When Granny Li arrived, Gu Changwei was holding Dong Ningxin and coaxing her. His submissive demeanor was a far cry from the heroic and mighty Duke.
Granny Li had been by the Old Madam's side since childhood and had watched Gu Changwei grow up. People said that as one gets older, one becomes more sensible and more aware of their responsibilities. But Gu Changwei… Granny Li sighed. If the Duke continued like this, the Duke's mansion would eventually be ruined by him. Fortunately, the heir was diligent and progressive!
"Granny Li, is something the matter?" Gu Changwei looked up and saw Granny Li standing at the door, asking with a frown.
"I am here on the Old Madam's orders to get the token from Concubine Dong," Granny Li said tactfully. With the Duke present, if she spoke directly of the Old Madam's intentions, it would surely create a rift between mother and son.
Dong Ningxin was deliberately delaying returning the token to Madam Da Qin, hoping to win over Gu Changwei. As long as Gu Changwei intervened, she had a high probability of managing the household affairs. She was pregnant, but there was also Madam Aya, who could assist her, so she wouldn't have to worry about anything!
Gu Changwei's frown deepened. When he first arrived, he had heard from the servants attending Ah Xin about the matter of Linglong Pavilion. This incident undoubtedly meant Ah Xin had been wronged. She was carrying his child, and Madam Da Qin was bullying her like this, even giving her the token. How difficult would Ah Xin's life be in the future? Although he could protect her, he couldn't stay in the inner courtyard all day.
"Ah Xin managed quite well before; the household affairs were handled in an orderly fashion," Gu Changwei said.
"No one is saying Concubine Dong did a poor job. Before, when Madam was unwell, no one could say anything about Concubine Dong overstepping her bounds. Now that Madam has recovered and the Heir's wife has also entered the household, it would not sound good if Concubine Dong continued to manage the household affairs. Furthermore, Concubine Dong is now pregnant and should rest and nurture her pregnancy," Granny Li stated.
Gu Changwei was not foolish and knew Granny Li had a point. However, seeing Dong Ningxin's wronged expression, he felt it was not a big deal. He was the Duke; he had the final say in everything in this mansion. Whoever he said should manage it, would manage it.
As for the talk outside about favoring concubines over wives affecting his career, he was the Duke now and had no room for further promotion. At most, he would be impeached by a censor a few times, which would not have a significant impact.
"Just have Madam Aya and Madam Anian help out," Gu Changwei said.
Dong Ningxin felt a surge of triumph. Being an unfavored legal wife was worse than being a concubine!
"If the Duke insists on letting Concubine Dong manage the household affairs, then this old servant can only send a bowl of miscarriage-inducing medicine. The Old Madam said that regarding the management of the household and the child, Concubine Dong can only choose one," Granny Li had no choice but to invoke the Old Madam's words.
Dong Ningxin's face turned ashen, and Gu Changwei's face was also filled with anger.
"What did you say?!" Gu Changwei's face contorted.
Granny Li repeated the words, word for word.
"Ah Xin, don't worry, I will protect you and the child." After speaking, he ordered people to take good care of Dong Ningxin and rushed back to Yannan Courtyard. He wanted to ask what his mother was trying to do!
Granny Li glanced at Dong Ningxin, "Concubine Dong, greed knows no bounds. It is best to be content with one's lot in life."
After Granny Li left, Dong Ningxin spat fiercely, "That old slut, she'd better pray she doesn't fall into my hands later." And that old hag. She didn't favor her sister back then, and she didn't favor her now, but wasn't her precious son still ensnared by the two sisters? Her sister had been dead for many years, yet Gu Changwei still held her in his heart. When she entered the household, Gu Changwei doted on her.
As for Madam Da Qin, she would never win the Duke's heart in this lifetime.