Gu Changwei pursed his lips tightly, his face devoid of any expression, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.
Dong Ningxin nervously glanced at Gu Changwei from the corner of her eye. She had witnessed Gu Changwei's attitude towards Qin Tingxue firsthand today, which emboldened her to speak. Moreover, Dong Ningxin knew her own heart. When she and her sister had first seen Gu Changwei years ago, it wasn't just Dong Ningwan who had fallen for him; she too had been captivated. But Gu Changwei's eyes had only ever been for Dong Ningwan, never acknowledging her affections.
Finally, Dong Ningwan was gone, and this was her chance. Dong Ningxin nervously squeezed her palms. "Brother-in-law, I don't believe you don't know my feelings."
Gu Changwei remained silent. He had, in fact, always known what Dong Ningxin was saying. But his heart had only ever held Ningwan, and from the beginning until now, no one else had been able to enter it. But now...
If Dong Ningxin were to enter the household, Qin Tingxue would likely not fare well.
After a moment's thought, Gu Changwei drew Dong Ningxin into his embrace. "After Siya's wife is married, I will choose a good day to welcome you into the household."
"Brother-in-law, are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me?" Dong Ningxin asked, her voice trembling.
Gu Changwei lowered his voice. "I have delayed you for so many years, and I don't want to delay you any longer. Although my heart only holds your sister, I cannot pretend not to see you. Your sister would not forgive me if I did."
Dong Ningxin was enveloped by immense joy. Years of longing were suddenly about to come true, and no matter how strong her composure, she couldn't help but be excited.
Gu Changwei comforted her for a while longer and prepared to arrange for someone to escort Dong Ningxin back.
"Brother-in-law, I want to go see Aya," Dong Ningxin said. "I think it would be more appropriate for me to tell Aya about this matter."
Gu Changwei nodded. "Alright, Aya has always listened to you."
Lan Zhi Courtyard.
Qin Shi slowly opened her eyes, her mind a blank slate. Before she could process anything, she heard the sound of sobbing.
"Tingxue, you scared your mother to death," Madam Qin said, her voice choked with emotion.
Qin Shi opened her mouth, her throat burning. She couldn't even make a sound.
"Don't rush to speak. You've been lying down for so long. Mother will get you some water."
Madam Qin personally poured warm water and helped Qin Shi sit up. "The imperial physician said there are still small amounts of residual poison in your body, and you will need to continue taking medicine for some time. Recover slowly. You are still young, and you will get better soon."
As she said this, Madam Qin thought of the imperial physician's words. Even if the residual poison was cleared, arsenic was a potent poison. Tingxue's internal organs had been more or less damaged, and her lifespan had been significantly shortened. It might not be apparent now, but as she aged, she would likely suffer from various ailments.
Qin Shi was a little confused, unsure of what was happening to her.
After slowly drinking half a cup of water, Qin Shi felt her throat was a little more comfortable. Although her voice was hoarse, she could at least speak.
"Mother, why are you here? What... what happened to me?"
Madam Qin embraced her, gently patting Qin Shi's back. "It was Mother's foolishness that caused you to suffer so many years in the Duke's mansion. My good daughter, look what Gu Changwei has done to you. You child, you endured such great hardship, why didn't you tell Mother? Your father, your elder brothers, none of them would bear to see you suffer like this!"
Although Qin Shi was still a little confused, she knew her mother had found out about her unhappy life in the Duke's mansion.
Gu Changwei was a man she had chosen herself, someone she desperately wanted to marry. Her parents had initially disagreed, but they couldn't sway her and had to agree to the marriage. At that time, she had been too confident. She knew Gu Changwei liked Dong Ningwan, but she believed she was no less than Dong Ningwan in any way and was confident Gu Changwei would come to like her.
And the result?
If Qin Shi were given a chance to choose again, she would never have been so headstrong, believing she could win Gu Changwei's true affection.
In matters of the heart, talent was not important, nor was appearance. What mattered was that the two people's eyes met.
"Mother, I'm fine. I'm doing well. Anian is already so big. By looking after him, my life goes on," Qin Shi comforted Madam Qin.
"Tingxue, you are only thirty-three years old, and you still have a long life ahead of you. Are you going to waste it like this?" Madam Qin had lived a smooth life. Her husband was considerate and loving, and her children were all outstanding, especially her darling daughter, whose hand was sought by many after she came of age. Madam Qin had always wanted to find a suitable husband for Qin Tingxue. However, when the army returned victorious, Tingxue saw the majestic young general in a teahouse, and her heart was lost.
Gu Changwei was a heroic figure in his youth, handsome, and from a good family. He was indeed a good choice.
Initially, the Qin family elders thought highly of Gu Changwei. Later, when their two sons brought back news that Gu Changwei was determined to marry only one specific person, they no longer favored him. Tingxue had been doted on and raised by the entire Qin family, and they wanted a husband who would continue to dote on her. For Gu Changwei's family to spread such words before even arranging a marriage for him, the Qin family considered him an unsuitable candidate.
Madam Qin had not expected that her usually obedient daughter would be so insistent this time, declaring she would marry no one but Gu Changwei, even advising them that she was confident she could make Gu Changwei fall for her. Madam Qin had not doubted her words, as many prominent families in the capital sought to marry her daughter. On one hand, Qin Tingxue was insistent, and on the other, the Qin family doted on Qin Tingxue. Furthermore, the Duchess of the Duke's mansion personally came to propose, repeatedly assuring that everyone in the Duke's mansion would treat Qin Tingxue well, and frankly admitting that Gu Changwei had someone he liked. The Gu family explicitly stated that the main wife of the Gu family would never be someone like the Dong family's daughter and that they would not take Dong Ningwan into their household. Only then did the in-laws agree to the marriage.
And the result? Their daughter happily married into the Gu family, only to be living such a miserable life now.
At first, the Gu family adamantly refused to let Dong Ningwan enter the household. But Gu Changwei was reckless, and Dong Ningwan became pregnant with his child. The Duchess personally came to apologize, also stating that Tingxue would give birth to a legitimate son as soon as possible. The Qin family was furious but helpless. Which noble son did not have three wives and four concubines? If the situation remained unresolved, any rumors that spread would ultimately harm Tingxue. Coupled with Qin Tingxue's agreement, Dong Ningwan was thus admitted.
Fortunately, within a few months, Tingxue also became pregnant, which relieved the elders of the Gu family and the Qin family.
However, unexpectedly, Dong Ningwan had a difficult labor during childbirth. Although the child was born safely, she could not survive.
At that time, Madam Qin thought her daughter, blinded by jealousy, might have done something. She hurried to the Gu family to inquire. Her daughter earnestly stated that she had not done it, and only then did Madam Qin feel at ease. Her daughter had always been proud and disdained to lie. If she hadn't done something, she wouldn't deny it; if she had, she wouldn't conceal it.
The Gu family also handled the matter very discreetly. During this period, Gu Changwei even accompanied Tingxue back to the Qin family. Madam Qin finally felt relieved, thinking the matter was over. She never expected it to erupt more than a decade later.