C349: Shen Rushu’s Provocation

Yu Gu swept over his face, bit her teeth heavily, and said, “I'm not!”

After speaking, she turned around and walked away in a hurry.

Zhao Hui thought about chasing after her without thinking. Gu Ying gathered her frowning brows and called out to stop him,

"Father, Lady Cheng is still waiting for you to deal with her."

Zhao Hui stopped his footsteps, he had no choice but to stop irritably first and let someone seal Lady Cheng's mouth and drag her onto the carriage.

Lady Cheng was tied up with her feet, her eyes flushed red, panicked and stared at Gu Ying standing outside the carriage.

Gu Ying tilted her head and showed a smug smile of a winner.

Lady Cheng's eyes narrowed, and her tied hands hit the carriage heavily.

If she still didn't understand what was going on now, she would be too stupid.

What happened tonight was clearly designed by Gu Ying for her and Yuan Xing!

But Madam Lin's matter caught her off guard.

Lady Cheng was ups and downs in her heart, shrunk in the carriage, her eyes full of confusion and loss. She never thought that Lin Yushan could still survive after jumping off such a high cliff... At that time, she tried her best to find a way into the Duke's Residence. As the wife of the Duke, Zhao Hui was not without any feelings for her...

It was later that Madam Lin committed suicide by jumping off the cliff. Without the lady of the house, she happened to be pregnant with Zhao Hui's child and was promoted to wife.

Moreover, when Madam Lin was poisoned at the beginning and her mental state deteriorated day by day, letting her commit suicide by jumping off the cliff was planned long ago between her and Zhao Rou. But she couldn't help being jealous of her naturally beautiful face, and cut her face with a hairpin before pushing her down.

After so many years, not only did she occupy her position, but also bullied her son...

Madam Lin must have come back for revenge...

She would never let her go...

Thinking of these, Lady Cheng's heart kept panicking, and she felt dizzy and the sky collapsed.

Zhao Hui had no mood to deal with Lady Cheng at all. He asked people to take Lady Cheng back to the Duke's Residence first. His whole person seemed to have lost his soul, walked dumbly towards Yu Gu's yard.

"Ah Fei..."

He raised his hand and landed heavily on the dark wooden door, and knocked gently on the door. No one in the yard responded.

Seeing the carriage leaving with Lady Cheng, Gu Ying turned back and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Looking at the closed yard, for some reason, her mood was a little complicated. She wanted to comfort Zhao Hui but didn't know what to say.

However, since Madam Lin was still alive, it must be a godsend. The young lord would definitely be very happy when he knew it...

...

Overnight, at the dawn.

The soft spring light shone in through the window lattices, but the Zhao ancestral hall was cold and gloomy.

Lady Cheng was completely defeated in this battle. Her whole person was like a defeated hen, embarrassed and decadent, kneeling in front of the ancestors of the Zhao family.

Zhao Hui stayed at the yard all night without getting Yu Gu's response. When he returned to the Duke Mansion, he first dealt with Lady Cheng.

An unchaste woman used someone else's blood and flesh to deceive him for more than ten years. How could he tolerate it!

The Duke's Residence couldn't lose face. He couldn't tolerate Lady Cheng's deception, let alone her presumptuously confusing the Zhao family's bloodline and committing adultery with other men. Which man could tolerate such humiliation?

In addition, Gu Ying sent Nanny Sun to him, revealing the truth about Madam Lin's harm at the time.

After Zhao Hui listened, he was furious. Thinking that he had condoned Lady Cheng to harm Madam Lin, he hated that he couldn't kill that stupid self!

He was decisive and ruthless, without thinking too much. He sealed Yuan Xing's mouth and found a way to drive him out of Bianjing.

Under the severe punishment, Yuan Xing confessed to the absurd things that night.

After Zhao Hui listened to it, his eyes turned black with anger. He immediately stripped Lady Cheng of the title of wife of Duke, and on the grounds of her violent illness, sent her to a remote manor.

As for the bastard Zhao Changxing, of course he couldn't stay at the Duke's Residence either.

Overnight, earth-shaking changes took place in the Duke's Residence.

When Lady Cheng left the Duke's Residence, she was beaten dozens of times, covered in blood and barely recognizable. Finally, her mouth was blocked with cloth and stuffed into the carriage.

Taking advantage of the dark, when no one was around, she was sent out of the Duke's Residence.

Zhao Changxing had long dismissed the many women in his Zhaoxing Hall, leaving only himself. Zhao Hui looked at him expressionlessly, blocked his mouth no matter how he struggled, broke his leg, and took him away.

From beginning to end, Lady Cheng and Zhao Changxing did not even have a chance to speak.

Silently, the Duke’s Residence changed.

Gu Ying did not watch the excitement. Baomo Hall and Zhaoxing Hall were emptied soon. Among the servants in the mansion who were in charge of serving, some were sold and some went to the manor. In a short while, only Changfeng Pavilion was still lively as usual in the huge Duke’s Residence.

And when the Heir Apparent learned that his mother was still alive, he was overjoyed and immediately let Huai An prepare the carriage to go to the yard to pick up Yu Gu.

Gu Ying thought about it and decided to persuade Yu Gu to return as the Duke’s wife.

Yu Gu was tired of life in the Duke's Residence. At first, she didn't want to go back no matter how the Young Lord welcomed her many times.

Later, she couldn't stand the Young Lord's repeated visits. She finally decided to abandon the grievances with the Duke back then and chose to return to the Duke's Residence.

Yu Gu was the Young Lord’s biological mother. Gu Ying respected and loved her in her heart, and was willing to accept her as well.

But her return at the same time brought back her adopted daughter, Shen Ruxu.

Due to the status as mother, both the Young Lord and Duke readily agreed to the request.

Shen Ruxu had known that such a day would come, deliberately showing off in front of Gu Ying, "Second Miss Gu, didn't expect it, right? Not only can we meet again, maybe we will live together someday in the future."

Gu Ying's expression remained unchanged, her gaze calm, and she didn't speak.

Shen Ruxu's flaunting did not get a response, and all her emotions had nowhere to vent, like a punch on a cotton pad.

She frowned her eyes uncomfortably, walked in front of Gu Ying, leaned in and whispered proudly, “Do you know that I have secretly met the Young Lord? Seeing my mother, the Young Lord does not dislike me, and asked me to speak good words for him in front of my mother. The Young Lord said that as long as I can persuade my mother to go back to the Duke’s Residence, he would grant me a wish. Do you know what it is? Guess, will we serve the same husband in the future?"

Gu Ying's eyes slowly turned cold.

Seeing Gu Ying's expression finally changed, Shen Ruxu was complacent and grinned, "Mother, I packed my stuff! Let's go!"

After speaking, she turned around and walked back, and went to intimately hold Madam Lin’s wrist.

"Madam, this..." Yin Lan was a little worried.

Gu Ying shook her head, indicating not to publicize it. At this time, it was a big reunion for the Young Lord and his mother. Some words could not be said, it would spoil the mood and upset others.

Yin Lan pursed her lips and finally shut up.

Gu Ying looked at Shen Ruxu smile playfully at her, holding her waist, silent as she got into the carriage.

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C350: Lin’s Request

A long line of people returned to Duke Zhao's manor, with carriage after carriage stopping in front of the manor gates.

The news that Madam Lin was still alive spread swiftly throughout the entire capital city of Bianjing, not to mention Duke Zhao's neighbors. Even the entire former Eastern Li dynasty had heard of this incredible event, so naturally the news soon reached the palace as well.

The former madam of Duke Zhao's manor who had committed suicide by jumping off a cliff during a winter hunt years ago had miraculously come back to life.

Not only that, but Duke Zhao himself had gone to welcome her back to the manor.

Zhao Changdu did not intend to conceal Madam Lin's return. He wanted to broadcast it far and wide, to let everyone under heaven know that his mother was still alive, and that Zhao Hui should give her the status and position of a mother.

Zhao Hui did not refuse.

Madam Lin had suffered much hardship wandering outside over the years. Zhao Hui had wronged her back then. Now that he saw her return safe and sound, it was fair to describe it as tears of regret streaming down his face.

He personally took the vermilion edict bestowed upon the Zhao family by the previous emperor and went to the palace to have an audience with His Majesty. Not only did he restore Madam Lin's position as the madam of Duke Zhao's manor, but he also petitioned for an imperial decree on her behalf.

However, no matter how Zhao Hui tried to ingratiate himself, Madam Lin remained cold towards him.

Only when facing the heir apparent did the pitiful woman soften, "Changdu, over the years, your mother has let you down greatly..."

Zhao Changdu's expression was calm, but turmoil churned in the depths of his eyes.

"It's alright. As long as mother is safe and sound, that is all her son asks for."

Madam Lin hugged Zhao Changdu tightly, her eyes instantly brimming red.

Zhao Changdu heaved a sigh, and likewise held his frail mother tightly in his embrace.

So many years had passed, and he had already grown from a weak young boy into the peerless God of War general of Eastern Li. Now he had the ability to protect every person dear to him, be it his mother or Gu Ying.

Madam Lin felt gratified and proud of the heir apparent, but even more, she felt distress.

In her powerlessness and weakness, she did not dare fight with Lady Cheng over Duke Zhao's manor, only daring to watch her son grow up from afar.

Now, hearing her son address her as Mother, she deeply regretted that when she had survived after falling off the cliff, she should have chosen to return and fight for her child instead.

But Zhao Changdu felt that no matter what decision his mother had made back then, as long as she was alive now and could remain by his side, that was best.

He only resented himself for misjudging people in the past and driving his mother out of Duke Zhao's manor, nearly losing her as a result.

Now that his mother had returned to his side, he only wanted her to live the best life possible.

...

After Madam Lin entered the manor, Shen Ruxu's status correspondingly rose as well. She became Duke Zhao of Eastern Li's adopted daughter, instantly transforming from an ordinary country girl into a high-born noble lady.

Moreover, there were rumors that she was the fiancée raised by Madam Lin for the heir apparent, originally meant to marry the heir apparent but seized by the heir apparent's wife in the manor.

The servants in the manor were skilled at going with the flow and currying favor with those of high status while looking down on those of lower status.

Seeing this noble lady enter the manor, and noticing her looks, they said she might become the heir apparent's concubine in the future, and so they all began to fawn over her.

Gu Ying was not unaware of the winds stirred up by Shen Ruxu in the manor, she just couldn't be bothered to pay attention as her pregnant body grew heavier by the day.

What gave Gu Ying the biggest headache after Madam Lin entered the manor was where she would live.

Duke Zhao's manor was enormous, but Madam Lin refused to live in Lady Cheng's former residence, the Treasure Ink Lodge, nor would she return to her former Clear Rhyme Elegance.

Zhao Hui wanted to arrange for her to live in the courtyard closest to himself, but Madam Lin bluntly rejected it, clearly unwilling to be close to him and not giving him any face.

Zhao Hui had no choice but to hand this matter entirely over to Gu Ying to handle as she saw fit.

Gu Ying did not actually want to take on this thorny task, but since the heir apparent also wanted her to have a closer relationship with his mother, she was now stuck riding a tiger and could not get off. She had no alternative but to first house Madam Lin temporarily in Long Wind Pavilion.

"Mother, this is the layout map of Duke Zhao's manor. Please take a look, is there a place you like? A Ying will have people prepare it for you to live in."

Madam Lin's gaze slowly swept over the picture on the table, and she was silent for a long while without speaking.

Gu Ying pointed at a few places near Long Wind Pavilion and smiled while asking, "How about Lingxi Pavilion for Mother to look at?"

Madam Lin was quiet for a moment without agreeing or rejecting it.

Lingxi Pavilion was the closest courtyard to Long Wind Pavilion. Gu Ying did not understand what else Madam Lin was unsatisfied with. She could not let Madam Lin live in the former mourning hall again. Moreover, as an elder, she could not always live together with her juniors in Long Wind Pavilion either.

Furthermore, she and the heir apparent still had their own married life to lead. How would it look for her to live together with her mother-in-law?

"Is Mother unsatisfied with Lingxi Pavilion as well?" Gu Ying still had a good temper and patiently inquired again.

Madam Lin paused briefly before answering, "Lingxi Pavilion is quite good."

Having obtained her approval, Gu Ying breathed a sigh of relief.

But then Madam Lin added, "However, I have another request."

Gu Ying gave a faint smile. "What is Mother saying? Just order away whatever you require. Your daughter-in-law will carry it out."

Madam Lin's mood brightened somewhat. She smoothly continued, "Ruxu is alone and without support. From today onward, she will live together with me."

Gu Ying was rendered speechless for a moment. "Miss Shen may live wherever she pleases. She is Mother's adopted daughter. Mother may arrange it herself without needing to ask my opinion."

To put it bluntly, she was still just Madam Lin's daughter-in-law. Madam Lin had only just returned to Duke Zhao's manor and was still unfamiliar with the affairs of the inner residence. After some time had passed, control over the inner residence would be handed back to her. Wherever she wanted Shen Ruxu to live was fine, as long as the heir apparent and Duke gave their permission.

Other than this, Madam. Lin did not have any other requests. Shen Ruxu was someone she had raised with her own hands, even closer to her than her son.

A kindly smile appeared on her face as she held Gu Ying's hand and earnestly advised, "Although she made some youthful mistakes out of ignorance, I have already privately punished her. Ying, you shouldn't hold it against her anymore, right?"

Madam Lin regarded Shen Ruxu like her own daughter. Now that she was older, she hoped for peace in the family and harmony in all matters. Gu Ying also had nothing more to say.

She smiled and replied, "As long as the child in my belly is fine, I have nothing to resent her for."

"It was all because I gave her unrealistic fantasies when she was little... When she was young, I thought of having her become my daughter-in-law. Later when she grew up, I told her about Changdu's matters. She has always been a proud girl, talented in medicine since childhood, and good-looking too. The older she grew, the more drawn she became to Changdu. After I secretly let her see Changdu once, just that one meeting was enough for her to harbor deep feelings for him... vowing to marry none but him." Madam Lin sighed and slowly continued, "Rest assured, as long as I am here, Ruxu will not dare to do anything to the child in your belly. After all, this child is also my grandson. I will naturally protect him."

Gu Ying believed her words.

Madam Lin still cared deeply about the heir apparent's bloodline, otherwise she would not have given her so many restorative pills before leaving Bianjing previously.

"Mother jests. A Ying of course trusts Mother."

Seeing the smile on Gu Ying's face, Madam Lin knew she was sensible. Her tone was meaningful as she said, "It's good that you understand, A Ying."

As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were speaking, Yin Lan came to report that Shen Ruxu requested an audience.

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C351: Shen Rushu’s Careful Machine

Ying let Yin Lan bring her in.

Soon after, a delicate and soft figure entered the main room of Changfeng Pavilion.

When Ying looked up, she saw that Shen Ruxu had changed into a light blue embroidered silk gown with butterfly patterns. Her black hair was coiled neatly into a chignon bun. She walked in gracefully, lifting the curtain.

"Gu Ying, greetings."

Upon entering, Shen Ruxu immediately gave Ying a proper young lady's courtesy, affectionately calling her "Gu Sister" with an insincere smile on her face.

Having been in the Duke's residence for less than two days, she had already assumed an air of arrogance. Gu Ying felt nauseous hearing it, but still maintained her composure and smiled back at her, signaling for her to rise.

"What brings Miss Shen here?"

Shen Ruxu sat down next to Madam Lin and curved her lips, saying, "I waited for a long time without seeing Mother return, so I was worried and wanted to come see what is going on, Mother. What were you discussing with Gu Sister that kept little Xu waiting so long at home?"

Madam Lin smiled kindly, "Nothing much, just selecting the yard where we will live in the future."

"Oh? Have you decided? Xu hopes to live with Mother. I wonder if Gu Sister can oblige?"

Madam Lin gently laughed, "Ying has agreed already. We will live in Lingxi Pavilion next to Changfeng Pavilion from now on."

Shen Ruxu stiffened. She had thought Gu Ying would deliberately make things difficult for her, so she could gain some sympathy in front of Mother. She did not expect Gu Ying to not cause her any trouble at all, instead depriving her of an opportunity.

She forced a smile, and happily said, "That is wonderful news. This way, Mother is closer to the Heir Apparent. Over the years, Xu has seen how much Mother misses the Heir Apparent. Now she can finally be reunited with him clearly under the moonlight. Xu is overjoyed for Mother."

Shen Ruxu chatted and joked Madam Lin, completely disregarding Gu Ying.

Gu Ying was unbothered as well. She took the warm water brought by Yin Lan and leisurely drank a sip, silently ridiculing in her heart.

Shen Ruxu's words were quite interesting. Madam Lin was the Heir Apparent's birth mother. What could possibly happen to her in Changfeng Pavilion? By saying she was worried, she was implying that Gu Ying, the proper daughter-in-law, was not a good person.

Moreover, it was almost dusk, around the time the Heir Apparent would come off duty. Her coming at this moment clearly revealed her ulterior motives that Gu Ying understood