Zhou Mama quickly stopped talking.
When Mrs. Liu thought of Madam Ye's tragic death, her heart trembled.
She wiped away her tears, lowered her brows, and said, "Let's not talk about other things for now. Fortunately Wang is easy to manipulate, and Gu Ming grew up under my care, so I'm not completely without support."
Zhou Mama added, "It's a pity that the fifth young master is not your own son, there's always a layer of separation. This old servant has been watching him secretly, and several times saw him bring pastries to Wang when he came back from the academy outside."
"What?" Mrs. Liu said angrily, "When did this happen?"
"It happened several times. Each time the fifth young master would only stay at Wang's briefly and didn't stay long before coming back. At first I didn't think much of it. I thought it was good that he was nice to his birth mother, and also showed the child had a kind heart. Wang also didn't compete for anything. She just wanted to see her child."
When it came to Gu Ming's kind heart, Mrs. Liu inevitably thought of the ruthless Gu Jia. Her anger rose as she gnashed her teeth and said, "I don't know how I raised such a heartless thing. I wonder if the Earl will also be disgusted with me in Zhe Yu Residence."
Zhou Mama knitted her brows, also at a loss for words to console her.
"Fortunately the fifth young master's heart is with us in Zhe Yu Residence. Just today he specially went out to buy a pair of tiger skin gloves for the Mistress."
Although Zhou Mama spoke this way, Mrs. Liu was still uneasy. If Gu Jia could betray her own daughter, let alone Gu Ming who came out of someone else's belly.
"No, I can't just wait for doom like this." She thought over and over, "I still need to have my own son."
Zhou Mama raised her eyes, "Mistress means..."
Mrs. Liu gave a cold laugh, "I'm only in my thirties now. If I make an effort with the Earl, I may still be able to have another child."
Zhou Mama said, "But Mistress hasn't shown any signs all these years."
Mrs. Liu said, "It was just because I hurt my body from the miscarriage back then. Now with Dr. Liu here, I'll have him examine me carefully and take some medicine to see if there's a chance I can conceive again."
When Mrs. Liu mentioned Dr. Liu, Zhou Mama tensed up and quickly said, "Shh, Mistress, you must not go to that Dr. Liu at this critical juncture."
Mrs. Liu glanced at her, "I'm not that stupid."
Zhou Mama was somewhat relieved, "It would be best if we went around Ming Road and invited Dr. Liu to come examine you at Zhe Yu Residence. I'm sure the Earl won't suspect anything."
Thinking of her old lover, Mrs. Liu's expression eased considerably. "Yes, right, where is the Earl? Why hasn't he come yet?"
To have a child, she couldn't do it alone.
The Earl was strong and vigorous, and had an easy job at court, so he must have abundant energy that needed an outlet.
Usually the Earl slept at that fox spirit Zhao's place, so she never had a chance. Now that little witch Zhao was ill, it just gave her this opportunity.
Zhou Mama said, "The Earl went to Reed Catkin Courtyard to see Madam Zhao."
Mrs. Liu's brows furrowed, "Hasn't Zhao been unwell? What is the Earl going there for?"
It was not good when a woman had continuous menstrual bleeding.
That Zhao must not have many days left to live, yet still had the heart to seduce her Earl? She really didn't know her place.
Zhou Mama reassured her, "Mistress, rest assured, Madam Zhao's health prevents her from serving the Earl anymore, it's been a long time since she kept the Earl overnight. The Earl will still come to Zhe Yu Residence tonight."
Mrs. Liu looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Although she was older and lacked the youthful vitality of the beautiful Zhao, she became more charming with age. The Earl had praised her skills these past few nights.
Thinking of this, she quickly had Zhou Mama take the elixir Dr. Liu had given her and crush it into the tea.
"Go see if the Earl has arrived."
Zhou Mama responded and went out.
Only then did a flush appear on Mrs. Liu's face. Even though they were old husband and wife, Gu Boyan had not been so attentive to her recently.
She was the proper wife, and had always behaved with dignity. How could she seduce the men of the household like those fox spirits?
Now she realized that no matter what status her man had, she had to make an effort to keep his body and heart.
Appearances were for others, but the man was hers.
With this thought, she changed into the pink clothes she wore when younger, but felt something was off everywhere, so took off her corset as well.
...
Since Gu Jia lost power, Gu Ying had become the darling of the household.
Everyone high or low saw her and addressed her as Second Young Lady. Unlike before when she was treated like she was invisible, not to mention bowing, they wouldn't even look at her directly.
Now she was the center of attention in the household.
Firstly, she was the only legitimate daughter.
Secondly, she was engaged to the Heir Apparent of the Duke's Residence, the biggest happy event in the Earl's household, even all of Bianjing.
Thirdly, the Heir Apparent had been sending people with gifts every day the past few days, not just openly but also comprehensively, delighting everyone in the Earl's household.
Even today when she went to pay respects at Yongshou Hall, the old Madam kept her to eat, and even kindly asked if she was nervous about her upcoming marriage.
As she spoke, she dutifully heaped food on Gu Ying's plate.
Although the dishes the grandmother served were not her favorites, Gu Ying ate a few bites and chatted politely, no matter what the old Madam said, she responded politely.
Gu Old Madam talked tearfully about her son far away on the frontier who could not return to the capital.
Gu Ying watched her coolly the whole time.
The grandmother owed her, and it was not just over a decade of maternal love and company, but also her cold-heartedness in their past life.
She fully supported the main wife and helped Gu Jia. In her heart, how could her granddaughter compare to even a hair of Gu Jia?
If she had not been reborn and gained inside information, perhaps the grandmother would still have arranged for her to follow the old path of her past life.
Therefore, Gu Ying did not soften at all towards the old Madam's late tears, and even found them somewhat laughable.
"You lost your mother at a young age. If there is anything you don't understand about your marriage, just ask your grandmother, understand?"
Gu Ying nodded, "Yes."
"The Heir Apparent has had a haughty temper since he was little. You'll need to be more accommodating after you marry over. But don't be afraid. The Earl's household will always be your backing. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to your grandmother for support."
Gu Ying smiled indifferently as she looked up.
Would she support her?
Or did she still want to exploit her in the future and use the Duke's power to help the Earl's household?
Seeing the clarity in the girl's bright eyes, Gu Old Madam was reminded of Madam Ye from back then.
A surge of irritation rose in her heart and she waved her hand to dismiss Gu Ying.
There were piles of important affairs in the household, but her marriage to the Heir Apparent was imminent and could not be delayed.
Zhou Mama quickly stopped talking.
When Mrs. Liu thought of Madam Ye's tragic death, her heart trembled.
She wiped away her tears, lowered her brows, and said, "Let's not talk about other things for now. Fortunately Wang is easy to manipulate, and Gu Ming grew up under my care, so I'm not completely without support."
Zhou Mama added, "It's a pity that the fifth young master is not your own son, there's always a layer of separation. This old servant has been watching him secretly, and several times saw him bring pastries to Wang when he came back from the academy outside."
"What?" Mrs. Liu said angrily, "When did this happen?"
"It happened several times. Each time the fifth young master would only stay at Wang's briefly and didn't stay long before coming back. At first I didn't think much of it. I thought it was good that he was nice to his birth mother, and also showed the child had a kind heart. Wang also didn't compete for anything. She just wanted to see her child."
When it came to Gu Ming's kind heart, Mrs. Liu inevitably thought of the ruthless Gu Jia. Her anger rose as she gnashed her teeth and said, "I don't know how I raised such a heartless thing. I wonder if the Earl will also be disgusted with me in Zhe Yu Residence."
Zhou Mama knitted her brows, also at a loss for words to console her.
"Fortunately the fifth young master's heart is with us in Zhe Yu Residence. Just today he specially went out to buy a pair of tiger skin gloves for the Mistress."
Although Zhou Mama spoke this way, Mrs. Liu was still uneasy. If Gu Jia could betray her own daughter, let alone Gu Ming who came out of someone else's belly.
"No, I can't just wait for doom like this." She thought over and over, "I still need to have my own son."
Zhou Mama raised her eyes, "Mistress means..."
Mrs. Liu gave a cold laugh, "I'm only in my thirties now. If I make an effort with the Earl, I may still be able to have another child."
Zhou Mama said, "But Mistress hasn't shown any signs all these years."
Mrs. Liu said, "It was just because I hurt my body from the miscarriage back then. Now with Dr. Liu here, I'll have him examine me carefully and take some medicine to see if there's a chance I can conceive again."
When Mrs. Liu mentioned Dr. Liu, Zhou Mama tensed up and quickly said, "Shh, Mistress, you must not go to that Dr. Liu at this critical juncture."
Mrs. Liu glanced at her, "I'm not that stupid."
Zhou Mama was somewhat relieved, "It would be best if we went around Ming Road and invited Dr. Liu to come examine you at Zhe Yu Residence. I'm sure the Earl won't suspect anything."
Thinking of her old lover, Mrs. Liu's expression eased considerably. "Yes, right, where is the Earl? Why hasn't he come yet?"
To have a child, she couldn't do it alone.
The Earl was strong and vigorous, and had an easy job at court, so he must have abundant energy that needed an outlet.
Usually the Earl slept at that fox spirit Zhao's place, so she never had a chance. Now that little witch Zhao was ill, it just gave her this opportunity.
Zhou Mama said, "The Earl went to Reed Catkin Courtyard to see Madam Zhao."
Mrs. Liu's brows furrowed, "Hasn't Zhao been unwell? What is the Earl going there for?"
It was not good when a woman had continuous menstrual bleeding.
That Zhao must not have many days left to live, yet still had the heart to seduce her Earl? She really didn't know her place.
Zhou Mama reassured her, "Mistress, rest assured, Madam Zhao's health prevents her from serving the Earl anymore, it's been a long time since she kept the Earl overnight. The Earl will still come to Zhe Yu Residence tonight."
Mrs. Liu looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Although she was older and lacked the youthful vitality of the beautiful Zhao, she became more charming with age. The Earl had praised her skills these past few nights.
Thinking of this, she quickly had Zhou Mama take the elixir Dr. Liu had given her and crush it into the tea.
"Go see if the Earl has arrived."
Zhou Mama responded and went out.
Only then did a flush appear on Mrs. Liu's face. Even though they were old husband and wife, Gu Boyan had not been so attentive to her recently.
She was the proper wife, and had always behaved with dignity. How could she seduce the men of the household like those fox spirits?
Now she realized that no matter what status her man had, she had to make an effort to keep his body and heart.
Appearances were for others, but the man was hers.
With this thought, she changed into the pink clothes she wore when younger, but felt something was off everywhere, so took off her corset as well.
...
Since Gu Jia lost power, Gu Ying had become the darling of the household.
Everyone high or low saw her and addressed her as Second Young Lady. Unlike before when she was treated like she was invisible, not to mention bowing, they wouldn't even look at her directly.
Now she was the center of attention in the household.
Firstly, she was the only legitimate daughter.
Secondly, she was engaged to the Heir Apparent of the Duke's Residence, the biggest happy event in the Earl's household, even all of Bianjing.
Thirdly, the Heir Apparent had been sending people with gifts every day the past few days, not just openly but also comprehensively, delighting everyone in the Earl's household.
Even today when she went to pay respects at Yongshou Hall, the old Madam kept her to eat, and even kindly asked if she was nervous about her upcoming marriage.
As she spoke, she dutifully heaped food on Gu Ying's plate.
Although the dishes the grandmother served were not her favorites, Gu Ying ate a few bites and chatted politely, no matter what the old Madam said, she responded politely.
Gu Old Madam talked tearfully about her son far away on the frontier who could not return to the capital.
Gu Ying watched her coolly the whole time.
The grandmother owed her, and it was not just over a decade of maternal love and company, but also her cold-heartedness in their past life.
She fully supported the main wife and helped Gu Jia. In her heart, how could her granddaughter compare to even a hair of Gu Jia?
If she had not been reborn and gained inside information, perhaps the grandmother would still have arranged for her to follow the old path of her past life.
Therefore, Gu Ying did not soften at all towards the old Madam's late tears, and even found them somewhat laughable.
"You lost your mother at a young age. If there is anything you don't understand about your marriage, just ask your grandmother, understand?"
Gu Ying nodded, "Yes."
"The Heir Apparent has had a haughty temper since he was little. You'll need to be more accommodating after you marry over. But don't be afraid. The Earl's household will always be your backing. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to your grandmother for support."
Gu Ying smiled indifferently as she looked up.
Would she support her?
Or did she still want to exploit her in the future and use the Duke's power to help the Earl's household?
Seeing the clarity in the girl's bright eyes, Gu Old Madam was reminded of Madam Ye from back then.
A surge of irritation rose in her heart and she waved her hand to dismiss Gu Ying.
There were piles of important affairs in the household, but her marriage to the Heir Apparent was imminent and could not be delayed.
