"How can you persuade him? Will your elder brother listen to you?"
The Old Madam Gu understood her own son quite well; he was exceedingly stubborn. If not for that, with her own nephew being a prince, why would he have done something so unnecessarily complicated?
"Whether he listens or not, His Majesty has spoken, and I can only return to tell you," Consort An said.
Old Madam Gu was very helpless. "If it weren't for that Dong Ningwan, how could your elder brother have become like this? I truly don't know what's so good about her that she has completely captivated your brother."
Thinking that Dong Ningwan was already gone, and now there was Dong Ningxin in the mansion, and Gu Siya, who always believed she had mistreated Dong Ningwan, Old Madam Gu was filled with regret. She shouldn't have been soft-hearted back then and let Dong Ningwan into the household. If Dong Ningwan had never entered, would their sibling relationship have deteriorated to this point?
Consort An did not respond. How could the living contend with the dead? Moreover, that was the person her elder brother held dearest.
"Someone, go invite the Duke here," Old Madam Gu commanded.
"Mother..."
"Mother will speak with your brother. With his temperament, will he listen to you?" Old Madam Gu said.
Madam Da Qin stood by, her head lowered, not saying a word. Gu Changwei, that man, would not listen even if the Old Madam spoke. What he believed to be right, was right. Just like how he believed she secretly harmed Gu Siya, so she was guilty. No matter how she explained, he wouldn't believe her.
Gu Changwei arrived soon after.
After greeting Consort An with a blank expression, he asked, "Mother, you summoned your son. Is there something?"
"Let me ask you, do we all not compare to Dong Ningwan and Gu Siya?" Old Madam Gu asked sternly.
Gu Changwei was taken aback, a little puzzled. Why was this question suddenly being asked? He glanced at Consort An, assuming his good sister had said something to upset their mother again. He knew she hadn't returned with any good intentions.
"Ningwan and Siya are my son's family. We are all family, so who is there to compare?" Gu Changwei replied.
"Yes, until the moment Dong Ningwan died, I disliked her. This is an undeniable fact, and I do not deny it. Changwei, be honest, tell me yourself, could Dong Ningwan handle the position of the mistress of the household?" Old Madam Gu asked.
Gu Changwei's mind conjured Dong Ningwan's image. Ah Wan was so delicate and weak; he wished he could hold her in his palm every moment, how could he bear to let her be burdened by worldly affairs? He was willing to handle everything for her.
"Mother, Ah Wan is frail and kind. Even if she couldn't, I can," Gu Changwei said. "I can manage all the household chores."
Hearing Gu Changwei say this, Old Madam Gu was almost furious enough to spit fire. "Did your father and I meticulously teach you so that you could manage the household affairs? You say you can manage them. You, a grown man, are you going to spend your days managing trivial matters in the household?"
"What's the point of you saying this now, Mother? Ah Wan is no longer alive. Your son has also married and had children as you wished. What more are you dissatisfied with?" Gu Changwei couldn't help but raise his voice. "Your son believes he has fulfilled all your requests over the years. What else do you want?"
Old Madam Gu was so angry her lips trembled, unable to speak.
"Mother, you are getting old. You should focus on enjoying your twilight years and not worry about unnecessary things. Your Highness," Gu Changwei said coldly, "if you are filial, do not instigate Mother to ponder things you cannot change."