Mrs. Gu Sr. remained silent but did not look at her son, only turning her gaze elsewhere.

Having lived to this age, what could she not know, and what could she not understand?

However, just letting go and lowering her head like this was truly difficult.

In all her life, to whom had Mrs. Gu Sr. ever lowered her head? Didn’t she push through when all the men in the mansion were gone, under the watchful eyes of outsiders?

Now, she only wanted to bring a concubine into the mansion for her son, yet it proved to be so difficult. Mrs. Gu Sr. took a deep breath, "Fine, you don’t want to bring her into the mansion, then I will grant your wish. But there is one thing I must clarify. Was it you who spread the word outside that no women should enter our Marquis Mansion? Just tell me the truth, don’t hold anyone else accountable. I could trace it back slowly, it’s not impossible to find out, but I don’t wish to waste the effort now, so just speak freely and do not deceive me."

Seeing his mother take a step back, Gu Yifeng finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Mother, you don’t need to trace this. Just think about it and you can guess it’s Prince Shou’s doing. You haven’t seen Prince Shou yet; he cares a lot about Sister Ning. Knowing that Sister Ning married beneath her status, he was very displeased. Now you widely announce to take in a concubine for me, how could Prince Shou not have thoughts? Prince Shou’s actions can be understood, too."

"Hmph, I suspected it was him. Among those who dare to challenge the Marquis Mansion, he is the only one." Mrs. Gu Sr. expressed her dissatisfaction, "If he were truly a good father, why would he have abandoned his children back then? Now he wishes to return as a good father, but unfortunately, it’s too late. Sister Ning married beneath her status, so what? She’s still from the main branch of our Gu Family, not a regular family. What’s there to feel wronged about?"

"At that time, Sister Ning didn’t feel wronged, but isn’t her identity changed now? She’s a Commandery Princess now." Gu Yifeng chuckled, "Now things have been spoken openly, you needn’t keep it in your heart. Sister Ning is in a difficult situation as well, she’s expecting a child. Upon hearing that you are ill, she wanted to come see you but feared she might displease you, so she didn’t dare to come."

"If she were genuinely concerned for me, would she have returned there?" Mrs. Gu Sr. was not pleased by her son’s words, "Alright, let’s leave it at this, we’ll discuss it tomorrow, I’m tired now."

Gu Yifeng agreed, and stood up, "Then I shall take my leave for now."

"Come over tomorrow morning, we still need to discuss the matter regarding Mrs. Dong." Mrs. Gu Sr. reminded her son as he was leaving.

Gu Yifeng acknowledged, but understood his mother was worried he might not come tomorrow after leaving tonight, intending to keep him in the mansion.

However, he didn’t point it out, knowing his mother was angry now, and he must comply with her in all matters at present, as she had made concessions regarding this matter.

Gu Yifeng left, while Mrs. Gu Sr. couldn’t sleep, calling Nanny Chi in to speak, "This was Prince Shou’s doing, and the eldest has already admitted it. I watched the matter closely here, but Prince Shou made secret moves over there, isn’t it letting people all over the Capital laugh at me now?"

This matter being done by the father of Sister Daining, whom she cared for dearly, how could Mrs. Gu Sr. not feel upset? The more she thought about it, the more troubled she became.

"The maid knows it’s uncomfortable for Madam inside, now that things have become this way, Madam should think positively." Nanny Chi said soothingly.

She understood Madam felt humiliated.

"If Prince Shou disagreed, he could send someone to talk to me in person, but instead he spread the word throughout the Capital, isn’t this like slapping our Marquis Mansion in front of everyone?" Mrs. Gu Sr. thought angrily.

Nanny Chi could only agree, "Indeed, that’s the reason, but given he’s a Prince, with the Marquis advising Madam, there’s no choice but to let it go. Luckily, the girl still remembers Madam fondly, so Madam’s affection wasn’t in vain."

Privately, she thought it couldn’t be blamed on others, since they advised Madam repeatedly, but Madam wouldn’t listen. If she had, how could Prince Shou slap her in public, when she’d already sent someone to Vice Minister Mansion to set the date? Prince Shou had to speak up, otherwise Madam might have succeeded.

They had seen it clearly while serving Madam, though they were mere servants who also tried to advise, yet Madam proceeded willfully, not listening at all.

Nanny Chi stood up, adjusting the quilt tighter on Madam, "It’s late, Madam should rest. It happened, pondering it now only causes distress."

"Let it be, let it be, overthinking now is fruitless." Mrs. Gu Sr. finally lay down.

After Gu Yifeng had dinner in the front yard, he called Li Si, "Have there been any movements at Mrs. Dong’s estate recently?"

"The sent ones watched closely, with someone from Dong Mansion checking once, but nothing else happened." Li Si replied, as he continued, "The estate of Uncle sent a letter, stating that tomorrow the Prince will take Madam to the palace, allowing the Marquis to attend to his matters."

Gu Yifeng nodded, "And how about the Second Young Master?"

For days, Gu Yifeng had someone monitor the second branch, considering how Sister Ning’s status changed. With the nature of the Second Young Master, he might be greatly dissatisfied, which Gu Yifeng could not overlook.

Li Si shook his head, "The Second Young Master and Princess Yuanhua are outside, never returning to the Capital, unsure where they’re enjoying themselves."

Li Si hesitated for a moment, "Recently, officials in the Capital have been closely associating with the Eldest Young Master, continuously sending gifts to his estate."

Gu Yifeng attempted to rise, only to freeze in place, raising his head, "Visit him tomorrow, tell him if he uses the Marquis Mansion’s name to profit outside, I certainly won’t let him off."

Understanding Li Si’s comment, Gu Yifeng grasped the reason why.

With the return of Prince Shou, the Eldest Prince became the Second Prince, unable to inherit the throne. Those seeking to shift allegiance but obstructed from the Crown Prince’s mansion had no choice but to view Gu Chaoxuan as their option, being the illegitimate son of the Marquis Mansion.

Li Si agreed, though inwardly worried, recalling from the Hidden Guard that the Eldest Young Master was very prosperous now, flaunting the Marquis Mansion’s name, otherwise how could the Second Prince lose power while the Eldest Young Master thrives?

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Gu Yifeng headed to Shi’an Garden. Mrs. Gu Sr., though asleep late, was already awake but lacked energy, "With Mrs. Dong returning to the mansion, the Second Prince certainly seeks ties with the mansion. Have you considered how to handle it?"