The Earl of Yunyang discussed with his wife: “I think we should request the Emperor to officially name the eldest grandson as heir. Continuing like this will only lead to confusion of status in the family, enmity between brothers, and complete chaos. As long as Gu Yu is alive, that side won’t settle down anyway. Fortunately, Gu Yu is already seventeen. If he can’t even protect his things, such a grandson wouldn’t be much of a loss!”
Officially naming the eldest grandson as heir would establish the successor to the title.
The benefit was confirming his position, but the drawback was making him a target.
Especially Gu Yu’s stepmother, who would completely lose hope and might treat Gu Yu even more harshly.
The Marchioness of Yunyang had been gentle-natured since girlhood. After marrying the Earl, who still held his first wife Lady Song in his heart, the Marchioness became even more accommodating to him. Whatever the Earl deemed good, she would never disagree. Though she knew her daughter-in-law mistreated the eldest grandson since the Earl said nothing, she only secretly gave Gu Yu some silver to use. She dared not say more. Ironically, Gu Yu lacked nothing except silver, so his relationships with the Gu family members were not very good.
Hearing her husband wanted to request the Emperor to name Gu Yu as heir, she naturally nodded and said “Good.”
The Earl couldn’t help but sigh.
His wife was too soft-natured. How could one manage a household with such a gentle disposition? If she could take charge and manage the Earl’s mansion well, how could he tolerate his daughter-in-law’s misdeeds?
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but remember Lady Song again.
If she were still alive… surely his life wouldn’t have turned out like this?
Come to think of it, she had been gone for nearly forty years. He was now in his sixties, time to make arrangements for after his death.
He wanted to be buried with Lady Song after death.
But his sons were all born to his second wife. Even if he left a will, his sons probably wouldn’t agree. Once he closed his eyes, he would be at others’ mercy, and the matter might even be brought before the Emperor.
For this matter, he would need the Song family to intervene.
Song Yichun wouldn’t do… he could only ask Song Mo… And for Gu Yu’s marriage, he needed to find a capable daughter-in-law who could keep the eldest daughter-in-law in check…
The Earl of Yunyang lay in bed watching the sun slowly rise before lazily getting up. He instructed his attendant to send a visiting card to Song Mo: “Tell him to come to the house. I have something to discuss with him.”
The attendant acknowledged and left but returned after just half a cup of tea’s time, with Song Mo following behind.
The Earl was surprised, then smiled and said, “Well, speak of the devil. You’re here to see Gu Yu, right?”
Song Mo didn’t have a good impression of the Earl of Yunyang. Firstly, he had no personal achievements; secondly, he had no principles when it came to Gu Yu’s affairs. In their usual interactions, Song Mo only paid him the respects of a junior out of consideration for their past familial ties.
“I heard Gu Yu has returned, so I came specifically to see him,” Song Mo exchanged polite greetings with the Earl.
Usually, once Song Mo had fulfilled the proper etiquette, the Earl would just nod and let him go. But this time, he said to him, “After you’ve seen Gu Yu, come to my room for a moment.”
Song Mo instinctively felt the Earl had no good intentions in seeking him out, but he smiled and nodded before heading to Gu Yu’s quarters.
Gu Yu was sprawled out on the large kang bed by the window. Several of his servants knelt nervously by the bed, stealing glances at each other but not daring to speak.
Last night’s commotion had been quite intense! Thinking back on it now, they all felt frightened.
When a young maid called out from behind the curtain, “The heir of Duke Ying has arrived,” her timid voice suddenly became like heavenly music. The servants almost jumped up in relief.
Gu Yu sat up abruptly.
Along with a clear, reproachful “Why are you still lying in bed?” Song Mo entered, lifting the curtain.
Gu Yu scowled and lay back down.
“What are you sulking about now?” Song Mo ignored him and instructed the kneeling servants, “Go fetch water for the young master to wash up.”
Gu Yu childishly craned his neck and cried, “I didn’t sleep all night!”
“I know!” Song Mo remained unmoved, saying calmly, “I heard you won a great victory. What, too excited to sleep?”
Yesterday had been a bit of an unfair victory.
He had even brought up his deceased mother, which made his father glare fiercely at his stepmother.
Gu Yu’s face burned with shame.
Song Mo sighed and said gently, “Why didn’t you come to see me when you returned from Liaodong?”
“Something happened at home. I wasn’t in the mood,” Gu Yu mumbled, inwardly regretting it. Had he known Brother Tianci was thinking of him, he should have gone earlier.
Song Mo said nothing.
Gu Yu obediently allowed the servants to help him wash up.
After washing up, he plopped down next to Song Mo and said eagerly, “Brother Tianci, have you had breakfast? We have a new cook who makes excellent noodles. Shall I have them make you a bowl?”
“I’ve already eaten,” Song Mo smiled. “Order whatever you want for yourself!”
Gu Yu never stood in the ceremony with Song Mo. He loudly instructed the servants to have the kitchen make him noodles.
Song Mo then said, “This can’t go on. Doesn’t your family have a place called Tingxiang Pavilion in the back garden? Why don’t you build a flower wall on the east side of Tingxiang Pavilion, open a side door on the west, and move there to live? That way you won’t have to pass through the main house every day. You’ll be more comfortable, and your stepmother won’t find you an eyesore!”
Gu Yu’s eyes instantly grew moist.
Everyone said they treated him well, but only Brother Tianci truly cared for him.
He had thought of everything for him.
He decided to be more generous himself.
It was just a child after all, and Brother Tianci’s flesh and blood.
Lady Dou was giving Brother Tianci descendants, so he shouldn’t hold Brother Tianci back. He would give Lady Dou the two-hundred-year-old ginseng roots the Prince of Liao had given him. Didn’t people say childbirth was like having one foot in the grave? Brother Tianci seemed quite fond of Lady Dou, so perhaps it could even save her life.
Thinking of this, his mood improved. He said disdainfully, “I won’t move! Am I afraid of her?”
“It’s not about being afraid or not,” Song Mo persuaded him. “You have a long life ahead of you. Why bother stooping to their level? After the New Year, go to the palace and ask the Empress to find you a position. Then we can talk about arranging a good marriage for you. Living harmoniously in your little world, making your stepmother green with envy – isn’t that better than squabbling with her like this?”