I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

by Usui Takumii

not mine, this seat is bored.

10. 46 to 50

Chapter 46 Part 1: Mobilized Forces

Bu Mama saw Gao Ran and saluted with a smile: "Shizi Consort."

"Mama, what are you doing?" Gao Ran hurriedly stepped forward to support Bu Mama, and said with some disapproval, "Mama, you are my mother-in-law's wet nurse, and you have looked after Shizi since he was young. It's not an exaggeration to say that you are my half elder. Now, how can I make you salute?"

Bu Mama felt at ease all over when she was held up. She knew that even if she was a senior, but she was just a slave. Shizi gave her face because of Wangfei Shen, but if she seriously acted up then she would really unable to differentiate good and bad. But people were always like this, in their heart they understood, but in action they were always reluctant to lose face. But Gao Ran, as the young lady of a Duke Mansion, could hold her posture so low, Bu Mama couldn't express her pride and comfort.

Bu Mama was warmly and thoughtfully welcomed by Gao Ran into the inner room, and sat face to face with Gao Ran. The servant should not sit in front of the master, even if the master gave a seat, they must timidly lift up half their body, sitting on one bottom was really unsightly. But Bu Mama was not only sitting properly, but also sitting face to face with Gao Ran. Although Gao Ran was smiling, she sneered in her heart.

In her heart Bu Mama quite enjoyed Gao Ran low posture. She was deeply moved. If it changed with the former Shizi Consort, she would never even think about this kind of treatment. On the second day after entering the door, she told Gao Xi about the rules and brought Yunhui over to introduce her to Shizi Consort, but the other actually got angry. Yunhui had served Shizi for so many years, and she was almost half of the room companion. Bu Mama brought Yunhui over, so that the former Shizi Consort and sister Yunhui could get to know each other. This was also out of the consideration for serving Shizi, Gao Xi what qualifications did she have to immediately throw her weight around? Bu Mama was declined some face of course she was not happy. After that, in front of Shizi, she would naturally not be able to say good things about Gao Xi.

But this Shizi Consort was different. Bu Mama sometimes sighs, why the gap between sisters from the same house and the same father was so big? Gao Ran this Shizi Consort was very gentle and considerate, and also very polite to Yunhui, and even gave Bu Mama a junior courtesy. To put it more bluntly, Gao Ran almost served Bu Mama as half mother-in-law.

In the past, Bu Mama would only think it should be right, but everything has comparisons. With Jingcheng courtyard as the contrast, Bu Mama now saw Gao Ran was too soft and docile. Bu Mama really got a headache thinking about that Wangfei Lin. Not to mention this person replaced her family young lady's position, and now she still wants to touch the regulations and gift list left by her young lady, Bu Mama was really angry. Really hated that estate granny reported the matter when she was not around, and also that Granny Zhao's mouth was not nimble, and actually let that one succeed.

How could this happened? Bu Mama absolutely would never allowed it. With a common enemy, Bu Mama immediately looked Gao Ran pleasing to her eyes. Before, she listened to Granny Zhao's story, and then came here to think of a plan with Shizi Consort: "Shizi Consort, today I heard that one really inflexible with the rules and let you stand for a long time. Shizi Consort, your hand is still hurt, isn't she deliberately trying to grind her daughter-in-law?"

Gao Ran recalled the things in the morning also very annoyed. She put her hand on her injured arm and smiled with her head lowered: "What about it, who make her my mother-in-law now."

Bu Mama was speechless with this sentence, yes, who made that one the Wangfei. So what if they hated it. Who let Yan Wang to indulge her, and Shizi also unwilling to contradict this younger stepmother.

Hated her, but couldn't do anything to her. Bu Mama opened her mouth for a half a day but couldn't say anything, "Shizi Consort, can you bear it like this? Isn't it because no one controlling her?"

Gao Ran said sadly: "I am a junior. To serve the Wangfei is my duty, not to mention that Wangfei just asked me to prepare the dishes and set the rules, even if she make me cook and wash her feet, or to stuff people into my room. I can't resist. That is to say, in the outside, other people are also like that toward their elders and mother-in-law. What's more, now that father is in the mansion, the Wangfei is young and beautiful, certainly will dote on her. I just suffer a bit of grievance, really it's nothing. As long as Shizi is fine, I'm perfectly satisfied."

Bu Mama was saddened by these remarks, she wiped her tears with the kerchief, deeply felt pity for Gao Ran, and felt pity for Shizi. Bu Mama cried and said: "Pity our young lady left early, leaving the young Shizi growing up all alone to this day. With great difficulty he marry a wife, but still treated harshly by the new second wife who barely enter the door. This old servant's heart ah... it's like it was fry in a hot oil. It's a pity that our young lady left early. If our young lady is still here, where is her turn?"

Seeing that the fish had taken the bait, Gao Ran smiled in her heart, she mournfully and sincerely held Bu Mama's hand: "Bu Mama, you can't say that. Wangfei is only targeting me. Where she dare point fingers at Shizi. Besides, Shizi is very filial to my mother-in-law, and Yan Wang is very in love with the first Wangfei. Can someone else replace my mother-in-law's position? Bu Mama didn't you say that back then Wangye in the middle of upheaval rescued mother-in-law, the two fell in love at first sight, wasn't this a marriage predestined by fate? There is a Yan Wang and Shizi, so mother-in-law's position is stable. If someone really doesn't watch her step and tries to belittle mother-in-law, Yan Wang will not spare this person."

"What Shizi Consort said is right." Bu Mama had been with Wangfei Shen for many years. She had never seen Yan Wang with amiable looks, so that day at the dining hall when Yan Wang personally helped Lin Wei Xi up, and then supported Lin Wei Xi regardless of the reason, Bu Mama was frightened by Yan Wang's abnormality, she really couldn't understand it. Now, after Gao Ran reminded her, Bu Mama only realized how confused she was, that she had forgotten Shizi!

As for Gao Ran's claim that Yan Wang would give justice, Bu Mama dare not expect this. Gao Ran just got married and didn't know the depth of it, but she knew the situation back then. Yan Wang could not be provoke, but Shizi indeed crawled out of the belly of Wangfei Shen. They could go to Shizi and ask Shizi to seek justice for Wangfei Shen!

Bu Mama's eyes moving around as she made up her mind. Gao Ran smiled lightly when she saw Bu Mama's expression, and raised her hand to personally pour tea for Bu Mama. Bu Mama finally made up her mind about what she was going to say after a while. She looked at Gao Ran, and couldn't help holding Gao Ran's hand, and earnestly said: "Shizi Consort, although you call that one mother, but remember, our family's young lady is the birth mother of Shizi."

"I understand." The other's hand was withered and dry, Gao Ran resisted the urge to immediately pull her hand away, she resisted the discomfort and said, "Of course I know that Wangfei Shen is my mother-in-law. Of course, I will side with Shizi and Mother-in-law, it's a pity that I didn't have the chance to be filial to mother-in-law. Bu Mama you, and all those old servants, are half my elders. I will rely on you in the future."

Chapter 46 Part 2: Mobilized Forces

With Gao Ran's words, Bu Mama was relieved, she smiled and said: "It's good that Shizi Consort understand who that person in that courtyard really is. This old body still have something outside, so will not bother Shizi Consort that still recuperate."

Gao Ran was finally able to withdraw her hand. Her hand felt so uncomfortable that she almost rubbed it clean on her skirt. But Gao Ran held back, smiling eagerly, and personally sent Bu Mama out.

After seeing the person walking away, the smile on Gao Ran's face also retracted little by little. In the end, it became completely cold. Where could see the smile just now. Gao Ran watched for a while, then flung the curtain to return back to the house, calling the maid to change her own clothes.

If she guessed correctly, the main courtyard would be lively in a while, how could she be absent from such an important scene. Lin Wei Xi actually dared to touch the relics of her predecessors, then she was finished.

Lin Wei Xi sat on a Luohan's bed and wrote very neatly. After a few strokes, she scratched several time-consuming and boring dishes. Gu Hui Yan didn't like to eat fish, but half of the menu in New Year's Eve banquet was freshwater fish, which was too boring. Lin Wei Xi referred to the menu when old Yan Wangfei was still alive, and then tried to recall the dishes that Gu Hui Yan had moved with a chopsticks more during the meal, and stumbled to draw up a new menu.

As for the one who relied on the old to sell the old1, and these estate steward who wanted to take advantage of the new year festival to extort money from their master family, they indeed loved to serve who they want to serve. It was true that Lin Wei Xi didn't put a hundred taels of silver in her eyes, but it didn't mean that others could take her as a fool and tap her for money one by one. When Lin Wei Xi was a Shizi Consort in her previous life, she rectified this practices. Unexpectedly, there was a year of blankness in the middle, and the nerve of these people became fatter again, moreover every opening was a hundred taels. This kind of servant was really difficult to deal with. Lin Wei Xi was now the Wangfei, so she didn't have to worry about it. After the spring next year, she would let people driven out their whole family, to be a wakeup call for those lawless servants in the mansion.

Lin Wei Xi asked someone to spread the paper, and personally copied the revised menu again, and then handed it to the servant, saying: "Take another copy of this list. This year's New Year's Eve family dinner will be prepared according to the menu on this list."

Wan Yue took the heavy red menu, she tried to endure, but still tactfully mentioned it: "Wangfei, it turns out that the list was left by the former Wangfei. You only entered the door and withdraw the regulations left by the predecessors. Is it not too impatient?"

"Otherwise?" Lin Wei Xi asked, "I also want to spend a few years in peace, but those wicked slaves rely on their seniority to use the so-called propriety to squeeze people. If I don't beat them, could it be doing things as they want, not only not investigating their negligence, even gives a hundred taels for them to squander?"

Wan Yue was silent. Everyone knew that the new bride when entering the door should not make too many big movement. However, in the situation of Yan Wang Mansion, if you didn't push yourself forward, it would only let people step on you. How could Miss Lin, who even dare to provoke Wangye, indulged them?

Wan Yue said nothing, she gave Lin Wei Xifu a salute and respectfully went down to arrange things. At the end of the year, every household was busy, just preparing the New Year's Eve banquet and the candles to worship the ancestors was busy enough. And Yan Wang Mansion was still the mansion of imperial family and generals. At the end of the year, it was necessary to pay tribute to other high-ranking officials. This major event concerned the matter of faces, any carelessness was not allowed. So the new years' banquet menu could not have any mistake, once it was finalized, there was no time to change it.

However, Wan Yue only walked out of the door and directly ran into a wave of people. Wan Yue had to stop, step aside, bowed her head to salute the visitor: "Shizi, Shizi Consort."

Gu Cheng Yao's expression couldn't be said to be good, he walked straight into the house. Gao Ran glanced at the red list in Wan Yue's hand, pursed her mouth and smiled, chasing after Gu Cheng Yao.

Wan Yue silently sighed, and was not in a hurry to send the list to the kitchen and warehouse, trailing behind, slowly walked into the room.

Lin Wei Xi heard the noise outside, she snorted in her heart. When someone walked into the house, she was not surprised at all: "Shizi, which wind actually blow you here?"

This kind of carelessness but also carried some sarcastic expression. Gu Cheng Yao didn't have much emotion at first, but when he saw Lin Wei Xi's look, he felt like a basin of cold water was poured on his face, and his tone became worse: "I heard that mother is going to remove the steward of Daxing estate in southern suburbs?"

Yo, it turned out to be for this, Lin Wei Xi thought Gu Cheng Yao was here to question her about Wangfei Shen's matters. Lin Wei Xi said, "Yes, I remove them. This kind of trivial matter was still passed on to Shizi?" Lin Wei Xi glanced at the people behind Gu Cheng Yao, the people who were being looked at immediately bowed their head. Lin Wei Xi chuckled lightly, didn't try to hide the sarcasm in her words: "The means of doing things is really numerous."

Gu Cheng Yao frowned, and his tone unconsciously became very hard: "Of course, the inner house affair will be arranged by mother, but the estate tenant are ordinary people. Since they have suffered a disaster and the harvest is not good, mother should give them a month or two. How can their family's livelihood be cut off because of a little human error? If it spreads to the outside, wouldn't people say that Yan Wang Mansion treats the farmers in their estate harshly?"

"Treat the farmers in their estate harshly?" Lin Wei Xi threw the writing brush, straightened up, looking at Gu Cheng Yao with scorching eyes and frost on her face, "That's how Shizi thinks of me? Are you just relying on their words to come here and condemn me? "

Gu Cheng Yao wanted to say no, he just couldn't bear for Lin Wei Xi to have the reputation for treating farmer family harshly, so he came to remind her, how could it become condemning her? But facing Lin Wei Xi's bright eyes Gu Cheng Yao couldn't speak, and actually became speechless. He gave birth to an unprecedented sense of absurdity and familiarity, it was like he and Gao Xi's conversations in the past that deviated from the original meaning, and become irreversible.

1 Relied on the old to sell the old, it's a Chinese idiom that means the older person put on the elders attitude, contempt toward others, believe that everyone should showed some humility and understanding of the elderly.↩

Chapter 47 Part 1: Condemn

Gu Cheng Yao wanted to explain, but couldn't say anything. When Lin Wei Xi saw his silence she became more disappointed. She sneered, didn't want to look at Gu Cheng Yao anymore, just walked around him, looked at the woman who bowed her body outside the partition, the granny tried in vain to hide her whole body: "I taught you during the day and this is how you reflecting? Not only did not admit your mistakes, but also brought the inner house matter to Shizi's face, and still provoke Shizi to argue with me. Your means of doing things can even go through the sky!"

Estate granny had long been afraid to look up. When she heard Lin Wei Xi's full of frost words, her legs trembled with fright, directly knelt down: "Wangfei please quell your anger, this slave didn't dare to instigate Shizi and Wangfei! This slave just didn't have any other way. This slave whole family old and young are all attached to Yan Wang Mansion, and two generations have served the mansion for ten years. If Wangfei drives us out, we will not even have land, and there is no way to make a living, the only way is only to starve to death!"

Lin Wei Xi was angry but also found it laughable: "So you just blame me?"

For no reason Gu Cheng Yao didn't like Lin Wei Xi's expression. He said, "I met them by chance, so I brought them over to ask clearly. You don't involve them."

It was actually good for Gu Cheng Yao to be silent, as soon as he open his mouth, Lin Wei Xi's anger that was suppressed with great difficulty was drawn back. Among the many people present, the one Lin Wei Xi wanted to scold the most was Gu Cheng Yao.

"By chance? Shizi dare to say this again? You dare to say that these slaves haven't fiddled in front of you before entering the door?"

"I..." Gu Cheng Yao was loss for words. Bu Mama did say something, also that steward took the opportunity to complain. Gu Cheng Yao also knew that there might be ulterior motives, but Lin Wei Xi declined the estate's stuff just because the day was too cold that the fish was frozen, and also wanted to remove the steward's position, which was too arbitrary and callous.

Shizi and Wangfei clashed with each other, all the maids in the room bowed their heads and held their breath. Only Bu Mama looked in all directions, feeling proud with herself. She stood up and said: "Wangfei, this old slave knows that you are full of youthful vigor, and want to make some achievement for everyone to see. But no matter how urgent, there is no reason to use our people, let alone these loyal servants have served the mansion for more than ten years. If Wangfei send them away, it will chill the people's heart below."

Lin Wei Xi ignored Bu Mama and looked at Gu Cheng Yao directly: "You think so too?"

Gu Cheng Yao wanted to say yes, but he looked at Lin Wei Xi's disappointed and cold eyes, and for some reason he couldn't speak. Bu Mama was his half-mother. For so many years, she had done her best for him. Naturally, she would not tell lies, and Gao Ran also agreed with Bu Mama. So after hearing these two people, Gu Cheng Yao's first reaction was that Lin Wei Xi done something again. After listening to Bu Mama's report, Gu Cheng Yao couldn't help but frowned. Lin Wei Xi's punishment was too heavy. After all, she was an old servant who had served the mansion for many years. How could she be thrown just like that?

This was the brilliance of Bu Mama, or should be said Gao Ran. They didn't directly say that Lin Wei Xi wanted to overturn the regulations left by Wangfei Shen, but went around and used the previous matter as a raft to deny Lin Wei Xi. As long as Lin Wei Xi's punishment was overruled, would anyone still obey her changing the menu for the celebration?

Lin Wei Xi laughed, the mocking in it was very obvious. At this time, there was the sound of footsteps outside the door, and a person stood outside the door, bowed and said: "Young lady."

Lin Wei Xi restrained her anger and said, "Come in."

Gu Cheng Yao subconsciously frowned. Who was this to actually called Lin Wei Xi 'Young lady' and not 'Wangfei'? When the person came in he only kowtowed to Lin Wei Xi. Lin Wei Xi pointed her finger to Gu Cheng Yao and said, "Don't be rude, this is Yan Wang Mansion's Shizi."

Only then the person greeted Gu Cheng Yao. Everyone didn't know who this person was, to have the cheek to be so arrogant. Lin Wei Xi explained: "This is a retainer under the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion. He manages the estate in the suburbs of the capital for me. Coincidentally, it's also in the southern suburbs of Daxing County."

Gu Cheng Yao remembered that before the imperial court conferred Lin Yong as Marquis Zhongyong, in addition to thousands of hectares of fertile fields, he was also given a batch of slaves, presumably this was one of them. Not only Gu Cheng Yao, but others also felt in a daze. Although Lin Wei Xi brought ten miles of red makeup to marry into the mansion, everyone in the mansion still thought that Lin Wei Xi was a helpless orphan, they almost forgot that she was also the daughter of a marquis.

Lin Wei Xi continued: "After I received the report from the steward of the mansion estate this morning. I was surprised, it was the same location, but why my estate is fine. I sent someone to inform the estate in the southern suburbs to let them take a trip to Yan Wang Mansion estate."

Estate granny's face had changed a bit. The Lin family's retainers received the words and said, "This slave receive the order from our young lady and went to your mansion manor. It is true that the fish in the fish pond are not very lively, but it is not because freezing or met a disaster, but because the manor's stewardship is not good, the water in the pond has not been changed for seven or eight days. The debris in the water is extremely dirty. No wonder the fish were not energetic. If it delayed for a few more days, I'm afraid all the fish will be dead."

After the other person finished speaking, Lin Wei Xi looked at Gu Cheng Yao with a sneer in her eyes: "Do you understand now, it's not that I treat the slaves harshly, but that they cheat the master to fatten up their own pockets! They looked after the estate like this and on top of that, with the excuses of cold weather disaster, still want to ask me for a hundred taels of emergency money as the capital. Shizi, such a slave, we should be sympathetic, and also can't be punished heavily?"

Gu Cheng Yao shivered as he watched the estate granny kneeling on the ground trembling, did not dare to reply. There was nothing left to understand right now. If that person was telling a lie, then the estate granny would jumped up long ago to make a fuss, but she didn't dare to move, it means that this was true.

Gu Cheng Yao suddenly had a huge doubt about himself. Before he came here, he genuinely thought that Lin Wei Xi had gone astray and he was here to correct her. However, in a short period of time it was proven that it was not that Lin Wei Xi was harsh, but he was the one that ignorant. He was blinded and deceived into running around in circles by a few wicked slaves!

Chapter 47 Part 2: Condemn

Gu Cheng Yao's face was not good. Bu Mama also didn't look right. She didn't care about her original plan. She hurriedly stepped forward and said, "This granny is too treacherous, Shizi wholeheartedly being benevolent. How can I get her to talk nonsense today! But in the end this granny was just an excuse, Wangfei took her anger on everyone because of her, and want to overthrow the rules and regulations carefully set by Wangfei Shen. What is the reason?

Lin Wei Xi snorted, raised her eyes that contained a mocking smile, and looked at Gu Cheng Yao: "Shizi also feels the same way? As long as it was left by your birth mother, I can't change it?"

Gu Cheng Yao's throat seemed to be blocked. He really respected his birth mother, but he with Bu Mama and those womenfolk were different, he didn't care about the rules left by Wangfei Shen. Now Lin Wei Xi was the Wangfei, if she wanted to change it, of course should follow her wish. Gu Cheng Yao probably understood, why Bu Mama especially came to find him today. What feels sorry for people who scrape by, what couldn't bear to see her kind got hurt, Bu Mama clearly done this for the power in her own' hands. The shock in Gu Cheng Yao's heart was beyond words. He respected and trusted Bu Mama since he was a child, how could she do such a thing? Was there such a similar situation before?

Looking at Gu Cheng Yao who was silent for a long time, Bu Mama felt a little flustered. Gao Ran originally planned to hide behind the scenes. She was really angry when she saw Bu Mama this person who's unable to do everything right. Inside the room was chaotic, and suddenly there was a voice with a dignified and restrained power outside: "What are you all doing?"

Yan Wang?!

Everyone was startled. When did Yan Wang came back, there was no notice at all. All the people in the room hurriedly reduced their expressions and in a flurry turned around to salute Yan Wang. Lin Wei Xi was also surprised. She bypassed the bookcase and stood beside the table to give a greetings ceremony. Gu Cheng Yao happened to be standing nearby, so that the two of them seemed to salute side by side.

This was what Gu Hui Yan saw when he entered the door. His heart sank for some reason, and his sub-consciousness rejected this possibility to the extreme without even being aware of it. Gu Hui Yan inexplicably gave birth to a kind of evil anger, this anger came so fast, he didn't even have time to suppress it under his usual calm appearance.

The people in the room clearly felt that Yan Wang's aura became more and more terrifying after entering the house. They did not dare to look around, but they had many speculations about this rare anger of Yan Wang. There was a glimmer of hope in Bu Mama's heart, and Gao Ran was even more ecstatic. She guessed right. Yan Wang really had a deep affection for his previous wife, and Lin Wei Xi, who rashly moved the things of Wangfei Shen, was touching Yan Wang's reverse scales.

Of course Lin Wei Xi also noticed Gu Hui Yan's mood change. What was even more baffling was that Yan Wang glanced in her direction, and he became more absorb after seeing something. There were only two people, she and Gu Cheng Yao. Who was Yan Wang looking at? Could it be that Lin Wei Xi was overconfident, and between her and Shizi, Yan Wang still prefers his son without hesitation?

Lin Wei Xi remained in a crouching position, feeling confused for a while. Fortunately, Gu Hui Yan withdrew his aura in an instant, and reverted back to His Highness Yan Wang that would still calm even if Mount Tai was collapsing before his eye. He glanced at Lin Wei Xi and Gu Cheng Yao, but still felt it was too unsightly, and said, "Get up."

Lin Wei Xi dared to stand upright now. After she stood up, she realized that Gu Cheng Yao was actually standing by her shoulder. Lin Wei Xi rolled her eyes and immediately pretended to inadvertently step back two steps.

Although Gu Hui Yan looked straight ahead indifferently, his mind was always paying attention to this direction. The inexplicable evil fire in his heart was finally healed. He stood in the middle of the hall, upon seeing this a maid strengthen her courage to bring Gu Hui Yan an armchair, but Gu Hui Yan stopped it. He glanced across the room and asked again: "What's going on here?"

Granny Zhao's eyes rolled around in confusion, Bu Mama kept calm as she lowered her head silently, while Gao Ran glanced at Bu Mama, her eyes full of consideration. Everyone had a lot of small tricks, but no one dared to speak.

Lin Wei Xi only struggled for a moment, then took a step forward and whispered, "Wangye..."

Gu Hui Yan finally had a chance to say this. He opened his palm to Lin Wei Xi and said in a deep tone: "Come here."

Of course, Lin Wei Xi didn't even think about it and bypassing the crowd, walked quickly towards Gu Hui Yan. Gu Cheng Yao stood at his spot, and Lin Wei Xi seemed to bring up a gentle whirlpool when she walked past him. It just so happened that the lampstand beside the table moved, and as Lin Wei Xi walked away, the light seemed to dim.

Since Gu Hui Yan entered the door to this moment, Gu Cheng Yao haven't said a word. He didn't have time to react when Lin Wei Xi, who was still squabbling with him just now, walked past him quickly and righteously towards his father. Gu Hui Yan also spread his palms, and when Lin Wei Xi approached he wrapped her hand, and lightly and irresistibly pulled her to his side.

Gu Hui Yan lowered his head, clearly still the same words, but his tone dropped by several notches: "What's going on here?"

Lin Wei Xi glanced at the estate granny who was lying on the ground, and then at the tense-face, righteous Bu Mama. She thought her intonation was frosty and cold, but when it fell to Gu Hui Yan's ears, it was a bit like complaining her grievance: "Today, the granny from Daxing County in southern suburbs came to deliver the stuffs from the estate, she herself was ineffective, but she still wanted to use the master's silver to disguise the chaos as peaceful scene. I removed her from the post of steward. I never thought that in the afternoon, they brought Shizi over, and said I treated her unjustly."

Lin Wei Xi's remarks were fair and just, but when Gu Hui Yan looked down at Lin Wei Xi's tone and demeanor, he felt that what was written on her face was, "Wangye, they bullied me."

Gu Hui Yan often had been absent from the mansion in recent years, but it would be a big mistake to think that he knew nothing about the mansion. After all, the prefix of the mansion is Yan Wang. Since he was a child, he had been immersed in the art of war and politic, but could he neglect the control of his own house? He knew the details of Bu Mama and others very well. He used to think that it was not important enough. Compared with the war and government affairs at hand, it was really not worth his diversion. But it would be too arrogant and stupid to try to deceive and tricks him because of this.

Chapter 48 Part 1: Punishment

Gu Hui Yan just took a glance and roughly understand what had happened. He was a little surprised. This little girl also has a brain, even knows how to pull out the firewood from under the kettle1, and prepared for herself in advance. The Lin family retainer who was standing in the courtyard, did not how he could go back and forth between Daxing and the capital in a short time. Satisfied, Gu Hui Yan nodded to the Lin family retainer: "You did a good job today. It's getting late. Hurriedly get out of the city."

The other party was flattered. Although he was loyal to the Marquis Zhongyong Lin's family, he was actually found by Yan Wang and assigned to Lin Wei Xi for her protection. Because of this background, he certainly knew how rare it was to get Yan Wang's praise. He also aware that Yan Wang's words "you did a good job" was not meant for his management of Lin Family's estate, but for strictly abided by Lin Wei Xi's command. The Lin family retainer's heart was bright, but at this moment he understood the meaning of Yan Wang, he should leave the mansion. The retainer knelt and bowed to Gu Hui Yan. When he entered the door, he dared to only bow to Lin Wei Xi and ignored the others in the house. But now he kowtowed to Gu Hui Yan without any disrespect. He also did not dare to use the Lin Family old term to call Lin Wei Xi: "Thank you Yan Wang. This subordinate salute Yan Wang and salute Wangfei. Wangye, Wangfei, this subordinate retire first."

After the retainer left, only people of the mansion remained in Jingcheng Courtyard.

Everyone keenly felt that the atmosphere changed. They lowered their heads and dared not speculate at will, but resigned themselves to waiting for Yan Wang's conclusion.

Gu Hui Yan also no longer concealed it, and his powerful aura came out: "Who gave you the courage to question Wangfei's decision and gathered everyone in front of her?"

Gao Ran still amiably bowed her head. She thought she was ready in her heart, but when she heard this she was shocked. Isn't Yan Wang's focus a bit biased? Is this really the point?

Bu Mama was obviously also suppressed, and when she finally reacted, she couldn't help but say: "Wangye, you haven't asked about the whole situation today. How can you directly convict according to Wangfei's one side story?"

Gu Hui Yan's eyes were extremely unpleasant. He glanced over slightly, but it was only this glance that almost frighten Bu Mama to the ground: "Didn't I say before that she is Yan Wangfei, the only master of the inner house of the Yan Wang Mansion. Just do what she said. Other people don't need to know the whole reason. I never say the words for a second time. This is the only exception. Do you understand this time?"

People knelt down on the ground, didn't care that the floor was cold. Their forehead were all touching the ground, with the atmosphere they didn't dare to rise. Bu Mama's cold sweat was overflow. She knelt down in panic, with her cheeks pressed against the cold ground, making a surrender appearance. Even so, Bu Mama's face was deathly pale, obviously extremely scared.

Although Bu Mama was a dowry maid from the Shen family, she had been in the mansion for many years, and she already regarded this as her place in her heart. But since Bu Mama entered the mansion, only when the old Yan Wangfei passed away that she had seen such a clear and terrifying personal emotions of Yan Wang.

Gu Cheng Yao of course angry with Bu Mama who relied on his trust to incite discord, and turned black and white, but Bu Mama was Wangfei Shen's dowry maid. An old servant who looked after Gu Cheng growing up since he was a child. Now she knelt on the ground and trembled with no face. Gu Cheng Yao couldn't just stand and watch. He could only take a step forward under the tremendous pressure and bowed his head to Gu Hui Yan and said: "Father, Bu Mama's words and deeds today are my negligence and ineffective discipline. Ask father for forgiveness."

Gu Hui Yan didn't even turn his head, but said plainly: "The one you should ask for forgiveness is not me. She is the one that preside over the affairs of the house."

The people in the courtyard were stunned, but Gu Cheng Yao was just startled for a while, at once cup his hand in obeisance and saluted to Lin Wei Xi: "Mother, today is this son's oversight. I haven't understand clearly what happened, but already offend you. Mother can scold and punish me. I absolutely will not object, only ask mother, for the sake of Bu Mama's years of hard work, to forgive her old muddle-headedness."

When Lin Wei Xi first saw Gu Hui Yan, besides being surprised, she was actually a little nervous. With the experience of her previous life, Lin Wei Xi was quite worried about her husband's attitude towards her, but Gu Hui Yan's attitude was unexpected. He didn't even ask why and directly reprimanded others, even now he didn't even give Gu Cheng Yao any face.

Of course, the inner houses belong to women, but the husband's family was different from the maiden family. People all had close and distant relations, and the husband would be closer to the people of the family who had been together since childhood. It's really human nature. Lin Wei Xi's greatest hope in the past was to have a reasonable husband's family, it would be a great fortune to have a husband that was able to distinguish right from wrong. She had never even thought that her husband, regardless of the reason, would directly protect her.

Gu Hui Yan was standing next to her now. With Yan Wang by her side, Lin Wei Xi's confidence instantly rose. Lin Wei Xi didn't even dare to think about it before, that one day Gu Cheng Yao would beg her for mercy. Lin Wei Xi finally understood what it feels like to be a fox that exploits the tiger's might. She snorted in her heart, her face was even more respectable: "I don't dare to accept Shizi's words. After all, I'm just a stepmother, and I'm afraid I'm still an outsider to the mansion. I know I can't compare to Shizi's birth mother. How dare I deal with the loyal servants and old slaves left by Wangfei Shen? Don't mention in two days Shizi and Shizi Consort will go outside again to complain, saying that I this second wife doesn't know the importance of things and punish the loyal servant left by her predecessors. After all, I can't even change the menu left by Wangfei Shen."

Gu Cheng Yao's face was unreadable, but Gu Hui Yan clearly frowned, "They said this to you?"

Facing Gu Hui Yan, Lin Wei Xi immediately dropped her mocking and sneering tone, blinked innocently, raised her head and smiled, "Of course they dare not say that with Wangye here. It's just..."

Lin Wei Xi left the other half of the sentence, and the art of speaking was particularly in place. Gu Hui Yan was already very angry from the previous matter. Now when he heard Lin Wei Xi said this, his expression completely sank. He glanced at Gu Cheng Yao, his eyes were dark, and the invisible aura pressed on everyone: "You are indeed truly mature. Because of a few wicked slaves you came to rebel against your mother, questioned her decision and make her suffer a grievance?"

Gu Hui Yan had always been emotionally restrained. This was already quite heavy words, but also a condemnation of both virtue and wisdom. Disobedient against his mother was a lack of virtue, not able to differentiate right and wrong was a lack of wisdom. This was a very serious accusation, let alone the words came directly from Gu Hui Yan.

Gu Cheng Yao's face turned pale, his hands on his side tightened, and in the end he just hung his head lower. Gu Cheng Yao himself was silent, but the rest of the people were going crazy.

Since Gu Cheng Yao was a child, Bu Mama regarded him as her hope for the future. She regards Gu Cheng Yao as hers, to say that he was her lifeblood was not excessive. And for Gao Ran, becoming Shizi Consort was the proudest thing in her life. Now her glory and medal was condemned by other people, she couldn't bear it.

Bu Mama's anxious eyes were red, simply hated that she was unable to use her body to replace him. And Gao Ran was so angry that she cursed in her heart, It was true that to have a stepmother and the father become a stepfather, the majestic Yan Wang could actually be this muddle-headed?

Of course, Bu Mama and Gao Ran's movements could not be hidden from the three standing people. Lin Wei Xi took a quick glance and pretended not to see anything. Gu Hui Yan didn't say a word. Gu Cheng Yao frowned and shouted: "Bu Mama, Shizi Consort, you must not be rude."

Bu Mama was very afraid of Yan Wang. When Gu Cheng Yao said this, she became even more afraid, and could only anxiously bow her head. However, Gao Ran stayed in Yan Wang Mansion for a short period of time, and she had never seen Gu Hui Yan's other faces. She thought that she was justified, and took the opportunity to say: "Wangye, you dote on the new Wangfei is not wrong, but Shen shi is also your Wangfei. Shizi is even more has filial heart, when you say these words to Shizi, won't it chilled everyone's hearts?"

TN: I'm sorry to cut it at such an awkward place, hopefully tomorrow's edition will make up for it.

1 Pull out the firewood from under the kettle, it means to take drastic measures to deal with a situation.↩

Chapter 48 Part 2: Punishment

As soon as Gao Ran's words were spoken, Bu Mama's face turned white when Gao Ran focused on Wangfei Shen. Gu Cheng Yao was even more shocked and angry. Regardless of being reprimanded by her father, he immediately took a step forward, with rare solemnity in his eyes: "Presumptuous! Still not ask father and mother for forgiveness?"

Gao Ran bit her lip. Obviously, she didn't feel that she said something wrong. Gu Hui Yan have a new wife and forget the old one. Why did Gu Cheng Yao say that? Didn't Bu Mama say that Yan Wang had a deep affection for Wangfei Shen? And also Gu Cheng Yao, why should be afraid of Lin Wei Xi this second wife?

Gao Ran originally argued in order to let Gu Cheng Yao see her kindness, but instead she was reprimanded by Gu Cheng Yao mercilessly. Gao Ran felt very unhappy, but she didn't dare to disobey Yan Wang and Gu Cheng Yao. She could only hold back her true thoughts, biting her lip and bowed to Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi: "This daughter-in-law was in a hurry just now, too concerned about Shizi and made her words and deeds disoriented, please Father and mother forgive this child impoliteness."

Listen to this, was this an apology? Gu Cheng Yao almost overturned his impression of Gao Ran, but Gu Hui Yan didn't say anything, so he didn't dare to make his own claims to criticize Gao Ran. Gu Hui Yan was still calm, he just glanced at Gao Ran indifferently, the expression in his eyes could not be disputed. But he quickly withdrew his emotions, turned his face to the side and nodded to Lin Wei Xi.

Lin Wei Xi knew that Gu Hui Yan leave it for her to decide. Whether or not to forgive Gao Ran and how to deal with these people, it was all up to her. Lin Wei Xi smiled, and beamingly said to Gao Ran: "It turns out Shizi Consort said these words to protect Shizi, you husband and wife are very much in love, it's really touching. However, this kind thing is nothing for me, but your words just now are disrespectful to Yan Wang, and this cannot be easily let go."

Gao Ran realized that it was Lin Wei Xi who came forward to lecture her, she suddenly felt a bad air stuck in her throat, and almost lost her breath. But without waiting for her to adjust her emotions, to put up a sensible but have no choice to accept compromise gesture, Gu Cheng Yao had already replied for her: "Mother said that Shizi Consort is young, and if mother wants to punish, this son is willing to accept it for her."

"This and that are different. Shizi is the heir of the mansion. Your education and punishment are all determined by Wangye. But the conduct of Shizi Consort and the order of the servants, are all the matters of the back house, and I as the Wangfei is the rightful master. What's more, people will be punished if they do something wrong. Right and wrong should be consider first before talking about status. I know that Bu Mama is an old servant for more than 20 years, and she made a lot of contributions for the mansion over the years. To receive generous treatment is acceptable, but if she made a mistake then the judgment should be no different from the young maid in the mansion. Mistakes should not be substituted on their behalf, and the old servants made an error also should not been sympathized at one will. Otherwise, what's the point of rules and regulations? "

Lin Wei Xi's words were cold and cruel. As Bu Mama knelt on the ground, the coldness from her knees crept into her heart. Gu Cheng Yao also felt that Lin Wei Xi was too ruthless, people were not sages who could do no wrong. It was appropriate to be lenient towards the elderly who had many contributions such as Bu Mama. But now, he was speechless, he could only listen in silence.

Gu Cheng Yao, who grew up in the mansion and was taken care of by the servants, felt that Lin Wei Xi's concept was too heartless. But Gu Hui Yan agreed, it was a good point to consider right and wrong first, and then talk about identity. Gu Hui Yan showed some approval, he looked at Lin Wei Xi, the expression on his face could be considered soften up: "According to you, how today's matters should be handle?

Looked at Gu Hui Yan's approving expression, Lin Wei Xi felt calm and continued to say: "The estate granny neglected her duty, cheated the master's money, and later sow a discord, from now on her family will be expel from Yan Wang Mansion and sent someone to search her home, all the money she took from the estate for many years should be returned. Shizi Consort in her hastiness disrespect Wangye, considering it was her first offense, her punishment is to copy the Book of Filial Piety a hundred times. This several days stay at Buddhist hall and eat vegetarian foods to reflect on your error. Come out after you finish copying."

Copy the book a hundred times, but also stay in the Buddhist hall! Even when she made mental preparation Gao Ran was still shocked, Lin Wei Xi could be this unscrupulous? Moreover, copying the Book of Filial Piety and copying the Female Commandment were completely different concepts. In a few days it would be the end of the year, and each families' womenfolk had begun to socialize with each other, but she, as Shizi Consort, was imprisoned in the Buddhist hall to copy the Book of Filial Piety. This punishment was far more severe than physical punishments such as kneeling.

Gao Ran was stunned, but when she raised her head to look at Gu Hui Yan, Lin Wei Xi, and even Gu Cheng Yao, no one paid attention to her. Obviously, these people with the right to speak didn't intend to say anything. Gao Ran understood, her heart was very angry but she could only squeeze out one word with much difficulty: "Yes."

After dealing with Gao Ran and estate granny, the remaining few people felt a bit complicated. The relationship between Bu Mama and the people was very complex, the implications was too big, and almost everyone in the mansion was staring at this place. If the punishment was too heavy the people below would resist, and if the treatment was too light it could not convinced the masses. Lin Wei Xi thought for a while, and said, "Granny Zhao took bribes from the estate granny to jointly conspire against the family's master for your own interests. Although not as bad as her co-conspirator, but the crime of corruption is unavoidable. According to the law, Granny Zhao should be sent to the authorities to be caned to death, but considering that she had served the mansion for many years, so her punishment will be lighten. She will be removed from her steward duty in the mansion. The money given by the master over the years will not be recovered, but she will leave the mansion within three days, and after that life and death is her own responsibility."

Granny Zhao's face turned gray when she heard this. She was the right-hand man of Bu Mama. She had been rampant for many years, and never thought that she would be driven out of the mansion. A servant that was driven out by Yan Wang Mansion, who else would want her in the future? And as a slave, how could she live without the protection of her master?

Granny Zhao cried out, trying to climb over to beg with Lin Wei Xi, but was dragged out by the others. Listening to this noise, Bu Mama's heart became colder and colder, merely receiving ten taels of silver from the outside as a show of respect, this Lin shi actually kicked them out? How dare she!

Lin Wei Xi's gaze turned to Bu Mama. Bu Mama quivered from head to toe, subconsciously knelt straightly. Lin Wei Xi just smiled when she saw this, and said, "Bu Mama, I also know that you have served Wangfei Shen for more than ten years, and later you served Shizi for eighteen years. You are a first-class veteran in the mansion, to say that you are a half-master is not an exaggeration. But everything, in the end, have to have regulations. Mama's position is high, however if you do something wrong, you must be punished according to the rules. Bu Mama, isn't that right?

Bu Mama tightened her cheeks, gritted her teeth and said, "Yes."

"It's good that Bu Mama understand." Lin Wei Xi said slowly, "Bu Mama did not distinguish right from wrong, and listened to the provocation of the evil slaves, and brought the inner house's matters to Shizi, this is the crime of overstepping her authority. That is the first offense. She as the chief steward indulged the greed and deceit of her right and left arm, for so many years has been negligence and did not say anything about it, later also fell into the trap of others. This is the crime of dereliction of duty, which is the second offense."

Everyone paid attention to Lin Wei Xi's next words. One was the new Wangfei who had just enter the door, and the other was the old people brought by the previous Wangfei, the one who always managed the mansion for more than ten years. This was the first time the two of them had dealt with each other, it didn't need to be said how important the final result was. Even Gao Ran couldn't help getting tense. On one hand, she disapproved of Lin Wei Xi. After all, who was Lin Wei Xi, how dare she moved such a powerful local snake like Bu Mama? It had been a year since Gao Ran passed through the door, but she only dared to speak nice things. But on the other hand, Gao Ran couldn't help but being infected by the atmosphere at the moment, and became nervous.

Lin Wei Xi didn't let everyone wait for long. She cast her eyes down and glanced at Bu Mama, her voice was crisp and delicate: "Bu Mama is at fault, if she continues to take charge of the mansion it may not be good for everyone. But after all, she is an old servant who has served the mansion for more than 20 years, also served two generations of masters. Looking at the face of Shizi, Bu Mama's position will not be lowered, but she will be transferred to Shizi's Qingsong Garden to continue to be the chief steward."

Gu Cheng Yao heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this. He was really afraid that Lin Wei Xi would be too aggressive, this after all was his half-mother. Bu Mama originally planned to make troubles endlessly, but when she heard Lin Wei Xi transferred her to Qingsong Garden, her hostility was loosen up. Although it was changed from the chief steward of the mansion to the chief steward of Qingsong Garden, the name was the same, but in fact it was a demotion, but with Granny Zhao at the front, Bu Mama could still accept this result. The power in her hands was greatly reduced, but to be able to take care of Shizi nearby Bu Mama was still willing.

The two sides were happy with this result, but Gao Ran almost lost herself on the spot, what did Lin Wei Xi say? Stuffed Bu Mama into her courtyard? Since the beginning Bu Mama had big attitudes and regarded herself as half mother-in-law, but Gao Ran endured it in the past, but if she let Bu Mama stay in Qinsong Garden for a long time, it's outrageous!

TN: How LWX deals with GR and BM is chefs kiss!

Chapter 49 Part 1: Disagreement

Bu Mama accepted the result on the surface transfer but in actually demotion, especially after Granny Zhao got the heavy punishment of being expelled from the mansion because she took bribes. Bu Mama originally already mentally prepared. If Lin Wei Xi used the same method to deal with her, then she would incited many servants in the mansion to make trouble. But she didn't expect that compared to her previous momentum Lin Wei Xi's actual outburst was only a little thunder and rain.

Although she was demoted from the inner courtyard of the mansion to Qingsong Garden, but Qingsong Garden was the place where Shizi lived. The importance was self-evident. Bu Mama said nothing when she heard this. Of course, there was no need to organize people to make trouble. And Gu Cheng Yao was greatly relieved when he heard this. Bu Mama was indeed at fault, but if Lin Wei Xi acted as she pleased, Gu Cheng Yao would be unwilling. Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi just transferred Bu Mama to Qingsong Garden. For Gu Cheng Yao, this transfer had no effect. He was brought up under the care of Bu Mama, so he had no opinion on this.

Both Gu Cheng Yao and Bu Mama were satisfied, and the only person present who was dissatisfied with the result was Gao Ran. Gao Ran never expected that Lin Wei Xi would give her such a hand.

Lin Wei Xi refused to personally deal with the people, so she stuffed Bu Mama into Gao Ran's courtyard. Once the male master gets married, the power in the inner courtyard should belong to his wife. In the past Bu Mama liked to point fingers in Qingsong Garden, but in the end they didn't live together. Bu Mama was also busy with other internal affairs of the mansion. Gao Ran originally planned to make a compromise, and after enduring it for a period of time, she would seek a momentum to destroy Bu Mama's position in Gu Cheng Yao's heart and gradually ruin Bu shi. However, this did not include letting Bu shi moved to their courtyard. Qingsong Garden already had her Shizi Consort, and if there was another chief steward, then who people should listen to?

Gao Ran was stunned by this result, but in front of Bu Mama and Gu Cheng Yao, what could she say? Gao Ran was speechless, but Bu Mama and Gu Cheng Yao were happy with it. This Lin Wei Xi was really evil, she decided the matter without giving Gao Ran a chance to react.

Only Gu Hui Yan glanced meaningfully at Lin Wei Xi.

Gu Cheng Yao didn't see the subtle struggle, but Gu Hui Yan understood it. Lin Wei Xi's move was really brilliant, even more brilliant than shifting the troubles in the officialdom. With such a simple action, she was not only appeased the servants in the mansion, showed that she was completely not involved with Shizi's internal affair to avoid suspicion, took back the power of the mansion's internal affairs, and conveniently drove a wedge between the other party. Gao Ran and Bu Mama at the moment seemed to be harmonious, because there was no contradiction, the two people target Lin Wei Xi together. However, there was no contradiction now, how about when they lived together?

It was inevitable there would be a crack. When the conflicts and frictions were so intense that they couldn't be covered up, Lin Wei Xi didn't have to bother, Gao Ran and Bu Mama would revealed themselves first. Letting the enemy battalion split itself without spending a single soldier was a brilliant calculation of a military strategist.

It seemed that his Wangfei was very scheming, Gu Hui Yan just smiled and said nothing. Lin Wei Xi didn't pay attention to the glance Gu Hui Yan throw at her, and she was full of joy now. In her previous life, she suffered a lot from Bu Mama. This old woman, relying on her age and seniority, actually meddled in the newlyweds' room matters, but now it's all good. The two old acquaintances from her previous life had come together.

Weren't Gao Ran and Mama Bu always harmonious and respectful not like master and servant? Didn't you look down on Gao Xi's uprightness, and now they were ganging up to squeeze her this new Wangfei? Since in Gao Ran's eyes her mother-in-law was only Shen shi, then take care this Shen shi's meritorious servant, Lin Wei Xi sincerely wishes them a happy time together.

It's getting late now, the color of the sky was already dark. Now no one had the thought to eat, Lin Wei Xi made a decision for Yan Wang, canceling today's dinner, and for them to return to each courtyard to have dinner. The people in Jingcheng Courtyard left one after another, and the kitchen delivered the meals to the room. Lin Wei Xi took advantage of when the maid's prepared the meals and whispered to Wan Yue to get the keys and the matched cards.

All the keys to the mansion were in Bu Mama's hand, and the matched cards for taking stuffs from the treasury was also kept by her. It's easy to invite the Buddha but it's difficult to send off the Buddha. Who would be willing to spit what they have. Normally, it's too difficult to retrieve the key from Bu Mama, but today Bu Mama had offend Yan Wang. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lin Wei Xi certainly needed to strike the iron while it was hot and took the things back to her own hands.

Of course Bu Mama refused to hand over the key, but she did not dare to make trouble at this moment. If it's alarmed Yan Wang, it would not end with just a fine of a monthly salary. No matter how unwilling, Bu Mama could only take out the key and the matched card box, and threw it to Wan Yue.

Wan Yue didn't care about Bu Mama's black face. After checking everything was in order, she ran back to the main courtyard quickly. Lin Wei Xi had been waiting in the side house. After seeing what was in Wan Yue's hand, she let out a relaxed sigh.

It was only then she became the actual mistress of the Yan Wang Mansion. The keys to the courtyards and warehouses were in her own hands. To hold the lifeline in her hand, only then she had the confidence to speak. Lin Wei Xi couldn't help but feeling very good. After looking at it one more time, she let Wan Xing and Wan Yue put it away, and she got up and walked to the main house.

She did not dare to forget that Yan Wang was still waiting for her to have dinner.

Gu Hui Yan was sitting at the table when he saw Lin Wei Xi enter the door with a smile on her face. During the meal, Lin Wei Xi was beaming, obviously in a good mood. He took it all in but didn't point it out. When there were only two of them in the room at night, Gu Hui Yan said casually: "Today was hard on you."

Lin Wei Xi went on alert, she couldn't help but put her smile away: "I don't dare."

Seeing Lin Wei Xi's tense look, Gu Hui Yan couldn't help but laugh: "I don't mean to question you, you don't have to be nervous."

Lin Wei Xi cooperated with Gu Hui Yan's words and relaxed her body, but her heart still held on tightly.

Gu Hui Yan could also see that Lin Wei Xi was very defensive now. He really felt helpless. He was not a man-eating tiger. Why should husband and wife be so defensive? Between her and a servant, could he still sided with other people?

TN: I noticed that some of the link on the site doesn't work, it's a combination between drunk blogspot and ditzy internet connection with a dash of my sloppiness. I already fixed the one that people pointed out, but if there's more please tell me and I'll fix it asap.

Chapter 49 Part 2: Disagreement

Gu Hui Yan didn't understand where her strong distrust of the person next to her pillow came from. He could only moderate his tone and say, "Today, how you handle things is very good. I'm not in the mansion all year round. The rules in the mansion can't help but loosen. I planned to deal with these people for you. But because you just got married, I'm afraid that doing so will scare you, so I didn't mention it. I didn't expect them to make trouble in front of you in the last few days."

Hearing Gu Hui Yan's words, Lin Wei Xi's shoulders unknowingly loosened. Yes, this was Yan Wang, not Gu Cheng Yao. She didn't have to worry that when she took a lot of trouble to check and balance the servants, she would be criticized coldly by her husband after returning. Lin Wei Xi finally laughed, her tone unconsciously had a little probing: "Wangye, don't you think my approach today is too cold?"

"How could that be?" Gu Hui Yan chuckled, beckoning Lin Wei Xi to sit next to him. He run his palm through Lin Wei Xi's soft long hair and said, "The rewards and punishments were clearly defined, and the powers and responsibilities were consistent. You are doing the right thing. The more mature and trusted the old servants, the stricter we should be with them, otherwise it will harm others and themselves."

Lin Wei Xi was always accused of being cruel and unsympathetic when she was in the Duke Mansion. After marrying, her husband also said that, and gradually she began to doubt herself. Now finally heard from another person's mouth something different. Yan Wang gave her such a high evaluation, Lin Wei Xi immediately let go of the knot in her heart, her expression also relaxed a lot, and her eyes were bright: "It's good that Wangye doesn't blame me."

"It's me who should be blamed." Gu Hui Yan saw his little girl's eyebrows soften, the nervousness on her face disappeared, and a little smile appeared deep in her eyes, "I promised to marry you, but I didn't deal with the mansion in advance. It's my fault for you to face such a mess."

"How can I blame you?" Lin Wei Xi smiled as she said this. She tried to leaned her shoulders on Gu Hui Yan, and found that Gu Hui Yan did not react, so she put her body weight on him with confidence. Neither of them spoke, but the atmosphere in the room was very warm.

The contrast between the present and the past was so sharp that Lin Wei Xi was so sorry for her past self, but also felt a lot of emotion towards the father and son of Yan Wang Mansion. Gu Cheng Yao's life was superior since he was a child, but the old Yan Wang died early because of illness, and Yan Wang was busy with war. Gu Cheng Yao had not been in contact with a lot of male elders, so he was always pampered by the women in the inner house. Because he was the center of the world since he was a child, when he grows up, he still judged others with his own way of thinking.

But Gu Hui Yan was different. He became famous too early. At the age of 30 he was already at the top of the dynasty. Those who were qualified to sit with him in a banquet were all old men in their sixtieth. Among the three auxiliary ministers, Gu Hui Yan was almost First Assistant Zhang's son generation. Because he assumed the expectations of his family, fief and even the whole army too early, Gu Hui Yan's sense of responsibility was unexpectedly strong. And he spent his half-life as military horse, of course, approved with the army's strict and impartial style of doing things. Although Gu Cheng Yao and Gu Hui Yan were father and son, the gap in values was huge.

Lin Wei Xi's stubborn and fierce character, being with Gu Cheng Yao, was indeed a disaster.

Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi's slightly lost in thought profile, his eyes narrowed, his voice remained the same: "What are you thinking?"

Lin Wei Xi regained her senses. She covered her lips and coughed, and said, "It's nothing, thinking about Bu Mama's matters, somehow got carried away."

Gu Hui Yan didn't ask further, since she said it was Bu Mama's matters, then it was the old servant's matters. But Lin Wei Xi was still leaning on his body, and Gu Hui Yan would not allow her to think about other things. He sat back, took Lin Wei Xi's shoulders into his arms, and said, "In fact, you don't have to work so hard. If you want the financial power of the mansion, you can tell me."

Lin Wei Xi felt that Gu Hui Yan's hand strength was a bit heavy, but she only thought it was accidental. With Gu Hui Yan's words, she also didn't think too much, just restrained her own opinion and shook her: "No. This is my duty. I can ask Wangye to help me once, but can I always seek your help for the rest of my life?"

Gu Hui Yan smiled and asked, "Why not?"

Lin Wei Xi didn't connect the words for a while, she couldn't help but smile, and looked up at Gu Hui Yan, jokingly said: "Wangye, whether in the army or in the court you are really brilliant. If a person no matter what happened have to look for you to do everything, so why does Wangye still keep all those subordinates for?"

"It's different." Gu Hui Yan watched Lin Wei Xi smile at him with sneaky eyes, the dark clouds in his heart somehow dispersed. His voice was very light, almost like saying to himself: "You are not a subordinate. There can be many subjects who follow me, but there's only one you."

Lin Wei Xi's face was a little feverish, and because she was flustered, she subconsciously said: "This is not necessarily true. Loyal people is hard to find, but Wangfei is easy to change."

Gu Hui Yan watched her silently, under such gaze Lin Wei Xi gradually lost the battle, it's over, her loose mouth acted up again. She turned around cautiously and gently pulled the corner of Gu Hui Yan's clothes. Gu Hui Yan still didn't move. Lin Wei Xi could only grit her teeth, in for a penny in for a pound. She stretched her hand around Gu Hui Yan's neck and anxiously said, "Wangye, I just said it casually. Don't be angry."

"I am not angry."

"You must be angry." Lin Wei Xi simply hung her heart directly on Gu Hui Yan, her arms tightened, and her hair flutteringly against Gu Hui Yan's neck. Because her chin was knocked on Gu Hui Yan's shoulder, her voice was a little muffled: "Wangye, if you're not calm your anger, I won't come down and you will not be able to go to court tomorrow."

Gu Hui Yan really couldn't help but laugh. He reached his hand around Lin Wei Xi's waist and with little effort hold the person up: "You have convincing reason. Come on, it's already late, let's go back and rest."

Chapter 50 Part 1: Copying Punishment

Entering December, the year-end was approaching, and every household was busy. When it snowed in the past few days, the sky and the earth became white, and the taste of the year became even heavier.

In the Buddhist hall, a maid hurried in from the outside with a red box in her hand. As soon as she walked in, she stomped her feet while shaking off the snow on her hood, and shouted inside: "Shizi Consort, this slave is bringing you hot soup."

Gao Ran was sitting next to the low table in the side room while holding a hand stove, her body was covered with a thick squirrel fur cloak. Even so, the maid besides her still kept stirring the silver coal in the charcoal brazier for fear that Gao Ran would be cold.

The Buddhist hall was clean, and there was sandalwood Buddha incense floating around all year round. In summer, it was quite shady and cool, but in winter it became cooler and cooler till the cold could seeps into the human bones. Gao Ran was punished by Lin Wei Xi to copy the Book of Filial Piety in the Buddhist hall. Gao Ran thought that she would finish copying in two or three days, but after a while she came to realize that things were not so optimistic.

Fortunately, although Lin Wei Xi sent someone to watch Gao Ran copy the book, she did not stop the people below from sending things to Gao Ran. Gao Ran hated how gloomy and cold in here, especially afraid that staying for a long time would affect her fertility, so she let people moved several charcoal braziers, as well as cushions, seats, pillows, etc.. Almost converted the quite and dignified side room of the Buddhist hall into her private warm pavilion.

As soon as Ning Fu went out, she went back to Qingsong Garden to fetch hot tea and freshly baked cakes. Gao Ran was wrapped in thick warm clothing, and when she held the writing brush, she was a little bloated. When Ningfu put the refreshments and other things on the table one by one, Gao Ran shook her hand and wrote a wrong word. The almost finish page was wasted again.

An unknown fire suddenly burst in Gao Ran's heart. She threw the brush onto the brush holder. The collision of the brush and the porcelain made a crisp sound, which was very obvious in the silent temple. Ning Fu's movements couldn't help but pause. Tao Mama saw Gao Ran's face was not good, she quickly pushed Ning Fu from behind: "Shizi Consort is copying books, what are you doing with this food, won't it delay Shizi Consort's writing? Get out."

Ning Fu's lips opened. Didn't Shizi Consort say that she was cold and asked her to go back and get some hot food? Ning Fu put the plate back into the food box without saying a word, and bowed back.

Gao Ran was very irritable, it was almost the New Year's Eve. These few days, Yan Wang Mansion was very busy entertaining the guests, but she was trapped in the Buddhist hall by Lin Wei Xi, and could not even see outsiders. Gao Ran sat for a while with a gloomy face, and asked, "Are all the steward going to Jingcheng Courtyard to hand over the matched cards these few days?"

"Yes." Tao Mama said cautiously. "Wangfei specially make the room outside Jingcheng Courtyard into a place to meet people. Usually the steward granny would go there every day at sishi (9-11am) to report to Wangfei and ask for daily arrangements. If there were things that couldn't be decided, they go there again in the afternoon at shensi (3-5pm). Except for these two times, Wangfei will not see anyone unless there is something unexpected or urgent. Wangfei said that if these steward granny always came to ask for every trivial matters, then won't Wangfei need to attend every single work all day. So she put the time together, and everyone will go during this time. If Wangfei has something to say, she can also explain it at once."

Bu Mama was transferred to Qingsong Garden. Although she was still a chief steward in name, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Bu Mama was demoted. It's just that although she couldn't control the mansion, Bu Mama could still stay at Shizi's side and take care of his affairs. She didn't lose much face, and this didn't caused much backlash. The country could not be without a king for a day, and the mansion could not be without a decision-making person. If there was no Bu Mama, then the person in charge would naturally be the Wangfei. As soon as Lin Wei Xi got the helmed, she took a completely different style from Bu Mama. Not only did the rules became clearer, but the time to report the matters was also determined. In a day, except for these two hours, Lin Wei Xi did not allow the steward to come over whenever they pleased. Even if people standing outside her door, as long as the hour passed, Lin Wei Xi said no, then no.

Of course, the servants who used to be idle disliked Lin Wei Xi troublesome rules, but after they were refused entrance several times, and saw that there was really no one who they could appealed in the mansion, they obediently followed Lin Wei Xi's order. In this way, the person in charge had to come to see Lin Wei Xi every day. The wicked and slippery grannies dare not go out to bet the wine and eat the food. The steady but somewhat stupid people could see the master above and know what they should do. Any words could be delivered in time. The management level was organized, so unlikely to meet people all day long, and the maids who work below had someone they could asked, so they done things a lot faster. In just a few days, the mansion was clean and orderly, and the efficiency of the work could be seen with the naked eyes.

The changes in the mansion couldn't be hidden from everyone's eyes, even Gao Ran who stayed in the Buddhist hall had heard about it. Before Gao Ran was faintly confident that Lin Wei Xi, a small household girl from a commoner's house, compared to her who had experience and knowledge, rashly took over hundreds of people, which equivalent to a medium-sized enterprise in her previous life, Yan Wang Mansion, would definitely in deep trouble. When Lin Wei Xi in disgrace, actually didn't have the ability to manage such a large mansion, then the management power would still fall back to Gao Ran's hands. When that time comes, it wouldn't matter if she copy or not the Book of Filial Piety a hundred times.

So Gao Ran hadn't been in a hurry, but the days had passed, the weather was getting colder and colder, and the New Year's Eve was getting closer, but the trouble Gao Ran expected had never come. Gao Ran couldn't sit still, and sent someone out for a few days to inquire, and found that Lin Wei Xi really managed the huge mansion in an orderly manner. She was shocked, but she also felt unbelievable.

How could it be possible? Lin Wei Xi, a newcomer, who didn't even recognize the servants in the mansion, and even knew nothing about the intricate relationship of these slaves. How could she, a half-blind new Wangfei, arranged people perfectly?

Gao Ran couldn't figure it out, she tried to ignore the panic that was constantly emerging in her heart. She frowned and thought for a while, and could only attribute Lin Wei Xi's prophetic actions to dumb luck. Gao Ran sat withered for a while, but still reluctantly asked: "There are so many things to do at the end of the year, preparations for the banquet, purchasing the New Year's goods, checking the account books of the shops and farms, and the festival gifts to the palace and the officials, and handle the people below to send the filial piety gifts. She arranged all those things alone?"

"Yes." Tao Mama said, "I heard that Wangfei's courtyard is very busy these few days, and the people in Jingcheng Courtyard are almost flying on foot, but the Wangfei really arranged it."

A bride who barely married for a month dared to arrange so many matters, and quite capable at that. Gao Ran couldn't tell what the feeling in her heart. She entered the door in February, and it almost a year now, but she still wouldn't dare get started with such a huge and complicated thing, especially when it involved sending gifts to the palace, First Assistant and other people. This was not a child's play. But Lin Wei Xi was only married in November, and she took over the major event almost as soon as she walked in. Faced with some completely unfamiliar manpower, and assign the task accordingly, no one would dare to take it lightly.

Seeing Gao Ran's silent expression, Tao Mama also felt uncomfortable. In her maiden home Gao Ran climbed all the way to the top, and later married high in one fell swoop. Although Gao Ran was a shu daughter, but over the years she had been going uphill. When did she suffer such a big setback. Now suddenly came a person with a higher status than Gao Ran, a greater right to speak than Gao Ran, and from the look at it who was more capable than Gao Ran, let alone Gao Ran, even Tao Mama couldn't stand it.

Time seems to turned back, once again when Gao Ran was ten years old and was firmly shrouded in Gao Xi's light. At that time it was also like this, Gao Xi had the status of di eldest granddaughter, a powerful maternal family who didn't need to look at her grandmother's face, and had outstanding poetry and books achievements that made people looked up to her. The younger generation in the Duke Mansion were all amazed and admired when they mentioned this eldest sister, did not dare to even feel jealous with the comparison. Gao Ran always felt that she lost in her status as a shu daughter, so she worked hard over the years and tried every means to pry away the people around Gao Xi and the things she held dear. Later, due to an unexpected turn of events she married Gu Cheng Yao. Gao Ran thought it was over, she finally proved to everyone that she was better than Gao Xi, and all the separations between di and shu were just prejudices. But after she struggled for a long time, she seemed to return to the original point.

Chapter 50 Part 2: Copying Punishment

Someone came from the outside, and Tao Mama went out for a while, looking embarrass when she came back. She saw that Gao Ran's face was not good, but she didn't dare not saying it, could only stammer and said: "Shizi Consort, Shizi is going to prepare for the spring examination, so he won't come back to sleep in these few days. Bu Mama said that Shizi Consort still need to copy the Buddhist scriptures. Afraid don't have time to serve Shizi, so Yun Hui will follow Shizi to the study."

Gao Ran suddenly returned to her senses, clenched her palms, her nails sinking deeply into the flesh of her palms. After that day Gu Cheng Yao was punished by Yan Wang. And how he was punished, the inner house didn't need to know. Gao Ran only knew that all of a sudden Gu Cheng Yao had so many assignment that she could barely see him on weekdays. Now Gu Cheng Yao wanted to live in the study altogether. Gao Ran could understand the man's ambition, and she was willing to support it. But this kind of support was limited to letting Gu Cheng Yao study hard by himself, not to throw away his wife and brought other women with him day and night, red sleeves add fragrances1.

Bu Mama stopped Gao Ran's people and sent Yun Hui to the study. Do they really think that others can't see their dirty thoughts? Gao Ran was very angry, her chest rose and fell, and finally bear this breath. Small intolerance leads to chaos. This was ancient times, to have three wives and four concubines were common. Anyway, she was the primary wife. For the time being, put up with these cheap maids, and don't let Gu Cheng Yao had objection about her. After she gave birth to a son in the future and her position became stable, wouldn't it be up to her to dispose these cheap whore at will?

Gao Ran finally calmed down the anger in her heart, and she suddenly felt irritated as she looked at the Book of Filial Piety spread before her eyes. Who had the patience to copy these feudal dregs, what's the use of it except to waste time? A woman studies piano, chess, calligraphy and painting in order to get married. Now that she already married high, what's the use looking at these? At this time, Gao Ran should be busy going out to the banquet, and socializing with other official wife, and watch over the orioles and swallows 2 beside Gu Cheng Yao.

Gao Ran paused, knowing that she couldn't delay anymore. She called Tao Mama and whispered in her ear. Tao Mama understood, after a while, a person walked out of the side gate of Yan Wang Mansion and headed towards Duke Yingguo Mansion.

In Jingcheng Courtyard, Lin Wei Xi finally took care of all the steward who came to report the work. She sat back in her living room, Wan Xing hurriedly stuffed a soft pillow behind Lin Wei Xi's waist, and Wan Yue also handed Lin Wei Xi hot tea: "Wangfei, you have been busy all morning. Drink a cup of tea to moisturize your throat."

"Yeah." Lin Wei Xi took the tea, took a sip, and asked, "In the Buddhist hall, that one still hasn't finish copying?"

Speaking of this matter, Wan Yue's expression was a little strange: "It's only one more copy than yesterday."

Lin Wei Xi put the tea down, she felt it was a bit unbelievable. She admitted that she had selfish motives when she punished Gao Ran, so she tried to make her copy a hundred times, but the Book of Filial Piety was less than two thousand characters, which was not that many. But she couldn't finish copying even after twenty days? Lin Wei Xi originally expected it to be finish in half a month. When the female of the family made mistakes it was normal to confined and let them copy books for half a month. This punishment was also just right, so that Gao Ran would be absent during the period of paying a visit at the end of the year. Meddlesome people said she treated her daughter-in-law harshly. But Lin Wei Xi did not expect that Gao Ran had copy for more than 20 days, from the beginning of the month to the end of the year, she hadn't come out yet.

This was embarrassing. At the end of the year, every house began to visit one another. Many madams came to the mansion, and just met Lin Wei Xi and not Gao Ran, it was inevitable that they would ask. In the past few days, Lin Wei Xi had to explain to others several times that the reason why Shizi Consort was not present was because she made copies of the Book of Filial Piety for Yan Wang in the house.

Anyway, the one who lose face was Gao Ran, and with Yan Wang as a shield, Lin Wei Xi told the truth very frankly. Gao Ran's calligraphy was not enough, and she couldn't copy the Book of Filial Piety a hundred times. Could it be blamed on Lin Wei Xi?

The dignified daughter of Duke Yingguo Mansion, the Shizi Consort of Yan Wang Mansion, even if the handwriting was not good, she couldn't even do the basic work. With such negligence of basic skills, Lin Wei Xi was embarrassed for Gao Ran. More than ten years of effort, what did Gao Ran actually learn?

Lin Wei Xi raised her eyebrows lightly, and did not conceal the ridicule in her eyes. Wan Yue also felt that Shizi Consort was a little bit ridiculous, but she was not able to say such things. Wan Yue could only change the subject and said, "Wangfei, today is the twenty-third. From now on, Wangye will be able to take a break, no need to go to court."

Unconsciously, it was already the twenty-third. Lin Wei Xi glanced at the sky outside, stood up and said, "It's a rest day today, Wangye doesn't have to stay in the palace to discuss matters. I'm afraid he already come back now. I will go and take a look outside."

Wan Xing sighed, and said anxiously: "Wangfei, you have been assigned things to the servants this morning, and your waist is stiff. You should rest for a while before going out."

Lin Wei Xi walked out quickly, her voice muddle indifferently, "No need."

At the front gate of Yan Wang Mansion, Gu Hui Yan had just returned from palace city and took some people to the mansion. Following him on one side was Zhao Qian, and on the other side was Zhou Mao Cheng.

Zhao Qian was also an old general who had follow Gu Hui Yan for many years. He had long heard of Yan Wang's wedding, but he was in another province and had no chance to participate. He could only entrusted someone to send the gift to the capital. Now that he returned to the capital to report on his duties at the end of the year, Zhao Qian took this opportunity to finally come to Yan Wang Mansion and personally said "Congratulations" to Gu Hui Yan.

"Wangye, this subordinates congratulate you on your new marriage. When I heard it in June, this subordinates wanted to come and congratulate you, but the frontier was busy with complicated tasks and couldn't find a chance to get away. Dragging till now and finally had a chance to go to the capital."

"It doesn't matter. It's an honorable thing for you to guard the border post with all your heart."

"This subordinate understand. This subordinate is afraid of not living up to Wangye's trust, so dare not relax for a moment." Zhao Qian said, sighing, "Before, this subordinate always feel that you were alone. Although you are vigorous and resolute, you will inevitably be a little lonely. Now that you married a new Wangfei, it's really relieve our, the old subjects, worry for many years."

Usually, no matter how familiar the soldier or how close the friends were, Gu Hui Yan's face would always cool down when people talked about him remarrying a new Wangfei. Zhao Qian had already prepared, but he found that Gu Hui Yan didn't stop him, and his face looked very soft. Zhao Qian was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Zhou Mao Cheng.

Zhou Mao Cheng understood, and then said: "Wangfei have a good heart and sincere to others. The relationship between Wangye and Wangfei is very harmonious."

Zhou Mao Cheng was a person who had been rolling in bloody soil. He could judge a person as "sincere to others", one could imagine how high this evaluation. Zhao Qian became more amazed. He saw that Gu Hui Yan didn't look unhappy about this, clearly thought that his new Wangfei was perfect. Zhao Qian was surprised and asked the curiosity in his heart: "I haven't pay respect to the Wangfei yet, just do not know where the Wangfei is from?"

Based on to the high evaluation of the Wangfei just now, Zhao Qian's question was actually quite normal. But didn't expect the atmosphere to suddenly became a little strange. He couldn't see Gu Hui Yan's expression at the front, but Zhou Mao Cheng coughed hard.

Zhao Qian puzzled: "What's wrong?"

Zhou Mao Cheng glanced forward quickly, then winked at Zhao Qian: "Lin Yong, you should remember? Wangfei is his daughter."

Zhao Qian's mouth widened, and he couldn't react for a long time: "Lin Yong's...daughter?"

1 Red sleeves add fragrances, refers to how a young and beautiful woman accompanying the scholars in ancient times.↩

2 Orioles and swallows, Yingying Yanyan, it's an allusions for concubine and young women.↩