rslcontracting Chapter 518 - 510: Interrogation
Chapter 518 - 510: Interrogation
Lin Youning merely smiled faintly, knowing that Hailan wouldn’t understand her thoughts. In Hailan’s perspective, it’s normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines, and Lin Youning understood this too.
However, her situation with Brother Xuan was somewhat different. Brother Xuan and Mrs. Dong had been married for many years. Although Brother Xuan later chose her, Lin Youning always felt like she had taken Mrs. Dong’s husband.
Even though she now knew that Brother Zong, born by Mrs. Dong, was not Brother Xuan’s child, Lin Youning felt she shouldn’t feel guilty anymore. But deep down, she kept telling herself that Mrs. Dong acted the way she did because of her intrusion.
Seeing her own lady remaining silent, Hailan didn’t speak further either.
Over at the Marquis Mansion, Gu Yifeng didn’t wait long before Mr. Lin and Gu Chaoxuan arrived at the mansion.
Gu Yifeng was waiting for them in the study. Mr. Lin’s face didn’t look good, and throughout the journey to the Gu Mansion, he hadn’t spoken a word to Gu Chaoxuan. Normally, the two should have the relationship of a father-in-law and son-in-law, but to outsiders, they seemed like enemies.
When Mr. Lin entered, his few mustaches by his mouth were dusted with frost, indicating he must have walked there. His clothes were somewhat disheveled.
After exchanging formalities and sitting down, the servants served tea. Li Si led the servants out, leaving no outsiders in the study. Only then did Gu Yifeng speak, "The reason I called you two here today, as you might already know, Madam Lin has learned about it. Brother Xuan, kneel down."
Gu Chaoxuan, who was just about to sit down, dared not do so after Gu Yifeng’s words. He dared not show any dissatisfaction on his face. Gu Yifeng looked at the kneeling figure on the ground, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. Even with just a faint gaze, one could feel an indescribable pressure.
Gu Yifeng wasn’t in a hurry to speak, just faintly observing the other, while Mr. Lin sat quietly watching. While Gu Yifeng’s gaze carried pressure, Mr. Lin’s gaze was filled with hatred.
In Mr. Lin’s heart, even though Lin Youning’s identity was public, she still remained his daughter.
Gu Jinxuan married his youngest daughter, and his remarks involved the eldest daughter, dragging both daughters into this mess. How could he not feel hate?
Kneeling below, Gu Chaoxuan felt extremely anxious. After sobering up, it was as if the sky had fallen for him, fully aware of the consequences awaiting him.
Kneeling there, it’s true his mind was blank, yet he knew fear.
"Why aren’t you speaking? Tell me, what do you think about this matter?" Gu Yifeng spoke again, questioning the kneeling Gu Chaoxuan before turning to Mr. Lin, "Mr. Lin, how do you wish to resolve this matter? Madam Lin came over during the day, suggesting a divorce. I agree with this notion. Given such conduct, he is truly unworthy of being with your daughter, but this matter ultimately depends on Mr. Lin’s thoughts."
Gu Yifeng showed a degree of respect towards Mr. Lin. Compared to Lady Lin, Mr. Lin had, from the very beginning to the end, conducted himself admirably, one of the reasons Gu Yifeng respected him.
Mr. Lin noticed this, feeling both gratitude and distress, ashamed to face him. Being questioned now, he spoke, "Let’s do as the Marquis suggests, proceed with the divorce. It’s better for both sides given the situation."
Better to part ways now than to become enemies in the future, avoiding further conflict.
Lady Lin had exhausted herself over this marriage, feeling these past few years were more tiring than his entire life. Despite the constant maneuvering in official circles, he found no peace upon returning home. How could he not feel exhausted?
Additionally, he was aware of his younger daughter’s temperament, which even ordinary families might find intolerable, let alone being the illegitimate son from the Marquis Mansion.
Gu Yifeng knew Mr. Lin was a wise man, which is why he called him to the mansion. Seeing Mr. Lin agree, Gu Yifeng nodded, "The Marquis Mansion will definitely provide an explanation to the Lin Mansion regarding this matter."
Mr. Lin hastily stood, declining politely. Gu Yifeng also stood, shamefully admitting his fault, "It’s my failure as a father for not disciplining my son properly, please forgive me, Mr. Lin."
Mr. Lin too felt deeply ashamed, "Since the matter is thus settled, I shall take my leave first."
He felt too embarrassed to stay any longer.
Gu Yifeng called Li Si back in, arranging for a carriage to return Mr. Lin to his mansion, which he didn’t decline. He had walked there out of agitation, although his wife had not mentioned anything upon returning during the day, her expression showed nothing good had transpired.
Mr. Lin was too weary to inquire, knowing it would bring no good.
He hadn’t expected it to come to divorce.
Fine, divorce then. It will bring peace thereafter.
With Mr. Lin’s departure, Gu Chaoxuan continued kneeling, while Gu Yifeng leaned back in the grandmaster chair, propping his chin with a hand, saying nothing as Gu Chaoxuan’s forehead started to sweat.
In recent years, he had lived freely outside, never kneeling like this. People usually tread carefully around him, but because of this, Gu Chaoxuan could barely endure kneeling for a short while.
Gu Yifeng glanced at his subtly moving legs, speaking coldly, "You’ve truly grown bold, enjoying yourself under the Marquis Mansion’s name while tarnishing its reputation. There is no such thing in this world. Tell me today, how do you plan to address this matter?"
"I know my fault," Gu Chaoxuan pressed his forehead to the ground.
Gu Yifeng shook his head, "You don’t truly understand where you went wrong. Even after three inquiries on how to handle this matter, you’ve yet to provide a satisfactory answer. It appears you’re reluctant to relinquish your status as an illegitimate son of the Marquis Mansion. Given this, return to the Jiangxi Camp and refine yourself there. You enjoy that mistress of yours, do you not? Take her with you."
Gu Chaoxuan walked out of the hall, his face as white as paper, as if his soul had been extracted. He was unaware of how he left the Marquis Mansion.
Gu Chaoxuan looked blankly at the dark, deserted street, and suddenly laughed hysterically, feeling that his hard pursuits had ultimately led to such an end.
The next day, rumors spread throughout the city that the eldest son of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was being transferred back to the Jiangxi Camp, leaving with a divorce.
The news led to speculation that it might be related to the recent fight between Dingyuan Marquis’s eldest son and the eldest son of the Xu Mansion, speculating whether the rumors were indeed true and not mere gossip.
When Prince Shou arrived, his expression was unpleasant, looking at Gu Yifeng as if he wanted to devour him. Seeing her father like this, Lin Youning was even less inclined to give them time alone, pretending not to understand Brother Xuan’s excuses for her to leave, stubbornly remaining seated.