The Noble Lady's Rebirth: She just wants to Rest in Peace!-Chapter 360 - 352: Persuasion

Mrs. Wu watched her husband leave, then approached her daughter to console her.

"Staying here in the mansion, your father shows you a long face all day long. Why not go back to Xu Mansion? You are, after all, the lady of a Marquis Mansion. Over there, no one can give you an attitude, but look how it is when you return here. Is there anyone who looks at you properly? Although I feel for you, I also feel distressed. I really don’t want my daughter to be humiliated. I know you’re upset about all this happening here, but the more you act this way, the less your sister-in-law will regard you seriously. Why not do as I suggest and return to Xu Mansion?"

Wu Xueya sat there blankly. She only reacted when Xu Mansion was mentioned. "I understand what you’re saying, but what’s the use of going back to Xu Mansion? They won’t dare mock me openly? They’ll do so behind my back, so what’s the difference from now?"

Mrs. Wu felt helpless upon hearing her daughter’s words. "Child, I’m at a loss on what to say. You insisted on marrying Xu Yuhang, and see where that’s led. He left on the wedding day, and you became the laughingstock of the Capital. Though you stayed at the mansion for a while afterwards, it was nothing but daily quarrels. Ultimately, he went to the border, flagrantly disregarding the Wu Mansion. Your father has already had disagreements with Wu Mansion. If not for maintaining status and face, the two families would have stopped their interactions long ago."

"It’s all about benefits, what’s been valued in father’s eyes? Now all he can see is that concubine’s daughter. I want to see what she can bring to him. I’ve become like this; what could be worse?"

Mrs. Wu was displeased at her daughter’s words. "You ungrateful girl, I know you’re upset, but how can you speak ill of the mansion? After all, it’s your maiden family. If anything happens, who will stand by your side if not us? Outsiders are hardly reliable. Enough, I won’t say more. I know these words are pointless while you’re upset."

"What should I hope for? If something’s bound to happen, no one can stop it, even if I say nothing. Don’t blame me, Mother. We all know what the current state of the mansion is."

"You stubborn girl, why do you still speak like this? If Wu Mansion ever gets in trouble, what will you do?"

"I’ll just go back to Xu Mansion. I heard the Holy Emperor wants to betroth Xu Ya’an as the Crown Prince’s Imperial Consort. If that happens, at least I’ll have a place to go there." When Wu Xueya said this, she showed no reserve.

Mrs. Wu trembled with anger, pointing at her daughter but unable to speak, fear taking hold. Thankfully, her husband had already left, or if he heard such words, he wouldn’t just use his hands to deal with this.

Despite her anger, she wondered how she could have raised such disappointing children. Her daughter had become a joke in the Capital, and her son had taken a liking to someone he shouldn’t, causing the whole Wu Mansion to suffer.

Though they’re seen as allies of the Eldest Prince, they aren’t valued by him. They’ve offended the Royal Family by seizing the Royal Family’s daughter-in-law. The Eldest Prince has his eyes on the throne; how could he risk displeasing the Holy Emperor over the Wu family?

Wu Xueya said no more and stood to leave. As for returning to Xu Mansion as her mother persuaded, it wasn’t on her mind. She would only return either in glory or if the Eldest Prince’s side fell and she needed to seek refuge there.

Either outcome was favorable for Wu Xueya. If Wu Mansion did offend the new ruler, being the daughter of Wu Mansion would make the new ruler view Xu Mansion with bias.

If the Eldest Prince succeeded, she’d return to Xu Mansion gloriously. Regardless of the outcome, it was advantageous for Wu Xueya.

Mrs. Wu dared not disclose her daughter’s thoughts to her husband. Her husband was already displeased with this daughter, and if he grew more annoyed about this, their family’s standing in the mansion would be lessened.

The next morning, a drunken Gu Er was awakened by the butler sent from Zhou Mansion.

Seeing the butler carefully apologizing, Gu Er understood the situation. Even though he was drunk the previous day, he took the opportunity to voice his feelings. Seeing the other party apologizing, he knew Zhou Mansion was offering him a way out.

Gu Er originally intended to distance himself from Princess Yuanhua, but recalling he’d eventually take her back, she still was the daughter of Consort Zhou and the Holy Emperor, even though she had been demoted to commoner.

If it wasn’t for wanting to come back to the Capital, how else would he have been involved with Princess Yuanhua? As for feelings towards her, how could Gu Er harbor any true feelings?

Understanding all of this, Gu Er perked up and exchanged pleasantries with the butler. Hearing that Mr. Zhou invited him to Zhou Mansion, he did not refuse. After washing up, he went straight to the State Mansion.

Mr. Zhou heard that he hadn’t eaten breakfast, so after freshening up, he hurried to arrange breakfast and personally joined Gu Er for the meal before bringing up matters about Princess Yuanhua.

"Yuanhua’s temper has been spoiled. As a princess, she was indulged too much. Sometimes, you must yield to her. We understand the grievances you’ve suffered. Rest assured, we shall speak to Yuanhua to curb her temper. Yesterday’s incident was indeed her mistake, and I apologize on her behalf."

As an official of the court, Mr. Zhou lowering himself to apologize on behalf of Princess Yuanhua honored Gu Er greatly, and Gu Er knew better than not to appreciate the gesture.

"Uncle, you’re overthinking. It was because I drank too much yesterday that I got so angry. It’s really no big matter. Yuanhua was concerned about my health, and I misunderstood her intentions. For any wrongdoing, it’s I who should apologize." Gu Er stood up quickly to apologize.