The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 220 - 221: Marriage

Mrs. Gu Sr. had this idea and thought about it for a few days, feeling more and more that this method was feasible.

On the day Gu Yifeng came to pay respects, Mrs. Gu Sr. kept him behind, "The marriage proposal over there should be arranged. It has been delayed for so many years. You should pick a day and send someone to the Zhao Mansion."

After listening, Gu Yifeng furrowed his brows tightly.

"I know you feel uncomfortable in your heart. What we did to Sister Ning was wrong, but now things have become like this. We can’t keep delaying without taking action. Even if we don’t acknowledge this matter now, do you think we can let Sister Ning marry into another family without concern for her reputation? Besides, this child grew up under our watch, and if she were to go to an outsider’s family looking like this, they might not be able to protect her. If she stays by your side, even when I close my eyes, I can rest assured." Mrs. Gu Sr. knew her son was still upset, "I admit I knew about the plot of the Duke Mansion and the Gao Mansion early on. I just used their momentum to achieve today’s outcome. Besides, they were scheming against Sister Ning, eyeing that position. I couldn’t let them succeed."

"Let’s find someone to talk to Sister Ning about this matter for now. It’s not proper for me to make an appearance." After hearing his mother speak at length, Gu Yifeng replied coolly.

Mrs. Gu Sr. heaved a sigh of relief, "Alright, in the next couple of days, I’ll have Mrs. Dong visit to ask Sister Ning’s opinion. If Sister Ning agrees, we’ll handle the matter this year, and I’ll send someone to the Zhao Mansion to fix a date."

Mrs. Gu Sr. thought for a moment and added, "I’d better handle this personally. After all, Mrs. Dong is your wife, and it’s not suitable for her to make an appearance."

Gu Yifeng didn’t say anything more; he sat for a while and then stood up to leave.

Seeing a servant rushing over, he stopped, "Is there trouble over there again?"

He was referring to the family of Gu Er, who had been separated. Although Gu Er was not in the Capital, Mrs. Kong came over with her two children every day to pay respects. Mrs. Gu Sr. always had people block them, and again, she hadn’t seen them.

The maid hurriedly stopped, "Second Madam and Second Young Master are outside, saying they want to apologize to the old lady."

They had been kneeling outside the mansion for an hour, attracting many onlookers. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"There’s no need to disturb the old lady with this matter. If they wish to kneel outside, let them kneel. No need to send messages within the mansion."

The maid who delivered the message saw the marquis was angry and quickly agreed, then ran back to the main gate.

Mrs. Kong, kneeling outside with her children, saw the maid return so quickly and couldn’t help but show a pleased expression.

"Second Madam, you should return. The marquis has instructed not to pass such messages to the mansion, and we dare not defy his orders." The maid still respectfully curtsied.

Mrs. Kong’s smile froze on her face, "We were indeed unfilial. The old lady doesn’t want to see us, but we can’t avoid kneeling. Thank you, nanny, for today."

The maid, startled, quickly said she dared not and retreated back into the gatehouse. In the past, when she was still in the mansion, the Second Madam was not this polite and looked somewhat proud. Unbeknownst to her, she would now be thanking the servants.

Mrs. Dong, being the lady of the house, could not ignore the matter, but since the marquis had spoken, she could only feign ignorance.

The next day, word came that the old lady had gone out. Mrs. Dong tightened her grip on her handkerchief, knowing the old lady was off to arrange the marriage for the Gu Family’s main branch, likely heading to the Zhao Mansion.

Even knowing that such a matter couldn’t be stopped, it was hard not to feel uneasy hearing about it. Sister Hui had also heard and, after breakfast, hurried over to stay with her mother. Although she said nothing, she hoped that this gesture might soothe her mother’s restlessness.

Lin Youning was in the mansion learning embroidery from Nanny Guo when a young maid rushed in to say the old lady of the Gu Mansion had arrived.

Liang Hui stood up quickly, and Li Youning put down her needlework and went to greet her with her sister-in-law.

Since the incident at the academy, Sister Ling had been learning at home, with the tutor hired by Zhao Housheng from outside.

She was a widowed woman with some literary talent and a good understanding of manners.

When Lin Youning and her sister-in-law reached the main gate, Mrs. Gu Sr. had already alighted from the carriage and entered the courtyard.

Although a month had passed since the last incident, Lin Youning still felt a pang of tension when facing her aunt. She steadied her emotions and, with her sister-in-law, went forward to greet Mrs. Gu Sr.

"I came over without sending a note; you shouldn’t take issue with that. I just wanted to see this girl." Mrs. Gu Sr. smiled, exchanging pleasantries with Liang Hui, while her eyes glanced towards Lin Youning.

Lin Youning accompanied her to the backyard, smiling politely, "If Aunt wants to see me, just send a note, and I’ll come over. There’s no need for Aunt to come in person."

"I’m afraid if I sent a note, you wouldn’t come, and I’m aware of that, so I came personally." Mrs. Gu Sr. bluntly pointed out.

Lin Youning’s smile lessened a bit, but she did not respond, and Mrs. Gu Sr. didn’t say more, while Liang Hui pretended not to understand.

The group entered Lin Youning’s main room and sat on the soft couch.

"You all can leave; I want to speak privately with the madam and the young lady." Mrs. Gu Sr. waved her hand, and Suyi quickly led the servants out of the room.

"Sister Ning, Aunt knows you resent me, but I also know you understand why I am doing this. I won’t say much more. I came today to discuss the marriage arrangements. I’m old, and I don’t know how many years I have left. If you marry sooner, I can take care of you for a while. If you have a child early, I can face your aunt in the afterlife." Mrs. Gu Sr. went straight to the point.

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s direct approach made it easier for Sister Ning to face her, without needing to say insincere things. Even though she was unwilling, she couldn’t express consent that she didn’t feel.

Seeing her aunt come to discuss marriage today, Lin Youning took a deep breath and smiled, "This matter should be decided by Aunt and my sister-in-law. I’m just a young girl and don’t understand these things."

Even if she did understand, what good would it do? She couldn’t escape this fate. Her aunt’s personal visit made it clear she wanted to settle the marriage this year, so putting it off until next year was impossible.