A Daughter Is Born

Gu Wanning paused for a moment, then said, "What more results do we need?"

"It all came to nothing," said the Third Concubine. "The reason, no matter what, boils down to the word 'filial piety'."

Gu Wanning was startled. "You mean, the Grand Princess was also involved in this?"

Third Concubine nodded, "This servant thinks it looks very similar."

"Why? Just because you're afraid I'll be unhappy? But I didn't say I was intolerant of others."

How did they suddenly drag her into this, and make her work for her?

This is a huge scapegoat; she can't carry it all.

"Because for the princess, she'll have grandchildren later. It's not worth it to completely offend the Gu family and you because of Linglong's child. Especially if she gives birth to a son, it will be a thorn in your side that you can't get rid of."

Therefore, the Grand Princess decided to prevent the child from being born, thus ending the matter once and for all.

While Gu Wanning was taken aback, she also felt a sense of shared sorrow, like a rabbit mourning the death of a fox.

--Linglong, or any of them, were merely pawns in the Grand Princess's scheme.

The ruthlessness of those in power is something she will probably never understand in her lifetime.

Chapter 119 Birth of a Daughter

"Madam, you know what you're doing. As for whether the Marquis has mentioned it to you, you don't need to worry about it," said the Third Concubine.

What am I struggling with?

"Marquis has you in his heart, perhaps you will wait for his explanation?"

"No." Gu Wanning waved her hand. "I was just thinking that I want to leave the Marquis. Perhaps there's still a chance here with the Marquis, but I also need to be careful and wary of the Grand Princess."

What if the Grand Princess feels she's lost face and wants to kill her to silence her?

Gu Wanning was worried about her future.

"It's not that bad," said the Third Concubine. "While the princess is indeed decisive and ruthless, she also has to be selective about who she's dealing with. With your father and brothers backing you up, she'll know better than to hesitate."

It sounds ironic, but that's the truth; everyone knows how to treat someone differently based on their status.

Yes, she also has her father and brothers backing her up.

Father and brothers, please don't let anything happen to you.

Also, is Xu Weibei about to face some bad luck?

When the opportunity arises again, I should talk to my First Concubine again and go over these things together. It would be best to take precautions in advance.

My father and brothers must not be harmed, and Xu Weibei must not be harmed either. Everyone must be well.

That way, even if they separate, she'll have someone to support her if she encounters problems.

But then I thought, it's best not to trouble Xu Weibei if I can avoid it; his wife would be so annoyed.

Xu Weibei didn't return until late at night.

Gu Wanning vaguely heard him move, and tried to open her eyes but was too sleepy to do so.

She was torn between her inner turmoil and her own thoughts, and after what seemed like an eternity, she finally opened her eyes.

The room was dimly lit by candlelight. Xu Weibei sat motionless on the edge of the bed, his brows furrowed and his gaze unfocused, as still as a statue.

Gu Wanning's sleepiness dissipated slightly. After thinking for a moment, she sat up, still wrapped in the blanket. "My Marquis?"

Xu Weibei turned his gaze to her, "I woke you up. It's almost time for court, so I won't sleep. I'll change my clothes and go to court in a bit. You go to sleep."

Gu Wanning needs to sleep for at least four hours, otherwise she'll be grumpy when she wakes up.

Xu Weibei had grown accustomed to watching her sleeping face as he tidied himself up and went to court.

He was feeling very frustrated and upset, and he didn't want Gu Wanning to see this side of him.

"Oh," Gu Wanning said, "Have you investigated everything?"

If it weren't for what the Third Concubine said, she probably wouldn't have pressed for details, worried that the secret schemes couldn't be revealed.

But if it's related to the Grand Princess... then she can ask.

"Hmm." Xu Weibei finally changed his position, leaning back against the bedpost with his legs slightly apart, and took a deep breath. "It was Grandmother who did it. She didn't want Linglong to give birth to my eldest son."

"Then... should I step in and tell her to bring Linglong and the baby back after she gives birth?"

She's only staying temporarily, so she shouldn't overshadow the host.

If Linglong is the love of Xu Weibei's heart, then the Marquis's Residence will be hers sooner or later.

If Xu Weibei likes someone, he will definitely do anything for her.

The fact that he was able to get Linglong to bear him a child suggests that Linglong treats him differently.

"No need, she won't let this go. If we bring her back and something happens to her, it will all be your fault." Xu Weibei in a low voice.

Gu Wanning understood this sense of helplessness.

However, taking care of a child is indeed a huge responsibility, so she didn't try to persuade her any further.

"My Marquis, what happened to your hand?" Gu Wanning belatedly noticed that there seemed to be blood on the back of Xu Weibei's hand.

"It's alright," Xu Weibei said. "I went to my grandmother's and acted crazy; I hurt myself."

Gu Wanning: "... It's time to go a little crazy. The elders always think they're right, and they try to impose that right on us."

"You feel the same way?"

"Isn't this how our marriage is arranged?"

Xu Weibei seemed to hear the sound of a dagger piercing flesh.

"If only they were completely evil; but no, they use love to hold you hostage, and they love you stubbornly, regardless of whether you live or die."

They don't even need anything in return.

Such love is too heavy.

"There's no way to resolve this," Gu Wanning said. "Your Marquis should send more people to keep an eye on Gu Linglong. Perhaps the princess will soften her heart after seeing the child."

Xu Weibei remained silent.

He suffered a series of blows, feeling only a cold and lonely heart, unable to express it.

Two days later, news came from outside that Linglong had given birth to a daughter.

Third Concubine said to Gu Wanning, "This is a good thing; at least the mother and daughter have a way to survive."

Xu Weibei even discovered that the midwife had a problem.

The Grand Princess told the midwife that if it was a son, the child should be strangled.

If it's a daughter, then spare her life.

Xu Weibei only told Gu Wanning about these things.