Old Lady Feng's heart gave a lurch at the scene before her, for Madam was most concerned with face. Though the Li Mansion's divorce was hardly a secret, letting such a ruckus spread to the doorstep and become gossip among the elite was indeed a loss of face. With a look, she signaled a maid to go back and ask for instructions, while she stood on the steps, looking down at the three plainly dressed individuals below: "You've been divorced and cast out of the mansion, and have no connection with our Li Family. Are you here today to make a scene and leech off our Li Family? Quite a wishful thinking!"
"Nanny Feng jests. Although I have the divorce papers, I have not yet gone through the government office to change my household registration papers. Besides, the Young Master is also of the Li Family's blood, and I am his birth mother. It is only natural that I follow him back." So what if I cling to you? If you have the guts, bring the severance documents quickly. I'm tired of playing this farce with you.
As more onlookers gathered around, Old Lady Feng felt a surge of indignation in her chest, whether to speak or not to speak was the question. The Li Family was in marriage talks with the Yan Mansion, home of the Vice Minister of War, and it seemed better to have fewer troubles. Besides, with the presence of this evildoer, it was indeed a matter that the Li Family had not handled properly.
Just as Old Lady Feng hesitated on whether to respond, the maid who went to ask for instructions hurried back, out of breath: "Nanny Feng, Madam invites them inside to avoid making an even more embarrassing spectacle at the door."
Gu Changsheng snorted inwardly, leading Xiao Cui and his son into the mansion following Old Lady Feng.
The Li Mansion was vast, with a front courtyard, inner house, and a Nine Bend Corridor among pavilions and terraces. It was a considerable distance to Madam Li's residence in Yanfu Hall.
After Old Lady Feng went in to report back, a well-dressed maid came out to lead them inside.
The Li Mansion was indeed rich, and Gu Changsheng had felt it keenly on the way. Looking at Yanfu Hall, which was even more resplendently adorned—with carved nanmu tables and chairs, intricately designed Suzhou silk screens, and Qing Hua porcelain Plum Vases—each item was immensely valuable.
"These are national treasures, oh national treasures. Even for someone who had visited The Forbidden City a few times, Gu Changsheng couldn't help but take a few extra glances."
"Humph, as expected, utterly unappreciative, stirring up trouble just ten or so days later." Madam Li, seated at the head of the room, spoke with dignity, but could not help coughing.
"Madam, please calm your anger, and don't bother with such inconsequential people. Worrying about your health is not worth it, and the young master will be concerned when he returns." Old Lady Feng quickly moved forward to help Madam Li catch her breath.
Gu Changsheng and the other two bowed their heads and did not join the conversation. While Madam Li's luxurious attire was indeed noteworthy, it was her breathless coughing and pale complexion that gave Gu Changsheng a sense of satisfaction.
"Since you have received the divorce papers, you should have left my mansion. Now you come back making trouble; could it be that you think my disposition is so good that you can take advantage of it? Or do you think you have not caused enough trouble for my son and still want to cling on?" Madam Li regained her breath and continued hatefully. It was this woman whom she, due to the late Old Grand Master's will, had reluctantly brought into the family by marrying her son to her. But with such a background and birthing such an evildoer, how could she match her distinguished son? It had made her son the laughing stock of the Capital City, preferring to lead troops at the border rather than stay in the city.
This woman, a calamity to the Li Family—how could she allow her to stay!
Now that her son's military achievements were illustrious and the Ministry of War was interested in supporting them, they were just one step away from regaining the former honor of Marquis. She must remove this obstacle for her son!
"If the enemy does not move, I do not move. If the enemy moves, I shall remain still and watch them make mistakes." Gu Changsheng did not respond but merely cowered, sobbing softly, while Xiao Cui and Little Meat Bun followed suit with quiet tears.
Just like this, born from a common family, unable to present a good front, where would you find such cowardly and timid nobility in the houses of the elite in the Capital City? Such women from a Poor Family did not exist in the circles of official's wives, and it brought intense embarrassment to her, who was strong-willed, to the point that she dared not even attend grand banquets.
"Drive her away! She must be driven away!" This thought echoed in the heart of Madam Li for five years, and today she could no longer endure it...
Another cough sounded, and a throbbing pain seized her chest. Madam Li struggled for a while before she managed to quell her fury, her eyes shining with ruthless light: "You refuse to give up until the household registration papers are changed, is it? Someone, go to the master's study, bring his Official Seal to Shuntian Prefecture, and remove this ungrateful woman and her son from the Li Family registry!"
A maid promptly went to carry out the order.
Gu Changsheng was amused. Madam Li was really on point; before she even said anything, Madam Li had fulfilled her wish, all thanks to how well Old Lady Feng had relayed her words outside, probably without missing a single one.
Suddenly, Gu Changsheng found Old Lady Feng's sharp-tongued face not so displeasing after all, even the large mole at the corner of her mouth seemed endearing...
The play had reached this point, and it was necessary to see it through to the end.
Gu Changsheng gently tugged at his son's arm, signaling him to move a couple of steps forward.
Little Meat Bun cooperated, his eyes rimmed red as he hung his head low, the conspicuous lump on his neck swaying noticeably.
"Madam is right, but after all, the Young Master is of the Li Family's blood. How can he be left to fend for himself? I can leave, but please, Madam, keep the Young Master in the mansion." Gu Changsheng bowed, keeping his head down, then lifted the sleeve of his robe in a pitiful gesture to wipe his eyes.
Vulgarity at its extreme, sheer utter vulgarity. How could such a woman be worthy of their Li Family!
"Li Family's blood? My Li Family does not have such evildoer descendants. Stop using this bastard to make your case. Leave him to continue plaguing our Li Family? So you have an excuse to entangle us again? Do you think you have not harmed my Li Family enough?" Madam Li, gasping for air with trembling fingers, pointed at Gu Changsheng, wishing she could kill him right then. If only her marriage to the Li Family weren't so publicly known, why would she have to suffer so?
Gu Changsheng gave Little Meat Bun a comforting glance, their eyes meeting. It's okay. They don't want you, but I do!