Facing Gu Changwei’s questioning, the old madam’s expression was calm and unruffled, as if she couldn’t see Gu Changwei’s anger.
“Mother, I don’t believe this is your intention. Is she using your name to bully A’xin? Mother, although Granny Li has been serving by your side, she is ultimately just a servant. You cannot indulge her so much!” Gu Changwei said, full of indignation.
“Who told you Granny Li acted on her own?” the old madam said slowly. “What Granny Li says is my intention.”
Gu Changwei glared at the old madam, his face filled with disbelief. “Mother, the child in A’xin’s belly is my flesh and blood, and your grandchild. How can you…”
“Changwei, do you remember what your father and I were like? Your father had several concubines, and when have I ever been pleasant to those women?” the old madam asked Gu Changwei. “You were not young then, you could remember. You know how I treated them. Therefore, Mother thought you would understand. Mother hates those concubines who become arrogant due to a little favor, let alone the children they bore.”
Gu Changwei immediately recalled how his father had neglected his mother and him because of his concubines. That feeling was truly unbearable. At that time, he had vowed in his heart that he would marry a girl he admired in the future, be devoted to her, and live a harmonious life together.
But…
The girl he loved had a short life, and he couldn’t marry her as he had vowed.
“Mother, A’xin is different.” A trace of bitterness flashed in Gu Changwei’s eyes.
“Different? In my eyes, she’s not even as good as those women! At least those women fought for favor with their own abilities. What about her? She relies on the favor of her deceased elder sister!” the old madam said sternly. “Regarding Dong Ningwan, Mother does owe you something, but you tell me yourself, in that situation, without a capable maternal family, could you have managed this grand Duke’s mansion alone? Tingxue was the one Mother sought for you. She is dignified, generous, and well-mannered. How many people sought her hand at that time? Mother merely relied on her affection for you to bring her back. I thought that living together, you would eventually see her good qualities. But… if I had known you could be so heartless, Mother would never have opened her mouth to the Qin family. Mother also has daughters, and this clearly ruined someone’s life!”
Gu Changwei was stunned. He felt a sliver of guilt, but emotions couldn’t be sustained by guilt. He simply didn’t like her. If Ningwan hadn’t existed, he might have liked Madam Qin, but…
“Mother, your son remembers the Qin family’s kindness, which is why these years, your son has never shied away from helping the Qin family in court!” Gu Changwei said.
“Does the Qin family want your help? The Qin family’s elder, as well as the Qin family’s sons, are not mediocre. Without your help, the Qin family would still have a future. What they need is for you to be good to their daughter, to treat them with sincerity!” the old madam said angrily.
“So your son gave Madam Qin a child. Otherwise, Mother, do you think Ah Nian would exist?” Gu Changwei said stubbornly.
The old madam gasped with anger. “You scoundrel! In terms of appearance, how is Madam Qin inferior to Dong Ningwan? In terms of family background, the Qin family is ten streets ahead of the Dong family! In terms of temperament, Madam Qin is gentle and generous, how is she not better than Dong Ningwan’s petty nature? Madam Qin can consider the overall situation, but what about Dong Ningwan? Besides clinging to you and monopolizing you, has she ever considered our Duke’s mansion’s predicament?”
“Women from noble families are all cast from the same mold. Ningwan is different from them. Your son likes her delicate affection,” Gu Changwei argued. “Mother, Ningwan is already gone. Your son doesn’t like you speaking ill of her.”
The old madam stroked her heaving chest, finally catching her breath, and said hatefully, “The living cannot compete with the dead. Mother has known this for a long time. Never mind her, let’s talk about Dong Ningxin. I disagreed when she first entered the household, but you insisted. Now that she has entered, she does not abide by her duties as a concubine, and I cannot manage her?”