Chapter 3206: Gu Fanlu Was Like a Hot Potato

While Gu Fanlu, an outsider, lived in the marquis’ household, they could not carry out large-scale renovations on the ancestral hall. If they did, they would inevitably uncover things that drew unwanted attention.

She had brought Gu Fanlu into the residence to keep him under her watch and prevent him from conspiring with Zhuo Cheran.

The old madame was also having a headache over this. “But if we move him back and forth, what if the journey worsens your cousin’s illness?”

At this point, Gu Fanlu was like a hot potato. If he stayed in the marquis’ residence and something happened, the Gu family would fight the marquis’ household to the death. However, if they sent him away and he died on the road, the Gu family would accuse them of driving out a gravely ill person and causing his death through the hardship of travel.

No matter what they did, it was a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation.

They had taken him in out of goodwill, yet his fate seemed bound to turn the two families into enemies.

Ning Shu pressed on the old madame’s acupoints and said, “Cousin is from the South. He has never lived in the North, so naturally, he cannot adapt to the climate here. Once he returns, his health will surely improve.

“Why not just let Grandaunt’s family send someone to fetch him?” Ning Shu said lightly.

The old madame nodded. “Let your father handle that. Don’t massage me anymore. I’ll rest for a while.”

Ning Shu waited until the old madame fell asleep, then took out her silver needles to apply acupuncture. With age came all kinds of ailments.

She put the needles away, quietly closed the door behind her, and left.

Waiting outside, Lianqiao hurried forward to fan her.

“Miss, please wipe your sweat.” Lianqiao used a handkerchief to dab at Ning Shu’s forehead.

The summer heat was stifling. The old madame was elderly, so there were no ice blocks placed in her room.

Ning Shu noticed Lianqiao’s forehead also glistening with sweat. “You should wipe yourself, too. It must be hot standing outside.”

“This servant is fine.”

After leaving the old madame’s courtyard, Ning Shu went to visit Madame Rongguo.

Madame Rongguo said irritably, “Running back and forth like this—don’t you ever get tired? Has your grandmother fallen asleep?”

Ning Shu smiled. “Grandmother is already asleep. Mother, are you upset that your daughter didn’t come to massage your shoulders? Let me do it for you now.”

“That’s enough. You’re tired too. You’ve shown such filial piety to your grandmother, how could I possibly be angry with you?” Madame Rongguo motioned for someone to bring sour plum soup for Ning Shu.

After drinking it, Ning Shu asked, “Mother, what has Father been busy with lately?”

“Zhuru, such matters are not for women of the inner courtyard to concern themselves with,” Madame Rongguo said. Her tone was half admonishing, half earnest.

While setting down the bowl, Ning Shu smiled and said, “Mother, my concern is for the marquis’ household. I was born here, and here I was raised in fine clothes and riches.

“I have no intention of stepping beyond the women’s quarters or doing anything improper.

“But I already failed to form an alliance with Prince Xin’s household and brought shame upon the marquis’ household,” Ning Shu said with sincerity.

“You impudent girl, always so good with words.” Madame Rongguo tapped her daughter’s forehead. “Don’t think that just because you’re a little clever, you can jump about recklessly. No one in this world is truly a fool.

“And your father is certainly no fool.”

While rubbing her forehead, Ning Shu replied, “I will remember your teachings, Mother. But what has Father been doing lately? He’s been nowhere to be seen.”

“Your father… I don’t know either.”

Ning Shu: …

That was evasive.

While leaving Madame Rongguo’s courtyard, Ning Shu’s face clouded slightly. She sighed inwardly. Madame Rongguo did mean well for her.

The marquis’ household did not depend on her for survival, and Madame Rongguo only wished for her to live peacefully and safely.

Ning Shu walked toward the ancestral hall. Its doors looked old and dilapidated. It was hard to imagine that inside lay so much gold.

Once Gu Fanlu left, she had to make Marquis Xuanping renovate the ancestral hall, no matter what.

In ancient times, filial piety came before all else. How could one tear down an ancestral hall built by one’s forebears?

Beneath the tablets, the place brimmed with gold—riches even the dead could enjoy underground.

MTL Editor: Ran

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