In other words, if Gu Tingye had no legitimate heir, his full-blooded elder brother Gu Tingwei — or Tingwei’s legitimate son Xian Ge’er — would have grounds to claim the succession. When the family was powerful and prosperous, Gu Tingye would never allow himself to be easily manipulated. But should anything happen to him hereafter, leaving behind an orphan and a widow with no one to rely on, surrounded by those with ill intent — things would become deeply troublesome.

“Is Paternal Grand-Aunt truly unaware — or is this deliberate?!”

Gu Tingye stared at the Yang Paternal Grand-Aunt with cold fixity, driving each word home like a nail into brick, relentless and pressing.

“What do you mean by that?!” The Yang Paternal Grand-Aunt finally could endure no more. She shot to her feet, demanding answers in a sharp voice.

Gu Tingye replied calmly: “Paternal Grand-Aunt knows perfectly well.”

From the more malicious angle of intent, if Gu Tingye were to become infatuated with a beautiful concubine and neglect his wife, then sending these two girls would not only fail to resolve the matter of children — it would actively hinder the birth of legitimate heirs.

Ten years ago, the Marquis Fu’an household’s fraternal dispute over the title had dragged through court for three years. Eighteen years ago, the Earl of Changxing’s household had its title stripped. Even the downfall of Marquis Jinxiang in the year just past had all been brought on by this very matter of legitimate versus concubine-born heirs.

The Yang Paternal Grand-Aunt shook with fury, her face turning purple as she was choked into wordlessness, unable to produce a single syllable in response.

The Old Madam, seeing this state of affairs and afraid the woman might be taken ill — which would cause her daughter’s marriage negotiations to fall through — quickly rose to support her and said with a smile, trying to smooth things over: “All right, all right — this has simply been a misunderstanding. We are all our own family here; misreadings happen between people. No more of this.”

“I have been married less than a year, and Paternal Grand-Aunt has already conducted herself in this manner. Tingye cannot help but think more deeply on it.” Gu Tingye directed his sniper-like, precise gaze at the Old Madam, and smiled with mild composure. “If one wishes others not to misinterpret, one ought to be careful not to do things that are so easily misinterpreted.”

His voice was low, sounding like a warning.

The Old Madam felt a chill run through her, and could only smile as she said, “Good heavens. What am I to do with you two — aunt and nephew — really? You’re both cut from the same cloth, truly — both so direct in your speech, without the faintest thought for how others might react when they hear it. All right, all right — today is a fine day. For my sake, let us all put this aside and let it go!”

After a spell of diplomatic smoothing-over, the Yang Paternal Grand-Aunt had no desire to sit any longer, and after a few more stilted words, she rose and took her leave. The Old Madam immediately followed to see her out. Gu Tingye made only a token gesture of courtesy in the courtyard before taking Minglan’s arm and leading her back to Chen Garden.

Once they were back in their quarters, Gu Tingye’s temper surged; he tugged impatiently at his collar, agitated. Turning to see Minglan still wearing her usual languid air, he immediately exclaimed: “What were you thinking, you thoughtless person! Do you know how much trouble that aunt of mine is to deal with? The moment I heard she had come, I rushed straight over.”

Minglan calmly helped him off with his outer robe, smiling warmly. “Don’t be upset. I had a plan.”

Gu Tingye gave a cold laugh. “What plan. There’s a name waiting to be pinned on you — ‘jealous and shrewish.'”

“Oh, there’s no need to fight it head on.” Minglan blinked her eyes, playfully. “I would have simply said this: ‘Paternal Grand-Aunt’s kind intentions are deeply appreciated. Since we are all family, of course we help our own — and so, beyond Seventh Sister’s situation, Paternal Grand-Aunt’s nieces and grand-nieces on your side are also people Minglan will certainly look after well.’ Ha! Let’s see how the two of them could possibly have replied!”

Gu Tingye was at a loss for words. He stared at her for a long moment: “You… think that would have worked?”

“Even if it hadn’t, there’d be no harm done.” Minglan spread her hands with complete indifference. “If such girls were truly received into this household, as long as you, Marquis, were willing — I’d simply send them to the Lingdang Pavilion to keep Fengxian company. Where’s the trouble in that?”

This time, Gu Tingye actually nodded in agreement: “Yes, that would work. And since courtesy demands reciprocity — if she wants to send me girls, I can go find a few outsiders for her sons in return.”

Seeing his anger dissipate, Minglan beamed as she helped him change into his everyday clothes. “With the Marquis standing up for me, I’m not afraid of any number of paternal grand-aunts.”

Gu Tingye let out a short laugh, then sighed. He looked at Minglan, pulled the small person toward him and held her close for a moment, then sat her down on the daybed, bowed his head to meet her gaze, and said in a low voice: “Don’t rush. Having children comes down to fate — just look after your health and constitution in the meantime.”

But Minglan did not answer immediately. She seemed somewhat troubled, and hesitated before speaking: “Actually…”

“Don’t worry — I am here. Even your grandfather was able to protect that person for nearly ten years; I can protect you for a lifetime!” Gu Tingye cut her off.

“No, that’s not it. Actually…” Minglan murmured haltingly.

“Don’t say anything about taking concubines — I don’t want to hear it.”

“Marquis, just let me speak! I might be…”

“Don’t be needlessly anxious. Your health is perfectly good — you will certainly give birth to many children.”

“Will you let me speak!” Minglan, thoroughly stifled, reached out and pressed her hand over his mouth, and said loudly: “I may be with child!”

Then the room fell into an uncanny silence.

The man narrowed his long eyes, his expression blank. In a daze, he looked Minglan over from head to toe, then from toe to head — and did so again — before any expression came to his face. First it was a strange, helpless bewilderment; then it gradually shifted to unbridled joy.

Gradually his mind began to function again. He dropped to one knee before Minglan, his arms encircling her, his voice slightly trembling: “Say it again — my darling, say it again.”

Minglan fiddled with her fingers, embarrassed: “It should be right. Should we not send for a physician to take another look? Though Dr. Zhang Shiji seems to be serving in the hospital — I’ve already been to the Zhang clinic…”

“My darling!” A deep, low sound rose from Gu Tingye’s throat — a roar of pure joy that took complete hold of him. In one motion he swept Minglan up and held her tightly in his arms, spinning in place on the spot.