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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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.
Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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, Mrs. 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."
Mrs. 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.
Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. Lin entered the manor was where she would live.
Duke Zhao's manor was enormous, but Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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."
Mrs. 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?"
Mrs. 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 Mrs. Lin was unsatisfied with. She could not let Mrs. 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.
Mrs. Lin paused briefly before answering, "Lingxi Pavilion is quite good."
Having obtained her approval, Gu Ying breathed a sigh of relief.
But then Mrs. 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."
Mrs. 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 Mrs. Lin's daughter-in-law. Mrs. 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, Mrs. 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?"
Mrs. 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." Mrs. 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.
Mrs. 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, Mrs. 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.
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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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.
Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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, Mrs. 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."
Mrs. 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.
Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. Lin entered the manor was where she would live.
Duke Zhao's manor was enormous, but Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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 Mrs. 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."
Mrs. 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?"
Mrs. 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 Mrs. Lin was unsatisfied with. She could not let Mrs. 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.
Mrs. Lin paused briefly before answering, "Lingxi Pavilion is quite good."
Having obtained her approval, Gu Ying breathed a sigh of relief.
But then Mrs. 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."
Mrs. 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 Mrs. Lin's daughter-in-law. Mrs. 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, Mrs. 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?"
Mrs. 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." Mrs. 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.
Mrs. 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, Mrs. 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.
