Chapter 1863 - 1865: Staying Overnight
Concealing the turmoil within his heart, he awkwardly said to Wang Xiangxiang and Yang Qiu, "I’ve been at the Dyeing Workshop these past two days and didn’t expect them to go to the manor in the countryside. The manor in my hometown is quiet; Xiaotian likes it there. A few days ago, she said she wanted to take the child to the manor. I said she could go any day, but I didn’t expect her to go at this time—it’s really unfortunate."
The explanation was meant to clarify why he didn’t know Xiaotian and her daughter’s whereabouts, but in front of Wang Xiangxiang and Yang Qiu, it seemed rather feeble. Both of them felt uneasy but didn’t continue to ask questions.
At this moment, Madam Guo came forward to smooth things over, "Didn’t we send someone to inform you at the Dyeing Workshop? Didn’t you get the message?"
Then she chuckled and looked at Wang Xiangxiang and Yang Qiu, "The servants must have been inefficient and didn’t pass on the message."
Madam Guo then continued speaking to Yang Qiu, suggesting that they meet her sister next time if it was inconvenient this time. If not, she tried to engage with Xiangxiang warmly, asking about this and that, inviting them to stay over, and so forth.
Regardless of what Madam Guo said, Wang Xiangxiang and Yang Qiu both sensed that something was a little off in the atmosphere of the Guo Mansion.
Initially, Wang Xiangxiang intended to make a brief visit to the Guo Family and leave soon, but seeing the situation and Yang Qiu’s worried expression, she decided to spend the night at the Guo Mansion to understand what was really happening there.
Usually, Madam Guo would be more than happy for Wang Xiangxiang to stay, but today was different. She was afraid of revealing any flaw and didn’t want them to stay, though she had to maintain appearances verbally.
When hearing Wang Xiangxiang agree to stay the night with Yang Qiu, a trace of awkwardness appeared on her face, but she quickly concealed it, promptly instructing the maids to prepare the guest room and dinner.
They had arrived quite late, and in no time, it was time for dinner. After dinner, Madam Guo directly left Wang Xiangxiang and Yang Qiu in the guest room of the main courtyard, saying she was afraid they were too tired and should rest early.
In the past, Madam Guo would always engage Wang Xiangxiang in lengthy chats, but she wasn’t in the mood for that now, thus finding such an excuse.
Wang Xiangxiang and Yang Qiu had no objections to Madam Guo’s arrangements.
After dinner, Guo Feng returned to his separate courtyard.
As he stepped into the courtyard, a sense of discomfort washed over him. Xiaotian’s choice to go to the manor was certainly to avoid him.
He now regretted coming out; Xiaotian, as a woman, had already taken the initiative, yet he left her there and didn’t accept her. She must have misunderstood him, thinking he despised her.
It wasn’t that he despised her; he thought she was pure and should not be with him under unwilling circumstances...
That way, he would feel he had defiled her.
Sitting in the empty room, looking at the space that once held Xiaotian and Little Yueyue, he always felt a hollow emptiness. He thought that if Xiaotian came back, he would definitely explain everything to her, and they would consummate the marriage, live happily with Little Yueyue, and maybe have a few more children of their own.
However, his vision was overly optimistic. What he couldn’t foresee was that there would be no future for him and Xiaotian together.
"Knock, knock!" His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
He raised his head and looked towards the door, hearing a maid’s voice from the doorway, "Young master, are you asleep? Zi Lan has something to discuss with you."
He frowned, stood up, and walked to the door to open it, "What’s the matter?"