Chapter 350 — The Earl's Manor
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
The Earl of Yunyang took the matter up with his wife. "I think we should petition to have the eldest grandson formally designated. If this goes on, the household will lose all sense of rank, brothers will turn into enemies, and everything will descend into utter chaos. And even without a petition, so long as Gu Yu lives, that side will never settle. Fortunately Gu Yu is already seventeen. If he cannot even hold on to what is his own, then such a grandson is no great loss."
Once the eldest grandson was formally designated, the succession to the title was settled.
The advantage was a fixed position; the disadvantage was becoming the target of every arrow.
Gu Yu's stepmother in particular would be left with no hope at all, and her methods against him might grow even more ruthless.
The Countess of Yunyang had been gentle by nature since girlhood. After she married the earl, because his heart had always belonged to his first wife, Lady Song, she yielded to him in everything. Whatever the earl approved, she would never disapprove. Though she knew her daughter-in-law treated the eldest grandson badly, since the earl said nothing, she only secretly slipped Gu Yu a little silver; of more, she dared not speak a word. Unfortunately, silver was the one thing Gu Yu never lacked, and so his relations with the rest of the Gu family were none too good.
Hearing that her husband meant to petition on Gu Yu's behalf, she naturally nodded and said, "Good."
The Earl of Yunyang could not help sighing.
His wife was too soft-natured. But could a household be run on softness alone? If she had it in her to take charge, to manage the Earl of Yunyang's household properly, why would he have tolerated his daughter-in-law's willfulness?
Such thoughts led him inevitably back to Lady Song.
If she were still alive... his life would surely not have come to this.
Come to think of it, she had been gone nearly forty years, and he himself had reached sixty, the age for setting one's affairs in order.
He wanted to be buried beside Lady Song.
But his sons had all been born to his second wife. Even if he left a will, he feared they would not consent. Once he closed his eyes, he would be at others' mercy—they might even drag the matter before the emperor.
For this, someone from the Song family would have to step forward.
Song Cen would not do... it would have to be Song Yan... and as for Gu Yu's marriage, they must find a formidable wife for the eldest grandson, one who could hold her own against the eldest daughter-in-law...
The Earl of Yunyang lay in bed watching the sun climb slowly, and only then did he rise lazily and order his personal attendant to send a calling card to Song Yan: "Tell him to come to the house. I have something to say to him."
The attendant answered and went out. But in less time than it takes to drink half a cup of tea he was back—and not alone: Song Yan was with him.
The earl was startled, then laughed. "Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives. You have come to see Gu Yu, I suppose?"
Song Yan had no great opinion of the Earl of Yunyang. For one thing, the man had accomplished nothing of note; for another, in the matter of Gu Yu he had not a shred of principle. Their ordinary dealings amounted to no more than Song Yan offering him the courtesy due a senior, out of old ties between their houses.
"I heard Gu Yu was back," Song Yan said, exchanging a few polite words with the earl.
Ordinarily, once the courtesies were done, the earl would nod and let him go. This time, however, he said, "After you have seen Gu Yu, come to my room."
Song Yan's instinct told him the earl had nothing good in mind, but he smiled and nodded, and went to Gu Yu's quarters.
Gu Yu was sprawled spread-eagle on the heated kang by the window, while several of his personal attendants knelt trembling at its edge, stealing glances at one another, none daring to speak.