Chapter 31 Part 1: Wedding Candles
The door was opened, and the cold wind of early winter blew in from the gap, Lin Wei Xi stood up subconsciously. Gu Hui Yan had just walked two steps, and saw a vague shadow across the screen. He stopped, and looked at the person who opened the door without discerning joy and anger.
The granny who opened the door didn't react, she was so frightened by Gu Hui Yan's expression. It was Wan Xing who was alerted, grabbed the curtain, turned around and closed the door tightly. After blocking the wind, Wan Xing glared at the woman angrily: "Our miss body is weak, blowing the wind on our miss, can you take responsibility?"
Only then did the old servant knew that Yan Wang was angry just now, and it turned out to be because of the new Wangfei. The wrong granny bowed her head quietly, and the others in the room also bowed their heads, with this atmosphere they did not dare to get up. Gu Hui Yan had no intention to bother with this group of people, when he saw that they knew they were wrong, he turned around and walked in. When Yan Wang left, most of the people let out a long sigh, only a few people looked inexplicable, their eyes were dark and difficult to understand.
Seeing Gu Hui Yan approaching, Lin Wei Xi didn't know how to put her awkward hands: "Your...Your Highness Yan Wang, you are back? The water inside is ready, do you want to take a bath first?"
Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi. In the end, didn't want to make things difficult for her he nodded and went to the bathing room. Lin Wei Xi stood there for a while, her mind was chaotic, what should she do next? It seems that a qualified wife would always prepare sobering soup for her husband. No matter when the husband came back from socializing, sobering soup should always ready. Lin Wei Xi smacked her forehead, oh no, she forget. Now in the room there was only the bowl of hot soup ordered by Yan Wang. Would he recognized it if she modifies it and gives it to Yan Wang?
Lin Wei Xi stood there thinking wildly, and still undecided when she suddenly heard a movement from behind her. She almost collapsed when she turned her head: "You come out? So fast?"
Gu Hui Yan frowned calmly and looked down at her: "Don't talk nonsense."
Lin Wei Xi was confused, what is it? What nonsense did she said?
Gu Hui Yan was obviously more familiar with this room than Lin Wei Xi, and went straight to the side room. Lin Wei Xi struggled for a while, then followed in small steps.
"Your Highness, would you like to drink hangover soup?"
"Have you prepared it?"
Lin Wei Xi lowered her head and softly said: "No."
Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi helplessly, after enduring it for a while, he couldn't help but smile: "You... all right, lift up your head. I also didn't drink much."
Lin Wei Xi glanced tentatively at Gu Hui Yan and found that Gu Hui Yan's face was calm, and there seemed to be something hidden under his eyes. Although he looked inexplicably impatient, there was indeed no trace of drinking. Actually, Gu Hui Yan went out to receive rewards from the emperor and the empress dowager. The one who came was Eunuch Feng, besides Yan Wang, who else was qualified to receive him? As for drinking at wedding banquet afterwards, it was naturally also the interaction of several top figures such as Gu Hui Yan, Eunuch Feng, and First Assistant Zhang. These three top people, how could they drink too much?
Saying like this, Gu Hui Yan felt inexplicably irritable because of the meeting. Obviously, the top three people of the imperial court get together, and it's hard to say if it was a coincidence. The topics discussed at the wine table surely not too light.
Lin Wei Xi guessed the general idea, but her eyes kept sweeping towards the position opposite Gu Hui Yan. Although she had some kinship with Yan Wang in her previous life, but now after rebirth everything was different, she became Yan Wang's primary wife. In fact, Lin Wei Xi was quite concerned about the things that symbolize the status of primary wife.
Previously Lin Wei Xi was the daughter of Yan Wang's subordinate, Yan Wang treated her as a child. But if later he always treats her as a junior, and treated her like an amusing person to tease when he was bored, this was absolutely impossible. Lin Wei Xi knew that a person who actively asked for marriage might not have much weight in front of Yan Wang, but even if Yan Wang was unsatisfied, she would still have the status and respect of a primary wife. This was the principle Lin Wei Xi had been instilled since childhood, so there was no need for discussion.
Lin Wei Xi quietly looked at Gu Hui Yan again, pretending to inadvertently walk towards the opposite seat. She had only walked two steps when Gu Hui Yan's gaze swept over, her footsteps stopped immediately, looking a little stiff.
He haven't felt this helpless mood in a long time. Gu Hui Yan had no choice but to say, "Sit here."
No matter how fierce she was before, when facing Gu Hui Yan Lin Wei Xi at once knew her own place. Lin Wei Xi obediently sat across from Gu Hui Yan, her hands unconsciously placed on her knees, in a posture like a child seeing the master. Gu Hui Yan swept her hand and asked with a smile: "Are you afraid of me?"
"You really look high to me." Lin Wei Xi couldn't help but blurted out, "It's not just me, the whole world is afraid of you."
"I remember when I first saw you in the first month, you dared to throw your face at me, and dared to hide behind a tree to calculate my schedule. Why do you think of being afraid now?"
Lin Wei Xi was embarrassed: "I was wrong. I don't know what to say. I have offend Wangye." After saying this she secretly glanced at Gu Hui Yan's face, hesitatingly said: "Yan Wang, some time ago...I was wrong. Don't worry about it."
What Lin Wei Xi was talking about, the two of them knew very well. Gu Hui Yan leaned back on his chair and looked at Lin Wei Xi, his fingers unconsciously stroked his tea cup, he even didn't realize that there was a slight smile floating in his eyes: "You already become Yan Wangfei, and now coming to tell me not to worry about it? What else do you plan to do if I want to worry about it?"
Lin Wei Xi stood up with a deflated mouth, almost crying: "It was my fault, okay? You as an adult have to be generous, don't worry about me as a little girl."
Now recalled herself as a little girl.
TN: There's two things, one this site running ads now, please consider turning off the ad-block to support this channel site. Two, I don't wanna keep you curious about the chapter for too long so part 2 also release today.
Chapter 31 Part 2: Wedding Candles
Now recalled herself as a little girl.
Lin Wei Xi lowered her head, so she didn't see Gu Hui Yan coughing slightly with his head tilted, and clenched his fist to block the smile on his lips. When Lin Wei Xi admonished people before, she was full of excitement, bold and confident. She even dared to mercilessly scold Zhao Wangfei. Such a cute aggrieved looks was rare. Gu Hui Yan's irritable mood unconsciously swept away. It seemed that the problem of a weak ruler with strong court and the problem of court disputes at this moment were far away from him. All he had to face was this awkward little girl.
Gu Hui Yan unconsciously smiled and waved at Lin Wei Xi, motioning her to sit down. After Lin Wei Xi sat down, he said, "You can rest assured that since I promised you, I won't break my promise. What you were like in Yan Wang Mansion before, just continue in the future."
Lin Wei Xi sat on the chair, half-believing, "You mean it?"
"Of course."
Yan Wang promised this to her face. That was very considerate and generous. But Lin Wei Xi didn't know why she was unhappy. She secretly said, "You are so tolerant and generous. If in a few days another woman comes to beg you, will you accept it? I think it will not take long before Yan Wang Mansion will become a charity hall."
Gu Hui Yan calmly smiled, and his tone was almost casual: "After all, I promised your father to take care of you, what better care than staying in Yan Wang Mansion?"
Lin Wei Xi's inexplicable anger suddenly dispersed. She knew that Yan Wang was definitely not a good-tempered person. If you dare to be mean to him, then be ready to lose everything.
Lin Wei Xi sulky sat for a while and found that Gu Hui Yan peacefully doing his own thing, completely ignoring her. Lin Wei Xi suddenly felt stupid. At that time she braved the rain to see Yan Wang and said the boldest words in her two lifetimes, it was not to sit sulky here and be angry with Yan Wang and repeat the mistakes of her previous life. After Lin Wei Xi realized it, she quickly tried to find a way out: "Your Highness, I'm sorry, I'm not dissatisfied with you, but..." She racked her brains to think about her words, "In any case right now I am Yan Wangfei, if in the future you take back a woman, I know I have no position to be dissatisfied, but, my face after all..."
Before Lin Wei Xi finished speaking, she was suddenly interrupted, the other party's voice was determined and firm: "No."
Lin Wei Xi was stunned. Gu Hui Yan thought that Lin Wei Xi hadn't heard clearly, so he repeated: "There won't be the next one. There are very few people in the world who I owed a favor. The person who can make me promise the Wangfei position is only you."
Lin Wei Xi's heart suddenly missed a few beats: "What do you mean..."
"I promised Lin Yong to protect you well. Since you don't trust other people and don't want to marry someone else's house, it's okay to stay in the mansion forever. Just be yourself and don't have too much burden."
Lin Wei Xi didn't know what answer she wanted to hear, but she knew that after hearing these words, her heart sank extremely quickly. Yan Wang accepted her unreasonable request and promised to marry her as his wife, only because of kindness.
To put it bluntly, Gu Hui Yan did not care if there was a Wangfei, or who was the Wangfei. Since Lin Wei Xi asked for it like this, Gu Hui Yan thought about it and found it acceptable, so it was all right to follow her wish. The root of all this lies in Lin Yong's life-saving grace.
Lin Wei Xi was a little frustrated. She didn't know why she was frustrated. According to reason this situation was much better than she expected. She very well knew how terrible a husband's silent treatment was. Now she would not harmed in the slightest. Yan Wang willing to have mutual respect as husband and wife with her, each would mind their own business. This was actually a really ideal situation for a couple to get along. In a big influential family, if there were such couples, everyone would praised them as a happy couple.
Lin Wei Xi lowered her gaze, and said in a low voice: "Wangye is right. As long as you give me a face of the primary wife, I will do my best to take care of the housework for you. From now on, Yan Wang mansion will be one with me, I will definitely become a qualified mistress and will not let you down."
Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi, and couldn't help reaching out to touch Lin Wei Xi's hair: "Why do you look depressed? What's wrong?"
Lin Wei Xi openly slapped Gu Hui Yan's hand, her face still cold and serious: "Wangye, I am your primary wife, you must respect me."
Gu Hui Yan really couldn't hold back, he actually laughed: "Why are you like a child, speak with bad temper."
Lin Wei Xi's anger rushed to the top of her head, she had to forcibly held it back again: "I am not a child. Don't always look at me like a child."
Gu Hui Yan leaned on the armrest with one hand, with a small smile, there was only Lin Wei Xi's shadow in his eyes: "Then what do you think?"
"In two months, I will have my seventeenth birthday. You should treat me like a woman."
Gu Hui Yan's eyes slightly imperceptibly changed, he glanced to the side, for no reason it gave people a very dangerous feeling. Lin Wei Xi subconsciously followed his gaze and found that his sight stayed at a pair of dragon and phoenix joy candles. Because it was burned for a long time, the red candles had burned halfway, and the tears of the candles piled up into small hills.
Lin Wei Xi's face unconsciously blushed, and before she could say anything to smooth things over, she felt her body lighten and rose into the air.
Suddenly feeling weightless, Lin Wei Xi subconsciously climbed onto the shoulders of the person in front of her. Yan Wang had been in the army for many years, his shoulders were much thicker than those of the arrogant man in the capital. Even with two layers of clothes, she could feel his slender and strong arms. The heat that passed through the clothes of the two of them, slowly and unavoidably spread to Lin Wei Xi's waist and legs.
Lin Wei Xi finally understood that Yan Wangfei, in addition to taking charge of the inner household and managing social interactions outside, also represented what.
The author has something to say: Don't look forward to it anymore, the beginning of the next chapter is "It's dawn"!
TN: Are you guys disappointed? Anyway the author is a hoot LOL
Chapter 32 Part 1: Tea
Lin Wei Xi couldn't sleep well all night, in fact Gu Hui Yan didn't sleep well either. He spent most of his early years on the battlefield, a slight negligence lead to a dead end, so Gu Hui Yan had long developed a vigilant sleep habit and would opened his eyes when he was slightly disturbed. Right now suddenly there was a person next to him, and this girl's sleeping posture was not very good. It was conceivable that Gu Hui Yan didn't close his eyes very much all night. When he finally adjusted after much difficulty, the east sky also gradually turned pale. It didn't take long, after many years cultivating habit, for his biological clock to make him wake up on time.
Gu Hui Yan resignedly sighed. It seems that were still many places that needs to be adjusted. He laid down for a while before sitting up. Lin Wei Xi who had difficulties sleeping in a bed other than her own, vaguely felt a movement from her side, she was very startled till she sobered up, and straightly opened her eyes. She looked dazedly at the big red bed curtain in front of her for a long time. She was thinking hard, and suddenly felt a pat on her head: "Now that you wake up, get up, don't be in a daze."
Lin Wei Xi struggled to get up, staring at the person in front of her in a daze, then looking back at the furnishings in the room, her consciousness finally returned. Yes, she got married yesterday, and to His Highness Yan Wang.
Lin Wei Xi couldn't tell between night and day. She was sitting on the bed in daze holding the quilt. Gu Hui Yan already changed his clothes. When he turned around, he found that Lin Wei Xi was still sitting on the bed while holding her knees, his heart felt amuse and helpless, could only opened the bed curtain, stand on the bed step, and say to her: "Still in a daze? They will offer you tea in a while. Are you not embarrassed to let the juniors wait?"
Lin Wei Xi was used to living comfortably in her boudoir, but now on such cold day unexpectedly still need to get up, especially after last night, her body was still feels uncomfortable. But hearing Gu Hui Yan's words, Lin Wei Xi cheered up. Yes, from now on, she was the elder of Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran. Today, she was going to accept these two people's worship. How could such a satisfyingly good thing be delayed by sleeping in?
Lin Wei Xi immediately became excited. Seeing that she was finally willing to take action, Gu Hui Yan smiled in his heart, put down the curtain, and no longer disturbed her changing space.
Wan Xing and Wan Yue had already waited outside the door with hot water, there were no people on the night watch yesterday. Gu Hui Yan was very vigilant. Sleeping with other people on his side was his limit. If he kept the servant girls on night watch duty, afraid he would not be able to sleep in the future. Lin Wei Xi used to leave a maid on the small couch outside the room to be on night watch duty since she was a child, but now she could only follow Gu Hui Yan's directions, the granny and servant girl on night duty would all be removed.
After Lin Wei Xi changed her clothes, she let down her hair and called out, Wan Xing and Wan Yue opened the door and walked in. The whole morning seemed to be active with Lin Wei Xi's sound. The maids came and went, seemingly chaotic, but there was order in it, and the center of this vortex was Lin Wei Xi.
Gu Hui Yan actually did not understand why dressing and washing needed so many people to help, but this morning he stood across numerous attendant, saw the exquisite and seemingly not from human world woman standing in the center of everyone. Stretching out her hands casually and naturally, letting the maids on both sides tie her gorgeous dresses and tidy up every fold. Perhaps because her hair hindered the collar, Lin Wei Xi pulled her long hair that was like a black waterfall. The silky and smooth hair drew a graceful arc in the morning light. Lin Wei Xi did not care to smooth it out. Her delicate face did not have many expressions, but just this kind of carelessness, deeply attracted the attention of male creatures, almost unable to break free.
Gu Hui Yan watched silently for a while, his Adam's apple slightly moved, and finally forced himself to turn his eyes away. He spent half his life as a military horse. In the past his world was full of armored horses on frozen rivers, and the desert's lonely mist, his life was like a moon in a vast desert, quiet and calm, full of order, and the only thing he could hear was the wind. Until one day, a red delicate flower suddenly penetrated into the desolate sea of sand. She herself was weak and tender, but wanted to take roots in the desert, tried to change something with her own power.
In this world, there were armored horses that was unbearable like frosty cold spring wind, and there were green willows and red flowers brightly flourishing, the former was him, the latter was Lin Wei Xi. Gu Hui Yan suddenly understood why there were so many kind of jewelry and precious stones in this world. If it's Lin Wei Xi, she was indeed worthy of all the treasures in the world for her to match.
The daily arrangements of Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan were probably separated by a galaxy. Gu Hui Yan never done anything artificial. Whether taking a bath or eats or changes clothes, he was silent and quick. But Lin Wei Xi was different, or rather it was the opposite. As a woman, or rather as a beautiful woman, it was quite normal to took a while to dress up and do make up.
By the time Lin Wei Xi finally tidied up to her satisfaction, Gu Hui Yan had already read half of a book in the cubicle. Lin Wei Xi stood at the door with some embarrassment, and whispered, "Wangye."
Gu Hui Yan put down his book as soon as Lin Wei Xi approached. At this moment, he just got up and walked to Lin Wei Xi's side. The expression on his face was very calm, not at all like someone who usually fined his subordinates with twenty army sticks for being late even a little bit, the iron commander. Lin Wei Xi today put on a red dress and cross-collared jacket with a skirt of the same color underneath. The skirt was full of large peony flowers. When she stood here, almost half the room was lit up. Gu Hui Yan's eyes stayed on Lin Wei Xi's body for a while, without concealing the surprise and smile in his eyes: "Very good, let's go."
Lin Wei Xi took a long time to realize that the previous sentence "very good" was complimenting her.
Lin Wei Xi always spends a lot of time on dressing because she liked to make herself beautiful, but it was certainly more enjoyable to be appreciated by others, especially if this person was Yan Wang. Lin Wei Xi was in a good mood, and followed beside Gu Hui Yan, as he walked to the mansion's main hall.
It was not surprising that Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were already waiting in the main hall. Lin Wei Xi put away the smile on her face, took out the elder's attitude, and sat solemnly on the right side of Gu Hui Yan.
As soon as Gu Hui Yan showed up, the sound of conversation in the hall disappeared. Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao stood to the side with their heads down to welcome their father. Following Gu Hui Yan, a bright red skirt swept past the people presence, and then Lin Wei Xi sat on the armchair in the main hall with her chin slightly closed, looking at them heavily.
Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were both felt complicated when they saw this scene. Yesterday was Yan Wang and Lin Wei Xi's big wedding. Gao Ran did not leave her room because she wanted to avoid her future mother-in-law. Gu Cheng Yao, as a stepson, didn't make sense to hang around in front of the young stepmother. This lead to today embarrassing meeting. When she left in May, who would have thought when they met again, they would have a mother-child relationship.
Chapter 32 Part 1: Tea
The servant on the side saw that Wangye and Wangfei was already seated, and calmly cleared his throat to remind the stunned Shizi and Shizi Consort that it was time to act. Gu Cheng Yao returned to his senses, lowered his gaze, lifted his robe and bowed down to Lin Wei Xi: "Father and mother please receive this son's worship, this son pay respect to you."
Gao Ran also knelt down: "Father, mother."
Lin Wei Xi only needs to lower her eyes to see Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran kneeling in front of her, with their hands on the ground and their foreheads firmly on the backs of their hands. This was a very standard kowtow ceremony. Lin Wei Xi barely managed controlling herself not to laugh. She deliberately pretended to be serious and let them kneeled for a while, but Gu Hui Yan didn't understand Lin Wei Xi's careful thoughts and said in a deep voice, "Get up."
Lin Wei Xi was very regretful, but she knew that the future is long, and the days when these two people would kowtow to her were still plenty, there was really no need to entangle it this time. Lin Wei Xi smiled at the thought of this, and said, "I am not that much older than Shizi and Shizi Consort. I'm really ashamed to receive such big ceremony from you. Get up."
Hearing this Wan Xing couldn't help but criticize. Miss, although you said this, you are sitting more securely than anyone else, which shows that you are not really ashamed. Even Wan Xing could think like this, Gu Cheng Yao felt weird in his heart, and how angry Gao Ran was, one could well imagined.
Gu Hui Yan turned his face to glanced at Lin Wei Xi, and said, "What do you mean that you are not much older than them? You are even younger than them."
Lin Wei Xi was holding an elder's attitude, but it was distroyed by Yan Wang in a blink of an eye. She glared at Gu Hui Yan with a little annoyance: "Wangye, we are facing the junior."
Okay, Gu Hui Yan didn't argue with Lin Wei Xi anymore, but turned around and lightly said, "It's the truth."
Of course Lin Wei Xi pretended not to hear. Kneeling on the ground, Gao Ran realized that the two of them were chatting like nobody else present, as if the people in front of them didn't exist. Gao Ran felt a little humiliated and embarrassed. When she thought that she would have to pay respect to Lin Wei Xi every day, she was immediately furious and desperate, faintly felt pain in her heart, liver and lung.
Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi both said to get up, but there was still one etiquette that had not been completed. As a junior, you must not get up without permission. Gu Cheng Yao was still kneeling, straightened up to take a tea cup from the maid beside him, raised it to his eyebrows. He fixed his gaze on the table and chair patterns, refused to look at Lin Wei Xi: "Mother, this son offering you the tea."
Previously after the wedding of Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran, because Shen Wangfei had passed away and Yan Wang was not in the house, their tea ceremony was delayed. Later, Yan Wang returned from the north, and Gao Ran made up the ceremony of offering tea from daughter-in-law on the day she met Yan Wang. Gu Hui Yan at that time took the tea and put it down. Although a bit cold, but the tea cup was accepted. However, Gu Hui Yan was only a father, and Gao Ran's tea offering to her mother-in-law had not settled.
If there was no mistress in the mansion, Gao Ran serving a cup of tea to Shen Wangfei's tablet would be considered finished, and Gao Ran had already done this. However, Yan Wang later married a new Wangfei, and Lin Wei Xi became Gao Ran's new mother-in-law. In this way, the remaining half of the tea ceremony could not be omitted.
Newlywed couples offered tea to their parents to show that they would serve their parents to eat meals and drink tea after marriage and do their utmost to be filial. Gu Cheng Yao took the lead in raising the tea cup over his eyebrows, Lin Wei Xi snorted inwardly, condescendingly took the tea cup, and said: "Your filial piety I remember it. In the future, you must study diligently and carefully consider the way to treats people, you must unite your words and deeds, and always reflect on yourself."
It was common for parents to give lectures during tea ceremony. This was of course for the good of the children, but these few sentences of Lin Wei Xi made people who listened wanted to gnash their teeth.
Gu Cheng Yao's expression remained unchanged, and he faintly agreed. Lin Wei Xi didn't want to drink the tea that Gu Cheng Yao had brought up. She lifted the tea cover and put it down, refused to even take a sip. Gu Hui Yan certainly saw Lin Wei Xi's unconcealed hostility towards Gu Cheng Yao, but he actually already knew it since they were in Shunde Prefecture. Perhaps something once revealed there was no threat. Gu Hui Yan saw this scene actually accepted it without surprise.
Obviously Gu Cheng Yao also expected it, so he was not surprised at all. Gao Ran at the side secretly sneered, in public dared to not give Shizi some face, Lin Wei Xi this outsider, just wait to die! Even though Yan Wang and Shizi were calm now, but in their heart certainly cared about it, so without Gao Ran doing anything, Lin Wei Xi's image already greatly reduced.
Gao Ran's smile became more sincere. She took the tea cup from the maid and handed it to Lin Wei Xi gently and softly: "Wangfei, daughter-in-law is offering you the tea."
Gao Ran concealed the strength in her hands, but Lin Wei Xi have not received it, rather asked, "What did you call me?"
Gao Ran smiled stiffly: "Wangfei..."
Very good, Lin Wei Xi lightly snorted and turned to look at Gu Hui Yan: "Wangye, look at her!"
Gu Hui Yan did not move his eyebrows, but his eyes softened, obviously holding back a smile. Gu Cheng Yao genuinely felt helpless, towards Gao Ran, towards this naive stepmother, and towards his father.
Gu Cheng Yao also felt that Lin Wei Xi's tactics were so obvious that people couldn't bear to look directly, but he couldn't stand Lin Wei Xi's willingness to make trouble, and his father's tolerance that let her make trouble. It was obvious Gu Hui Yan was on Lin Wei Xi's side. In fact, even after Gu Cheng Yao grew up so big, he had never seen anyone daring to hang around in front of Gu Hui Yan, except for Lin Wei Xi.
Since his father was willing to indulge, Gu Cheng Yao really had nothing to say, but the person Lin Wei Xi targeted was his wife! Harmony was the most important thing in the family, and the estrangement between Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran would only get deeper and deeper. Gu Cheng Yao had no choice but to stand up and say, "Mother, Gao Ran is not malicious, she just thought you would like this title better."
Lin Wei Xi snorted: "I don't like it. Even Wangye didn't call me like that. Why are you?"
Gu Hui Yan raised his eyebrows and glanced at Lin Wei Xi meaningfully, with a smile in his eyes. Gu Hui Yan had a look of watching a play. Gao Ran had no way to release her anger, she could only follow Gu Cheng Yao's steps and said: "Shizi is right, I only thought mother would like to be called Wangfei that's all. Since mother doesn't like it, then daughter-in-law will no longer call it that way."
Lin Wei Xi was comforted by this mother's call. She was in a good mood, so she didn't continue to make things difficult: "Since you show your filial piety, then mother understand, of course, I will try my best to teach you, ah..."
When Lin Wei Xi took Gao Ran's tea, her hand suddenly shook, and a whole cup of hot tea was splashed on Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao.
Chapter 33 Part 1: Framed
Shizi Consort served tea to the new Wangfei. Shizi Consort was gentle and respectful, with a filial heart, and the Wangfei was also kind. Although she was not the biological mother-in-law, she did not leave out some teaching words to the Shizi Consort. If things only ends here, this would be a picture of filial piety between compassionate woman and her husband's mother that everyone expecting.
But the scene that followed surprised everyone in the room. The Wangfei looked nice, but when she took the tea from Shizi Consort, she shook her hand and poured a whole cup of tea on Shizi Consort. It's important to know, this was a freshly brewed hot tea. If it spilled on people, it could be a big disaster.
Lin Wei Xi almost saw a flash of smile in Gao Ran's eyes.
Stepmother, the word 'step' was the original sin. To properly take care the previous wife's children would only make people say honeyed words, a sword in the belly(1), deliberately flattered to put them at disadvantage, to avoid alienation and rumored to be harsh. They all say that stepmothers was cruel, in a word sums up all women in the world. And if a woman had two identities, mother-in-law and stepmother, these were probably the natural topic center. Even if they done nothing people would still stared with defensive eyes. If she poured a cup of hot tea at the original wife's daughter-in-law in public, once such a thing spreads, then Lin Wei Xi would really be drowned by spitting stars.
Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi had been dealing with Gao Ran for more than ten years. When she was young, she suffered a lot from both obvious and dark losses. Growing up later, she became more defensive than ordinary women. Lin Wei Xi secretly paid attention when she received the tea, and as expected, when she reached out her hand, she saw Gao Ran's fingers move, and her wrist also showed a stiff posture ready to exert force.
Lin Wei Xi said "Oh" in her heart. She remained silent, but the hand that stretched out turned slightly to ensure that the movement of her hand was fully presented to Gu Hui Yan. Sure enough, Lin Wei Xi just touched the saucer and didn't even feel the weight. The whole cup of hot tea was suddenly tilted, and soon after it poured on Gao Ran, this daughter-in-law.
From the back, it seemed like Lin Wei Xi had deliberately buckled Gao Ran.
There were many cries echoing in the main hall, Gu Hui Yan's eyes immediately condensed. Gu Cheng Yao who knelt beside Gao Ran, reacted the fastest. He pulled Gao Ran to avoid the most dangerous wave of hot water, but even so, Gao Ran's arms were inevitably wet with tea. Gao Ran gave a painful "hiss", her eyebrows furrowed, it looked like she was scald by hot water, but she managed to bear it.
Lin Wei Xi just raised an eyebrow at this, and then withdrew her hand casually. The surrounding maids were so frightened that they gathered around Gao Ran while screaming, asking about the injury and felt distress for Shizi Consort. Gu Cheng Yao was also faintly angry, his brows shrouded in anxiety, as he looked up at Lin Wei Xi.
But when Gu Cheng Yao saw Lin Wei Xi's expression, he couldn't help but froze. He thought he would see a fake face, shouldn't Lin Wei Xi pretended to be a little concerned and guilty? But no, Lin Wei Xi still sat high up on her own, with no guilt or proud expression on her face, there was even a cold smile in her eyes, as if all this had been expected.
Gu Cheng Yao frowned, he was inexplicably uncomfortable with Lin Wei Xi's expression that seems to watch at this situation like an outsider. Gu Hui Yan looked at the chaos in front of him, his voice unconsciously sank, and his power pressed directly on everyone: "Quiet."
The main hall instantly became extremely silent, even Gao Ran who was holding her arms could only made her painful breathing soundless. Afterwards, Gu Hui Yan's emotionless voice sounded: "Call imperial physician."
Yan Wang Shizi Consort burned her arm with hot tea. This was not a trivial matter. The imperial physician came immediately. Because of the accidental injury of Shizi consort, the tea and meeting new in-law ceremony naturally unable to go further. Lin Wei Xi stood in the side room and listened to Gao Ran's wound treatment through the screen.
The imperial doctor instructed many things, and the maids inside responded one by one, even Gu Cheng Yao listened very carefully. Finally, Gu Cheng Yao sent the imperial physician out and walked around the screen, when he saw Lin Wei Xi he just nodded coldly, "Mother."
The imperial physician hurriedly saluted Lin Wei Xi: "Yan Wangfei."
"Imperial physician may dispense with the curtsey." Lin Wei Xi falsely supported the imperial doctor. The imperial doctor hurriedly said he did not dare, and then stood up straight. Of course, Lin Wei Xi only done this to be polite. She was now the Yan Wangfei, even her father and brother could no longer touch her at will, let alone other men. Lin Wei Xi was courteous, then smiled and asked, "How is the injury of Shizi consort?"
"The tea was freshly boiled, and it was poured directly on the arm without any barrier. Mother what do you think?" Before the imperial physician answered, Gu Cheng Yao stared at Lin Wei Xi, bluntly asked.
Lin Wei Xi didn't seem to care about Gu Cheng Yao's offense, and still smiled politely. The imperial physician couldn't help dripping sweat from his forehead. He had long heard that Yan Wang was going to remarry a new bride. Yesterday's wedding banquet was a sensation all over the capital. However, how come Shizi and the new Wangfei didn't get along with each other?
The imperial physician unaware of what to say, and at this moment Gu Hui Yan walked in. This was where Gu Cheng Yao and his daughter-in-law lived. Gu Hui Yan was not suitable to enter the inner room, so while Gu Cheng Yao and Lin Wei Xi accompany the doctor to see Gao Ran inside, he was standing in the outside hall. But now didn't know what happened, Gu Hui Yan walked into the partition, his gaze first fell on Gu Cheng Yao, and then he looked at the imperial physician, with a light tone: "What's wrong?"
Even if the imperial physician often walks in the inner house of high-ranking officials, but right now he couldn't stand. Yan Wang title had a high weight, and had long passed the age of showing off, also with his rising status, he became more reserved and unfathomable. But this did not mean that the thorns around him were gone. On the contrary, these sharp edges were becoming more and more deadly because they were invisible.
The imperial physician was in the invisible but deadly vortex at this moment. The Shizi gave a few words to the Wangfei, and then the Yan Wang came in without concealing his unhappiness... the imperial doctor faintly understood something, but instead of thinking about it, he lowered his head and said with details: "The wounds of Shizi consort looks terrible, but as long as it's carefully taken care of, it will not become a big problem. This humble official has already left Shizi consort with medicine, and the dietary taboos were also explained to the maids just now, Wangfei and Shizi can rest assured."
Gu Hui Yan didn't say anything about this, but just told the people behind him: "Thanking imperial physician Zhou. Send him out."
Imperial physician Zhou quickly declined. The doctor and a young servant boy walked away after greeting each other, leave only Lin Wei Xi, Gu Cheng Yao and Gu Hui Yan in the room.
Only then did Gu Hui Yan look at Gu Cheng Yao, his eyes silent: "You just talk to her like this?"
"Wangye..." before Lin Wei Xi could say anything she was interrupted by Gu Hui Yan. Gu Hui Yan's voice was not very good, there were thunderous undertone in it, "Let him answer it."
However, this time Lin Wei Xi did not obey as usual. Instead, she walked to Gu Hui Yan's side and holding his arm hard: "Wangye."
Gu Hui Yan looked down at Lin Wei Xi, she did not dodge and looked back at him. The two of them stared at each other for a while, until Gu Hui Yan seemed to sigh slightly.
Gu Cheng Yao looked at Gu Hui Yan in surprise, his father actually gave in? He grew up so old but he had never seen his father withdraw his order, let alone saw Gu Hui Yan compromised with anyone.
Lin Wei Xi continued her sentence just now: "Shizi talked to me like that, only because he feel that I deliberately used my force to pour hot tea on Shizi consort. After all, the tea was spilled. From the direction it could only me who forced it. Shizi, isn't that so?"
Chapter 33 Part 2: Framed
Lin Wei Xi continued her sentence just now: "Shizi talked to me like that, only because he feel that I deliberately used my force to pour hot tea on Shizi consort. After all, the tea was spilled. From the direction it could only me who forced it. Shizi, isn't that so?"
Gu Cheng Yao turned his head away, but clearly tacitly agreed, he really did think so. Lin Wei Xi didn't know whether to sneer or to be sad. After life and death, she changed her identity, and Gu Cheng Yao still reluctant to believe in her. If in the past Gao Xi definitely would argue, but now Lin Wei Xi didn't even have the desire to explain. Who made her their mother? As the mother, wasn't she supposed to tolerate the children who made mistakes?
So Lin Wei Xi just smiled generously, and didn't describe too much the details of that time: "I don't know since when Shizi have such a deep prejudice against me. If I have anything I don't like I can directly say it, then can you still go against me? Why should I do such a villain thing, stupidly let everyone see that I targeted Shizi Consort and spilled the tea on her?"
Gu Cheng Yao originally wanted to refute, but when he slightly opened his mouth he realized that he couldn't say a word. Although Lin Wei Xi's reasoning was crooked, it was really irrefutable.
Gu Hui Yan was originally angry, but when he heard Lin Wei Xi's words, he wanted to be angry but also found it laughable.
"What are you talking about?"
"What I said is true!" Lin Wei Xi glanced at Gu Hui Yan disgruntledly, her eyes like flowing water, full of spirits, and the arrogance on her face was just right, "Shizi, don't you think it's logical?"
Gu Cheng Yao seriously followed Lin Wei Xi's train of thoughts for a while, and found that he was speechless. His mind, which seemed to be possessed by an evil spirit, gradually cleared up. Yeah, why did Lin Wei Xi need to do such an obvious and stupid thing? In the past she was someone who took shelter in the mansion, pouring hot tea on her daughter-in-law in public, is she crazy? Moreover, and it was not good words to hear, if Lin Wei Xi really wanted to spilled tea, it would definitely be aimed at him. With Gao Ran it was just loathing the house and its crow. Gu Cheng Yao clearly knew who Lin Wei Xi was, but when this happened, why didn't he think that it might be an accident, but directly suspected Lin Wei Xi?
Gu Cheng Yao was both shocked and surprised. What's wrong with him, why did he seem to have been captured by something, and didn't look like himself.
Lin Wei Xi laid out her wonderful logic, and strangely Gu Cheng Yao also really believed it. Looking at the two people in front of him, Gu Hui Yan felt absurd for the first time. Just forget about Lin Wei Xi's stupidity, what's the matter with his son, the heir he had been carefully raised since childhood?
While the three of them were talking in the next room, inside the bedroom was silent. Now that the situation had been reversed, the footsteps inside suddenly became louder, the old servant inside seems to be in pain alongside Gao Ran.
Lin Wei Xi almost unable to contain herself from directly rolling her eyes. Looked at this trick, it was an insult to the Duke Yingguo reputation! It was like a dereliction of duty if the women who grew up inside the high wall of the deep courtyard did not understand secret tricks, but even so if you want to use it, at least look at the situation and see who was standing outside, right?
Gu Cheng Yao just now was still accusing Lin Wei Xi, but at this moment he felt embarrassed, especially with Lin Wei Xi not in the least covering up the disdain on her face. Gu Hui Yan's pupil moved, and the depth of his eyes sank again.
In fact, Gu Hui Yan saw it at that time. He clearly noticed that Lin Wei Xi's hand reached halfway, and suddenly her palm turned in his direction, as her fingertips were placed on the saucer, which was obviously didn't have much strength, the tea turned sideways in Gao Ran's direction. With Lin Wei Xi's posture, her strength naturally could not make it. Gao Ran suddenly splashed with tea definitely have something fishy about it, but Lin Wei Xi's movements also very interesting.
Perhaps, it wasn't a showdown between young girls like he thought.
Something revealed in Gu Hui Yan's heart, but in the end he didn't say anything. Lin Wei Xi was his wife who barely entered the door, and it was his responsibility to protect her. Gao Ran was his daughter-in-law. The most important thing was that Gu Cheng Yao liked her very much.
Even though this woman might not be a good person, this was his only son's affairs. As long as Gao Ran cared about Gu Cheng Yao, Gu Hui Yan could tolerate these nasty tricks.
These thoughts were just a flash. Gu Hui Yan's expression not moved a single jot, indifferently said: "I saw it during tea ceremony, Wangfei's hand did not have the strength."
Just like sudden clap of thunder, inside and outside the rooms immediately became quiet, and the atmosphere inside was obviously tense. Gao Ran's heart almost jumped out of her throat. If it was not Wangfei, then who would it be?
Without letting anyone speculate for too long, Gu Hui Yan continued to speak: "It must be an accident. Shizi consort and Wangfei are not familiar with each other, so didn't catch it very well."
Lin Wei Xi heard this she sigh a little, she was not surprised. As the head of the family, Yan Wang couldn't say clearly how his daughter-in-law was. Gu Hui Yan's words proved that Lin Wei Xi's methods were not in vain, he really saw it.
That was enough, Lin Wei Xi also did not plan to make everyone see Gao Ran's true color all at once. In fact, the first step was the most difficult. Gu Hui Yan was now wary of Gao Ran. There was no need for Lin Wei Xi to do anything in the future. Gu Hui Yan would discover everything step by step. If Gao Ran continued to commit crimes, Lin Wei Xi could only wish her the best, after all, no one knew where the bottom line of Yan Wang was.
Lin Wei Xi was in a good mood, and her heart was filled with the joy of being a mother. Lin Wei Xi's happiness was shown on her face, until Gu Hui Yan shoot her a glance, then Lin Wei Xi with much difficulty held it back.
But it was just two people so why not received it well? Why the tea cup didn't fall vertically, but splashed towards Gao Ran's direction? Not to mention Gu Cheng Yao, even the other people in the house didn't believe it, but Yan Wang said it was an accident, then this was an accident. Gu Cheng Yao knew better than others. He knew that his father would never tell lies even when he was in court. So there was no doubt that Lin Wei Xi did not push the tea cup.
Suddenly, Gu Cheng Yao didn't want to think about it anymore. Since it wasn't Lin Wei Xi, then who did his father tried to cover up?
Originally, the target was directed at the new Wangfei, but the situation suddenly changed. In the end, Yan Wang testified that the matter had nothing to do with her. Things had developed to this point, people in the room didn't dare to do anything. In this silence, the hustle and bustle of the inner room was particularly obvious. A maid accidentally knocked over a tray, and the mama next to Gao Ran immediately lowered her voice and cursed: "You are so clumsy, have you not seen Shizi Consort still sick?"
"Mama..." Gao Ran's somewhat suppressed voice sounded, and then a strange silence came from within the screen, it seemed Gao Ran gave her a hint.
Since standing here was constraining, Gu Hui Yan was not in the mood to stay any longer. He commanded "serve well", took the lead to turn around and went out. Gu Cheng Yao only paused for a moment, and then left with Gu Hui Yan.
Lin Wei Xi watched the two people leave one after another. When Gu Cheng Yao passed by his eyes stayed for a moment. Lin Wei Xi gave him a glance, the impatience in it was quite obvious.
What?
Gu Cheng Yao retracted his gaze and hurriedly chased after Gu Hui Yan.
The idle and miscellaneous people retreated one after another, and the servant on Gao Ran's side obviously relaxed. Lin Wei Xi brought an inexplicable smile, walked around the screen and walked toward Gao Ran with a smile.
Gao Ran was shocked just now, and her mind finally relieved when Yan Wang turned around and went out. From this point of view, Yan Wang did not discover the truth. He must have defended Lin Wei Xi just for the face of the Wangfei.
Gao Ran saw Lin Wei Xi come uninvited and stood directly in front of her bed. She felt uncomfortable, but she still squeezed out a smile and said softly: "Mother, why are you here? You must be tired today. I am very sorry. My injury is not serious, so mother doesn't have to worry about it."
"Since you called me mother, how could I not worried about you?" Lin Wei Xi smiled, and glanced at Gao Ran's arm that had been applied ointment from the corner of her eyes, "I have come to see whether Shizi Consort has injured herself badly."
Chapter 34 Part 1: Payback
"I have come to see whether Shizi Consort has injured herself badly."
Gao Ran originally felt nervous thinking whether Yan Wang had seen it or not, but now hearing Lin Wei Xi's obvious gloating tone, she could hardly hold the smile on her face. She looked cold and asked, "I don't understand what mother means."
"I'm concerned about your injury." Lin Wei Xi's eyes were full of smiles, but when she looked at Gao Ran, some ice thorns faintly appeared inside, "What do you think I'm asking?"
Lin Wei Xi's words had double meanings. Outsiders, who were not familiar with the situation, of course would thought that this was Lin Wei Xi caring for her daughter-in-law, but for those who well aware of Gao Ran, this sound like Lin Wei Xi's secret taunt.
For so many years Gao Ran had relied on her age, and in the inner house she almost never had disadvantages. Gradually, she also felt that she could succeed in whatever she wants, and should succeed. Throwing a tea cup under the eyes of everyone need a high skill and good timing. It was harmful to yourself, and there was a risk of being seen. If it was other people, Gao Ran would think that this plan was not cost-effective, but changed it to herself, she was inexplicably confident, definitely wouldn't have any problem.
In the first half as Gao Ran expected, the situation was one-sided. The womenfolk had wide sleeves, and Gao Ran only exerted her strength when Lin Wei Xi's hand touched the tea cup. The time, the place, and the people were all good. In front of everyone Lin Wei Xi dared to harass her daughter-in-law like this. Anyone who knew would be angry. If Lin Wei Xi made such a big mistake as soon as she appeared, the wangfei's face was lost. Surely in the future she would have no face and Gao Ran would have the power on her hands.
However, Gao Ran did not expect that Yan Wang would suddenly say that.
When Gu Hui Yan said the first sentence, Gao Ran's heart almost jumped out of her throat. Yan Wang really saw that Lin Wei Xi didn't push the teacup? Or was it just for the sake of Yan Wangfei's face? Gao Ran panicked for a moment, and then heard Yan Wang's conclusion that this was only an accident.
Just an accident. Gao Ran heaved a sigh of relief. Yan Wang didn't doubt her that was good. But then Gao Ran reacted and became a little unhappy. If it just an accident, Yan Wang would testify for Lin Wei Xi's innocent, then why Gao Ran need to suffer such a severe burn?
The purpose was not achieved, but also injured herself.
Gao Ran was a little bit uncomfortable at first, she tried to persuade herself to forget about it, but Lin Wei Xi sat on the edge of the bed, took Gao Ran's hand, and carefully looked at the burn on her arm.
"Tsk... it's red and swollen, and it's all blistering, I'm afraid in a few days you will have a layer of skin peeling. It really hurts even thinking about it."
Originally Gao Ran had adjusted her mentality, but when Lin Wei Xi said this, it seemed that her wounds started to burn again. Gao Ran's face was stiff, with much difficulty she smiled and tried to withdraw her hand: "Thanking mother for the concern. The wound is indecent, I won't let it stain mother's eyes."
Gao Ran wanted to withdraw her arm, but was pulled back by Lin Wei Xi. She raised her head and gave Gao Ran a bright smile. The smile looked sincere: "The water has just been boiled, then a big cup of it directly fell on your arm, fortunately you hide in time, otherwise, that cup of water is probably going to be pour on your face." Lin Wei Xi's gaze rested on Gao Ran's face, stared at it inch by inch: "If it splashes on the face, I'm afraid this face will be ruined."
Gao Ran being stared by Lin Wei Xi this way, the smooth skin on her face seemed to be really burning, as if hot water was really splashed there. A disfigured Shizi Consort... Gao Ran shuddered from head to toe. After breaking free from the unnecessary imagination, she looked a little annoyed at Lin Wei Xi: "Mother, please be careful with your words!"
"What are you afraid of? It didn't splash on your face right." Although Lin Wei Xi said so, but her expression seemed to show a bit of pity, she lowered her eyes to Gao Ran's fierce and swollen wound, and said, "It's fortunate that it only splashed on the arm. Even if it leaves scars when molting, in the winter there will be clothing to cover it up, and in the summer the dress is much tighter so unlikely to be seen. It only hurts a little, Shizi Consort also not lose much."
This recounted was like Gao Ran only had a toothache, what it means that it only hurts a little, people struggled all their lives was it not for their own body? Gao Ran already had a sense of frustration from trying to tricks her enemy only to suffer a double lose. When Lin Wei Xi said this, her heart became more uncomfortable.
Gao Ran's expression completely cooled down. She and Lin Wei Xi had completely break down since May because of the marriage promise thing, and now they were just pretending with each other. Gao Ran's wrist was gripped by Lin Wei Xi, and now she used that kind of "what a pity" look to gazed at her wounds, even a living Bodhisattva couldn't bear it. Gao Ran withdrew her hand abruptly, but because of too much force, she even pulled the wound. There was a burst of taut burning sensation on her arm, she frowned sharply, and hurriedly covered it up, pretending that it didn't hurt at all, and said to Lin Wei Xi: "It's my honor to chat with mother, but I was injured today. I feel restless for so long just now, and really exhausted."
The meaning of seeing off the guests was very obvious. Lin Wei Xi's smile became more sincere. She glanced down and raised her eyebrows and said, "That pull just now must be quite painful. Imperial physician Zhou has left the medicine. If the wound is not taken care of, it will fail the imperial physician's painstaking effort. People come, bring the ointment left by imperial physician Zhou, and I will personally apply the medicine to Shizi Consort."
Gao Ran's maid and old servant were a little flustered when they heard this: "Wangfei..."
"Can't hear what I'm saying?" Lin Wei Xi's voice suddenly raised, it sounds delicate but cold. "Or do you all look down on me, the wangfei?"
Seeing this, Wan Xing glanced unhappily at Ning Fu and the others: "Wangfei is the mother-in-law of Shizi Consort, the mother-in-law personally apply medicine to the daughter-in-law, this is an honor, you actually dare to neglect?"
"Do not dare." Tao mama and a few people could only lower their heads, with sullen faces took the ointment left by imperial physician Zhou, and reluctantly handed them to Lin Wei Xi.
Gao Ran turned pale when she saw Lin Wei Xi really want to apply medicine on her: "Mother, I am not that badly hurt, there's no need for mother to do it."
"You have call me mother, so why still refuse." Lin Wei Xi squinted her eyes at Gao Ran, smiling. "When the elder give you something it's not polite to decline. I don't have anything on my body now, so I have to personally apply the medicine to make this up. Treat it as a greeting gift for you this good daughter-in-law."
After Lin Wei Xi finished speaking, without waiting for Gao Ran's reaction, she directly pulled her arm and ruthlessly slap a spoonful. The scalded skin was particularly fragile, it hurts almost as soon as it was touched. Gao Ran could not hold back a cry. Lin Wei Xi pretended to be surprised and covered her mouth, her eyes were filled water: "Does it hurt?"
Lin Wei Xi from head to toe wore red today, and at the moment her eyes widened innocently, and there was also water in it. Anyone who saw it would feel pity. Unfortunately Gao Ran clearly aware that the water in Lin Wei Xi's eyes was not from distress, but from enduring laughter.
Gao Ran clenched her teeth, still squeezing out a smile: "It doesn't hurt."
"It's good if it doesn't hurt. I've never done anything like this beore. It's inevitable that I don't know how much to put. If it's started to get heavy, Shizi Consort can say it." Lin Wei Xi continued to dig up the ointment and apply it on Gao Ran's arm. All these years Gao Ran had nurtured her soft skin and tender flesh, being scalded by boiling tea already made the skin ached, and then being treated like this by Lin Wei Xi, the pain was really unspeakable. However, Gao Ran had nowhere to complained. The mother-in-law personally applied the medicine to the daughter-in-law. This was simply shocking news. If the daughter-in-law felt dissatisfied, then she was simply unable to differentiated good from bad.
Lin Wei Xi applied the medicine on Gao Ran happily. She saw Gao Ran's expression that she wanted to hide but couldn't hide. Tao mama and several others were so angry but did not dare to say anything. Lin Wei Xi endured her laugh until her face was almost stiff. When Lin Wei Xi was completely out of breath she finally put down the ointment, everyone in the room, including Gao Ran, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Lin Wei Xi looked at Gao Ran with a smile, and said, "Shizi Consort, now, you should be able to take good care of the wound, right?"
Gao Ran put on a fake smile and twitched the corners of her mouth: "Thank you mother."
"Don't mention it." Lin Wei Xi stood up, lowered her eyelashes, and looked down at Gao Ran condescendingly, "Shizi Consort offered me tea, and I should do something to reciprocate it. Shizi Consort has worked hard today, so properly recuperate."
Dared to scheme her with bitter flesh plot, Gao Ran deserves it today!
TN: Bitter flesh plot, the trick to injuring oneself to gain the enemy's confidence.
Chapter 34 Part 2: Payback
Lin Wei Xi got her revenge after being calculated and felt refreshed along the way. Yesterday, the worship ritual of wedding ceremony was performed in the innermost hall of the mansion. Large households often set up a special place for weddings, funerals and other ceremonies. That hall had specialize place for bridal room. Now that the wedding was over, Lin Wei Xi also moved from bridal room to the main courtyard of the mansion, Jingcheng courtyard.
Jingcheng Courtyard was in the middle of the mansion, covering a vast area and it was magnificent. Yan Wang and Yan Wangfei lived and entertained guests there. When Lin Wei Xi walked into Jingcheng Courtyard, there were already servants kneeling inside. Seeing her came in, all the servants simultaneously said: "Pay respect to wangfei, may wangfei always in a good health."
These people were all servants who served in Jingcheng Courtyard. Lin Wei Xi briefly paused, her eyes slowly sweeping over everyone's heads. She didn't say a word, and walked through the passageway that was let out in the middle. When she sat on the top seat in the middle hall, she slowly said, "Get up."
"Thank you Wangfei."
The rustling friction sounded, but even when the servants had stood up they did not dare to raise their heads. All holding their breath and bow their head down towards the floor
"Today Shizi Consort accidently got injured and delayed some matters. In that case, I won't say anything else. Let's call the people one by one according to the roster. Just stand up in advance, and the few of you will briefly explain what you are in charge of, and then according to the duty, form a group of five, follow these little maids after being call out to let me recognize the face."
Lin Wei Xi actually recognizes the people below, but as a woman from the outside who had only stayed in the mansion for a period of time, she should not remember the servants who lived in the main courtyard. Therefore, Lin Wei Xi took this opportunity to let everyone show up one by one, and from then on regarded it as she crossed the road1.
After the people finished kowtowing and greeted Lin Wei Xi, the new mistress, the sun had already risen to the highest level. Lin Wei Xi woke up early today, and there was an accident during tea ceremony. After spending half the morning at Gao Ran's place, it took a lot of time to check the face of the roster. After the kowtowing ceremony was over, Lin Wei Xi got up from the top seat and went to the west room to temporarily sit on the Arhat bed. Wan Yue came to ask for instructions: "Wangfei, do you want to have a meal?"
Lin Wei Xi almost nodded, but she suddenly remembered that she was the Yan Wangfei now, she was no longer a lady who lived in a courtyard by herself and decided everything on her own. Now she had to worry about her husband's everyday life. Lin Wei Xi paused and said, "Wait first. Wan Xing, go to the front yard and ask when will Wangye come back for the meal."
In the study, Gu Hui Yan instructed his son with a solemn face, Gu Cheng Yao lowered his head to receive the instructions. He carefully answered, afterwards he saw that Gu Hui Yan's face was still not very good, so he could only ask cautiously: "Father, yesterday First Assistant and Supervisor Feng came to the mansion..."
The meeting of Yan Wang, First Assistant Zhang, and eunuch Feng was a matter of concern to the entire capital. The court and ordinary people, inside and outside, all want to know what they said.
Unfortunately Gu Hui Yan didn't want to elaborate. He lightly said: "These things still not your time to know about, you should study hard and prepare for next year's spring exam."
"Yes." Gu Cheng Yao responded respectfully.
Gu Hui Yan started his career with military service, and the Yan Wang Mansion was also stationed as the military powerhouse. Gu Cheng Yao would definitely join the army in the future. But, first they were in the capital now, and second, in the current situation, afraid that the heirs of the Yan Wang Mansion were not allowed to only understand military affairs. It was difficult for a lone minister to end well, Gu Hui Yan was not so confident to think that he would be an exception. While he was still in the capital, the various forces were mixed, so he let Gu Cheng Yao learn more through experience.
Gu Cheng Yao right now had somewhat taken it for granted, and Gu Hui Yan had been dissatisfied about it for a long time, so he rejected the opinions of his subordinates, and insisted on letting Gu Cheng Yao go to poor and tiny department to experience little by little from the bottom. Because of Gu Hui Yan, Gu Cheng Yao had received too many preferential treatment, his father's halo almost let him had a smooth sailing. In the past, Gu Hui Yan was too busy with the war, but now, it doesn't matter.
Gu Hui Yan thought of the very skilled daughter-in-law, his eyes were heavy, this was the "savior" that Gu Cheng Yao insisted on marrying regardless of his wife's mourning period. The more disappointed Gu Hui Yan with Gu Cheng Yao, the more severe his requirements become.
Gu Cheng Yao seemed to think about the tea ceremony, his eyes flashed, and he asked, "Father, you said that you saw it..."
At the same time, another voice sounded from outside the door: "Wangye, Wangfei has sent someone to ask you when you will coming back to have a meal."
Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao were both stunned. In the past Gu Hui Yan never had people urged him to have a meal, but then again it was much simpler during wartime, and he was busy with military affairs. The soldier who delivered the food usually only put the food box by his desk and occasionally said a few words, that was the limit. It's the first time someone were thinking about it like this, and asking it specifically.
Gu Cheng Yao was obviously not used to it. The father he remembered seemed to always be in the study, martial arts field, or battlefield. He came to see his father mostly because he had questions. No matter what he asked, his father could always push the cloud to see the moon2 with his words. Gu Cheng Yao admired his father more and more, afterwards he put that admiration in his heart and retreated. He naturally respected his father, asking about his father's health was out of filial piety, as for when his father fell asleep, when to eat... Gu Cheng Yao really didn't seem to notice. Yan Wang always gave an impression of unattainability, victory within one's grasp. People in awe of the god of war would naturally feel that the god did not need to eat or sleep.
It wasn't until Lin Wei Xi sent someone to pass the word that Gu Cheng Yao somewhat surprised to find that his father had married a new wangfei and even had their private space.
Gu Cheng Yao felt complicated in his heart, and Gu Hui Yan was also a little surprised. He once again realized that he was married and that the marriage partner was still a thoughtful little girl. Gu Hui Yan moved his fingers, really stood up and walked outside: "I forgot the time. Shizi Consort was injured today. Go back and stay with her."
Gu Cheng Yao was sent away like this, it was impossible to find fault with the reason. Gu Cheng Yao remembered his interrupted question, and was a little bit unwilling. He couldn't help chasing after him: "Father, the tea ceremony today, you say..."
Gu Hui Yan stretched out his hand to stop Gu Cheng Yao's words: "If you want to know, find out yourself."
1 Cross the road, it means the matter has been made public and there is no need to hide it.↩
2 Push the cloud to see the moon, it's metaphor for breaking through the darkness and seeing the light, dispelling the doubts.↩
Chapter 35 Part 1: Old Slave
Lin Wei Xi sent someone to the study to invite Gu Hui Yan, in the meantime she had not been idle.
In Jingcheng courtyard, several respectable old servant women in the mansion were talking with Lin Wei Xi.
"... Wangfei, all the people in the mansion want to come over to pay respect to you. It's just that you only got married yesterday, afraid there are still many things to be settled, so the people don't dare to rashly come over to disturb you."
A moment before, Lin Wei Xi finished checking the servants in Jingcheng courtyard. If she was only Shizi Consort then that was enough, but Lin Wei Xi now was the Wangfei. In addition to the courtyard where she lives, she also had to accept the visit of the entire mansion. Lin Wei Xi swept a glance at the woman who was talking and calmly asked: "Then in mama's opinion, when is the right time to call the people over? As the Wangfei, if the servants of the mansion don't even recognize me as the mistress, that is too absurd."
Granny Zhao glanced at the people beside her and said with a virtuous smile: "It depends on what time the Wangfei likes, how dare we call the shots for the Wangfei."
Lin Wei Xi snorted inwardly, it's good if you aware not to dare. Lin Wei Xi flipped through the thick roster of the Yan Wang Mansion and said, "Choosing a day is worse than hitting the sun1, just do it this afternoon at weishi (1-3pm), let everyone in the mansion set aside their works on hands first, and come to Jingcheng Courtyard for me to recognize the face."
Although the old servant woman next to Granny Zhao didn't move, the corners of her mouth curled downwards, and her face looks displeased. This servant looks like she was about fifty years old, with a long face and a square chin, there were deep lines on the corners of her mouth, and her eyes hanging sharply, her face looked unfriendly. She wore a crisp dark blue silk jacket with a black and blue skirt underneath. Her shoes were spotlessly clean. She had a heavy gold hairpin on her head, bracelets on both wrists, and on her right hand there was also a plain weave gold bracelet that as wide as a thumb. It could be seen that this woman was not only strict in temperament, but also had a lofty status in Yan Wang Mansion. She obviously used to giving orders.
Just now when Lin Wei Xi was asking questions, Granny Zhao glanced to the side before speaking, she was looking at this old woman. Lin Wei Xi was no stranger to this extremely pompous woman. Who doesn't recognize Shen Wangfei's dowry mama, Bu shi?
Old Yan Wang and old Yan Wangfei both left early, and the people who served old Yan Wangfei had also died or moved away. Even if they were still alive, many of these old servants asked to return to their hometowns and had their grandsons supported their lives, very few still continued to work outside. The servants of the old Wangfei generation had retired, and the important departments of the mansion were taken over by Shen Wangfei's people. Bu mama was the wet nurse that Shen Wangfei brought from her maiden family. She was the person that Shen Wangfei trusted and relied the most. She was always in charge of the mansion, how could she gave up what was hers?
Less than two years after the death of old Yan Wangfei, Shen Wangfei also died. At that time, Shizi was only eight years old, and Yan Wang was twenty-four. Although he was in his prime, the war in the North was endless. Gu Hui Yan went to various places to calm the chaos. At that time he fought many famous battles. Gu Hui Yan was busy with the war and didn't have time to worry about the affairs of the mansion, and Gu Cheng Yao was only at the age to begin schooling. Bu mama was trusted by Gu Cheng Yao and had the honor of serving Shen Wangfei. At that time, it was natural that she had an important position in the mansion. Gradually, every important things in the mansion need Bu mama's approval.
Yan Wang was away all year round, Shizi was young and ignorant of outside affairs. The mansion relied on these old mama to take care of the affairs. One could imagined the domestic affairs of the mansion during that time. When Lin Wei Xi first got married, she was shocked to see the bills of the previous years. Yan Wang was very famous, but Lin Wei Xi didn't expect that there would be such a mess in Yan Wang mansion. There were so many territory under Yan Wang's name, silver really like running water. With the rich silver, on the outside Yan Wang Mansion still looked like flourishing flower, impressive and brilliant, but the account inside was really rotten.
After getting married Lin Wei Xi was in awkward position for a period of time. In this situation, no matter what it would be her negligence, if she took care of it then she would definitely offend these respectful old servants, when the time come it all would be her fault. It was also Lin Wei Xi's bad luck, at that time she and Gu Cheng Yao had a harmonious relationship, and Gao Ran still had not tell Gu Cheng Yao the truth. Lin Wei Xi was muddleheaded because her farce husband and wife's relationship, when she was cleaning up the mess somewhat didn't have any worry. Lin Wei Xi firmly believe that she was doing the right thing, even if they were respectable old servants, they should be punished if they made a mistake. She didn't care when the people below said that she was not good. The long-term plan of the mansion was the most important.
However, Yan Wang Mansion was not the princess mansion after all, and Gu Cheng Yao was not the Grand Princess Shou kang either. Afterwards thing happened one after another, the relationship between husband and wife was broken, the wicked slave that she punished took this opportunity to rebound. Lin Wei Xi was not a soft person, and naturally cleaning up the rules more strictly and tried to prove herself to everyone. As a result, the relationship between husband and wife was getting worse. Like a vicious cycle, the snowball rolled bigger and bigger, until it finally overwhelmed her.
1 Choosing a day is worse than hitting the sun, it means to just let it happens naturally or everything is fine. In the olden days every major activities such as wedding, funerals, rituals, etc. need to choose a special date, I guess it got too complicated that they eventually said choosing a day is worse than hitting the sun.↩
Chapter 35 Part 2: Old Slave
Lin Wei Xi now looked at Bu mama again, there was a bit amusement and regret in her heart. She also did not expect to meet again with the old people from the previous life, and Lin Wei Xi would once again return to the position of the mistress of Yan Wang Mansion. Lin Wei Xi closed the roster and looked at Bu mama with a smile: "Bu mama, I think you to have something to say. There are no outsiders here. If you have anything to say, just say it."
"Wangfei, to order the people below to have an audience with you it's only a matter of a few words for you, but from now to weishi it's only an hour. How many things should be abandoned in the kitchen, purchasing department, and sweeping duty, if you let them leave their work and come over to kowtow to Wangfei. For Wangfei maybe it's nothing, but there may be confusion below. After all, such a big mansion is not for playing around."
"If only coming to kowtow to me can cause confusion, then they don't have to work in the mansion. I don't need such a mediocre person in Yan Wang Mansion." Lin Wei Xi glanced at Bu mama indifferently, ignoring her pulling the elder face, continued to say, "In that case let's do it like this, when it's weishi, let the people in the mansion come in batches to pay respect. Half of the people in each duty will go, after the people in the front return, the other half will come over. The kitchen still need to prepare for evening meals, let the people in the kitchen come first. After the two groups of people in the kitchen leave, it will be the storeroom..."
Lin Wei Xi spoke like a jade pearl falling on a silver plate. At once completed the arrangement of the huge mansion. Granny Zhao and Bu mama couldn't even find a chance to interrupt. After finished talking, Lin Wei Xi lifted the tea cup and took a mouthful to moisten her throat. Then she put the tea cup on the table with a thud, her eyes were clear, and her expression was calm: "Have you remember it?"
Lin Wei Xi's posture as the mistress was natural and smooth, the people below didn't even dare to lift their heads, could only agreeing. Bu mama was going to break this little Wangfei's authority today, to show her who was really in charge of the mansion and who was the real Wangfei. Unexpectedly, after Lin Wei Xi's speech, Bu mama was too stunned that she didn't catch any slip up. Instead, she seemed to have fallen into disadvantages position. Bu mama was unhappy. She had been respected for many years, also secretly felt dislike towards this orphan girl who lived in someone else home and the one that took over the position of her own lady. Her lady had a deep affection for Yan Wang, and she gave birth to the only heir of the mansion. Yan Wang should remember her forever. How could he let another person occupy her lady's position?
Bu mama originally had personal prejudices in her heart, but now she was suppressed by Lin Wei Xi, her heart became more and more angry. The corners of her mouth were stiff, and the wrinkles on both sides became more rigid: "The arrangement of Wangfei is naturally good. I didn't expect that although Wangfei is the second wife, she is decent in terms of managing the household, I think compare to noble ladies also not weaker."
As soon as the words came out, there was silence in the west house. Wan Xing's eyes were wide open, but she was pulled hard by Wan Yue. Lin Wei Xi smiled and put her hands on her knees, leaned back slightly, and looked at Bu mama with a smile: "Although I am not talented, but since I am in this position how can I fail to live up to Wangye's trust? As Yan Wangfei, this is what I should do."
Lin Wei Xi directly called herself "Yan Wangfei", and even vaguely moved Yan Wang's name. Bu mama didn't dare to talk about Yan Wang, so she had to choice but avoid the sharp point, smilingly praised. Afterwards, Bu mama seemed to casually talk about Shen Wangfei's deeds, including the first meeting of Shen Wangfei and Yan Wang, their marriage, the joy of the whole family when Shizi was born, and Shen Wangfei extremely grand funeral when she died.
Lin Wei Xi kept smiling while she listened. She could fight back against the slaves' bullying and decisively displayed her mistress position, but she couldn't say anything about the dead original partner that was like white moonlight.
In fact, Lin Wei Xi had heard of these deeds in her previous life, although the focus last time was to beat her to show her filial piety, but this time it was a show of demonstration to her as an outsider. When she heard it last time, Lin Wei Xi, as a daughter-in-law, didn't care at all about the feelings of her mother-in-law and father-in-law. She treated it as listening to a story. But this time, when Lin Wei Xi heard it there were other different flavors.
Princess Shou Kang was a princess, Wei shi was the princess' daughter and the wife of a duke's shizi, Lin Wei Xi was a duke mansion's daughter in her previous life. With the accumulation of family education from generations to generations, to be honest, Lin Wei Xi, about this story of falling in love at first sight in midst of military upheaval thus eloped with each other for thousands of mile, was unable to hear any sense of beauty.
This matchless fornication, wasn't the woman who eloped become a concubine? For Lin Wei Xi, who still had a quarter of imperial blood, she didn't really understand this marriage union. In her world, marriage was a good way to tie both surnames, principal wife concerned the worship to the ancestors, to make offering with the palm of her hand, which symbolizes status, not love. As a clan woman who was raised as a noble young lady since birth, no one dared to talk about love in front of Lin Wei Xi, and the marital relationship of her grandmother and mother did not make Lin Wei Xi feel that love between men and women was a good thing.
So now Bu mama told the legendary and touching love story of Shen Wangfei, Lin Wei Xi besides being silent could only be silent. She had never been in touch with love, and never had someone given her love. She was like a spectator of a play, could only hide from a distance, silent and took a step back from the story of Yan Wang and Shen Wangfei.
First it was Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran, now it was Yan Wang and Shen Wangfei. Lin Wei Xi still had a smile on her face, but her heart was cold. She probably was born as the ashes of other people's love stories, for two whole lifetimes she unable to avoid it.
While Bu mama was still talking, footsteps came from outside the house. When Bu mama saw the incoming person, her voice suddenly went hoarse: "Wangye."
Lin Wei Xi also stood up and greeted Gu Hui Yan, "Wangye, you are back. Have you eaten?"
Gu Hui Yan swept across the house full of maids, and finally fixed his eyes on Lin Wei Xi: "No. Have you been waiting here?"
"This is natural." Lin Wei Xi's mood felt a little heavy. She held up her smile and tried her best walked over to Gu Hui Yan without any peculiarly, "Wangye, the meal is ready, I will let them prepare the meal. Please wait a moment."
Gu Hui Yan nodded. Seeing this, Bu mama and several others hurriedly retired. Wan Xing and Wan Yue also followed out to set up the meal. Gu Hui Yan barely enter the door, and the completely packed west house was suddenly empty.
Gu Hui Yan sat on the seat at the west window. He looked at Lin Wei Xi. When he came in, he vaguely heard them talking about Shen shi? For this deceased wife, Gu Hui Yan's feelings had always been complicated, even a little inexplicable. But after all she was Gu Cheng Yao's birth mother, Gu Hui Yan unlikely to say ill about the deceased, and he always showed respect towards Shen shi. Was it because these servants actually said it in front of Lin Wei Xi?
That Gu Hui Yan suddenly felt irritable.