"I will have the driver send her home later," Lady Long interjected.
"Mother..." Long Fengxi was at a loss for words and chose to remain silent.
Gu Lili feigned ignorance, entering the sitting room and taking a seat beside Madam Long, casually picking up a fruit knife to peel an apple.
"Lili, be careful not to cut yourself. If you want, have one of the servants peel it for you."
"No need, Grandmother. I'm not so delicate," she replied with a gentle smile.
Peeling an apple was a trivial task; she was quite capable. Having grown up in the western Liang Mountains, she had never indulged in snacks. The fruit from their home orchard had always served as her nourishment.
Madam Long glanced toward He Meiwei with a curious expression. "This young lady seems unfamiliar."
"Mother, her name is Meiwei."
"Heiwei?" Madam Long still could not place her. "I suppose I'm getting old; I forget many names. Which family's daughter is she?"
"She was Yubei's former girlfriend."
Upon hearing this, Madam Long's face instantly darkened. The old gentleman beside her, anticipating what his wife was about to say, hurriedly interjected, "Why is Yubei's ex here? Did he invite her?"
"Grandfather, of course not," Gu Lili replied. "Yubei has no dealings with her and certainly wouldn't invite her."
"It was I who invited her," Lady Long spoke up. "By chance, I met her during a rain blessing ceremony on the mountain. We talked a bit—she seems a good girl."
"Don't you think it's inappropriate?" Madam Long scrutinized He Meiwei with disapproval. "No matter the connection, you must consider Lili's feelings—she is your daughter-in-law."
"Mother, Lili is so magnanimous, she won't mind, right?" Lady Long smiled sweetly at Gu Lili.
But Gu Lili offered no such concession. "No, Mother, I do mind very much. I dislike what you've done, and Yubei dislikes it too. You never consulted us, yet you acted unilaterally. And you say I'm magnanimous? I'm not magnanimous at all—I'm petty. Any woman who covets Yubei will never be welcomed by me with open arms."
"Covet?" Lady Long questioned. "Perhaps you're overthinking this."
"How could I be overthinking? Mother, He Meiwei was once my master's son Gu Xichen's girlfriend. Before breaking up with him, she came to my home claiming she wanted to reconcile with Yubei. Yubei, being loyal and kind, helped her find a matching donor for treatment. Yet she told me she wanted to steal Yubei back. Mother, you expect me to be magnanimous? It's only mercy that I haven't taken a knife to silence her. Honestly, Mother, I know you dislike me, but this act of yours truly displeases me."
Displeasure is displeasure; resentment is resentment. Why should she suppress it? She was determined to voice it plainly.
"Steal Yubei back?" Madam Long smiled kindly. "Miss He, you should abandon that fantasy. Do not take others' kindness for granted, nor regard their pity as something to be exploited. Such behavior only earns contempt."
He Meiwei's cheeks flushed fiercely but she dared not admit her intentions. "Madam, you worry unnecessarily. I have no designs on reclaiming him. Miss Gu's animosity does not define who I am."
"I may speak ill of you, but I doubt my husband will," Gu Lili said evenly, turning to Madam Long. "Grandmother, when Yubei awakens, ask him yourself."