Sister Yue looked at the anger on her mother’s face, feeling a faint worry inside, not daring to step forward immediately. Mrs. Kong, however, after seeing her daughter, calmed her emotions and stopped her steps.

After seeing this, Sister Yue walked up, "Mother." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Her gaze fell on the old nanny supporting Mrs. Kong on either side. Sister Yue frowned slightly. Mrs. Kong seemed to notice her daughter observing her and felt a little embarrassed, asking the nanny to step back, only then did she walk over and take her daughter’s hand.

"These days I’ve been unable to leave the mansion, so I haven’t come to see you. How are things over there? Has Brother De visited you? Now it’s just the two of you siblings who are the closest; you must take care of each other. I came in a hurry today, there are still things to attend to at the mansion, so I won’t say much more." Mrs. Kong nodded to her daughter and turned to leave.

Sister Yue, however, did not let go of her hand, "Is Mother leaving just like that?"

"Sister Yue, if there’s anything, just have someone send a letter to the mansion, you’re a big girl now." Mrs. Kong reluctantly withdrew her hand, nodded to her daughter, and left.

Sister Yue watched as they left until the carriage went far away before lowering her head. Princess Yuanhua no longer had Her Highness and the Zhou Mansion’s care, yet Father still favored her side, making it seem like they weren’t his biological children.

After returning to the mansion, Sister Yue heard from a young maid that something happened at the Marquis Mansion. Upon hearing this, her face changed, "Is what you said true?"

The young maid was frightened by the girl’s shouting and nodded repeatedly, "How could I dare lie about such a thing? The entire Marquis Mansion is in an uproar. The Imperial Physician just arrived, and it’s still unclear how the old madam is doing."

Sister Yue stood up and paced back and forth in the room, then suddenly thought of something and walked out in big strides, the young maid hurried to follow.

Upon arriving at Shi’an Garden, the entire courtyard was silent without a sound. Sister Yue hesitated for a moment, then saw Sister Hui and Sister Ran standing inside through the flower hall door, and only then did she enter.

Sister Hui merely nodded when she saw her enter. Sister Ran didn’t even greet her at all. In the past, Sister Yue would use her legitimate status to suppress them, but now that she couldn’t oppress Sister Yue anymore, Sister Ran naturally ignored her.

From inside, Gu Er’s scolding could still be heard from time to time, but it was finally quieted by Gu Yifeng’s voice. Shortly after, the Imperial Physician left, and Gu Yifeng and the others came out with heavy expressions. Instinctively, Sister Yue hid in a corner.

"It’s all because of that vicious woman. If not for her, how could Mother be bedridden now? How could she have a stroke?" Gu Er couldn’t help but curse again.

Gu Yifeng looked over with cold eyes, "Don’t think that blaming others will absolve you. I may not have been there, but there are others in this house who know what happened. Second Brother, I’ve stayed out of your business all these years, and you know why. Now, if you want to make amends with Mother, I won’t stop you. But don’t bring any more nonsense to this mansion, or don’t blame me for disregarding familial ties."

Gu Er paused in his voice and then sneered, "Familial ties? Have you ever cared about familial ties? You’re now accusing me, and don’t say you didn’t do anything to me behind the scenes. Gu Yifeng, don’t think that just because you now have a good father-in-law, I’ll be afraid of you. You know very well what your current arrogance stems from. And now that Sister Ning is here, why not let her speak?"

Sister Ning supported her waist, leaning against Gu Yifeng’s side. After hearing Gu Er’s words, she looked up at him, "Second Master, we’re talking about Aunt’s affairs right now. Why drag up the past? I’ve never wronged you as Lin Youning, whether in the past or now. Unless in your eyes, marrying someone like you is right? Then I must be ignorant."

"You’re right; you two liked each other secretly, so why marry me? But don’t forget, we were betrothed. How did you handle it?" Gu Er’s face twisted viciously, looking as if he wanted to devour someone.

Lin Youning had long experienced this side of him and wasn’t afraid. However, Gu Yifeng was concerned Sister Ning might be scared, so he immediately held her in his arms, "Even if you were engaged to Ning, or even about to marry her, you weren’t suitable, my mother, and I wouldn’t agree to Ning marrying you. Look at how you’ve led your life, and now you still have the face to blame others. Why is Mother bedridden? Isn’t it because of you? She hasn’t woken up yet; you better show some filial piety at her bedside. Be grateful she’s alive, or you wouldn’t need to stay."

After he finished speaking, he didn’t want to say anything more, holding Sister Ning as they walked out. Lin Youning, worried her big brother might be concerned for herself, quietly explained, "I’m fine."

Gu Yifeng remained silent, leading her all the way out of Shi’an Garden. He then instructed Li Si by his side, "Keep an eye on this courtyard, and send a message to the East Courtyard as soon as the old madam wakes."

Only when they reached the East Courtyard did Gu Yifeng slow his steps, "He’s just muddled in the head, with unpleasant words. Don’t take it to heart. Avoid him in the future to prevent unnecessary trouble."

Lin Youning couldn’t help but laugh, "It’s my first time seeing big brother angry."

Gu Yifeng’s expression froze for a moment, then he smiled, "You mean it’s the first time I’m scolding someone like this?"

Lin Youning didn’t say much, just smiling slightly. Gu Yifeng, seeing her reaction, couldn’t stay angry—he just shook his head at her, looking helpless.

Lin Youning kept her smile until they reached the backyard, then stopped, waiting for Hailan and the others to leave before speaking softly, "He’s resentful, so he keeps saying those things. We didn’t do anything like that, so why get mad at ourselves? Big brother, you should do the same in the future; whatever he says, don’t take it to heart. I know you’re standing up for me, but I don’t care. At least I’m living well now; what’s the use of him creating a fuss?"

Gu Yifeng held her in his arms, "You’re always so understanding. It’s precisely because you’re so good that I don’t want you to be tainted. Even if it’s not true, it still won’t do. Rest assured, everything’s fine now. Your belly is also growing; in the future, you’ll have to spend more time in Shi’an Garden."

"I’m just afraid Aunt can’t think it through. She’s such a strong person, and suddenly being like this, how could she feel at ease?" Lin Youning sighed.