Chapter 510: Chapter 502: Stepping Forward

Princess Yuanhua entered the palace and met with the Holy Emperor. No one knew what was said, but afterward, Princess Yuanhua stayed in the palace. After hearing Li Si’s report, Gu Yifeng nodded; it was then that he waited for the news, and earlier Zhao Wu came in to say that someone from the palace had arrived.

Lin Youning was a bit worried. Gu Yifeng smiled and patted her hand, "Don’t worry, that’s your grandfather. Nothing will happen. He’s just asking me to verify the truth of some matters."

He then spoke about the matter of Princess Yuanhua. Lin Youning widened her eyes in disbelief, "Why would Brother Xuan do such a thing? How could they do something like this?"

"I am also curious about their motives for this," Gu Yifeng didn’t speak further, and Lin Youning understood.

She knew that her elder brother wasn’t the type to lack understanding of the situation; he just chose not to speak. Lin Youning didn’t feel comfortable asking more. If Princess Yuanhua was indeed carrying Gu Chaoxuan’s child, then what they did was too much. If such a matter were exposed, the reputation of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion would be ruined.

Lin Youning hesitated, "Elder brother, if this matter is exposed, people in the Capital will gossip so much; I think we should leave it be. It’s their issue anyway, as long as we’re not harmed, I don’t care. After all, he can’t bully me."

Gu Yifeng held her in his embrace, and Lin Youning’s hands anxiously wrapped around his neck, "My belly is already so big now, how can elder brother still lift me?"

As she spoke, Lin Youning couldn’t help but blush.

Gu Yifeng chuckled deeply, "Even if it’s the two of you, I can still lift you both."

Lin Youning buried her face in his chest, "Elder brother hasn’t replied to me yet. Let’s forget about this matter, and let it be; it has nothing to do with us."

"If you continue to act spoiled with me a few times more, I might consider it carefully." Gu Yifeng tapped her nose, "Someone from the palace has come, I need to go see what’s happening, I’ll talk with you when I return."

Lin Youning was slightly startled but nodded. After leaving her elder brother’s embrace, she was still reluctant to be parted from him. Gu Yifeng looked at her, couldn’t help but smile, but said no more, instructing Hailan and the others to serve her well, then left with the person from the palace.

Lin Youning watched as the person left, then called Hailan beside her, "Send Zhao Wu over to Prince Shou Mansion. After seeing Uncle, tell him that someone from the palace has called the Marquis over."

Hailan nodded and went to the front courtyard.

Only then did Lin Youning relax. She never thought she could rely on her father to do anything, and now she hadn’t expected to need to rely on him.

How could Lin Youning not worry? After all, Princess Yuanhua was also the Holy Emperor’s biological daughter. When it came to matters of life and death, who knew if the Holy Emperor would stand on their side?

Gu Yifeng entered the palace and saw the Daoist who had been caught by Li Si was also there. Gu Yifeng’s eyes moved slightly, not expecting the Holy Emperor to bring this person too; it seemed the matter wasn’t as simple as he thought.

"I’ve heard about the situation with Yuanhua," the Holy Emperor spoke casually to Gu Yifeng, especially as he is considered his grandson-in-law now. The Holy Emperor’s health wasn’t as robust, but his spirits were high, "But I also asked about some other matters. This person has some connections with your mansion’s Madam. Why don’t you listen to him say it himself?"

Gu Yifeng quickly responded, respectfully stepping aside. The Daoist, terrified, was now shaking all over. Upon hearing the Emperor, he dared not refuse, and without waiting for Gu Yifeng to ask more, he recounted the whole story.

It turned out this person was the Daoist brought in when Mrs. Dong was pregnant, involved with Mrs. Dong Sr. at the Dong Mansion. Through Mrs. Dong Sr.’s arrangement, Mrs. Dong was introduced to the Daoist, resulting in Brother Zong’s conception.

After listening to the Daoist’s confession, Gu Yifeng remained silent, as a guard swiftly covered the man’s mouth and took him away. The grand hall returned to silence.

"I will have Yuanhua, along with her mother, nurture her health at the Royal Temple. When this matter blows over, the reputation of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion must not be tarnished. I understand your concerns, and if you wish not to stay in the Capital and prefer to head to the border, I shall grant it. Sister Ning entrusted to you gives me peace of mind." The Holy Emperor’s voice was tinged with the sands of time.

Gu Yifeng knelt on the ground, "I have worried the Holy Emperor."

"It’s because you don’t want the people in the Capital to gossip about Sister Ning, I understand your intention. Your feelings for Sister Ning, you should let her know."

On Gu Yifeng’s usually cold face, a smile appeared at the mention of Sister Ning, "I bear responsibility. If only focusing on Sister Ning, the people in the Capital will surely gossip about her, placing all blame on her."

The Holy Emperor nodded with satisfaction, his face carrying a smile, "Who would have thought the Dingyuan Marquis is also such a gentle person. Very well, I made the decision for this matter. However, Prince Shou has just returned and surely will not agree to have Sister Ning go to the border. You must stay in the Capital a bit longer."

Gu Yifeng thanked him and then left the palace.

At the palace gates, he encountered Prince Shou just arriving. Prince Shou had just stepped out of the carriage, squinting his eyes a bit while Gu Yifeng quickly approached to pay his respects. After receiving the courtesy, Prince Shou called him to rise, and Gu Yifeng stepped closer, quietly explaining the whole situation.

Prince Shou snorted coldly, "Such a woman, who does not uphold her virtue, ought to be beaten to death. What? Do you mean to keep this person in the mansion? And that child?"

Gu Yifeng showed a hint of flattery in his attitude, "Father-in-law, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

Prince Shou raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with his approach, "This matter is left to you; you just need to go back."

Only then did Gu Yifeng take his leave.

Upon returning to the East Mansion, Gu Yifeng, seeing Sister Ning emerge from the house to greet him, quickened his pace to catch up, taking her hand and gently supporting her by his side, "Father-in-law hurried over."

Lin Youning blushed slightly, "Why did Father go over?"

Gu Yifeng looked at her with affection, "Father-in-law reassures me. He said everything is entrusted to him."

Seeing the brightness in Sister Ning’s eyes, Gu Yifeng smiled as he took her inside. Once the people in the room withdrew, he explained the entire matter. Lin Youning widened her eyes, finding it hard to believe Mrs. Dong would do such a thing.

Gu Yifeng nodded, showing no sign of displeasure on his face, "With Mrs. Dong, later I chose to be with you, and in some ways, I wronged her first. Now that this matter has happened, I won’t blame her. In a sense, it repays what I owe her back then. Father-in-law surely won’t act too outrageously, and the Holy Emperor won’t agree either, so we don’t have to worry about anything."