Seeing Gu Changwei's attitude towards his great-grandson, Madam Qin could completely ascertain Gu Changwei's usual demeanor towards them. She had always thought her daughter was living well in the Duke's mansion. Now it seemed... she should have stopped her daughter when she fancied Gu Changwei. Yes, the world said the Duke was a man of deep affections, but often, the more affectionate a person, the more heartless they could be.
"Mother-in-law, please be mindful of your words. I am not only Qin family's son-in-law but also a Duke personally enfeoffed by His Majesty," Gu Changwei said in a deep voice. "I will handle today's matter. If Mother-in-law is worried about Tingxue, you are welcome to stay in Lan Zhi Courtyard. As for other matters, I will trouble Mother-in-law."
After Gu Changwei finished speaking, he helped Dong Ningxin to leave. Dong Ningxin pointed at the maid on the ground, "Brother-in-law, Qian Ru was the maid who followed Sister. After Sister passed away, she returned to the Dong family. Sister always treated her kindly. Now that she's dead, I can't just ignore her."
Gu Changwei called for someone to come in and instructed, "Take her down and arrange for her. Find a wet nurse to tidy her up and change her clothes."
With that, he helped Dong Ningxin and walked out, not even glancing at Madam Qin or Gu Sinian.
"You two go inside and tidy up Tingxue, and take Tingxue back. What kind of life is my good daughter living in the Duke's mansion? Do you think my in-laws have no one? I've noted this down. When Tingxue recovers, I'll settle this with Gu Changwei." Madam Qin said with a dark expression. "A Nian, we won't stay in the Duke's mansion anymore. Come back to the Qin family with your maternal grandmother."
Gu Sinian calmly shook his head, "Grandmother, we won't be leaving for now. They owe my mother, and I will get it all back. They covet the title of heir, and I will not let them have their way. Don't worry, from now on, I will protect my mother well and not let her suffer any more grievances. My mother is the legitimate principal wife. If she returns to her maiden home like this, it would be bowing to Concubine Dong. You know what others will say afterwards, I don't need to tell you."
Yes, the legitimate principal wife was so disheveled. While outsiders could only pity Tingxue, they would also look down on her. Returning to her maiden home was indeed not a good solution. But thinking of her daughter's life in the Duke's mansion, Madam Qin felt as if her heart had been stabbed several times. Besides her grandson, her daughter was isolated and helpless in the Duke's mansion. She had also seen Gu Changwei's attitude. He hadn't even looked at her daughter, but instead comforted Dong Ningxin as he left.
"A Nian, your grandmother is worried. I only have your mother as my daughter. I thought she had found her own happiness, but now..." Madam Qin's eyes turned red, and she choked out her words.
"Grandmother, they owe my mother, and I will get it all back. By the way, please trouble Grandmother to look after my mother here during this period. I need to go to Jiangnan to bring my grandmother back." Gu Sinian said, "With Grandmother here, the Duke will have to restrain himself at least a little."
Madam Qin nodded. She also knew the character of the old Madam Gu. At least she wouldn't be as unreasonable as Gu Changwei.
"A Nian, don't worry. From today onwards, your grandmother will stay here. I'd like to see if Gu Changwei can still drive me away! Eldest daughter-in-law, second daughter-in-law, go back and tell them that the household will be managed by the two of you for the time being. Mother will be here looking after your sister."
Madam Wei nodded, and Madam Zheng also responded, "Alright, we'll listen to Mother."
In Qingsong Courtyard, Gu Changwei stood in the courtyard. Inside, Dong Ningxin was being attended to by a maid as she changed her clothes. She was wearing clothes that Concubine Dong had worn. The sisters were twins and looked almost identical. Dong Ningxin deliberately had someone style her hair in a way her sister preferred. When she was helped out, Gu Changwei's eyes were fixed on her...
"Brother-in-law, thank you so much today. If Brother-in-law hadn't returned in time, Ningxin might have suffered the same fate as Qian Ru. Poor Qian Ru, I never imagined she would do something like this." Dong Ningxin said with a look of melancholy and sadness.
Gu Changwei came back to his senses, "Don't worry, I won't stand by and do nothing about Qian Ru's matter. I know your sister treated Qian Ru very well when she was alive, and I certainly won't let her die like this."
Dong Ningxin was secretly delighted, "But Qian Ru admitted that she poisoned the Duchess. I heard she's not well and barely survived, but her body was injured."
Gu Changwei frowned. Right, there was this matter too. The maid confessed to the poisoning, and it couldn't be considered a forced confession. The paper used to wrap the medicine was found on her. With this, he really didn't know what to do.
"Brother-in-law, Qian Ru didn't handle this well. She is the Duchess, after all. Moreover, if Sister was really harmed by her back then, wouldn't Brother-in-law avenge Sister? It's this foolish girl Qian Ru..."
Gu Changwei's frown deepened. He still had no clue how Ning Wan had died back then. Even the imperial physicians couldn't figure anything out. Ning Wan had suffered postpartum hemorrhage, and no method could stop it, leading to her death. He hadn't stopped suspecting Madam Qin, but the results from the secret guards' investigation had nothing to do with Qin Tingxue. He had investigated everyone around Ning Wan back then, and none of them had any issues.
Therefore, even without finding any evidence on Qin Tingxue, Gu Changwei still harbored suspicions.
"I remember Qian Ru was a family servant of your Dong family. She has relatives, doesn't she? Treat them well, and it will be considered doing something for Qian Ru," Gu Changwei said after some thought.
So, for the matter of poisoning Qin Tingxue, Gu Changwei was not angry or upset, and even wanted to treat Qian Ru's family well. Did this mean he didn't care about Qin Tingxue's life or death at all?
Dong Ningxin was overjoyed. Her gaze towards Gu Changwei was filled with reverence and gratitude, "Brother-in-law, thank you. If Sister's spirit in heaven knew that you still remember her, she would definitely be very happy. I know that without Brother-in-law's care over the years, the Dong family would have had a very difficult time."
Gu Changwei waved his hand, "I promised Ning Wan that I would protect the Dong family well."
Dong Ningxin bit her lip, "Brother-in-law, you also promised Sister that you would take care of me. Sister's intention back then was for me to take good care of Si Ya for her. Brother-in-law verbally agreed, but after Sister passed away..."
Back then, Dong Ningwan had indeed said such things before her death. Gu Changwei had refused, using the reason that Dong Ningxin should have a better belonging. Later, he had diligently found a good family for Dong Ningxin, but unfortunately, after only a few years of good times, Dong Ningxin's husband's family fell into decline, and Dong Ningxin's man died.
The Dong family was unwilling for Dong Ningxin to remain a widow there and did not even ask for her dowry to bring Dong Ningxin back.
People in the capital all knew that the second daughter of the Dong family was now a widow. Any decent aristocratic family would naturally not take such a person in. The Dong family originally thought of letting Dong Ningxin remarry and bring some glory to the family, but they had never succeeded. The Dong family was anxious, and Dong Ningxin was also anxious.
Speaking of which, there was no better choice than the Duke's mansion.