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What should she say?

Waiting online, really urgent.

"Please, please come inside and sit down. It's sunny out here." She finally found something to say.

Mostly, it was such a mess out here that it was an eyesore.

"Mm." The Grand Princess nodded and held out her hand to Gu Wanning.

Gu Wanning hurriedly wiped her hands on her clothes, then stepped forward to support her, unable to keep herself from thinking that a big shot was a big shot.

When she wanted to take you under her wing, she could make you feel as though you were basking in a spring breeze.

But then the Grand Princess held out her other hand.

Toward Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei was visibly unwilling, clenching his teeth so hard that the veins at his temples stood out.

The Grand Princess said nothing. She simply watched him with eyes that were not particularly stern, but had seen all the world's affairs. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly; she was even smiling.

Then Xu Weibei gave in and stepped forward to support her.

Gu Wanning quietly instructed Er Ya, "Keep an eye on things here. Don't let anyone fish in troubled waters."

After all, it was all money.

Er Ya nodded repeatedly.

Gu Wanning then said to the four concubines, "You come along too."

"Yes."

They all went to the main courtyard.

Gu Wanning went to wash up and change. By the time she came out, Xu Weibei had also changed his shoes and was sitting below the Grand Princess, listening to her.

"Wanning, come sit."

The Grand Princess beckoned her over and had her sit on the other side.

Gu Wanning smiled and sat down.

She didn't know why the Grand Princess treated her so well, but she wasn't foolish enough to think it was because she was pretty and likable.

In the adult world, there was no love without a reason.

Especially from someone as exalted as the Grand Princess. The favor she showed came with a price to match.

Gu Wanning had no time to think too much about it, mostly because she didn't have the brains for it either.

"Weibei was gone for three whole years. You've suffered," the Grand Princess said, gently patting the back of Gu Wanning's hand. "Grandmother knows all about it. I won't beat around the bush with you. He's already twenty-two this year, and you're eighteen. It's time to put having children on the agenda."

Gu Wanning nearly choked to death on her own spit.

Actually, please do beat around the bush.

My poor little heart is very fragile.

Xu Weibei said nothing, his face cold as he watched Gu Wanning's theatrics with icy eyes.

"Grandmother, there's no hurry, no hurry..." She looked at the four concubines standing to one side and thought, You lot, hurry up and show some promise. Get Xu Weibei back to your rooms!

As for favoring a concubine and trampling the wife, she'd make a clean break and walk her own flower-strewn path. Wasn't that how it always went in novels?

But the Grand Princess had clearly misunderstood her meaning. She said coldly, "You are the principal wife of the marquis's household, and your status is exalted. There will be no firstborn son of a concubine in this household! The first son must be born to the principal wife. If any of you can't behave yourselves, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Three of the concubines hurriedly knelt.

Fourth Concubine had no idea where her thoughts had wandered. When she came back to her senses and found she was the only one still standing there like a fool, she froze on the spot.

Gu Wanning: No, this blockhead won't do.

I'll have to count on the other three.

Around here, no one fell for the overbearing

CEO

and his muddleheaded, delicate darling act.

Couldn't one see that Xu Weibei's brows were knitted so tightly they could almost crush a fly?

This man wanted women to follow the rules, just like all the other women in the world, observing the three obediences and four virtues, virtuous and gentle.

First Concubine tugged at Fourth Concubine.

Only then did Fourth Concubine react. With a thud, both knees slammed solidly into the ground.

The sound made Gu Wanning's liver tremble.

That useless fool is even sillier than I am, Gu Wanning thought.

The Grand Princess looked at Xu Weibei. "Is this the one you picked yourself?"

Gu Wanning pricked up her ears.

"Mm," Xu Weibei answered, looking as though he wanted to say more but stopping himself.

The Grand Princess did not ask any further. She spoke slowly, her words a warning. "The marquis and his wife are both your masters. If any of you think to overstep your masters, I'll be the first to object!"

"We wouldn't dare," the four women said, lowering their heads.

"Contraceptive soup," the Grand Princess said. "If any of you dare tamper with it, even if you do become pregnant, I'll spare neither mother nor child. You'll be beaten to death with clubs. Is that clear?"

"Yes." This time, all four immediately kowtowed deeply.

But Gu Wanning felt as though she had fallen into a pit.

If the others weren't allowed to give birth, didn't that mean it had to be her?

"Grandmother, Grandmother," she hurriedly said, "I know you've always looked after me and treated me well. It's just that the marquis is so old now. Other men his age became fathers long ago, and my health is frail..."

Xu Weibei: He was old???

Her health was frail???

The ability to lie through their teeth truly ran in the Gu family.

Gu Wanning thought, I won't occupy the latrine without taking a shit.

As for the latrine that is Xu Weibei, whoever wants to shit can have it!

"My father and mother taught me to be virtuous from a young age. If I kept the marquis all to myself, it would make them lose face too," Gu Wanning began to spout utter nonsense.

"No matter who bears a child, it will be the marquis's flesh and blood, and your grandson or granddaughter. I'll absolutely treat the child as my own flesh and blood, so please rest assured!"

The Grand Princess sighed. "You're kind and softhearted. I'm afraid others will climb right over your head if you carry on like this. Fortunately, these old bones of mine can still support you a little. You must also learn to stand up for yourself..."

Xu Weibei felt that "lying through one's teeth" was contagious.

Grandmother had now caught it.

Gu Wanning, kind and softhearted?

Others climbing over her head?

Heh.

To win over the Gu family, Grandmother was paying no heed to his feelings whatsoever.

A legitimate firstborn son?

In her dreams!

Even if he spent the rest of his life alone, he would never be with a woman like Gu Wanning.

"Grandmother, I mean every word." Gu Wanning went into full drama mode, tears glistening in her eyes. "During the three years the marquis was away on campaign, I lived in fear every day, terrified that something might happen to him, and the marquis had left no children behind..."

"The marquis and I are husband and wife, one in body. His child is my child!"