Aunt He had not expected to see her son. She was so excited that she didn’t know what to say and her hands didn’t know where to put them. "Would the Eldest Young Master like to stay for a meal? I will have someone serve tea right away."

Gu Chaoxuan stopped her, "No need to fuss, Aunt. Grandmother called me back, and I came here to see you since it was on the way. I’ll just sit for a while before leaving."

Aunt He couldn’t help but feel disappointed, but she quickly forced a smile. "The Eldest Young Master must have been summoned by the Old Madam for something important. I always knew you were remarkable, and it’s only a matter of time before you rise to prominence. It’s been years since you got married; I wonder if there’s been any movement in the Eldest Young Madam’s belly?"

Gu Chaoxuan didn’t like this side of Aunt He before him and replied indifferently, "There’s been no pregnancy. Her own belly is failing, but she won’t let concubines conceive. Last time, a concubine was pregnant, about to give birth, she made someone report it to Father, and he forcibly sold her off. The child in the belly was not kept. I don’t know how the Lin Family raised such a daughter."

Aunt He was heartbroken upon hearing this, "This situation may be irregular, but a life is at stake. Why didn’t the Eldest Young Master plead to the Marquis?"

"Can I choose to plead with Father as I wish?"

Aunt He understood this reasoning. She pondered for a moment, "I have an idea. Eldest Young Master may listen. If you encounter such matters in the future, you could just keep the person outside, so Lin wouldn’t find out. Then whether you want to have more children, you could easily do so. As for Lin, her belly failing should not worry the Eldest Young Master—wait until she ages and deal with her later."

Gu Chaoxuan’s eyes flickered, clearly taking this suggestion to heart, though he didn’t express it on his face, "Is Aunt faring well in the Mansion? You seem to have lost weight."

When Aunt He heard her son expressing concern for her, she was thrilled and her eyes reddened too. "Ever since the Eldest Young Master was assigned to the Jiangxi Camp, I’ve been thinking of ways to assist you every day. Fortunately, Heaven didn’t abandon the resolute; Princess Yuanhua has helped, bringing you back to the Capital. Thus, the Eldest Young Master must not forget Zhou Mansion’s kindness. Although I’m confined here now, seeing you safe is enough."

Gu Chaoxuan lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, then said, "I have been a burden to Aunt. Rest assured, I will definitely honor you in the future." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"No need for such words, Eldest Young Master. It is my duty to care for you, though I regret that such talent as yours is from my womb. If only you came from Madam’s womb, you wouldn’t have been treated so badly."

As Aunt He spoke, she merely wished to become closer to her son, but these were words Gu Chaoxuan disliked most. He didn’t like to recall his lineage, especially coming from the womb of an aunt.

He stood up, "I’ve stayed here long enough. I’ll leave now, to avoid Father having opinions should he learn of this."

"The Marquis seldom returns to the Marquis Mansion; he resides at the East Mansion." Aunt He wanted him to stay longer, but seeing him heading out, she only followed him.

Only when he was out of sight did Aunt He return.

Upon hearing "East Mansion," Gu Chaoxuan felt absent-minded. He once liked Lin Youning, but after she shattered the matter, he landed in such a situation, otherwise he would have continued as the revered Eldest Son of the Marquis Mansion.

Now, Father married Lin Youning and stays there daily; Gu Chaoxuan feels an unspeakable mix of emotions, wondering if he were superior, would Lin Youning still disdain him?

Mrs. Gu Sr.’s actions naturally reached Gu Yifeng’s ears. He mentioned nothing and visited his mother’s residence, reassured her health had recovered, then instructed someone to handle Mrs. Dong’s arrival."

Mrs. Gu Sr. had Brother Zong brought over, telling her son, "Since this child was born, you’ve seldom seen him. You are father and son—even if you dislike Mrs. Dong, you shouldn’t dislike your own child."

Gu Yifeng merely cast a glance, stood up, "Today, Prince Shou is moving the residence, so I must go. In a few days, Sister Ning will return to the East Mansion, and after Mrs. Dong arrives, Mother shall settle them."

Mrs. Gu Sr. frowned, but upon hearing Sister Ning is returning, she said nothing further. Though the previous incident left her discontented, she had watched Sister Ning grow, having not seen her for over half a month, and wondered how much her belly had grown.

After Gu Yifeng exited, Li Si approached him, "Master, Second Young Master is with the Eldest Young Master."

Gu Yifeng nodded, and Li Si continued, "Since the last meeting with the Marquis, though the Eldest Young Master has restrained himself, he has become more active with noble families in the Capital, particularly having visited the Second Prince."

Gu Yifeng was walking out but paused momentarily before proceeding, "Keep watch on them, and spread the word that whatever the ones separated from the Marquis Mansion do, it has nothing to do with us."

Li Si acknowledged.

Meanwhile, Gu Er met privately with Gu Chaoxuan, looking at him with no trace of a smile, "You said your grandmother wishes for you to help me and your father repair relations?"

"That is precisely the intention. Grandmother is very concerned for Second Uncle and specifically called me to the mansion to instruct me." Gu Chaoxuan replied with a smile, "Being his son, let me speak candidly: Second Uncle must calm Grandmother’s worries. Since the mistake was originally Second Uncle’s, if you continue the same temper you had when coaxing Grandmother, she will naturally be concerned and won’t let her anger dissipate."

Gu Er recognized this nephew’s underlying meaning, squinting slightly as Gu Chaoxuan continued, "The Marquis Mansion is close with Prince Shou and the Crown Prince. As a member of the Marquis Mansion, why would Second Uncle push away such great fortune? It would be foolish. It’s just a matter of lowering your head, and Second Uncle surely understands."

Gu Er laughed, "I couldn’t tell, but you haven’t wasted these years in the officialdom; you see things clearly. You’re right—I’ve been mistaken."