Hailan was also in a panic, rummaging through the dresses brought from the mansion, while also pulling out all the jewelry, discussing with Nanny Wang about which outfit and jewelry to wear into the palace.

Nanny Wang had spent time in the palace. Looking at the items Hailan had picked, she finally pointed to a set of peach blossom jewelry, "The girl is naturally beautiful. Wearing something too ornate would overshadow her looks. This set will do; the simpler, the more elegant."

Hailan obediently took out the set of jewelry and, following Nanny Wang’s guidance, selected a light-colored dress, finally letting out a breath of relief.

Seeing how nervous the girl was, Nanny Wang stepped forward to comfort her, "There’s no need to worry, miss. Once you enter the palace, you can act as you would normally in the mansion. After all, you grew up outside and aren’t trained in those formalities. The Holy Emperor will not be critical of your manners."

Lin Youning felt a bit more assured after hearing Nanny Wang’s words, "I just don’t understand why the Holy Emperor wants to see me? On my first day in the palace, the Holy Emperor didn’t speak to me."

Nanny Wang smiled, "That day, the Holy Emperor had just met the Prince and was busy with the Second Prince’s affairs, naturally not having time to speak with you. Now that there’s time, of course, he wants to meet you. The Crown Prince still has no heirs, and the Second Prince has just married. Only the Prince has both a son and a daughter, so how could the Holy Emperor not be pleased?"

"I was quite worried at first, but now that Nanny has explained it, I feel I might have been too anxious." Lin Youning finally truly relaxed.

Nanny Wang also smiled, "Tomorrow, this maid will accompany the miss into the palace. It’s getting late; miss should rest."

Lin Youning thanked her and had Hailan see Nanny Wang out before she lay down to rest, waiting to enter the palace the following day.

Meanwhile, at the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, since Gu Yifeng returned, he had been staying at Shi’an Garden. Mrs. Gu Sr. was a bit feverish, but after taking medicine, her fever had subsided, though she still felt weak, so Gu Yifeng attended to her by the bedside.

Seeing her son back, with a gloomy face and not saying a word, Gu Yifeng first urged his mother to sleep a bit, but seeing she wouldn’t, he asked for a book from the study to read by her bedside. Even though Mrs. Gu Sr. was angry inside, seeing her son’s actions, her anger gradually subsided.

During dinner, Gu Yifeng personally fed his mother. Only after eating did Mrs. Gu Sr. speak, "Alright, there’s nothing wrong on my end anymore. You don’t have to show filial piety like this. Let’s talk about accepting a concubine for you."

Suyi glanced at them and softly reminded, "Madam, the Marquis has yet to eat."

Mrs. Gu Sr. grumbled, "Eating a bit later won’t harm; you all may leave now."

Suyi didn’t dare speak further and led the maids out.

Gu Yifeng sat by the bed, "Mother, if you have something to say, please go ahead; I’m listening."

"Did you put out word making the noble families in the Capital afraid to let their daughters marry into the Marquis Mansion as concubines?" Mrs. Gu Sr. had thought over the day and assumed someone had circulated rumors. But with age catching up and a sleepless night, she fell ill from anger, "You don’t have to fool me here. I’m not senile. Now, you’ve figuratively slapped me in front of outsiders, which is an act you deem justified for Prince Shou’s side. Let’s discuss the matters in the mansion now: This house cannot be without a mistress; either bring in a new woman or bring Mrs. Dong back. Today, people from the Dong Mansion visited, and among them was the Second Prince’s concubine. They came to mediate. Although the Second Prince is not favored, he’s still a prince. This visit with such status places pressure on you; you do understand the implications, right? The issue is before you; decide for yourself."

Mrs. Gu Sr. finished in one breath, looking at her son, "I’m not trying to force difficulties between you and Sister Ning. Can’t you see that if you followed my advice, and had a woman here, how could the Dong Mansion dare use a concubine of a prince to come exert pressure on us?"

"If so, let’s bring Mrs. Dong back. However, since Mrs. Dong made mistakes, day-to-day matters in the mansion should be managed by Aunt Lv under Mother’s supervision, while Mrs. Dong stays quietly in her courtyard," Gu Yifeng replied without hesitation.

Mrs. Gu Sr. was taken aback, "You’d rather bring Mrs. Dong back than have a woman admitted?"

Gu Yifeng nodded, "Bringing someone new, if the Dong Mansion insists on supporting Mrs. Dong, won’t resolve things. Sister Hui is also of marriageable age; expelling Mrs. Dong now damages their reputations."

Gu Yifeng had his considerations. As for Brother Zong’s matter, he hadn’t forgotten. Simply sending Mrs. Dong away would forever leave Brother Zong’s matter unresolved.

Such matters couldn’t be voiced openly, so Gu Yifeng kept silent.

Mrs. Gu Sr., however, misunderstood. She glared angrily, "That Mrs. Dong is so unruly, she should be divorced outright. I keep her for Sister Hui, Brother Zong. Now, you want to bring her back. Is it that you care so much for Sister Ning, afraid she’d be hurt?"

Gu Yifeng did not deny it, "Even if another woman enters, I won’t engage her; she would just be another idle eater. I’m not hiding this from Mother, so why hurt another’s daughter? Bringing Mrs. Dong back can silence the Dong Mansion. Isn’t this mutually beneficial? Shouldn’t Mother be pleased for my care for Sister Ning? I’ve never cared about anyone all these years, and now Sister Ning is in my heart. Why insist on adding another?"

Mrs. Gu Sr. was at a loss for words, knowing her son’s unhappiness over the years. Staying in the Capital for her, indifferent to romantic matters, never had someone win his heart.

Now, that her son liked Sister Ning rejoiced her.

But... but if uncontrolled, what becomes of the Marquis Mansion? Can it rest solely on her son’s endearment for Sister Ning?

Mrs. Gu Sr. wrestled internally. Yet, seeing her son’s pained gaze, she couldn’t utter a rebuttal, only staring blankly.

Gu Yifeng sighed, "Mother, don’t hurt your son’s heart, or sever your affection for Sister Ning. Do you wish for your son to revert to his past self? Or to live forever without closeness, alone?"