Reborn to be replaced, remarried to the royal palace to raise children and train husband

Song's eyes flashed with helplessness. She shook her head gently, loosened her grip on Gu Qinlan's hand, and said slowly: "Qinlan, do you think freedom can bring you happiness? Do you think your sweetheart can really give you the life you want?"

Gu Qinlan pursed her lips tightly, a trace of pain flashed in her eyes, but she still insisted: "Mother, I know you are doing this for my own good, but love and marriage are two different things to me. I can't go against my heart and marry someone I don't love."

Song sighed, her eyes showing deep worry. She slowly sat down, patted the seat beside her, and motioned Gu Qinlan to sit down. Gu Qinlan hesitated for a moment, but finally sat down as she was told.

"Qin Lan, do you know how dangerous this world is?" Song said slowly, "The power of Prince Duan's Mansion is a strong shelter for our Gu family. If you marry there, you can not only guarantee your own safety, but also bring honor to the Gu family. Are you willing to see the Gu family fall into trouble because of you?"

Gu Qinlan lowered her head, clasped her hands tightly together, and after a moment of silence, she said softly, "Mother, I understand your concerns, but I... I really can't do it."

Seeing her daughter's resolute expression, Song felt a pang of pain in her heart. She slowly stood up, walked to the window, looked at the night outside, and was silent for a moment.

"Qinlan, do you know? I had no choice but to marry your father. I had my own ideas and dreams, but in the end, I chose the interests of my family. Do you know why?" Song turned her head and looked at Gu Qinlan with a firm gaze.

Gu Qinlan was slightly stunned. She had never heard Song mention these things.

"Because I know that only in this way can I protect my family and let them live a stable life." Song's voice was low and firm, "Qin Lan, as the eldest daughter of the Gu family, you are not only yourself, but also the hope of the entire Gu family. You marry into Prince Duan's mansion not only for yourself, but also for the future of the Gu family."

Gu Qinlan bit her lips tightly, tears welling up in her eyes. She slowly raised her head and looked at her mother, with a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

"Qinlan, I know the pain in your heart, but you have to remember that there is no perfect thing in this world. Sometimes, we need to give up some personal emotions for a greater responsibility." Song patted Gu Qinlan's shoulder gently, "Mother will always be by your side and support you."

Gu Qinlan was silent for a moment, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes. She slowly stood up, walked towards her mother and hugged her gently.

"Mother, I understand." Gu Qinlan said softly, "I will marry into Prince Duan's mansion for the Gu family and for you."

Song's heart felt warm, she hugged her daughter tightly, and tears couldn't help but flow down.

"Then mother will go and make arrangements first."

But as soon as she turned her back, Song immediately put on a triumphant smile and was about to leave, but Gu Qinlan stopped her and said, "Madam, please stay."

Song looked back at her: "What else?"

Gu Qinlan said calmly: "I want to count the dowry of my biological mother Aunt Jiang."

When she mentioned the dowry left by the late Aunt Jiang, Song's face suddenly changed, but soon returned to normal.

Song's eyes flickered slightly, and she forced a smile: "Counting the dowry is a good thing. If you want to do this, then do it. I have no objection anyway."

Gu Qinlan nodded slightly, but her eyes revealed a subtle firmness: "Thank you, Madam, for your help. However, I have an unwelcome request. I hope that Madam can personally accompany me to count."

Song's eyes condensed, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared. She didn't seem to expect Gu Qinlan to make such a request. She couldn't help but sneer in her heart: Do you think I care about that little dowry? Counting it with you is just a formality.

She was silent for a while, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, and finally nodded: "Okay, since you said so, I will go with you."

The two of them came to the warehouse where the dowry was stored. Gu Qinlan gently pushed open the heavy wooden door, and a stale smell came to her face. In the warehouse, various boxes and cabinets were neatly arranged, and each item revealed its former glory.

Gu Qinlan walked to a box and opened it, revealing her biological mother's clothes and jewelry. She picked up an embroidered robe with delicate patterns, her eyes revealing nostalgia.

"This is my mother's favorite embroidered robe when she was alive." Gu Qinlan said softly.

Song took a glance and said in a light tone: "Take those things if you like them."

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, put the embroidered robe in her arms, and then walked to another box, which contained various gold and silver jewelry. She picked up a golden hairpin and handed it to Song: "Madam, look at this hairpin. My mother said that this was given to her by her father when she got married."

Song took the hairpin, with a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. She looked at it carefully for a while, then handed it back to Gu Qinlan: "You keep it, these are all yours."

As the inventory progressed, Gu Qinlan discovered that the dowry left by her mother was far richer than she had imagined.

There were not only clothes and jewelry, but also property deeds and even a landscape painting painted by his father himself.

Gu Qinlan picked up the painting and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

My mother actually still keeps my father's paintings!

She looked at the painting silently, with a complex emotion in her heart.

After the inventory was completed, Gu Qinlan kept all the items properly. She looked at Song, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Madam, thank you for accompanying me to count these dowries."

Song smiled slightly, but her eyes revealed a barely perceptible coldness: "I am just doing my duty as a lady."

Gu Qinlan sighed softly: "I know, but I still want to say thank you to you."

Song didn't say anything. She turned and left, leaving Gu Qinlan standing alone in the warehouse.

She gently stroked the landscape painting and silently swore in her heart that she would cherish these inheritances and pass on her mother's wishes.

At this time, Gu Qinlan's personal maid Xiang Zhu came in. Seeing that Gu Qinlan was alone, she asked softly, "Miss, are you okay?"

Gu Qinlan smiled slightly: "It's okay, I just feel a little emotional. Xiang Zhu, please accompany me to the garden for a walk."

Xiang Zhu nodded, followed Gu Qinlan out of the storeroom, and stepped into the garden of the Gu Mansion. In the garden, the flowers were in full bloom, and the sunlight shone through the lush leaves onto the two of them, creating mottled light and shadows.

Gu Qinlan gently lifted the hem of her skirt to avoid stepping on the flowers and plants on the ground, while Xiang Zhu followed closely behind her, his eyes full of concern.

"Miss, look at this flower, it's blooming so beautifully." Xiang Zhu pointed to a peony not far away, trying to divert Gu Qinlan's attention.

Gu Qinlan nodded slightly, but her eyes were a little vague: "Yes, Xiang Zhu, you know? When I was a child, I loved to appreciate flowers in the garden with my mother."

Xiang Zhu smiled gently: "Miss, you must have been very happy at that time, right?"