She lowered her eyes to look at the little girl's tender white fingertips, and heard her carefully ingratiating tone. She couldn't help but grasp her small hand tightly, "I don't actually dislike you."
She added, "The Cheng family caused me to fall off a cliff and ruined my appearance. I don't dislike her either. You're Du's wife, my grandson's mother. Why would I dislike you?"
Gu Ying felt a warmth in her chest and her eyes turned slightly red. "Mother..."
Sincerity is always the most touching. Mrs. Lin admitted that at this moment, she was genuinely moved by Gu Ying's words.
She really hadn't expected this girl to place those words so candidly and starkly in front of her. She had just openly bared her heart to her like this, which made her somewhat at a loss instead.
"I didn't actually dislike you, silly girl... I just felt back then that with your extraordinary and peerless beauty, you would not be well-behaved. And I also heard that you were indecent with someone surnamed Jiang, so I was somewhat unhappy... But later I gradually accepted you. Think carefully, if it wasn't for the medicine I matched for you, would the baby in your belly be able to stay?"
Gu Ying was stunned. "That's true, thanks to Mother's medicinal pills that I conscientiously took the whole way."
"You are," Mrs Lin poked at her brow and the corners of her lips curved up slightly. "Such a worrywart. Pregnant and going to Yueyang to find someone, which young lady from a prestigious family could do that?"
Gu Ying smiled with red-rimmed eyes. "I just missed the Crown Prince so much. I was worried he was injured and afraid he wouldn't come back..."
Mrs Lin sighed. "I understand, you love him."
It was precisely because of her wholehearted affection for Du that also moved her as his mother. When she left the Duke's residence those days prior, she had thought it through clearly and was at ease leaving Du to Gu Ying. Her bringing Xu to wander Jianghu would also be good.
Gu Ying felt extremely sour in her heart. Somehow she felt like crying a little. She went over and leaned on Mrs Lin's lap, looked up at her with misty eyes and said in a small voice, "Then, can I call you Mother now?"
Mrs Lin was nearly melted by Gu Ying's ingratiating gaze. How could she still dislike her? She was so fond of her she couldn't stand it. "Of course you can. I'm your mother to begin with. Get up now child, you have to be careful of your unborn child, don't move around and risk the fetus."
Gu Ying was helped up by Mrs Lin and smiled as she wiped away her tears.
After leaving Lingxi Pavilion, she suddenly felt lightened. She had known all along that simplicity, kindness, sincerity and honesty were the most important weapons to move people's hearts.
Now to Mrs Lin, she only had this method to make her feel at ease towards her.
Mrs Lin was knowledgeable and reasonable, she was just soft-hearted. As long as she treated her well, over time she would definitely become fonder of her.
......
Ever since bringing back the first wife, the Duke's residence had become more and more harmonious. Even Zhao Hui complimented Gu Ying for being capable in handling household affairs with gentle temperament.
Shen Ruxu had also settled down quite a bit and no longer deliberately went in front of Gu Ying and the Crown Prince to liven things up.
Gu Ying already liked medicine to begin with. After that conversation with Mrs Lin, she went to Lingxi Pavilion everyday.
Seeing her about to go out again, Zhao Changdu, who finally got to rest at home, unhappily pulled the little girl's slender waist back, "Not accompanying your husband, where are you preparing to go?"
Gu Ying turned a flushed charming little face to look at the man's dark handsome face. The corners of her eyes curved as she smiled at him. "To see Mother."
Zhao Changdu frowned. "No need for morning and evening greetings?"
Afraid that he had misunderstood, Gu Ying quickly explained, "Don't get the wrong idea about Mother. I took her as my master and want to learn medicine from her. Also, in the Compendium of Miscellaneous Diseases, there are still many medicines I haven't seen before. I'm planning to show them to Mother to take a look. Maybe we can find medicine to treat the scars on her face. Then she won't have to wear a face veil all day."
Zhao Changdu's long brows knitted together. He was very happy that his wife and mother could get along well with each other.
But his mother couldn't monopolize her all the time either, leaving him able only to see but not touch her.
He had nothing to do today anyway, so he grasped her hand. "Fine, I'll go with you."
"Ah... Du, what's a big man like you going there for?" Gu Ying recalled that yesterday, Mother had taught her many remedies for women's use. Said it could not only regulate feminine qi and blood, but also enhance intimacy between husband and wife. She blushed to her ears and pulled him back forcibly, "I have private matters to discuss with Mother, don't go."
The displeased man glanced at her as he lifted up her chin. "What, tired of me so soon? Now that you have Mother you've forgotten your husband?"
If only he knew earlier that his mother would be his biggest "rival in love", why did he bother mediating between them?
Gu Ying said embarrassedly, "How could that be? You get jealous over everything. She's your mother."
"So what if she's my mother? She can't monopolize you either. After all, you're my wife."
"Is Du that reluctant to part from me, even for a moment?"
"Naturally. Your husband not only wants to see you, but also to..." She was pregnant but still so irresistibly attractive to him.
Gu Ying pushed him away, her earlobes hot. "Hey! Don't... You're absolutely indecent... Outside it's said the Duke's noble Crown Prince is cold and abstains from feminine charm. Doesn't seem to be the case from my observation!"
"What would they know?"
Zhao Changdu lowered his eyes. Seeing the girl's flushed cheeks, his heart was filled with tender passion for a moment.
How could he bear to let her leave, he directly carried the person back into the room. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, the door was shut closed by a powerful surge of true energy.
Gu Ying didn't even have time to struggle before she was encircled at the waist from behind by a pair of big hands.
She cried out in surprise, breathing quickening slightly. Then her entire body fell into a solid, broad embrace.
The man's actions were skilled and experienced. He hugged her waist without a word.
His movements weren't particularly intense, but no matter how Gu Ying struggled, she couldn't break free. She narrowed her enchanting, affectionate eyes. Having entered her, she let out a moan. By then it was already too late to escape.
Not long after, the sounds of a woman's faint whimpers, somewhat aggrieved, somewhat pitiful, and somewhat unable to endure, transmitted from the bedchamber.
Today there weren't many people at Changfeng Pavilion. Shen Ruxu had only come in wanting to say a couple words to Gu Ying before leaving. But unexpectedly, when she had just walked under the corridor, she heard peculiar sounds coming from the room.
She stood under the corridor and listened for a while. She could hear the hurried, powerful breathing of a man. She could also hear Gu Ying's bewitchingly tender moans. Her heart suddenly felt complicated.
She lifted her foot wanting to leave, but couldn't help halting.
That despicable Liu Chang was violent and vulgar. Compared to the Crown Prince... it was simply worlds apart.
The more she listened to the activity inside, the more stirred up she felt. She couldn't help imagining the Crown Prince's handsome, peerless looks, as well as that high nose bridge damp with a sheen of sweat.
The Crown Prince had a tall, upright figure. Especially when wearing martial attire, his fit, robust body was very attractive. His legs were long and powerful, his entire being exuded masculine charm.
The sounds from the room were endless, like shocking waves crashing on the shore. Gu Ying's voice grew increasingly shrill.
Listening made her blush to her ears. She secretly clenched her fists, feeling envy, jealousy and hatred all at once!
Why does Gu Ying get to obtain the Crown Prince's favor? And let the Crown Prince dote on her without restraint?
Just because of her appearance as dazzling as the gorgeous dawn and beauty to overthrow cities and kingdoms?
