Mrs. Gu Sr. listened to Nanny Chi’s words, but she didn’t smile or say much; she just nodded. Not long after, Lin Youning and Gu Yifeng came in.

After sitting down with a greeting, Lin Youning admitted her mistake, "My father recently met with me, saying he often misses me, so he brought me back to stay for some time. Aunt, please don’t mind."

Everyone understood in their hearts that it wasn’t Prince Shou who missed her, but rather wanted to play against Mrs. Gu Sr. Mrs. Gu Sr. was planning to raise a concubine for her son in the mansion, and now that Prince Shou had returned, he naturally wanted to stand up for his daughter.

However, after Lin Youning returned, she found another excuse but admitted her mistake here. This was considered lowering her head first, and only then did Mrs. Gu Sr.’s tense face finally relax. Her eyes glanced over Lin Youning’s belly, seeing it was bigger, and she was quite pleased.

But thinking about the lost face, she still held back from showing a smile, "It’s reasonable for your father to miss you. I can’t fault that. However, your East Mansion doesn’t have elders overseeing it, so there are certain rules you need to uphold. I’m old, and I don’t have the energy to always manage affairs on that side. After all, you all have your own minds, even if I wanted to manage, I’m afraid I couldn’t."

Lin Youning realized that Aunt was angry at her, admitting her fault immediately, "Aunt, what you said is true. If you don’t have the authority to speak in these two mansions, who else would? We juniors, and I was raised under your care, will surely listen to whatever you say."

Nanny Chi also smiled from the side, "Madam, look at how considerate the girl is. She’s always thinking of you."

Gu Yifeng felt it was enough as well. Although Sister Ning wasn’t at fault, she was willing to lower her head now, and his mother should let it go and not make things difficult anymore.

"What the nanny said is true. Sister Ning has been out these days and has always been thinking about mother."

Seeing both the nanny and her son speaking up, Mrs. Gu Sr. finally relented, "You also know you were brought up by me, your Aunt. How could I truly be angry with you? It’s all in the past now. Just like your second brother, who once opposed me, now knows he was wrong. I’m getting older, won’t live many years, and don’t want to be mad at you juniors anymore."

"Thank you, Aunt, for your love." Lin Youning also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that this hurdle was finally passed.

Mrs. Gu Sr. then asked about the child in her belly, "Is it well-behaved on normal days? You should move more. Even though the months are progressing, the more you should move. It will help during delivery. Those commoner women are still working until the last moment before giving birth, and precisely because of this, they give birth smoothly. You were frail as a child, and there have been issues since conceiving this time. You should be careful."

"Aunt, rest assured, there are a few nannies watching over me. They encourage me to move more. Now, I walk for an hour every morning and afternoon." Lin Youning relaxed and chatted more with her aunt.

Still, it was not as close as before. After sitting and talking next to her for a while, Mrs. Gu Sr. asked her to leave, "You’ve been busy all morning, go and rest. You’re carrying two now."

Lin Youning was indeed tired and naturally didn’t stand on ceremony with her aunt.

When they returned to the East Mansion, Gu Yifeng said, "Just as we were leaving, a message from mother came saying that after I send you back, I should go over. She wants to talk to me. You rest first. I’ll go see what mother wants to discuss."

Lin Youning nodded with a smile, feeling even more relieved. Aunt did not make Big Brother stay in front of her, which showed she still cared for her face. Although there was the unpleasant incident, restoring the past relationship would take time.

After settling Sister Ning, Gu Yifeng returned to the Marquis Mansion. From the moment he left the East Mansion, his brows were furrowed. Although he hadn’t spoken to his mother in detail, he knew what she wanted to discuss with him.

Upon arriving at Shi’an Garden, it was exactly as he thought; it was about Gu Er.

"For the past half month, he’s been coming carefully to admit his mistakes, saying he knows he was wrong. After all, he’s your brother, and the Gu Family has only you two brothers. Since the matter is past, let’s let it go and not mention it again. He’s realized his mistake, and you two should support each other in the future." Mrs. Gu Sr. spoke, her eyes fixed on her son. "I know you don’t favor your brother, but ingrained habits are not easy to change. He’s been through hardships, learned his lessons, and should realize his mistakes by now. He won’t act recklessly in the future."

"I understand and will remember your words, Mother. But there are things Gu Er did outside that you aren’t aware of. If he is sincere, I won’t ignore family ties. But if he harbors ulterior motives and strays, I won’t tolerate it." Gu Yifeng spoke clearly without being direct.

If Gu Er chooses the right path, he would consider family ties and be supportive. But if he does wrong, he won’t extend support.

Mrs. Gu Sr. wasn’t satisfied with his response, "You are brothers. He was spoiled, but his heart isn’t bad. If family can’t tolerate each other, how can you rely on outsiders? My dear, even though I don’t have to worry about you, I’m unsettled about your brother. I’ve already stepped back with Youning. Can’t you do the same for your brother?"

"Mother, you know I’m not someone who disregards family." Gu Yifeng frowned, "Now that Second Brother is involved with Princess Yuanhua, who is the Second Prince’s sister, you’re aware of their connections. The Second Prince is currently unstable, constantly occupied with other matters. I fear Second Brother might be used, which could lead to significant trouble."

Mrs. Gu Sr. gazed at her son silently. She understood, but did this mean the eldest wouldn’t care about his younger brother?

"Rest assured, mother, if Second Brother behaves, I will support him." Gu Yifeng assured once again.