Chapter 71 Part 1: Out of The Wall
Gu Cheng Yao made up his mind to get everything back on track. He accepted Yun Hui in order to distract him from another woman. Lin Wei Xi was his father's wife, his stepmother, how could he be distracted by such woman, giving in to the illusion that she was actually Gao Xi.
But Gu Cheng Yao did these things, also didn't want Lin Wei Xi to know. Three wives and four concubines were originally a common thing. It was natural he reported this matter to his father that day, but for some reason, facing Lin Wei Xi, he suddenly became unable to speak.
For an adult man, father and young stepmother were still different.
Gu Cheng Yao's face was cold like iron. Gao Ran thought that Gu Cheng Yao was offended because of Yun Hui's affair. She stretched out her hand and gently shook Gu Cheng Yao's arm. There was also unabashed concern in her eyes: "Shizi."
Gu Cheng Yao was not moved by Gao Ran's tenderness and consideration. He seemed to suppress his anger, and asked coldly: "Just a small matter, you can handle it in your own courtyard. Why did you make trouble in front of mother?"
Gao Ran was choked. She didn't understand why Gu Cheng Yao's focus was so strange, but Gu Cheng Yao really said it in front of so many people, which accused her this primary wife and mistress for being inefficient. Gao Ran was embarrassed, lowered her head and said in a low voice: "It's this consort's oversight, Shizi please calm down your anger."
"Shizi, in front of so many people, if you have something to say, let's say it privately." Lin Wei Xi reminded him lukewarmly. She didn't care about the personal affairs of Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran, but if they wanted to fight just fight in the back. Lin Wei Xi didn't want the two of them to quarrel in front of her.
Lin Wei Xi was the Wangfei, her words were very heavy, Gu Cheng Yao could only bow his head when he heard it: "Yes, this son lost his manners."
Gao Ran breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Cheng Yao accused her for managing things badly in front of everyone. Gao Ran was very uncomfortable. Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi scolded Gu Cheng Yao to save Gao Ran some faces. Gao Ran didn't expect that one day she would have to rely on Lin Wei Xi to support her, her heart was really mixed. However, now was not the time to care about these things, Gao Ran hold on to the embarrassment in her heart, and gently raises her eyebrows, her expression was worried and awkward: "Mother, Shizi, Yun Hui was not observant of women's virtue, having an affair with outside man, this is daughter-in-law who was not strong enough in her discipline, please mother and Shizi punish me."
Gao Ran's words seemed begging for forgiveness, but they actually nailed Yun Hui to death. Illicit affairs in the inner courtyard was of course very disgraceful, and all the womenfolk would be implicated. However, for the mistress, it was only two sentences of punishment and a ban for a few days, but for the concubine itself, she would definitely die.
Yun Hui panicked, and quickly knelt on the ground and moved a few steps towards Gu Cheng Yao's knees, with tears in her eyes and looking miserable: "Shizi, you have to believe in this slave, this slave have been waiting for you for ten years. Since young has always wholeheartedly admired Shizi. Now this slave's wish finally comes true, I feel like I was in cloud nine. How can I betray Shizi? And also this man is less than one-tenth of Shizi. Even if this slave is really covered by lard (tn: stupid and confused) and deserves to be immersed in a pig cage. I would not choose him."
Having a woman lowered herself to dust, and said this in front of everyone, it would somewhat satisfy the self-esteem of some men. However, Gu Cheng Yao felt embarrassed when he heard it. He glanced at Lin Wei Xi slightly and quickly, and found that Lin Wei Xi was still cold and indifference. According to reason this was exactly the scene that he should expected, but for some reason, Gu Cheng Yao was disappointed.
Gao Ran's face was blue with anger by Yun Hui's shameless confession. Her eyes were furious and sternly reprimanded: "Immoral! As a woman actually said this kind of word, truly depraved. It's no wonder you can do things like having an affair. Looking at your usual style, really not a woman of etiquette."
Which woman could bear being scolded so contemptibly, Yun Hui also gritted her teeth with hatred for Gao Ran. Yun Hui was not stupid. Even if at the beginning she couldn't react, but now she clearly understood. Today's episode was a trap that Gao Ran carefully designed. Yun Hui was so hateful that she could carelessly set into a trap, Gao Ran, this poisonous woman, actually falsely accused her innocence! New hatred and old hatred came up together, and Yun Hui glared at Gao Ran: "Shizi Consort should save your virtuous face. On the surface is a gentle and gracious wife, but her heart is thinking dirty thought that worse than pigs and dogs. You obviously promised Shizi to give me a position, but as soon as you turned around, you pretend to never say anything, only blamed me for being stupid. And I actually believed in you and stupidly waited. As a result, I didn't get the concubine's status, but instead wait for the crime of adultery! You are also a woman, how can you bear to do this kind of thing?"
Yun Hui was also in a hurry, and she was very rude when she scolded. Gao Ran turned white and red with anger. She took a quick look at Gu Cheng Yao and shouted: "Poisonous woman, you were caught by someone for adultery, but now you are climbling to bite others. I have always treated you as a close sister. I didn't expect you to be this kind of person!"
After Gao Ran finished speaking, she looked at Gu Cheng Yao and said, "Shizi, don't believe what this madwoman said. She did something wrong and was caught red-handed. She herself know that it's a crime of death, so she bit someone else like a mad dog. This past year, I have done my best and treated people sincerely, but being mocked like this, this consort's body and mind is really uncomfortable..."
Gao Ran picked up a kerchief and wept, her posture was extremely sad. On one side was Yun Hui, who grew up together and was like an elder sister, and on the other side was a mournful wife. Gu Cheng Yao frowned, not knowing who to believe.
Lin Wei Xi stood and watched, silently admiring, brilliant, really brilliant!
Yun Hui was also very good at observing words and expressions, and understood Gu Cheng Yao's subtle expressions very well. Seeing Gu Cheng Yao's expression, she knew that Shizi was wavering. Yun Hui was so angry and furious, she almost cried from being wronged. Why was everyone deceived by this snake bitch instead of believing in a real good person? Yun Hui knew that if she didn't vindicate herself now while Wangfei and Shizi were both present, she wouldn't have other opportunities. Yun Hui fixed her heart, staggered to get up from the ground, and gritted her teeth and said: "Shizi Consort surely can act. All this time do not know how many have been deceived. But you only get the advantage for yourself, for what reason still harm others? Don't you feel guilty when you step on the bones of your sister?"
Lin Wei Xi's expression changed sharply: "What did you say?"
TN: Cliffy… Cliffy…
Chapter 71 Part 2: Out of The Wall
Yun Hui knew that what she said was rebellious, but if she couldn't bring down Gao Ran, she would be the one who died. Yun Hui also gritted her teeth and said: "Wangfei and Shizi must be unaware. Shizi Consort said that she respected her di older sister, but in fact she saw the former Shizi Consort as her enemy. That time Shizi Consort and Tao Mama were gossiping. They thought there was no one around, so they talked about the previous Shizi Consort. Shizi Consort said that she did not make mistake back then. She deliberately gave away the jade pendant of her older sister. In this way, if the rescued person was a poor Scholar, the one who would be entangled is her elder sister. But if its influential young master, with her jade pendant and memory, she can also make the other person recognize her. Therefore, the former Shizi Consort has been wronged for so many years!"
Lin Wei Xi's face was pale, her eyes seemed sad but also happy, couldn't tell the strangeness. Fortunately, everyone's attention was drawn away by the explosive news from Yun Hui's words, and no one noticed Lin Wei Xi's strangeness. Gu Cheng Yao never expected that he would hear these words. His heart was shaken and he could hardly speak: "What did you say?"
Yun Hui knelt down to Gu Cheng Yao, and banged her head three times: "Shizi, what this slave said is true. At that time this slave accidentally fell asleep. When Shizi consort and Tao Mama came over, they saw there was no movement, so they thought there was no people, therefore talked their private matter with confidence but unexpectedly listened to by me. Even if Shizi do not believe me, you should also believe in the former Shizi Consort! This poisonous woman has always been pretending. She initially intended to ruin her sister's reputation. Later, it was discovered that the person who was saved is Shizi. Instead, the marriage between Shizi and the previous Shizi Consort was established. She was not reconciled, so she took advantage when the previous Shizi Consort returned to her family to talk to Shizi the details of that day. Also put the blame of misplacing the jade pendant thing on her older sister, saying that her di older sister and Grand Princess were not reconciled for her, a shu daughter, to married well, so they forcibly took her jade pendant and let the di older sister replace the marriage."
Gu Cheng Yao was stunned and screamed in his head, not knowing how to react. Gao Ran knew it was going to be bad when Yun Hui mentioned Gao Xi, but Gao Ran never expect that when she talked about the past with Tao Mama that day, Yun Hui overheard it. Her heart jumped fiercely, she could not care about her gentle character, and immediately directed her dowry servant to plug Yun Hui's mouth: "Nonsense, I have never said such things, you bitch, in order to escape your crime, actually make up kind of nonsense on my head. Someone come, drag her out and beat her with 30 plank."
Gao Ran's dowry granny immediately stepped forward, they were all used to doing rough work, and their hands were as powerful as pliers. Yun Hui couldn't dodge and was caught, she was afraid that if she was dragged like this, then she would definitely unable to survive. Yun Hui struggled, she couldn't help screaming: "Shizi, save me!"
Gu Cheng Yao looked very strange, and slowly turned his head to look at Gao Ran: "Shizi Consort, is what she said true?"
"How is it possible? Of course it was all made up by Yun Hui in order to get rid of her crime." Gao Ran wanted to walk over to hold Gu Cheng Yao's hand, but was frightened by his expression, and dared not move for a while. "Shizi, it was a matter from a long time ago, how can you be led astray by a lunatic's words? I really respect sister Gao Xi, but she took away the jade pendant and forced me to conceal it, which is also true." Gao Ran said with sorrow. She lowered her head and wept in tears: "She is the di eldest daughter, and always domineering at home, I am a small shu daughter, how can I compete with her."
Yun Hui's mouth was covered by the servant woman, hearing this she screamed. Didn't know where Yun Hui's strength came from, but she suddenly broke free from the servant woman's restraint, and rushed to Gao Ran with red eyes: "Getting the dead people's benefit, only you can say that! You in your maiden house plotted to grab your di older sister's things, after finally took your sister's marriage, you began to harm the sincere people around Shizi! I don't have an affair with outside man at all, but you used the wine to knock me and deliberately framed me. You snake woman, why don't you go to hell!"
Yun Hui suddenly pounced on Gao Ran, and Gao Ran was pushed hard and staggered. Gao Ran's maids were all shocked, hurriedly screamed and rushed to pull people, some of them caught Yun Hui's hands, some of them helped Gao Ran, and others pulled Yun Hui's clothes. Gao Ran took advantage of the crowded hands and slashed Yun Hui's face with her nails.
Seeing Yun Hui suffered a lot of dark losses, Bu Mama of course hurried over to help her out. The courtyard suddenly became chaotic, Gu Cheng Yao stood under the porch, watching everything in front of him, and couldn't help but wonder if he was dreaming. His wife, his close maid and his wet nurse, how could they do such a thing?
Lin Wei Xi's face was pale, and her fingers were cold. She looked at the farce in front of her, her eyes sparkling with anger: "Stop it! In the dignified Yan Wang Mansion, what kind of behavior is this?"
The falling dumplings of womenfolk still pretended not to hear. Lin Wei Xi was very angry, and immediately said to the people behind her coldly: "Go and pull them away, whether they are the master or the maid, you don't have to be merciful. If anyone play the fool, then there is no need for them to calm down, directly ask the granny to sell them out."
The people around Lin Wei Xi were specifically reserved for her by Gu Hui Yan, and many of them had real skills, which was completely different from that women like Yun Hui. Seeing that Lin Wei Xi was really angry, everyone didn't dare to make any more noises, and quickly stopped and got up. After the incident just now, the maids all had messy hair and disheveled clothes. Someone even scratch five or six blood marks on Yun Hui's face. Yun Hui was beaten the worst, and she didn't realize that she had injuries on her face until she stood up. She stretched out her hand to wipe her face. When she saw the blood on her hand, she was taken aback for a moment, and then burst into tears.
"You..." Lin Wei Xi was also furious when she saw Yun Hui's face. She pointed her finger at the people in front of her. Just as she spoke, in front everyone she suddenly faint and couldn't stand up.
"Wangfei!"
...
Gu Hui Yan was dressed in court clothes and strode into the bedroom. As he entered, the whole room fell silent.
Gu Hui Yan's face looked calm and scary, it was the kind of calmness that came before the storm. He swept across the crowd slowly, and asked in a deep voice, "What happened to Wangfei?"
TN: This is such an explosive chapter isn't it?!
Chapter 72 Part 1: Wrath
"Wangfei's body originally is weak, and anxious air attacked her heart, which caused a temporary lack of blood and qi therefore she fainted."
Imperial Physician Zhao took Lin Wei Xi's pulse, and stood outside the screen, slowly talking about Lin Wei Xi's illness.
It wasn't a serious illness. Imperial Physician Zhao left Lin Wei Xi with a prescription for recuperation, and it should be all right. But when he looked at Yan Wang's face, he didn't dare to take his leave, and talked to Lin Wei Xi's maid about a lot of precautions for diet and other things.
Wan Xing and Wan Yue wrote it down one by one. Until the Imperial Physician Zhao really didn't know what to say anymore, Gu Hui Yan said, "Troubling Imperial Physician Zhao to go on this trip. I will send the Imperial Physician out."
"I can't do that..." Of course, Imperial Physician Zhao refused immediately, but no one could change Gu Hui Yan's decision. In the end, Imperial Physician Zhao was sent away tremblingly by Wangye himself.
After Gu Hui Yan and the imperial doctor left, the room was silent. Gu Cheng Yao stood with his head slightly lowered, it was unknown what he was thinking.
After a while, the sound of footsteps outside the house slowly getting near, the sound of boots on the ground was regular and even. Just by the sound of the footsteps alone, one could tell what kind of person the owner was.
Gu Hui Yan stepped over the curtain to enter the house, the maid at the door bowed her head and said, "Greetings, Wangye."
Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran also turned around and saluted: "Father."
Gu Hui Yan walked to the top seat, and after taking his seat, he asked steadily and calmly: "Anxious air attacked heart, what did she hear and why is she so anxious?"
Both Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran looked down at the corners of their clothes. In such a big room, no one dared to look at Gu Hui Yan. A moment ago Gao Ran was fighting with Yun Hui, her clothes and hair were all loose by the pulling, how could she dare to leave the courtyard like that. But Lin Wei Xi had fainted. If daughter-in-law was not waiting on her mother-in-law's sick bed, when Yan Wang returned he would conclude she don't have any regulation. So Gao Ran hastily changed her clothes, only tidy up to the point that she could see other people and hurriedly followed. But unexpectedly, they still angered Yan Wang.
Gao Ran had never seen Yan Wang get so angry. This was not an anger and shouting she had seen before, but calm and oppressive, made people breathless from the sense of terror. Still waters run deep, and sometime the calmer, the more terrifying.
Gao Ran was so frightened by such imposing air that she couldn't say anything. In her previous life she lived in modern times, and later she was transmigrating into extravagance life of a grand noble family, Gao Ran though she had seen many big scenes and big people. But at this moment, she still didn't dare to breathe or even raise her head.
The people in the room were both scared and frighten. At this time, only Gu Cheng Yao could reply: "It is the private matter of this son. This son's concubine and Shizi Consort had something to say that was unclear. Request mother to go and make a judgment. Finally the conflict break out and mother admonish everyone and then fainted."
"Wife and concubine's private affairs." Gu Hui Yan said slowly, "Cultivate one's moral character, regulate the family, rule the country, and level the world, you have been married for so long, and you can't even handle the matter of taking concubine yourself? Involving her to handle it, even make her angry till she fainted?"
Gu Cheng Yao bowed his head and said nothing, Gao Ran was obviously scared, but when she heard this, she couldn't help but speak for Gu Cheng Yao: "Wangye, it's not Shizi's fault, it's that cheap maid..."
"There is nothing for you here." Gu Hui Yan's voice was light, but his tone was not tolerating, "Get out."
Gao Ran opened her mouth in astonishment. She wanted to argue, but when she looked at Yan Wang's expression she didn't dare to. She looked at Gu Hui Yan, and then at Gu Cheng Yao, with anxious expression on her face: "Shizi..."
"You go out." Gu Cheng Yao didn't turn his head, but just replied flatly. Gao Ran couldn't help but reluctantly bend her knees and withdraw.
As Gao Ran left, the maids in the room did not need to wait for Gu Hui Yan's order, all consciously retreated outside with Shizi Consort. When only the father and son were left in the house, Gu Hui Yan slowly said, "Say it, what the hell is going on?"
Gu Cheng Yao paused, found it's really hard to speak. He admired his father since he was a child, he studied books and practiced martial arts all this time was to get his father's approval. But now, how could he tell his father that his primary wife found out that his small concubine had an illicit affair with an outside man, but neither of them would admit it, and finally got into a fight?
Gu Cheng Yao was silent, but Gu Hui Yan also not in a hurry, so he waited slowly. Gu Cheng Yao thought about it, suddenly felt relieved. His father had a lot of eyes and ears in the mansion, and he must have already know these things. Asking him now was just asking him to recognize his mistake.
Now that his father already knew about these disgraceful things, Gu Cheng Yao didn't care anymore, so he said it all. However, when narrating Gao Xi's part, Gu Cheng Yao invisibly paused for a moment, and then changed his speech, deliberately omitting the past that was clearly the fuse and passing it away.
Gu Hui Yan looked calm, but the invisible air pressure in the room was getting lower and lower. Who was Gu Hui Yan? When he heard the story he immediately knew there was something fishy. Shizi Consort catch a couple in the act, and the concubine bit back by calling Shizi Consort a hypocrite. Then the two even started to fight. No wonder Lin Wei Xi was dizzy with anger.
However, for some reason Gu Hui Yan had a sense of ill feeling. He had always understood Lin Wei Xi's attitude towards Gao Ran. With such scandals, she should be very happy to watching the excitement. What was mixed in between that it actually affect Lin Wei Xi's emotions, even let anxious air attacked her heart.
Gu Hui Yan was in a hurry to come back. On the way, he only listened to Gu Mingda's general description of what happened. It seemed he still need to carefully inquire about the details.
Lin Wei Xi's matters was suspicious, but Gu Cheng Yao didn't really say it. Gu Hui Yan said: "You took the maid to the study a few days ago, and even left her in the study for the night. The study is a land of pure sages. I thought you understood it yourself, so I leave you alone. Later you wanted to take her as a concubine, I also won't bother with your private affairs. However, since it is your woman, everything that happened to them is your responsibilities. These two people dare to make so much troubles. It's not that they have bad virtues, it's because you gave them such courage."
Gu Hui Yan's voice was flat, but Gu Cheng Yao knew that his father had a high position and strict self-discipline, the angrier he was, the calmer he became. Gu Cheng Yao couldn't help but sink. This tone of his father was very rare. He must be very disappointed in him today.
"Father..." Gu Cheng Yao wanted to argue for himself, but he raised his head to see Gu Hui Yan's eyes, his lips moved, in the end he still bowed his head. "What father taught is that this matter was the fault of this son."
Since Gu Cheng Yao was a child he had always been spoiled by Bu Mama, Yun Hui, even Shen shi and the old Wangfei. He was used to taking whatever he want and doing whatever he want, and he rarely considered the feelings of people around him. This includes marrying Gao Ran and receiving Yun Hui.
However, it was precisely because of Gu Cheng Yao was self-indulgence that Gao Ran and Yun Hui's courage became bigger and bigger. Because they knew that as long as they had Shizi's favor, no matter what they did, Shizi would not punish them. His attitude was the root of everything. The dignified Shizi Consort and the concubine had a big fight in front of numerous people, and in the confusion still scratch the concubine's face till her face swelled bit by bit.
Gu Cheng Yao realized for the first time that he might be too self-righteous, he was still blaming Gao Ran and Yun Hui, but his father gave him a blow. If Gu Cheng Yao was clear about rewards and punishments, arrange things methodically, where would Gao Ran or Yun Hui have the courage to cause such ruckus?
Chapter 72 Part 2: Wrath
Gu Cheng Yao was already confused, but now hearing Gu Hui Yan's words, he become more and more at a loss. He couldn't help thinking of what Yun Hui had accidentally revealed about Gao Xi. He always thought that Gao Xi could not tolerate people and refused to see her shu sister marrying well, so she collude with Grand Princess Shou Kang to graft flowers onto a tree1 and take the life-saving grace and the jade pendant for herself. Gu Cheng Yao had always felt that Gao Xi deliberately concealed it from him, but now Yun Hui's words gave him a shocking thunderbolt. Could it be that Gao Xi was the one who knew nothing? The person who lied to him was actually Gao Ran?
Standing in the living room of his father and young stepmother, surrounded by pile of brocades, sweet fragrant assailed the nose, everywhere revealing the presence of its mistress. But at this moment, Gu Cheng Yao felt light-headed and could hardly breathe.
Gu Hui Yan sat at the top seat, and Gu Cheng Yao stood at the hall below, the father and son faced each other quietly. In the silence, a small, rustling sound of the clothes suddenly came from behind the screen.
Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao both returned to their senses at the same time. Without waiting for Gu Cheng Yao's reaction, Gu Hui Yan got up and went inside.
Lin Wei Xi felt embarrassed from the bottom of her heart. At the time she was so angry that the blood supply to her brain was insufficient, which made her faint. In fact, she slowly got better after a short rest. When she woke up, Yan Wang was reprimanding his son outside. Lin Wei Xi was lying on the bed, not knowing whether she should continue pretending to sleep, or cover her ears to avoid the voices.
Who knew that she hasn't finish thinking about it, and accidentally moved her sleeves. She herself felt that this was just a small movement, but who knew that Gu Hui Yan would come in immediately.
It was embarrassing. Lin Wei Xi in response could only get up on her own. When Gu Hui Yan saw this he hurriedly came to support her, as if he was treating some fragile porcelain, he placed her carefully on a soft pillow.
Right after Lin Wei Xi sat down, she didn't even bother to adjust the position of the pillow behind her waist, quickly said: "Wangye, I just wake up, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you."
"I know." Gu Hui Yan sighed helplessly after he said this, "What are you thinking about every day?"
"Upright people do not speak secret words, this kind of things better be said in advance, to save you and me from turning over the old account in the future."
Gu Hui Yan looked at her quietly, mindful that she had just woken up, in the end still restrain himself. The Yan Wang with oppressing air and strong atmosphere from a moment ago, suddenly became tolerant and patient.
Gu Cheng Yao stood outside the screen, wondering if he should go in. The stepmother was about the same age as him. Of course it was not good for him to go to his stepmother's inner room, especially when Lin Wei Xi was still lying on the bed, in front of his father, afraid he didn't want to live anymore.
But Lin Wei Xi was awake, Gu Cheng Yao couldn't help but walked two steps forward. Just now Lin Wei Xi fainted, it was actually him who sent her back. At that time Lin Wei Xi's face was pale and she was motionless. Gu Cheng Yao was so scared. He also wanted to know how Lin Wei Xi was now.
Gu Cheng Yao stood outside the screen, separated by five fan double-sided brocade screens, only a vague shadow could be seen. His father sat opposite Lin Wei Xi, carefully and slowly tested the temperature of her forehead, holding her hand and softly comforting.
Just because Lin Wei Xi waken up, his father seems like a completely different person. The harsh coldness on his body was swept away, and his flexible self and character also returned.
Gu Cheng Yao couldn't tell what he felt in his heart, but he knew he had no reason to go behind the screen.
Lin Wei Xi was inquired about her body carefully by Gu Hui Yan. It was meticulous and cumbersome, and even Lin Wei Xi thought he made a big fuss over nothing. She glanced outside, and across the muslin screen and brocade she could only see a vague figure. Lin Wei Xi pursed her lips unconsciously, and asked, "Wangye, just now you were instructing Shizi? You already finish?"
Gu Hui Yan helped pull up the quilt for her, and responded indifferently: "Yes." He looked up at Lin Wei Xi, and after a while, he chuckled, "What do you want to say?"
Lin Wei Xi's eyes rolled slightly, and she smiled flatteringly at Gu Hui Yan: "According to reason, Wangye is educating the children then I shouldn't interrupt. But I have something to say to Shizi."
Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi for a while, with a calm expression: "Alright."
Lin Wei Xi's hair had already let down, and it was troublesome to ask the maid to come in and comb her hair. She put on a coat casually, used tooth comb to gather her hair neatly herself, and followed Gu Hui Yan outside.
Lin Wei Xi specifically came to Gu Cheng Yao, she was actually had a purpose.
Today, Yun Hui's affair reminded Lin Wei Xi of an old thing.
Before Han shi became the Duke Yingguo Shizi's, the father in her previous life, beloved woman, there was another favored yiniang in the inner house but she seemed to pass away silently. Lin Wei Xi, as a young lady, of course would not have any contact with her father's concubine. It was a long time later as she was getting older and began to discuss marriage, when she accidentally heard from the old servant women's chattering that the favored concubine seemed to be caught having an affair, and she was punish by Shizi.
If it weren't for Yun Hui, Lin Wei Xi wouldn't have remember it. But once she noticed, she found that the two things looked unrelated, but they were similar.
Lin Wei Xi called, Wan Yue came in from the outside carrying a plate, put the things on the small square table, saluted to everyone, and quietly stepped back.
Lin Wei Xi took two pink porcelain cups from one side, picked up the wine pot on the plate, and poured tea in front of Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao. "Shizi, Yun Hui and Shizi Consort are all your women. I as an outsider shouldn't get involve with your room's matters. But a woman's reputation is a matter of life and death. I think it's better to make it clear when this kind of thing happens. Hope Shizi don't think I'm nosy."
After Lin Wei Xi finished speaking, she put down the wine pot while holding her wide sleeves and let it out for Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao to see.
The tea that was poured from the same pot turned out to be two colors.
Lin Wei Xi ignored Gu Cheng Yao's face and continued: "This kind of pot is called Yin Yang pot, it looks normal, but as long as the small hole at the handle of the pot is blocked, the wine in the hidden pot will be poured out." Lin Wei Xi picked up the wine pot, and pointed it out to Gu Cheng Yao the tiny invisible hole under the handle. This air hole existed at such a place, then the person who poured the wine by holding the handle of the pot only needs to move their little finger lightly to change the wine unknowingly into the cup.
Lin Wei Xi poured both cups of tea into the flowerpot at the side, calling the maid to come in and throw away the tea set. After the things were removed, Lin Wei Xi covered her lips and coughed, and said to Gu Cheng Yao: "This Yin Yang pot should have been thrown away. I asked the maid to get it back secretly. I will only say this. Return the wine pot to the original owner. What Shizi plan to do with it, I won't get involved anymore."
After Lin Wei Xi finished speaking, she returned to the inner room, and in a blink of an eye, only Gu Cheng Yao was left. He stared at the delicate wine pot in front of him, and suddenly felt into a huge trance.
Are the people around him, the things that he thought, all true?
Chapter 73 Part 1: The Ending
With the sun shining on the west window, Lin Wei Xi leaned on the huge pillow and opened a booklet. Wan Xing stood at the side while holding a plate, and whispered to Lin Wei Xi to report the news: "Wangfei, today Shizi has sent Yun Hui away."
"Oh, where to?"
"It's a farm in a small town, the surrounding folks are simple and honest. Shizi let Yun Hui go there to restore her body and manage the rouge shop in the town."
Yun Hui was scratched badly on her face. It was said that she had been washing her face with tears these past couple of days. Of course, she didn't want to leave. But any woman couldn't easily get rid the things like adultery. Yun Hui was indeed wronged, but could the truth be told?
It couldn't. Therefore, Yun Hui could only be sent out of the capital in the name of recuperating.
In fact, Lin Wei Xi felt that this was actually a profit. Gu Cheng Yao sent Yun Hui to take care a rouge shop, then this shop and the farm where she settled in virtually would go to Yun Hui. She didn't have to do anything like serving people, and get a farm and a shop, it's truly a bargain.
However, Yun Hui tied herself to Gu Cheng Yao with all of her heart, and wanted to be Gu Cheng Yao's yiniang, such arrangement undoubtedly felt like heaven falls and earth rends, like her whole life was ruined.
"Only Yun Hui?"
Wan Xing looked around, lowered her voice, and leaned close to Lin Wei Xi and said, "There is also Bu Mama. I heard that she was sent to temporarily take care of Yun Hui. When Yun Hui's face injury is better, she will return."
However, everyone knew that this was nothing but empty words. When would she return? Who would pick her up?
Wan Xing obviously understands this. She thought of the scene when Yun Hui and Bu Mama were out of the mansion today, and she sighed: "Yun yiniang and Bu Mama were very unhappy when they got into the carriage today. Yun yiniang has been crying, begging to say goodbye to Shizi, really pitiful..."
"Shizi didn't show up at all, did he?"
"He didn't."
Lin Wei Xi chuckled lightly, not surprised by this result. What a familiar scene. When Yun Hui stood in front of the carriage and looked at the inner gate eagerly, was she thinking of something from a year ago. At that time, Gao Xi was seriously ill. She sent people to the front yard several times to ask for Gu Cheng Yao, but Yun Hui came to refuse.
For Wan Xing, these things were nothing but fun. She talked enthusiastically for a while, and exclaimed: "Shizi is really cruel. Yun Hui obviously said that she was wronged, but she was still sent away. That kind of gentle request is useless. Also Bu Mama, it can be said that Yun Hui's reputation was damaged, but Bu Mama, who has been taking care of Shizi for nearly 20 years, also gone so silently."
Wan Yue came out from the main house's backyard, she looked a little deeper than Wan Xing. Wan Yue had always been standing aside quietly, listening but not talking, but when she heard what Wan Xing said, she paused and asked in a soft voice: "Wangfei, is Shizi doing this to protect Shizi Consort?"
Yes, even if a woman's name was damaged, her face was scratched, but as long as the master wants to, it was not uncommon to lie low in the suburbs of the capital, half a year later pick her up again. As for Bu Mama, although she joined the fighting and disrespected her mistress, it was not serious enough to send her away. After all, Bu Mama was the steward in charge of the mansion, no matter what she handles or her status, it was not comparable to the job in a small farm.
But Gu Cheng Yao didn't. The reason he gave to send Yun Hui and Bu Mama away were all excuses. The real reason was because they knew the truth about the Yin Yang pot and what Yun Hui overheard.
That day, in order to get rid of the crime of adultery, Yun Hui told everyone the truth about the replacement of the jade pendant. When Lin Wei Xi came in, she cleared away the idle servants. The concubine's illicit affair was not a pleasant thing to hear, of course she had to close the door. Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi drove the people out ahead of time. Otherwise, when Yun Hui yell those things out, things would not end like today.
Regardless of whether Gu Cheng Yao believe it or not, Yun Hui and Bu Mama who heard these words couldn't stay. Even the maids who stayed with Gao Ran that day, with the people who caught the affair, who interrogated, who bite back and fighting together, within a few days, they would definitely be sent out under various reasons one after another.
What was the truth about Gao Ran and Gao Xi, and what actually happened in that year could only be buried in the dust.
Hearing what Wan Yue said, Wan Xing slowly realized why Yun Hui and Bu Mama were sent away. Wan Xing opened her mouth for a moment, and said in astonishment: "Could it be Shizi partial with Shizi Consort this much, even not distinguishing between right and wrong? Shizi Consort was scheming her di older sister, and falsely accused the concubine for having an adultery. After being discovered she didn't have to pay?"
"Wan Xing." Wan Yue glared at Wan Xing sternly, "Speak carefully. Shizi Consort's matters is not something you can say."
Wan Xing still had an unbelievable look. Lin Wei Xi leaned on the soft pillows and turned a page of the account book lazily: "Marriage matters are not trivial things. Gao Ran is not only a Shizi Consort, but also the third miss of Duke Yingguo Mansion. Yan Wang Mansion and Duke Yingguo Mansion is related by marriage, how can a simple thing like right and wrong be said clearly."
Wan Xing thought about it too, this kind of aristocratic marriage valued interest, and the people involve' wishes or even life and death were not important, let alone some small moral taints. But Wan Xing still feel dissatisfied: "If do something wrong without being punished, Wangfei won't you let Shizi Consort's poisonous plan succeed and win a big victory?"
TN: Short chapter means I posted both part today...
Chapter 73 Part 2: The Ending
"A big victory?" Lin Wei Xi couldn't help but smile when she heard it. She closed the account book and moved the wrist joint that had become stiff from holding one position for a long time. The smile on her face was somewhat indifferent. "How can it be a big victory. Self-destructing the Great Wall, she's already finished"
Wan Xing didn't understand, but Wan Yue suddenly enlightened. Yes, that day Wangfei left the yin yang pot to Shizi, where the wine pot came from and what it was loaded in, it was all for Shizi to investigated. Yun Hui and Bu Mama were hurriedly sent away. It was not that Gao Ran won. On the contrary, it proved that Gu Cheng Yao found something and believed it.
Even Yun Hui anxiously revealed some words that day, such as Gao Ran deliberately changed the jade pendant, regretting it when she saw her di older sister got married, and deliberately planning to destroy her sister's marriage, even if Gu Cheng Yao didn't say it, afraid he would start to doubt in his heart. If not, why did Bu Mama, who heard these words, had to be sent far away.
Wan Xing saw Wangfei smile, Wan Yue also looked like this, her mind was muddy, and she muttered suspiciously, "Really?"
Lin Wei Xi just smiled and ended the topic. Even if there were no outsiders in the room, this kind of information that could be used against people shouldn't be said too much. Her eyes had enough rested and planned to continue what she had done before, but she turned her head to looked at the thick stack of land deeds on Wan Xing's tray, and felt extreme hatred for the rich.
The scrolls that were held in Wan Xing's tray, on Lin Wei Xi's hands, and also piled up on one side of the desk, were all businesses belonged to Gu Hui Yan's name. When Lin Wei Xi managed the property of the mansion as Shizi Consort in the previous life, she felt that Yan Wang's family had a lot of money. She was also moved by the mansion's refusal to treat her as an outsider, letting her looked after the mansion's family property so soon. However, she knew now that she was so silly and naive.
The mountains, forests, fields, ponds, and even the shops in the capital, Yan fief and other towns, under Gu Hui Yan's name were scary. She got married in November last year. After that, she was busy establishing her power and managing the New Year. Actually this spring she was a little bit idle. Two days ago, Gu Hui Yan suddenly gave her many wooden box keys to let her pass the time. Lin Wei Xi only then genuinely had the insight of Yan Wang Mansion's family property.
Suddenly seeing so many things, even Lin Wei Xi, who grew up in prosperous country, was mentally out of balance. But after thinking about it she also understood, Gu Hui Yan had been a Qinwang since he was seventeen. The Qinwang feed by 10,000 households, it means 10,000 households did not have to pay taxes to the Ministry of Revenue, but directly handed it over to Yan Wang. Coupled with the fact that Gu Hui Yan spent many years fighting on all sides, wielding the army for 20 years and he had never been defeated, the spoils of war and the court rewards add up to a considerable sum. And Gu Hui Yan looked like he was a very economically savvy person. He used his wealth to invest in dividends, opened shops everywhere, and made more and more money. This had become today's situation.
When Wan Xing heard Lin Wei Xi's words that day she was a bit skeptical, but after a few days, Qingsong Garden faintly revealed the wind, it was said that Shizi and Shizi Consort were quarreling. Wan Xing was shocked to find that Lin Wei Xi's expectations were all coming true. The people around Shizi Consort had always been proud that Gao Ran was in favor. In the past year, Shizi had never even raised his voice. After half a year, who would believe that Shizi would quarrel with Shizi Consort.
No one was there when Shizi and Shizi Consort were arguing, but the people standing outside the door faintly heard Shizi said very harsh words, later Shizi came out with a cold face and that very night he asked people to move his luggage to the study. Shizi Consort cried loudly in the house, and no one saw except for Ning Fu, Tao Mama and a few dowry servants.
Wan Xing's gossip heart was burning. She secretly told Lin Wei Xi, but Lin Wei Xi just gave an indifferent "Oh". Wangfei looked uninterested, and Wan Yue never participated in such topics. Wan Xing's gossipy heart couldn't be shared, so she could only entertain herself, secretly stared at the movement of Qingsong Garden. At first, Shizi Consort was not anxious. She ate and slept as usual, and seemed like she was not affected by Shizi's moved, rather had 'who cares?' attitude. But as time went by, ten days passed, Shizi still showed no signs of softening. Gao Ran panicked waiting for Gu Cheng Yao to come back to apologize and say soft words. She sent someone to faintly hint a few times, but Gu Cheng Yao still didn't follow up. Gao Ran, who used to being praised by men, was also unwilling. She recalled the wisdom of marriage from her previous life that man shouldn't be spoiled, immediately became cold, and directly asked people to pack up, she wanted to go back to her parent's house.
The servant passed the news to Lin Wei Xi that Shizi Consort ordered the carriage to be set up, with an embarrassed expression on his face. Lin Wei Xi raised her eyebrows and shook her head with interest and chuckles: "Since Shizi Consort misses her family and wants to temporarily return to her parent's home, then just do as she said."
The steward in charge of the stables looked incredulous: "Wangfei? This..."
"Follow the instructions of Shizi Consort. If she wants to go back, let her go back."
The stable steward left with a look of constipation. Duke Yinguo Mansion suddenly saw the third miss who had the best marriage came back, they were surprised and delighted. Gao Ran's biological mother Han yiniang finally saw her daughter, and she was really happy. However, after Gao Ran stayed in the Duke Mansion for several days, there was no movement from Yan Wang Mansion, and Han shi gradually realized that something was wrong.
A married woman had no reason to stay in her maiden family for a long time. Unless her husband's family was outside the city, she could stay at most for one night. Only an abandoned woman would stay in her maiden family. Han shi got impatient. One day after dinner, she deliberately send the maids out, closed the door and asked Gao Ran seriously: "Third girl, tell the truth to yiniang, you come home this time, is it because Shizi did something to let you down, and you return to your maiden home as a protest?"
TN: I think some people won't like how this arc resolved, but keep in mind that there's a lot of story left, around 30 chapter. Gao Ran won't fall that easily, I think, I don't know, I haven't read the whole thing, to keep myself motivated I read as I translate...
Chapter 74 Part 1: The Past
Gao Ran was originally smiling, but when she heard Han shi's words, the smile on her face slowly faded: "Why yiniang suddenly ask like this?"
"Was it not because of you." Seeing Gao Ran's expression, Han shi's heart had nothing to understand. No one know a daughter like her mother. These few days Gao Ran lived in the Duke Yingguo Mansion and was treated as their young lady everywhere, she often went to Han shi's place to see Gao Chen's study. Gao Ran looked to be happy, but the smile on her face seemed forced, Han shi knew at a glance that Gao Ran had something on her mind. It seemed there was ulterior motive when she came back to her parent's house.
Her mind was exposed by Han shi, Gao Ran suddenly felt jittery. Her marriage was the pride of her family. All the sisters admire her for her good marriage. How could Gao Ran admit that there was a problem with it. Han shi looked at Gao Ran's complexion, sighed, moved an embroidered stool and sat next to Gao Ran, held her hand and asked carefully: "What is really going on, there is no one now, you talk to mother."
Han shi was only a concubine, even if Gao Ran was her own flesh, she was not qualified to be Gao Ran's mother. Gao Ran's mother was only Wei shi. Now that Han shi called herself "mother", it was undoubtedly arrogant, but Gao Ran heard such words suddenly felt like she was returning to the time she had just transmigrated. At that time, Han shi was still not favored, and Gao Chen was still not born, only the two of them depended on each other.
Gao Ran's depression, grievances, even anxiety and worries about her marriage suddenly burst out. Her eyes uncontrollably went sour, and tears fell: "Mother."
Han shi felt more and more distressed, coaxed Gao Ran to speak slowly. Once started, the rest was easy to say. Gao Ran slowly poured out how Gu Cheng Yao wanted to accept concubines, how arrogant Yun Hui, and how Bu Mama as the old servant was disrespectful to her. Among them, one of the highlight was of course Gao Ran's difficult evil mother-in-law.
Han shi listened to the whole story, and when she heard Yun Hui ran to Lin Wei Xi to ask for grace and forced Gao Ran to lift her position, she was unusually angry: "So shameless. She is already twenty years old and still hasn't been received, it can clearly be seen that she is ugly. Actually used her body to make Shizi receive her as a concubine, totally a slut. She completely deserve to be sent out of the capital."
Gao Ran lowered her head and said, "Three wives and four concubines are normal, and I am also a virtuous and generous person. If Yun Hui is respectful, I will not be intolerant. But she is too slutty."
Han shi scolded Yun Hui for a long time, used words such as slut, immoral and other things. People were really strange. Han shi herself was also a concubine. She also relied on her body to keep a man and was proud of it. But for her daughter, she required all the maids in her in-law's family to be strict and respectful, and those who dare to show their colors were all bitches.
After Han shi let out her resentment, she lowered her voice and asked Gao Ran, "Then how did she get sent away by son-in-law? Is it because of this incident that you have a rift with son-in-law?"
Gao Ran paused for a moment, vaguely passed the question, and implicitly agreed: "I don't know what Shizi thinks. I'm doing this for his own good, but loyal advice jars on the ears, and he refuses to get close to people who are really good to him."
Han shi sighed. She really believe that Gao Ran was trying to deal with that fox woman, so she had a conflict with Gu Cheng Yao: "Men are like this. After a few days, his freshness towards this fox woman will pass, and he will understand you. After all, you are the primary wife. Those tongfang and concubine are all playthings. You just need to put them as objects on the line. Don't force the son-in-law. After a while, son-in-law will return to your side when he gets tired of those people. Don't hurt the son-in-law's face because of a moment's temper, then the mutual affection between husband and wife will not return. That big sister of yours is the best example."
If it's the words from primary wife to her di daughter then it wouldn't be weird, but coming from Han shi who was also a concubine, this was really strange. Han shi mentioned Gao Xi to make Gao Ran feel relieved. Gao Xi and Shizi end up like that, Gao Ran was already much better than Gao Xi. As long as you compare with Gao Xi, Gao Ran should feel relieved.
However, unexpectedly, when Gao Ran heard Gao Xi's name, her face became gloomier. Han shi was astonished: "What's the matter, did Shizi mentioned the eldest miss to you?"
"No." Gao Ran denied it quickly, it unknown who she was trying to convinced. Han shi was very confident in her daughter's methods. Seeing Gao Ran denied it, she really thought that Gu Cheng Yao was still deeply infatuated with Gao Ran. He would rather divorce Gao Xi, would rather risk angering Yan Wang, all in order to marry her daughter. As for the small conflict now, of course, it was only the quarrel between husband and wife, as long as the teeth were still knocked on the lips, which couple would not make a few cold faces.
Han shi relaxed, she thought of the grand occasion when Gu Cheng Yao asked to marry Gao Ran, her eyes could not help but carry something meaningful: "Ran'er, don't forget how Shizi asked to marry you. You have a life-saving grace to him, and also it's very difficult to cultivate a positive result. You treat him like a cinnabar mole in the heart, the white moonlight in front of the window. He satisfy himself with other women, that's it. What really matter is that you are the most important. My child is beautiful, more beautiful than her mother, and taller than her mother. If you go back, be soft, cry and be aggrieved, and then between the sheets be a little submissive, son-in-law will definitely be reluctant to ignore you."
If its native well-bred ladies, they would definitely get angry when they heard these words. What did Han shi think of them? Only the prostitutes, actress and singer would work hard on the bed, and they were inferior compare to a concubine. But Gao Ran was not a pure ancient woman, she did not reject these, but she felt very sad when she heard it.
Especially when Gao Ran heard Han shi praised her beautiful appearance, Lin Wei Xi's face immediately appeared before her eyes. No matter how beautiful the noble young lady, how could it match the face favored by Heaven, even Yan Wang was reluctant to say harsh words to that face. Gu Cheng Yao and Lin Wei Xi were called mother and son, but they were about the same age, and Gu Cheng Yao was very protective of Lin Wei Xi. In contrast, she this wife was thankless.
Han shi saw Gao Ran's expression was lifeless, there was no exuberance and confidence from a year ago. Han shi felt distressed and whispered: "Don't worry, everything has to be lost to know how to cherish. You have been living in your maiden house these few days, and son-in-law didn't have you at his side, definitely already not used to it. You give him the way out, he will understand to come and pick you up."
Gao Ran smiled bitterly and replied in her heart, No.
If Yun Hui's affairs were not discovered, Gao Ran would still be confident. But somehow the Yin Yang pot got into Gu Cheng Yao's hands, Gao Ran had always portrayed herself as true, benevolent and good, but now that persona collapsed, it unknown how disappointed Gu Cheng Yao was. And what Yun Hui yelling out before leaving about the pair of fishes jade pendants made Gao Ran panic.
Gao Ran convinced herself that Gu Cheng Yao was very disgusted with Gao Xi, he would not believe such words. But, what if? What if Gu Cheng Yao really believed it, and from this he realized that she was not what she seemed, no longer trusted her, what should she do?
When Gao Ran thought of this, she couldn't wait to break Yun Hui's body into pieces.
Gao Ran couldn't help but wanted to ask Han shi: "Yiniang, that year when you were pregnant with Gao Chen you almost had a miscarriage in the ancestral hall. Later, father had a big fight with Wei shi for you, but no one thought that Wei shi would become ill. After Wei shi's death, did father get angry at you for this? Is he still treat you the same like before?"
When Han shi heard these past events, she also became cold. She stared at the candlelight and paused for a while before saying: "What's the importance of this? It didn't take long for me to give birth to Chen boy, and I have a son to depend on. These love and affection have also become vain. Anyway, the new people around him have come and go, but I stayed for a long time because of Chen boy, that's enough."
Both mother and daughter fell silent, looking at the beating fire core with a heavy mind. Outsider all said that they were both winners, Han shi and Gao Ran also tried their best to build this image. But behind closed door who would have known, whether it was Han shi or Gao Ran, there was a dead person in front of them. And you couldn't fight or calculate a dead person.
Chapter 74 Part 2: The Past
Han shi quickly recovered. She clasped Gao Ran's hand and said: "Child, for the sake of this plan, you need to give birth to an heir as soon as possible. As long as you have a son by your side, even if son-in-law have many orioles and swallows, you will not be afraid. Tomorrow, I will take you to find the old madam, and let the old madam talk to your mother-in-law. You this primary wife returned to her maiden house, but son-in-law did not move at all. He treated you so lightly. You should let your mother-in-law support you to vent your anger."
Gao Ran's expression was obviously awkward: "Go and beg her?"
"Don't be stubborn, she is the Wangfei. Her son and daughter-in-law are in conflict, isn't she as the mother-in-law should be in charge? Tomorrow you are going to follow mother to find the old madam. You will be gentle in front of her and admit your mistakes. Let your grandmother invite Yan Wangfei to come and ask for favor. When Yan Wangfei is a guest, you will serve at her side, and in the evening you will be able to follow her back to Yan Wang Mansion. You can't just waste your time at your maiden house, you will be laughed at."
Even if Gao Ran was reluctant, she knew that this was the only way to go. However, when she thought that she had to smilingly plead to Lin Wei Xi, she still felt uncomfortable all over.
The next day, Han shi got up early and went to pay respect to the Duke Yingguo old madam. The old madam reclined on the Arhat bed. Han shi served the old madam to rinse her mouth and eat. Later, she personally took the beauty hammer from the maid's hand and massage the old madam's leg in a familiar manner: "Old ancestor, you see the third girl have stayed at home for several days. She, this young daughter-in-law has a thin-skin and has a conflict with son-in-law. She is not sure what to do. You see, what could you teach her?"
Gao Ran stood up when she heard the words, and stood in front of the Duke Yingguo old madam with her hands down: "Thanking grandmother for the teachings."
In fact, the old madam was also anxious and angry these few days, but she was holding her old ancestor's air, and refused to take the initiative to talk about this matter. It should be others who asked first, then she could condescendingly point out one or two: "What's the matter with you and Shizi, actually make you come back to your maiden house?"
"Shizi wants to take a personal maid as a concubine. That maid has served Shizi for more than ten years and is very popular in the mansion. Because of her age, she doesn't put me in her eyes, and repeatedly picks things up. I couldn't put up with it any longer and said a few sentence. Although Shizi sent the person away, he still have a grudge with me."
How could Duke Yingguo old madam know that in Gao Ran's mouth, the truth of the matter had completely changed. She was surprised when she heard these words. She thought that Yan Wang Mansion's Shizi had a deep affection for Gao Ran, and now he seemed like an ordinary man. In this way, Gao Ran couldn't stay in the duke mansion even more. Otherwise, if she stayed in her maiden house for ten days to half a month then the orioles and swallows on Shizi's side over there was left unattended, and the opportunity to get pregnant would be in jeopardy.
Duke Yingguo old madam said: "Well, since you are asking me sincerely, then I will come forward for you once. The most important thing for a woman is to be chaste and submissive. You shouldn't be narrow-minded and jealous. In the future you are not allowed to drive away the concubines. Understand?"
"Yes."
Seeing Gao Ran's docile appearance, the old madam couldn't help but soften, and said: "It happens that the Duke Mansion has set up a stage play these past few days. This old body will write a post and invite Yan Wangfei to come to our mansion to see the play. I know that you and Shizi are young couple with deep feelings, and in your eyes there are no room for another woman. But every woman are like this. If those tongfang and small concubines are really too much, you go ask Yan Wangfei to give you justice."
Everyone instructed her to ask Lin Wei Xi, as if she pleased Lin Wei Xi, all her problems would be easily solved. But Gao Ran and Lin Wei Xi were obviously the same age, and even half a year ago, Lin Wei Xi was the one who took shelter in Yan Wang Mansion. Gao Ran was indignant at this gap, but no matter how dissatisfied she was, she had to admit that it was a fact.
After Wan Yue entered the door, she saw the gold invitation at the table. She glanced at it from a distance and was surprised: "It turned out to be sent by the Duke Yingguo Mansion? What did their family invite Wangfei for?"
"What else, Shizi Consort went back to her family home to find someone to support her, and now she must find a reason to come back." Wan Xing said.
Yes, Gao Ran overbearingly returned to her maiden house, but after a few days, Yan Wang Mansion didn't care about her at all. This was very embarrassing. Even if Gao Ran was embarrassed and lost face, she still had to set herself up to please Lin Wei Xi and let Lin Wei Xi bring her back.
Wan Yue understood, and asked: "Wangfei, are you going then?"
Lin Wei Xi sighed. She actually didn't want to go, but Duke Yingguo old madam who was forty or fifty years older than her personally handed over the invitation, at least she need to give this much face. Lin Wei Xi said: "Push back the arrangements for that day. I will personally make a trip to the Duke Yingguo Mansion."
Wan Xing and Wan Yue got the order, after answering they went out to make the arrangements. On the day of the invitation, Lin Wei Xi's carriage drove slowly and steadily to the Duke Yingguo Mansion under the guard of many attendants.
This was the first time since Lin Wei Xi's rebirth she was visiting, or should it said, returning to the Duke Yingguo Mansion. She sat upright in the carriage, her thoughts drifting away.
In the original ending of the Book of Heaven, the vicious sister and ex-wife lost everything, the hero and heroine lived happily together, and the heroine's younger brother became the glorious Duke Yingguo. Gao Ran and Gao Chen this brother and sister had completely changed their shu backgrounds, no matter where all stars cup themselves around the moon, Han shi thus became the official relatives of the duke mansion.
The primary wife Wei shi, di daughter Gao Xi, and the genuine relative of Duke Yingguo's Shizi Grand Princess Shou Kang, were all annihilated in the torrent. When people talked about the ancient times, they would be joked and belittled by storytellers.
Lin Wei Xi even knew that Gao Chen would place the tablet of Han shi in the center of the ancestral hall in the future, standing side by side with Wei shi. Later, Wei shi's memorial tablet would be unmanned without worship for a long time, in the end it was lost. Han shi' grandeur replaced the real Shizi Consort Wei shi's position.
Lin Wei Xi told herself are those who was called prince and general more noble than others? People rise and fall. This was the Heaven's law cycle. But thinking that Han shi would replace her mother's status, she still clenched her fists tightly.
Lin Wei Xi, are you really willing?
Chapter 75 Part 1: Young Man
Lin Wei Xi was so immersed in the memories of the past that she could hardly extricate herself. Suddenly the carriage bumped into something and stopped.
Everyone in the carriage were shaken for a moment. Wan Yue reacted quickly and immediately supported Lin Wei Xi: "Wangfei, are you alright?"
Lin Wei Xi recovered from this accident. She withdrew her thoughts and calmly shook her head: "I'm fine."
After Wan Yue confirmed Lin Wei Xi's safety, she immediately became angry with the driver. She lifted the curtains, her eyebrows frowned tightly, her face serious: "You are so brave, that's how you drive the carriage? If Wangfei have an accident, can you afford it?"
Of course the coachman couldn't afford it, he himself was in a cold sweat till his back was wet. If Wangfei was hit even a slightest bit, then Yan Wang would never spare him.
The coachman smiled dryly and apologized to Wan Yue. With great difficulty letting the maid beside Wangfei to calm down. The coachman turned his head and immediately changed his face. Shouted with a fierce look: "You don't want your life? Your life is worthless, if you disturbed the nobles of Yan Wang Mansion, even ten of you still can't afford to pay."
Lin Wei Xi frowned, the coachman was too domineering. Lin Wei Xi was planning to let Wan Yue go out to stop him, when suddenly she heard a polite, neither servile nor overbearing voice from outside the carriage: "It is this little one who was wrong, the student Gao Ke, the clan's grandson of the Duke Yingguo, shall apologize to Yan Wangfei. Hope that Wangfei will forgive my presumptuous sin."
The surname was Gao, but if he lives outside, then he was from the side branch of the Duke Mansion, and looking at his family situation, afraid it's still a bit far off side branch. When Lin Wei Xi heard this voice she felt it was interesting. She saw a young man in a green shirt standing in front of the carriage through the gently swaying curtain. Looking at the age it seems to be fourteen or fifteen, the clothes on his body was a little worn-out, but even if his clothes were old, his demeanor was still eye-catching.
If it was just because of this, it was not worthy to catch Lin Wei Xi's attention. Now she didn't know how many young generations with outstanding demeanor she saw every day. This young man stood on the street with a strong personality, but if he was placed in the world of nobles it was nothing more than that.
What's really interesting was that this young man said to apologize, but his body was still firmly stood in front of Lin Wei Xi's carriage. Although he was a good distance away, but he virtually blocked all of Lin Wei Xi's road. Lin Wei Xi found it interesting. This young man just said "forgive his presumptuous sin", in the end it refers to what?
Lin Wei Xi sat steadily in the carriage, without the slightest intention of talking, very calm. The coachman originally thought to have someone teach this boy, then their carriage could leave. But Wangfei did not speak, so the coachman did not dare to make suggestions, without better option he had to rein the horse in place.
This young man named Gao Ke didn't let Lin Wei Xi wait long before he continued: "Today's collision with Yan Wangfei is really disrespectful, but there is only this chicken in my family. The widow's sister-in-law and young nephew are still counting on this hen's eggs to nourish their bodies. This little one really can't just sit idly by."
Just now, the carriage stopped abruptly because Gao Ke rushed to the front of the carriage. He throw himself ruthlessly enough, if the coachman in the mansion was not well-trained and reacted quickly, afraid the boy would have been caught under the horse's hooves. After Gao Ke finished speaking, the hen that he said very important, no matter what couldn't have any mishap, poked its head out from his hand and clucking.
Lin Wei Xi was a little speechless. When she saw the books scattered on the roadside, she suddenly became interested: "Zhoubi Suanjing1? You looks like a scholar, but you are still interested in Zhoubi?"
Gao Ke glanced in that direction and said, "Do not dare. Just take a look one or two in some spare time."
Lin Wei Xi smiled and said casually: "You actually have plenty of time."
"If a person don't have to manage your livelihood, then he will have plenty of time. Unfortunately, the widow sister-in-law is not in a good health, the nephew is also young, and the family business is too difficult to make a living. If it's not for this little one have a good memory, afraid that this year's Autumn Exam will not be able to participate."
At the age of fourteen or fifteen, shall participate in the country examination, it was already very young. Lin Wei Xi faintly felt that this was the purpose of this young man, and she asked, "Good memory? Could it be that you never forget?"
"Cannot be said to never forget. If read twice, can remember the general idea."
Lin Wei Xi was astonished when she heard this, Gao Ke said that he could only remember a general outline, but if he dared to say it, it would be more than that. Lin Wei Xi suddenly wanted to test it, so she let people opened the carriage's compartment, took "Six Secret Teachings" from Gu Hui Yan Bookshelf and handed it to Gao Ke. The art of war was a monopoly resource. Looking at Gao Ke's clothing and family background, he would never have access to such books.
After Gao Ke took it, he saluted to Lin Wei Xi. He slowly turned the page over and read a dozen pages. He closed the book and said, "Showed one's ugliness." As soon as the voice drooped, Gao Ke recited the "Six Secret Teachings" from the beginning. From time to time he paused naturally, spoke not too fast not too slow, and there was no lag nor difficulty. In a blink of an eye, he recited three pages of the book.
At first, Wan Xing was very hostile to this uninvited guest, but when she heard this, Wan Xing exclaimed: "Oh my God, only read it once, actually remember it all."
Lin Wei Xi was also amazed. It seemed that Gao Ke not only a genius in mathematics, he even had a surprisingly good memory. No matter which family such a genius was placed in, it was bound to be the trump card cultivated by the clan. Lin Wei Xi thought of the family situation that Gao Ke had deliberately disclosed to her just now. There were only widow sister-in-law and young brother's son in his family. The nephew had to be supported by his little uncle. Obviously Gao Ke's parents were no longer there. And the eldest brother had a son, and the inheritance would fall on the nephew in the future.
Lin Wei Xi's heart suddenly moved. Such a background was simply the best candidate for adoption, not to mention that Gao Ke had good memory and extremely talented. If possible, he would be fight over by the adoptive family.
These thoughts were only a flash, Lin Wei Xi said lightly: "Alright."
Gao Ke's voice stopped, he retuned the book of war with both hands, and said: "Yan Wang's God of War name had shook the four seas, this little one is fortunate to read the handwritten comments of His Highness Yan Wang. This little one is ignorant of the art of war and does not understand its meaning. Make Yan Wangfei laugh."
Lin Wei Xi was a little embarrassed. She just casually took a book, and the handwriting on it was obviously not from a woman. However, it was handed out from Yan Wangfei's hand. Think about it also aware whose handwriting it should be.
Gao Ke also sighed in his heart that book with Yan Wang's handwriting were precious and he actually saw them so easily. It seems the words that Yan Wang was very indulging to the new Yan Wangfei was not groundless.
Because of this, Gao Ke added "Let Yan Wangfei laugh" at the end. Yan Wangfei conveniently picked up Yan Wang's book of war, presumably she was also taught by Yan Wang in private. Gao Ke really didn't dare to evaluate the military skills of the young Wangfei in front of him.
1 Zhoubi Suanjing, is one of the oldest Chinese texts on astronomy and mathematics.↩
Chapter 75 Part 2: Young Man
Wan Xing and Wan Yue took the book back and put it away, looking at Lin Wei Xi with a smile. Lin Wei Xi didn't want to talk about her private affairs with Gu Hui Yan with a teenager who she met for the first time on the street, so she coughed lightly and said, "Your intelligence is indeed surprising. But the Autumn Examination is near. Even if you have ability, you can't relax because of this. Wan Yue, go and get three months payment for private tutor."
It would be exactly three months from now to Autumn Examination. Gao Ke must have been dragged down by his family. He was worried about delaying his Autumn Examination, so he took the risk and recommended himself in front of Lin Wei Xi. Fullness for the bold famine for the timid, his talent was indeed outstanding. To hang his name in front of Yan Wang was far better than depressingly study for ten years. But meeting Yan Wang was not easy, Gao Ke could only find another way, starting from the very favored Yan Wangfei. It just so happened that Yan Wangfei was a guest at the Duke Yingguo Mansion today, and the carriage would pass through the Gao family's settlement. If he missed this opportunity, he wouldn't have it again.
Gao Ke declined: "If you have no merit, you don't deserve the reward, this little one and Wangfei have never met before, how can this little one take Wangfei's things."
"This is not for you. Your teacher teaches well, this is the payment for the revered master." In the carriage, the young female voice slowly came out, and this voice was so beautiful. The same meaning, but it was that someone spoken it so beautifully, Gao Ke settled down his heart and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Wangfei. Gao Ke will remember the grace of Wangfei today, and he will never forget it."
Lin Wei Xi didn't feel much about it, she had listened this kind of repaying gratitude sentence too many times. Gao Ke stepped aside and stood with his hands down. He watched Lin Wei Xi's carriage started slowly and headed towards the main residence of Duke Yingguo Mansion. Lin Wei Xi was sitting in the steady and warm carriage, and her thoughts could not help but drift over to the adopting matter.
It would be great if Gao Ke could be adopted under Wei shi's name, in the future took over Duke Yingguo Shizi's position and become the head of the Duke Mansion. It would be a wonderful idea both for Gao Ke himself and for the whole Gao's family.
The importance of heirs to a family clan was unquestionable. It was not easy for ancestors to establishing the business. It often requires three generations of hard work, but it only need one generation to squander it all. Cleverness was a scarce resource even compared to beauty. If a young man who had a good memory, excellent in arithmetic, bold in thinking and daring in action could become the heir of the family, the clan elder must be waking up from his dreams smiling. Lin Wei Xi abandoned any selfishness and sincerely felt this was the best choice for the Duke Yingguo Mansion.
It was a pity that Duke Yingguo Shizi already had a precious son Gao Chen, and Han shi and Gao Ran would never allow the adoption. Lin Wei Xi thought for a while, but regretfully gave up.
When she met Gao Ke, she had already arrived at the Duke Yingguo's territory. It didn't take long before arriving at the main residence. Lin Wei Xi was greeted graciously all the way to the seat. Duke Yingguo old madam and Lin Wei Xi sat on the same level, she asked politely: "Wangfei arrived later than the time in your message. Was your journey smooth?"
Lin Wei Xi smiled and concealed it, she said, "Everything is well. Something happened, so I was delayed." As for what it was, Lin Wei Xi didn't mean to tell.
Duke Yingguo old madam was also very tactful. She knew from Lin Wei Xi's expression that these things shouldn't be asked, so she changed the subject wittily: "I haven't seen Wangfei for a long time, is Wangfei in a good health?"
"Recently because of anxious air I fainted, except for that I'm fine."
The people in the warm pavilion were silent for a moment. Wasn't this just a polite question? Logically, Lin Wei Xi should reply "My body is in good health, thank you for your concern", and then the guest and the host had a good time, after that the old madam could move to the topic she wanted to talk about. The people of Duke Yingguo Mansion politely asked about Wangfei's health, but Yan Wangfei really replied that it was not good. What should they do?
Duke Yingguo old madam have long heard people say that because Gao Ran was arguing with Shizi, Yan Wangfei went to deal with it, but she was so angry that she fainted. Yan Wang was furious because of this incident, the inside of Yan Wang Mansion they didn't know, but the people outside walked on their toes for three days.
Duke Yingguo old madam was embarrassed. She coughed and said, "It's the Duke Mansion who did not teach their daughters well and makes Wangfei tired. As long as this old body thinks about this, it's hard to sleep at night, always feel restless. This old body planned to personally go to Yan Wang Mansion to beg for forgiveness, but unfortunately one's health is unsatisfactory, and the ailment has relapsed. Fortunately, saw Yan Wangfei today, this old body apologize for my unsatisfactory granddaughter."
The old madam of Duke Yingguo really wanted to stand up and salute, Lin Wei Xi smiled and stopped her arm: "The old madam is too polite. After all, Shizi Consort is my junior. If she make mistakes, I will slowly teach her, how can I blame it on the old madam."
Duke Yingguo old madam said that, but she was the most senior, and Lin Wei Xi couldn't really make her grandmother's generation apologize to her. She stopped Duke Yingguo old madam's movements and asked the old madam to sit down. The old lady falsely declined a few times, and slowly sat back on her seat: "A woman who was not virtuous or filial, of course, it was because the poor upbringing of her parent's family. This old body cannot escape the blame. Fortunately, Wangfei is forgiving, this old body is very grateful.
Gao Ran had been serving on one side. Upon hearing these words, she could only step forward and kowtowed to both Duke Yingguo old madam and Lin Wei Xi to apologize. The old lady devalued Gao Ran into nothing, but she was careful and careful with Lin Wei Xi. Gao Ran who knelt on the ground felt very complicated.
Lin Wei Xi glanced to the ground and neither too warm nor too cold called Gao Ran to get up. Duke Yingguo old madam were a little flustered with Lin Wei Xi's attitude. She tentatively asked: "This past few days the third girl stayed in the duke mansion and cannot take care of Shizi. I wonder if Shizi alright?"
Lin Wei Xi really didn't know. Gu Hui Yan was angry that day when Lin Wei Xi fainted. When she woke up, she heard Gu Hui Yan scolding Gu Cheng Yao. Later, Gu Hui Yan gave Gu Cheng Yao a few days to deal with Yun Hui and Gao Ran's matters, and then called Gu Cheng Yao away. As for how he was punished in private, Lin Wei Xi didn't know.
This happened in the past few days, Gao Ran went back to her family in anger, so of course she didn't know. Lin Wei Xi folded her hands on her lap and said, "Wangye gives guidance to Shizi. I don't know the details."
When the people in Duke Yingguo Mansion heard this, they secretly gasped. It turned out that Yan Wang himself who dealt with it. This was very serious. Their expressions were a bit complicated, and even Duke Yingguo old madam's complexion was embarrassed and did not know what to say.
Of course they didn't dare to talk about how Yan Wang educate his son, but it was their own son-in-law who was punished, if they didn't even ask it seemed like they didn't even worried. Han shi walked to the main seat with a smile, and graciously poured a cup of tea for Lin Wei Xi: "Wangfei, Shizi is still young after all. You are his mother, and you always has a face in front of Yan Wang. If Yan Wang is very angry, asking you to please do more for Shizi."
Han shi's posture was very low, but Lin Wei Xi's appearance was noble and unsullied, she glanced at Han shi lightly and coldly: "Who is this and why she appear here? Could it be this is the way in Duke Yingguo Mansion?"