Rong Jie'er leave. Nanny Chang saw this and comforted her, "Don't worry, Madam. Rong Jie'er's studies over the past two years weren't in vain. She knows what's right and wrong."
When mother and daughter met, Rong Jie'er remained silent throughout. Man Niang went from piteously begging to fuming, then pulling at her daughter. Nanny Chang thought she might have pinched her a few times if someone hadn't been watching. Seeing her plan fail, Man Niang could only despairingly question Gu Tingye: "How could you bear to separate the three of them?"
At this moment, Rong Jie'er suddenly spoke up. She said that if her mother was willing, she would leave the mansion and go to the mountain village with her mother and brother. This statement hit the nail on the head, and even Man Niang, no matter how eloquent she was, was unable to respond for a moment.
After a long pause, Man Niang poignantly explained that she had asked Rong Jie'er to stay at the Marquis's residence out of concern for her future, and repeatedly urged her not to forget herself and Chang Ge'er. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Rong Jie'er stammered, "What about my brother's future? Why didn't you agree in the first place?" Man Niang couldn't answer. Rong Jie'er looked blank, "Are you keeping me here to upset Madam?" This was the only thing she said after seeing her biological mother.
Man Niang was about to pounce on her and hit her, but Nanny Chang hugged Rong Jie'er and dodged her. The maids on both sides quickly restrained Man Niang and dragged her out. She was still unwilling to give in and kept cursing, saying "no conscience" and "ungrateful".
Minglan couldn't believe it: "Did she really say that?"
Nanny Chang coaxed the child softly, then turned to Minglan and smiled, "That spider spirit is only capable of so much! I told her when I took her there. Her heartless mother only has two options when she comes to her: either asking her to plead for mercy, or asking her... what's the saying..." She frowned and thought for a moment, "Oh, asking Rong'er to be in Cao's camp but her heart is with Han."
That is to say, while Rong Jie'er receives Minglan's care and concern, she must always remember her poor mother, and mention her and her son more often in front of Gu Tingye. It would be even better if she could create more obstacles for Minglan.
Nanny Chang was experienced in child-rearing and her technique was very skilled. After she coaxed and rocked the baby twice, the baby, who had been very lively just now, was already staggering and drowsy. Nanny Chang handed the child over carefully, and Mother Cui carried the child to the compartment.
She watched the maids and servants leave before turning to Minglan and smiling, "I haven't congratulated Madam yet. My brother is so handsome, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and he's strong and energetic. Look at the way he was feeding just now, swallowing and gulping! It's good to be able to eat and sleep well!"
Minglan smiled bitterly and shook her head. She didn't have enough food on hand, and the little guy finished it after just a few bites, so she had to ask for help.
"Madam," Nanny Chang said cautiously, looking at Minglan's stunned face, "please don't think about that bitch anymore. Her hometown is in a remote area of Mianzhou, with high mountains and far waters, and no waterway. If she goes back now, I don't think she will come back."
Minglan was stunned for a moment and smiled, "Madam, you're wrong. I'm not thinking about that. It's just..." She sighed slightly, "How did the Marquis meet her in the first place?" At this point, if she didn't ask again, it would seem hypocritical.
Speaking of this woman, Nanny Chang was filled with emotion. At this point, there was nothing she could say badly. She raised her hand to smooth her hair, thought for a moment, and then spoke: "That was the second year my family came to the capital. After learning the reasons why the Gu and Bai families got married, Ye Ge'er and the old marquis became increasingly at odds."
If Gu Tingye was just sulking in a state of half inferiority and half self-abandonment before, then after learning the truth, he must have been filled with grief and anger. It was clearly the Gu family who had sought this marriage, but everyone looked at him with disdain. It was clearly the Bai family who saved the Gu family from danger, but those self-righteous members of the Gu family spoke of their deceased mother in a contemptuous tone.
Nanny Chang was very sad: "Ye'er was so wronged that he had no place to complain, so he could only beat people up as usual. That year, he had a quarrel with a bad boy, and implicated a handsome actor. Seeing that the actor and his sister were about to suffer, Ye'er couldn't bear it and rescued them."
Minglan asked softly, "Is the actor singing opera Manniang's brother?"
Nanny Chang nodded helplessly: "At that time, our family lived in the countryside outside Beijing. When my brother came to tell me, he had already taken in the brother and sister. I told my brother that actors are of the lowest class after all, and he should not get involved too much, so as to avoid gossip. I quickly gave them some money and asked them to leave. Although my brother Ye had a bit of a bad temper, he was not stupid and agreed immediately. Who knew..."
Her tone was filled with disgust, and she gritted her teeth and said, "That actor actually abandoned me, took the money and ran away!"
"Really?" Minglan was surprised that there was such a cruel brother in the world!
"It's fake!" Nanny Chang raised her loose eyelids to the sky. "Later, Ye'er found out that it was all a trick played by that bitch. She asked her brother to take the money and go out to do business so that she could stay and pester him."
Minglan was a little stunned. This woman was really bold and daring.
"So, a weak and helpless girl, without any relatives or friends, no one knew what to do, so we had to put her in a house first. Ye'er also suggested that I take her in as my daughter-in-law, but I didn't want to. But for some reason, I just don't like this girl." Nanny Chang pondered and recalled, "I always felt that her eyes looked dishonest and not dutiful."
For an ambitious elderly woman who refused to sell herself into slavery even when her family was in the most difficult situation, her ideal was to walk steadily on the path of a good citizen and then stride forward towards higher goals. How could she be willing to take in a sister who was an actress as her adopted daughter?
Minglan smiled and said, "Old people have good eyesight."
Nanny Chang just smiled bitterly and shook her head: "If I had known what would happen later, I might as well have taken her in to save my brother from suffering." She felt quite regretful, "That bitch was very cunning. She always caused trouble. Sometimes she pretended to be sick, and sometimes she said that the evil young man was looking for someone again, which led my brother to visit her often. Alas, my brother was only ten years old at that time, a young man full of vigor and vitality, and that bitch was used to flattering people. Back and forth..." She looked at Minglan embarrassedly, and it was very difficult to say what to say next.
Unexpectedly, Minglan looked incredibly understanding, even advising, "Madam, don't worry. It happened so many years ago. I won't hold it against you." What's so strange about this? It's probably a rehash of the story of a singing girl hooking up with a prince. A depressed young man from a marquisate, with no one to confide in about his life's injustice, meets a sympathetic and attractive girl. They drink, play a pipa, and sing a little tune. And then, in the heat of the moment, the curtains are drawn, the lamps are extinguished... some incongruous words omitted. And it's done.
Nanny Chang's face looked extremely ugly, as if she had been forced to drink a jar of soy sauce: "I advise Brother Ye, this cannot be done. Not to mention that he has not married yet, it is difficult for Man Niang to enter the Marquis's Mansion with her family background. It is better to give her some silver and let her marry someone else. Brother Ye did not seem to like that bitch very much, and there was nothing to be reluctant about, so he agreed immediately. This time, the old woman went with him to persuade the bitch. Who knew that the bitch wanted to commit suicide! She threw herself into the well and banged her head. In the end, she put a hairpin against her throat and knelt on the ground to beg. She said, she said..." The old man had a poor memory and could not remember it for a while.
Minglan kindly continued, "She must have told you what kind of person Madam thinks she is! Did she think she was a woman who could be bought with gold and silver? After trying to commit suicide, she made another confession, saying that she doesn't want status, doesn't want money, doesn't ask for anything, she just hopes that the Marquis will have mercy on her and remember her from time to time..." After thinking for a moment, Minglan added with a sense of malice, "Just treat her like a kitten or a puppy, throw her aside and ignore her. Just talk to her when you want to see her. Is that right?"
Nanny Chang said with an embarrassed look on her face: "Madam is right." She couldn't remember the specific words, but the general meaning was true.
Minglan almost rolled her eyes; why are even the lines the same?!
"After such a commotion, I didn't dare to force her too much, for fear that someone would die. After thinking about it, I couldn't find a proper solution, so it dragged on day by day." Nanny Chang's voice became lower and lower as she spoke. "Besides, I thought that instead of letting my son get into trouble outside, it would be better to talk to that bitch, at least it would help to relieve some of the depression. I also thought that when my son marries a virtuous and generous wife, maybe he will be able to tolerate her. Now that I think about it, I was really wrong!" The gray head drooped low. The more she talked about the past, the more ashamed she felt to face Minglan. Which lady from a good family would be willing to be so "virtuous and generous".
"But before I could react, something terrible happened. That bitch is pregnant."
Nanny Chang gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "This time, I realized that something was wrong! My brother is young and has never experienced such things. I was panicked for a moment." She unconsciously raised her voice, "That bitch refused to have an abortion, and I had no choice. After a few months of fear and anxiety, she gave birth to a daughter. To be honest, I was really relieved!"
It turned out that Rong Jie'er was born under such circumstances. Minglan sighed softly.
"Not long after, the Marquis's Mansion learned about this, and for a while, there was a huge uproar. The concubine, the child, and those evil-hearted people fanning the flames, the old Marquis had Ye'er hung up and beaten with family rules." Nanny Chang couldn't help but choke up. "Madam, you know Ye'er's temper. He's really stubborn and was angry with the old Marquis. The more I asked him to deal with Man Niang, the more he refused and insisted on making a good deal of that bitch. The old Marquis was so angry that he almost sent Ye'er to the clan house!"
The two most troublesome groups of people in the world are menopausal old men and women, and rebellious young men and women. Minglan could imagine the old marquis's feelings at the time and felt an inexplicable sympathy.
Nanny Chang wiped her eyes and said helplessly, "My brother was very stubborn at that time, and no one could persuade him. That bitch looked pitiful, so the matter had to be deadlocked. I told my brother that being angry is one thing, but you can't ignore the future. This time he's lucky to have a girl, and the dowry will be gone when the time comes. If it was a son... then what good marriage would my brother Ye have found! My brother also felt it was inappropriate. But he is a young man, and that bitch is good at seducing him. What if he can't control himself... So I personally went to find a herbalist and stationed her in the house just in case."
Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth even more fiercely, "Who would have thought that after the turmoil at the clan house had finally passed, and Ye'er had only visited that bitch two or three times, she would be pregnant again!"
This matter was very serious and grave, yet Minglan felt like laughing. Man Niang was powerful and efficient.
"I rushed over to question her, but Manniang just cried and said she'd taken the medicine honestly. The woman also said she'd delivered the medicine according to the rules." Such a huge mistake had made Nanny Chang almost faint with anger. "After a while of questioning, we discovered that the woman was a frequent drinker. Everyone had no choice but to assume that she had been drunk and had purchased herbs carelessly or cut corners when boiling the medicine."
"The matter was left unresolved. But I still had my suspicions. Although that old woman loved to drink, she was always decisive in doing things." But at that time, Gu Tingye trusted Man Niang very much, and she had no evidence.
Nanny Chang stood up and closed both side doors, leaving the window slightly open for air. She bit her cheek and said, "I knelt down before my brother right then and there, putting my dignity aside and crying. I said Man Niang was probably in such good health that ordinary medicine wouldn't work for her. I could only beg my brother to stop being so confused and not have any more children!"
Minglan chuckled, almost laughing. Nanny Chang was a wonderful person, actually trying to trip up Man Niang like this.
"The young lady has only one child. If he is a failure in his life, won't those black-hearted people laugh at him?! Even if I die, I won't be able to see the young lady. If my brother doesn't agree, I will commit suicide!"
This was Nanny Chang's masterpiece, and she spoke cheerfully, "Brother, you really listened. In the following years, although Brother Ye often visited her, he only talked and looked at the children, and he didn't get close to her. That bitch is used to playing the good boy, so it's hard to refute her. She just said it was the medicine woman's fault. I said, what if it wasn't her negligence?"
Minglan was delighted. This was such a mean trick. If Manniang had always acted like she understood and supported Gu Tingye, she wouldn't have let him take risks on this matter, right?! Regardless of whether Gu Tingye and Manniang had maintained a pure relationship during those years, they must have gone to bed much less frequently, and Manniang never gave birth to a third child.
Nanny Chang’s trick was considered successful.
"In fact, that bitch is not extremely charming. There are so many maids in Ye'er's previous room who are prettier than her! Does she really think she is a fairy and men can't move when they see her?! With her looks, she is not even good enough to be a foxy woman! She just relies on her clever words and takes advantage of Ye'er's distress to flatter and please him, and pretends to be pitiful, so that Ye'er can't bear to abandon her!" Nanny Chang hated Man Niang so much that she became more and more harsh as she spoke.
Minglan smiled. In fact, she could tell that Nanny Chang was trying to help Gu Tingye understand his past, so she was trying to downplay the relationship between Gu Tingye and Man Niang. But she didn't have to worry. She wasn't the type to dwell on trivial matters. The reason she and He Hongwen had been so obsessed with Cousin Cao was because this cousin was not only in the present tense, but also in the future tense, which was very annoying.
But what about Manniang? Whatever her past relationship with Gu Tingye was like, or even if he truly had feelings for her, what did it matter? The important thing was that she was already in the past. Real life was what mattered. Why waste time pursuing trivial matters when you could have a good life? This was the most important lesson she had learned in her life.
Let's be realistic. As long as so-called true love doesn't cause real changes, whether it's true or not doesn't really matter. If Gu Tingye were to give away half the family fortune today, or give the title to Chang Ge'er, Minglan would certainly be very unhappy. But now, Gu Tingye has handed the entire fortune to her, is determined to make her son the heir to the title, sleeps in her bed every night, and sticks by her side whenever he has free time. So who is his true love? Is there any point in asking?
Let's be more realistic. Like in the opera, for some reason, whether it's for the sake of the country or for ambition and power, the man has to marry another woman and leave her. Even if it's his true love, what's the point?
Well, she is a selfish modern person. After ten years of professional training, she has only pretended to be gentle and virtuous, but she does not possess the traditional virtues of ancient women in her bones.
"Look at what the nanny said. I thought Man Niang's two children were the ones that the Marquis wanted." Minglan said half-jokingly.
Nanny Chang's heart tightened, and she sighed, "Madam, you are really...ah, what can I say? Madam, think about it, the Marquis is not stupid. Which sane son of a noble family would be so anxious to have children before getting married?"
This argument was very convincing, and Minglan nodded.
"After Chang'er was born, things went on for another three or two years, and Ye'er finally decided to marry into the Yu family. Who knew she'd change her mind halfway through?" Nanny Chang said angrily, "It's not that I like to speak ill of the dead, but Madam Yanhong is just too..." She smacked her lips, took a sip from her teacup, and continued, "It would have been better not to marry! Before he married her, Ye'er could at least get by, but after marrying her, everything was in turmoil; there were quarrels and fights every day, and there was never a day of peace. Not long after, Ye'er had a big fight with the old marquis, and went out alone to make a living."
At this point, Nanny Chang's eyes moistened again, and she sobbed, "Poor my brother Ye, he has been living in luxury since he was a child, even needing someone to serve him a cup of tea, but now he lives outside in the open air, I don't know how much hardship he has endured!"
Minglan sat up from the bed, reached out and gently patted Nanny Chang, saying softly, "Don't cry, Nanny. As the saying goes, if jade is not polished, it will not be made into a useful object. At least God has a vision and helped the Marquis to succeed." Nanny Chang raised her head, clasped her hands together and bowed several times, chanting Buddha's name, "The eldest lady is in heaven and has not let my brother suffer a life of misfortune."
The two exchanged a few more words when someone outside suddenly called out, "The Marquis has returned."
Nanny Chang wiped her eyes and stood up. She saw the side curtain opened and Gu Tingye came in with the baby in his arms, followed by a worried-looking Nanny Cui. He smiled and said, "But he was sleeping so soundly. I looked at him a few more times and he woke up."
"Stop using such nonsense. It must be you who woke him up." Minglan complained with a smile.
Gu Tingye was still wearing his bright red court robes, having just left court and not even changed. He rushed to see his son, holding him tightly in his arms and refusing to let go. Thanks to Mother Cui's training, he had perfect posture. He looked at the baby and chuckled to himself, "It's only been a few days, and he's already much better looking. When he was first born, he was red and wrinkled, like a red-skinned baby."
Minglan frowned and said, "You kept praising him for his good looks then!"
Gu Tingye laughed and retorted: "Even if it's red and wrinkled, it's still better looking than other children's red and wrinkled ones!"
Everyone laughed at this. Nanny Chang leaned over to take a look and saw that the baby had woken up. He was no longer crying or making a fuss, and his facial features were becoming clearer. He was just looking around with half-drowsy eyes, as if he was still a little sleepy.
"The redder it is when it's born, the whiter and plumper it will be when it grows up! I wonder if it has a name yet?"
Gu Tingye smiled bitterly and said, "I've been really busy lately. When Mr. Gongsun comes back, I'll ask him to help." He had little confidence in his own cultural level, but he loved his child so much that he didn't want to give him a name casually.
Nanny Chang said, "You can take your time choosing a proper name. Start with a catchy and auspicious nickname." Gu Tingye thought this made sense and turned to Minglan, "What should we call you?"
Minglan joked, "I heard Xiaotao say that the most common names in her hometown are Gousheng, Goudan, Xiaogouzi, and so on."
Gu Tingye laughed and glared at Minglan: "What a mess! And there are also lackeys and sons of bitches. How can you bear to call your son that?"
Nanny Chang laughed and said, "My Lord, you wouldn't understand. The humbler the name, the healthier the child. Even wealthy families, if a child is unwell, have someone write the name and post it everywhere so people can call it."
"Really?" Gu Tingye looked doubtful.
Minglan looked up at the meat ball and found him chubby and cute, as soft as a glutinous rice dumpling. "Why not just call me Tuan Ge'er?"
When Gu Tingye heard this, he said happily, "Is it the Tuan in reunion? This word is very good!"
When everyone in the room heard this, they all thought it was a good omen, and it was not only uncommon but also catchy and unique. So it was decided.
After chatting for a while, Nanny Chang got up to take her leave. Gu Tingye sent Tuan'er to Nanny Cui, then went to wash and change into his daily clothes before returning to his room. Perhaps exhausted by the affairs of the court, he sat down on the edge of the bed, pinching the bridge of his nose wearily as he said to Minglan, "Go inside and get some sleep. I'll rest before dinner."
Minglan had been sitting with Nanny Chang for a long time and was feeling a pain in her waist. She was just about to lie down and rest when she heard this and said in dissatisfaction, "Didn't we give you a separate room? There's a soft couch outside. Why are you squeezing in with me?"
Gu Tingye didn't bother to waste time talking to her. He picked up Minglan and placed her and the blanket inside. Then he lay on his back beside her and breathed a sigh of relief. "I've finally reported the Lianghuai incident to the Emperor. His Majesty is really anxious. He's been ill for years, how can he recover overnight? Let's take our time."
Hearing the fatigue in his voice, Minglan reached out to help him massage his temples. Gu Tingye grabbed her hand and placed it on his cheek. He tilted his head, looked at her straight in the eyes and said, "I'm sorry for not being able to come back earlier."
Minglan thought for a moment and said mischievously, "Mother Cui said that my birth was actually quite smooth. If it weren't for the trouble up front and the arson later, it wouldn't have mattered if you hadn't come." Gu Tingye lay on his side, burying his head in Minglan's arms, and whispered, "I definitely won't do that again in the future." Minglan stroked his thick, coarse hair, "That's what Madam Chang said too."
"What did you talk about?" Gu Tingye closed his eyes and breathed steadily.
"I told you about Man Niang." Minglan waited for the man's reaction.
Sure enough, Gu Tingye's eyelashes moved, and he slowly opened his eyes and said calmly, "Where were we talking about?"
"When you are alone and leave the house."
Gu Tingye slowly turned around and lay side by side with Minglan, head to head. "Then let me continue."
Minglan also lay down and listened attentively.
"Actually, I was a little unhappy about Man Niang going to Yu Mansion. But, as always, she always managed to make the story sound right, so I still believe her." Gu Tingye clasped his hands flatly on his lower abdomen, his voice very calm.
The Ningyuan Marquisate at that time was a nightmare. His father didn't understand him, and the treacherous Taifu, who enjoyed the Bai family's wealth while despising his uncles and brothers, filled his own room with wily maids and servants with ulterior motives. He felt frustrated and frustrated, and only with Man Niang could he find solace. For a while, he truly trusted Man Niang.
People are creatures of inertia. Once they trust someone, many of their behaviors will become spontaneously reasonable.
"Until that day at Guangji Temple, your words made a lot of sense."
It's hard to believe, but Minglan was the only woman besides Manniang he'd ever had a proper conversation with. That little girl, with her brow furrowed and her eyes squinting, looked discontented, but she didn't resort to empty rhetoric. Instead, she spoke with logic and facts. After returning home, he pondered over it again and again, and no matter how he thought about it, he felt that Minglan's words were right.
If Man Niang really only wanted to be a concubine, then there was really no reason for her to cause trouble at the Yu residence.
People are deceived because they just don't think about it that way. If they really investigate, many people and many things will not stand up to scrutiny.
"Man Niang had a maid who served her for many years. Later, with Man Niang providing the dowry, she married far away. I took great pains to find her, and after a lot of threats, coercion and inducements, she finally spoke." Generally speaking, women who have husbands and children rarely remain loyal to the end.
"What that girl said was completely unbelievable. First, Man Niang's brother didn't abandon her sister and run away. It was Man Niang who persuaded him to leave. It wasn't until Man Niang gave birth to two children that her brother returned, feigning regret. Man Niang begged me, and the brother and sister put on a show to get me to forgive her brother, but I still thought he was kind."
Minglan didn't say anything, just stared blankly at the top of the bed beam.
"Next is my child. Madam Chang was right. It was Manniang who had someone invite the medicine woman to drink wine and tamper with the herbs." Gu Tingye's tone was bitter, as if he was narrating a farce. "But I still didn't believe it. I went back to the capital and arrested the people in Manniang's house and tortured them. When they asked, they found out something else."
"What did she do again?" Minglan also began to feel annoyed.
Gu Tingye reached for her hand, holding it firmly before saying, "She found out the tavern Yanhong's family frequented and had someone reveal her address. She also said some outrageous things. Yanhong got furious after hearing what she had said and went to her house. She arranged everything, just waiting for me to 'rush in time to save' them and her son so she could turn against Yanhong."
Minglan sighed deeply, moved over, hugged the man's arm sideways, and put her face against it.
"I was stunned for a moment when I heard this." Gu Tingye turned over and hugged Minglan, his palms cold. "I went to confront her, and she had nothing to say, so she told the truth. She always wanted to be the main wife, and all the perfunctory things she did before were just to coax me."
That day, in front of the two children, he dragged Man Niang out by her hair, interrogating and scolding her. Seeing no escape, Man Niang spoke frankly. He was so enraged that he slapped her repeatedly. Her cheeks were purple and swollen, but she continued to smile through her tears. He clearly remembered that day, under the setting sun, Man Niang crawling on the ground, her hands wrapped around his legs, pleading pitifully with her head raised, and even making a dramatic confession, saying that she was sincere and hoped for his mercy and cherishment.
Little did he know, his heart had already turned cold. Everyone lied to him, deceived him, even the person he had always trusted. Who else could he trust? Was there anyone left in this world that he could trust?
"That night, I returned home and had another argument with the old man. I became increasingly outrageous, until he vomited blood. He called me 'self-depraved, hopeless, a true bastard'. I didn't want to stay there any longer, so I left that night and went all the way south. Only then did I send a letter to Madam Chang to let her know I was safe."
Minglan felt sad, and she leaned against his chest and sighed softly.
"After I left, the old man kept looking for me. When he finally found me, the first letter he sent me was asking me to return home quickly, saying that Yanhong was pregnant." Gu Tingye said.
"Ah?!" Minglan was shocked. "How come no one has ever mentioned this?"
Gu Tingye showed a strange smile, as if mocking: "Because this is a huge scandal, I can't tell the heavens and the earth, and I can't tell my closest relatives."
Minglan had guessed something, but didn't dare to say anything.
"The old man was very happy. He took my hand and told me that I would be a father in the future and that I should be sensible and behave myself and not cause trouble again. But I told him that the child in Yanhong's belly would probably also have the surname Gu, but it would not be mine."
The old marquis was shocked and angry at the time, repeatedly scolding himself for making a false accusation. He had been away from home for over a month, and his wife was over two months pregnant. Wasn't it just right? Gu Tingye replied indifferently that they had not had sex since the quarrel with Yanhong over Man Niang.
Gu Tingye would never forget the look on his father's face. The fury, the panic, the deep guilt and remorse were beyond words. But at the time, he was only concerned with his own feelings. He mocked the Gu family harshly, calling them a filthy quagmire where few people were clean.
As for who was the one who cheated on him, he was neither interested nor too lazy to ask. After all, no one in the Marquis' Mansion was a good person.
"Then, how did Sister Yanran's sister die?" Minglan said gloomily.
Gu Tingye said sadly, "The abortion went wrong and she died of hemorrhage. When the news came, the old man was arguing with Master Yu. Although Yanhong was wrong, I also did something wrong. I never thought of asking her to pay with her life. But when we rushed to the other courtyard, she had already died."
Minglan felt a chill in her heart. This way of dying was truly retribution.
"Everyone thought Yanhong died from having an abortion in a hurry. In order to cover up the shame, the Gu family told outsiders that she died of illness. Lord Yu didn't dare to say much, and the matter was over." Gu Tingye frowned suddenly, "I was the only one who felt something was wrong." After all, they were husband and wife, and Yu Yanhong was not a stupid person. If she knew that she would be exposed, why didn't she have an abortion earlier, and let the Gu family call her back?
"What's going on?" Minglan asked curiously.
"I had a long-time attendant named Pinggui. Manniang was very fond of him, and he often spoke well of her. I didn't think much of it at the time. I haven't seen him for a long time since I left Beijing." Gu Tingye's smile was full of resentment. "But when I left, the gatekeeper of the other courtyard said that Pinggui came just half a day ago and said he was delivering a message for me. But I didn't let anyone pass on any message!"
Minglan asked in surprise, "Could it be Manniang again?"
The most amazing thing about Man Niang is that every time Gu Tingye asks a small question, he always gets a big answer. Gu Tingye said coldly, "I caught Pinggui and tortured him, and he just blurted out everything."
Ever since Gu Tingye left the capital, Man Niang hadn't heard from him since. With Nanny Chang refusing to speak, Man Niang had no choice but to have people keep an eye on the Ningyuan Marquis's residence, especially Yanhong's family. Soon, she had something to show for it. One day, Yanhong excused herself to go back to her parents' home, but the carriage changed course midway. Yanhong, wearing a veil, stole off to see a doctor.
Man Niang then went to find the doctor. Since he didn't know the client, he didn't hesitate to tell her, hoping for the money, that the masked lady was already two months pregnant. Man Niang was overjoyed and immediately began to think: she had to get Gu Tingye back quickly, but she also had to prevent Yan Hong from keeping the secret and solve the problem secretly.
Pinggui's sister worked as a maid in the inner chambers of the Gu Mansion. Everyone in the mansion knew that Second Madam Ye couldn't eat lotus root, so she took the opportunity to slip some lotus root powder into Yanhong's diet. The amount was very light, only causing a small red rash. But the virtuous Madam Tai refused to let the old marquis think that she had neglected his wife since Tingye left, so she insisted on calling a doctor for treatment, and the secret could no longer be concealed.
After the incident, Yanhong was terrified and huddled in the courtyard, waiting for her punishment. At this time, Pinggui came and said that Gu Tingye did not want to publicize the scandal, and as long as she aborted the evil child, he would divorce her after the matter was settled.
This bait was too tempting. Gu Tingye already had a bad reputation, and now he had run away from home. If they divorced, everyone in the capital would think Gu Tingye was a bad person, and she could get away with it. She could wait a few years and let her doting parents find another marriage. Pinggui emphasized that they had to hurry, otherwise it would be bad if something went wrong.
How could Yanhong refuse? She immediately asked someone to get her a dose of strong medicine. For fear that the medicine was not effective enough, she took two doses at once. The fetus was aborted, but her life was also lost.
Minglan felt a chill run down her spine, her mouth agape. "...After all that, why would Man Niang still...?"
"Man Niang said she just wanted to make Yan Hong suffer a little and vent her anger." Gu Tingye sneered, "But I saw through her clues. I laid my cards on the table with her that night and broke off all ties from then on."
After this incident, the old marquis was trapped inside and outside, angry and sick, and soon died. Gu Tingye was unable to see his father for the last time.
Minglan understood the whole story, but she was speechless. They were silent for a long time. After a while, Gu Tingye suddenly turned over and lay down beside Minglan, his eyes full of apology: "Do you blame me? I didn't deal with Man Niang."
Minglan was stunned and laughed, "How should we deal with it?"
"Take her life?" She slowly sat up, and Gu Tingye also stood up and sat across from her. "To be honest, if the Marquis took her life, I would definitely not dare to let Rong Jie'er stay by my side. I would have to send her away. No matter how much Rong'er understands the truth, after all, mother and daughter are connected by heart. I dare not take this chance."
"But if I really kill her, it would be a bit excessive." Minglan had already thought about this several times. Yanhong's death could only be considered intimidation and fraud, while the collision with her was an attempt. Neither crime warranted the death penalty.
"Then I'll have to punish her, but how?" Minglan said with a wry smile. "Honestly, with Manniang's temper, even beating her, scolding her, or even torturing her, she's unlikely to repent." She wasn't like Aunt Kang. At least Aunt Kang loved her child, and if she found a weak spot, she could be held captive. But it seemed even the safety of her child couldn't deter Manniang. In reality, the best punishment for such a potentially harmful mental patient was life imprisonment, but she couldn't say that.
Minglan spread her hands and said with a smile, "The Marquis sent her far away, which is a good idea."
Gu Tingye was stunned. He really didn't expect that at this moment, Minglan could still analyze so rationally and calmly. Her words were very logical and logical, without any emotion at all. He suddenly felt a mixture of emotions.
"And outside the court and the mansion, the sooner this matter is resolved, the better." He couldn't help but make a few excuses.
"This matter was never meant to be a big deal," Minglan agreed immediately, adding, "Man Niang isn't your concubine, nor is she a servant in the mansion. She's an honest citizen. Why should we beat her up or kill her? If an honest citizen commits a crime, they shouldn't be lynched. They should be tried and convicted. If we make a scene in court, we'll lose all our dignity. The longer the night, the more trouble we'll have. If we delay too long and your enemies catch us, it'll be a never-ending mess."
If she were Gu Tingye's political enemy, she would definitely use this matter to make a big deal out of it. If someone were to report her for her personal misconduct, Gu Tingye might have to reflect on his mistakes at home, just like Uncle Shen. If two of his confidants were to reflect on their mistakes together, the emperor would be in great trouble.
Gu Tingye stared at Minglan, his expression complicated. After a long silence, he said, "In Mianzhou, I gave Chang'er a hundred acres of land and had someone look after it. I just hope she'll stop for the sake of her son." His expression suddenly changed, and he said sternly, "If she dares to do evil again, I won't care and will kill her immediately."
Minglan nodded, then waved her hand and cried out, "Oh, actually, this isn't the critical point! It's that one person that matters. I'm wondering if you've figured out a solution." Her face was filled with fear. "I don't dare live with her anymore."
The nominal elders cannot be beaten or scolded, which really restricts them in every way.
Seeing her appear calm and composed just now, and then acting like a frightened little rabbit again in the blink of an eye, Gu Tingye couldn't help but smile, "Don't worry. Even if you dare to live with her, I wouldn't dare. I've already made the arrangements, and we're going to separate now!"
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