"My son is not deceiving Mother."
"My son merely, merely..."
Gu Changwei hesitantly relayed what Gu Siya had said to Old Madam Gu.
Old Madam Gu struggled to suppress a laugh.
This was truly heaven's eye.
Her perfect son, in the end, was such a character.
Old Madam Gu felt both exhilarated and sorrowful for Gu Changwei.
"So, you've been rebuffed by your eldest son and have come to me for comfort? Or have you remembered Ah Nian's goodness and wish to repent and make amends? I tell you, it's too late." Old Madam Gu said without mercy.
A person's heart doesn't turn cold all at once.
It's only after years of accumulated disappointment, bit by bit, that it grows cold.
Once cold, it's not easily warmed.
The disappointments and grievances Ah Nian suffered from childhood to adulthood, she had seen countless of them.
Not to mention those she hadn't seen.
Gu Changwei sighed deeply.
Old Madam Gu remained unmoved.
"Mother—" Gu Changwei changed the subject, "Ah Ya still needs your care. I cannot see His Majesty. Mother, please speak to Ah Le and ask her to intercede for Ah Ya. This time, he truly knows he was wrong."
Old Madam Gu looked as if she had expected as much.
She had actually believed Gu Changwei had a genuine heart of repentance just moments ago. But after all was said and done, this was what he was waiting for, still solely concerned for Gu Siya.
Old Madam Gu's face darkened. "You understand the principle of serving a ruler is like walking with a tiger, don't you? Ah Le appears glorious in the palace, but the hardships she endures behind the scenes, even if you haven't experienced them yourself, haven't you heard of them? We can't help her with anything; instead, we drag her down at every turn. How can you have the face to ask, to drag Ah Le down?"
"Mother, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to drag Ah Le down. I was just thinking, Ah Ya is my son after all. If I don't look after him this time, his life will be ruined. I was thinking, after this matter is settled, I'll let him establish his own household and live a good life." Gu Changwei explained with difficulty.
This time, he was truly hurt.
But he couldn't completely abandon his son, after all, Gu Siya was his and Ning Wan's flesh and blood.
Moreover, he also bore responsibility for Ah Ya becoming this way.
Of course, Dong Ningxin's instigation also played a part.
Gu Changwei's eyes flickered. In the future, he would no longer allow Dong Ningxin to interfere.
Old Madam Gu let out a cold laugh. "Gu Changwei, Gu Changwei, you are my son, how can I not know your nature? You've always been easily swayed. You say fine words now, but in the future, if Gu Siya doesn't live well and comes to you crying, can you ignore him? Given Gu Siya's character, I can guarantee he won't live well."
Selfish and brainless, it's no wonder such a person wouldn't live well.
"Instead of wasting your energy pleading for him here, you'd do better to think about why His Majesty isn't seeing you!" Old Madam Gu said.
After speaking, she waved her hand at Gu Changwei. "You may go. Hurry and go. I am tired and need to rest."
With that, she closed her eyes and remained silent.
Gu Changwei could only leave, filled with resentment.
He sat in the study for a while, contemplating who could help with Gu Siya's affairs. He ran through his circle of acquaintances, but the conclusion was that no one could help.
This kind of matter was too sensitive.
No one dared to incur His Majesty's displeasure.
Gu Changwei grew increasingly agitated.
Dong Ningxin came to the study with a soup pot to find Gu Changwei.
It wasn't a deliberate act.
Ever since Qin Tingxue left, she had been coming to the study from time to time to bring Gu Changwei nourishing soups.
This time, she expected, as usual, that Gu Changwei would drink the soup she had carefully stewed, and then they would have a tender moment. However—