I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

by Usui Takumii

not mine, this seat is bored.

13. 61 to 65

Chapter 61 Part 1: New Year

The Emperor visited Yan Wang Mansion on New Year's Eve was nothing short of extraordinary. The Emperor could not leave the palace easily, especially on big days like the New Year. If there was a slight mishap, no one could bear the responsibility.

But the Emperor came out discreetly, and his first stop was Yan Wang Mansion. Lin Wei Xi subconsciously looked at Gu Hui Yan when she heard the news. Sure enough, he wasn't elated or felt like an honored subordinates. Although Gu Hui Yan looked calm as usual, but there was an invisible seriousness in his eyes.

Gu Hui Yan stood up, following his movements, the whole room became quiet. The Emperor's goal on this trip was obviously Gu Hui Yan. After he took two steps, he seemed to remember something, his movements halted then turned to Lin Wei Xi and said: "I will go out to meet the Holy One, you will wait here for now."

Many people outside were waiting for Yan Wang, but Yan Wang stopped at this moment and specifically explained to Wangfei. No one dared to speak inside or outside the house, only Lin Wei Xi's voice sounded: "Wangye, I understand."

Perhaps he saw that Lin Wei Xi looked nervous, Gu Hui Yan covered Lin Wei Xi's hands, his palms were warm and powerful, it gave an indescribable sense of peace of mind: "I'm just outside, don't be afraid."

Lin Wei Xi's heart instantly calmed. She squeezed out a smile for Gu Hui Yan, nodded and said, "Alright, I'm waiting for Wangye."

Gu Hui Yan soon left. When the people that were waiting at the door saw Gu Hui Yan coming out they followed him silently, and in the blink of an eye the group disappeared from the red gauze screen inner courtyard.

The Emperor personally came to Yan Wang Mansion on a reunion day like the New Year, which showed how important Yan Wang in His Majesty's heart. The servants were all proud and immersed in the joy of receiving the Holy One. Wan Xing was born in a small town, and before meeting Lin Wei Xi, she never thought that one day she would be able to see the Emperor. Wan Xing's face was filled with uncontrollable joy. Seeing Lin Wei Xi's faint expression, she couldn't help saying: "Wangye, the Holy One is here, maybe will have the meal together later."

"I know." Lin Wei Xi replied in a low voice. When the Emperor came, she pretended to be delighted and grateful. Lin Wei Xi had a smile on her face, but her heart couldn't stop sinking. The Emperor left the Empress Dowager and the people in the palace behind, for what he went through so much trouble to go to Yan Wang Mansion? This kind of thing must be hidden from everyone. What is the Emperor want to do?

Gu Hui Yan went out to meet the Emperor, but Gu Cheng Yao stayed inside. Not everyone was qualified to face the Holy One. The Emperor went incognito to make a private tour. If the Emperor took the initiative to speak to Yan Wang's family and relatives, this was of course no problem, but if the Emperor didn't speak, it's best not to make claims.

Everyone in the room was smiling now, but Gu Cheng Yao could tell at a glance that Lin Wei Xi was not sincere. Gu Cheng Yao looked a few more times and couldn't help but said to Lin Wei Xi: "Since the Emperor is traveling incognito, and he hasn't passed the words in advance, then he won't be too picky about the reception etiquette. You...mother don't be nervous."

Gao Ran glanced at Gu Cheng Yao in surprise. Why Gu Cheng Yao specifically said this to Lin Wei Xi? Was it for comfort? Lin Wei Xi didn't look back when she heard it, just faintly nodded with an "um".

Before long, there were hurried footsteps outside, the maids and the palace envoy hurriedly walked into the inner courtyard. Lin Wei Xi stood up when she heard the footsteps. After hearing the message from the palace servant, she immediately led the crowd and waited respectfully at the door. According to seniority in the family, Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were Lin Wei Xi's son and daughter-in-law, so based on welcoming customs Lin Wei Xi stood at the front, and Gu Cheng Yao stood one step behind Lin Wei Xi. Gu Cheng Yao couldn't help frowning as he looked at the fiery red and delicate back in front of him.

Soon, the Emperor appeared surrounded by everyone. The Emperor, who was still a youth walked in the middle. Next to him was Gu Hui Yan. Behind the two of them were many eunuchs wearing palace servant clothes.

Lin Wei Xi bowed deeply the moment she saw the Emperor. The beautiful lady had folded skirts, her head hanged slightly, and her long and graceful neck was especially obvious. Gu Hui Yan recognized Lin Wei Xi in the crowd at a glance. When he approached, the Emperor smiled and spread his hands: "Wangfei, please rise. Today Zhen come uninvited and disturbed Uncle Yan Wang. If still tiring Aunt Wang to make salutation, then Zhen is too much."

Lin Wei Xi lowered her head and said she didn't dare. Although the Emperor asked her to get up, she still saluted the Emperor properly, and then slowly stood up with the help of the maids.

Gu Hui Yan said: "The wind is strong at night, dare not let Your Majesty stand outside for too long. What words to say, let's say it inside."

The little Emperor agreed, and the group walked into the house. Before the Emperor came in, Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan were sitting above at the main seat. Now that the Emperor suddenly came, Lin Wei Xi certainly did not dare to let the Emperor take the second seat. She gave up her seat, and a maid had already moved a light armchair for Lin Wei Xi, and Lin Wei Xi sat down beside Gu Hui Yan.

Sitting in a small room were the top noble people under the sky, surrounded by gold and jade, the fragrance was curling up, the maids and palace envoy were standing upright, the servants were like clouds, everything looks grandeur, beautiful and bright. The little Emperor dressed in crimson plain clothes sat opposite Gu Hui Yan. Although Lin Wei Xi was sitting on a small chair, but she was leaning against Gu Hui Yan so her identity was obvious. The remaining Gu Cheng Yao, Gao Ran and others could only stand, and behind them, there were many more maids and servants.

After the host and guest took their seats one by one, the maids filed in, served hot tea with pastries, and then bowed their heads and held their breath to retreated, moving silently between them. After everyone was gone, the Emperor took the lead with a smile and said: "Uncle Wang have a reunion with aunt and Shizi. Zhen garrulously disturbed the reunion of Uncle Yan Wang with his family, really feel apologetic."

"Your Majesty's remarks are very wrong. Your Majesty honored us with your presence is making the Yan Wang Mansion flourish." Gu Hui Yan said.

The Emperor was now thirteen years old. He was between a man and a child, with a long neck and fair skin, looks young and tender and also energetic. He laughed after hearing Gu Hui Yan's words and said: "Uncle Yan Wang's words are too polite. In order of age Zhen and Shizi are still brothers from the same family. Uncle Wang doesn't dislike Zhen for coming uninvited and disturbing your family conversation is good. How can Zhen use the monarch and minister's ceremony to trouble Uncle Wang and Wangfei."

The Emperor's smile seemed clean and friendly. This was the privilege of children and young people, no matter what, it was difficult for people to feel disgusted. Gu Hui Yan nodded and smiled when he heard these words: "This is natural. Gu Cheng Yao has the luck to be a few years older than Your Majesty. He is honored that Your Majesty not abandon, and use brotherhoods to call each other. You are all of the same generation, maybe have more common topics to talk about. Whether reading or martial arts, if Your Majesty and him can exchange pointers, it will be a good deed."

The Emperor smiled more sincerely when he heard these words. Although Lin Wei Xi was sitting very close to the Emperor, she was sheltered under Gu Hui Yan's figure, and her sense of security doubled, if the Emperor have some hidden thoughts she didn't necessarily pick it up herself. Lin Wei Xi slowly pondered over the words of the Emperor and Gu Hui Yan just now. The two seemed to be talking about everyday things, but there were fine and subtle meanings in them, if not listened carefully it would really be impossible to figure out. The Emperor's visit to Yan Wang Mansion on New Year's Eve already had a lot of meaning, and just now he deliberately said that everyone was surnamed Gu and from the same family. Afterwards, Gu Hui Yan also responded to the hook thrown by the Emperor and pushed Gu Cheng Yao out. Gu Cheng Yao was a younger generation, and speaking with the same generation should be better than with Yan Wang himself.

TN: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I originally planned to take a break for a while, because even though I don't celebrate Christmas, it is holiday season and I get distracted A LOT. But, I know that if I don't translate or updating for several days it's really hard to pick it up again. And I really want to finish this project. I am also a reader so I know the most annoying thing about reading Chinese novels (or Koreans or Japanese) is when the translators suddenly went AWOL. So cheer me on y'all and hopefully I don't get c-word and can safely finish translating this novel.

Chapter 61 Part 2: New Year

It was impossible for the Emperor to come over from afar just to exchange pointer with Gu Cheng Yao. What he wanted was Yan Wang's attitude. Now there were many members of imperial court, and First Assistant Zhang's disciples were everywhere. Yan Wang was a ruler of the vassal state, and he held a large army of 100,000. Which side he was on? Here was the meaning of "the same family" that the Emperor said.

After Lin Wei Xi picked up the subtle meaning of these two sentences, several more rounds of dialogue between Gu Hui Yan and the Emperor had passed. Lin Wei Xi couldn't help sighing from the bottom of her heart, no wonder they said that becoming the close minister for the Son of Heaven was not good. This was the most powerful and also the most dangerous place. If it changed with her, she might still in the middle of understanding the Emperor's deep meaning, and the conversation on the other side would have ended. How could she be able to answer so smoothly like Gu Hui Yan, handled matters with ease, and the exchanges were all hidden words.

The Emperor got a satisfactory answer, and his expression was obviously flying. Lin Wei Xi looked at the timing and took the opportunity to ask: "Your Majesty, the mansion's annual banquet is ready, may this subject wife be so bold to ask if Your Majesty is willing to attend?"

"This is natural. For a long time have heard Yan Wangfei's orchid heart and vanilla quality. The Empress Dowager in the deep palace has heard about it. Didn't expect today Zhen able to see it." The Emperor stood up as he said, and others accompanied him to stand up, but the Emperor instead of rushing to leave, he said to Lin Wei Xi, "Although Mother Empress is at ease in the palace, but without people to talk to will inevitably be lonely. If Yan Wangfei has time, there's no harm going to the palace more."

Lin Wei Xi responded with a smile, "Yes."

The Holy One will also be seated, and the mansion's New Year's Eve dinner immediately increased three levels. Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi's management of the inner house was very regulated. Now that she had enough status, she didn't have to worry about the people below, and there was no Bu Mama who used ordered people around. Lin Wei Xi's arrangements had become more and more clear, strict and self-contained. The servants all had their own department, and Lin Wei Xi's instructions were sufficiently clear, so in the extraordinary circumstances like the Holy One's sudden visit, there was no mistake.

When the Emperor arrived suddenly, many arrangements in the kitchen had to be redone. This way, the time was rushed and the pressure was high, and it was most likely to cause trouble. Gao Ran had secretly raised her heart, but when she saw the annual banquet served meticulously, and there was not even a little disagreement, the feeling in Gao Ran's heart became more complicated.

Gao Ran glanced at Gu Cheng Yao and found that he was also obviously relieved, and a trace of admiration appeared between his brows. Gao Ran pursed the corner of her mouth and retracted her gaze. After this incident, afraid Lin Wei Xi's position in the mansion would become more detached. Even the big banquet with the Emperor could be arranged in a moment, and who else dares not accepted it, a mistress who had been managing the household for 20 or 30 years probably would not dare to speak such big words.

The Emperor said that he was going to have the New Year's Eve dinner with Yan Wang Mansion's family, but in fact he only sat down for a few rounds of wine with Gu Hui Yan, soon he got up and left the mansion. Now the news that the Emperor's going out of the palace must be known to every household, even if the Emperor was not happy, he still need to visit First Assistant Zhang's house.

After the Emperor left, everyone silently breathe a sigh of relief.

Gu Hui Yan's expression was still calm, but Lin Wei Xi spent day and night with him, and immediately saw that although he looked calm, there were still many subtleties, he should have a load on his mind and only the little Emperor who had just left was worthy of Gu Hui Yan's thoughtful expression.

"Wangye." Lin Wei Xi called out softly. Gu Hui Yan regained his senses, glanced at Lin Wei Xi, and took her hand from under the table: "It's okay. Your Majesty should go to Zhang Mansion. We don't need to worry about entering the palace. Let's continue with the meal."

Lin Wei Xi nodded in response, and Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran also took their seats. However, after this episode, they ate without tasting the food, no one could focus on the meal.

Seeing many people just dropped their chopsticks, seemed not intend to continue, Lin Wei Xi waved her hand to let the maids take down the New Year's Eve banquet. The maids moved the dishes quietly, while the masters had already moved and took their seats in the other room.

This was the first New Year since Lin Wei Xi has been married in her two lives. There was a huge gap from an unmarried daughter to a daughter-in-law. She usually found a quiet place to talk to her sisters and maids, but now she absolutely couldn't. Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi did not have a mother-in-law, and the only one in the mansion who was older than her was Yan Wang. However, accompanying her husband and accompanying her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law to welcome the New Year were obviously two different things. Lin Wei Xi was by Gu Hui Yan's side, and she didn't feel that it's unbearable.

However, in the same situation, Gao Ran's mood was completely different, as Gao Ran still had to stay by Lin Wei Xi's side. Lin Wei Xi sat behind and felt sleepy. Her eyes were too heavy, but she thought that she was an elder, and she must be dignified in front of the junior, so she forced her eyelids up. After a while, her eyes were full of water mist, stared blankly ahead.

The sleepy Lin Wei Xi reacted much slower. Compared with her usual glib-tongued, with her wet eyes, she looked harmless and innocent. For people who was often ravaged by her words, she was undoubtedly many times cuter now.

That's what Gu Cheng Yao thought. Of course he knew that it was wrong to think like this. It was his stepmother, and it reasonable for him to avoid suspicion. This was not only disrespectful to the young stepmother, but also disrespectful to his father. But even if he retracted his eyes, he still couldn't control to replay the scene he had just seen in his mind. It turned out that Lin Wei Xi was like this when she was sleepy, her reaction was slow, and the whole person was tender and delicate.

Gu Hui Yan sat upright for a while, in the end couldn't help it. He sighed, reached out his hand to support Lin Wei Xi who was swaying back and forth, and said, "Since you are sleepy, go back and rest for a while."

Lin Wei Xi's brain was not too clear. Sleepy people were just like a drunk people. The most taboo thing was for others to says that she was sleepy. Lin Wei Xi slapped Gu Hui Yan's hand away: "I'm not sleepy."

The whole room was silent, Wangfei actually slapped Yan Wang's hand? Wan Xing was about to be suffocated. She wanted to step forward and shake Lin Wei Xi awake to remind her one or two, only to find that Yan Wang just sighed, supporting Lin Wei Xi's shoulder and laying her flat on his lap.

Lin Wei Xi followed the momentum and lay down, and after a while, she fell asleep in confusion. Gu Hui Yan sorted out the falling hair on the back of Lin Wei Xi's neck, and immediately continued to do his own things without the slightest offensive displeasure. Wan Xing was dumbfounded watching this scene, until someone pulled her sleeves, she silently retreated, just like the many gasping people in the room, pretending to not see anything.

Lin Wei Xi didn't know what happened, she just felt that she slept warmly and comfortably. It was unknown how long before she was gently shaken to wake up: "Wake up first, it's new year."

Chapter 62 Part 1: Rebirth

Lin Wei Xi slept very deeply. When she was sleeping well, she was woken up by someone. Lin Wei Xi thought that Wan Xing was playing around, so she slapped the other's hand hard, muttered "Don't be noisy", and turned around to continue to sleep.

The other person seemed to sighed and said, "It's me. Outside is welcoming the New Year, first hold on for a while and then you can go back to sleep."

Lin Wei Xi felt something wrong when she heard the voice. She opened her eyelids and found that she was lying under a dark curtain, and because her sleeping posture was never stable, she almost completely squeezed into the other person's arms.

Lin Wei Xi got up a little dazedly, just happened to meet Gu Hui Yan's eyes. Lin Wei Xi looked at Gu Hui Yan in a daze. Her squishy mind finally sobered up and she quickly looked around at the other people in the room.

Fortunately, the room was very quiet. The sound of firecrackers outside, almost converging into a sea of sound. People seemed to be attracted by the excitement, all went outside to watch the fireworks. Inside there was no one else except for her and Gu Hui Yan.

But beside Gu Hui Yan how could there be no one around? Lin Wei Xi was a little embarrassed, obviously because Gu Hui Yan drove the people outside. In this way, wouldn't everyone know that she fell asleep while keeping watch for the changing year, and she was still conveniently nestled in Gu Hui Yan's arms?

Oh my God, Lin Wei Xi didn't dare to think about it anymore. How she gave orders in front of her servants in the future, no need to go that far, just going out now, how could she face the maids and grannies outside, and even her son and daughter-in-law was enough headache.

Lin Wei Xi whimpered and knocked her head dejectedly: "Wangye, why don't you wake me up?"

After saying this, Lin Wei Xi knew the answer herself. It was quite troublesome to wake her up, and in front of everyone, what would Gu Hui Yan say? Lin Wei Xi felt a little apologetic. This was her omission, instead she questioned Gu Hui Yan. However, Gu Hui Yan didn't have a trace of impatience. He didn't care about Lin Wei Xi's complaint, but said very seriously: "There is no need. You usually go to bed early at this time. Since you are sleepy then sleep for a while, there is no need to bear it."

Gu Hui Yan always puts himself in the other people's shoes and very considerate. Lin Wei Xi was very moved. She just woke up and stretched out a little bit, then hugged Gu Hui Yan and leaned back to where she was just now. She slept here for a long time, and the stiff silky fabric was slightly warmed by her. Lin Wei Xi couldn't help rubbing against it. Gu Hui Yan's laugh could be heard from the top.

"As soon as you wake up you acted like a spoiled child. There are people outside."

Lin Wei Xi originally planned to stop while she's ahead, but when Gu Hui Yan said this, Lin Wei Xi instead hugged him and refused to move. Lin Wei Xi tilted her face from Gu Hui Yan's chest and blinked at him deliberately, "Didn't Wangye drove people outside? What are you afraid of?"

According to Gu Hui Yan's standard for many years, it was taboo to wear disheveled clothes and improper posture in public. Lin Wei Xi has committed both of them now. Gu Hui Yan should corrected her seriously and instructed her to sit upright, but at this moment Gu Hui Yan looked at the little wife who acted coquettishly in his arms, and was reluctant to correct her for a while.

Gu Hui Yan's short pause gave Lin Wei Xi a chance to win an inch want a foot. Seeing that Gu Hui Yan didn't speak, she knew that although he looked noble and strict, but he enjoyed some of her petty tricks, he just refused to say it. There was no one here anyway, since Lin Wei Xi had started might as well carry it through, and immediately stretched out her hand to wrap Gu Hui Yan's neck. Like this all her strength was on her waist, and her waistline had a beautiful and alluring twist. However, this scene was invisible from Lin Wei Xi's angle. Gu Hui Yan put his hand on Lin Wei Xi's waist. Just then Lin Wei Xi leaned against Gu Hui Yan's ear and said softly, "Wangye, this is our second year of marriage. Happy New Year."

Gu Hui Yan lowered his eyes and looked at Lin Wei Xi. The two were very close to each other, breathing each other. Lin Wei Xi's intention was to deliberately provocative, but now she looked at Gu Hui Yan's gaze, she couldn't help being a little scared, and even faintly regretted recklessly advancing just now.

There was an overwhelming sound of fireworks outside, it seemed that the young manservants brought a new batch of fireworks and lit them together. The undercurrent in Gu Hui Yan's eyes disappeared, and he hugged Lin Wei Xi on his lap, so that she would not keep leaning on her waist to support her body. Gu Hui Yan straightened the hairpin on the side of Lin Wei Xi's hair, and said: "In a year it's rare to have today's excitement. Let's go out and watch the fireworks."

Lin Wei Xi thought the same thing. She was passed the age of being curious about fireworks, but as the Wangfei and mistress, in the moment for leaving the old and welcoming the new she did not appear in front of everyone in the mansion, this was very inappropriate. Lin Wei Xi had planned to call Wan Xing and Wan Yue in, but perhaps because the sound of firecrackers outside was so loud that the maid at the door didn't hear it. Lin Wei Xi was embarrassed and was about to call again, but Gu Hui Yan had already picked up her cloak, buttoned her carefully, and straightened out the fine fluff on her coat.

Lin Wei Xi suddenly became silent. She watched Gu Hui Yan's movements silently. When he buttoned the buttons, Lin Wei Xi reached out to take it, but was stopped by Gu Hui Yan. When he finally tidied it up to his satisfaction, he reached out and touched the top of her head, with a smile in his eyes: "Let's go."

Lin Wei Xi's hand was already held in his arm, and she was led out like this. It was strange to say that no one could hear the call from the room, but as soon as the door was opened, the servants who were unknown what they were doing just now immediately looked over and saluted Lin Wei Xi one by one. The wind outside was a bit strong, and the fluff on the hood danced wildly in the night breeze. Half of Lin Wei Xi's face was covered by white fur. It was too cold to stretch out her hand, so she only nodded slightly at the salute, indicating that she had heard.

With such a large main courtyard of Yan Wang Mansion, coupled with the strong night wind and the blast of firecrackers, the changes in one corner of the courtyard were really hard to notice. But when Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan came out, the people in the courtyard immediately realized. Although Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran stood far away, the moment the door opened, the corner of their eyes followed closely. Soon after, Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan appeared, and the two came out together.

Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran had moved to another room early on to waited for the New Year. Lin Wei Xi fell asleep on Yan Wang's lap, this kind of scene was not suitable for them to look at. However, people were like this. Sometimes the more invisible, the easier it was to let the imagination roam free. As soon as leaving the old and welcome the new, when the whole city released the firecrackers out, Gao Ran waited outside for a quarter of an hour before seeing the two showed up.

Although Gao Ran stood outside with a smile, accepting everyone's congratulations, but as long as she thought of the scenes inside the main house, she still felt disgusted all over her body. What was it like to watch your father-in-law and mother-in-law show affection? This question, afraid that apart from Gao Ran, only Gu Cheng Yao could only tell.

TN: I think Gao Ran thought that GHY and LWX had a quicky in that room LOL

PS: thank you for all of the lovely comments in the previous chapter, seriously my readers are the best! And thank you for people who were donating on ko-fi, really every cents of it make me feel grateful and flattered. Hope you all the best holiday, keep strong and healthy, next year definitely going to be a better year...

Chapter 62 Part 2: Rebirth

For the past eighteen years, Gu Cheng Yao's impression of his father has always been righteous, solemn and imposingly inviolable. Gu Hui Yan also perfectly supported all Gu Cheng Yao's imagination of his father. Gu Cheng Yao respected and admired his father from the bottom of his heart. But Gu Cheng Yao didn't expect that his father would pay attention to the other woman's movements all the way. Gu Cheng Yao was also there at the time. Of course he could see that Yan Wang had been paying attention to Lin Wei Xi, even Lin Wei Xi's small actions could not be hidden from his father. And his father, who had always been indifferent and cold, would be careful and meticulous, just like treating a peerless treasure, placing the woman's body carefully on his lap.

A year ago, if someone told Gu Cheng Yao that Yan Wang would be this considerate, Gu Cheng Yao would have sneered at them, but now, he was speechless.

Especially when Gu Cheng Yao realized that this unspeakable complexity was not directed at Lin Wei Xi, but at his father, Gu Hui Yan. Although Gu Hui Yan didn't say it clearly at that time, no one dared to stay. Gu Hui Yan didn't allow anyone to see what Lin Wei Xi looked like after falling asleep, but he himself stayed in the room for an hour. Gu Cheng Yao suddenly realized what he was thinking. His fist beside him clenched tightly. At this moment, a cold wind blew. Gu Cheng Yao covered it up by taking a deep breath of the cold air, let his drowsy mind because of staying up late to calm down.

Now that they saw them, Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran would definitely come forward to salute their parents and pay New Year's greetings. Although they were standing at the same place, they had their own thoughts in their hearts, and along the way they feel a little bit of the same bed with different dreams.

Lin Wei Xi was wearing a scarlet cloak, only her hood surrounded by a circle of fluffy white fur. She stood under the vermilion corridor, her body looked slender, in the silence it carried an awe-inspiring expression, simply like Zhaojun1 come to life, a goddess descended to the world. Seeing Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao coming over to pay respect, she just nodded slightly, and then turned her gaze back to look at the dark night sky.

At this time, the night was already very deep, the air was cold, and when breathing there was a strong smell of fire. This was a unique taste of the New Year. Of course, the fireworks in Yan Wang Mansion were prepared in many ways. Some young manservants diligently moved the cannon barrels to the courtyard, and then stretched their arms to light the fuse. The maids stood under the winding corridor with their ears covered. Seeing the young man lighting firecrackers, shouting and jumping, they didn't know whether they were afraid or delighted.

Lin Wei Xi looked at such a lively scene, unconsciously a little fascinated, and her sleepiness had long since disappeared. Wan Xing was so lively she couldn't held back for a long time, so she asked for a piece of incense and lit fireworks in the courtyard. Lin Wei Xi couldn't help laughing when she saw this. Lin Wei Xi was standing on the corridor, she didn't look at anyone, but many people were secretly paid attention to her. Now the beautiful Wangfei, who did not look like a real person, smiled. Many people who set off the fireworks were encouraged to change their methods to light the fireworks, hoping to win Wangfei's attention.

Wan Xing's playing was really unruly. Although Wan Yue was happy for her, she was steady by nature and always more thoughtful. Wan Yue called Wan Xing back and said, "There are so many servants in the garden to take care such things. You mix with them to light fireworks, what is this called? You can take a break. It's important to serve Wangfei."

Wan Xing was in the middle of playing around, and she was reluctant to be called back, but she also knew that Wan Yue was doing it for her own good. Wan Xing grumbled and handed the incense stick to the little maid next to her. However, before she was gloomy for two seconds, she saw Lin Wei Xi and she became excited again: "Wangfei, you are awake?"

Lin Wei Xi pursed her lip and smiled coldly, just pretend to reply to cover up her embarrassment. Wan Xing didn't notice this, she was excited like she was shot with chicken blood: "Wangfei, it's a pity that there are no children in the mansion, so the fireworks can only be set to the little servant. After a few years, the little masters will run all over the place, at that time the New Year will be lively with fireworks!"

Lin Wei Xi had been standing with Gu Hui Yan since she came out, but the noise outside was so loud that she couldn't hear unless people shouting. With the sound of firecrackers concealing it, Lin Wei Xi and her maid did not appear abruptly speaking, but now that Wan Xing, this dim-witted, said such things, Lin Wei Xi quickly glanced at Gu Hui Yan and found that he was still looking ahead, didn't look like listening. She was relieved, and immediately glared at Wan Xing.

Regarding children Lin Wei Xi's attitude had always been to let nature take its course. After all, this was a clansmen society, and if a woman wanted to survive, heirs couldn't be avoided. But Lin Wei Xi knew that her identity was sensitive. Would Yan Wang let her give birth to an heir? It was alright if it's a daughter, what if it's a son?

Lin Wei Xi didn't want to think deeply about this issue, so she never allowed the maid to mention it in front of Yan Wang, even by accident it was still out of the question. She didn't want Gu Hui Yan to think that she was suggesting something.

This was something she had long understand, but at this moment, her excitement because of the New Year suddenly fell, and the endless fireworks before her seemed to lose its appeal. Lin Wei Xi couldn't help being distracted, staring at one spot with a dazed eye, suddenly a fierce firecrackers sounded behind her. Lin Wei Xi was taken aback and took a step back in panic.

Fortunately, the frightened people were not in minority. The yard was full of screams, Lin Wei Xi's lost of composure was nothing. She fell a step backwards, and before she recovered from the shock, she felt her arm being supported, and then her ears became warm, the deafening firecrackers instantly moved away from her.

Lin Wei Xi's violent beating heart slowly settled down, her ears were blocked, and the sound of her heartbeat was particularly obvious. Beat after beat, its presence in her chest was very strong. Gu Hui Yan was much taller than Lin Wei Xi, and now he slightly bent over to cover Lin Wei Xi's ears. Not only her ears was not distressed, but she could also clearly feel Gu Hui Yan's body temperature on her back. As if the whole person was wrapped in his arms, as if the fire and loud noises outside were not to be feared. She just appreciated the beauty of the fireworks, and without worrying about the noise caused by the beauty.

Lin Wei Xi pursed her lips, and finally did not struggle, rather let Gu Hui Yan half hug herself in front of everyone. The magnificent and noisy firecrackers exploded quickly, as bright sparks like peacocks sounded in the courtyard, all of this was indescribably lively and beautiful. Lin Wei Xi took advantage of the darkness to cover it up, and the corners of her mouth quietly tilted up.

Yes, the New Year was here. Last year's New Year was not a pleasant one. In December she was struck to death by a hopeless marriage. She died at only seventeen after being married less than a year. When she woke up again, although she was lucky enough to continue to live, she faced Lin Wei Xi's difficult family situation, it was also difficult for her to celebrate her first new year with peace of mind. But Yuanjia fifth year had passed. In this year, she met Yan Wang whom she had never met in her previous life, gave up all her previous life and its halo, and had no choice but to return to this mansion that brought her both glory and pain. But in the sixth year of Yuanjia, in Gu Hui Yan's arms that seemed like carrying a cold air, she welcomed the first day of the New Year.

1 Zhaojun, is one of four beauties of ancient china. ↩

Chapter 63 Part 1: Congratulated the Emperor

For the imperial court, New Year's Eve was not the most important festival. The first day of the New Year was.

Early morning on the first day of the New Year, the entire capital was filled with an unusual atmosphere. The east was still dark, and each mansion were lit up. In front of Chengtian Gate, officials in full dress were waiting. Giving congratulations to the Emperor on the morning of the first day was the most solemn event of the year. On this day, a hundred court officials came to congratulate and all nations came to worship. This was the might of the great power.

Congratulatory ceremony in the morning of the New Year, was done very cautiously. According to customs all titled women also need to enter the palace to meet the Empress and the Empress Dowager, but the inner palace was empty, the Emperor has not yet established the Empress, then the titled women's congratulatory ceremony were much simpler. Therefore, to suffer from dawn till the sun hit three pole (around noon) was enough.

Today, Lin Wei Xi had been tossed around since dawn to wear the court's attire and dress. She put on a Qin Wangfei's ceremonial dà shān (大衫), her hair wearing a jiǔ dí crown (九翟冠). The inside was lined with plain muslin, a deep green jū yī (鞠衣) was tied up on top it, the chest was embroidered luxuriously with gold thread to form cloud and phoenix pattern. After hanging the jade pendant and ornaments on the jū yī, she put on a wide and grand red (红色) silk weave (纻丝) dà shān on the outermost part, and finally put on a long xiá pèi (霞帔), with a gold pendant hanging on the bottom. When the whole body was finished, there were five or six layers inside out. In between there were many jade pendants and colored ribbons hanging. The long sleeves of the red dà shān were almost reach the floor. The deep green jū yī and the jade pendant on the inside were peeping through. Not to mention the head, jiǔ dí crown was decorated with real gold, silver, jade and precious stones. Lin Wei Xi puts on this glamorous body, she looks noble and awe-inspiring, but the heaviness behind the nobility was also real.

(TN: I struggled for hours with this one paragraph alone, I don't know how to explain the dress, some of the English words just doesn't make sense. In the end I gave up and give you the visual instead and I found the exact match for the dress. Source)

Although heavy, but the Central Plains was known as the country of etiquette. These cumbersome details were the best power. Every detail on the ceremonial dress, even a small embroidery, symbolized status and order. When Lin Wei Xi stood in the main hall for congratulatory ceremony the accumulation of these details made her looks majestic and magnificent.

Lin Wei Xi belonged to outside titled woman, but now there was no concubine in the palace, she was also the consort of Yan Wang, even though she was the youngest, the other Wangfei dare not let her stand behind. Lin Wei Xi tried to decline to no avail, so she stood in the first row of all the titled women, dignifiedly and solemnly led the crowd to hold the congratulatory ceremony, faintly as the head of all titled women.

In fact, the ceremony had been simplified a lot. After all, compared to the Empress Dowager, the Empress was the real ceremonial focus. It was reasonable to say that the Emperor was young and hasn't establish the Empress yet, the congratulatory ceremony of the womenfolk should be cancelled. However, First Assistant Zhang was very persistent with these elaborate rules. Not only was he critical of the manners of many officials, even the Emperor was not immune, and if there's a little bit of mistake with the Emperor's lecture every ten days, people could get impeached. Men were like this, of course Lin Wei Xi and the other womenfolk had to follow suit.

Last night to send the old and welcomed the new, everyone were sleeping late, and today at dawn they already got up and put on their ceremonial dresses. After that, they wore a dozen catties (1 catty = 500gr) of clothes to attend the long and cumbersome congratulatory ceremony. Standing and kneeling didn't know how many times they were tossed around. After this whole set, Lin Wei Xi and the other young people were still alright, but many of the elderly titled madams couldn't stand it anymore. When the ceremony was over, the Empress Dowager Qian at the top also breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly let someone help her to rest at the back.

When the Empress Dowager left, the womenfolk under the steps could relax for a while. Even though the congratulatory ceremony was over, they couldn't leave the palace. They had to participate in the banquet in the palace and wait until the banquet was over. But the most troublesome period was over, and the remaining time was really nothing. First Assistant Zhang could be called demanding of these elaborate regulations. If ones done a mistake, he might cause trouble for the whole family.

Fortunately, the congratulatory ceremony ended smoothly, as the womenfolk still could not go out of the palace yet, the remaining time was for socialization. The symbolic meaning of the congratulatory ceremony was very heavy. In addition, everyone wore their grandest clothing today. No matter how you play it on weekdays, with the hard rules of who was high who was low, you could know at a glance today. Therefore, many of the madams with their children and grandchildren like to socialize on the First Day banquet at the end of congratulatory ceremony.

As the congratulatory ceremony's formation dispersed, Lin Wei Xi just stood there, and before she could go to the side to rest for a while, she was surrounded by the madams who came forward to greet her.

Everyone who was eligible to participate in the congratulatory ceremony were all prestigious titled madams. The most glorious thing after being an influential man was to confer a title to his mother, and then confer a title his wife. In this way, the age of the people who come to participate in the congratulatory ceremony were generally already old. Forty-something was already considered young. It was not uncommon for titled madams to be seventy or eighty, and had white-haired. Lin Wei Xi who was only seventeen this year, looked especially prominent among them. On top of that she had a beautiful appearance, and the more gorgeous the clothes, the more it could set off her exquisiteness and beauty. She stood at the head position throughout the whole process, but it didn't look offensive.

Yesterday when the night fell, it already spread throughout the capital. The Emperor left the palace on the New Year's festival. He went to Yan Wang Mansion at his first stop, and then left after half a meal in Yan Wang Mansion, and the rest went to First Assistant Zhang's house. With the Emperor done this, it clearly showed the high status of Yan Wang in the Emperor's eyes. Yan Wang had the control of the army, and now it seems that he was still very trusted by the new Emperor. For him to make the Emperor took the initiative to participate in his New Year's Eve family banquet, his status was evident. Three generations of Emperors had relied heavily on Yan Wang, and the weight of this was too formidable.

Lin Wei Xi, the Yan Wangfei, had attracted attention as soon as she appeared today. If before everyone looked at her with curiosity and respect, today there were cautiousness and even fear. Lin Wei Xi sighed inside. In the past the three auxiliary ministers left by the previous Emperor didn't have priority order, but when the Emperor did this, he forced the three to have a priority. However, the young Emperor grew up and his ambitions gradually expanded. This was something that couldn't be avoid.

Chapter 63 Part 2: Congratulated the Emperor

Before married, the woman was led by her mother and aunt, and after marriage she followed her mother-in-law. In the main hall the madams were seen talking to their daughter-in-law and even granddaughter-in-law. The daughter-in-law supported her mother-in-law with a gentle smile. No matter how it was normally in their family, now they all looked like compassionate mother-in-law and filial daughter-in-law. But then there were Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran this pair, they seems very strange.

Lin Wei Xi, the mother-in-law, stood in front, she was even younger and more beautiful than her daughter-in-law. If they hadn't seen Lin Wei Xi's Qin Wangfei dress, they absolutely wouldn't believe it.

Lin Wei Xi took the opportunity to walk towards the small pavilion in the corner after sending off several madams that came to give the New Year's greetings. The weight of the jiǔ dí crown on top of her head was really heavy, she felt that her neck would be broken if she didn't rest.

Gao Ran did not have the right to move freely on such occasions. She could only follow her mother-in-law. Wherever Lin Wei Xi went and whoever she talked to, she had to follow her. Even if she saw her maiden's family, she couldn't act without her mother-in-law's permission.

After many years, a submissive daughter-in-law would become a domineering mother-in-law, this was not just a saying.

Grand Princess Shou Kang also came to the palace today to participate in congratulatory ceremony. She was sitting in the warm pavilion to rest. When she saw Lin Wei Xi, she was overjoyed. Lin Wei Xi was thinking about looking for her grandmother, but she didn't expect to coincidently meet her in the resting place. Lin Wei Xi hurriedly greeted her, and made salutations to the Grand Princess Shou Kang: "Greeting to Grand Princess, this junior give you the New Year greetings."

Lin Wei Xi squatted halfway, and was quickly supported by the female officer next to Princess Shou Kang. Even if Lin Wei Xi was one hundred percent a junior, because of the current status of Yan Wang, Grand Princess Shou Kang did not dare to accept Lin Wei Xi's salutation. Princess Shou Kang let people help Lin Wei Xi to stand up, smiled and held Lin Wei Xi's hand, and looked straight to the left and right: "I haven't seen you for a long time. You really have no conscience, once you have a husband, didn't come to see this old woman."

Lin Wei Xi chuckled and sat next to Grand Princess Shou Kang, leaning on her affectionately: "How dare I forget you? I was itching to run to the princess mansion every day. Fortunately, there are a lot of trivial things in the mansion at the end of the year, otherwise you would definitely be vexed to see me now."

Grand Princess Shou Kang was amused and laughed. In fact, the two hadn't seen each other for a month. It was not easy for the womenfolk to go out. It was considered frequent to meet once or twice a month. Lin Wei Xi was a new bride, and had just taken over the huge mansion. It was normal for her to be unable to get away at the end of the year. But in Princess Shou Kang's heart, not seeing her for a month, it seemed like a really long time.

Princess Shou Kang was already old, this set of tedious ceremony was already too much to bear, but seeing Lin Wei Xi, her exhaustion instantly wiped away, as if there was endless strength. Princess Shou Kang took Lin Wei Xi's hand and asked many questions, extremely affectionate, but with Gao Ran who came in with Lin Wei Xi, she didn't even look at this nominal granddaughter.

Gao Ran stood at the side with embarrassment, her face was very ugly. Gao Ran comforted herself in her heart, the heavens shall give the great responsibility to its people, and the man must first suffer from his will. Now it was merely the villain who were in power. Let these two evil people run wild for a while, and in the future she would surely let them pay tenfold.

Grand Princess Shou Kang carefully asked Lin Wei Xi's recent situation, and she was relieved when she learned that no one in the mansion dared to be scornful, and took over the offering affairs very smoothly. Although she heard from people in the capital that the newly married young Wangfei of Yan Wang Mansion was very capable, and she took over the internal and external affairs of the mansion in just one month after she enter the door. Even the New Year's gift came from the hands of the new Wangfei. But if you care you will be confused. Grand Princess Shou Kang would only feel relieve after hearing Lin Wei Xi's words in person.

Just entered the door even the people couldn't recognize all, she dared to take over the power of the Yan Wang Mansion. It could be seen that Lin Wei Xi was very capable and bold. Facts had proven that Lin Wei Xi indeed had the capabilities to be this flamboyant. Princess Shou Kang sighed, when she saw Lin Wei Xi she felt close, and even Lin Wei Xi's sharp and capable temperament was very similar to Gao Xi. Perhaps this was destiny in the dark.

Princess Shou Kang saw that Lin Wei Xi did not endure hardship in Yan Wang Mansion, and her heart was calm, so she couldn't help but care about another matter. Gu Hui Yan was also Princess Shou Kang's nephew. Whether from Lin Wei Xi's perspective or from the perspective of Yan Wang, Princess Shou Kang was very concerned about this newlywed which she personally acted as matchmaker to. Princess Shou Kang took Lin Wei Xi's hand and leaned closer and asked, "How are you and Yan Wang?"

Suddenly asked about husband and wife's private affairs, Lin Wei Xi got stuck for a moment. Before she could say anything, Princess Shou Kang saw Lin Wei Xi's face and said to herself: "Looking at your complexion, I think it's pretty good."

Lin Wei Xi's cheeks suddenly blushed. They were all married women. Of course she understood what Princess Shou Kang's words meant. Lin Wei Xi was embarrassed and didn't know what to say. Princess Shou Kang saw that the clever Lin Wei Xi also had such a bashful side and she felt more comforted. She patted Lin Wei Xi's hand, and said with great satisfaction: "That's fine. You two are a few people I care about. Who could imagine that you two would have come together. Now seeing you are doing well, I can rest assured."

Lin Wei Xi's smile froze: "Grand Princess..."

"It's okay, I'm old, there is no need to avoid these thing." Princess Shou Kang looked at Lin Wei Xi's face carefully, her eyes couldn't help watered, "I learned that you and Yan Wang support each other, the husband and wife are in harmony. My wish is completed, there is really nothing to worry about. You two must have a good life and give birth to a big fat child soon. If it a son he must be like Yan Wang, smart and clever since childhood. If it a girl, she will be like you. Oh my, this is really an amazing family, afraid not easy to mess with."

Lin Wei Xi also had to laugh hearing this. She accompanied her elders to daydreams, but when she thought of what happened last night, she couldn't help but feel gloomy.

Yan Wang now spoiled her because of the things between men and women. These are false. Only when the son were involved could see the man's true attitude. What kind of feelings did Yan Wang have towards her? Where does he put her?

Lin Wei Xi was interrupted without entangling with this issue for too long. The palace attendant in red stood at the entrance of the warm pavilion, smiling broadly at Lin Wei Xi and Princess Shou Kang: "Yan Wang Mansion, Grand Princess, the Empress Dowager invite you to come."

The author has something to say: If you don't care, you won't be entangled. Only if you care, you will think about things.

Chapter 64 Part 1: Maternal Relatives

The words of the servant in red were polite. Actually, Grand Princess Shou Kang herself knew that the one Empress Dowager really invited was Lin Wei Xi, but seeing Lin Wei Xi and Princess Shou Kang sitting here together, the Empress Dowager could not just call Yan Wangfei and leave the other, so they were invited to talk inside together.

Princess Shou Kang could have refused to take a longer rest, but she would be worry if Lin Wei Xi went in by herself, stood up regardless of her fatigue, and accompanied Lin Wei Xi to see the Empress Dowager. When the palace eunuch on the Empress Dowager's side came out, many people saw it. When they saw the eunuch accompanied Yan Wangfei, many people opened their mouths in surprise. On New Year's Eve, the Emperor went out of the palace to visit Yan Wang. Today, the Empress Dowager was the first to ask Yan Wangfei to go in and talk. The power of Yan Wang Mansion was simply shocking.

In Cining Palace, the Qian family had already sat with the Empress Dowager. However, the Qian family came in to see the Empress Dowager after the ceremony, this was the privilege of maiden house maternal relatives. Naturally, it was not the same as Lin Wei Xi, who was called specifically by the Empress Dowager to speak.

Lin Wei Xi helped Grand Princess Shou Kang walk towards Cining Palace slowly. When the two of them showed up, the few people who were already sitting looked up and said, "Yan Wangfei and Grand Princess are here."

Except for the Empress Dowager, all the other madams stood up and said New Year's auspicious words to Lin Wei Xi. Lin Wei Xi smiled as soon as she walked in. She was about to salute the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager had already asked the maid next to her to hold her back: "Yan Wangfei and Grand Princess doesn't need to be polite. We are all family, so let's omit all these empty courtesy that's rather tormenting people."

"Thanking Empress Dowager." Lin Wei Xi responded with a smile. Although she said so, she still crouched down before getting up. After Lin Wei Xi stood up, she immediately went to help Grand Princess Shou Kang. When the two walked up, everyone in the Qian family felt a little restrained. One of these two was Yan Wangfei, within the titled women in the capital if she said she was the second there wouldn't be the first, and the other was Grand Princess Shou Kang, a generation higher than the Empress Dowager Qian. When they both entered, who dare to sit higher than these two people?

Qian's family old madam took a step back and gave up her seat. Lin Wei Xi smiled when she saw it, "Qian old madam is polite, how can I bother you."

Qian old madam sneered: "What Yan Wangfei said makes people feel embarrassed. We are lack virtue and ability, how dare letting Yan Wangfei to sit with us. You and the grand princess should sit at the top seat."

Lin Wei Xi smiled and didn't speak, but the Empress Dowager sitting in the middle spoke lightly: "Wangfei and grand princess doesn't need to be polite, just take a sit."

Grand Princess Shou Kang's expression was flat, she nodded and agreed: "Then thanking Qian old madam."

Princess Shou Kang was worried that Lin Wei Xi would be inconvenient to accept, so she was the one who agreed. The Qian family was fine in front of other people, but they were not qualified to sit above the two of them. However, Lin Wei Xi was young after all, even if her status was high enough, some things were inconvenient to say. If Lin Wei Xi responded directly, she could be called a rampant, but if Grand Princess Shou Kang accepted it, then there would be no problem. After all, Shou Kang's seniority was high, and she should be honored.

Princess Shou Kang sat on the right side of the Empress Dowager, Lin Wei Xi supported Princess Shou Kang to sit, then walked around to the opposite side and sat to the left side of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager Qian, as the Holy Mother Empress Dowager, certainly sat in the middle throne. The first seat on the right of the Empress Dowager was the most noble, followed by the first on the left, the second on the right, and so on. Just now everyone in the Qian family was saying well. As soon as Lin Wei Xi and Princess Shou Kang entered the door, they all had to stand up and give up their seats. After tossing around in circle, the Qian family, who was already somewhat unbalanced, became more and more embarrassed.

After everyone sat down, Empress Dowager Qian asked about the recent health of the people in Yan Wang Mansion. This was a very standard small talk, Lin Wei Xi answered one by one, and finally asked after the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. Lin Wei Xi and the Empress Dowager talked back and forth, and when the two of them exchanged pleasantries, the rest of the Cining Palace could only stare at them, no one dared to interrupt.

Empress Dowager Qian had spoken to Lin Wei Xi for a long time, and when she swept to Gao Ran behind Lin Wei Xi, she remembered that Yan Wang Mansion also had Gao Ran this Shizi Consort. Empress Dowager Qian asked casually: "Shizi Consort also come. You must be tired after tossing for a long time today."

Gao Ran lowered her head and said gently and smoothly: "Serving my mother-in-law and the Empress Dowager, this is the blessing of this servant, not at all tired."

When the Empress Dowager heard this, she nodded lightly, she just asked casually, not really cared about Gao Ran's answer. A lady from the Qian family saw it, and tried to extend the conversation "Shizi Consort is really filial. It is a blessing for Yan Wangfei to have such a gentle and sensible daughter-in-law at her side."

The lady of the Qian family originally meant to compliment Lin Wei Xi, and her words meant to praise two people at the same time. It's a pity that Qian madam flattery was leaned on one side, both Lin Wei Xi and Gao Ran smiled politely when they heard these words, but they didn't feel happy in their heart.

After the Empress Dowager Qian and Lin Wei Xi finished with small talk, she didn't know what else could be said. She only learned that the Emperor had gone out late last night, first to Yan Wang Mansion, then to Zhang Mansion, and then he was escorted back by First Assistant Zhang's people. Empress Dowager Qian complained a lot when she learned about this. Originally, it was wrong for the Emperor to go out of the palace privately, but since the Emperor had gone out, how could he not go to Qian's house? If the Emperor didn't go anywhere, then the Empress Dowager could not say anything, but he went to visit his uncle and his teacher, but did not go to his maternal grandparent Qian's house. This made the Empress Dowager very unhappy.

However, the Emperor was not her biological son, even if in name she was his mother, there were many things that the Empress Dowager could not say. Today, the Qian's family entered the palace and talked about this, and even though Empress Dowager was not happy, she still had to call Lin Wei Xi in to win her over. The Emperor came over yesterday and specifically instructed her.

Looking at Lin Wei Xi, the Qian family felt complicated and difficult to speak. It was alright to give the seat to Grand Princess Shou Kang. After all, Princess Shou Kang had a high seniority. Even just for imperial family' face they had to honored her, but it was embarrassing to stand up and gave up a seat to someone that's the same age as her daughter. The Qian family was ecstatic when they first became a maternal relative of the emperor, but after a long time, the Qian family was used to flattery, and their eyes were not satisfied with the present boundary. They were also relatives. Yan Wang was the Emperor's uncle, but their Qian family was also the Emperor's maternal grandfather. Why then Yan Wang was in power, and the Qian family could only take a few superficial errands, and they were treated like a decorations.

This kind of conversation was always polite. After Lin Wei Xi left, a niece-in-law who was very favored by the Empress Dowager said: "Empress Dowager niangniang, obviously has us the family, why the Emperor always turn to an outsider?"

Although the Emperor called Yan Wang as uncle, the branch of Yan Wang was actually far away from the Emperor. In the eyes of the Empress Dowager, even though they relied heavily on Yan Wang, how could it be compared to his own mother's family, how could he overstep the Qian family to prefer Yan Wang? The Qian family niece-in-law's words were scratching the Empress Dowager's itch. Everyone in the Qian family saw that Empress Dowager did not get angry after her niece-in-law said that, and they were overjoyed. One after another talked about their injustices.

A palace maid who was waiting next to the Empress Dowager secretly frowned. The walls in the palace had ears, you need to be cautious when you speak. But this niece-in-law from the maternal relatives' clan said that Yan Wang was an outsider in front of the house full of palace maids and eunuchs, and she also vaguely criticized the Emperor. The palace mama felt wrong when she heard this, but the Empress Dowager did not scold her. The Qian family had the support, and the following words became more and more excessive. The master's words and deeds were really not her turn as the servant to criticized, but the old mama still couldn't help but sigh. No wonder the Emperor and Yan Wang were unwilling to entrust the Qian family with heavy responsibility. Look at their whole family's behavior, really cannot be allowed to have high position.

Chapter 64 Part 2: Maternal Relatives

Lin Wei Xi came out of the Empress Dowager's place, and was surrounded by people again when she showed up. Lin Wei Xi sighed. It seemed that she could not take a rest this whole day.

After finally leaving the palace at night, Lin Wei Xi happened to meet the people from Duke Yingguo Mansion when she went out. The Duke Yingguo Mansion's people froze when they saw Lin Wei Xi's face. Obviously, they still remembered Gao Ran's matters a while ago. Yan Wang's Mansion and Duke Yingguo Mansion were in-laws. Just now in the palace it was impossible not to say hello, but at that time they greeted each other in passing then separated. Unlike now the two families met, and there was only one way out of the palace, which made it very awkward. .

Although the Duke Yingguo old madam had a dull expression, she still greeted Lin Wei Xi first: "Greetings, Yan Wangfei."

"Greetings, Old madam." Lin Wei Xi couldn't help but feel amused when she saw this familiar people. Lin Wei Xi stood still. She used to be the junior, but now it should be the Duke Yingguo Mansion's people who came to salute her. Obviously, they also understood this. After the madam and young lady of Duke Yingguo Mansion saluted Lin Wei Xi one by one, Gao Ran took a step from behind Lin Wei Xi and said, "This child pay respect to grandmother, aunt and sister-in-law. Greetings grandmother."

The Duke Yingguo old madam felt embarrassed when she saw Gao Ran. That time the old madam aggressively led people to Yan Wang Mansion to support Gao Ran, but it turned out it was Gao Ran who was unreasonable, the Duke Yingguo Mansion seriously losing face. The old lady was angry with Gao Ran, so she didn't want to see her, took the people back to the house directly. Since that time, this was the first time everyone in the Duke Yingguo Mansion saw Gao Ran.

It was also in the palace. Last year, when the Duke Yingguo Mansion met the third girl on the Dragon Boat Festival, they were so pleased, to recognized each other as grandparent and granddaughter in front of everyone, it lifted up their status. However, only half a year later, when the Duke Yingguo Mansion met Gao Family's third girl and the third girl's mother-in-law, the mood was completely different.

Gao Ran disliked the Duke Yingguo Mansion for their uselessness, and treated their daughter as a commodity. It was great when she was well-off, but when she need the support of her maiden family, one by one ran away quickly, really a proper house that sold their daughters for glory. Everyone in the Duke Yingguo Mansion also felt that Gao Ran was not forthcoming. She did something wrong, but without telling the truth, she urged her maiden's family to come and fight with her mother-in-law, completely using her family as a tool. Duke Yingguo old madam lost such a big face in front of Lin Wei Xi, and the old madam herself was also angry. But now she looked at Gao Ran's lukewarm attitude, she become more frustrated.

Lin Wei Xi's eyes moved slightly, she looked back at Gao Ran, then turned to the front to look at the Duke Yingguo Mansion, and finally turned around, a smile poured out of her eyes: "The old madam hasn't seen Shizi Consort for a long time, today just happened to meet. I'm also not the kind of unreasonable mother-in-law. From here to go out of the palace is still long anyway. Shizi Consort might as well go over and talk to her maiden family, no need to follow after me."

"How can this be done." Before Gao Ran could speak, the Duke Yingguo old madam said firmly, "It's only right for daughter-in-law to serves her mother-in-law. She is a junior, how can she leave her mother-in-law and act on her own? Shizi Consort although surnamed Gao, but now married to Yan Wang Mansion, then she is Yan Wang Mansion's people. How can she at the drop of a hat return to her parent's home." After Duke Yingguo old madam said this she looked at Lin Wei Xi, "She is a daughter-in-law. If she do something wrong, please ask Wangfei to correct her. The younger generation is ignorant, and her di mother also went early, so she has to rely on you as her mother-in-law to teach her."

Gao Ran originally didn't want to talk to the Duke Yingguo Mansion's people, but she should be the one that reject it instead of being rejected by her family. The anger in Gao Ran's heart became more and more violent. She originally had a good feeling for the Duke Yingguo Mansion. After all, her cheap father helped her get a good marriage, but now she heard the old madam say such selling daughters for glory thing and tried to curry a favor, a bit of good opinion for Duke Yingguo Mansion in Gao Ran's heart was gone.

Gao Ran was unhappy, and it couldn't be help showed in her tone: "What grandmother said is right, I am a member of the Gu family now, so I shouldn't be with the Gao family all day."

As soon as this was said, the atmosphere became colder again. Lin Wei Xi saw that the two groups were in deadlock, and said quickly: "Gao Mansion understands the righteousness, and Shizi Consort is also sensible. This is really a blessing for Yan Wang Mansion. It is cold today, the old madam pay attention to your feet."

After that, Lin Wei Xi felt very weird. Gao Ran and the Duke Yingguo Mansion all had the surname Gao, and Lin Wei Xi was the step-mother-in-law, according to reason she was the weak target. How could she become the one that mediated and interceded?

Lin Wei Xi reminder for Duke Yingguo old madam was not an empty words. It was snowing before the New Year, and now the sky was dim, the west wind was getting stronger. The road out of the palace was indeed not easy to walk. There was dark ice hidden in the cracks of the bricks, people need to walk carefully. After Lin Wei Xi became the mediator, the Duke Yingguo old madam thanked Lin Wei Xi, and then she was silently supported by her maid and daughter-in-law to go. Lin Wei Xi also didn't want to talk. They were walking silently, when suddenly a little palace eunuch approaching from behind, he shouted from a long distance: "Yan Wangfei, please stay."

Lin Wei Xi heard the sound and turned around strangely to take a look. It was forbidden to make noise in the deep palace, and the eunuch would not dare to yell like this if it wasn't for being anxious. The eunuch slid up in front of Lin Wei Xi and after bowing to Lin Wei Xi he continued to say: "Wangfei please stop for a while. The road to go out of the palace is far. His Majesty specially ordered the sedan chair to come and send Wangfei out of the palace."

The rest of the people heard couldn't help but gasped, and Lin Wei Xi twisted her eyebrows and said, "This is not in line with the etiquette. His Majesty is busy with government affairs every day. How could I dare inconvenience gonggong (eunuch) in front of the Holy One? This subject wife thanking for the favor, but let's forget about the sedan chair."

"Wangfei must not refuse. His Majesty listened to Yan Wangye's words, and then sent a sedan chair to pick you up. If you refuse, Yan Wang will come in person. His Majesty will surely put the blame on this slaves."

It turned out that it was because of Gu Hui Yan, and Lin Wei Xi thought how could the Emperor remember her, this one womenfolk. In the presence of so many people, Lin Wei Xi blushed a little, and she tried to make up a proper reason for Yan Wang's behavior, but the Duke Yingguo old madam had already answered very tactfully: "Since gonggong are going to send Wangfei out of the palace, then this old body will no longer disturb. Yan Wangfei, this old body will be going ahead."

Lin Wei Xi became more embarrassed and her face redden. The Emperor gave Yan Wangfei a sedan chair because of Gu Hui Yan, but Gao Ran this Shizi Consort was no one. Gao Ran could only salute everyone from Duke Yingguo Mansion, and after watching them leave, she personally sent Lin Wei Xi off, and then walked out alone.

Gao Ran walked alone on the twilight palace road, there were dark ice under her feet from time to time, and the coldness from the soles of her feet gradually surged into her heart. People are more dead than others, comparing goods get thrown away1. A lot of anger in life came from comparison. It's okay if you didn't know, once you have a comparison, the gap between each other made it very easy to anger you to death.

TN: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year, and hoping this will be a prosperous year for all of us.

1 People are more dead than others, comparing goods get thrown away, it means people are different, goods are not the same, don't compare people with each other because everyone has their own advantages.↩

Chapter 65 Part 1: Birthday

Lin Wei Xi had just waited in place for a while, when a young eunuch came carrying the sedan chair. After arriving at the palace's gate, Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao were already waiting there, only Gao Ran who wanted to walk by herself, and not as fast as being lifted on a sedan chair by palace eunuch, had not arrived yet. After seeing Lin Wei Xi, Gu Hui Yan reached out and tested the temperature of her fingers. Naturally, like it was normal to ask: "Are you tired today?"

"It's okay." Lin Wei Xi said so, but in fact her face was stiff with laughter.

Gu Hui Yan also didn't want to elaborate in such a place. He tightened Lin Wei Xi's hood and said, "It's cold outside, you can wait in the carriage first."

Before Gao Ran came back, it was a bit unkind if she got into the carriage first. Lin Wei Xi looked up, Gu Hui Yan's eyes were calm and deep, Gu Cheng Yao had moved his eyes since Gu Hui Yan and Lin Wei Xi started talking, and deliberately looked to the side. Now he heard these words, also turned around and bowed his head slightly to Lin Wei Xi, saying, "What my father said is right, mother should go in first. This son and Shizi Consort dare not let mother suffer."

In this case, if Lin Wei Xi refused it wouldn't be polite. She sat in the warm and comfortable carriage, holding the small stove in her hand, and the maid gently massage her leg. After waiting for an unknown amount of time, there was a voice of greetings "Shizi Consort" from outside.

Soon, Gao Ran's voice came across the carriage: "This child greets my mother, was mother safe along the way?"

This was the absolute power of the seniority in the family. If Gao Ran leaves the palace first, she would stand in the cold wind to wait for Lin Wei Xi, but on the contrary, Lin Wei Xi did not have to wait for Gao Ran, even after Gao Ran arrived, she had to greet Lin Wei Xi first. After asking her mother-in-law's well-being then she could get into the carriage to rest and keep warm.

Hearing Gao Ran's voice was a bit hoarse, it was indeed cold today. Lin Wei Xi still hugged the stove, and lazily replied: "Naturally. Shizi Consort is tired from walking all the way, so let's get in the carriage first."

"Thank you mother."

Gao Ran drove in another carriage, and after a while the carriage started to move, the convoy of Yan Wang Mansion slowly drove towards home. It was sunset, and there are many horses and carriage at the gate of the imperial city, but no matter who, when they saw Yan Wang Mansion's carriages from far away, they quickly let the coachman turn around and give way.

Finally returned to the mansion, everyone was tired after the day. Gu Hui Yan spared Gu Cheng Yao and his wife from the morning and evening greeting, and let them went directly to their courtyard to rest.

After dinner in the evening, Lin Wei Xi took a bath and used a clean white silk to wipe her long hair. Gu Hui Yan then went to take a bath, and when he came out, he saw that Lin Wei Xi was no different from when he went in. Every time Lin Wei Xi took a bath, before and after she was very particular about bottles and jars. It took a lot of time to take care of her hair.

This was totally unreasonable in the army, but the more delicate the flower, the more time it took to attend it. Of course Lin Wei Xi was different from his subordinates in the army. Gu Hui Yan walked over and picked a strand of Lin Wei Xi's hair. He really liked the feel of it. It was black and smooth, it felt like running water in his hand. Now that it hasn't dried out yet, it's even more liquidy. Feels great.

Gu Hui Yan couldn't put it down, he suddenly understood what it means with trifling destroys the will1, and he thought it must be this feeling that means reluctant to let go. He simply sat across from Lin Wei Xi and watched her pick up a piece of ointment with her nails, melt it in her hands, and applied it to her hair carefully. After this strand was rub on, then move on to another strand.

This was a completely different world. Gu Hui Yan never knew that a woman's world was so gentle and delicate, filled with silk fabrics and soft fragrance everywhere. Lin Wei Xi didn't know what Gu Hui Yan wanted to do when he suddenly sat in front of her. She kept moving her hands, lowered her head and said softly, "Wangye, I still need a long time here. If you think it's a waste of time, go find a book to read first."

"No." Gu Hui Yan just shook his head, his eyes still watching Lin Wei Xi quietly. Suddenly sat facing a person, and this person was Yan Wang, who was known for his vigorous actions and strict military laws, Lin Wei Xi feels very pressured by this wasting time and wasting money behavior. She could only speed up her movements and her mind quickly think of a topic to divert Yan Wang's attention: "Wangye, why did the emperor suddenly remember me today? He also sent a sedan chair to take me out of the palace."

Gu Hui Yan gave an "Oh" and said, "I saw that it was not early anymore and planned to pick you up from the back. The emperor may still have some other thing to say, so he stopped me and let the eunuch next to him go."

Lin Wei Xi gasped, what? When Gu Hui Yan was talking to the emperor, he actually planned to abandon the emperor to find her? No wonder the little red eunuch said that. Lin Wei Xi was a little embarrassed, and at the same time couldn't contain her joy, she put down the hair in her hand, her expression was quiet and solemn, pretended not to be affected at all. She said in businesslike voice: "Thank you Wangye, but in the future Wangye cannot do this anymore. It cause His Majesty to see a joke."

Gu Hui Yan smiled, looked at her with a full smile, nodded and said, "Okay."

The atmosphere became like Gu Hui Yan was coaxing her again. Lin Wei Xi intended to change her disadvantages, suddenly lowered her voice and asked, "Wangye, today the Holy One specially held you up. What did he say?"

Speaking of things in the palace, Gu Hui Yan's expression also cooled down: "It's nothing, just repeat the old topic."

Lin Wei Xi remembered the emperor's words on New Year's Eve, and probably guessed what the emperor and Gu Hui Yan talked about. She couldn't help but a little worried: "Wangye, today the Empress Dowager also made a special trip to ask me to go see her and talk, and specifically asked after Wangye's health. The emperor did this, then we..."

"No, how it was in the past, now it's still the same, there is no need to deliberately change attitude." Gu Hui Yan shook his head. When he saw Lin Wei Xi's small face he was unable to restrain his smile, couldn't help but want to pinch her delicate and smooth cheeks. "It's not a big deal, what are you making a frown for?"

Lin Wei Xi unhappily slapped his hand away. The emperor frequently expressed goodwill to Yan Wang Mansion, and wanted to make Yan Wang and First Assistant Zhang confront each other, and he still said it's not a big deal? But Gu Hui Yan was calm and composed, didn't look like he was unprepared, Lin Wei Xi's heart slowly settled down. Lin Wei Xi asked, "Wangye, what do I need to do?"

TN: My resolution for this year is to get myself a Yan Wang!

1 Trifling destroys the will, infatuation with fine details prevents one making progress.↩

Chapter 65 Part 2: Birthday

Lin Wei Xi asked, "Wangye, what do I need to do?"

Gu Hui Yan was shocked when he heard these words, and then shook his head and smiled: "No. This is a matter between me, the Emperor and Zhang Jiang Ling. The influence of the womenfolk is minimal, so it's fine for you to interact with Zhang madam as usual."

Lin Wei Xi knew what Gu Hui Yan meant. The relationship between Yan Wang, First Assistant Zhang, and the Emperor became more and more complicated. Lin Wei Xi was afraid that she would accidentally do something wrong that would affect the overall situation of Yan Wang. But think about it, this kind of complex and delicate balance must be Gu Hui Yan's territory. This was a long and fierce confrontation process. There was really no need for her and Zhang Mansion's womenfolk to become strained because of this, which was too shameful.

When Gu Hui Yan saw Lin Wei Xi's relief, his heart suddenly moved. He had to admit that when Lin Wei Xi said "What do I need to do", he was very surprised.

The marriage started out as an absurd and nonsense thing. Gu Hui Yan clearly remembered that it was raining that day and Lin Wei Xi was burning badly. After Gu Hui Yan went to see her, he planned to leave, but Lin Wei Xi suddenly woke up at that time. She was so sick that her throat became hoarse, but she still braced herself to get up, separated by a layer of red gauze, and asked him reluctantly: "Your Highness, what I said yesterday was not just nonsense."

She probably didn't understand what that meant. Gu Hui Yan knew that Lin Wei Xi was only very angry at Gao Ran's offense, so insisted on retaliating against her. This kind of impulse that came from momentary dispute did not need to continue.

But didn't know whether Lin Wei Xi was too persistent, or his mind was bewitched by something, Gu Hui Yan actually agreed. Gu Hui Yan knew from the beginning that Lin Wei Xi was only acted willful and didn't really want to marry, so Gu Hui Yan didn't intend to offend her, just act like before, only there was one more person in the mansion, and the name of Wangfei was just for her protection and reliance. He would still be by himself, living quietly and orderly.

But now Lin Wei Xi was sitting opposite him, with loose clothes and long hair trailed over her shoulder, asking him intently and seriously "What do I need to I do". Gu Hui Yan's plan was deviated for the first time in so many years. He hadn't expected this situation, nor had he thought that one day he would live with a woman day and night, becoming intimate, and even sit down to watch her take care of her hair.

This idea was stronger than ever, Lin Wei Xi was really trying hard to be Yan Wangfei, trying to share his fate. From then on until death, they would not separate.

"Wangye." Lin Wei Xi shouted unhappily, glaring at him with her round eyes, "I'm still sitting here, who you were thinking about?"

Gu Hui Yan couldn't help but laughing. He smiled and said, "Well, I was wrong. Wangfei don't blame."

But he was thinking in his heart, since when the original plan go astray? Probably from the night of the second day of marriage, the wedding night was his duty. He couldn't make Lin Wei Xi feel awkward, but on the second night, the third night, and even many nights later, it was obviously he that didn't control himself, failed to keep his dignity in his old age, really made Lin Wei Xi his wife.

Lin Wei Xi's hair was almost dry. Gu Hui Yan tested the moisture in her hair and said, "If you're tired, then lay down on the bed. After a while you will be asleep."

However, Lin Wei Xi was very upset because of Gu Hui Yan's absent-minded thing. She snorted to Gu Hui Yan, her face was very cold, and she didn't need Gu Hui Yan to carry her, she avoided him and went down by herself. Gu Hui Yan very easily reached out to stop her, and picked Lin Wei Xi up: "Don't be angry, be careful of catching colds."

Lin Wei Xi still didn't look good: "No need, I asked Wan Xing and Wan Yue to come in and fetch me clothes, why would I catch a cold?"

Gu Hui Yan felt really helpless. He could only put the person on the bed carefully, then sat on the edge of the bed himself, and asked in a happy mood, "In a few days is your birthday, how do you want to celebrate it?"

Lin Wei Xi was taken aback for a moment: "Do you remember my birthday?"

"Of course, it's the 15th on Lantern Festival."

Lin Wei Xi was a little surprised. Her birthday was also a grand festival, so many people tend to overlook it. Often times when the family members being reminded on the Lantern Festival, they were a little surprised: "Yes, your birthday is on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month…"

So when Yan Wang suddenly talked about this, Lin Wei Xi was very surprised. She didn't seem to have said her birthday in front of Gu Hui Yan. The only time she did it was when she visited Grand Princess Shou Kang in March last year.

Unexpectedly, Yan Wang was still remember.

Lin Wei Xi suddenly smiled, and she didn't care about what happened just now. She straightened up and leaned on Gu Hui Yan's side and said, "Thank you, Wangye. Can I do anything?"

Gu Hui Yan paused: "You say what it is first."

Lin Wei Xi was immediately unhappy: "You just promised me."

Was that a promise? Looking at Lin Wei Xi's sparkling eyes, Gu Hui Yan found that he had no resistance to beauty. Gu Hui Yan could only violate his principles a little bit again, gave in and said, "Okay, whatever you say."

This was simply a blank cheque. Lin Wei Xi's smile became brighter and she didn't say what she wanted to do. She just sat back to her original position with her chin up: "Yan Wang's one word worth a treasures, you can't regret it. I have to think about it."

Lin Wei Xi's long hair winding down from her shoulders to the crimson silk quilt. Gu Hui Yan picked up a strand and rubbed it on his fingertips. He looked at her and smiled: "Since you make the beauty trick, you should carry things through. If you get the benefit then you are unqualified to withdraw."

As for how to qualify, you have to ask Yan Wang who was familiar with the art of war.

TN: For people who still confuse when they DID that, they already DID that since the first night, and then second night, third night, and many nights after…