Chapter 36 Part 1: Couple
Gu Hui Yan's emotions were hard to describe. But he was only surprised for a moment and suppressed this unnecessary mood swings. Gu Hui Yan did not have the habit of saying whether the dead was right or wrong, and he didn't want to mention these things in front of Lin Wei Xi. His expression remained the same and calmly changed the subject: "You haven't eaten all this time?"
Lin Wei Xi sat opposite Gu Hui Yan and looked up at him strangely when she heard these words: "Yes, how can I leave you behind and eat by myself? How can such a thing happen."
"Your health is not good so you need to pay attention to your diet. If I get stuck by something, you can eat by yourself first, don't wait for me."
Lin Wei Xi was a little unhappy, and said quietly, "Wangye, you don't want to eat with me, or think I'm annoying, so you send me away?"
Gu Hui Yan frowned and said, "What are you thinking? I'm just afraid you will be starving."
"It's not fine." Lin Wei Xi lightly snorted and said, "If that is the case, then I even want to wait for Wangye. I am your wife, sleeping together and eating together, that's what a wife is."
Lin Wei Xi's mind was full of thoughts about how to be a qualified wife. Gu Hui Yan felt a little helpless, but there was also a thread of strange feeling in his heart. It was a common thing for him to postpone eating, and it was also common for him to be too busy to eat, but at this moment he understood that it would be different from now on. If he didn't come back, this silly girl would have to wait forever. Her health was not good and if she eats irregularly, afraid it would be even more unbearable.
Gu Hui Yan concealed the throbbing in his heart quite well, when he faced Lin Wei Xi he always seemed to relax easily. Gu Hui Yan unconsciously smile: "Why are you so obsessed with the word wife?"
This was all because Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran. In the book of heaven, Gao Xi was a complete loser in all aspects of submissiveness, heirs, and managing the household. Compared to Gao Ran she didn't even have one good point, basically a counterexamples of what a successful wife should be. On the surface Lin Wei Xi didn't care, but in her innermost heart she also doubted herself.
So now, Lin Wei Xi was obsessed with becoming a "qualified" wife.
Lin Wei Xi remembered the evaluation of herself in the heavenly book, and somehow recalled Bu mama's words a while ago. The smile on her face couldn't help but fading: "It's nothing, just fulfilling my promise. Wangye, you married me because of my unreasonable actions. For this I am endlessly grateful, and I will definitely return the favor many times more. Just as I said that day, as long as Wangye treat me with the courtesy of the principal wife, I will do my best to repay Wangye. There's nothing else I can do except being Wangye's housekeeper, just regard this as a payback."
Gu Hui Yan was amused by her words, this girl actually took it so seriously, and really wanted to become his housekeeper. Gu Hui Yan smiled and said, "Then I will rely on you from now on."
Gu Hui Yan knew that he had been away from the mansion for many years, the order in the mansion was a complete mess, but alas the whip could not reach (too far to control). Gu Hui Yan really had no time to manage, so these people kept on going. Now he finally could stay in the mansion for a long time, and the moths in the mansion should be beaten. He had the intention to remind Lin Wei Xi with a few words, but then he thought that he would be looking after her this period of time. For now there was no need to tell her in case it scared her, just help her when she really encountered something.
Seeing Gu Hui Yan's relaxed expression, Lin Wei Xi smiled sadly in her heart. Since listening to Yan Wang's past story she felt like she couldn't step in, she just stay from a distance, and tried her best with her responsibility as a wife. Thinking of this, Lin Wei Xi took the opportunity to inquire about Gu Hui Yan's daily habits and hobbies while the table still being set. Lin Wei Xi only realized last night that the disparity between their habits was not small. In the future, the two of them will live together, so they must inquire about each other's habits in advance.
Hobby? Gu Hui Yan paused for a while and said, "I don't have any requirements for these things, you can arrange it according to your preferences."
"How can this work?" Lin Wei Xi thought Gu Hui Yan was only polite with her, but after she questioned several times she found that Gu Hui Yan really didn't care at all. A person actually didn't have any preference? Lin Wei Xi didn't believe it, and asked, "Yan Wang, you don't have any personal hobbies? People always have something to do to pass the time."
Gu Hui Yan only smiled at this: "No need."
No need? Lin Wei Xi looked at Gu Hui Yan with unbelievable eyes. Lin Wei Xi's eyes were extremely focused, Gu Hui Yan inevitably lost his sense when he being looked at by such extremely beautiful eyes.
In the eyes of a little girl like her who had been cared for since childhood, she probably couldn't understand another life.
Yan Wang Mansion was now flourishing, but when Gu Hui Yan was born, the situation in Yan Wang Mansion was not very optimistic.
Old Yan Wang was Emperor Shizong's youngest brother, and because he was young, he inevitably be treated more favorably in the palace. Later, when Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, there were very few elder brothers who died well, and the situation of old Yan Wang also became awkward.
Emperor Shizong gradually became more suspicious after he ascended the throne. It was not easy for old Yan Wang, this pampered younger brother, to live until adulthood. Later, when it was time to move to the vassal state, Emperor Shizong became suspicious again. At this time, the difference between a princess and a prince was shown. With the blood of the same father, Grand Princess Shou Kang was much more pleasing in front of Emperor Shizong compared to Yan Wang. Only when Grand Princess Shou Kang gave her assurance that Emperor Shizong's suspicion was gradually dispelled, and old Yan Wang and Yan Wangfei were able to successfully reach Yan fief.
Yan fief was located at an important border fortress and was always invaded by foreign enemies in the north. Old Yan Wang had been trembling with fear since he arrived in Yan fief. He realized that his big brother's doubts about him had not dissipated. If something goes wrong with the border fortress, he, the Qinwang who was stationed in Yan fief, would be the first one to be blamed. Gu Hui Yan was born in this environment. He was told right after he was born that he was the heir of Yan Wang Mansion, and in the future he would assume the responsibilities of the entire Yan Wang Mansion and even Yan fief.
Because of this, Gu Hui Yan had no time to consider hobbies and personal interest. He grew up for Yan Wang mansion since he was a child. Later, when he was fifteen years old, the frontier was in a state of emergency. The old Yan Wang was sick and unable to manage it. Gu Hui Yan could only straighten his back and joined the army. As soon as he came into contact with the military he showed his amazing talent. In the early twenty-fourth year of Yuan Dynasty, at the age of fifteen, Gu Hui Yan fought the first battle of his life using few to defeat many. With three thousand soldiers to beat twenty thousand, this battle was won beautifully. When the battle report was sent to the capital, Emperor Shizong from his imperial seat loudly shouted 'good'. At this point, because of Gu Hui Yan, the Yan Wang Mansion which was receiving suspicion in the early years of Yuan Dynasty, gradually changed until it got the emperor's favor. After that, Gu Hui Yan's expedition continued, not only guarding the Yan fief, but sometimes also going to the territories of other fief to quell the chaos, Gu Hui Yan also became Emperor Shizong's most relied nephew.
Later, Emperor Muzong ascended the throne, and the capital imperial power also changed, new emperor new courtiers. But it didn't affect Gu Hui Yan very much. Emperor Muzong had a good impression of this young and combative cousin. To be put in an important position by two emperors, the power of Yan Wang Mansion grew like a snowball. By the end of Jianzhao, when the eunuchs of the harem were starting a rebellion, Gu Hui Yan become Emperor Muzong's trump card.
Chapter 36 Part 2: Couple
Gu Hui Yan had spent half his life as a military horse. He had very little free time, and even less personal time. Taking advantage of the only free time in the army, Gu Hui Yan had to deal with trivial matters of the fief, and came back to look after his mother, old Yan Wangfei, and on top of that he still need to be concerned about the dynamics in the capital. How could he have time to consider personal hobbies and all those trivialities.
Since the beginning, his life seems to be full of purpose. He studied rigorously when he was a child in order to inherit the mansion. When he was a boy, he joined the army to protect the Yan fief. His entire youths were spent on war from all sides for the emperor on the throne. Up until now when he was just entering middle age, even need to assist the young emperor, supporting the entire dynasty.
Such calm that almost rigid, what come and go was entirely black and white gray's world. Lin Wei Xi this lively little girl naturally would not be able to understand.
When he came back to his senses, Gu Hui Yan laughed to himself. How old is he that he would be confused by beauty like a young boy. Lin Wei Xi now looks like a Persian cat with her paws tucked away. Snow white fur, focused and curious, Gu Hui Yan's palms were itchy, he really wants to touch her fluffy long hair. Then he thought that he already married her. There was no need to avoid suspicion like before. With this thoughts, Gu Hui Yan stretched out his hand to rub Lin Wei Xi's hair.
Lin Wei Xi who waited wholeheartedly for Gu Hui Yan's answer, finally found that the other party didn't mean to answer, but instead rubbed her hair with a smile. Lin Wei Xi couldn't bear avoiding it: "Yan Wang, I am not a child."
Gu Hui Yan touched his angry Persian cat as he wished, perfectly satisfied, and nodded to her with a smile: "I know."
This attitude again, Lin Wei Xi secretly annoyed. What kind of existence did she have in Gu Hui Yan's eyes? In the past Gu Hui Yan almost always give in to her unreasonable request, the only thing that contradicted Lin Wei Xi's wishes was probably going to the capital to come to the Yan Wang Mansion. Later, Lin Wei Xi even made more excessive demand. Gu Hui Yan apart from being angry on the first day, the next day under her coercion when she was fallen ill, he still did what she wanted to marry her.
Lin Wei Xi didn't really believe that the famous Yan Wang could be so easily threatened. What exactly was she to Yan Wang?
Lin Wei Xi unknowingly remembered Bu mama's words just now, how Shen Wangfei and Yan Wang really loved each other. Lin Wei Xi hurriedly stopped and returned to the topic at hand: "Wangye, what are your daily habits? Everyone has their own preferences. I am afraid that if I make arrangements rashly it will disrupt Wangye's rhythm."
"It's okay." Gu Hui Yan said, "You can arrange it as you like. I'm fine with anything."
Lin Wei Xi was helpless: "Wangye, you don't have to consider my face like this. Husband and wife always need to compromise with each other. If I offend your space, you can tell me directly. Although I am small-minded, I am not unreasonable to this level."
Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi and chuckled, "It's rare, you actually know it too."
Lin Wei Xi's face turned red: "Wangye."
Gu Hui Yan could only hold back his laugh, but the eyes that looked at Lin Wei Xi were still full of smiles, like dots of stars: "What I said is true. The conditions in wartime were much worse than this, there was no room to be picky. You can just arrange it as you like, I don't mind."
Lin Wei Xi was a little surprised: "Are you really not being polite with me?"
Gu Hui Yan was about to speak when Wan Yue's voice came from the outside: "Wangye, Wangfei, the meal is ready."
The dots of stars in Gu Hui Yan's eyes immediately dissipated like a low tide, he stood up first and then stretched out his hand to Lin Wei Xi to help her get up: "Let's go, eat first."
Gu Hui Yan's palm very smoothly reached out in front of her, Lin Wei Xi felt flattered, she quickly raised her head and glanced at Gu Hui Yan, and then hesitantly put her hand on his palm. Gu Hui Yan held Lin Wei Xi's slender palm, and with a slight force he pulled her to his side.
Lin Wei Xi...Lin Wei Xi was a little dizzy. Growing up she only had her maid holding her hand when she got out of the carriage. Obviously, the two were not the same. Even in the first month of her marriage in the previous life, when she and Gu Cheng Yao was still had false harmonious feeling, she had never treated like this. In her previous life, Lin Wei Xi always saw her male cousins being very attentive towards Gao Ran. Even the maternal cousin who had just come to the Duke Mansion for the first time was attracted to Gao Xi first when they met. But it won't take long before they would be more inclined to Gao Ran. They treated Gao Xi highly, respectful but estranged.
It had been so many years, Lin Wei Xi already accepted that her character was not very likable, but at this moment, she was treated kindly by another man, and it was the man she admired very much since she was young, Lin Wei Xi couldn't say how flattered she was. Nowadays, men like to put on master of the house's arrogance, behind the curtain the wife could not even refute. How could it be possible to take the initiative to help his wife in front of many maids? Ordinary men already like that, what about the proud sons of the imperial family?
While having their meal Lin Wei Xi couldn't help but sneak in Gu Hui Yan's direction. Really can't judge people by appearances. Gu Cheng Yao looked gentle and polite, and he was known as a gentleman, but in realty he was a heartless and selfish person. However, Gu Hui Yan had a high authority, most people did not dare to get close, but unexpectedly he was attentive and considerate. Asking the kitchen to prepare a hot soup for her yesterday was an example, and subtly taking care of her today was another case.
Lin Wei Xi finished the meal while silently felt a bit emotional. After the meal, Gu Mingda sent many books and reports from the outside, all of which were placed in the east side room. The east side room has a door that opens outwards, allowing direct entry and exit without going through the main room, so it was used as a study room. After all, this was the main courtyard of the Wangye and Wangfei.
But when Lin Wei Xi went to see it yesterday, although there were bookshelves and writing brush in the East room, there were no books or other things inside. Anyway, Gu Hui Yan usually handled the official documents in his own separate study room, and there was no need to move back to the inner house, so this small study room was just for display. But today didn't know what happened, Gu Hui Yan ordered his servants to move the books he frequently used to the inner house. Lin Wei Xi was curious and couldn't help asking: "Wangye, do you have anything urgent to deal with?"
Why else suddenly moved his things?
"These days I have seven days of wedding vacation. After this time, I won't have any leisure time. You just come to the mansion, I am afraid there are many places that still unfamiliar, in any case I can't leave you alone. "
On the surface, Gu Hui Yan spoke calmly, but in fact he was also very hesitant. He actually didn't have many experience staying together with another person day and night, and with a woman it was close to nothing. Lin Wei Xi was trying very hard to be a qualified wife. Gu Hui Yan thought that he also need to do something, at least, to fulfill the responsibilities of a husband.
Accompanying his wife more often seems to be the most basic requirement.
Lin Wei Xi understand. In fact, Wang Yan was also working hard to accommodate her. Not only she was learning to be a wife, but Yan Wang was also adapting to the arrival of another person.
The running-in between husband and wife actually had just begun. Lin Wei Xi suddenly full of fighting spirit, and the frustration caused by Bu mama's words was also wiped away. With this kind a cooperation from Gu Hui Yan, Lin Wei Xi also immediately asked people to move the roster, bills, etc. to the side room. She still need to see the servants of the mansion this afternoon, and would not have time to sleep. In that case, it's better to accompany Yan Wang to read.
Chapter 37 Part 1: Reading
Lin Wei Xi actually knew the roster and bills very well, but as the new Wangfei, she had to pretend she didn't know. She tried to look through the list earnestly, but staring at the familiar names she couldn't help but get distracted. After a while, she was really bored and couldn't help but tilt her head to watch Gu Hui Yan.
"Wangye, what are you reading?"
Gu Hui Yan tilted over the spine of the book to show it to Lin Wei Xi: "Taibai Yinfu."
"…what is that?"
"Military Book."
Lin Wei Xi was stunned, and looked at Gu Hui Yan in amazement: "Didn't Wangye say that you don't have to take care of the court affairs these few days? Why is Wangye still reading military books?"
"Right now there's no trouble, but on the battlefield, every negligence can cost lives. No one can take that price."
Gu Hui Yan said these words lightly, but Lin Wei Xi was in awe. Leading the army for ten years without defeat, this record was boasted in the imperial court palace report as the glorious and prosperous age. When Lin Wei Xi and the other bystanders looked at it of course they were full of admiration. But for Yan Wang himself, behind this achievement, how much pressure and burden he must carried.
When Lin Wei Xi was a child, she heard Grand Princess Shou Kang talk about the battles of Langshan and Dingxiang. These were the battles that made Gu Hui Yan famous. At that time she was very fascinated, pestering her grandmother to tell the story over and over again. Unexpectedly, she had the opportunity to get close to the protagonists of these battles.
Seeing Lin Wei Xi's eyes staring at the pages of the book, Gu Hui Yan simply put down the book and said to Lin Wei Xi, "If you are curious, why don't I tell you?"
"Okay!" Lin Wei Xi threw down the business matter on her hands for fear that Gu Hui Yan would change his mind. Gu Hui Yan smiled slightly when he saw Lin Wei Xi's action. He was about to ask the maid to move a chair over, Lin Wei Xi said "no need", took off her shoes and settle down, immediately sit next to Gu Hui Yan. She was originally slender, but when she sat on her knees next to Gu Hui Yan, she was even more like a small ball. The complicated Wangfei's dress made her look weak and charming. After sitting properly Lin Wei Xi raised her head, with a gleaming eyes looked up at Gu Hui Yan: "Wangye, I'm ready."
Gu Hui Yan looked down at Lin Wei Xi and suddenly felt an absurd feeling of telling a story to his daughter. The space in the side room was limited, it's naturally impossible to put a whole set of sandalwood tables and chairs like in his study room. Therefore, the side room only had a horseshoe-foot arched square table near the wall. For Gu Hui Yan it was barely enough, but Lin Wei Xi also moved her things over. That square table space was definitely not enough. Anyway, Gu Hui Yan was only reading books, so he violated his own rules of reading, and accompanied Lin Wei Xi to sit on the bed near the window. Originally the two sat across a low table, opposite each other. Now Lin Wei Xi threw down her belongings, took off her shoes to sit beside Gu Hui Yan, and the distance between the two suddenly became narrow.
This distance was a little too close for Gu Hui Yan, he was a little uncomfortable, but then he thought there was a closer contact yesterday, and to make a fuss over this now was too much. So Gu Hui Yan gave in to Lin Wei Xi's actions, placed the book horizontally on the low table, and explained to Lin Wei Xi sentence by sentence from the beginning.
The sun shined into the room from the glazed windows. Gu Hui Yan had a gentle countenance and a quiet voice. He explained the art of war books thoroughly and concisely, and sometimes uses examples of the battle he had experienced himself as an explanation. Next to him was a stunningly beautiful woman, brilliant like jewels, dazzling and yet transparent, listening intently to Gu Hui Yan's words. Because she was too engrossed, her body unknowingly leaned against Gu Hui Yan, and Gu Hui Yan could even feel Lin Wei Xi's hair pricked his neck, making it itch.
After Gu Hui Yan finished, he looked down at Lin Wei Xi: "Do you understand?"
Lin Wei Xi shook her head honestly, Gu Hui Yan sighed: "I know you don't."
Lin Wei Xi blushed with shame: "Am I too stupid? But I can understand those war stories, or the battle when Wangye was seventeen."
Gu Hui Yan shook his head and lightly sighed: "It's not your fault." It was because he could not concentrate, once he lost his mind, the order and logic would naturally be messed up, so how could it be Lin Wei Xi's fault.
Lin Wei Xi didn't know what Gu Hui Yan was thinking. She only felt that Yan Wang was giving her way out of embarrassing situation and couldn't bear to blame her. Lin Wei Xi even more reluctant to give up. She was this kind of character. The more difficult it was, the more reluctant to admit defeat. She unconsciously straighten her waist, made a solemn vow to Gu Hui Yan, her small face was so serious and persistent: "Wangye, you can rest assured. I will study again and again when I have free time, so please don't think I'm stupid."
"How can that be possible?" Gu Hui Yan laughed. "It's normal to not understand what you just learn. Why would I dislike you for it? Where did you get that habit and why you always so tense?
She should gave the credit to Gao Ran, because of her she didn't dare to relax even a little in classroom. Over time, Lin Wei Xi got used to it. She always wanted to do her best in everything, always afraid that others would be disappointed in her.
TN: It's a really short chapter, it almost embarrassing to cut it into two part, anyway both part release today.
Chapter 37 Part 2: Reading
Seeing Lin Wei Xi suddenly looked sad, Gu Hui Yan examined it in his heart and smiled comfortingly: "What are you afraid of? Even a teacher, if he didn't teach well really cannot blame the students, let alone I am your husband. If you don't understand once, I will just explain the second time and the third time, as long as you are willing to listen, I can always teach you."
Lin Wei Xi raised her head to look at Gu Hui Yan, chuckled, her eyes shone like stars, "Thank you, Wangye."
Yes, Gu Hui Yan was not her former teacher, he is her husband. Lin Wei Xi felt a secret delight. This time, no matter what Gao Ran did, she would not be able to take away the person who belonged to Lin Wei Xi. Yan Wang would always be on her side, regardless the reason.
Gu Hui Yan was stunned by Lin Wei Xi's smile. After he came to his senses, his mind was a little complicated. From morning until now, he already absent-minded three times. His proud self-control, was it so vulnerable in the face of beauty?
Lin Wei Xi saw that Gu Hui Yan was a little distracted, leaned forward, and stared at Gu Hui Yan, "Wangye, what are you thinking?"
Lin Wei Xi's eyes were black and white, Gu Hui Yan's figure was clearly reflected on her clear eyes. Gu Hui Yan personally felt that this distance was a little too close, already exceeded Gu Hui Yan's safety distance limit. Lin Wei Xi was almost completely nestled in his arms, he could even feel Lin Wei Xi's breath hitting his chest over and over again. Because of this, his heartbeat became irregular.
Gu Hui Yan couldn't ignore the strange feeling around his body, so he support Lin Wei Xi's shoulders to sit properly, and pragmatically said: "Reading books is a wisdom, you must have an upright attitude. Don't sit crookedly."
The feeling in Lin Wei Xi's heart was hard to express. She glanced at Gu Hui Yan unhappily, lifted up her skirt to go behind him, and jumped off the Luohan bed: "Then I will not look at it. It's almost weishi (1-3pm), someone should have come to pay respect to me"
Lin Wei Xi jumped off from his side, nimble like a small deer, and in a flash, the faint fragrance around him disappeared. Before Gu Hui Yan could say anything, he saw Lin Wei Xi put on her shoes and walked out quickly: "Wan Yue."
Wan Yue came in, Lin Wei Xi walked to Wan Yue's side and said something in a low voice. Wan Yue nodded repeatedly. The master and servant stood very close when they were talking. Gu Hui Yan silently looked at them, then withdrew his gaze, calmly focusing his mind on the page.
Everything seemed to be back on track, and finally no one disturbed him. Gu Hui Yan should feel relaxed. But he looked for a long time, but he didn't turn the page in his hands.
Chapter 38 Part 1: Preferences
Lin Wei Xi set a time to let all the servants in the mansion come to Jingcheng Courtyard to visit her. From the beginning Lin Wei Xi was sitting on a chair in the middle hall. The servants formed groups of five, they stepped forward to kowtow to Lin Wei Xi in batches, and then stated their name and work. The entire mansion was complicated and huge, and Lin Wei Xi had to sit until the end of shenshi (3-5pm) before finish meeting with everyone.
Being a mistress was not an easy job, especially for a behemoth like Yan Wang Mansion. Hundreds of people running up and down operating together were not a small number, which requires the mistress' stewardship and organizational skills. Lin Wei Xi summoned all the servants in the mansion, not only to recognize people names, but also showing her status as the Wangfei to the whole mansion. After the whole circle of tossing and turning, the sky was already dark, Lin Wei Xi's waist was stretched all afternoon, made her back felt sore. Especially after she had a late sleep last night, her back already ached in the first place, and today sat for the whole afternoon, she was really exhausted.
Wan Xing and Wan Yue hurriedly helped Lin Wei Xi to take a rest inside. Lin Wei Xi sat down on the soft coach and finally felt a little better. She didn't care about rubbing her waist, and quickly asked: "Where is Wangye? Still inside?"
"Yes."
Lin Wei Xi glanced at the east side room, a smile appeared on her lips. Today's event was something she had to go through. Compared to the significance of this event, the physical aches were not worth mentioning. Today was so smooth, partly because her kind and generous conversation with Bu mama in the morning, but the bigger reason was because of Yan Wang.
Yan Wang was sitting in the east side room, who would dare to make trouble? Lin Wei Xi summoning the servants in the middle hall, the noise was not small. But Yan Wang still endured, and continued to stay in the side room to read. Although he didn't say anything, but sometimes silent was better than talks, his statement undoubtedly greatly deterred everyone and showed his support towards Lin Wei Xi to the public.
Lin Wei Xi felt at ease, and wouldn't let Wan Xing hammered her waist, immediately walked to the side room happily. As soon as she entered the door, she called out sweetly, "Wangye."
Gu Hui Yan unconsciously smiled: "Are you done?"
"Yes." Lin Wei Xi walked quickly towards Gu Hui Yan. She wanted to sit next to Gu Hui Yan, but after she thought about what happened this afternoon, she turned a corner and sat down opposite Gu Hui Yan in a proper manner. "I must have disturbed your reading today. I thanked Wangye first."
Seeing Lin Wei Xi's actions, Gu Hui Yan felt regret for some reason. He suppressed this strangeness and said to Lin Wei Xi: "You are talking and acknowledging people all afternoon. I am afraid that your body will not be able to bear it. Let's have dinner first, and you should rest early after dinner."
Lin Wei Xi smiled listlessly: "I was talking all afternoon... Did Wangye heard? Did it bother you?"
"No." Gu Hui Yan said with a smile. Lin Wei Xi didn't believe it. She looked at Gu Hui Yan's kind expression and became more and more frustrated: "You must have heard it. Now maybe you still laugh at me in your heart."
"I really don't." Gu Hui Yan couldn't help laughing, the lights shining in his eyes were amazingly bright, "Although you have a fierce tone when you scold people, but you never make trouble out of nothing. It's both reasonable and well-founded, also there's clear cause. If I'm not the target, it's actually pleasant to hear."
Anyone who scold people and evaluated as "pleasant to hear" would not be happy. Lin Wei Xi's anger was not light. She gave Gu Hui Yan a stern look and turned her back in a huff. Gu Hui Yan laughed more cheerfully. Seeing Lin Wei Xi's back became more rigid, he did not dare to tease anymore, got up and supported her shoulders and walked out: "Okay, don't get angry. Let's have dinner first."
Yan Wang personally came to support her, of course Lin Wei Xi could not refuse. After Gu Hui Yan took her shoulders and almost took her whole body in his arms, Lin Wei Xi was even more difficult to break free. Lin Wei Xi sat awkwardly at the dinner table, using extra force when picking up the dishes. Don't think that she would easily forget. What was this pleasant to hear? She was the Wangfei, when reprimanded the servants, everyone who watched should feel intimidated. Yan Wang actually dared to say that she when admonish people it was pleasant to hear?
Indeed would rather be killed than humiliated, it's totally unbearable.
Gu Hui Yan watched Lin Wei Xi vented her anger by forcefully picking up the vegetables, his eyes were full of smiles. Today he said that he did not need personal hobby, but now it seems that he needs to change that, looked like he had added a new hobby.
The rule of the mansion was for each room to arrange their own meal at noon every day, but to have dinner together at night. There used to be three people in the mansion. Gu Hui Yan often stayed in the court at noon and did not return to the mansion. Even at night, he might not be able to catch up with the meal. So most of the time, it was only Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran this couple who dine together. Now that Gao Ran's hand was injured, could not ask this Shizi Consort to serve the meal, so the dinner was omitted. Gu Cheng Yao and his wife were eating in their courtyard by themselves. If it was in the past, Gu Hui Yan would probably have to eat alone, but now there was Lin Wei Xi. With just one more person to accompany the meal, it actually became much warmer.
No wonder previously his subordinates and colleagues always persuading him to marry a new Wangfei. Gu Hui Yan always felt that it was unnecessary. There would not be many changes in his life by adding another Wangfei. So why bother? But now Gu Hui Yan realized that to have someone who cared and accompanied him, it actually felt like this.
Although Lin Wei Xi was still grumbling in her heart, the observation habit she had cultivated over the years did not stop. She found that Gu Hui Yan was not picky, but he didn't touch the fish in the middle of the table at all. Lin Wei Xi was surprised in her heart, whether it was Bu mama or Gu Cheng Yao, they both said that Yan Wang loved fish and shrimps and other freshwater fish. But, from what she observed, that was not the case right?
Bu mama was Shen Wangfei's dowry servant. She had been with Shen Wangfei for many years. Shen Wangfei as Yan Wang's first wife, unlikely to not remember what Yan Wang liked to eat, right? Not to mention Gu Cheng Yao, if as the only son even mistaken what his father loved to eat, then he was really thoughtless.
Lin Wei Xi watched quietly for a while, and asked Wan Yue to scoop her a bowl of fish soup, and asked, "Wangye, do you want to drink fish soup?"
Gu Hui Yan just glanced faintly and said, "No. You can drink it yourself if you want."
Lin Wei Xi really took a sip and said, "It's a bit fishy. Wangye, I don't like to eat this kind of fish. Why don't we just take it away?"
"Very well." Gu Hui Yan's expression didn't fluctuate at all, obviously he didn't care at all.
Very well, Lin Wei Xi was sure, Gu Hui Yan really didn't like fish. That's very strange. Bu mama might deliberately said the opposite of what Yan Wang liked to misled Lin Wei Xi, but in her previous life as Shizi Consort, Gu Cheng Yao didn't have to lie to her, right? Lin Wei Xi took a bite of the vegetables. What's wrong with this family? The son and the servants of the house reversed the preferences of Yan Wang, but Gu Hui Yan the person himself didn't say anything, and let this mistake continue. Obviously this kind of thing could be discovered with a little intelligence.
Lin Wei Xi tilted her head and thought for a while, but still couldn't figure out where Gu Cheng Yao's misunderstanding came from.
Chapter 38 Part 2: Preferences
After the meal, Lin Wei Xi took a short rest and then took a bath. After she came out, she brushed her hair, took care of her skin, basically went through all the troubles. After she finished, it was already late. Lin Wei Xi was a little embarrassed. Fortunately, she was the mother-in-law, tomorrow she didn't need to wake up early to pay respects. If she was the daughter-law, with this kind of attitude she would be late paying respect to her husband's parents every day.
Lin Wei Xi stood at the door and said with a low voice, "Wangye, I'm good."
Gu Hui Yan put down the book and looked at Lin Wei Xi with her jet-black hair all down. The whole person was fair and tender, still surrounded by faint water vapor. Standing under the dim light, it was like a lotus breaking the surface, her beauty seems out of this world.
The more delicate the porcelain, the more time it takes to maintain it. Lin Wei Xi was obviously one of them. However, she was so soft and weak from head to toe, standing at the door tenderly calling him "Wangye", was this bath really effective?
Gu Hui Yan told himself that she was a full round younger than him. He promised Lin Yong to take care of his daughter, and he agreed to marry Lin Wei Xi out of care. If he didn't have wisdom for his age, the evening festival was not guaranteed1.
Gu Hui Yan's Adam's apple moved up and down, finally restrained himself and withdrew his gaze, and said to Lin Wei Xi, "You have worked hard all afternoon today. Go rest early."
"Yes." Lin Wei Xi also wanted to go to sleep, but her husband was still outside, how could she casually went to bed by herself. So Lin Wei Xi looked at Gu Hui Yan with wet eyes and said, "Wangye, it's getting late, you should rest too."
Gu Hui Yan tightened his fingers, then tightened again, finally put down the book, got up and walked inside. Lin Wei Xi was very happy to see Gu Hui Yan coming in. She blew out the candle in the bedroom, leaving only the last lampstand, and then turned to look at Gu Hui Yan sincerely: "Wangye, why are you still standing?"
Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi silently, at that moment he admired himself: "Give me the lampstand, and you can go to sleep first."
Lin Wei Xi left the lampstand to Gu Hui Yan with confidence, walked into the Babu bed, and lay in the brocade quilt comfortably. Gu Hui Yan stood in the half-dark bedroom for a while, wait until he calmed down before he walked in.
However, as soon as Gu Hui Yan entered, he saw Lin Wei Xi get up in a daze, with a floating voice said: "Wangye, you are back."
Lin Wei Xi's voice was very refreshing, unfortunately to turn into scolding words it became delicate. He already enjoyed listening to it on ordinary days. Now when she was half-asleep, the words she said could make people soft to the bone.
Gu Hui Yan's eyes unconsciously darkened: "Why are you still up?"
"I'm waiting for you."
Gu Hui Yan was silent, how much did she trust him? As the saying goes, a thing should not be attempted more than three times. Gu Hui Yan decided to let nature take its course. He sat on the edge of the bed and helped Lin Wei Xi to lie down, his voice hoarse: "If you are sleepy, then go to sleep."
Lin Wei Xi gave a low "um", but still stared at Gu Hui Yan motionlessly. She was really sleepy, the mist filled her eyes. When a person being looked intently by such eyes, even a saint wouldn't be able to hold back.
Moreover, Gu Hui Yan was not a saint. He leaned over and rubbed Lin Wei Xi's cheek lightly with his fingers. Unconsciously there was a hint of coaxing in his voice: "Xi'er, are you very sleepy?"
Lin Wei Xi didn't understand, so she said lowly, "It's okay."
"That's good."
Before Lin Wei Xi had time to think about the meaning of this sentence, she was plunged into a vast ocean. She was actually a little scared of these things, she didn't have much experience in her previous life, and it really hurt last night. She couldn't understand why in the book this kind of thing was described as a bliss. But today she didn't have time to say anything, all the resistance was submerged by the huge waves. When after much difficulty everything settled down, Lin Wei Xi was already trembling all over with tears in her eyelashes.
Gu Hui Yan carried Lin Wei Xi for a brief wash, and then hugged her back to bed. Lin Wei Xi's body was sore, from beginning to end she didn't open her eyes, naturally also let Gu Hui Yan fiddling with her. After everything was tidied up, Gu Hui Yan lay on the outer side and patted Lin Wei Xi's quilt a little guiltily: "Be good, go to sleep."
Lin Wei Xi snorted in her heart, she didn't have a strength even to move her fingers. Lin Wei Xi was leaning on her side, her legs slightly bent, her hands on the side of her face, looking very pitiful. Lin Wei Xi's sleeping posture was not normal, Gu Hui Yan looked at it for a while, and couldn't help but want to correct it.
For many years in the military, it's inevitable to develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Gu Hui Yan tried his best to straighten Lin Wei Xi's posture without disturbing her, to sleep properly legs also need to be straighten. Lin Wei Xi was confused while sleeping, feeling that Gu Hui Yan disdained her sleeping posture, truly made her fill with anger. Just a moment ago he moved her back and forth into that kind of position, why didn't see him dislike her impropriety? Lin Wei Xi felt angry, but she really didn't have any strength, so she just stretched out her hand to wrap around Gu Hui Yan's neck and leaned her head against his shoulder, her voice was low almost inaudible: "No, I will sleep like this."
Gu Hui Yan's hand stiffened, he paused for a while, and restrainedly reach out to support Lin Wei Xi's waist. Okay, so be it.
Translator's Rambling: Why most of Chinese novels always describe that kind of "sport activity" as unpleasant for women?! They were not being forced or anything (at least most of them don't), but it's more like you can do it but I don't like it very much, and they always hurting the next day, so much so that some of them even couldn't get out of bed, well I think it's also because the bed in the ancient time was not very soft and springy lol…
It seems like if the author write the female character as willing and enjoying it, that will make her a bit.. I don't know, wild I guess, not reserved. But as a reader I want that!
This is why one of my top favorite character in Chinese novel is Qu Qing Ju from To Be A Virtuous Wife, before she had sex for the first time after transmigrating, she thought "To be with somebody unfamiliar so quickly, there was just a slightest bit of embarrassment." How cool is that?!
1 The evening festival was not guaranteed, it's Chinese idiom which means that people have reached old age but failed to keep their integrity, It also means that things fail when they were about to succeed.↩
Chapter 39 Part 1: Second Qian
On the second day, the morning light was weak, and Gu Hui Yan woke up on time.
Unlike the day after the wedding, Gu Hui Yan had a rare good sleep last night. He turned his face slightly, and saw Lin Wei Xi leaning on his shoulders while sleeping peacefully, her even and weak breathing pounding on his shoulders and neck, bringing an indescribable tickling sensation.
It was dawn in the winter, now the room was still dim and misty. The light shone into the heavy red curtain, made it even dimmer. As far as eyes could see there was red everywhere, and the faint light of the sky coated the bed curtain with ambiguous crimson, charming and lovely. In the dim view, only Lin Wei Xi was white as fine porcelain, almost glowing in the dark red. She deeply slept, her small face plunged into the soft red brocade quilt, only half of it was exposed. Her soft black hair was scattered on the pillows and brocade quilt, and there was a strand covering her side face. It made Lin Wei Xi's skin became more delicate, like white porcelain. Jet black hair, dark red quilt, snow white skin, the three colors collide together, bringing unspeakable beauty and seduction.
Gu Hui Yan didn't notice it himself, but he had been staring at this scene for a long time. He moved his hand slightly, the skin under his palm was cool and soft, with a delicate fragrance floating. The flesh and fragrance of a beauty, really worthy of the name.
Strangely speaking, it took a long time for Gu Hui Yan to close his eyes after he finished last time, when Lin Wei Xi moved slightly he woke up again. With people lying next to him, he couldn't sleep, but when he hold her in his arms, there was no problem.
Gu Hui Yan didn't know what was wrong with him.
The red candle outside the bed curtain made a burst of sound, the red candle that had been burning all night finally burned out, and the room returned to silence. This picture of sleeping beauty was so attractive, if the time was not early anymore, Gu Hui Yan would not have the heart to destroy it. However, they still need to enter the palace today. Lin Wei Xi took a lot of time to dress up. If they still did not get up at this time, afraid it would be late when entering the palace.
Gu Hui Yan could only lean over, put one hand on Lin Wei Xi's side, and whispered, "Wei Xi, it's time to get up."
Lin Wei Xi slept soundly, faintly feeling that someone was gathering her hair and whispering something in her ear. Lin Wei Xi originally slept late and overworked last night. Now only feels that all of her bones were limp, how could she leave the warm quilt and get up. She turned around, trying to avoid the annoying noise. Seeing this Gu Hui Yan chuckled, he could only hold her up. Lin Wei Xi's waist was extremely soft. At this times, she directly fell straight back, weak and boneless. If last night Gu Hui Yan had admired Lin Wei Xi's soft figure, but now he was afraid that Lin Wei Xi would fold her waist bone, so he quickly reached out to support her fluffy head, helped her to sit up: "Get up, don't sleep."
Lin Wei Xi really felt wronged. She was so sleepy that she couldn't open her eyes, unfortunately she couldn't get angry at the instigator who disturbed her dream. She was forced to come out from the warm bed, when her expose arms met the morning air, a slight goosebumps immediately appeared. Lin Wei Xi wrapped her hands around herself, with her eyes misty, her hair messy, she muttered, "It's cold."
Gu Hui Yan felt pity looking at Lin Wei Xi like this. The earth dragon burned all night, to be weak in the early morning was inevitable, he was always in a good health and did not feel cold, but instead neglected Lin Wei Xi. Now it was too late to let people burn the earth dragon. Gu Hui Yan could only hug Lin Wei Xi and use his own body temperature to warm he upr: "I was negligent, next time won't be like this. Get up now. After today, you don't have to wake up early."
Lin Wei Xi was awaken by the cold air of early winter morning, not to mention she had Yan Wang to wake her up. Going to the palace today was to meet the Empress Dowager, really could not be late. Lin Wei Xi's mind sobered up, and only then found herself still nestled in Gu Hui Yan's arms. She blushed with shame, and quickly pulled the bedding back, her cheeks slightly red: "Wangye, I am already awake. My sleeping posture is not good, let you laugh."
Gu Hui Yan just smiled and straightened out her hair, and finally touched the top of her hair and said, "Now that you are awake, get up. You only need to get up today and tomorrow you don't have to get up early."
Gu Hui Yan didn't think it was any trouble to call his lovable wife to get up. If it was replaced with Gu Cheng Yao, or his subordinate soldiers, if they dared to lie in bed without any explanation, they would head straight to the army stick. But with Lin Wei Xi, Gu Hui Yan felt it was very enjoyable.
Gu Hui Yan saw Lin Wei Xi clutching the quilt with both hands, looked at him with some caution in her eyes. He understood in his heart, stood up and went outside to change his clothes and bathe. After Gu Hui Yan left and the bed curtains fell down, Lin Wei Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly took out the dress from the box at the foot of the bed, with lightning speed untied the front lapel and fastened the tube top on her chest. After putting on her clothes again, Lin Wei Xi lifted the red curtain and got out of bed, raised her voice to call in the maids waiting outside.
Lin Wei Xi with the help of her maids, put her hair into a high bun, painted a delicate and beautiful palace makeup, her head was inserted with seven-winged golden phoenix buyao that belongs to Wangfei's rank, her hair was decorated with pearls and gemstones on both sides, the entire person was like bright treasure, like luminous rays of light. Lin Wei Xi's facial features originally were exquisite to the extreme. After wearing makeup, they became more and more like rubies polished to the utmost, under the sunlight it was almost reflecting the scorching light.
Today, entering the palace was to giving thanks, in addition to Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi, the Shizi and Shizi Consort also need to go. In order to save time, each room had breakfast in their own courtyard this morning, and when they were ready, they would meet in Lin Wei Xi's courtyard. Once they were all together, they could set off. Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran had already arrived. The maids said that Wangfei was still dressing up inside. It was natural that Gu Cheng Yao, as a fully grown stepson, would not enter the house at this time, so he could only stand in the garden and wait. Gao Ran saw this also accompany him on the side. After a while, the curtain of the main room opened, and Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan walked out side by side. Before leaving the house, didn't know what the two of them were talking about. Lin Wei Xi raised her head and glanced at Gu Hui Yan, who still had a smile in his eyes. When they saw the two people in the yard, whether it was Lin Wei Xi or Gu Hui Yan, they instantly put away their smiles and became dignified and solemn.
Such obvious changes could not be hidden from the eyes of the two people in the garden. Gu Cheng Yao didn't know what to think. He had never seen his father smile so softly, and Lin Wei Xi was always cold and estranged in front of him. Actually when he was not around his father and Lin Wei Xi could have such a gentle look. Gao Ran saw Lin Wei Xi and Yan Wang getting out together with such a look, the thorn in her heart pierced deeper.
But no matter what they thought, what Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran should do now was to hold back their expression and respectfully salute the two of them: "Father, mother."
Lin Wei Xi nodded lightly as an answer. Today, the hair on her temple were like clouds, and her hair accessories were extraordinarily gorgeous. The complicated buns made her neck looks slim and slender. As she nodded, the buyou on her head shook slightly, and there was a crisp sound when the gold, silver and gemstones collide together. However, Lin Wei Xi's face was aloof once again. When two completely opposite kinds collided, it brought unspeakable sense of beauty.
The people in the garden unconsciously became quiet, they all looked at Lin Wei Xi with bated breath, and Gu Cheng Yao was no exception. Gao Ran glanced at Lin Wei Xi quickly, tried very hard to calm herself down. In the end she had to admit that any woman standing with Lin Wei Xi would take huge risks. She could definitely despise Lin Wei Xi's beauty as hollow and confident that she could win with her temperament, but once the two people stand together, Lin Wei Xi's appearance would absolutely crushing the others. In this case, even if she wants others to notice her temperament, it was also quite difficult.
Gu Hui Yan was the first to break the silence in the courtyard and said, "It's almost time, let's go."
Only then did everyone wake up, hurriedly bend over and answered: "Yes."
Chapter 39 Part 2: Second Qian
This was not the first time Lin Wei Xi entered the palace, but it was the first time she entered the palace as Yan Wangfei. Wangfei would be put into imperial genealogy, so after Lin Wei Xi and Yan Wang get married, they also have to enter the palace to thank the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Now the Emperor was young and the harem was vacant, Lin Wei Xi was saved a lot of trouble and came directly to Cining Palace to kowtow to the Empress Dowager.
Gu Hui Yan took Gu Cheng Yao to see the emperor directly, Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran were the only ones who went to Cining Palace. Lin Wei Xi saluted the Empress Dowager Qian under the guidance of palace eunuch in red: "This servant1 is Yan Wangfei Lin shi, pay respect to the Empress Dowager. May the empress dowager flooded with good fortune that fills the sky, to have ten thousands blessing and good health."
Empress Dowager Qian sat on the throne. She was over thirty years old and not much older than Gu Hui Yan, but she already looked aged. Empress Dowager Qian's appearance was not outstanding, and her temperament tends to be negative and bland. It was unknown whether she could not be favored by Emperor Muzong had anything to do with this.
Lin Wei Xi just got down to kneel, and Empress Dowager Qian said with a smile: "So this is Yan Wangfei, please get up quickly."
The palace maid next to Empress Dowager came to help Lin Wei Xi up. Lin Wei Xi firmly saluted, only then she stood up: "This servant is nervous, thanking the empress dowager niangniang2 for her compassion."
Lin Wei Xi resolutely gave a full set of etiquette before getting up. Empress Dowager Qian didn't say anything about it, merely smiled and let people showed Lin Wei Xi a seat. After Lin Wei Xi sat down, Empress Dowager Qian took her eyes away from Lin Wei Xi, and cast a second glance at Gao Ran behind her, and smiled: "Aijia3 is old and useless, the palace hall also lifeless all day long. Yan Wangfei's visit letting Aijia here be lively again. Look at you beautiful people. If you don't tell me, who can guess that you two are mother-in-law and daughter-in-law? Even if you said you are sisters, people will believe it."
Gao Ran accompanied Lin Wei Xi to kowtow and saluted. Now that Lin Wei Xi could sit down, she still had to stand behind Lin Wei Xi and wait on her. Gao Ran was a little unhappy at first, but now hearing the words of the Empress Dowager, her mouth couldn't help stiffening.
Age is a woman's Achilles hill. Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were said to looks like sisters. Of course, the mother-in-law would be proud of herself, but for the daughter-in-law, afraid it was not a happy thing.
Especially Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran were about the same age, but Lin Wei Xi was a generation higher than Gao Ran. On all occasions, Lin Wei Xi was sitting and Gao Ran was standing. When Lin Wei Xi, the empress dowager and the others were talking, Gao Ran could only listen to them like a wooden stake. As long as there was Lin Wei Xi in the place, Gao Ran could only be the foil. When everyone came to say hello, Lin Wei Xi must be the first one to look at.
This was undoubtedly a huge gap for Gao Ran, who was accustomed to enjoying the honorable status as Yan Wang Shizi Consort. Gao Ran stood silently behind Lin Wei Xi, and felt an extremely absurd feeling for some reason, as if the situation had returned to before she got married, when she was a shu daughter and Gao Xi was a di daughter. Obviously the two were standing together, but all madams could only see Gao Xi and only Gao Xi. The same father but different fate, it was vividly shown with her and Gao Xi.
After Gao Ran managed to surpassed Gao Xi, inherited Gao Xi's generous dowry, and her noble husband, Gao Ran was finally able to replace her faintly jealous self and become the "Shizi Consort".
Gao Ran thought that this was like the saying after the cloud passed, the moon was bright, after bitterness finishes, the sweetness begin, but who would have thought that after less than a few months of comfortable life, Lin Wei Xi appeared. What's more absurd was that after five months, Lin Wei Xi became Gao Ran's mother-in-law. The power and position that Gao Ran scrambled to get hold of, already been taken away again. And this time it was even sadder. Gao Xi and she were sisters, but Lin Wei Xi was her mother-in-law.
After working hard to work out a strategy only to be beaten back to the original point after a few days without enjoying it, this feeling was extremely hard to bear.
Lin Wei Xi glanced to the back, didn't care about Gao Ran's mood at all, pursed her lips and smiled: "The Empress Dowager speak too highly of this servant. This servant's insubstantial appearance how can it compared with Empress Dowager who has a blessed person splendor? Shizi Consort had receive empress dowager's honor, but her aptitude is dull, still had many things to learn, and cannot live up Empress Dowager niangniang's praise. This servant is also young, and still hope for the Empress Dowager niangniang to teach me."
The Empress Dowager Qian's mentality had become old over the years, she believes in Gods and Buddhas, and liked to hear people say she was blessed. Hearing this Empress Dowager Qian's bland face burst with little vitality, she smiled and said: "Yan Wangfei is really clever, used to coaxing Aijia this old woman."
"How can this be coaxing?" Lin Wei Xi had dealt with Empress Dowager Qian in her previous life, and knew her preferences very well. Lin Wei Xi smiled more sincerely and said, "If Empress Dowager doesn't believe me, you might as well ask the people in the hall and let everyone say, whether or not the Empress Dowager is a person with long lasting happiness and profound grace?"
How could the people that served in Cining Palace dared to say no, of course they all agreed with a smile. Empress Dowager Qian was all smile, and her grudges towards Lin Wei Xi because Second Qian's matters were also lessened a lot.
The Empress Dowager thought this way, but she still couldn't completely let go, so she said directly: "Two days ago, my sister-in-law came to the palace and talked to Aijia about Shizi Consort. Shizi Consort also really. Since Yan Wang already has the intention, why still promise to others?"
Gao Ran's heart suddenly dropped. Why Empress Dowager Qian suddenly talked about it on this occasion?
1 It's actually qie shen, it's how an ancient woman called herself modestly, qiè (妾) means this concubine or this servant, shēn (身) means body, it should be translated as 'this concubine body' or 'this servant body', but that's so awkward so I shorten it to 'this servant'.↩
2 Niangniang (娘娘) is actually has so many meaning, empress, mother, goddess, etc. in here it means the honorific name for the empress and imperial concubine.↩
3 Aijia (哀家), it's how the empress dowager referring to herself.↩
Chapter 40 Part 1: Promising Marriage
Gao Ran's chest tighten, for a moment she couldn't tell whether Empress Dowager Qian was mocking her or taunting Lin Wei Xi.
It was true that Gao Ran privately agreeing to Qian's family proposal was wrong, but Yan Wang and the second son of the Qian family have a crush on the same woman at the same time. For men, it was romantic to be furious because of a beauty1, but for a woman, it was not a good reputation.
Gao Ran's heart jumped the moment her name was called, but soon after she slowly relaxed. She glanced at Lin Wei Xi and lowered her head pretending to be fearful: "Empress Dowager niangniang please forgive me. At that time This Servant heard that old madam Qian want to propose marriage for the second son of Qian's family, Qian second young master is naturally a good man, and This Servant did not think much about it and accepted it, only thought when I return I will talk to the elders. Please don't think that This Servant is too greedy, I only thought that the Qian family is a good family, and wanted to accept as a good sister, but because I was too impatient instead doing something wrong."
Gao Ran's words hinted that she listened to old madam Qian's suggestion at the front, but Yan Wang decided Lin Wei Xi's matter at the back. As for why Yan Wang done this and what happened in between, then ask the protagonist herself.
Gao Ran wanted to induce Empress Dowager to treat Lin Wei Xi as a femme fatale, and it would be even better if she accused Lin Wei Xi as a seductress. Lin Wei Xi's smile faded when she heard Second Qian's name. Empress Dowager Qian was the Empress Dowager, so she could say what's on her mind, but this Gao Ran even dared to play tricks in front of her?
Gao Ran still hasn't learned, it seems that the hot water yesterday was not hot enough. Lin Wei Xi had become the Yan Wangfei, the power the mother-in-law had over the daughter-in-law was far from simple as filial piety.
After Gao Ran finished speaking, she kept staring at Lin Wei Xi. Unfortunately, she was going to be disappointed. Lin Wei Xi did not show any embarrassment or distress expression. She just smiled and unhurriedly said: "What's the matter with Qian second young master? How do I not aware about it?"
Lin Wei Xi's rhetorical question caused everyone to be silent. Empress Dowager Qian could not speak, no matter how badly she want to, she could not say to Yan Wangfei, previously Gao Ran secretly agreed to marry you to someone, but then Yan Wang passed the news, and this matter was over.
Lin Wei Xi was still smiling innocently and naturally, her pupils full of pure curiosity: "What did Shizi Consort say? How did you get involved with Qian second young master? I don't know anything about these things, Empress Dowager niangniang please tell me, I'm really curious."
The Empress Dowager reluctantly smiled, and then asked tentatively: "Yan Wangfei didn't know?"
"What should I know?" Lin Wei Xi smiled and turned her head, her dark pupils clearly reflected Gao Ran's figure, "Shizi Consort, you said what should I know?"
Gao Ran was speechless, her dispute with Lin Wei Xi was in private, besides their maids, who else would know? As long as Lin Wei Xi swore she didn't know anything, Gao Ran had no way to prove otherwise, instead could put herself at a disadvantage.
The Empress Dowager looked at the interaction between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Lin Wei Xi asked frankly, but Shizi Consort looked stiff. Empress Dowager Qian pondered it in her heart and ask: "Yan Wangfei, you didn't know about your marriage's matter before?"
"By parents' orders and matchmaker's words, of course This Servant listens to the Grand Princess." Lin Wei Xi said with a smile, "Matchless fornication2 and the woman could only become a concubine. If you cross over the parents and elders to act as the matchmaker, you will be cast aside. No matter how naughty, This Servant dare not do such a thing."
People face depends on their mouth, to act was also the same. When Lin Wei Xi said these words, her eyes were clear and her smile was calm, without any guilty conscience. Gao Ran guessed right. It was after she and Gao Ran argued that she was so angry that she went to Gu Hui Yan to recommend herself on impulse. But Gu Hui Yan definitely would not tell this matter, and of course Lin Wei Xi would not. Gao Ran even dared to try to threaten her with this incident. It would be strange if Lin Wei Xi didn't try to fix her.
It's really well-known that Lin Wei Xi recognized Grand Princess Shou Kang as her grandmother. Empress Dowager Qian felt that she understood when she thought about it. Wasn't Princess Shou Kang also acted as a matchmaker for her granddaughter and Gu Cheng Yao? It seems that Princess Shou Kang's own descendants were not many so she especially love Yan Wang Mansion. Last time it was her own granddaughter, this time even marrying the barely recognize granddaughter to Yan Wang. Her thoughts were too obvious.
After Empress Dowager Qian thought about some causes and effects, she thought that she finally seen the truth. In this way it seems that Lin Wei Xi was completely at the mercy of Princess Shou Kang. She definitely didn't know anything about the event before. As for Gao Ran secretly accepting the Qian's family offer, to think positively she probably didn't know the negotiation between Yan Wang and Grand Princess Shou Kang, but looked at it more negatively she just didn't want to have another mother-in-law, so she took advantage of Qian's family.
The Empress Dowager's gaze at Gao Ran immediately changed. Gao Ran didn't even realize what happened. In this short period of time, what exactly happened to Empress Dowager, why did she look at her with such expression? Gao Ran felt that something went wrong, and was about to try to mend it, but Lin Wei Xi cut off the conversation: "Empress Dowager niangniang, this picture of a hundred bats wearing flowers on your dress is really cheerful, I have never seen it before."
Empress Dowager Qian had become more and more superstitious in recent years and always liked to wear old-fashioned dress. It was difficult for Lin Wei Xi to say complimentary words with a stunning expression on her face. When a young girl with an extremely beautiful appearance praised her clothes, anyone would feel pleased with themselves. Empress Dowager Qian was happy, right away talked to Lin Wei Xi about blessings, bodhisattvas and so on.
The benefit of Lin Wei Xi's sweet mouth was indisputable. She deliberately turned away from Gao Ran and teased Empress Dowager Qian to talk. Gao Ran tried several times to explain the matter to Empress Dowager Qian but failed to break through Lin Wei Xi's barrier. After all, she was a junior, could she interrupt her mother-in-law or Empress Dowager? She didn't dare, she tried a few times to break through, but she really couldn't get passed Lin Wei Xi.
After Gao Ran failed several times, her heart became angry and she could only grit her teeth and endure. However, she didn't dare to show the look on her face to others, so she had to lower her head immediately.
After Lin Wei Xi guided the Empress Dowager Qian to reverse the order of the engagement matters, she kept smiling, half her attention was guarding against Gao Ran, and the other half deliberately flattering the Empress Dowager. After a short while, Empress Dowager Qian was beaming with joy.
The thing Empress Dowager Qian most proud of in this life was that she had a blessed life. Empress Dowager Qian was once Emperor Muzong's empress, but because of her mediocre appearance and old-fashioned temperament, she could not be favored by the previous Emperor Muzong, and then later Bu Guifei3 came out of thin air. Fortunately, she survived the turmoil in the last years of Jianzhao. Yan Wang entered the capital to save the country and killed the rebelling eunuch, and Bu Guifei was also hanged herself. Empress Qian could be regarded as dispel the clouds and see the sun and became the Empress Dowager. Isn't she a lucky person?
1 冲冠一怒为红颜, it came from the poem "Yuanyuanqu" by Wu Weiyi, a poet in late Ming and early Qing dynasties. I'm not really sure what it means because the explanation is too long, it involves historical fact and I'm too lazy to read it, but I think you got the context hehe..↩
2 Matchless fornication, in the olden days the get married you need a matchmaker, without it the relationship is legally and morally wrong so the woman could only become a concubine.↩
3 Guifei, high ranking imperial concubine.↩
Chapter 40 Part 2: Promising Marriage
The current emperor was not Empress Dowager Qian's real son. Although she was an empress but she was not favored, so she had nothing to do for many years. Later, in the third year of Jianzhao, Bu Guifei entered the palace and quickly became favored. A lifeless Empress Qian was also panicking. In the fifth year of Jianzhao a palace maid gave birth to the eldest son of the emperor. Empress Qian didn't care about the separations between di and shu, she hurriedly took the baby and raised him herself. At that point Empress Qian didn't expect to have a son of her own, so she quickly adopted the eldest son of the emperor as a means to protect herself. The eldest son of the emperor was highly regarded, and she raised him under her knees so she regard him as half a son, which in orthodox believe was a very important position. Empress Qian counted on this child to support herself in the future. It's a pity that even when Empress Qian made a good plan, but at the end of the same year, Bu Guifei became pregnant.
This was really a big trouble. Every day, Empress Qian looked forward to Bu Guifei's miscarriage, but unfortunately the mother and son were safe. By the next year she smoothly gave birth to a child and it was also a prince. Bu Guifei was already favored, and now she was still giving birth to the emperor's son, the thoughts in her heart inevitably grew bigger. Bu Guifei became more and more domineering, pestering Emperor Muzong to establish the second prince as the crown prince. One was the emperor's eldest son that he lacked feelings, and the other one was the second son from his favorite concubine. Emperor Muzong really intended to pass the throne to the second son, but the courts firmly refused. If there was di son they need to established him, but if there wasn't then they should established the eldest son, not to mention the eldest son was raised by the Empress since he was a child. Obviously the eldest son was the orthodox candidate for crown prince position.
For this reason Emperor Muzong and the courts minister was pulling each other back and forth. Because of Emperor Muzong's indecision, the private fight within the court was very serious. Later, Bu Guifei even colluded with palace eunuch, wantonly ruled out dissidents from the courts, and harmed the minister who advocated the establishment of the eldest son. It could be imagined what it was like for Empress Dowager Qian and the eldest son in those years. The turmoil at the final years of Jianzhao, the breaking point came from an epidemic.
The five poisons1 was abundant in the early spring. When the epidemic spreads from the capital into the palace, the second prince unfortunately contracted the illness and even the medicine could not cure him, he died in just one month.
Empress Qian almost burned incense in Kunning Palace, the Bodhisattva really opened its eyes. The battle for the crown prince for several years was forced to make a decision. Bu Guifei lost her beloved son, and immediately went mad, and became more and more unscrupulous to eliminated dissidents. For a time, the treacherous eunuchs were rampant, and gradually even Emperor Muzong couldn't control it. He had no choice but to write the secret edict to summon Yan Wang to enter the capital, suppressed chaos, to punish the traitors, and governed the Qing Dynasty. Whether Bu Guifei hangs herself, afraid only Emperor Muzong and Yan Wang themselves who know.
The final word was that the second prince died of illness, and Bu Guifei was executed. The remaining prince in the palace was only the eldest prince. Now even if the prince was a fool, the courts must assist him to succeed the throne. After this incident, Emperor Muzong was so distressed that he left after a short while. Before his death, Emperor Muzong established the eldest prince as the crown prince, and Gu Hui Yan, Zhang Xiao Lian, and Eunuch Feng as the auxiliary ministers, together they would assisted the young emperor to grow up until he could govern the country himself.
Right now is the fifth year of Yuanjia, and the little Emperor had been on the throne for five years and already twelve years old.
In fact, Empress Dowager Qian did not care about the affairs of the court, the harem should not interfere with the politics and Empress Dowager Qian did not have any interest to take control. She had become the woman with the highest seniority and the most respected in the whole world. No matter how the previous dynasty changed, could it still implicated the Empress Dowager? Empress Dowager Qian stayed in the harem with a great peace of mind. All day long she either eat vegetarian food and reciting Buddha, or summoned her natal sister-in-law to come in and talk. The matter between the second son of Qian and Lin Wei Xi was brought into the palace by Qian's family old madam.
At that time, the news of Yan Wang's marrying his Wangfei had already spread. Of course, the Qian family did not dare to snatch a woman from Yan Wang, and Yan Wang also specifically passed on a message. Qian second young master was so scared that he did not dare to go out. After a while, when the wind gradually subsided, Qian's family old madam became a little uncomfortable. Obviously Yan Wang Shizi Consort already gave her words, but only a few days later, it was intercepted by Yan Wang, and wasn't it means Yan Wang Mansion stepped on the empress's relative Qian family's face?
The more Old Madam Qian thought about it, the more unwilling she became, so she came to the palace and mentioned this to Empress Dowager Qian. The Empress Dowager only knew that Yan Wang was going to marry a new wangfei. After hearing her sister-in-law's words, she knew that the new Yan Wangfei Lin shi and her second nephew had such an entanglement. Empress Dowager Qian would naturally not have any objection on Yan Wang. At the beginning, the emperor succeeded the throne thanks to the support of Yan Wang. When he first ascended to the throne, he met foreign invasion, and Yan Wang led the army to calm the chaos. Without the military deterrence of Yan Wang, the Empress Dowager Qian and the emperor were just a pair of orphans and widows. What could they do to suppress the court minister and generals of the previous dynasty? Empress Dowager Qian relied on Yan Wang in her heart, how could she criticized the matter of Yan Wang marrying his wangfei.
However, Empress Dowager Qian did not dare to blame Yan Wang, but it did not prevent her from having some thoughts about this not simple new wangfei. Today Lin shi came to the palace to kowtow, originally Empress Dowager Qian had been thinking about giving her some examinations, she wanted to know what kind of character could provoke her nephew and Yan Wang to marry her.
But now it seems that this Yan Wangfei was not only very beautiful, but her personality was also very well-behaved. When Emperor Muzong was still alive, Grand Princess Shou Kang had high imperial courtesy, she almost had more face than Qian shi the Empress. As a result, Empress Dowager Qian had a little grudge. Now the fortunes was changed, Empress Dowager Qian was not afraid to speculate about Princess Shou Kang with the darkest thoughts. According to her, Princess Shou Kang was most likely fancied Lin shi's beauty, so she recognized her as a granddaughter. Later, she thought of a way to let Lin shi marry Yan Wang in order to stabilize the relationship between Princess Shou Kang Mansion and Yan Wang Mansion. After all, Princess Shou Kang's granddaughter died, and it was reasonable for her to be anxious.
Empress Dowager Qian felt refreshed when she thought of this. She unlikely to have an animosity against Grand Princess Shou Kang, because the princess who was once well-regarded was inferior to herself. Empress Dowager Qian's indescribable joy made Lin Wei Xi looked more pleasing in her eyes. However, when Empress Dowager Qian glanced at Gao Ran, she thought to herself really couldn't judge a person by its appearance. Such a gentle and graceful well-breed young lady could do something like blocking her step mother-in-law from entering the door and promising her to other's family. What especially hateful was that she actually calculated her nephew!
At this time, Empress Dowager Qian was completely forget that it was Old Madam Qian who proposed the marriage to Gao Ran. Anyway, Qian family did not dare to confront Yan Wang, then Qian's family losing face was because of other people!
Gao Ran was inexplicably carrying the pot for Old Madam Qian, but she really couldn't explain it. From Empress Dowager Qian it could be seen that Qian family was not an honest family. Gao Ran had nowhere to say it, and Lin Wei Xi would not even give Gao Ran a chance to speak.
Gao Ran had a mouthful but couldn't speak all morning, it was really unbearable. While she was still anxious, a voice came from outside: "The Emperor is here. Yan Wang is here."
There was an uproar in Cining Palace, Lin Wei Xi got up and bowed to the door to salute.
"The Emperor long live, long live, long live."
The Emperor walked into Cining Palace while surrounded by a bunch of people, with Gu Hui Yan standing beside him. After entering the palace, the emperor looked around, suddenly his eyes condensed on a person: "Uncle Yan Wang, is this the new aunt?"
TN: Yikes! Really don't like this empress dowager.
1 Five poisons, refers to centipedes, venomous snakes, scorpions, geckos and toads, it believed as things that causes a plague. ↩