Back at the mansion, Heyue followed her mother off the carriage. Watching her mother walk towards the backyard, she sighed sadly. Just as she was about to return to her room, her mother suddenly spoke up: "Come with me."
He Yue was overjoyed and hurriedly ran after him.
Upon entering the main room, Lady Irgen Gioro dismissed the servants and sat on the daybed in the west side room. Seeing Heyue standing a few steps away, looking uneasy, she patted the seat beside her, gesturing for Heyue, her eyes revealing a hint of warmth: "Come sit here with your mother."
Heyue felt flattered and pursed her lips. She took small steps over and sat down next to her mother, but kept her head down and nervously twisted her fingers together.
"Do you know you were wrong?" Irgen Gioro's expression was unusually gentle these days. Heyue wasn't sure if her mother was no longer angry, so she nodded gently: "Little Seven knows she was wrong."
"Then tell me, where did you go wrong?" Irgen Gioro continued to ask, her tone still gentle.
Heyue paused, thought for a moment, and slowly said, "First, I shouldn't have made an enemy of the Thirteenth Prince; second, I shouldn't have been so reckless as to beat up the Thirteenth Prince; and third, I shouldn't have had a horse race with the Thirteenth Prince without permission."
"Oh? Anything else?" Yiergenjueluo's expression softened further.
He Yue thought hard and, based on her understanding, carefully replied, "I shouldn't have overestimated myself and put myself in danger, causing my family to worry."
Lady Irgen Gioro sighed softly: "It seems you've thought things through these past few days. Now tell me, what happened in the garden of the Fourth Prince's mansion today, and why were you with the Fourth Prince?"
Heyue's mouth dropped open. How could her mother know? But seeing her mother's gentle yet unyielding eyes, she dared not lie any longer and could only tell the truth: "Today in the garden, I met the Thirteenth Prince." At this point, she carefully glanced at her mother and, seeing that her expression was normal, slowly continued to explain: "I had a little argument with the Thirteenth Prince. The Thirteenth Prince was about to make a move, but the Fourth Prince appeared and stopped him."
After saying that, she hurriedly explained, "Mother, I didn't mean to. I was going to back down, but the Thirteenth Prince insisted on pestering me and said some... unpleasant things. I couldn't help but retort."
Yiergenjueluo raised her hand: "You don't need to explain."
Seeing her mother close her eyes, looking exhausted, Heyue felt uneasy. But after only a moment, Irgen Gioro opened her eyes again and sighed softly: "I thought you could change your impulsive nature these days, but I was wrong. I don't know why you've become like this, and I don't want to dwell on it. I just hope you can always remember my words. Sometimes violence can't solve problems. Using gentleness to overcome force is the best way. If you can't listen, you should think more about the consequences of things, whether you can bear them, and whether your father and I can help you bear them."
Heyue vaguely understood her mother's meaning. Her heart was touched, her eyes welled up with tears, and she stepped forward to hug her mother: "Mother, I was wrong. I will never do it again. I will listen to you from now on."
Irgen Gioro patted her back with a smile and comforted her gently, "Little Seven, you will grow up one day and understand your mother's meaning. Your mother does not wish for you to stand out from the crowd, but only for you to be safe and sound, free from illness and disaster. Today, the Fourth Prince looks at you differently. Your mother is not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing. I only hope that you can know your limits and not put yourself in a dilemma in the future."
Heyue nodded emphatically, her voice choked with emotion, "Mother, Xiaoqi understands."
"Alright." Lady Irgen Gioro sighed again, picked up a handwritten copy of the Diamond Sutra from the side and gave it to her: "This is what you wrote a while ago. Your mother read it. When you get back, practice it well. Even if it's not as good as before, at least you should be able to read it. Although we Manchus believe that we conquered the world on horseback and that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, reading more books will always help you understand many principles. As for you before... well, just practice more in the future."
Feeling guilty, He Yue blushed as she accepted the Diamond Sutra and gave a soft "hmm".
"Go back now, your mother is tired." Irgen Gioro waved her hand, her face showing weariness.
He Yue rose, bowed, and withdrew.
After leaving the main courtyard, Heyue pondered the meaning of her mother's last words. Did she have doubts, or did she not? If she had doubts, her mother's attitude should not have been like this. So it seemed that she did not have doubts.
He Yue breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appeared on her lips, and her steps became lighter.
"Young Master, you need to be more careful. After all, you're not Madam's biological son. How can she truly treat you like her own? Don't be fooled by how well Madam treats you; it's only because you're the only young master in the household. Madam can't have a son of her own, so of course she has to raise you as her own. But think about your own mother. She's just an unfavored concubine, serving Madam with utmost deference every day, working tirelessly without complaint, yet she doesn't receive a shred of pity from Master. Isn't that because Madam monopolizes Master? Now that your fifth sister is married, and you're being raised by Madam's side, it's as if Concubine Sun's life and fortune are in Madam's hands. How many people know the suffering Concubine Sun has endured?"
Hearing the voice, Heyue stopped in her tracks and recognized it as Aunt Bei's voice. She heard her call the other person "Young Master". The only person in the manor who could be called "Young Master" was Guan Zhu. Could the other person be Guan Zhu?
"Well, this Aunt Bei is indeed still up to her old tricks, daring to sow discord between Guan Zhu and his mother!" He Yue was furious and clenched her fists tightly.
However, Heyue did not go out immediately; she wanted to hear what little Guanzhu would say.
Although Guan Zhu has always been obedient and well-behaved, he is not his mother's biological son after all. Who knows what kind of feelings he has for his biological mother? She doesn't want her mother to love him only to raise an ungrateful child.
Heyue had no sympathy for Aunt Sun. According to the saying that one must abide by the rules according to one's status, although Aunt Sun had always been respectful and had never made a mistake, and had been devoted to her mother, Heyue would not allow Guanzhu to become close to Aunt Sun and become distant from his stepmother who raised him.
Her heart is small, only able to hold her own family. What does it matter to her whether others are wronged or not?
Upon hearing Aunt Sun's words, Guan Zhu shouted in his childish voice, "No, I am my mother's son. My mother treats Aunt Sun very well. It's not like what you said." His voice was tinged with a hint of sobbing.
"Oh dear, my young master, you are still young and don't understand these things. Since ancient times, there have been many cases of mothers being killed and children being taken away. The reason why Aunt Sun is still alive is only because she is shrewd and respectful to the madam. If Aunt Sun wants the young master back one day, will the madam allow her to live? At that time, the young master will be without his mother."
He Yue was furious when she heard this. Her eyes were blazing with anger. This Aunt Bei was really capable of saying anything. How could she say such things to a child like Guan Zhu? These were clearly words that were meant to attack someone's heart. Her malice was simply appalling.
Heyue could no longer bear to listen. She rushed out, pointed at Aunt Bei, and angrily scolded, "How dare you! You dare to frame my mother and sow discord between her and my younger brother! Do you believe I'll have my father kick you out of the mansion right now?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
