Chapter 803: Combat Stance

"Master, General Nie has come to pick up young mistress."

Everyone was sitting around, listening to Gu Xiaoxue gossip about the family, even Liu Yueer and Mrs. Zhao, who had returned to their rooms, were drawn out to join the discussion.

While everyone was engaged in a heated discussion, Su Qing came in from outside to inform them that someone from the Nie Family had come to pick up Gu Baishuang.

After dinner, Nie Xiaofeng looked at the increasingly heavy snow and the darkening sky, and since Gu Baishuang hadn’t returned home yet, he sent someone to pick her up.

Originally, he wanted to come personally, but Nie Mingyuan and his two brothers were holding him back for a chat. He was savoring the conversation about the battlefield exploits and wasn’t willing to interrupt, so he sent a trusted aide to bring his mother home.

Tong Huaqiong looked at Gu Baishuang and said, "If you don’t want to go back, just stay here."

Gu Baishuang’s residence was empty, with nothing prepared, so if she didn’t want to go back, she could only stay at Tong Huaqiong’s place.

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t let Gu Baishuang speak first; being her stepmother, it was better for her to initiate the invitation.

Gu Baishuang stood up and said, "Sooner or later, I have to face Nie Mingyuan and the two kids. I might as well go back now and see what they’re up to. Besides, the General Mansion is my son’s estate. I’m Nie Xiaofeng’s biological mother. Why should I be afraid of them? Why should I leave just because they’re in the mansion?"

Gu Baishuang tidied her hair, in a fighting stance.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t continue to keep her, advising, "The wind and snow are heavy outside, be careful on the slippery roads. If there’s anything at home, send someone to inform me, and I’ll bring your brothers to rush over."

Gu Baishuang nodded with a smile.

...

At Nie Xiaofeng’s General Mansion.

Nie Mingyuan sat at the head seat, with his two sons from the original spouse sitting on his left and right. Nie Xiaofeng sat opposite Nie Mingyuan, with the two daughters-in-law dutifully serving tea.

Nie Xiaofeng was talking about his exploits on the battlefield.

Eldest Nie interjected, "You’ve achieved such great accomplishments, written in reports to inform the whole world. Even the emperor knows about you, doesn’t it mean you can walk around Shengjing unchecked? Shouldn’t the court officials show you some respect?"

Nie Xiaofeng chuckled and said, "You’re joking, elder brother. A brick can fall on a Prince or Marquis in Shengjing. I don’t count for anything there, and respect isn’t worth much."

Eldest Nie and Second Nie exchanged glances, feeling Nie Xiaofeng was guarded against them.

Before coming to Shengjing, they’d planned to ride on Nie Xiaofeng’s achievements for their gain. Eldest Nie wanted to buy an official position, and Second Nie thought flesh trade was profitable, wanting to switch careers and open a brothel in Shengjing for the dignitaries.

They felt that given Nie Xiaofeng’s unprecedented exploits, their requests wouldn’t be much, and Nie Xiaofeng could accomplish them with a flick of his finger.

Listening to Nie Xiaofeng’s words, they felt displeased. They hadn’t made their requests yet, but this little brother was already deflecting.

Despite having the Nie name, Nie Xiaofeng sided with the Gu Family.

After all, he didn’t come from the same mother’s womb.

"Second brother, you jest. Even one of your hairs is now thicker than elder brother’s and my thighs,"

Second Nie said with a forced smile.

Nie Xiaofeng didn’t ponder the remark deeply, just assuming his elder brothers were unfamiliar with Shengjing, unaware of the numerous esteemed officials. Even the Mighty General with real military power couldn’t get everyone to give him face, doing as he pleased.

Once his elder brothers stayed longer, they would understand.

Nie Xiaofeng didn’t respond, leading Eldest Nie and Second Nie to believe he was playing dumb.

At this moment, Mrs. Zhang, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Nie Family, casually remarked, "Third brother sent someone to pick up mother a while ago. Why hasn’t she returned? With such heavy snow, could she have run into any trouble on the slippery roads?"

Mrs. Sun, the second daughter-in-law, briefly laughed and said, "Mother is deeply bonded with Uncle Gu from the Gu Family. Since Uncle Gu visited the capital today, naturally, mother stayed to have a good reunion."

This comment successfully sparked Nie Mingyuan’s displeasure.

Gu Baishuang, as a member of the Nie Family, should have reunited with her in-laws in Shengjing, rather than staying with her maternal family — it seemed inappropriate.

Nie Mingyuan had already tolerated it for one evening.

Mrs. Zhang continued, "Is mother displeased with our arrival in Shengjing, staying with the Gu Family out of spite? If so, it’s surely our fault. Before coming to Shengjing, I suggested that it should be enough for mother and you, second brother, to come over, while we would stay back home. For a reunion at Shengjing, father insisted on us coming, unknowingly angering mother."

Nie Mingyuan said, "This General Mansion bears the Nie name. Whoever I want here shall come here; it’s not her call."

Nie Xiaofeng added, "Eldest sister-in-law, you overthink. My mother is discussing business at grandmother’s house, not staying at the Gu Family because of uncle. Even if she stayed there to reminisce with uncle, it wouldn’t be wrong. We’re family and can meet anytime, while she and uncle can’t meet as easily."

His words left the eldest daughter-in-law of the Nie Family looking embarrassed.

Nie Xiaofeng then addressed Nie Mingyuan, "Father, mother is busy with her shop in Shengjing; even at the end of the year, there is so much work she can’t spare herself. Because you are her husband and wouldn’t blame her, she needn’t leave her business to come home to see you."

Gu Baishuang had been there for quite some time.

Standing under the corridor looking into the room, she saw the Nie Family gathering and felt a stab of pain in her eyes.

She naturally heard the words of Nie Mingyuan and his sons and daughters-in-law.

Gu Baishuang dusted off the snow and stepped into the room.

The cold air she brought made Nie Mingyuan and the others shiver.

"Mother, you’re here. Oh dear, why didn’t anyone inform me so I could come out to greet you? This heavy snow really worried me," the eldest daughter-in-law greeted warmly, moving forward to take Gu Baishuang’s coat.

Gu Baishuang handed the coat to the maid, leaving the eldest daughter-in-law empty-handed and awkward.

She suspected Gu Baishuang had overheard the previous conversation, and she was too scared to make a sound, like a frightened quail.

The second daughter-in-law, seeing the eldest daughter’s embarrassment after Gu Baishuang’s cold response, felt secretly pleased that her sister-in-law had offended their stepmother-in-law. With a wide smile, she offered Gu Baishuang hot tea and said, "Mother, have some tea to warm yourself."

Gu Baishuang didn’t stand on ceremony, sitting down and sipping the hot tea, she scanned the room.

Nie Mingyuan felt uneasy.

Since the argument with Gu Baishuang three years ago during the New Year, she remained lukewarm towards him, staying indifferent even if he took a humble approach to speak with her.

Nie Mingyuan wanted to reprimand Gu Baishuang, but felt overwhelmed by her formidable presence, unable to start.

He regretted listening to Tong Huaqiong years ago, entrusting the capital to Gu Baishuang to invest in the Lu Family’s merchant vessel, allowing her to meddle in Nie Family’s business from the inner quarters.

Now, Gu Baishuang held control over the lifeline of Nie Family’s business.

It felt very passive.

"You brought all your sons?"

After a long time, Gu Baishuang spoke this sentence.