rslcontracting Chapter 520 - 512: Inner Voice
Chapter 520 - 512: Inner Voice
Lin Youning just smiled without speaking, but seeing her sister-in-law’s spirits lifted, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As the New Year approached day by day, Mrs. Gu Sr. suffered a stroke. Originally, they had planned to go to Prince Shou Mansion for the celebration. After considering the situation, Lin Youning decided against going.
If they went when Aunt was well, outsiders wouldn’t have much to say. But since Aunt had a stroke now, and Mrs. Dong was being confined, if she took her older brother to Prince Shou Mansion, how would people talk about the Prince Shou Mansion?
Lin Youning knew her older brother had already done a lot for her and didn’t want to trouble him further, so she proposed not going to Prince Shou Mansion for the New Year.
Gu Yifeng was originally reading. Hearing this, he put down his book and gestured to her with his hand. Lin Youning didn’t move, "I’m heavily pregnant now, it’s not convenient for big brother to hold me."
In her heart, she felt she had gained weight recently and didn’t want big brother to notice, thinking it was unsightly. She didn’t want him to see her like this.
Gu Yifeng’s eyes moved slightly, immediately understanding the meaning behind her words. His thin lips curved slightly, "Alright, we’ll go with your decision."
Lin Youning couldn’t help but feel a bit lost and said, "Aunt has had a stroke now, and I don’t want to leave her alone. Usually, we can visit Prince Shou Mansion occasionally. I think we should not go back. I’m about to give birth soon, and if something happens there, it will be troublesome."
Gu Yifeng nodded, "Alright, you do as you think best. It’s up to you."
Lin Youning thought her brother had nothing more to say, but then he continued, "You don’t need to worry about what outsiders think. I don’t care about others’ opinions. But you should prioritize the impending childbirth. The midwife is prepared, and the doctor has checked your sister-in-law, advising to adjust with medication. She should try to think openly about the issue."
Lin Youning forgot her disappointment for a moment, "Did the doctor say it’s not possible? There’s really no way?"
"The doctor said it’s likely hereditary. It’s fortunate to have one daughter. This is something you should discuss with your brother. As long as he understands, everything else is manageable."
Lin Youning understood, "I know what to do about this. I’ll talk to my brother."
Gu Yifeng stood up, walked over, bent down, and easily picked her up, making Lin Youning’s face heat up, "Why is big brother carrying me again?"
But her heart felt sweet.
Gu Yifeng looked at her face that showed all her thoughts openly, with his lips slightly curved, "Who else should I carry if not you? Or do you want me to hold someone else?"
Lin Youning knew he was teasing her, pouting, "Sure, if big brother wants to hold someone, I won’t stop you."
Gu Yifeng carried her to the bedside, "After the delivery, we’ll rest for a month, and then things will be easier."
His words were ambiguous, and Lin Youning’s face turned bright red.
Ever since her belly grew, the couple hadn’t been intimate. Every night, as big brother held her, she could feel his restraint but was too shy to mention it. Despite having lived two lives, Lin Youning still felt embarrassed about such matters.
Outside, the sky had turned dark. Lin Youning, now heavy and pregnant, mostly lay down, but it was nearing her due date and she needed to move more, though she found it difficult.
Gu Yifeng watched her fall into a deep sleep on the bed, his smile fading, waiting until she was sound asleep to quietly rise and instruct Hailan to take good care of her before leaving the East Mansion.
In the Yingshui Courtyard of the Marquis Mansion, Mrs. Dong, pale-faced, turned her head towards the window upon seeing someone enter. Aside from a dim lamp inside, there was little light, the outside a pitch-black, visible as nothing.
After Gu Yifeng entered, he sat down on the armchair far from Mrs. Dong, "You want to see Sister Ning? What do you want to say or do? Just tell me directly."
Mrs. Dong finally reacted, bringing her gaze back to the dark figure of Gu Yifeng. Sitting in the shadows, his expression was unclear, yet Mrs. Dong didn’t need to see it to know he wasn’t looking kindly at her.
After years of marriage, the expression Gu Yifeng had with Sister Ning was never one he had with her. Left alone now, Mrs. Dong often recalled their early marriage days, questioning why she pushed this man away.
"You know everything, don’t you? What do you plan to do? How do you intend to deal with the Dong Mansion?" Mrs. Dong started speaking.
After the Daoist was sent to the courtyard, Mrs. Dong knew everything was over and had been exposed. She was waiting for her fate. Yet, despite being tormented by waiting, she chose to meet Lin Youning.
Mrs. Dong found it laughable that when she needed someone, she thought of Lin Youning, knowing that asking Lin Youning would provide an answer.
But instead of Lin Youning, it was Gu Yifeng who came.
Gu Yifeng remained silent, but Mrs. Dong felt suffocated, "Aren’t you going to speak? Whether you kill or punish me, just say it. Does keeping someone in fear make you happy? Gu Yifeng, I’m speaking honestly. Yes, Brother Zong is not your child, but after all these years together, I’ve never become pregnant. The problem isn’t with me; you rarely came to my courtyard, only twice a month. How could I conceive a son? Then your affections shifted to Sister Ning, and even the Marquis Mansion saw less of you. If I didn’t try something, wouldn’t this entire Marquis Mansion become Sister Ning’s one day? If I acted, it’s your fault, so if you want to hate, hate yourself, not me."
"I know you brought the Daoist to scare me. Go ahead, scare me; I’m not afraid. Since you know, at worst, it’s just death. What else can it be? Gu Yifeng, when I found out you knew, I felt relieved. I felt I finally got my revenge on you, and even if I die, it’s worth it." Finishing these words, Mrs. Dong couldn’t help laughing, "It’s good you came today so I can tell you all this. I had thought of revealing it when Brother Zong inherited the Marquis title, waiting until the day you died to tell you. But it’s been exposed now, though it doesn’t matter now."