Chapter 56 Part 1: Transparent
Lin Wei Xi saw that many books were restored to order under Gu Hui Yan's hands. Her heart suddenly moved and said, "Wangye, the Taibai Yinfu you taught me last time was only half of it, it's not finished yet."
That happened when they first got married. Gu Hui Yan had three days of wedding leave, and the relationship between the two suddenly moved closer. When they get along in the same room, Gu Hui Yan taught her a book. It was the Taibai Yinfu, an ancient military book. It was just that Lin Wei Xi only listened the half of it that day, she left midway to meet the stewards, and receive the kowtow of the servants. The next day she entered the palace. Later, Gu Hui Yan's wedding leave ended early. This book, that was read halfway, they failed to continue.
Lin Wei Xi mentioned it suddenly, and Gu Hui Yan was a little surprised: "Do you even remember?"
"I'm not a wood, why can't I even remember this kind of thing?" Lin Wei Xi glared at Gu Hui Yan dissatisfiedly, and when she retracted her eyes, there were some mischief in the corners of her eyes, "Wangye taught me so few things, it's rare for you to teach me something, how can I forget? It's just a pity that I'm useless, couldn't keep up with Wangye's paces. Only this one thing also only done the half of it."
Few people nowadays dared to talk to Gu Hui Yan like this, but Lin Wei Xi blatantly ran straight on, Gu Hui Yan was not unhappy. He couldn't help but laughed and glanced at her: "Stop messing around."
Gu Hui Yan was not angry, and Lin Wei Xi was even more courageous. On the spot she acted win an inch want a foot and confident in her own backing: "Why am I messing around? Wangye, you said it yourself, how much time have you spent in the mansion this month? And how much time you left for me? It's called a husband and wife, but I can't even finish a book from a month ago."
Although Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi with a chuckle, a guilt rose in his heart. He suddenly looked solemnly and said: "This is indeed my negligence. I clearly said that I am going to teach you, but I left it halfway. It was my fault."
Lin Wei Xi originally wanted to follow up with her teasing tone, to joke around, but Gu Hui Yan apologized so seriously that Lin Wei Xi was embarrassed. She hurriedly said: "No, no, Wangye don't need to feel guilty. You are busy with court affairs, you shouldn't have to worry about the affairs of the inner house. You, as a husband, up until now has been very good. On the contrary, it should be me who should share your worries, but always causes you trouble instead. You are willing to lower yourself to personally teach me the book of war, this is due to your cultivation of character. How can I not know what it really means, so don't take my words seriously."
"Since I have agreed to do it well, any reason is just an excuse." Gu Hui Yan's view was completely different. He said, "You don't have to give excuses, I know what I have done. As a husband, the time I accompany you was too little, this is my dereliction of duty."
Lin Wei Xi didn't expect Gu Hui Yan to be so serious. He was really a strict person. He had a strong sense of responsibility, demanded to the extreme from himself, but maintained the lowest threshold for others. This was what he did to Lin Wei Xi. Gu Hui Yan always demanded himself to be a qualified husband, but he didn't set the same standard for Lin Wei Xi. It could be said that he was very upright and disciplined with himself and treated others leniently. Lin Wei Xi sighed how Gu Hui Yan was knowledgeable and responsible. On the contrary, it was her who was making trouble without reason.
After Gu Hui Yan finished speaking, he found Lin Wei Xi's expression drooped. He was surprised, just at this moment the last book was put in place, Gu Hui Yan sat on the armchair beside him. The two stood closely, Gu Hui Yan drew her to him smoothly: "What's the matter?"
Lin Wei Xi did not resist, followed along to sit on Gu Hui Yan's lap. Because the place was a little cramped, Lin Wei Xi's center of gravity was unstable, she stretched out her arms around Gu Hui Yan's shoulders, and put her forehead on his shoulders, her voices was a little dull: "Wangye, am I arrogant and willful, with high eyes but low hands1?"
Gu Hui Yan thought it was funny. He put one hand on Lin Wei Xi's lower back to hold her firmly, while playing with the tassel on Lin Wei Xi's hair with the other hand, he didn't say anything.
Lin Wei Xi snorted lightly, with an unhappy voice: "Wangye, if you don't speak, do you really think so?"
Gu Hui Yan smiled gently. He moved the tassel behind Lin Wei Xi's ear with his fingertips, and said: "Look at you, you yourself always have many thoughts, which lead to bad mood, but when others mentions it, also doesn't allow others to say the opposite. Your arbitrary speaking are too difficult to figure out, and it makes others difficult to follow your intention."
"Who said I'm just arbitrary speaking?" Lin Wei Xi raised her head, and when Gu Hui Yan looked at her, it just so happened she caught it. A smile appeared in Gu Hui Yan's eyes: "Look at it, still say it's not?"
"I..." Lin Wei Xi was speechless, and couldn't help but justified herself, "Wangye, you cannot think that I'm a careless person just because I've lost decorum in front of you several times. I'm very clear and orderly when I'm managing the affairs."
"I know." Gu Hui Yan chuckled. He just said a word, she immediately became anxious. After Gu Hui Yan had enough laughing, he said: "Of course I know that you have a lot of abilities. The changes in the mansion during this times were very obvious to all. I am very grateful to Wangfei for her tireless work, to help solve the mess in the mansion."
Although Lin Wei Xi still made a face, the corners of her mouth were obviously curved. You could insult her, but you must never insult her ability to manage the matters. Lin Wei Xi was a little overwhelmed by Yan Wang's praise, but in front of this deity, she concealed a thing or two, pretending to be indifferent and said: "It just need to spend some time, I don't do well, make Yan Wang laughs."
Gu Hui Yan finally couldn't help but laugh, he rubbed Lin Wei Xi's hair vigorously, and her neat bun immediately became disorderly again. Gu Hui Yan put her on the ground with a little effort, and also stood up: "You have done a good job. You don't need to be disturbed by others. That thoughts are nonsense."
Gu Hui Yan's hand were very steady, even if he was holding a person, he still put her firmly in place. Lin Wei Xi stood on the ground and then realized that Gu Hui Yan's words were answering her previous question.
She was not blindly arrogant, nor wilful. Lin Wei Xi was in a good mood. She hurriedly catching up with Gu Hui Yan's back, and her tone became lively: "Wangye, the book that was not finished last time..."
"Now it's time to set up the meal. After dinner, the idle people will leave. I will continue to teach you."
"Okay. That's a deal?"
Gu Hui Yan smiled and stopped, and simply grabbed her hand, saving her the effort to chase behind: "Of course, your wish is my command. Don't worry, it's rare to have such a long free time these few days. I will reject a lot of unnecessary socializing outside, and certainly can accompany you to finish all the books you want to read."
Even though she felt embarrassed, but Lin Wei Xi still responded quite happily: "Thank you, Wangye."
1 High eyes and low hands, it means to have high standards but little ability.↩
Chapter 56 Part 2: Transparent
When Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan came out of the study, only then Wan Yue dared to follow Lin Wei Xi from behind, and said in a low voice: "Wangfei, the kitchen has already sent the words. The foods are all ready, the dining hall over there also has been put to order, just waiting for Wangye and Wangfei."
Lin Wei Xi said: "Then let them set the meal, Wangye and I will be there shortly. By the way, where are Shizi and Shizi Consort?"
Wan Yue lowered her eyes, not dared to see that the Yan Wang and Wangfei seemed to be holding hands: "Shizi Consort has come out of the Buddhist hall at youshi (5-7pm), and then went back to the Qingshong Garden. Now she is waiting in the dining hall with Shizi."
Lin Wei Xi nodded, and said nothing. Wan Xing had already prepared the cloak and the hand stove. Seeing Lin Wei Xi coming out, she quickly stepped forward to help Lin Wei Xi to dress up. Compare to Lin Wei Xi, Gu Hui Yan's getting ready was much simpler. He quickly put on an overcoat, but Lin Wei Xi was still finishing up. Gu Hui Yan did not wait outside as the usual practices. Instead, he stood at the door and quietly watched Lin Wei Xi put on a wide cloak. With furry collars clustering around her face, Lin Wei Xi stood carelessly, letting the maid fasten her gold buckles. Finally, she took the hand stove and walked towards Gu Hui Yan: "Wangye."
Gu Hui Yan stretched out his hand and straightened out the fluffy white velvet on both sides of her neck. Lin Wei Xi's palm-sized face was wrapped in fluff, indescribably delicate and beautiful.
"Let's go."
The two walked into the dining hall. When Lin Wei Xi entered the door, she intended to be half a step behind and walking behind Gu Hui Yan, but Gu Hui Yan deliberately slowed down and accompanied Lin Wei Xi into everyone's line of sight.
When the people in the room saw Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi coming, they hurriedly bowed down to greet them. Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran also saluted them one after another: "Father. Mother."
Gu Hui Yan nodded indifferently and amiably, then said, "You're all excuse, sit down."
Gao Ran stood up, followed after Lin Wei Xi, and lowered her eyes slightly. Lin Wei Xi glanced from the corner of her eye and chuckled inside. During the meal, Gao Ran took the serving chopsticks to Lin Wei Xi as usual. Lin Wei Xi said: "Shizi Consort has been copying books these days. She has been working hard, so let's take a break."
"I don't dare." Gao Ran still wanted to decline, but Lin Wei Xi interrupted her with a smile, and said: "You don't have to say anything, for the New Year's celebration, it's rare for our family to have a reunion dinner. Just sit down. Tomorrow's copying the books will stop for a while, and Shizi Consort will step up to arrange Qingsong Garden for the New Year. It is never too late to show filial piety, but shouldn't neglect Shizi during the New Year."
Will be stop for a while, Gao Ran recalled what the maid had told her, her heart felt aggrieved, but on the surface she had to gratefully thanked Lin Wei Xi. The inner house was Lin Wei Xi's responsibility. Lin Wei Xi opens her mouth to discipline her daughter-in-law, even Gu Hui Yan couldn't easily intervene. Only when Lin Wei Xi finished speaking and Gao Ran took a seat, the people on the side dared to fetch the bowls and chopsticks to waited on Gao Ran to quietly eat.
The slight sound from the clash of bowls and cups could be heard, with the distinctive crispness of porcelain. Gu Cheng Yao sat on his seat beside Gao Ran. He stared at the dishes at the dinner table boringly, and suddenly realized something: "It seems that for several days the dinner didn't have any fish, shrimps and other freshwater fish? Why is that?"
The maids who were waiting at the dinner table paused, and then their movements became lighter. Gao Ran quickly glanced at Lin Wei Xi, raised her eyebrows like watching a good play.
Everyone in the mansion knew that Yan Wang likes freshwater fishes, but Lin Wei Xi, in order to fight against previous Wangfei Shen, arbitrarily decided to remove most of the fish and shrimp from the annual banquet, and later even the daily dinner was changed. Now, someone had asked, and this person was Gu Cheng Yao, no doubt the effect was better.
Lin Wei Xi suddenly became a little curious when she heard this. She put down her chopsticks and turned her head to look at Gu Cheng Yao: "In the winter fish and shrimps are rare, sometimes it is inevitable that they are not fresh, and it is not uncommon for them to be removed. Why Shizi suddenly ask?"
Gu Cheng Yao and Lin Wei Xi's eyes met. Since Lin Wei Xi's marriage to the mansion, she seldom looked at him with such a serious eyes. Normally, she would either hold her stepmother's arrogance to avoid his line of sight, or she would use sneering expression to look at him. This kind of earnest and serious looks was really rare. Gu Cheng Yao looked at Lin Wei Xi's black and bright pupils and for a brief moment lost his mind. He quickly recovered his thoughts and said with a serious face: "Although fish and shrimps are rare in winter, but they are father's favorite, naturally cannot be lacking. When my late mother was alive, the mansion always prepared fish, shrimp, crabs and other living things."
Even now, Gu Cheng Yao still firmly believes that Gu Hui Yan likes freshwater fish, and Lin Wei Xi didn't know what to say. If she remembers correctly, when Gu Cheng Yao accidentally mentioned Yan Wang's preferences in her previous life, she specifically said that Wangfei Shen told him this. If this the impression he got from his biological mother when he was a child, it was really not easy to correct it. However, having a meal this kind of things, as long as Gu Cheng Yao paid more attention, he could see it within three meals. Yan Wang that was rumored to love eating fish, shrimps and crabs, actually never touch those things.
The funny thing was Gu Cheng Yao had never found anything wrong. The others received instructions from the master, and still firmly spread this wrong preference. Now it was even spoken by Gu Cheng Yao in front of Yan Wang himself.
Gu Hui Yan's expression was calm and he did not express his position. Even if he heard his son forced for his "preference", Gu Hui Yan's expression did not fluctuate. He was not a person who liked to proclaim himself, and the wrong perception had been carried out for more than ten years. Now if it was corrected, it would embarrassed Gu Cheng Yao's face, and the entire mansion would also made a fuss. This was really not an important thing, there was no need to stir up the people.
There was a moment of silence on the dinner table, and then Lin Wei Xi put down her chopsticks and calmly took the kerchief from Wan Xing's hand, gently pressed the corners of her lips, and her tone as light as feather, "My health is not good. The imperial physician said that I cannot eat too many things, to avoid causing chronic diseases, so I decided to remove it."
Gu Cheng Yao suddenly choked, he paused for a moment, and finally said solemnly: "This son is rude."
Lin Wei Xi didn't care, only Gu Hui Yan glanced at Lin Wei Xi lightly. Sometimes this little girl was especially irritating, and sometimes she's really incredible.
TN: Is it the end of the fish debacle?!
Chapter 57 Part 1: Red Sleeves
The head of the house did not speak, Shizi also bowed his head and gave in. Lin Wei Xi changed the mansion many years of practice, and it passed so smoothly. This also made it clear that the new mistress of Yan Wang Mansion was here, and the past customs and rules could only be the past.
Gao Ran originally looked forward to it, and when she watch how it concluded, the backlog of evil fire rushed into her forehead.
Poor health was really a tough brick, how could it be moved. Where did Lin Wei Xi get such a big face, why when she wanted to change then it changed?
Gao Ran was really vexed to death by this relied on her frailty and annoying troublemaker "mother-in-law". Gao Ran suddenly felt at a loss. Lin Wei Xi was about the same age as her, and enduring this mother-in-law would not work for her. Today, the Duke Yingguo Mansion came to support, but in the end it failed to resolve Gao Ran's matter. Her parents' family couldn't be count on, her father-in-law also completely indulged this shrewd who turned against the conventions. Was this how Gao Ran would live for the rest of her life, to be finger-pointed by Lin Wei Xi and had to endure Lin Wei Xi's vicious actions?
Today, Yan Wang was on vacation, so the dinner was extremely luxurious and elaborate, but when it get to Gao Ran's mouth it was really tasteless.
Gao Ran was eating while her mind wandering around. After sending off Yan Wang and Lin Wei Xi, Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao returned to their courtyard. Gao Ran was in a low mood and had no interest in speaking. Gu Cheng Yao also for some reason remained silent the whole journey.
After returning to Qingsong Garden, Gu Cheng Yao stopped at the door of the house and said, "You've been tired all day. Go back and rest first. I still want go to the front study, so I won't accompany you in."
Gu Cheng Yao turned and left after speaking, Gao Ran couldn't help said "hey", but Gu Cheng Yao didn't seem to hear it, and soon walked away. Gao Ran looked at Gu Cheng Yao's back, her already irritable mood became worse.
Although Qingsong Garden was only a courtyard in Yan Wang Mansion, but all around it had three entrances, the outer courtyard, the study room, the main room, the back cover room, everything that should be here was here. It was equivalent to a miniature mansion. As long as the gate was closed, it was a completely independent courtyard. Gao Ran lived in the second entrance, which was also the largest courtyard for living. Just now, Gu Cheng Yao walked to the entrance of the living courtyard and turned to the study room in the front.
Of course, the things at the courtyard's gate couldn't be hidden from everyone. Gao Ran came back alone. Not long after sitting, Bu Mama came over: "Shizi Consort, did Shizi go to the front yard?"
This kind of obvious thing Gao Ran was not in the mood to answer, and Bu Mama said this sentence, also didn't really think to ask. Bu Mama paused, and then said to herself: "It will be the New Year soon. Shizi is still so diligent. It's a blessing for the family. If Wangfei sees it, she definitely very pleased."
The Wangfei that Bu Mama said refer to Shen shi. Since her authority was seized by Lin Wei Xi, her heart had not been able to accept it, so she also refused to call Lin Wei Xi Wangfei, just use 'that one' to substitute it. She still at the drop of a hat mention Shen shi back in those days, didn't know who she wanted to show it to. At first, Gao Ran and Bu Mama had the hatred against the same enemy, but she couldn't stand Bu Mama said the same things over and over again, Gao Ran couldn't help but feel bored now. Even if it's a dead person, to say it all day every day was really annoying. Besides, the people had been dead for more than ten years. What's the point of saying how virtuous and affectionate Shen shi was every day? Didn't she see that the current sky had been replaced by that one?
Even if her heart was not happy, Bu Mama moved out Shizi's birth mother, Gao Ran had to show a smile, said: "What mama said is right, Shizi came from an honorable background but still this diligent and motivated. If mother-in-law learns from the spirit's world, she will be relieved. "
"Isn't it? Our young lady had a blessed life. When she was at her maiden's house, she was spoiled by her father and brother. She couldn't even wash her hands by herself. When she went out, unfortunately met the rebellious army but in the end quickly met Yan Wang, Yan Wang was still the Shizi at that time. Oh! That was indeed a handsome young man with army of thousand men and horse. Between the confusion of people, he was alone at the forefront, commanding people to charge from three directions from left, middle and right. Unexpectedly the riots were quickly calmed down. You didn't see the scene at that time, the black wind was hiding the sky and covering the earth. A young man who was only fifteen or sixteen commanding more than a hundred cavalry, that kind of commanding attitude across the strong wind and the human wall went straight to your eyes. Everyone was watching him, but after Yan Wang cleared up the situation, he took the people away without leaving his name. After he left, we listened to the people around and we knew that this was Yan's fief Wangye's di eldest son, Gu Hui Yan."
Gao Ran was fascinated when she first heard the story, but now she only felt annoyed. At the beginning Gao Ran heard that Yan Wang and Wangfei Shen were together because life-saving grace. She thought it was a legendary love story, but she did not expect that Yan Wang was not only saved Wangfei Shen, but also saved many people. Later, as Bu Mama tirelessly retold it again and again, Gao Ran had already consumed all her patience and instead felt disgust.
Bu Mama was still recalling the handsome and brave young Yan Wang at that time. This kind of thing if ones had not experienced it themselves, even if the tongue bright lotus1 still could not tell the shock at that time, Bu Mama was like that now. She also noticed that Gao Ran was very indifferent, so Bu Mama stopped reminiscing and ended with a single sentence: "You young people have never seen war, how can you understand how awe-inspiring Yan Wang is on the battlefield. Yan Wang's power has become higher and higher over these years, and now he was more involved in politics, so he gradually became more restrained. In fact, he liked to show off his ability when he was young. Not only did he fight fast and ruthlessly, but he also looked extremely valiant and handsome. At that time, the people at the border did not worship spirits and gods, but only worshiped Yan Wang."
Bu Mama praised Gu Hui Yan to the extreme. For some reason, Gao Ran felt uncomfortable, so she said: "Even if Yan Wang was a hero at the time, but the northern border was very windy and sandy, and he spent the entire day with weapons and sandstorm. How it reach Shizi's brocade garments and jade meals2, scholarly aura, and gentleman style?"
Bu Mama on normal days encounter Gu Cheng Yao's matters would be totally irrational, but now she heard Gao Ran's words, she abnormally did not side with Gu Cheng Yao, shook her head solemnly: "You can't say that, Yan Wang is now in power and the still water is deep. Fifteen or sixteen was young and frivolous, still like showing off, but no matter which one, his bearing is extremely outstanding. Besides, in terms of looks, Wangye at nineteen still more good-looking than Shizi."
Gao Ran was very unhappy hearing this, but the other party was Gu Cheng Yao's father. She could not say bad things about her father-in-law, so she could only endure it. But even so, Gao Ran's expression was still somewhat disapproving.
Bu Mama stared blankly while recalling what happened back then. After she came to her sense, she once again boasted about her young lady's good fate: "Our young lady was born to be favored. She was held by her father and brother when she was in her family, and later she married to Yan's young hero. I didn't know how many little girls secretly admired Wangye, but in the end wasn't it our young lady who become the consort, which shows that this is fate. After marriage, the young lady gave birth to a son at her first child. It's just a pity young lady is not in good health, and she went before her son grew up."
Bu Mama sighed, obviously thinking that if Shen shi was still here, where would be that one's turns to be so high and mighty, Gao Ran was afraid that Bu Mama would talk about the past again, and quickly intercept: "That's right, but Shizi is now filial and motivated. Mother-in-law in the underworld should be content."
1 Tongue bright lotus (舌灿莲花), it refers to a wonderful talent of speech. It originated from a deed of Tucheng, a monk from Northern and Southern dynasties, it was said that once he took a bowl, filled it with water, burned incense and recite the mantra, not long after a green lotus was born in the bowl. ↩
2 Brocade garments and jade meals, it means a life of luxury.↩
Chapter 57 Part 2: Red Sleeves
Bu Mama lightly wiped her eyes. In fact, she didn't have tears, but she always have to behave like this. She said: "If our young lady is still here, and look at Shizi during the New Year still go to the study in the evening to work hard, she certainly will feel sorry for Shizi's body."
Gao Ran suddenly had a bad feeling. She was wary in her heart and casually echoing the other: "Of course, Shizi's body is the most important."
"Yes, we women cannot shared Shizi's burden with the court's affairs, and can only be more concerned about his daily necessities. These few days, Shizi Consort must be busy with the New Year's matters, afraid too busy to spare time for other things, and Shizi all day long working hard to study and without people. This old slave come here to tell Shizi Consort that Yun Hui has already follow over to serve and will not return to the backyard tonight. Shizi Consort does not need to worry about the well-being of the study. Yun Hui is in charge of it, so you just need to concentrate on recuperating."
Gao Ran's anger suddenly went to the top of her head as she listened. What kind of thing is Yun Hui, dared to give order in Gao Ran's place to take care of Gu Cheng Yao's daily necessities? Moreover, Gu Cheng Yao went to the study at this time, in the evening unlikely to return to sleep, and Yun Hui also stayed in the study...
Gao Ran could hardly sit still, presumably no woman could sit and watch another young woman spend the night alone with her husband. Bu Mama also saw Gao Ran's dissatisfaction, and she immediately pulled her face down and said: "Shizi Consort, this old slave is the people left behind by Wangfei Shen, who has been entrusted by Wangfei on her deathbed to look after Shizi. And Yun Hui She is another caring person who has follow Shizi for ten years. She come to take care Shizi and this old body feel relieved. Moreover, Shizi Consort has not given birth to a son and a half daughter for Shizi, and a few days ago has been staying in the Buddhist hall for a long time. Pregnancy becomes more and more unfavorable. Shizi Conort should take care of your body and as soon as possible extend her offspring instead of being jealous."
Jealousy was not a good name for a woman. Bu Mama even moved out Wangfei Shen and jealousy, one of Seven Outs1. Gao Ran could only take a deep breath and said: "I am not such an unreasonable person, mama doing this for my own good, I understand."
Bu Mama smiled and said with satisfaction: "It's good that Shizi Consort understands the painstaking efforts of this old slave. This old slave doing this to allow Shizi Consort to have time to take care of her health, not delay the offspring. This old slave's good intention, Shizi Consort should not misunderstand."
Good intention? If you have good intention, would you guard the door, and when found out Shizi went out hurriedly catch up, and sent another person inside to stop her? Gao Ran was very disdainful and almost letting out a curse, but when she thought of Gao Xi's fate, she finally held back, and squeezed a gentle smile at the evil slave who right before her eyes had placed a third party in her marriage.
Bu Mama was very satisfied with Gao Ran's performance. She stayed for a while, and saw that Gao Ran did not show any signs of flaring up or even chasing her out, she left with satisfaction. After Bu Mama left, Tao Mama and Ning Fu hurriedly gathered around and jabberingly asked, "Shizi Consort, in the past few days Yun Hui just only serve in the study room during the day. But now she is so shameless, and intends to serve the midnight study. Bu Mama is still staring at the inner courtyard, what should be done?"
Bu Mama's hand was very obvious and known to everyone, she took a deep breath and thought for a long time before saying: "Bu Mama is so anxious that it seems Yun Hui has not been received by Shizi. Since Shizi hasn't use her, there must be a hidden agenda in their hearts. We don't need to be anxious, let's bide our time, and see the follow-up."
Ning Fu and the others agreed. Gao Ran experienced many things today, and her spirit was extremely tired. This fatigue was not due to the body, but spreads from the bottom of her heart, and gradually drowned the whole person. She was hopeful that by calling her family to come they could control Lin Wei Xi, but in the end she lost a dowry family and when returned to the house exhaustedly at night, she was told that Gu Cheng Yao would not be back at night, and Yun Hui followed in the study.
Seeing that Gao Ran's expression was not good, Ning Fu and the others tactfully retreated. When they were about to leave the room, Gao Ran's voice suddenly came from behind: "Tao Mama, inform the small kitchen to make a bowl of zitang soup2 at night."
Tao Mama's footsteps stopped. It was quiet improper thing for a shu eldest son to be born before the legal wife gave birth to a son. She also could not stop her husband from favoring the concubine, so she could only get the concubine to a room to pour her zitang soup. Properly safeguarding the interests of the legal wife and di son. Gao Ran's previous analysis was clear and orderly, but in fact, she also panicked too.
Inside the study room outside Qingsong Garden, the candle flame jumped. Gu Cheng Yao was about to move the lampshade, which had already been taken up first. Yun Hui held the scissors to cut the burnt wick, and the room regained its brightness. After all this was done, she fasten the lampshade properly and smiled at Gu Cheng Yao, "Shizi."
Gu Cheng Yao was a little surprised: "Why is it you?"
Yun Hui said: "Daimao is careless and likes to doze off. If he goes to sleep at night, he won't be able to take care if Shizi want to drinks hot water. I think he is crude, so I sent him back."
Yun Hui replaced the poor Daimao, worrying that Daimao could not serve well was one thing, but the bigger reason was still due to selfish motives. Yan Wang managed Gu Cheng Yao's study very strictly. The servants in the study were always young manservants, but these few days Gao Ran was absent. Yun Hui's guts became bigger and ran to the study during the day. Gu Cheng Yao also did not drive her away. She saw Gu Cheng Yao walking to the outer courtyard today, and it seemed that he would not come back at night. Yun Hui felt that this was a godsend opportunity, and quickly asked Bu Mama to watch Shizi Consort, and she stuffed Daimao a piece of silver and sent him out to drink. She then came over to serve Gu Cheng Yao to study and grind the ink. Although it was called a study room, the bed and other things were all available here, and Yun Hui's thoughts were not only red-sleeves add fragrance3.
Gu Cheng Yao actually felt that something was wrong when he heard this. After all, he had been married twice and was no longer an inexperienced young man. Of course he knew the hidden meaning of serving the young master at night. Although his father controlled his education strictly, as Gu Cheng Yao got older in recent years, his father's control gradually eased, especially in matters of men and women.
If Gu Cheng Yao was still fifteen years old, Yun Hui followed him to the study to serve, no matter if Gu Cheng Yao allowed it or not, she would not be able to passed Yan Wang. But now that his son was older, some things Gu Hui Yan couldn't keep taking care of. Seeing that Gu Cheng Yao didn't say anything, he thought it was Gu Cheng Yao's instruction. Gu Hui Yan also turned a blind eye, pretending not to know.
Gu Cheng Yao looked at the woman in front of him, her hair curled up deliberately, revealing a white and soft neck, with pearl earrings hanging on her ears. The woman's skin under the lamp was much more delicate, seemingly like a porcelain glaze. Yun Hui couldn't be regard as stunning, but she had served Gu Cheng Yao for more than ten years and has been like an older sister since he was a child. Now she was dressed up like this, became more and more feminine.
Red sleeves add fragrance, the beautiful lady was interested, and she was the big sister who got along since childhood, afraid only a few men in the world would refuse. But at this moment Gu Cheng Yao looked at Yun Hui, suddenly remembered a past event.
That's when Gao Xi was still alive.
1 Seven outs (七出), I think there's supposed to be nicer term for it, it's seven reasons for a husband to legitimately divorced his wife in ancient times, namely: disobey the parents, childless, licentious, jealousy, sickness (what a bastard!), talkative (huh?!) and theft.↩
2 Zitang soup (避子汤), it translated as avoid child soup but that's too literal so I keep it in pinyin.↩
3 Red sleeves add fragrance, is a Chinese idiom that means to have a beautiful woman accompanying on the side to study.↩
Chapter 58 Part 1: Dead Wife
Gu Cheng Yao didn't know what was wrong with him, suddenly on this quiet winter night, he remembered his first wife Gao Xi.
Gao Xi passed away in December last year, which was also a snowy winter day. As soon as Gu Cheng Yao returned from outside, he was told that Shizi Consort had gone.
What was his mood at that time? He didn't know, he just remember that he was very shocked. Because the jade pendant's matter he had prejudice against Gao Xi. Later, he didn't like her domineering personality, so he even more didn't want to go back to see her. It wasn't until Gao Xi died of illness on that heavy snowy day that Gu Cheng Yao knew that Gao Xi's illness was already serious.
Before that, he had always thought that was just the inner house women's blackmailing trick.
Gu Cheng Yao learned about Gao Xi's news all through Bu Mama and Yun Hui. What he heard the most all day long was generally how Shizi Consort kicked people around and how she relied on her family background to bullied the old servants of the mansion. A gentleman, of course, should pity the poor and cherish the weak, as a results it was difficult for Gu Cheng Yao to have a good impression of his wife. Later, Gao Xi's news gradually disappeared. He began to think that Gao Xi realized her tricks were useless, aware enough that she was embarrassing herself so she restrained herself. It was a long time later he realized that Gao Xi had stopped the news and prevented people from passing it to him. However, Gu Cheng Yao never expected that when he heard the news of Gao Xi again, it turned out to be the news of Gao Xi's death.
At that time he was standing under the hall, the white snowflakes kept falling from above onto his shoulders. Gu Cheng Yao stood in the wind for a while before slowly remembering that before he went out today, it seemed that there was indeed a maid who came over and invited him to see Shizi Consort. He was anxious to go out at the time, and disliked Gao Xi to use such tricks to lead him back, so he didn't take it seriously and sent her away. It turned out that should be the last time he and Gao Xi met, but he still didn't go back.
Gu Cheng Yao finally went to the backyard to visit his Shizi consort. Gao Xi's house was as quiet and orderly as before, completely couldn't tell that its mistress no longer there. Gao Xi was extremely strict with her servants. Gu Cheng Yao had always felt that Gao Xi who easily punished at every turn was no good. But at that moment he was standing in the house where Gao Xi was alive. Although the servants had red eyes but they didn't dare to be noisy, the people although messy but not also chaotic. Gu Cheng Yao was surprised that Gao Xi's prestige among her servants was so strong that even when she died, no one dare to disobey her rules while she's still alive
Was this the situation where Gao Xi was not favored and seriously ill in bed for a year?
When the attending maids saw him, they bowed their heads to avoid him, as if he was not in the house. Some of the maids were probably Gao Xi's close attendants. When they saw Gu Cheng Yao, their faces were indignant, but they were immediately taken by the people next to them.
Gu Cheng Yao thought that he should go to see Gao Xi one last time. Those few maids were very unwilling. One maid even said, "When Shizi Consort was seriously ill did not see Shizi come even once. Now that Shizi Consort's heart has stop beating and the entanglement has been broken, Shizi instead come over, why is that? Shizi Consort walked by herself to get peace and quietness, why should Shizi disturb her death?"
The maid dressed in silk was pinched by someone next to her before she finished speaking. She could only reluctantly shut her mouth and bowed her head angrily. Gu Cheng Yao had been pampered since he was a child, when was the last time he was contradict by people like this? The suffocation that had been lingering in his heart since learning Gao Xi's death diminished a lot. Gu Cheng Yao wanted to turn around and leave directly. Who are these maids dare to spur him? But Gu Cheng Yao didn't leave. He let his personal attendant pulled away the white cloth. Separated by life and death, he saw Gao Xi for the last time.
Gao Xi's nature was headstrong, even at this time, she had herself cleaned up, showing no signs of weakness and sickness. Instead, she was painted delicately and vividly, as if she was just asleep. Gu Cheng Yao only took a glance, before letting people put down the white cloth and turned around and went out.
The impact left to him by this last sight was far greater than Gu Cheng Yao's own imagination, and even greater than Gao Xi's imagination.
Since then, Gu Cheng Yao had been deliberately avoiding Gao Xi's death. In Gao Xi's mourning hall, his father-in-law, that is Gao Xi's father, the Duke Yingguo's Shizi, cautiously proposed him to remarry his family's daughter. Gu Cheng Yao agreed without thinking about it. He thought he would need a wife soon, as long as this position was not empty, Gao Xi's figure would soon fade away. In fact, on that day he didn't hear clearly which Gao Xi's sister that was, but later learned that it was Gao Xi's sister from the same parent, Gao Ran.
The rest everyone knows, Gao Xi passed away and Gao Ran became the second wife. Gu Cheng Yao told himself that this was very good. All the mistakes were restored. Everyone was happy. That was enough. After Gao Ran got married, Gu Cheng Yao tried his best to be nice to Gao Ran out of a compensatory mentality that even he didn't realize. Everyone felt that this was because Gao Ran was really loved by Shizi. Gu Cheng Yao almost felt the same way. But on this quiet and cold snowy night, Gu Cheng Yao heard the same sound as that day and realized that it might not be true.
He was guilty, he compensated it on someone who didn't know.
When Gu Cheng Yao was very young, he often heard her mother's story about her encounter with his father. Almost every day, as long as Shen shi has time, she would told Gu Cheng Yao about Yan Wang's life-saving grace and love for her. In fact, the details of Shen shi's story often changed, and Gu Cheng Yao didn't know which ones were true and which ones were Shen shi's own conjectures. His mother liked to read story books very much, and she could hardly extricated herself from the stories of talented men and beautiful women, heroes and beauties, and often couldn't distinguish between reality and falsehood. Although Gu Cheng Yao felt that his mother was not so good, she was his mother after all. Gu Cheng Yao immediately felt that it was really unfilial to think so.
At that time, there were only grandmother, mother and him as the three masters in the mansion. Grandmother would sometimes call him over and teach him, but not long after he sat down, Shen shi would follow him and weepingly stood on the side, her eyes stared at him, as if afraid Gu Cheng Yao would be abused. Of course, his grandmother was very displeased. After reading a few words in the book, she could only let Shen shi took her son back. After this happened several times, his grandmother rarely took care of Gu Cheng Yao anymore.
The impact of childhood was always silent and everywhere. When Gu Cheng Yao grew up, he recalled the past and felt that day his mother was not good. His grandmother, Old Yan Wangfei, was a daughter from literature family in the capital. She taught Gu Cheng Yao history books and Confucian classics was for Gu Cheng Yao's sake. But Gu Cheng Yao was still influenced by the Shen shi unknowingly. He subconsciously felt that the love of his parents was indestructible, that gifted scholars and beautiful women could cross the social class, and Yan Wang and Shen shi were together because of life-saving grace. So when the same thing happened to Gu Cheng Yao, he unconsciously fell into this kind of deliberate suggestion. He told himself that this was the right thing to do, so he was going to marry a woman he barely met before, someone whose identity, looks, conduct, and family were unknown. Later, it was discovered that this was the eldest granddaughter of Duke Yingguo Mansion, who was worthy of Yan Wang's family. Gu Cheng Yao was overjoyed and became more convinced that he was right.
Just like in those mystery story book, this was exactly a marriage predestined by fate.
Gu Cheng Yao and his wife passed the first month of their marriage, only to suddenly learn that he had admitted the wrong person. In other words, his predestined marriage was deliberately replaced by someone else.
This may be a story with some ups and downs. If it Shen shi, seeing this kind of plot, she would inevitably cry for the poor heroine and resent the vicious sister who replaced the heroine. Gu Cheng Yao's impression of Gao Xi also plummeted. Later Gao Xi died and he remarried Gao Ran. If life was really a drama, this would be a happy ending.
TN: So at first GYC didn't know that he will be marrying GR, that's surprising!
Chapter 58 Part 2: Dead Wife
In the first month after Gao Xi's death, Gu Cheng Yao always felt buzzing in his ears. He arranged the wedding very quickly, even when he knew it would offend his father. When Gao Ran entered the door in February, the shadow of Gao Xi's existence was quickly erased, and Gu Cheng Yao felt better.
Everything was back on track, this direction should be how it developed. Only it was a pity that his father did not come to participate in a very important day of his life. One day in early spring, when the ice and snow melted, and the air filled with a unique sense of moisture. His father, who had been away for many years, finally returned home. Gu Cheng Yao personally greeted his father's attendants. When he entered the door, he suddenly saw under the vermilion corridor, a slender and quiet silhouette stood facing him, and at the same time, he heard someone shouting: "Sister Xi."
Gu Cheng Yao's blood suddenly froze, and then, he saw the woman slowly turned around, ice muscle jade bone1, it was the time in his life to see such an exquisite facial features, with eyes flowed with coldness and indifference. Gu Cheng Yao didn't know if he was relieved or disappointed. It turned out to be Lin Wei Xi, a woman he didn't know.
From then on Lin Wei Xi, this woman seemed to suddenly alive in his life, to the point that she was almost everywhere. When Gu Cheng Yao entered the door, he always unconsciously searched her silhouette. He watched her change from plain clothes like snow to high hair updo and colorful and beautiful dresses. She became his stepmother, his father's Wangfei.
Gu Cheng Yao knew that he was simply disgraceful, but he couldn't control the absurdity in his heart. Her every move, her words and deeds, and even the lightly raised eyebrows and glances all brought him an unparalleled sense of familiarity.
"Shizi? Shizi!"
Gu Cheng Yao's mind suddenly returned. He saw Yun Hui looking at him anxiously, with unconcealed concern in her eyes.
Gu Cheng Yao suddenly thought that when Lin Wei Xi was with his father in private, would she be this gentle and graceful? In his impression, Gao Xi was always refined and dignified. To her husband gently and considerately pampered almost never happened.
Yun Hui also found that Shizi seemed to be thinking of someone else. She was carefully dressed up like this, and also deliberately changed into thin clothes that showed her breasts, and put perfume on her body. However, Shizi was alone with her and he was still distracted? Yun Hui felt discouraged and also resentful. Who was it that can cause Shizi to worry so much?
Gu Cheng Yao really didn't think much about Yun Hui. He suddenly remembered the moment when he and Gao Xi were newly married. Yun Hui broke into their bridal chamber on the big night. Gao Xi fluttered her eyes lightly and thrown Yun Hui a few words that made her felt ashamed and unable to lift her face. On the second day, Yun Hui naturally came over and cried to Gu Cheng Yao. Gu Cheng Yao also felt that Gao Xi was too tough, not like an ideal gentle wife. Now Gao Ran actually in all aspects was more in line with the virtue of a wife advocated by scholar-officials, even if Yun Hui provoked her, Gao Ran could still bear it. His wife was reasonable and generous. This should be a good thing, but now Gu Cheng Yao suddenly thought, if it were Gao Xi, what would she do?
She would definitely block the entrance to the study room long ago, not only make Yun Hui embarrassed, but Gu Cheng Yao would probably not be spared. Gu Cheng Yao laughed at the thought of this, and after he finished laughing, his heart suddenly felt a long-lost pain like a needle stick.
Another year of heavy snowfall, Gao Xi had been dead for a year.
Yun Hui saw Shizi staring at the same place, obviously thinking of someone, and finally laughed gently. Although it was a laugh, it makes people feel pale and heartbroken. Yun Hui was surprised, what happened? She was in a panic when she suddenly heard Shizi say: "I don't need you here, you can go out."
Yun Hui's drifting mind was immediately pulled back. She was obviously surprised: "Shizi?" She saw that Gu Cheng Yao did not soften his expression, and immediately became aggrieved: "Shizi, the sky is already so dark. If this servant go back, I am afraid it will disturbed many people. Besides, you can't be without people who are serving for you. If Shizi doesn't like it, then this slave will wait outside the door, and if Shizi has any instructions this slave will come in again, absolutely will never disturb Shizi."
Gu Cheng Yao thought that it was indeed not early anymore. Yun Hui was someone who grew up with him. Gu Cheng Yao didn't have the heart to let Yun Hui blow the cold wind outside the house, so he could only say: "Then you wait outside the partitioned. If I need anything I will take it myself, do not need you."
Although she was driven out of the room where Shizi was studying, but fortunately, she didn't have to go back. Although Yun Hui was reluctant, she also softly agreed. At this time, the inner courtyard had already been locked. If Yun Hui went back now, she would have to alarm the maid and granny who were in charge of the door and the key. At that time so many people would make a racket, Yun Hui came to serve Shizi, but she was driven out by Shizi, it would be spread all over. Fortunately, Shizi relented. Although she did not succeed in becoming Shizi's woman, Yun Hui was really relieved that her dignity was still intact.
After Yun Hui left, he was the only one left in the room. Gu Cheng Yao sat at the desk for a long time without turning a page of the book in his hand. Finally, he couldn't bear it, put down the book and walked to the window, pushing the window open.
The cold wind immediately whizzed in, and the air with droplets of snow blew the candle in the lampshade. Gu Cheng Yao stood at the wind, looked at the quiet sky outside the window and the snowy ground with cold light. He stood motionless, lost in thought for a long time.
The lights were on in Gu Cheng Yao's study. North from here could see the largest and most beautiful courtyard in Yan Wang Mansion, which was also constantly lit.
"Taicu Judui is the Taicumen, and Yindejugan is the Yindemen. The first general on the right, the line can be water, the black flag banner, is for the Jingmen." After Gu Hui Yan explained, he asked Lin Wei Xi, "Explained it like this do you understand?" (TN: NO! and I'm sorry I won't bother googling it)
Lin Wei Xi stared with pursed her lips for a long time, and finally shook her head in despair, "No."
"Shoushan Pavilion's book has ten volumes including plots, array charts, sacrificial text, and miscellaneous accounts. If there is no basis for Qimen Dunjia2, listening to these is really difficult."
Lin Wei Xi thought to herself that it was more than 'really difficult', she couldn't understand it at all.
Lin Wei Xi had already regretted it. At this time, why she said no to Yan Wang, why did she dig her own grave?
But Yan Wang nevertheless was a man with careful planning and rigorous work. He felt that although the student foundation was a bit poor, but he could try a few more methods, and he would definitely make Lin Wei Xi understand. So Gu Hui Yan went to the bookshelf to pick up another book, planned to start from Qimen Dunjia with Lin Wei Xi.
Lin Wei Xi started to have a headache as soon as she saw the heavy ancient book. Seeing Gu Hui Yan put the book on the table, he turned around and took another writing brush, with 'if you don't understand, do not give up' attitude. Lin Wei Xi panicked. She didn't care about her face, hurriedly straightened up over the table and hugged Gu Hui Yan's waist tightly: "Wangye, it's already dark outside. Let's take a break and do something else, OK?"
1 Ice muscle jade bone, it describes clean and smooth skin of a woman.↩
2 Qimen Dunjia, is an ancient Chinese divination method based on astronomical observations. Originally devised to help form military strategy and tactics.↩
Chapter 59 Part 1: Coquetry
Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi's living area had expanded to the study room. Of course, the furnishings inside would also need to be purchased. In the past, the side house' space was small, and the desk was a narrow table with thin-footed plain weave. Now that the study room had expanded, the tables and chairs had naturally been replaced by a sandalwood square table with exquisite carvings. Gu Hui Yan sat on the main seat, and Lin Wei Xi was sitting on his left side on an armchair with a delicate cloud pattern. Gu Hui Yan had just returned from taking the book from the bookshelf, and had just placed it on the corner of the table. He was about to turn around to get his brush and ink, suddenly being hugged by Lin Wei Xi.
"Wangye, it's already dark outside, let's take a break and do something else, okay?"
Lin Wei Xi lifted her body slightly to hug Gu Hui Yan's waist. The man's waist and abdomen could not be touched casually. Gu Hui Yan's body stiffened a bit and reflexively struggling, and Lin Wei Xi that felt Gu Hui Yan's movements hugged him harder.
Gu Hui Yan lowered his head and saw Lin Wei Xi's two arms circled around him, and her wide and gorgeous sleeves were half-rolled, revealing a delicate and slender forearm. Lin Wei Xi resolutely did not relax her hands, and looked up at him pitifully.
Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi looked at each other for a few seconds, and finally Gu Hui Yan took a step back: "Alright, let's take a break for now."
Lin Wei Xi breathed a sigh of relief, her change of expression was too obvious, and Gu Hui Yan could not looked below directly. Gu Hui Yan solemnly raised his face and said, "Let go and sit down properly."
Lin Wei Xi said "Oh" and sat back on her seat properly. The layers of her sleeve overlapped and folded too much, it hung on the crook her arms for a while without sliding down, but Lin Wei Xi didn't notice. She curiously turned over the book that Gu Hui Yan had just brought over. She just turned two pages and curled her lips. No longer interested.
Lin Wei Xi had black hair and snowy skin, even her forearms were brighter than the snow, slender and symmetrical, with exceptionally beautiful lines. The translucent and delicate forearms were placed casually on the jet-black wood table it possessed an unspeakable beauty, which made it extremely easy to let people's imagination run wild. Gu Hui Yan looked down, and said calmly: "Put your sleeves down and sit in the right position."
Lin Wei Xi realized that her sleeves hadn't been tidied up. She sighed. Yan Wang was really upright and serious, his eyes couldn't even see a little bit of disorder. A person like him who paid attention to order, afraid he would need to endure every moment he spends in the study with her. Only Yan Wang who always kept his promises, had no choice but to put up with her.
Lin Wei Xi suddenly felt very depressed. Seeing her getting more and more downcast, Gu Hui Yan couldn't help but reflect. Was he speak too hard? Why Lin Wei Xi looked so worried?
The atmosphere in the study was a bit awkward. Gu Hui Yan stood beside the desk for a moment, mocked himself in his heart. Sure enough, even at the peak of man's physical strength and wisdom, he and this young and lively girl still have no common topics. After all, he was an old cow that eat tender grass.
Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Lin Wei Xi couldn't care about it anymore. She hurriedly grabbed Gu Hui Yan's sleeve, supported her chin with one hand, raised her head and said to Gu Hui Yan: "Wangye, these theories of military books are too difficult for me, why don't you tell me about the Battle of Langshan?"
The battle of Langshan and Dingxiang was very close. It was Gu Hui Yan's battle to fame and the beginning of Gu Hui Yan's road to become the god of war. Since then, he had been in charge of the army for nearly 20 years without having defeated. Langshan and Dingxiang these two battle also became famous, becoming a model for every young general in the world to study before they go to battle.
The battle of Langshan had been studied upside down and almost crushed into pieces. Even Lin Wei Xi this kind of boudoir girls had heard of it. Everyone in the army could say a few words about it, and for Gu Hui Yan, this was not a problem at all. Gu Hui Yan never thought that Lin Wei Xi would be curious about a battle when he was 16 years old. This was much simpler than a military book. Gu Hui Yan sat down and took a piece of paper, roughly restoring the topography of the Langshan, and told her about this one battle.
Lin Wei Xi immediately became excited. Compared to the difficult and hard to understand theory of warfare, it was obvious that Lin Wei Xi was more interested in Yan Wang. On that day, she brought up the book of war to have something to talk about with Gu Hui Yan. Yan Wang's experience and past that was what Lin Wei Xi really wants to know.
When it comes to specific battles there were many vivid images, and it was not as difficult to understand as Qimen Dunjia. Gu Hui Yan was also a very good teacher. His voice was clear and organized. Moreover, because this battle was his personal experience, he was the most qualified to analyze this battle of Langshan, it was far more detailed than those military tactics on paper. Lin Wei Xi listened attentively, unconsciously, as if going back in time, she really stood in the yellow sand of the long Gobi, witnessing a great battle.
Gu Hui Yan was considerate to her, and Lin Wei Xi was bold enough to ask some questions from time to time. Poor literary and wealthy military, military strategy had always been a monopoly of resources. On earth didn't know how many people would be overjoyed when they get a military book, but they suffered from inability to get started. If they learn that Lin Wei Xi had been personally taught by the commander of the famous war, and also could ask questions face to face like this, afraid half of the people would be drowned themselves in the river of jealousy.
When Lin Wei Xi asked later, she simply propped her head up and pestered Gu Hui Yan about his military experience. Gu Hui Yan felt that there was nothing important left to say, but Lin Wei Xi looked at him with bright eyes. Gu Hui Yan had no choice but to pick a few things that still had an impression and tell her. After speaking, Gu Hui Yan was afraid that telling her this would make her disappointed, so he asked uncertainly: "These experiences are really nothing interesting, do you find it boring?"
"No, how could it be boring?" Lin Wei Xi said with a smile while holding her face, "I like to know what happened to Wangye when he was young."
Gu Hui Yan's eyes also softened. He has heard a lot of flattering words over the years, from the court, colleagues, and subordinates. After a long time, he had become numb. But at this moment, when the word "like" came out of Lin Wei Xi's lips, Gu Hui Yan's heart was incredibly soft.
Looking at the beauty under the light, not to mention this beautiful woman far exceed the imagination. Gu Hui Yan looked at this radiant and delicate lovable wife, who throughout the world ones would barely met, his heart suddenly moved.
Lin Wei Xi would be seventeen years old after the year passed. Although to him she was still young, but in ordinary household she was old enough to be a mother.
Chapter 59 Part 2: Coquetry
Gu Hui Yan thought for a while, then calmly retracted his thoughts, and allowed himself to focus on proper business: "After talking about so many useless things, you must have enough rest. There are still half of the Taibai Camp map left, and I will finish this article today."
Lin Wei Xi's head hurts when she saw Gu Hui Yan still want to continue. She always thought that Yan Wang was a very noble and dignified person, even when her sleeves were not put in order he couldn't bear it, and definitely would not like her messed around. But Lin Wei Xi really got a headache when she saw these kanmen, zhenmen, shengmen, simen things. She bit her lip and whispered, "How can Wangye's fame battle be called a useless thing? Let's talk about Wangye's past, ok?"
"No way."
His Highness Yan Wang was a very principled person. Lin Wei Xi was discouraged and returned to the world of the formation map with her head drooping. She forced her understanding in a time of small cup of tea, and then her brain after a day of work couldn't stand it anymore. Lin Wei Xi bit her back teeth, determined even if it would provoke Yan Wang she need to save her head first. She stepped over the armchair that symbolized the orderliness, with two arms around Gu Hui Yan's neck, her eyes looked at Gu Hui Yan eagerly: "Wangye, I really can't listen anymore. Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"No, this is the plan."
Lin Wei Xi squeezed Gu Hui Yan's neck tightly, crossing the seat, almost hanging on Gu Hui Yan's body: "Wangye..."
"Really don't want to hear it?"
"Hmm."
"Sit down first."
"No."
Gu Hui Yan tried his best to let out his posture which deterred the Sixth Army and said, "Sit down, this is an order."
"You are ordering me? I won't!"
... Gu Hui Yan also couldn't help it. His hand put down the book, put it on Lin Wei Xi's waist and legs, and directly hugged her across the seat.
Lin Wei Xi vaguely felt that her goal had been achieved that she was beaming and immediately set off to move freely. But as soon as her legs moved, they were firmly clasped by Gu Hui Yan's fingers: "Be obedient, don't move randomly."
Lin Wei Xi tried again, and found that Gu Hui Yan was serious with her this time, and she was not allowed to move. Lin Wei Xi clung to Gu Hui Yan's shoulders naively. After a while, she felt that something was wrong: "Wangye, there are many servants outside. We can't go out like this, right?"
Wan Yue and the others waited outside the study. From the corner of their eyes, Yan Wang seemed to be holding Wangfei to come out. They hurriedly bowed their heads, and Wan Yue immediately led the people to withdraw. After everyone retreated outside the door, Wan Xing thoughtfully helped Wangye close the door tightly.
... Lin Wei Xi was so angry that she glared at the two girls, Lin Wei Xi dared to guarantee that they were definitely see it. Gu Hui Yan chuckled lightly and leaned over and put her on the dressing table: "You bully the weak."
Lin Wei Xi also smiled across the bronze mirror, and looked at Gu Hui Yan without showing any weakness: "I am bullying the weak, and also should blame the tiger for making me powerful."
Gu Hui Yan finally laughed. He stretched out his hand and gently pinched the tip of Lin Wei Xi's nose from the front, and said, "Twisting words and forcing logic."
Lin Wei Xi just responded with a "hum". She raised her neck and looked back, turning her head to glared at Gu Hui Yan: "You sent the maid away, how can I remove my makeup?"
Lin Wei Xi doesn't usually put on heavy makeup at home, merely puts on her lips and eyebrows. She could remove the makeup by herself, but she couldn't remove the head ornaments by herself. Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi's beautiful and elaborate hair up-do, the black hair was decorated with gems and tassels. Gu Hui Yan suddenly had an impulse and said, "I will take out the hairpin for you."
Lin Wei Xi was startled. Gu Hui Yan thought Lin Wei Xi was unwilling, and when he was about to say that he was just joking, he saw Lin Wei Xi smiled at him extremely brilliantly through the mirror: "Alright."
Gu Hui Yan relaxed, and slowly pulled out the dazzling array of gems and jade on her black hair. Gu Hui Yan's movements were very meticulous and did not pull Lin Wei Xi's hair, almost more careful than the maid who done Lin Wei Xi's hair. Soon the dressing table was filled with all kinds of hairpins, and Gu Hui Yan watched her exquisite and gorgeous bun turn into smooth long hair in his own hands, his heart filled with tenderness.
Drawing the eyebrows was a beautiful story of a couple in the boudoir. In this current dynasty where the ethics were strict, women were more restricted, and fewer men were willing to do those boudoir charms for their wives. Lin Wei Xi did not expect that Yan Wang, who used to galloping on the battlefield and supporting the army, would actually do such a thing for her.
Gu Hui Yan's hand lingered on Lin Wei Xi's long hair, and finally followed the soft hair to stroke her cheek. Gu Hui Yan rubbed his slightly rough fingertips on her cheeks, and his voice became hoarse at some point: "Go take a bath first."
On such a late evening Gu Hui Yan helped to undone her hair and drove everyone out. How could Lin Wei Xi not know what he wanted to do. Lin Wei Xi's cheeks flushed. Before she could say anything, Gu Hui Yan had already answered the words just now: "Forget it, I'll take you."
Chapter 60 Part 1: New Year's Eve
The busy time passed by suddenly, and it seemed that in the blink of an eye New Year's Eve was here.
Lin Wei Xi was held by Gu Hui Yan to get up early in the morning, she was not allowed to sleep anymore: "Normally it was okay for you to be lazy. Today, the juniors came to pay the New Year's greetings. Don't let the juniors see a joke."
There was a red candle burning on the Babu's bed. Lin Wei Xi couldn't tell what times it was, but looking at the light outside the bed, it seemed to be quite early. Lin Wei Xi shrank listlessly on the edge of the bed, hugged her knees, and tried to reach the quilt: "What junior dares to come over to pay the New Year's greeting at this time, he will definitely not get a gift money."
Gu Hui Yan looked helplessly at Lin Wei Xi, who was lying on the bed and refused to get up. His finger pressed the corner of the quilt, Lin Wei Xi tugged hard but couldn't pull it. The mountain didn't see me, then I went to see the mountain, Lin Wei Xi moved her body over and wrapped herself in the quilt.
Gu Hui Yan could help but chuckled, and fished her whole body from the quilt: "As the elder, if it's known that Yan Wangfei is still in bed, you will definitely lose face."
"Will not." Lin Wei Xi's forehead touched Gu Hui Yan's powerful arms, half-covered her mouth and yawned, her eyes filled with mist, "Apart from you, who else would know."
Gu Hui Yan suddenly felt pleased by these words, yes, except him, no man in the world would see Lin Wei Xi's loveable attitude when getting up. Seeing that Lin Wei Xi leaned on Gu Hui Yan's shoulder and showed no movement, Gu Hui Yan lightly sighed and shook her up again: "It's useless to act spoiled, get up."
After a difficult struggle, Lin Wei Xi finally called the maid to come in and help her dress up. Today, she put on a crimson with gold sleeve jacket. The cuffs and collars were all embroidered with gold thread of large group of peony flowers. Underneath was a six-piece skirt with silver-red Zhuanghua satin. It looked like the skirt was glowing. Today was New Year's Eve, the maids gave their all to dress this exquisite Wangfei as a goddess. When it was finally over, Lin Wei Xi got up and went outside to meet Gu Hui Yan: "Wangye."
Gu Hui Yan raised his head, only to saw brightness in front of him, the whole room felt like it was really illuminated by her. Lin Wei Xi also thought that she was very good-looking. She half spread her hands and turned around in front of Gu Hui Yan. The grand skirt bloomed layer by layer like flowers. After a circle, Lin Wei Xi just turned to Gu Hui Yan. Gu Hui Yan smiled while supporting her, Lin Wei Xi raised her chin slightly, her eyes sparkling: "Wangye, how is it?"
"The brilliance can illuminate people." Gu Hui Yan rarely praised women, but this sentence was convincing. Lin Wei Xi smiled triumphantly, and took Gu Hui Yan's arm in a familiar way: "It's good that Wangye is satisfied."
Today, the entire mansion was completely renewed. The servants put on new clothes. On the road everyone was beaming. This kind of big celebration would not allowed the servants to show their dejected faces. As soon as Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan showed up, the people gathered together to speak auspicious words to them.
Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao also changed into formal clothes, and came over early to paid respect to the two parents. Hearing the greetings from outside the room, Gao Ran quickly got ready, but despite that, when the door curtain was opened, as soon as she saw Lin Wei Xi, her pupils were still tighten.
Lin Wei Xi's appearance was extremely beautiful, and slightly dressed up on normal days was enough to make people unable to look away. Now that she was dressed up like this, it was simply full of grace. Gu Hui Yan was wearing a black Qinwang clothes today. His body tall and straight, and after years of military service it had mold him into perfect specimen. The revered black color was an ancient rite passed down from the first emperor, with a golden python and dragon baring their teeth and claws on the chest. When the black and gold collide, it looks noble and domineering. Gu Hui Yan did not appear dull in such a deep color, instead became more handsome, tall and majestically indifferent.
Lin Wei Xi was dressed in a lovely red, but Gu Hui Yan was noble and cold, almost made people unable to look at him. The two stood side by side like this, and it was not an exaggeration to say that the rays of light was extremely bright. Along the way everyone was amazed, even when the two of them walked away, the people behind couldn't help but turned their neck to follow them with their eyes.
Gao Ran quickly retracted her surprise and came forward to greet Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan. Gu Cheng Yao also politely saluted the two of them: "Greetings, father, mother."
Gao Ran also said auspicious words for New Year's greetings. She also wore red today, but the quality of her clothes was just passable. Among the noble ladies in the capital Gao Ran was roughly a six-point. No matter what, from the clothing or the person herself it was difficult to rivaled Lin Wei Xi. Just now when Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan hasn't come in yet, it was alright, but now it scorched by Lin Wei Xi's light, the red on Gao Ran's body felt a bit cliché, seemed a bit exaggerated.
Today, Yan Wang Mansion was quite busy. After Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao gave Lin Wei Xi the New Year greetings, Gu Hui Yan went to the front yard soon after. Today, there were endless stream of people who came to paid him New Year's greetings. Some people have been waiting since early morning. As soon as Gu Hui Yan left, Lin Wei Xi also throw herself into her own things. Many officials, big and small, paid New Year greetings to Yan Wang, and the madams and ladies that came to Lin Wei Xi, this Yan Wangfei, also not just a few.
When Gu Hui Yan went out, of course Gu Cheng Yao followed. Now only Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran, this pair of mother-in law and daughter-in-law were left in the house. Lin Wei Xi was too lazy to act out the compassionate mother-in-law and filial daughter-in-law with Gao Ran. She told the servants who had been waiting for a long time to bring in the annual gifts of each family, and immediately engaged in the work of counting and returning the gifts.
Lin Wei Xi was sitting on the warm heated brick bed, quickly handling New Year's affairs. Wan Yue stood at the side and helped Lin Wei Xi with the gift list. She read a name and asked: "Wangfei, Hanlin's Shen also sent a fruit plate, do you want to return the gift?"
"Hanlin's Shen?" Lin Wei Xi repeated, suddenly enlightened, "Is it Shen Ming Da's wife, Liu Su Niang who sent it?"
"It is Lady Liu."
Chapter 60 Part 2: New Year's Eve
Although Hanlin was known as the place where people must pass through to get to the cabinet, he has not made his mark yet. Today, Yan Wang Mansion had received countless gift from senior officials who already made their mark. Shen Ming Da's New Year gift mixed among his superiors, it was not very eye-catching.
But Lin Wei Xi went uncharacteristic and said, "Bring the fruits sent by Lady Liu."
The maids who served were all stunned. After Wan Yue pushed her from behind, only then Wan Xing suddenly realized and hurried out to get the things. After a while, she came back with a red lacquer box, "Wangfei, this is the fruit box from Shen Mansion."
Lin Wei Xi opened it and take a look, she saw that it was filled with dried fruits, melons and dates that symbolized reunion and also it conformed with societal norms. In fact, it was easy to understand that although Liu Su Niang had some intersection with Lin Wei Xi during the Dragon Boat Festival, but things were very different now. Lin Wei Xi was already the Wangfei. Even if Liu Su Niang was grateful to Lin Wei Xi, she would not dare to get too close. Although Liu Su Niang sent someone to give New Year's gift to Yan Wang Mansion, but whether herself or Shen Ming Da, afraid didn't have any expectation that Lin Wei Xi would return the gift. In this way, the gifts for the top superior Yan Wang Mansion, was better to send a dependable fruit plate that symbolized reunion. Do not seek merits, but seek no demerits 1, already the greatest benefit
When Lin Wei Xi looked at the fruit plate her heart figure it out, then she said to Wan Yue: "Send a return gift to Mr. Shen's family. Well, you don't need to prepare specially, just use the ordinary one."
Even if Shen Ming Da would become the First Assistant, that would be many years later. Now with her sending a return gift already the best statement. If she was too eager, it would easily become self-defeating.
Everyone was surprised, and Gao Ran also felt surprised. Lin Wei Xi was afraid of people's suspicion, so she pretended to casually explain: "Liu Su Niang and I have some friendships, not to reciprocate is against etiquette. Since she sent the New Year's gift, we Yan Wang Mansion has no reason to ignore it. Wan Yue, you arrange a dependable young servant to send it to Mr. Shen's house."
When Lin Wei Xi said that Wan Xing and Wan Yue understood, they followed Lin Wei Xi into the palace during the Dragon Boat Festival. Wan Yue remembered that Lin Wei Xi had saved Liu Su Niang once. Although Wangfei had kindness to Shen family, since Shen Mansion had always remember Wangfei's benevolence and specially sent the fruit box over, there was no reason for Yan Mansion to avoid it. Treat everyone equally and be generous, this was the bearing of a big house.
When Gao Ran heard this, she also remembered who this Liu Su Niang was. She thought that Lin Wei Xi's behavior was abnormal, but when she saw that it was just an ordinary little official madam, Gao Ran just abandoned her thought and didn't pay attention.
The New Year's gift was a very formal diplomacy between various mansions. Every New Year, each mansion prepared food for the festival and then send it to other families, as a sign of etiquette. Since it involved foods, every household must be different. This would test the skill of its mistress. How to prepare the repetitive annual meal safely and ingeniously was really a deep knowledge.
The standing Gao Ran, watched Lin Wei Xi deal with such a formal inner house diplomacy, it was inevitable that she felt sour inside. She was the same age as Lin Wei Xi, but now Lin Wei Xi could sit in charge, but Gao Ran could only stand at the side and watch. When would it be her turn to join the circle of mistress?
Lin Wei Xi dealt with the incoming and going gifts, during which she also received a few madams who came to pay New Year's greetings, and the time passed quickly. Before you know it, it's getting dark.
Tonight's New Year's Eve dinner was also the highlight. Lin Wei Xi was sitting in the warm room and questioning the maids and granny. Suddenly there were footsteps outside, and then a greeting sounded: "Greetings Wangye, greetings Shizi."
Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran both looked up to the door and found that it was Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao who had just returned. Both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law stood up to welcome at door, and just after a few steps, the curtain of the inner room was opened.
"Wangye." Lin Wei Xi bowed to Gu Hui Yan, and Gu Hui Yan very smoothly caught Lin Wei Xi. Also husband and wife, but Gao Ran couldn't be as unscrupulous as Lin Wei Xi. She could only give Gu Cheng Yao a salutation across the people, and then continued to follow Lin Wei Xi.
Gu Cheng Yao also just glanced at Gao Ran, then retracted his gaze. His expression was calm, seemingly dignified and solemn, like a gentleman, but inside he couldn't help thinking about Lin Wei Xi's smile when he first entered the door. Her dress today was very beautiful, the dazzling red lined her skin as white as snow, and her beauty was difficult to resist. When she stood up from the red embroidered inner room and came to welcome her returning husband, afraid no man on earth could refuse this kind of temptation. But there was only his father in her eyes, and her smile was also for his father.
New Year's Eve was a celebration for the whole country, and New Year's Eve dinner was an important event for family reunion. In the sense of etiquette, Lin Wei Xi, Gu Cheng Yao, and Gao Ran were also a family. Therefore, on this great day of New Year's Eve, Lin Wei Xi would accompany Gu Hui Yan, also Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran to eat together, watch the years end, and welcome the new dawn.
New Year's Eve was a big festival. The previous emperor at that time loved the excitement. He often held a banquet on the New Year's Eve and called the ministers into the palace to accompany the Holy One to spend the festive day. But now the emperor was young, the harem's empress and the four imperial concubines' position were all empty, only had one superstitious Buddha, who was not even His Majesty's biological Empress Dowager, really there was nothing to be excited about. Moreover, if the emperor held a banquet, he had to invite the First Assistant and also the emperor's teacher Zhang Xiao Lian. With the emperor's temperament of twelve or thirteen years old young man, surely unwilling to see Master Zhang's old face on the New Year's Day.
Therefore, the palace banquet was omitted like this. Gu Hui Yan didn't have to enter the palace. It was rare to spend the New Year's reunion in the mansion. Usually when common people's family gather together during the New Year, they would be talking, laughing, and very lively. Even in a sparsely populated family, they wouldn't feel stiff to say some affectionate things to each other, but in Yan Wang Mansion, when the four only masters sit down, no one spoke.
The four of them were usually busy, so there was really nothing to say when sitting together. The maids changed the hot tea and pastries. Lin Wei Xi was slowly shaking the tea in silence, and suddenly heard a rush of footsteps outside the house, and then Gu Ming Da walked in quickly, and kneeled to Gu Hui Yan outside the carved partition door: "Wangye, the Holy One is here."
Lin Wei Xi was startled to stand up. It's the New Year's Eve, during New Year's Eve family dinner the little emperor actually come to their Yan Wang Mansion?
1 Do not seek merits, but seek no demerits, it means do not ask for rewards, only ask not to make mistakes.↩