GBP Chapter 628 Rumors Outside
Chapter 628 Rumors Outside
"what!"
The father and son both exclaimed in unison, utterly shocked.
They kept that matter a secret very well. The maids and servants who were present that day were all household slaves and kept their mouths shut. No one dared to spread the word. How could it be that everyone knows about it now?
Grand Tutor He taught three emperors and was always respected. Not only did his two sons become officials, but even his grandson entered officialdom. The He family was a prominent family in the capital, known for its good family traditions.
When this matter spread, not only was Jia's reputation damaged, but even if He Qianqian was of noble status, no good family would want to marry her.
The second wife also has a son and a daughter, whose education and marriage prospects will be affected.
In addition, the sons of the He family may also be impeached for lax discipline within the family.
Thinking of this, Grand Tutor He felt dizzy and slumped into his chair.
Upon seeing this, He Wen and Madam Xu rushed over to help him up. He Wen found the calming pills made by Doctor Lu in the study drawer and gave them to Grand Tutor He. He then told Madam Xu to quickly take the invitation to invite the imperial physician.
Madam Xu never expected that this matter would cause Grand Tutor He to faint. Even though she was usually calm in the face of trouble, she couldn't help but panic at this moment. After hearing He Wen's words, she immediately went to fetch the imperial physician.
*
When He Yulin was on duty at the Hanlin Academy, he would habitually greet his compatriots.
His colleagues, who used to be very enthusiastic towards him, now avoided him as if he were some kind of monster.
He found it strange. A colleague he was on good terms with was walking towards him, and seeing that he was about to avoid him again, he didn't care about anything else and stopped the person directly, asking, "What's wrong with you? You're all acting so strangely today. Why are you avoiding me?"
"Don't you know?" The man looked him over warily, and only after confirming that He Yulin really didn't know did he push his hand away and say, "Something happened to your family."
The man told He Yulin all the messages on the street.
After hearing this, He Yulin almost lost all feeling in his body. The man couldn't bear it and supported him.
He Yulin thought of something and said to the man, "Please ask for leave for me."
After saying that, he turned and ran outside.
As soon as he entered the house, Qin Mama, who was by Jia Shi's side, stopped him. "Young Master, you're finally back. Go and see Madam. She heard the rumors outside and wants to commit suicide. I was just about to send someone to find you and persuade you to come back."
He Yulin was worried about Jia Shi, so he followed Granny Qin to Maohua Courtyard.
As soon as He Yulin entered the courtyard, he heard Jia's heart-wrenching cries.
"Qianqian, let me go! I have no face to live anymore, let me die!"
He Qianqian's crying followed.
"Mother, what will I do if you die? I can't live without you!"
When He Yulin entered, he saw Jia Shi and He Qianqian embracing and crying. The two were sitting on the ground with a white silk ribbon beside them, and there were obvious red marks on Jia Shi's neck.
He almost lost his mother.
He Yulin felt a wave of fear wash over him.
"Mother."
Upon hearing He Yulin's voice, Madam Jia released her grip on He Qianqian and covered her face, sobbing.
"Yulin, you've heard the news too, haven't you? Now, your mother has no words to face you all. Since..."
He Yulin knelt beside Jia Shi with heartache, supporting her shoulders, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
But so much time has passed since then. Wan Ning and her mother are now able to eat at the same table, and Wan Ning is pregnant.
This matter has clearly been resolved, so why is it being spread again?
Seeing Jia's heartbroken state, He Yulin felt as if his heart was being torn apart.
My father usually dotes on my mother the most and is also the best at comforting her.
He asked Granny Qin, "Where is Father? Why doesn't he come to see Mother?"
Granny Qin rubbed her hands with a worried expression: "When the Grand Tutor heard about this, he fainted. The imperial physicians are doing their best to treat him, but the master cannot leave."
Madam Jia removed her hands from her face, looked at He Qianqian, and then at He Yulin. "I am a sinner of the He family. Since someone wants me dead, my death will put an end to this matter. Don't stop me."
As she spoke, she picked up the white silk ribbon beside her and was about to hang it on the beam when He Yulin and He Qianqian hurriedly grabbed her arms on either side to stop her from committing suicide.
He Qianqian's reddened eyes darkened as she glared at He Yulin and said fiercely, "The person who spread this story clearly has malicious intentions; they want to force Mother to her death. If you really commit suicide, wouldn't that fulfill some people's wishes?"
He Yulin's body stiffened.
So much time has passed, and she's probably pregnant now; it can't be her.
He Yulin immediately denied it: "No way, A Ning is so kind, it definitely wasn't her."
But he still remembered how Qin Wanning had refused to talk to his mother when they were having dinner together, and his eyes trembled.
Hearing this, Jia broke free from He Yulin and He Qianqian, crying as she ran outside. "I'll kneel down in the street and apologize. As long as I sincerely repent, they will definitely forgive me and it won't affect your careers and marriages. I'm going right now!"
"Mother, don't do this!" He Qianqian hugged Jia Shi from behind, and the two of them fell to the ground.
He Qianqian held Jia Shi in her arms with heartache, gently stroking and comforting her.
She looked at He Yulin, whose eyes were red and whose brows were furrowed, and said, "Brother, this must have been Qin Wanning's doing. She's disliked Mother for a long time. This matter started with her, and it can only end with her. You should have Qin Wanning apologize and explain. Just say... just say that it was all a lie she made up because of her discord with her mother-in-law. As long as she says it, this matter will be resolved quickly."
"Wan Ning wouldn't do such a thing! Keep an eye on Mother."
After He Yulin finished speaking, he strode out of the courtyard.
*
When He Yulin arrived at Qinfang Courtyard, Qin Wanning was sitting on a rocking chair under the corridor, stroking her pregnant belly and resting with her eyes closed. Hearing footsteps, she slowly opened her almond-shaped eyes.
"Yulin, why are you back?" He should be on duty today.
Qin Wanning was pregnant and felt unwell, so she did not get up.
He Yulin walked to her side, sat down on the railing under the eaves, his face somber, and a moment of silence fell over the eaves.
"A-Ning, have you heard what's going on outside?"
At this point, Qin Wanning's expression also darkened. "I've heard about it."
She didn't know what He Yulin's purpose was in bringing this up.
He Yulin looked at Qin Wanning, hesitated for a moment before asking, "A'ning, do you know who did this?"
"Are you doubting me?" Qin Wanning was astonished when she met He Yulin's gaze, which was filled with both suspicion and pity.
"No, no, Ah Ning, let me explain." He Yulin's eyes showed a hint of panic. He quickly waved his hand to deny it, but then looked away, not daring to meet Qin Wan Ning's gaze.
In just a moment, he turned his gaze back, looking at Qin Wanning with a more cautious look in his eyes. "A'Ning, I know it wasn't you, but is it possible that someone else wanted to stand up for you, like Chunyan and Qiuwen, and accidentally let it slip?"
Chunyan and Qiuwen were so frightened that they immediately knelt down beside He Yulin.
Qiuwen explained, "Young Master is discerning. I have never mentioned this matter, whether in public or in private."
Chunyan chimed in, "This servant is the same; I have never done anything the young mistress has instructed me to do."
When He Yulin met Chunyan and Qiuwen's firm and clear gaze, he immediately looked away and turned his back to pace back and forth.
Under Qin Wanning's surprised and suspicious gaze, He Yulin turned around to face Qin Wanning again, his eyes filled with pleading.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke up: "A'ning, could you get Chunyan and Qiuwen to admit to this? If they admit it and say that they made it up because they don't like Mother, the matter will be resolved quickly."
Qin Wanning looked at He Yulin without saying a word, her eyes gradually filling with tears.
He Yulin's heart trembled violently, and his momentum weakened slightly, but he still did not stop speaking.
"Ah Ning, no, I don't mean to doubt you. I just need to borrow your two maids for a while. I'll give them some money afterward so they can leave. I'll find you two more suitable maids."
Tears streamed down Qin Wanning's face. He Yulin felt a pang of heartache and immediately took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, explaining, "A'Ning, Grandfather has fainted because of this, and Mother is even considering hanging herself. If only we could..."
Qin Wanning interrupted He Yulin, closing her eyes and refusing to look at him again.
"Enough, Yulin. They treated me sincerely, and I won't let them bear such an injustice. Go find someone else!"
Qin Wanning was heartbroken beyond words.
It was as if something she had long believed in had just completely collapsed.