Gu Qing came back to his senses, smiling sheepishly. What was wrong with him just now, to have so many emotions. Whether the young lord liked something or not was his business, it wasn't his place to overthink.
"How are things with the Dong family these days?" Gu Sinian asked.
"Young Master Yuanbao sent word this afternoon that the Dong family's restaurants, fabric shops, and timber businesses have all been taken over by the Qian family. Young Master Yuanbao did not keep any of these properties; he sold them all off. The silver obtained was partly donated to military funds and partly given to the Orphanage," Gu Qing replied.
Gu Sinian nodded. Not keeping the Dong family's properties was his idea.
After all, his father had always protected the Dong family, and keeping those properties would not be safe. If his father, in his muddled state, were to seek the Emperor's intervention to pressure him, he would have no choice but to compromise.
Military funds and the Orphanage were both areas the Emperor paid great attention to. With the Dong family's assets distributed to these two places, there would be no reason for the Emperor to revoke them, even if the matter was brought before him.
"Have the evidence of Dong Huan violating the law by forcibly seizing civilian women and occupying fertile land been collected?"
"The Duke has mostly cleaned up these matters, and there isn't enough evidence left."
Gu Sinian sneered, "He's certainly going all out, so enthusiastically cleaning up other people's messes. Arrange for someone to set a trap, so that my father doesn't have time to clean up after him."
"Yes."
It was the Dong family's own lack of restraint that led to his ruthless actions. Originally, if they had lived honestly, relying on the Duke's mansion, they would have had a good life. But their greed was insatiable; not only did they poison his mother, but they also sent Dong Ningxin to the mansion to provoke them. He was not a pushover. He hadn't retaliated before because he felt it was unnecessary, but now, he had changed his mind.
In the study in the front courtyard, Dong Ningxin was prostrate on the ground, weeping.
Gu Changwei sat at his desk, his brow furrowed. "Stop crying, it's giving me a headache."
"Is the Duke tired of me? Then I shall pack my things, and the Duke can have someone send me back to the Dong family," Dong Ningxin said, sobbing. "I shouldn't have hoped that the Duke would show me even a shred of pity for my sister's sake... If my sister were still here, would the Duke still stand by and do nothing while the Dong family is being ruined like this?"
Gu Changwei frowned. Was he standing by and doing nothing? But the Qian family acted swiftly and decisively. By the time the matter reached him, it was already beyond repair. Furthermore, with the Qian family's matriarch present, it was difficult for him to suppress the Qian family.
"Let me think about it."
"If you think any longer, the Dong family will be gone."
"I promised your sister that I would protect the Dong family, and the Dong family will not be gone. The Duke knows very well that the Qian family is merely acting on behalf of someone else. The person who wants to bring down the Dong family is none other than the young lord." Dong Ningxin said, somewhat hysterically, "The Duke is the young lord's father. You order him to stop; he cannot disobey."
Cannot disobey?
Gu Changwei gave a bitter smile. If his son were obedient, why would he be so troubled?
He didn't know when it started, but his son had completely gone beyond his control.
"You should return to your courtyard for now. Let me think about this matter," Gu Changwei said helplessly.
Seeing Gu Changwei's distressed expression, Dong Ningxin swallowed the words that were about to escape her lips. She left the study but did not return to her own courtyard. Instead, she headed towards Gu Siya's courtyard.
Today was a rest day. Gu Siya had declined an invitation from a colleague and was staying home to accompany Lin Duoruo.
Gu Siya was an excellent painter and was currently painting a portrait of Lin Duoruo.
Dong Ningxin entered the courtyard in a huff and saw this heartwarming scene.
"Aya, what time is it? You still have the leisure for this. The Dong family, your maternal family, is about to be destroyed by your second brother!" Dong Ningxin said, exasperated.
Gu Siya put down his brush and gave Lin Duoruo a look. Lin Duoruo bowed to Dong Ningxin and then returned to her room with the maids.
"Madam, this concubine Dong is truly vexing. As a mere concubine, she doesn't stay in her own courtyard and frequently visits our courtyard. When the young master is here, she acts like a kind elder. When the young master is not here, she acts like a superior elder. As a concubine, what right does she have?" a young maid said indignantly.
Lin Duoruo's delicate brows furrowed. "Miaochun, speak less. Besides being a concubine, she is also the young master's aunt, a proper elder. For the young master's sake, I must respect her."
"But the young master is finally home with you today, and she has disrupted it all," the maid named Miaochun said, still seething with anger.
"I know you are speaking up for me, but this matter..." Lin Duoruo sighed. Even though she was intelligent, she didn't know how to handle this matter.
The Dong family was indeed the young master's proper maternal family. Now that their maternal family was in trouble, it was not good for him to ignore it.
"Xiuchun, go and make some tea and take it out," Lin Duoruo instructed another maid.
Outside, Dong Ningxin was extremely annoyed. Seeing Gu Siya, who remained expressionless, she felt even more agitated.
"Did you hear what Auntie just said? All of this is the doing of your good second brother. Tell me, if you were more capable and could suppress him, where would he have the ability to attack the Dong family? With your current state, how can you live up to your mother?" Dong Ningxin lowered her voice. "Hurry and think of a solution!"
Gu Siya nodded. "Auntie, don't be anxious. I will think of a way. I will do my best to protect the Dong family. Furthermore, Father will not stand idly by."
Dong Ningxin vented her frustrations and felt much better. She knew that the matter could not be resolved immediately, and there was no use in pressuring him.
"Let's not talk about this. Why hasn't A'Ruo's belly shown any signs yet? It's been three months!" Dong Ningxin changed the subject.
Gu Siya felt a little awkward. "Auntie, one cannot rush matters of having children; it depends on fate. Besides, my marriage with A'Ruo has only been a few months."
"Your mother conceived you in one go," Dong Ningxin said, frowning. "Your maternal grandmother knew a Daoist priest who had a secret recipe for bearing children. I will send word to her later to have her find it and send it over for A'Ruo to drink, so she can conceive early. Once you have an heir, it will be easier for your father to request a title for you, and the palace will have no excuse to refuse again."
"There are no problems with A'Ruo's and my health, so we don't need to drink any medicine," Gu Siya said.
"This matter is settled. You can talk to A'Ruo later; it's for the future of both of you," Dong Ningxin said, leaving these words behind.
Gu Siya sat outside for a while before turning to go back inside.
Lin Duoruo was sitting in front of the dressing table, without any maids attending her.
Gu Siya walked behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "A'Ruo, just pretend you didn't hear what Auntie said. Let her say what she wants; we'll live our lives. As for the Dong family's affairs..."
He paused before continuing, "I will not get involved."
Yes, he would not get involved. Although the Dong family was his maternal family, they were arrogant and ostentatious, relying on the Duke's mansion. They had likely offended many people without realizing it. Such a maternal family could not be his support; they would only bring him endless trouble. What was the use of protecting such a maternal family?