Liang Hui frowned tightly, clearly not in agreement.

After returning to the room with Sister Ning, Liang Hui said, "The Marquis Mansion has been pressuring the Marquis to take a concubine. This matter won’t pass easily. You’re pregnant now, so don’t worry about anything else and focus on nurturing the fetus. Nothing is more important than the child in your belly right now."

"I understand these things, but I didn’t expect Aunt to be so persistent about this matter," Lin Youning was not as optimistic now.

Liang Hui snorted, "She’s been in control her whole life; suddenly she’s not in control, of course she feels uneasy. I don’t think it’s because the Marquis Mansion has few descendants, but because she wants everyone to listen to her. The people from noble families are different from us; they always fixate on things they shouldn’t. How nice it would be for them to simply enjoy the blessings of grandchildren.

"

"Everyone seeks different things, I suppose," Lin Youning laughed. "What about Sister-in-law? Now that Brother’s status has changed, who knows how many people are watching. Sister-in-law should be cautious."

Lin Youning teased, but didn’t expect Liang Hui’s face to show bitterness, "What’s the use of being cautious? My belly shows no movement, and there’s only Sister Ling. Even if your brother doesn’t say anything, Father won’t agree."

Since the Prince’s return, Liang Hui appeared happy on the surface, but no one knew her inner worries and pressure. Which woman wouldn’t wish for her husband to be prosperous? Yet Liang Hui feared such prosperity, especially with a royal Commandery Prince. Given her rural background and without a legitimate son, how could she not worry?

Lin Youning’s smile faded, "Sister-in-law, rest assured, we all know what kind of person my brother is. Even Father, who went through it with Mother, wouldn’t force Brother to take a concubine if he didn’t want to."

Liang Hui nodded, "Your brother told me not to think too much. I know, whatever the future holds, if your brother can say that to me, I should understand."

Lin Youning smiled, the two women talked until it was time for dinner, and then they went to the front hall.

Seeing her father in the front hall, Lin Youning was slightly stunned, "Why didn’t anyone notify the back courtyard? When did Father arrive?"

"I’ve been here a while; it’s nothing important," Prince Shou smiled, beckoning his daughter to sit beside him. "Did the Marquis return to the Marquis Mansion?"

"Mrs. Gu Sr. is ill, so the Marquis went back to see her." Lin Youning thought her father had heard from her brother.

So she didn’t ask much.

Prince Shou didn’t say much more, only nodded. Liang Hui busied herself arranging for meals, fortunate that Sister Ning was staying in the mansion, ensuring the kitchen always had good food prepared. With the Prince’s sudden arrival, there was no rush to add dishes.

After dinner, Lin Youning noticed her father wanted to talk privately, so she followed him to the study in the front courtyard. Prince Shou dismissed everyone else, looking at his daughter seated across from him before speaking, "Mrs. Gu Sr. wants to arrange a concubine for the Marquis; you know about this, right? They’ve even arranged to visit Vice Minister Zhang’s Mansion to set the date, you know this too, right?"

Lin Youning didn’t expect her father to bring this up. She nodded, "The Marquis has always refused, he..."

Prince Shou interrupted, "I’ve already spread the word that anyone who dares marry their daughter into the Marquis Mansion opposes me. Dingyuan Marquis can’t always oppose Mrs. Gu Sr., it would harm his reputation. It’s better for me to play the villain. My daughter is already humiliated enough marrying into his family, and now they want to bring in women, treating me, Prince Shou, as what?"

Lin Youning was greatly surprised, "Father did all this? Why? I know Father means well, but spreading such rumors might make others say we’re abusing power. Besides, even if someone is brought into the mansion, if the Marquis doesn’t acknowledge her, it’s pointless."

Lin Youning never thought her father would do such a thing. No wonder Vice Minister Zhang’s Mansion would rather offend the Marquis than marry his daughter into the family; it was her father’s doing.

Thinking of her father silently doing all this for her made Lin Youning’s heart ache. She didn’t want her father to gain a bad reputation because of her.

"Silly girl, Father hasn’t done much for you. Now that I’m back and know about these things, I can’t just stand by. If I returned sooner, you wouldn’t have been so wronged. Even your maternal grandfather is dissatisfied, but fortunately, Dingyuan Marquis has always been admired by your grandfather, so it’s just tolerable."

Lin Youning smiled with pursed lips, "I was merely an orphan back then, growing up in the Marquis Mansion, never wronged. Only later did I discover my background and recognize my brother. Honestly, I haven’t been mistreated all these years."

Prince Shou snorted, "No need to sweet talk me. I’ve investigated. Weren’t you initially set to marry that Gu Er? That Gu Er is nothing but a playboy. If it hadn’t been uncovered that he was secretly given medicine to prevent descendants, would they have married you to him? They raised you for years just to use you as a tool for their offspring. They should be grateful they didn’t persist with the mistake; otherwise, I would have brought you back with me after finding out."

Hearing her father mention Gu Er made Lin Youning uncomfortable, reminding her of her past life. She lowered her head, silent, letting Prince Shou misunderstand, thinking his daughter had endured much injustice but chose not to speak up.

When he discovered those things, he was already enraged, realizing there might be even more he couldn’t uncover.

Thinking about this, Prince Shou’s expression darkened, "For the next few days, stay at your brother’s place. Once the Prince Mansion is repaired, move in together. There are no elders for you to serve at the East Mansion, and now that you’re pregnant, just rest at the Prince Mansion."

Displeased with the Gu Mansion already, now Mrs. Gu Sr.’s insistence on bringing women into the mansion had further angered Prince Shou.

Lin Youning saw her father was angry and agreed for now, knowing she’d explain slowly once he calmed down. Besides, she did intend to stay a few days at the Prince Mansion, but not permanently. There was no point arguing now.

Seeing his obedient daughter, Prince Shou felt satisfied, "It’s getting late. You should go rest now. Tomorrow I’ll have someone take you to the palace; your grandfather said he wants to see you."

Lin Youning was surprised. Returning to her room, she hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of the Emperor wanting to see her.