Chapter 545 - 537: Denial

Gu Yifeng saw Sister Ning like this and didn’t know how to begin asking. He simply couldn’t bring himself to do it, feeling that asking would be cruel to Sister Ning.

The two of them sat in silence. Lin Youning understood why her big brother only looked at her without speaking, but she was preoccupied with thoughts of Brother Zong, and really didn’t have the heart to care about her big brother’s feelings. She even wished to be alone, not wanting to see anyone.

But she knew she couldn’t show it. If she did, she feared she wouldn’t be able to control the impulse to rush out and find Brother Zong.

"Big brother, what’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? You haven’t told me why Sister Ling is here. Didn’t they all go back? She came over, hugged me, and cried, without saying anything. It’s the first time for her to be like this," Lin Youning felt she couldn’t continue, for if she did, she would cry.

Gu Yifeng lowered himself down with compassion and held her in his arms, "It’s okay, it’s okay. Sister Ling is feeling hurt inside but did something wrong. That’s why she returned to the mansion."

Gu Yifeng’s own voice was choked.

Lin Youning could no longer hold back. Fortunately, she was embraced, and her tears soaked into her big brother’s robe. The two held each other silently, neither speaking again.

Lin Youning was trying hard to calm herself. Still thinking of Brother Zong and the son she had only glimpsed, who was now lost. If big brother and the others could find him, they wouldn’t keep this secret from her. Sister Ling had perceived this, so she came to tell her.

Lin Youning didn’t know how long she cried, only realizing at last that her body went limp, completely drained, and then she knew nothing more.

Gu Yifeng felt Sister Ning’s limp body in his arms, gently letting go, seeing her sleep peacefully there, filled him with both heartache and anger. Sister Ning had been hurt time after time, and yet he couldn’t stop it. How could he have any right to care for or love Sister Ning?

Gu Yifeng gritted his teeth, pulled a quilt over her, and then stood up to leave. Seeing Shanmoi and Hailan standing at the door as attendants, he coldly instructed, "Take good care of the lady, and don’t let anyone disturb her again."

Hailan and Shanmoi dared not think too much and quickly agreed. Having followed the Marquis for a few years, they understood. Only when it concerned the lady did the Marquis show such an expression.

Gu Yifeng strode out of the courtyard, finding the sky outside completely dark. He stood in the passage of the front yard, gazing into the pitch black night, and after a long while, asked Zhao Wu behind him, "What did the Marquis say?"

"Nanny Chang discovered suspicious behavior by an old woman in the big kitchen. When others went to look again, the woman was packing up, intending to sneak away. She has been caught, and I brought her back."

"Did she say anything?"

Zhao Wu knew the Marquis’ disposition would lead him to ask this directly, "Some torture was used. At first, the woman kept denying, but after her family was brought in, she confessed, saying it was orchestrated by Consort Kong of the Prince Xian Mansion."

When Sister Yue went missing and died earlier, Gu Yifeng had already sent word to the Prince Xian Mansion. Liu Wen had returned swiftly, and nothing more was pursued with Mrs. Kong.

Hearing the woman admitting it was Kong, Gu Yifeng sneered, "Then I shall personally go to the Prince Xian Mansion."

Zhao Wu quickly followed, "The horse is ready, my lord."

Gu Yifeng strode out alone, taking only Zhao Wu to Prince Xian Mansion. After Liu Wen had left, Prince Xian hadn’t relaxed.

With cold eyes, he looked at his kneeling son in the study, then at Mrs. Kong, who appeared numb. Even though Liu Wen had left after receiving the message and Prince Xian hadn’t used torture, his heartless attitude deeply wounded Mrs. Kong, who couldn’t believe the Prince Xian would be so cold-blooded.

The study was silent. Prince Xian cursed for an entire afternoon until he was dry-mouthed, "Speak up! At this point, you still refuse to admit it. Are you waiting until your life is at risk to be scared? If you hand over the person now, it’s not too late. Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve done. That accident was your doing, wasn’t it? You wanted to kill someone, right?"

The Heir of Prince Xian sat there, looking bored, saying nothing. Mrs. Kong’s expression contorted, "Heir, what agreement did we have back then? Why did you lay such a cruel hand on my daughter? She was so young, and you took her life just like that. Aren’t you afraid Sister Yue’s spirit will come for you?"

Mrs. Kong’s heart was cold from Prince Xian’s ruthlessness, but it hurt more that Sister Yue was gone—just like that, her daughter lost because of her.

Upon hearing the news, Mrs. Kong felt as if all strength had left her body. But seeing the murderer behaving as if nothing had happened, sitting there as if justifiably, how could this be possible?

The Heir of Prince Xian chuckled, "I don’t understand what Madam is saying. I have no knowledge of any agreement between us. How can your daughter’s mishap be pinned on me? Truly laughable. You can’t speak carelessly. Madam should mind what she says. Currently, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion is watching you closely. You should think about how you’re going to explain to them. Save yourself first, then worry about everything else."

It was a blatant mockery of Mrs. Kong.

Mrs. Kong’s eyes were icy, "Is the Heir really convinced that Prince Xian cares for the Princess? The Prince had plenty of flings in the past. Though I’m a concubine, what I’m carrying is his offspring, and this child is male—the Imperial Physician has confirmed it. When I first came to Prince Xian Mansion, I didn’t expose the poison the Heir put in the dishes, only wanting peace. Does the Heir have to force things to the point of mutual destruction?"

Prince Xian had always been aware of these matters and never brought them up, but hearing Mrs. Kong mention her unborn child was a boy, his eyes sparkled, "Why haven’t you mentioned this before?"

"Your Highness’s question is laughable. You know what life I’ve had in the mansion. I couldn’t say this child was a boy, fearing it wouldn’t survive. I didn’t dare mention it just to save my child’s life. But it was wrong because, in your eyes, my unborn child isn’t worth valuing," Mrs. Kong caressed her belly, bowing her head to hide the malice in her expression.