The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

He Dian was clever and perceptive, using these fragmented bits of information to actually distill useful insights, gradually driving a wedge between Gu Jingyuan and the already forgotten feelings of the Ma Family.

She, an outsider without any foundation, had managed to stir the third branch into chaos, turning it upside down.

”...That was the original storyline, I am not the original host either!”

Recalling these, the Ma Family couldn’t help but let out a series of cold laughs, ”I definitely won’t indulge you!”

Therefore, this time when the Ma Family brought ”He Dian” back to the Pagoda Courtyard, they didn’t specifically instruct the courtyard servants.

The gifts sent to He Tiantian were all superficial and impractical things.

As for silver, not even a single tael was given.

Regarding the actual monthly salary that was to be given, coincidentally, the public household had just distributed them this month.

If they wanted to distribute again, they’d have to wait until next month!

The only thing the Ma Family overlooked was Gu Jingyuan, this scoundrel, who indeed found the hidden stash and gave all the silver notes to the mistress!

No, actually, the Ma Family didn’t truly overlook it.

This was fishing — not afraid of ”He Dian” causing trouble, but fearing she might suddenly become honest.

As long as the opponent made a move, the Ma Family could catch onto her handle and then uncover He Dian’s facade in one move.

Of course, though the Ma Family was fishing, they would not use the three children as bait. She carefully warned the maids, wet nurses, and other close servants around the children, protecting them seamlessly.

As for herself, haha, even if those mothers-in-law bought off by He Dian dared not to spy on her whereabouts, the Ma Family would still actively spread the news.

However, in these two days, the Ma Family had not been busy setting up schemes.

Because Gu Jingyuan’s return was a joyful event for the Marquis Mansion.

Especially since previously the Marquis Mansion had held a funeral for Gu Jingyuan. Half of the Capital City knew that the third young master of Marquis Nanning’s Mansion had ”passed away.”

Now that Gu Jingyuan is ”back from the dead,” intending to continue his service with the Qianniu Guards and living in the Capital City, the Mansion must offer an explanation.

So, after Gu Jingyuan returned and reunited with his family, the Marchioness discussed with the Young Madam, the Ma Family, and others: ”It just so happens that the Double Ninth Festival is coming in a few days. The chrysanthemums I have been nurturing have all bloomed, so we might as well hold a chrysanthemum viewing banquet.”

While viewing the chrysanthemums, they would also officially announce Gu Jingyuan’s return to the nobility of the Capital City.

”Mother has indeed thought this through thoroughly. I think this is excellent!” said Young Madam Tang, who had been helping her mother-in-law manage the household for over ten years.

She was also about to marry her son.

Her mother-in-law had previously hinted: Once the granddaughter-in-law crossed the threshold, she would formally hand over the finance to Tang!

Lady Tang respected her mother-in-law very much and barely refuted her suggestions.

Besides, her mother-in-law’s idea was indeed good.

The Ma Family also agreed, ”What Sister-in-law said is right, Mother’s suggestion is excellent!”

At this, the Ma Family pretended to be embarrassed, ”Come to think of it, it’s my fault for insisting on holding a funeral for the third young master back then, which led to this farce!”

Even if the Marchioness had a trace of resentment towards the Ma Family, seeing her like this, she would smile and say: ”How can we blame you? Your affection for Brother Yuan is something not only we but even the people of the Capital City have witnessed!”

The Marchioness’s words were not just to comfort the Ma Family, but were truthful.

When Gu Jingyuan first went missing, the entire Marquis Mansion used every means possible to search.

But after searching for three to four months, the manpower and financial resources spent were beyond mention, but the living had to continue living. They couldn’t destroy the stability and peace of the Marquis Mansion for someone missing.

The Marquis Nanning and his wife gave up first, as Gu Jingyuan wasn’t their only son; they had two other sons who were even more excellent.

Only the Ma Family was unwilling to give up, sending her room servants and trusted aides, taking out her dowry silver, continuing the search near Shanyin County.

For a whole year, the Ma Family wept continually, losing a significant amount of weight.

Anyone who saw would feel compassion and genuinely admire the Ma Family’s deep affection and loyalty for the Third Young Master Gu!

Ah, a rare virtuous wife indeed.

For Gu San to have such a wife, what more could he ask for!

Even outsiders were moved, not to mention relatives like the Marchioness.

Therefore, when the Ma Family suddenly insisted that Gu Jingyuan had died, decided to hold a funeral, and wanted to set up a cenotaph so that the deceased could return to the place his soul belonged, the Marchioness, though thinking it absurd, still agreed.

Marquis Mansion held a grand funeral, and a month later, Gu Jingyuan came back alive.

Even if no one mocked openly, discussions ran rampant behind the scenes.

The Marquis Mansion lost face, and although the Marchioness said she didn’t blame the Ma Family, she didn’t quite believe it herself.

But, since the Ma Family took the initiative to admit wrongdoing, and she truly had feelings and loyalty towards Gu Jingyuan, the Marchioness could not be too harsh.

With a slight smile, this affair was considered thoroughly forgotten...