Time Travel: The Noble Family
Chapter 371 - 131: To Let Go_2

Chapter 371: Chapter 131: To Let Go_2

Guan Jingshuo sighed softly, as he became anxious. However, he could not afford not to be worried, for he had fallen ill again in the past two days, catching a cold and fever after being exposed to the wind. The Imperial Physician’s diagnosis remained unchanged, saying that he had a weak constitution and needed to rest.

As Guan Jingshuo was deep in thought, a Maid outside informed him that Lady Xiao Ning had arrived.

Guan Jingshuo looked at Lady Xiao Ning’s worried expression and listened to her words of concern. He felt that he had been influenced by Yueyao and was overthinking. His mother loved him after all; how could she bear any resentment in her heart, let alone wish to harm him!

Lady Xiao Ning sensed Guan Jingshuo’s preoccupation: "Don’t read any books in the future; the Imperial Physician said you should not strain your mind and need to rest well."

Lady Xiao Ning gave a series of instructions before leaving.

Once Lady Xiao Ning had left, Guan Jingshuo gazed at the coral bonsai on the rosewood shelf, lost in thought. Emotionally, he was unwilling to believe Yueyao’s words, but reason told him that the Third Miss of the Lian Family had no motive to sow discord between him and his mother.

After returning, Guan Jingshuo sent someone to inquire about Yueyao and learned that she grew up in Jiangnan and had never met her aunt after coming back. If one were to say Yueyao was trying to drive a wedge between him and his mother, it really didn’t make sense; there was no grievance to speak of, and no reason to do so. Besides, there was physical evidence in hand. Although Guan Jingshuo had planned to discuss this matter when Yueyao returned, his recent illness made him feel even weaker, leaving him no time to wait.

With this in mind, Guan Jingshuo summoned his Personal Maid, Ling Er. Ling Er’s mother was a personal maid of the Ning family, and Guan Jingshuo instructed her to find out if his mother was truly sworn sisters with the Second Lady of the Lian Family.

That very afternoon, he received a clear answer. Ling Er’s mother was indeed sworn sisters with Madam Ma, having a relationship so close they confided everything in one another. Despite being separated by great distances after getting married, they kept in frequent correspondence. These pieces of information were actually quite easy to gather, as not only did the people who accompanied Lady Ning when she married knew about this, but even those in the Duke Mansion were aware.

Guan Jingshuo was indecisive in his heart, rationally ignoring what Yueyao had said. Yet deep within, he could not contain himself: "Go and check. If it’s fake, then all doubts will be dispelled." However, the seeds of suspicion had taken root in Guan Jingshuo’s heart, and they were not so easily eradicated.

The Lady of the Marquis Yongding saw everything Guan Jingshuo was doing, and Lady Xiao Ning said in a strange tone, "Why suddenly inquire about these stale matters? Call Heping over here."

Of course, Heping would not reveal Yueyao’s meeting with Guan Jingshuo: "Madam, I really don’t know why the Heir Apparent has started to inquire about the Former Lady’s affairs." To throw off suspicion, Guan Jingshuo’s inquiries were not limited to the matters of Lady Ning and Yueyao’s mother; other matters had also been looked into. It’s just that the matter regarding Yueyao was particularly conspicuous.

Lady Xiao Ning cast a cold glance at Heping: "As the young servant by the Heir Apparent’s side, what don’t you know? Is it not possible that the Heir Apparent met the Third Young Lady of the Lian Family at Zhaohua Temple?" Lady Xiao Ning knew about Yueyao’s presence in Zhaohua Temple and, connecting this to Guan Jingshuo’s behavior, she suspected the Heir might have met the Third Young Lady and learnt something, which accounted for his abnormal behavior.

Heping slapped himself on the face: "Madam, I truly do not know. Madam, I’ve served by the Heir Apparent’s side for many years. Although many young ladies have deliberately encountered our Heir Apparent, surely the Third Young Lady of the Lian Family was not among them."

Lady Xiao Ning’s face was very cold: "That last time at Zhaohua Temple, the Heir Apparent took you with him and did not return home for a long time, did he really not meet the Third Young Lady of the Lian Family?"

Heping’s heart skipped a beat, but his face showed no sign of it. Heping had often helped Guan Jingshuo to conceal many things; one more thing would not be a problem. So, facing Lady Xiao Ning, he was not afraid—such composure was forged through experience. To appear more believable, Heping feigned deep thought before responding, "No. That day, we only encountered the monks from Zhaohua Temple; there were no others. However, we did hear from the temple monks that two young ladies lived at the foot of the mountain, praying and chanting scriptures for their elders every single day without fail. The Heir Apparent commented at the time that these two young ladies were truly filial."

After Heping left, Lady Xiao Ning asked her confidant, "What do you think of the servant’s words, how much is true and how much is false?" The Heir Apparent’s sudden interest in Lady Ning’s matters had aroused Lady Xiao Ning’s suspicions. Other matters might be dismissed, but she had vivid memories regarding Madam Ma and was especially attentive to this affair.

Lady Xiao Ning’s maid was also puzzled, "Indeed, it’s strange. Why would the Heir Apparent inquire about the Former Lady’s matters for no reason?"

Lady Xiao Ning remained silent. Over the years, she treated Guan Jingshuo as if he were her own son, yet Guan Jingshuo always thought of his birth mother. When they’re not your own flesh and blood, no amount of nurturing could bridge that gap. If only she had a son of her own...

The thought of children made Lady Xiao Ning grind her teeth in hatred. For the sake of Guan Jingshuo, the Ning family actually drugged her so that she could not bear children. She could never have her own children in this lifetime, and this was the source of her immense hatred.

As soon as Heping returned, he relayed everything Lady Xiao Ning had asked to Guan Jingshuo, "Heir Apparent, I think it’s best to leave this matter here. Otherwise, if Madam continues to ask, I really won’t be able to cover for you."

Guan Jingshuo suddenly said, "Why would Mother, in good health, ask about this?" The fact that his mother knew so much about his actions—what did that imply? It suggested that he was under her surveillance every moment. This incident alerted Guan Jingshuo.

Heping didn’t understand why Guan Jingshuo would say such a thing, but it was clearly inappropriate, "The Lady cares about you, so naturally she wants to know what you are doing, doesn’t she? Heir Apparent, why would you ask such a question?" It’s perfectly normal for a mother to be concerned and know what her son is up to.

Guan Jingshuo’s brows furrowed.

Heping cautiously asked, "Young Master, you’ve been off ever since you came down from the mountain. What exactly did the Third Miss of the Lian Family say to you that has you so restless?"

Guan Jingshuo replied with a wry smile, "Third Miss of the Lian Family only spoke of some matters about my mother before her death, nothing else." It wasn’t that Guan Jingshuo didn’t trust Heping, but he had promised Yueyao that their conversation would remain between them.

Heping didn’t believe this excuse, but since the Heir Apparent didn’t want to say more, it wasn’t his place to pry further. Ah, this Third Miss of the Lian Family too, whatever she said has the Heir Apparent so restless that he’s taken ill.

If Yueyao knew that Heping was blaming Guan Jingshuo’s illness on her, she would be utterly disheartened.

After complying with the Imperial Physician, Guan Jingshuo felt a bit lighter. Just then, Ning Shaoming came by to see him. Hearing that Ning Shaoming mentioned Qingfeng Bookhouse had received a new shipment of goods, Guan Jingshuo seized the opportunity to say he wanted to visit Qingfeng Academy to pick up a few good items.

Guan Jingshuo said to Lady Xiao Ning, "Mother, my illness has already passed, and it’s no hindrance. Being cooped up in the house these days, I want to go out and get some fresh air."

Ning Shaoming immediately assured, "Auntie, you can be at ease. With me here, cousin won’t run into any trouble." He feared that without Guan Jingshuo’s guidance, he might not be able to find good items.

After thinking it over, Lady Xiao Ning said, "Alright, but make sure to come back early."

Guan Jingshuo, hearing this, showed a complex expression on his face, but in the end, he said nothing.