I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

by Usui Takumii

not mine, is from 'this seat is bored'.

17. 81 to 87

Chapter 81 Part 1: People's Heart

Lin Wei Xi was wearing a light white jacket, underneath it was a blue eight-fold muslin long skirt, standing by the window carefully trimming the flower branches. The maid stood behind Lin Wei Xi with a pair of scissors, big and small, and Gao Ran waited on the side. Lin Wei Xi was very patient while pruning. She bent over to hold the gorgeous and thriving flowers, and took a long time before she trimmed down with a knife. This process was undoubtedly a long one. Gao Ran could understand putting flowers in the house as a sentiment, but how long you need to stand for a bunch of flowers? What for?

The cool wind blew after the rain, lifting the corner of Lin Wei Xi's light blue skirt. A stunning woman dressed in refreshing colors, leaning in front of the long window, engrossed in tending the dew-dropped flowers. Lin Wei Xi looked at the blossom, but she also the scenery in other people's eyes. Beautiful scenery, elegant atmosphere, just like inside a painting.

Even Gao Ran felt it was extremely pleasing to the eye, let alone a man. In this area no matter if it was men or women, all watched attentively at Lin Wei Xi, and the little maids who followed Lin Wei Xi almost looks stunned. The beautiful and fair Wangfei was the pride of everyone in Yan Wang Mansion. As long as there was Lin Wei Xi in the place, the servants would unconsciously hold their breath.

Gao Ran was impatient and while standing her mind couldn't help but wandering. It rained a lot last night, from the evening until midnight, the wind was chilly this morning, all the trees, flowers and plants were washed clean and glistening, and on the roadside could be seen a lot of blown branches.

It's natural to leisurely listen to the night rain in the room, but if someone couldn't make it home last night and stayed outside all the time, then that would be a great suffering.

Gao Ran was in a trance, suddenly saw a person at the corner of the corridor waving at Gao Ran, motioning her to come out. Gao Ran recognized that this was her dowry maid. She looked anxious, as if there was something urgent.

Lin Wei Xi also saw it. She glanced outside, her hands kept moving, and said lightly: "It looks like an urgent matter, Shizi Consort go out and take a look."

Gao Ran thanked her, and then saluted to retire. Gao Ran didn't come back after going there for a long time, Lin Wei Xi instinctively felt that something was wrong, and soon Lin Wei Xi also knew what happened.

Duke Yingguo Shizi went out on horseback the night before and accidentally fell into the mountain stream. He was trapped in a rock and couldn't move. He lasted for a day and a night, but in the end he didn't survive the heavy rain last night, and died because he lost too much blood.

Lin Wei Xi was about to repair a flower, instead she snapped it in the middle.

Lin Wei Xi's face turned pale when she rushed to Duke Yingguo Mansion, but fortunately everyone's face was dejected, and no one noticed her strangeness. The mama who came to meet Lin Wei Xi wiped her tears and said: "Wangfei came here early, even the relatives in the family was not as fast as you. Your heart we have written down, the old madam is crying inside, Wangfei, you go inside to persuade."

The crying eyes of Duke Yingguo old madam were very red. Seeing Lin Wei Xi, she still forced herself to stand up: "This old body greet Wangfei."

At this time, Lin Wei Xi couldn't be in the mood to pay attention to these empty courtesy. She almost impatiently asked: "How could Shizi get injured and fall outside, dying of blood loss? Where is the guard by his side?"

When it mentioned, Duke Yingguo old madam cry again: "I only found out yesterday morning that he was out at night. I thought he went to someone else's house for a drink, so I didn't take it seriously. Who knows that he never come back. In the evening I let someone ask other families, who knew that there was a heavy rain in the sky before there was results. After the rain stopped, the servants finally searched for some traces, who would have thought when we found him, he already become a corpse."

The old madam burst into tears. She had only one son, but now the white-haired person sending off the black-haired person, the grief could be imagined. Lin Wei Xi stood there, startled for a long time.

Even if Gao Ran didn't really regard Duke Yingguo Shizi as her father, but after all these years of getting along, she still felt a little sad when she heard these words. Gao Ran sighed and held Duke Yingguo old madam's hand, and said: "Grandma, the dead are gone, the living should take care. Please restrain your grieve."

Lin Wei Xi somehow raised her head, her eyes widened, her pupils were full of emotions: "He is your father, and now the father who loved you the most since childhood is dead, and you actually said restrain your grieve?"

When Lin Wei Xi said this, the people at the side were stunned. Although the listener sighed, it didn't hurt if the knife didn't cut them. Those who came to mourn, which one didn't wipe one or two tears, and then said some condolences, a polite phrase. How could Yan Wangfei be so emotional?

Gao Ran was stunned by Lin Wei Xi's questioning, and she also realized that she was too cold, even not as good as Lin Wei Xi, not like a daughter who was experiencing the pain of losing her father. Gao Ran shuddered in her heart, bowed her head and blinked, her eyes immediately burst into tears: "I am also very sad in my heart, and I wish I could follow my father like this. But grandmother is still here, so how can I leave my elders behind? I'm afraid grandmother is grieving too much then injured her body, so tried to persuade her to stop crying."

As soon as Gao Ran said these words, the people in the room were drawn into tears again, some of them wiped their tears, and some of them advised Gao Ran not to be sad and excessively damage her body. Gao Ran always excelled at superficial skills like this. Lin Wei Xi raised her eyes, there was dazzling white everywhere. She was standing in a strange and familiar Duke Yingguo Mansion. She couldn't cry or laugh.

Her mother was dead, and now, her father had left early. Lin Wei Xi thought countless times that Duke Yingguo Shizi was stupid and arrogant. He deserved to be cleaned up one day. But in any case, he shouldn't be lying alone in the mountain stream, shout and shout but no one respond, so lonely and desperate till he die from blood lose.

Gao Ran held Duke Yingguo old madam while soothing her in a low voice, and after a while, the grandmother and grandchildren cried together. Lin Wei Xi looked coldly at those two people cried on each other shoulder, as if the most important thing in the world was crying. Lin Wei Xi's eyes were sore, but she couldn't shed a single tear.

Lin Wei Xi had never heard her own voice this cold, which could almost freeze a person's muscles and bones: "Why there was no one following Shizi that night? When finding out that Shizi is gone, why didn't you try to find him? Even if Shizi wouldn't let you follow, could it be you don't you even know where he went?"

This series of questions made everyone hesitate that no one could lift their head up. Lin Wei Xi's gaze swept across the "loyal servants" in front of her, and everyone who was looked at all bowed their heads and almost couldn't bear to kneel down.

Chapter 81 Part 2: People's Heart

No one had time to think about why Yan Wangfei was so emotional and how it was Yan Wangfei who gave orders in Duke Yingguo's territory. Everyone subconsciously obeyed Lin Wei Xi's orders, staring while holding their breath, not daring to make trouble.

"Who was the last person who saw Shizi the day before yesterday?"

Han shi changed into a white clothes. She lowered her head and said softly: "It's this concubine."

"What did Shizi say to you? Why is he going out?"

"Shizi didn't say anything." Han shi kept her head down, and her voice was as thin as a mosquito. "He just asked some ordinary questions, asked about Chen boy's study, and then went out. This concubine didn't know where Shizi go after he went out, Shizi was obviously fine when he left this concubine."

The more Lin Wei Xi asked, the more she found it fishy, in the majestic Duke Mansion how could this thing happen? Duke Yingguo Shizi couldn't move until it rained last night. During this day and two nights, if anyone found any clues and followed them, he would not have lost his life. A full fifteen hours, with a little bit of information, it's unlikely to end like this.

Lin Wei Xi walked over and offered incense to Duke Yingguo Shizi. She stayed in front of the coffin for a long time, but still didn't have the courage to take a look. Today's obituary has just been issued, and the official condolences have not yet come. Those who came at this time were only close relatives. People in the Duke Yingguo Mansion all thought that Lin Wei Xi came so quickly because of Gao Ran, who could think of the real reason.

Gao Ran cried for a while, acted like a filial daughter, and then she was supported to go down to clean her face. Han shi also took the opportunity to follow, Gao Ran sent everyone out, and took Han shi's hand and asked in a low voice: "Yiniang, what is really going on with my father?"

Gao Ran knew a lot about Han shi, and Han shi's excuse could fooled the people of Duke Yingguo Mansion, but it couldn't fool Gao Ran. Now that there was no one, Han shi paused for a moment, lowered her head and said, "He came to me the night before because he found out about the Yin Yang pot."

"What?" Gao Ran couldn't believe it, "How could he have that?"

"I don't know where he learned about it. In short, our Yin Yang pot fell into his hands. He found out about Yun Niang back then and came over to question me late at night. Later, he was very angry and spoke cruelly that the next day he would tell the old madam early in the morning to sell me, and even your siblings would be implicated. I was frightened all night, and when I went to pay respect the next day, I realized that he has not returned all night."

Gao Ran gradually heard that something was wrong, and she opened her mouth in surprise: "In other words, do you actually know where he went?"

"How could I know that he was there? How could I know that he had an accident?" Han shi couldn't help but raise her head to argue, but her voice became quieter as she said, "When the old madam asked me, I was too scared… Just say I don't know anything and everything was normal. This should have no relations."

How could this not have any relation, if Han shi said that Duke Yingguo Shizi had a dispute with her earlier, Duke Yingguo old madam would not regard Shizi's missing as gone out drinking, but would immediately realize that her son had an accident. At that time, Duke Yingguo Mansion's manpower would all search, could they still not find the injured Shizi? But Han shi didn't say anything, it delayed the time and also delayed the chance to save Duke Yingguo Shizi.

Of course, Han shi knew that she had killed Shizi, by letting him suffer from blood loss in the wild. She was very scared in her heart, but at the same time a crazy and cruel idea came up. Duke Yingguo Shizi already died, then the Yin Yang pot' matter, she killed two lives' matter, and even Gao Ran and Gao Chen' matter, no one knew. She would not be sold, and Gao Chen could be the only descendant of Shizi, and smoothly become the heir of Duke Yingguo Mansion.

Han shi were frightened by her own rebellious thought that her hands got cold, but she couldn't restrain herself and gave birth to infinite desire. If Shizi was dead, then this Shizi's position was her son's.

Gao Ran was also shocked by the explosive news. She and Han shi sat in a relative silence for a while before suddenly reacting. Gao Ran held Han shi's hand tightly, and her strength almost crushed Han shi's bones: "Yiniang, you are doing the right thing, don't say anything, so no one know what happened, Shizi's position is on younger brother. Now the title is on the grandfather. When grandfather dies, it will be passed on to father, and it will be passed on to younger brother after number of years. But now that he's dead, and grandfather already has half his foot on the grave, don't know how much times he has left. Very soon we will achieve the success, and when younger brother became the Duke, wouldn't all of the Duke Yingguo Mansion become our world!

Han shi bit her lip and nodded. The mother and daughter looked at each other for a moment, and turned their eyes away in silence, not wanting to see themselves in each other's eyes. They were all accomplices in Duke Yingguo Shizi's death.

However, huge benefits were waiting for them.

The Duke Yingguo's hair turned white overnight, and he seemed to be ten years older. But the pain of losing a child was not the only crisis, and now a more realistic problem lied in front of Duke Yingguo Mansion. What's to be done with Shizi's candidate?

Duke Yingguo Shizi died unexpectedly, and it should be his son who assumed his position. But here was the problem. Duke Yingguo Shizi did not have a di son. But if it was the shu line, then why Shizi's younger brothers wouldn't work?

The worst case scenario was to let the shu son inherit. In order to limit the nobility family, the founding emperor set extremely strict rules on the succession of the titles. A Marquis position that was conferred because outstanding military service was only honorary Marquis, it couldn't be passed on. And Duke Yingguo Mansion this kind of nobility, a noble beheaded after three generations, whether you could retain the ancestral name depended on the mood of the emperor. However, within these three generations, if ones want to inherit the nobility at the same level, the heir must be a di son, otherwise it would be downgraded one or two levels. In contrast, a Qinwang and Junwang could be passed on endlessly from generation to generation.

Their founding emperor always established double standard on his courtiers. Several highly respected elders of the Gao family have all received the news and rushed over. They sat in the same room, and the one with the oldest seniority came up with a new idea: "Shizi only leave one shu son, and there is no di son. If let the shu son inherits, according to regulation the title would be lowered. Although we can entrust it to Yan Wang, but after all it still risky. I and several other clan elders discussed a compromise on the road. If not pick a child from the clan and adopt him under the deceased Shizi Madam Wei's name. In this way, he will be a proper heir. It's easier to support an adopted successor than a shu son."

Chapter 82 Part 1: Adoption

"Adopt?"

The few people in the hall looked at each other, and many of them were surprised: "A family with no heirs and no children will needs to adopt. Shizi obviously has a son. Although he is a shu son, but he is the true descendant of Shizi. What is the ground for adoption?"

"If Gao Chen is a di son, why do we need to do all this fuss." The elder who proposed the adoption had long expected that there would be opposition, so he explained calmly, "Gao Chen is shu eldest son, if we report to the imperial clan court to ask him to be conferred, it's inevitable that some people will use his identity as a shu son to make trouble. In recent years, although the mansion is extravagant, the momentum of current younger generations is mediocre. We have today's situation all relying on Yan Wang. But the third girl is just a daughter-in-law and not really has the right to speak in Yan Wang Mansion. Even if we use this matter to ask Yan Wang, she may not be able to talk to Yan Wang. I think left and right, and after discussing with the second elder, I thought it would be better to pick a child from the clan to be adopted under Shizi. Then Shizi will have a di son, and it will be logical to inherit the title. Secondly, it will be able to mend the relationship with Grand Princess Shou Kang."

It was rare for the Gao family to know that their house was just an empty shell, looked good on the outside, but in fact, there were no promising juniors. Although there were still people who oppose it, but more people were contemplating it. Adoption originally was to pass on the incense, and it was not limited to a family without a son, so according to etiquette adopting a child under Duke Yingguo Shizi was justified.

The real reason, however, if Gao Chen inherited the duke mansion, they would not get any benefits. Instead, they would have to bear the risk of Duke Yingguo Mansion falling into a marquis. On the contrary, if one child from the clan was adopted... Duke Yingguo Shizi didn't have a di son, but they have.

The word benefit was the priority, and any rules could be made flexible.

The minds of the people who could sit here wouldn't be bad. People from the Gao family were mediocre in officialdom, but they were very shrewd when calculating their own interests. They pretended to discuss the thing again, and looked at the Duke Yingguo who had not spoken: "Duke Yingguo, what do you think?"

Duke Yingguo was silent. He was not stupid. How could he leave his grandsons with no other choices, and leave the family inheritance to other people's son. Although once adopted, the child had nothing to do with the original family, and Duke Yingguo Shizi and Wei shi became his parents, but the blood relationship constantly set them apart, there was a close and far relative, Duke Yingguo could still distinguish it.

But he was not only a grandfather, he was also the head the Duke Mansion and the patriarch of the Gao family. He took the title of Duke Yingguo from his elders. How could he let the Dukedom be reduced to a marquis or even to a count in his hands? How could he meet his ancestors in the future?

In the end, the interests of Duke Yingguo Mansion overwhelmed the feelings between grandparents and grandchildren. Duke Yingguo did not oppose the idea of adopting a succession. Instead he said: "Let's set aside these things. In the next few days I will go to Yan Wang Mansion, let's sounding out Yan Wang's attitude. If Yan Wang can help, there will be no problem with our duke mansion getting the equal rank. But just in case, it's best to prepare for the adoption. In this few days, first pick a smart and diligent child from each branch, let them come to the mansion to study with Gao Chen. Anyway, they are still young and the succession matters are not urgent."

This action would have taken care of the opinions of both parties, and everyone could accept it without any objections. It didn't take long for the news of the adoption to reach the backyard, and Duke Yingguo old madam was very surprised when she heard this: "Adoption? There is obviously Chen boy, why do you want to adopt from outside?"

Even if the adoption was to continue the blood lines, how could it be other people's children and grandchildren be the same. After spending so many years with Gao Chen, Duke Yingguo old madam was very fond of this grandson, and suddenly heard that Duke Yingguo was planning to adopt other children and let an outsider grab his grandson's things, how could Duke Yingguo old madam be willing.

Gao Ran went to the back to wash her face, but Lin Wei Xi accompanied Duke Yingguo old madam to sit. Hearing this, Lin Wei Xi's eyebrows moved slightly.

Adopt? Lin Wei Xi calmly asked, "How is the adoption method?"

"Heard from the people in the front yard that the elders advocated picking a few smart children from the side branches to enter the mansion, and let them stay together to study in the mansion. If really want to adopt in the future, then can choose one of them to be adopted under Shizi Consort Wei."

Sure enough, he would be adopted under her mother's name. When Lin Wei Xi heard this her heart moved. Although Gao Chen wanted to respect her mother as his di mother, but his biological mother was still alive. When Gao Chen became the Duke, he would of course be more filial to Han shi, letting Han shi became Duke Yingguo Mansion' incomparable elder who could order people around. Han shi was also small-minded, it's guaranteed that in the future the incense worship of Wei shi would definitely accidentally "forgotten".

But if adopted, it was completely different. The adopted son would inherited Wei's favor, and of course he would properly worship Wei shi's tablet in the future. During the New Year and other festivities, even from secular perspective, he dare not neglect to give Wei shi's incense. As for Han shi, what is she?

That was the first, and the second was that the entire Gao family would benefited. Their own children were limited in talent, and that include Gao Chen's virtues and conduct, but if they adopt, it was equivalent to picking the brightest and most outstanding child from the Gao family. Which one was better, it goes without saying.

Duke Yingguo old madam was filled with indignation. Due to selfishness of course she preferred her grandson. Lin Wei Xi didn't say anything. After the old madam's mood stabilized, she slowly said: "The clan member of Gao family are discussing the matters in the front yard. Since the adoption news has been heard, it must be the meaning of Duke Yingguo and the elders."

Duke Yingguo old madam suddenly choked. She actually understood that the matter of the clan was far from their family's control alone, even if they were the Duke Yingguo and Duke Yingguo old madam. After all, Duke Yingguo had to consider for the entire Gao family, so that the adoption matters could be passed on to the back yard, that was to say, Duke Yingguo also agreed.

The Duke Yingguo agreed, and the Gao family elders also agreed. Even if she was partial to her grandson, what was the use of opposing it? Duke Yingguo old madam said this, nothing more than trying to find approval from others, but didn't expect the facade was destroyed by Lin Wei Xi.

Duke Yingguo old madam somehow put herself in an awkward position, Lin Wei Xi ignored the old madam's face, continued to say: "This is Duke Yingguo Mansion's family affair. It is really not my turn as an outsider to point fingers, but since I happened to hear it, I'm not afraid for the old madam to see a joke, will overstep by recommend someone to you."

Even if Duke Yingguo old madam did not approve the adoption, she was still curious when she heard this: "Who can actually enter Yan Wangfei's eyes?"

Lin Wei Xi pressed the corner of her lips and smiled softly: "Old madam is polite. It's also a coincidence, I met this child by chance on the road. His name is Gao Ke and he lives in Jin'an Lane."

Chapter 82 Part 2: Adoption

"Gao Ke." The old madam said the name silently. She had been the lady of the Duke Mansion for more than 30 years, and she didn't lack an overall outlook. To be recommended by Yan Wangfei herself, this alone was already extraordinary. Duke Yingguo old madam said the name several times in her heart to make sure she had remembered it. After a while, she had to let people find out who Gao Ke was.

Duke Yingguo old madam nodded and said: "This old body have note it down, Thanking Wangfei for the care."

"What did the old madam say?" Lin Wei Xi paused, glancing to the side. How could the Duke Yingguo old madam fail to understand what this meant, she was surprised, what did Yan Wangfei want to say that it couldn't be said in front of anyone?

Duke Yingguo old madam felt strange, her face unconsciously became serious, and she waved the servants out, leaving only close servants in the room. Lin Wei Xi actually had nothing to say, she just wanted to avoid the eyes and ears of Han shi and Gao Ran. Seeing that the coast was clear, Lin Wei Xi approached Duke Yingguo old madam slightly, and whispered: "Old madam, I dare to mention, I hope you don't think I'm nosy. I'm afraid there is something wrong with Shizi."

Duke Yingguo old madam's face suddenly changed: "What does Wangfei mean by this?"

"It doesn't mean anything, but it feels weird." Lin Wei Xi said, "If there is no reason and in a stable mood, who would go out for a horse racing in the middle of the night? Shizi's behavior on that night is really abnormal. Maybe the old madam can check who he has been in contact with during this time, or maybe deal with what."

Duke Yingguo old madam had never thought in this direction. After Lin Wei Xi said this, the old madam suddenly became clear. Yes, Han shi said that everything was normal when Shizi left her, but if he was really relaxed and calm, why did he go out late at night without letting the servant follow him? Could it be that after coming out from Han shi's place Shizi met someone else?

Duke Yingguo old madam secretly noted this down, determined to investigate immediately after Lin Wei Xi left. She called the people around Shizi and asked them one by one, she didn't believe that the truth could not be found. She only had this one son, but he was inexplicably die outside. How could Duke Yingguo old madam accept this? As long as there was a little doubt, she must investigate it.

Gao Ran went tidying herself for a long time, and after a while Duke Yingguo old madam found it unreasonable. It's just washing face and tidying up your appearance, was it need this long? When Gao Ran and Han shi finally came back, Duke Yingguo old madam gave Gao Ran a displeased look, but she restrained herself because of the occasion.

Gao Ran finally returned. Lin Wei Xi sat down for a while then got up and returned to Yan Wang Mansion. Gao Ran looked absent-minded in the whole journey, and her mind was completely occupied by Duke Yingguo Shizi's selection.

Her brother was going to be the Duke, how could this not made Gao Ran happy. When she heard the news she was still shocked, but now she only thought it's good that Duke Yingguo Shizi had died. If the father has not die, how could the son be promoted?

Gao Ran resisted her joy and returned home. Now that she lost her nominal father, nevertheless she should look sad. The news of Duke Yingguo Shizi's death gradually spread, and the news about Duke Yingguo Mansion's desire to adopt did not know how also spread.

It took Gao Ran several days to hear the news, and she was taken aback for a moment: "Adopting? Why they want to adopt? Isn't there my brother."

"Young Master Chen is a shu son. I heard that Duke Yingguo did not want to downgrade the title, so he want to adopt a boy under Wei shi. But these are just rumors, still don't know how it will ended up." Tao Mama comforted Gao Ran, she paused and couldn't help adding, "But I heard from the people at the old house that in recent years there is a young man who has become very popular. I heard that his name is Gao Ke. He is said to never forget. It seems that several clan elders likes him, and even the Duke Yingguo sent someone to pick him up. After meeting him, he let him live in the duke mansion's guest courtyard, and given the same treatment as the young masters in the mansion."

Undoubtedly, if they really want to adopt, this boy named Gao Ke was Gao Chen's greatest threat.

"How old is he?"

"He is fifteen years old."

Gao Ran let out an exasperated sigh. Gao Ke's background was very suitable for adoption. Their own incense fell on the nephew, and parents and brothers were dead. In other words, the relationship between Gao Ke and his family was very weak. After he was adopted could concentrate on serving Wei shi and Duke Yingguo Shizi, without worrying about the adopted son's closeness to his biological parents. And Gao Ke had really good memory, and could remember just by reading. His talent was far more than Gao Chen, and what was worse was that he was older than Gao Chen.

In other words, as long as Gao Ke was adopted and trained for one or two years, Duke Yingguo Mansion would soon get a return, but how about Gao Chen? He was only seven years old now.

Even Gao Ran panicked. She was full of plans to let her younger brother be Duke Yingguo Shizi. If she was intercepted, what could she do? Moreover, if the future Duke Yingguo was not Gao Chen, then Han shi's matters couldn't be hidden anymore.

Gao Ran stared blankly for a long time, and when she recovered, she couldn't help but gritted her teeth: "Who proposed the adoption? Who recommended Gao Ke?"

Tao Mama looked around, bent over to Gao Ran's ears, and whispered: "I heard it was Wangfei who raised the idea to the old madam, and then later the old madam inquired about Gao Ke.

Otherwise, buried under numerous side branches of the Gao family, Gao Ke would have nowhere to go with both his parents died, who would actually know who he is.

Gao Ran was surprised, and gritted her teeth again: "Why is she being nosy?"

Tao Mama spread her hands, who knows. Gao Ran gritted her teeth and sat for a while, still unable to swallow this breath. Lin Wei Xi already relied on her identity as mother-in-law to treat others harshly, and now she wanted to touch her brother's things, simply crazy. Lin Wei Xi stretched her hand too far, she probably think that there was no one in this world who could give her a lesson.

Gao Ran's eyes were gloomy, and she motioned Tao Mama to come over: "Tao Mama, go and use Wangfei Shen's things, let people reveal it to Lin Wei Xi. Cannot spoil her by letting her think herself as the tip of Yan Wang's heart, little did she know, she is the unnecessary one."

Chapter 83 Part 1: Shen Shi

The summer days were long, even in the Summer Palace the weather gets hot day by day. Because of the hot weather, the womenfolk were not too happy to go out and walk around, so when Lin Wei Xi stayed behind closed doors it didn't look abrupt.

Lin Wei Xi put away all the bright and light summer clothes in one day and changed all of her clothes to plain colors. Originally she felt that she was calm enough to deal with the stories of her past life rationally, and she would not acknowledge her relatives from the past life. But when the news of the death of Duke Yingguo Shizi came that day, she still felt that the world was falling apart and could not believe it.

The father-daughter' feeling between her and Duke Yingguo Shizi was very faint, often had nothing to say even when they were face-to-face. Lin Wei Xi had a mixture of love and hate towards him, but in the end only indifference remained. But he was her father after all, and the pain of losing one's father, no one could feel the same.

Even though it was actually unnecessary, Lin Wei Xi still asked the maid to remove the red bed curtain and put on plain clothes. During the period of filial piety, banquets and drinking were forbidden, so Lin Wei Xi declined all social invitation from outside. Fortunately, the heat was roaring in the past few days, everyone stayed behind closed doors, so her behavior didn't appear abrupt and strange.

Lin Wei Xi stayed in the house. To pass the time, she went to Gu Hui Yan's study to find a book. Gu Hui Yan's study was a forbidden area in the mansion, guarded by soldiers all year round, but for Lin Wei Xi, it seems like an unmanned territory, she come and go as she pleases.

Because the rules in the outside palace were much relax than in the capital, Gu Hui Yan's study also was not as strict as before. Lin Wei Xi took the maid to look for a book in the study. Didn't know which maid bumped into the wooden shelf, the vase on a decorative box swayed and fell straight down from the shelf.

With a "crash", there was a harsh shattering sound, and everyone in the room screamed in fright. Lin Wei Xi was also taken aback. She hurriedly turned around and found that the vase was broken, then let out a long breath.

Wan Xing reproached: "Who dropped the vase? You're all thumbs, what if you scared Wangfei?"

The shattering vase was not a small movement, the people outside were also alarmed and ran in one after another: "Wangfei, what happened?"

"It's alright, a vase is broken." Lin Wei Xi didn't take it seriously, "People come, sweep the broken porcelain pieces."

The maids all lowered their heads, and no one would admit who knocked down the vase. Fortunately, Lin Wei Xi also didn't pursue it. They lowered their heads and quickly came up to clean up the mess.

There were still fresh bouquets in the vase, and the vase fell from such a high place, the water also spilled on the floor. A bunch of people gathered around to clean up. A granny hurried to rescue the books on the shelf. She suddenly shrieked and shouted: "Is this box also wet?"

Everyone's eyes were drawn to this. Wan Xing craned her neck and looked at it, and saw that it was just a plain mahogany box, and asked strangely: "It's just a box. If there is water, you can wipe it clean. What's the fuss?"

"Oh, how can this be the same." The granny was so anxious that she didn't care about the water stains, quickly held the wooden box in her arms and wiped the water on the box with her cuffs. "This is Wangfei Shen and Wangye's love tokens. Normally this is Wangye's precious treasure, and he carry this wherever he go. How can it be like ordinary wooden box."

After wiping the water, the granny lifted it up and looked at it, and said distressedly: "Oh no! The water still seeps in. There are letters inside, how can it be!"

Wan Xing didn't expect this to be something from Shen shi, not to mention that Yan Wang would bring it with him when he came to the outside palace. She looked dazed, and gave Lin Wei Xi a careful look.

Lin Wei Xi's expression had already cooled down. A large group of people gathered around to look at the wooden box, while Lin Wei Xi took Wan Xing and Wan Yue to stand by the side, invisibly draw a line.

Gu Cheng Yao heard loud noises in this area from a distance. He walked in and saw that the maids and grannies were gathered in the middle, not knowing what they were doing. He frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"

Everyone turned their heads and saw Shizi standing behind the doorstep, looked at them with a frown. They hurriedly stood up and saluted together: "Greetings Shizi."

Gu Cheng Yao swept across the servants, even though he tried to control his line of sight, he couldn't help but glance at the furthest Lin Wei Xi. He realized his behavior and his expression unconsciously became irritable: "What's wrong?"

The granny secretly glanced at Lin Wei Xi. Seeing Lin Wei Xi's cold expression, the woman became more frightened. She smiled awkwardly and said, "It was the maid who accidentally broke a vase and wet Wangfei Shen's letters."

"Mother's letter?" Gu Cheng Yao's expression immediately became solemn. Obviously he also knew that Shen shi's letters were kept together and carefully placed in Gu Hui Yan's study. Now they were actually wet? Gu Cheng Yao frowned and said, "Give it to me."

The granny handed it to Gu Cheng Yao carefully. The wooden box was locked, Gu Cheng Yao held it in his hand and looked at it, his eyebrows frowned more and more tightly: "The water has entered quite seriously, I am afraid the letters inside are difficult to preserve. Who did this?"

Gu Cheng Yao's tone was not good. Wan Xing was about to reply, but was interrupted by Lin Wei Xi: "I brought people to the study to pass the time. It was my maid who broke the vase and spilled water on the ground."

It turned out to be Lin Wei Xi's maid... Gu Cheng Yao thought it was a clumsy maid from the study, but he didn't expect it was because of Lin Wei Xi. He realized that his tone was not very good, and tried to restrain his emotions: "This is mother's most important relics. It has been kept by father very carefully. This son was worried and spoke a little bit urgently. Ask mother to please forgive."

The room was in a mess, and suddenly a voice came from outside the door: "What's wrong?"

Gao Ran walked in. She looked at the flower branches and broken porcelain on the ground, then looked around the crowd curiously, and asked: "I heard voices here from a long distance. What's wrong? Why are you all gathered here?"

The granny told the story again. Gao Ran covered her mouth in astonishment as soon as she heard it, and her expression became worried: "It turned out mother's personal letter got wet. How did you do it? How important mother's relics are. This is father's treasure collection for almost 20 years, but it was ruined by you today. When father come back and learn about it, how do you explain it?"

Chapter 83 Part 2: Shen Shi

The study' granny that was reprimanded kept nodding. She looked indignant, lowered her head and whispered: "It wasn't me who broke it..."

Although her voice was very small, most of the people heard it. Wan Xing opened her eyes angrily, clenched her teeth and glared at her. Lin Wei Xi watched for a while, and finally spoke. Her tone was indifferent, and lightly glanced at the wooden box which corners had been worn off: "It's just a box. Taking advantage of the short time now, take out the paper inside and let it dry, later can still see."

Gu Cheng Yao said nothing, still lowered his head to fiddle with the wooden box. Gao Ran secretly looked at Gu Cheng Yao's expression, covered her mouth with a kerchief, and said to Lin Wei Xi: "Wangfei, this box was left by mother, and it's extraordinary. Father especially let people made the lock for this, and there is only one key in the world, which is with father."

Mentioning another woman in front of her, and being shown by everyone how precious the things left behind by her predecessor, afraid no woman would be happy. Lin Wei Xi's heart surged with an unknown fire, and for a moment she couldn't control her emotions, and her tone carried an intense coldness: "Since it locked, then pry it open. Are there still a lock that cannot be pry open in this world?"

The granny and the others all shouted: "Oh, Wangfei, this can't be done. Wangye has a deep affection for Wangfei Shen, and this wooden box was carried personally by Wangye, he often open it to recall the past. Don't say pry it open, even if there's a small scratch on the box, when Wangye come back later he would be angry."

Lin Wei Xi's face thoroughly cooled down, and she said coldly, "It said the contents inside are important, and yet the box cannot be destroyed. What do you want to do? Either force the lock, or wait for all the letters inside become congee. You choose."

Lin Wei Xi made no secret of her malice towards Shen shi's relics. The servants secretly looked at Gu Cheng Yao, all wisely kept their mouths shut. Gao Ran almost couldn't held back her laugh when she saw this scene.

Since Lin Wei Xi married into the mansion, Gao Ran had never been so happy. She had always been nitpicked and suppressed by Lin Wei Xi. When did she have such pleasure. In fact, Gao Ran was not allowed to enter Gu Hui Yan's study, but she couldn't help but want to see Lin Wei Xi's face, so she ran to the study at the risk of being discovered. After being shown to her face Yan Wang's deep love and kept memories for his white moonlight previous wife, didn't know how Lin Wei Xi feels?

There was a strange stalemate in the study. After a while, Gu Cheng Yao broke the silence: "Go and get my dagger. Mother's letter is important. If father blame after he comes back, I will bear it alone."

Gao Ran heard this and went to look at Lin Wei Xi, sure enough she saw that her face became colder. Gao Ran was pleased, she stood beside Gu Cheng Yao, graciously put up her hands, and watched Gu Cheng Yao carefully pry open the keyhole and lift the lid of the wooden box.

Sure enough, water had entered inside, and half of the letters were soaked in the water. Gu Cheng Yao took out the letter one by one with a calm face, Gao Ran quickly let her maid step forward to receive it, and whispered to them to dry the letter with a fan. Be careful not to break the paper.

Lin Wei Xi wasn't interested in seeing what's inside, but in the same room, she still inevitably looked at the large stack of letters between Shen shi and Gu Hui Yan, a pair of jade bracelets, and Gu Cheng Yao's new birth hair. Letters, jade bracelets, and the two people' first child new birth hair, people could feel the warmth of them from far away. Lin Wei Xi suddenly realized that this was the memory of Gu Hui Yan, Gu Cheng Yao and Shen shi. They are a family, so what is she?

Lin Wei Xi had long known that Gu Hui Yan and Shen shi's first meeting was legendary, and they loved each other with great vigor, but previously she didn't listen, didn't watch, didn't think, so she just continue deceiving herself like this. But this was the first time the impact of Shen shi gave her was especially direct and violent, making her no longer able to avoid it.

Gu Cheng Yao was bowing his head to wipe the water stains on the jade bracelet, treating it like his own treasure, also never seen him this meticulous. Lin Wei Xi suddenly thought that although the pair of jade bracelets were old, they looked very smooth and round. Did it mean that Gu Hui Yan would often take them out when there was no one in the middle of the night and wipe the bracelets like Gu Cheng Yao did?

Lin Wei Xi didn't want to look anymore, she walked out with a cold face, everyone was carefully drying the letter paper, but Lin Wei Xi passed through the crowd and walked outside without stopping. Everyone faintly paid attention to Lin Wei Xi, and when Lin Wei Xi was about to go out, they all silently stepped aside. Although Yan Wang indulged the Wangfei very much, in the end still couldn't compare to Wangfei Shen. Everyone looked at Lin Wei Xi's back with sympathy.

Lin Wei Xi kept her waist straight. She came to the study to find a book for herself to pass the time, but instead she was ridiculed by reality. When she stepped across the doorstep, she suddenly felt dizzy and couldn't help but reach out to the door frame for support.

"Wangfei?" Wan Xing and Wan Yue shouted anxiously. It was clearly close to her ears, but their voices seemed to be coming from the horizon. Lin Wei Xi thought that the dizziness would pass soon, but she stood while supporting her forehead for a long time, but her mind became more and more confused.

"Wangfei? Wangfei!"

Gu Cheng Yao heard the sound and hurriedly threw the things and ran out: "What happened?"

Separated by brocade kerchief the imperial physician pressed for a long time, and finally withdrew his hand and gently stood up from the stool.

After the imperial physician finished checking the pulse, Gu Hui Yan quickly came over: "Imperial physician, what happened to her?"

"Wangfei is weak, originally lacks qi and blood. These few days have been receiving big shock, this can cause dizziness." Lin Wei Xi was already asleep, both the imperial physician and Gu Hui Yan deliberately made light movements and walked slowly outside. The doctor was benevolent, in terms of identity he was far less than Yan Wang, but when he saw a sick patient, no matter how powerful the master was, the imperial physician dare to complain: "You are really! Knowing that she is pregnant, why let her listen to some fierce words. The most taboo things for pregnant women are emotional ups and downs, and when they get so angry, they will faint like today."

Gu Cheng Yao was also standing outside, and he was stunned on the spot when he heard this. Gu Hui Yan was also visibly taken aback. After all these years his orderly footsteps finally stumbled. He stopped at the same place and immediately there was a distance between him and the imperial doctor.

The imperial doctor turned around and looked at Gu Hui Yan strangely: "What's the matter?" Seeing Gu Hui Yan's expression, the imperial doctor paused for a moment, and asked incredulously: "Yan Wang didn't know that Wangfei is pregnant?"

TN: Who said yesterday faint = pregnant?! LOL

Chapter 84 Part 1: Pregnant

"Yan Wang didn't know that Wangfei is pregnant?" The imperial physician was very surprised. When he checked Lin Wei Xi's pulse just now the pregnancy was more than a month, and everyone in the room was calm, he thought the mansion already knew about this. The primary wife's pregnancy was a huge matter, especially for imperial family like this. A di blood line was difficult to get, and now Wangfei was pregnant, of course, the whole family had already made offering since earlier time.

The imperial physician really did not expect that Yan Wang didn't even know.

Gu Hui Yan stopped in place and stood still, and with great difficulty slowly recovered from the news. He skipped the imperial physician's question and asked directly: "How long has she been... pregnant?"

Although Gu Hui Yan didn't say whether he knew or not, his expression answered everything. The imperial physician tactfully did not ask, but replied: "Wangfei have been pregnant for more than a month, roughly one and a half months."

One and a half months, that was when they were still in the capital. Gu Hui Yan couldn't tell how he felt in his heart. He and Lin Wei Xi get along well on normal days, but when it touch the topic of children, she would become cold. Gu Hui Yan thought Lin Wei Xi was unwilling, so he never mentioned it. He thought that he already had an heir, it didn't really matter whether he had other children or not. Gu Hui Yan thought he didn't care, but when he really heard the news, Gu Hui Yan realized that deep down he was looking forward to it.

In fact, he really wanted Lin Wei Xi to give birth to children that belong to them. If it's a boy, he would teach him to study and read, teach him the art of war and strategies. If it's a girl, then she definitely would have round face and round eye, just like Lin Wei Xi. How could he not look forward to such delicate baby?

For the first time in so many years, Gu Hui Yan almost lost him composure. He stood there for a long time, waiting for the violent energy in his mind to pass before daring to speak. But barely asking a few words, his heart suddenly fell.

He liked this godsend's surprise very much, but what about Lin Wei Xi? She didn't like to hear him mention the topic of children. She should be unwilling to have children, or maybe she didn't want to have children with him. If after she woke up she heard that she was unexpectedly pregnant, how would she react?

Gu Hui Yan didn't know, nor did he want to know.

Gu Hui Yan suddenly was not in the mood to listen to the imperial physician's explanation about the taboos during pregnancy. He just moved his hands and his personal attendant understood, immediately led the imperial physician out. Outside there was a special person who keep track of what Wangfei should pay attention to during pregnancy.

The imperial physician gave Gu Hui Yan a salute, and slowly retreated to the outside room. When he left, he couldn't help muttering in his heart, Wangfei pregnant was a huge matter, but Yan Wang didn't know. Why did his expression brighten up when he heard the news, then in a blink of an eye his face sank? The imperial physician shook his head, ordinary people like him didn't really understand the mind of this kind of family.

Wangfei's pregnancy was like a thunderstorm hitting everyone's heads. Until now, many people's minds were dumbfounded. Gu Cheng Yao was stunned when he heard the news. Lin Wei Xi was pregnant?

Gu Cheng Yao had never realized so strongly that she was his stepmother. Now she was pregnant with his father's child.

Gao Ran came with the maids leisurely. She anticipated that Lin Wei Xi would have a big trouble today, so she especially went back to her house to changed clothes and watched Lin Wei Xi's jokes with respect. Of course, Gao Ran's excuse was to personally cook porridge for her mother-in-law.

Gao Ran smiled faintly from the corner of her mouth. When she walked to the gate, she took the food box from Ning Fu and walked into the main room with the porridge. The atmosphere in the room was really solemn, and Gao Ran's heart became more and more joyful. She pretended not to notice, opened her eyes innocently, and asked softly: "Shizi, has the doctor gone? I just went to cook the porridge, even didn't hear the result of pulse diagnosis by the imperial physician. Actually what happened to mother?"

Gao Ran faintly looked forward to it. The best thing to hear was Lin Wei Xi's frustration, arguing with Yan Wang, and finally being reproached by Yan Wang. No woman could calm down after learning about her husband and his white moonlight first love. Lin Wei Xi had better quarrel with Yan Wang, annoyed Yan Wang and offended Gu Cheng Yao at the same time. How important was Shen shi's position in Yan Wang Mansion, Gao Ran wanted Lin Wei Xi to always remember that she was just a substitute, she could never replace Shen shi's position in Yan Wang's heart.

This was the retribution for how Lin Wei Xi arbitrarily meddled with Duke Yingguo's adoption matters, ruining her brother's good future. Gao Ran in any case was still the person Gu Cheng Yao wanted to marry from the very beginning, but Lin Wei Xi was just a dispensable stand-in. Yan Wang married her only because he liked her face.

When Gao Ran thought that Lin Wei Xi would live in the shadow of Shen shi forever, she was so happy that she laughed. If she could see Lin Wei Xi's frustration, then it was not a waste for Gao Ran to painstakingly plan for several days, and put all her thoughts to use Shen shi's matter to stab Lin Wei Xi.

Gao Ran tenderly smiled and looked at Gu Cheng Yao. Gu Cheng Yao didn't know why he couldn't tell. He turned his face and didn't want to say the words. Gao Ran was embarrassed by Gu Cheng Yao's obvious ignorance, embarrassment mixed with resentment. The servant on the side saw that Shizi Consort was carrying a food box, stood unattended in the center and was put on the spot, she hurriedly step forward to mediate, "Shizi Consort, the imperial physician said that Wangfei has a slippery pulse. These few days needs to pay attention to warmth, the rest also not serious."

Gao Ran subconsciously smiled and responded, she was about to continue talking, suddenly her mind got stuck, and slowly reacted: "Slippery pulse?"

The granny thought Shizi Consort had not given birth yet, so she didn't know what slippery pulse means, so she could only say more bluntly: "Slippery pulse means happy pulse. Wangfei is pregnant."

Gao Ran was really dumbfounded on the spot, Lin Wei Xi was pregnant? How could it be possible, she entered the door half a year earlier than Lin Wei Xi, but she has not pregnant. How could Lin Wei Xi be so fast?

The granny thought that Gao Ran's unbelievable expression was because of surprise and embarrassment. Gao Ran had been married for more than a year, but in the end, there was no news of her stomach. Instead, the mother-in-law who entered the door later got pregnant first. This kind of thing was very embarrassing to any daughter-in-law.

The granny was amazed at the similarly-aged mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, she also felt that this incident was simply an impressive sight. In ordinary household which mother-in-law didn't live like half-widow, stare at their son and daughter-in-law impatiently every day, the whole family expected the young couple deliver the good news soon. Unexpectedly, in Yan Wang Mansion it was the opposite. The daughter-in-law came to congratulate her mother-in-law, it was really strange.

The granny' eyes secretly glanced at Yan Wang, then turned to Gu Cheng Yao, her heart couldn't stop gossiping. Your father is indeed your father, in every respect Yan Wang was a model for Shizi.

Gao Ran faintly expected Lin Wei Xi to have a fall out with Yan Wang, but instead she heard such a result. The gap was so great that she could not stand firmly. Gao Ran's face immediately sank, almost unable to control it. Gao Ran hurriedly lowered her head to cover it up. She looked at the food container in her hand, feeling extremely ironic in her heart.

The mistress was expecting, this was such a great thing, but the three masters of the mansion had different thoughts, and the atmosphere in the room was also strangely silent. The servants looked at each other, even if they wanted to congratulate the master to get the red envelope, they dare not mention it now.

Chapter 84 Part 2: Pregnant

There was a faint movement in the inner room, Gu Hui Yan recovered from his thoughts, and walked in almost without thinking. Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were stuck on the ground like the stone sculpture. The two had their own thoughts, but now they made the same movements, looking at Gu Hui Yan's back in tacit understanding and silent manner, listening to the sound of the inner room.

Lin Wei Xi slept very uncomfortably this time, she didn't want to move after she woke up, staring at the bed curtain blankly. When Gu Hui Yan came in to see her, his mood sank again.

For the first time, Gu Hui Yan entertained the idea of avoidance and procrastination, which was completely unimaginable in his life. But he only hesitated for a split second and then calmed down. This problem would eventually need to be faced, even if what he was about to hear was something he didn't want to know at all.

Gu Hui Yan sat by the bedside, his mood was not good, but even at this time, he still carefully folded Lin Wei Xi's quilt, and gently put her exposed hand back inside the quilt. Lin Wei Xi saw Gu Hui Yan's expression and smiled self-deprecatingly: "Wangye, do you already know?"

"Yes." Gu Hui Yan said softly, "I want to know what you think."

Look, even at this time, he was still so careful and patient. Lin Wei Xi knew that this was meaningless, but she still couldn't help thinking, if the person who married him was not her, but changed to another woman, would Gu Hui Yan still spoil her, indulge her, teach her to read, take her on horseback.

Lin Wei Xi even wondered, when Yan Wang met Shen shi, what was he like? Was the reason why he was so caring and considerate because he treated Shen shi like this? After Shen shi left, these habits of his stayed.

Lin Wei Xi's eyes were uncontrollably sour. She didn't know what was wrong with her today, her feelings get agitated so easily. It was obviously something she knew when she just got married, but her heart felt sour now. Of course Lin Wei Xi knew that this was Gao Ran's trap. Gao Ran waited for Lin Wei Xi to be jealous about Shen shi's affairs, and went to quarrel with Yan Wang without self-control, and finally provoked Gu Hui Yan's hates. Her heart was clear, but she just let herself step into the trap like this: "What do I think? How what do I think is important? Around you are the real family. At that time Wangye married me because of kindness. What Wangye thought and consider, what does it have to do with me?"

Gu Hui Yan felt pained when he saw Lin Wei Xi crying, and almost couldn't help but promise her anything, but he still felt baffled: "What family?"

"You're still coaxing me." Lin Wei Xi's tears streamed down. Her skin was white, the blood vessels in her neck could be clearly seen when she leaned on the bed like this, and the whole person was fragile as if it could be crushed with a slight force. Her eyes were wide, tears fluttered at the rim of her eye, slid over to her eyelashes, quickly ran across her cheeks, and into the collar. Tears were still in her eyes, but she gently pulled a smile, frail and desolate: "Yes, I was a burden to Wangye from the beginning. It was I who hang on to you not to leave and let you take me away from Shunde, and then it was I who shamelessly asked you to marry me. How can such a woman compare with Wangfei Shen who made you fall in love at first sight?"

Gu Hui Yan didn't think it was right at the beginning, but now he was finally sure that they were not talking about the same thing. Gu Hui Yan pressed Lin Wei Xi's hand, trying to calm her down. Lin Wei Xi was angry, at once impatiently threw it away, but Gu Hui Yan didn't let her go this time. He exerted slight pressure on his hand to stabilize Lin Wei Xi: "Be obedient."

Lin Wei Xi was sobbing, her tears flew down, and she looked at Gu Hui Yan with a pair of tearful eyes. Gu Hui Yan sighed, sat close to hug Lin Wei Xi, and gently placed her head on his shoulders: "Don't cry, things are not what you think."

Lin Wei Xi didn't believe it. She hated Gu Hui Yan's attitude now. What did he mean? Obviously still remembering his ex-wife, but behaved intimately with her, what did Gu Hui Yan take her for? Lin Wei Xi tried to push Gu Hui Yan away, both her hands were immediately clasped: "Don't move around, you can't stand the tossing now."

Lin Wei Xi didn't pay attention to Gu Hui Yan's overly careful behavior. She didn't care anymore, leaning on Gu Hui Yan's shoulder and wept to her heart's content. Gu Hui Yan felt the person in his arms sobbing softly, her shoulders quivered slightly. This weakness almost made people suspicious that he could crush her with a little force. Gu Hui Yan was so distressed, he thought, no matter what Lin Wei Xi proposes now, even if she didn't want the child and wanted to kill him silently, afraid he would agree.

Lin Wei Xi didn't know how long she had been crying, until the clothes on Gu Hui Yan's shoulder were darkened. Lin Wei Xi's emotions stabilized, she wiped her tears and immediately pushed him away forcefully.

... Gu Hui Yan was really helpless, just now she still obedient and pitiful, but turned her face back when she finished crying. He was unwilling to embarrass her, followed her wish to let go her hands and carefully placed her on the pillow.

"Finish crying?"

Lin Wei Xi was relieved now, her mind was full of anger. She glared at him irritably, said with a bad tone: "What do you care?"

This amazing temper ah! Obviously her body was weak, but her temper unexpectedly big. Gu Hui Yan just thought it was funny. He said, "You cried and cried, venting also vented, can you listen to me now?"

Lin Wei Xi casted her face away and didn't want to listen, but Gu Hui Yan refused to let go her shoulders. His strength was very gentle, but she couldn't get rid of it at all: "Xi'er, look at me."

Lin Wei Xi didn't want to pay attention to him, but Gu Hui Yan's eyes locked on her face side. After a while, Lin Wei Xi turned her head slowly, her voice still carried frailness after crying: "What?"

"You are pregnant."

Lin Wei Xi was taken aback for a moment: "Who?"

Gu Hui Yan could only look into her eyes, and repeat each word: "Xi'er, you are pregnant."

She was pregnant?

Lin Wei Xi was stunned for a long time before realizing what Gu Hui Yan was saying. She opened her mouth slightly and unconsciously put her hand on her abdomen: "I'm pregnant? When did it happen?"

"Just now the imperial physician diagnosed it, it's already a month and a half."

Lin Wei Xi placed her palm on her flat lower abdomen, feeling deeply unbelievable. There was actually a little life here, and it has been a month and a half. The only child of her past and present, unexpectedly came to her silently without knowing it.

Lin Wei Xi was stunned for a while, and then suddenly reacted: "Then I went riding a horse a few days ago? I ate iced cherries yesterday... Is the doctor still here?"

Gu Hui Yan had been staring at Lin Wei Xi's expression since he said the news, until this moment, he was finally relieved. Great, Lin Wei Xi didn't know that she was pregnant. Since she was worried about horse riding and iced fruit, it was obvious that she had never thought about not having this child.

Gu Hui Yan put aside his thoughts, his mood quickly turned from cloudy to sunny, unimaginably rise up. Gu Hui Yan never knew that he had such intense joy, nor did he know that just because of one sentence, his emotions could turn so quickly.

Gu Hui Yan's mood turned clear, and at this time he finally remembered that the imperial physician had been sent away by him. Lin Wei Xi had not heard what she should pay attention to when she was pregnant. Then called the doctor back and let him say it again.

Gu Hui Yan thought about getting up, but Lin Wei Xi suddenly grasped Gu Hui Yan's wrist, and the expression on her face didn't know since when became serious: "Wangye, I didn't intend to mention this, but since I start it, then let's explain it together to make it clear. I want to talk to you about Wangfei Shen."

Chapter 85 Part 1: Dead Person

Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi's eyes, her apricot eyes were round and round, her hands' strength was not too big for him, but it clearly reflected its owner's stubbornness.

Sometimes, she was really stubborn.

Shen shi, he hadn't thought of this name for many years. This was not pleasant memory. Gu Hui Yan didn't want to mention it, especially to Lin Wei Xi. She was also pregnant, and the imperial physician told him that she need to rest. Gu Hui Yan didn't want to disturb their lives with these old things.

Gu Hui Yan was silent for a moment, probably it was the first time he rejected Lin Wei Xi's wish: "The imperial physician has ordered you to rest. You should take a good rest first, let's talk about it later."

Lin Wei Xi's hand refused to let go. She looked at Gu Hui Yan stubbornly. Just like borrowing wine to pretend to be crazy, Lin Wei Xi also used her pregnancy to ask something that always in her mind: "Why do you carry that wooden box with you? Why on earth did you agree to marry me?"

Gu Hui Yan sighed silently. He sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at the maid beside the bed. Wan Xing and Wan Yue immediately understood, they hurriedly lowered their heads, signaled to other servants with their hands, and withdraw from the inner room.

Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were also standing outside, separated by an arched partition, only a general view of the situation inside could be seen. When Wan Yue came out and saw Gu Cheng Yao's eyes looking inside, she secretly frowned, and recklessly walked to Gu Cheng Yao's front, and crouched down to give salutation: "Shizi. Shizi Consort."

Although Wan Yue looked respectful, her body blocked Gu Cheng Yao's sight. Gu Cheng Yao retracted his eyes and coughed unnaturally, "What's the matter?"

"Wangye and Wangfei has matters to say, let us all retreat. Shizi, Shizi Consort, Wangfei is fine. You two should come back tomorrow to greet Wangfei."

Gu Cheng Yao also didn't know what he wanted to do by staying here, but after Wan Yue said this, he was bound to be unable to continue standing. Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran could only take their leave. When they went out, the two were silent, didn't know what they were thinking.

Gu Cheng Yao was walking back to his study, and couldn't help but recall the scene he had only vaguely see. Lin Wei Xi seemed to be crying, she leaned on her father's shoulder and kept crying for a long time.

Why would she cry? Was she not happy to be pregnant with his father's heirs?

These thoughts were so complicated that, in the end, only a sentence endlessly lingering in his ears. Lin Wei Xi asked his father stubbornly while crying: "It was I who hang on to you not to leave and let you take me away from Shunde, and then it was I who shamelessly asked you to marry me... Why on earth did you agree to marry me?"

Gu Cheng Yao smiled lightly, with an inexplicable sadness in his smile. It turned out she was the one who took the initiative to marry his father.

At that time the matter of Gu Hui Yan wanted to marry Lin Wei Xi was a taboo in the mansion, everyone wanted to know why. For more than ten years Gu Hui Yan had adhere to his own viewpoint, and there was no warning a few days before he made this decision. What happened that day, why did Gu Hui Yan suddenly decide to remarry? And he was going to marry the daughter of his subordinates, which couldn't be said as an upright thing.

Of course Gu Cheng Yao was also curious, but everyone in the mansion knew that this matter could not be asked, no one dared to challenge the authority of Yan Wang. Until now, Gu Cheng Yao finally knew that it was Lin Wei Xi who took the initiative to run over and said she was going to marry Yan Wang. It's no wonder that father kept secret about this matter and didn't even allow them to mention it.

Gu Cheng Yao wanted to tell himself that she was crying because her pregnancy was not what she wanted, and she might have had to suffer. But now he couldn't lie to himself anymore. Lin Wei Xi liked his father very much. She cried so badly today that she didn't even care that he and Gao Ran were outside. It was all because she saw Shen shi's relics and misunderstood his father. This what was called deeply care.

Gu Cheng Yao stood up and stared at the white peony outside the window in a daze.

When Gao Xi was alive, she also liked to play with these flowers and plants. Such light and elegant peony was what she liked. She had such an irritable personality, but actually had such a delicate and patient hobby. Gu Cheng Yao laughed at himself at the thought of this. Perhaps, he had never known Gao Xi before. Gao Xi was not impatient, just as she was not without a coquettish side.

In the sweet fragrance bedroom, the maids had retreated, and even Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao were sent away. With no outsiders in the room, Lin Wei Xi finally felt reassured asking these words: "Wangye, what on earth am I in your heart?"

Gu Hui Yan also paused. He couldn't stand seeing her cry, couldn't stand seeing her be wronged, or even seeing her smiled at others. Many things had changed invisibly, Lin Wei Xi was the only "exception" in his boring and harsh life for many years. What was Lin Wei Xi to him?

Lin Wei Xi didn't wait for Gu Hui Yan's answer, and went straight on: "I found Wangfei Shen's relics in the study today. My maid accidentally broke the vase and wet the letters inside."

Gu Hui Yan had heard people talk about this matter before, at that time Lin Wei Xi was still unconscious. He didn't care about it. Even when he heard it now, Gu Hui Yan only said: "If it gets wet, it gets wet. Just let it dry."

Lin Wei Xi finally felt better when she heard this answer. She continued to ask: "That box is not small, it's still a bit cumbersome to carry it around on the journey. Why did you bring it with you?"

In fact, if Lin Wei Xi didn't say it Gu Hui Yan would forget about it. Gu Hui Yan sighed. It seemed that Lin Wei Xi would not be satisfied if he doesn't say it clearly today.

Gu Hui Yan put a soft pillow behind Lin Wei Xi, and said in a very casual tone: "It's true that this was left behind by Shen shi. The letters inside are the letters that have been exchanged many years ago, and probably something from Gu Cheng Yao. She always carefully collected things, no one is allowed to move or see. Later, she died of illness. I was not in the mansion at the time, and my mother already gone at the beginning of the year. No one in the mansion could keep it, so this wooden box was put in my study. After all, on the inside it was a dead person's personal items, plus the hair and skin of Gu Cheng Yao when he was born, it was not appropriate to leave it to other people' hands, so I kept them away."

Gu Hui Yan said casually, but in fact he was thinking, which servants made their own decisions and brought this box to the outside palace? Moreover, he kept the wooden box really for safekeeping, and would never put it in a place where it would be hit by something. Who was it that deliberately fiddled with these in front of Lin Wei Xi?

Chapter 85 Part 2: Dead Person

"The edge of the box has wear down, and the jade bracelet inside has been rubbed very smoothly. Do you usually take it out to see it?"

Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi and said nonchalantly, "I shouldn't be so idle."

Lin Wei Xi was a little satisfied, she coughed and stretched her face, still looking serious and indifferent. In fact, after calming down and thinking about it again, Lin Wei Xi also felt that she walked into a dead end. This past six months Gu Hui Yan had been away from home most of the time, whenever he returned home, Lin Wei Xi always knew where and what he was doing. Gu Hui Yan was really busy, and the only free time was also spent with her. Things like remembering his dead wife, frequently seeing her things and thinking about its owner, was unlikely.

Lin Wei Xi's heart in knot, but now she had Yan Wang's child in her belly, making her bolder and bolder. She raised the edge of her delicate chin, and questioned what happened in the past: "Wangye, I heard that you and Wangfei Shen fell in love at first sight. The first encounter must be very beautiful right? Unlike with me, you quietly took people to stand outside my house. My conversations with my aunt, didn't know how much you heard. With this contrast, I'm afraid I'm more disgusting."

Gu Hui Yan sighed in his heart, women were really terrifying, how many old accounts did she have to turn over? Gu Hui Yan said: "In fact, it can't be said like that. I was busy dismissing the rebels and didn't pay attention to other things. On the contrary you, just one look leave a very deep impression."

Gu Hui Yan seemed to think of the scene at that time, and smiled slightly. Lin Wei Xi glared at him displeasedly: "Are you still smiling? You must despise me in your heart."

"No." Gu Hui Yan said these words very sincerely, from the bottom of his heart, "When you scold someone your speech was very fast and delicate, in fact it pleasant to hear."

Lin Wei Xi gritted her teeth. This was an insult to Lin Wei Xi's personal dignity. How dare you say that her curse is pleasant to hear? Seeing Lin Wei Xi a little annoyed, Gu Hui Yan suppressed his smile and stopped teasing her: "Alright, don't be angry anymore. You are carrying another body nowadays, cannot be too excited or angry. I also won't care about what happened in the study today, you can do whatever you want." Gu Hui Yan paused, and seemed like inadvertently said: "The past is over. I won't do this inefficient thing."

This sentence was very vague, but Lin Wei Xi still understood what Gu Hui Yan meant. What he said was that the matter of Shen shi had passed, and he didn't want to be like everyone in the mansion thought, obsessed with his previous wife and often saw her things and thinking about her. In the eyes of Yan Wang, who emphasizes efficiency and regulation in everything, it was a pure waste of time.

Lin Wei Xi knew that she should be satisfied. When a wife found the relics of her predecessors, made a big fuss and entangled it endlessly, for the husband to speak in a good voice was already not easy. People like Yan Wang who explained patiently and soothed carefully were almost extinct. Everything shouldn't be dig up to the roots and inquire at the base, this was the principle that Lin Wei Xi understood since she was young.

She pursed her lips, and softly said "Alright". After she finished speaking, she was still not convinced, and asked: "Wangye pays attention to everything that is useful. Then when I die in the future, do you think it is a waste of time to think of me?"

"Lin Wei Xi." Gu Hui Yan's expression immediately sank, and his imposing manner came out, immediately revealing a different Yan Wang, "Don't talk like that."

This was Gu Hui Yan's true appearance. He was like that when facing outsiders. Lin Wei Xi reluctantly said "Oh", after a while, she secretly glanced at Gu Hui Yan, and then harshly said, "I cursed myself, you are mean because of this?"

Lin Wei Xi had this kind of ability, which could aroused people's anger in one second and made people dumbfounded in the next. Gu Hui Yan glanced at her and slowly reduced his pressure: "Know your mistake? Don't do this again next time."

"Hmm." After Lin Wei Xi answered, she muttered very quietly, "I'm right again."

Gu Hui Yan heard it, but he pretend not to hear it, otherwise he didn't know what to do with this ancestor. Gu Hui Yan tucked Lin Wei Xi's feet properly and helped her to lie down: "You have been crying for a long time, so lie down and rest for a while. You sleep at ease, I am here to watch you."

When Lin Wei Xi found that Gu Hui Yan would have been watching here, she felt much calmer. Crying was actually very exhausting. It didn't take long after Lin Wei Xi lied down that she fell asleep. Gu Hui Yan sat there and watched her sleeping face quietly. It unknown how long he watched, the sky outside had dimmed and the outline of the room slowly became unclear. Gu Hui Yan stood up and said to the maid who had been waiting outside the room: "Prepares hot dishes for Wangfei, as soon as she wakes up must let her eat. Forget it, at that time you come to the front yard to find me."

Wan Xing and Wan Yue dare to be cheeky with Lin Wei Xi, but in front of Yan Wang, they were as obedient as a quail. The two of them answered "Yes" in a low voice and respectfully watched Gu Hui Yan's figure disappear into the vermilion winding corridor. When they could no longer hear the neat and powerful footsteps they finally breathed a long sigh of relief.

Gu Hui Yan returned to the study, all the way calm and fast. These two words seem to be contradictory, but they were perfectly combined with Gu Hui Yan. Gu Hui Yan didn't let anyone light the lamp, he sat quietly in the dark and remained silent for a long time.

Gu Mingda stood at the door and knocked three times: "Wangye."

Gu Hui Yan did not call, but Gu Mingda came over, which violated military regulations. Gu Hui Yan glanced at him lightly, instead of pursuing his rudeness, he asked: "What do you want to say?"

The two of them have known each other for more than 20 years, they went through fire and water together, the tacit understanding between them no longer needs words. Just as Gu Hui Yan didn't say a word, Gu Mingda knew what he was thinking. Just as Gu Mingda didn't ask, Gu Hui Yan guessed what he was going to say before he spoke.

"Wangye, why you didn't tell Wangfei about Wangfei Shen's matter?"

Gu Hui Yan was silent for a moment, and said: "Respect the dead. What's the point of saying it."

"But you didn't marry Wangfei Shen voluntarily." Gu Mingda was expressionless, but what he said was frightening. "When the old Wangfei wrote to ask you before, you didn't even know this young lady of Shen family."

TN: The truth about Shen shi is in the next chapter, I feel like the author want to stretch this part a little bit. I'm quite busy these days so half a chapter a day is my limit, I'm sorry…

Chapter 86 Part 1: The Truth

"Gu Mingda." Gu Hui Yan's voice contained a warning, but Gu Mingda didn't care, even if he was going to get military punishment when he returned, he had to finish these words. He had been with Gu Hui Yan for more than 20 years and had been by his side since Gu Hui Yan was a half young man. It was precisely because he understood him that Gu Mingda knew how difficult it was for Yan Wang to meet a person he likes. Wangfei was very good, and the most important thing there was affection between Yan Wang and Wangfei. Gu Mingda couldn't sit back and watch this hard-won marriage ruined by those inexplicable past events.

"Wangye, in life, gold and riches is easy to get, a confidant is hard to find, and a caring partner is one in a million fate. Wangfei cares very much about this matters. Why do you want to destroy her expectations? Women jealous because they care, don't wait for Wangfei to be hurt and become cold, then you will make up for it. Feelings and trust are very fragile things. This point Wangye should know better than this subordinate."

Gu Hui Yan had the army in the palm of his hand, and nowadays he was in power. He had seen so many cross-sections alliance, and he certainly understood how precious and fragile trust was. He could coax Lin Wei Xi to sleep, and he could prove to Lin Wei Xi with double patience that there was no one else in his heart, and Lin Wei Xi did accept his arrangement just now. But even if she didn't say it, it didn't mean that she was really willing to be distracted.

If these obstructions were not removed, then his and Lin Wei Xi's lives would be built on a shaky foundation. Lin Wei Xi's temperament was particularly clear-cut, hating bad people and things like enemies. If it's someone she likes, she could act coquettishly and shamelessly, but if she didn't like, she didn't even bother to pretend to smile, spoke coldly, and showed no mercy. In fact, she was the most arbitrary person. She preferred to rely solely on her own judgment and did not give the other party a chance to explain.

This could be seen in Lin Wei Xi's attitude towards him and Gu Cheng Yao.

When Gu Hui Yan imagined in his mind Lin Wei Xi lost her trust in him, he found it really unbearable. He didn't dare to imagine what he would do if that day come.

Gu Hui Yan sat quietly, not moving for a long time. Gu Mingda didn't want to disturb, slowly withdrew, and closed the door for Gu Hui Yan.

The moonlight was shut out, and the darkness returned to the study. Gu Hui Yan sat alone in the dark, slowly returning to nineteen years ago. At that time, he was fifteen years old, young and inexperienced, and still liked to show-off.

In the twenty-fourth year of Chu Yuan, Beidi disturbed the border, and the Yan fief was the first to be hit by the war. The old Yan Wang sighed at the palace report every day, but he had achieved mediocre achievements over the years, and his talents and wisdom were not really good. Except for hoping that a military prodigy would be born in the border, or the Gods and Buddhas suddenly showed mercy to protect Yan fief, he actually had no strategy left to try.

In this situation, Gu Hui Yan asked for himself to join the war. He was only fifteen years old, at the hot-blooded age. The old Wangfei certainly disagreed. Whoever took pains to raise their son until the age of fifteen, and the son had a heroic and upright appearance, soon could get married and start a family, they definitely would not be willing to send their son to the battlefield. However since he was little, once Gu Hui Yan made decision, he would resolutely fight for it. Before the old Wangfei relented, he took the people and left the house.

At that time, the front line really needed a leader to appear to boost morale. Who else better than Yan fief's heir, the young Shizi Gu Hui Yan?

Gu Hui Yan at the beginning could only deal with trivial matters. Obviously, other people didn't believe that this Yan Wang Mansion's son could handle military affairs properly. But the fact was the war were critical, and commanders were especially scarce. Gu Hui Yan gradually began to participate in large and small battles. While leading the army on the road, he encountered a riot of refugees. This was a small matter. Gu Hui Yan led the people to suppress the rebel, and he even manage the subsequent resettlement of the refugees, after that he took the manpower to continue on the road.

Later when he was replenishing the supplies in the next town, he heard a message from his subordinates that a woman was standing in front of the gate and wanted to thank him in person. This woman went out from home some time ago and was swept away by the riots. Thanks to his timely action, she was able to get out. The woman was grateful, so she came to thank Gu Hui Yan.

Gu Hui Yan heard it once and ignore it, naturally did not go see this woman. There were many things that require his attention, and people who wanted repay the gratitude because they were conveniently saved count as nothing. But the other party was a girl after all. Although Gu Hui Yan didn't come forward, he still let people settled down the girl, and tomorrow he would asked his personal guards to send the girl home. However, the next day turmoil broke out in the neighboring city, and the road was really unsafe. Gu Hui Yan could only let the woman live in his courtyard and wait for the road conditions to improve before going back on the road.

Although the woman lived in his courtyard, Gu Hui Yan almost never met her. He only stayed in that courtyard for a few days and then left. He left another manpower with the intention to send the woman back safely. After the arduous military affairs, Gu Hui Yan quickly forgot about this matter, until three months later, the old Yan Wangfei sent a letter.

The old Yan Wangfei strongly disagreed with Gu Hui Yan leaving home to go to the battlefield, but the woods had turned into a boat, and she could only sigh. Later, Gu Hui Yan's news was sent back one by one. Her son had performed well on the battlefield, which was remarkable. In the past few months, there had been frequent victories, and old Yan Wangfei's anger quickly turned into pride.

The old Yan Wangfei was born from an ancient noble family in the capital, and later married the much-suspected old Yan Wang. After that, she went to the border with her husband and never returned to the capital. Her live before and after married were like two different worlds, but the old Yan Wangfei was most proud of her son. Even when she exchanged New Year's gift or communicated with the sisters who remained in the capital, she did not hesitate to brag about her son. Gu Hui Yan had good looks, from childhood his temperament was cold and full of planning, far better than the sons of her maiden sisters. Old Yan Wangfei never said it in front of Gu Hui Yan, but in her heart, she was deeply proud.

Now that her son had grown to fifteen, and in his prime, he was quickly showing off his amazing military talent on the battlefield. Old Yan Wangfei felt very proud and elated. Of course, she must carefully choose a perfect marriage for her son. Her son deserves the best woman in the world.

Gu Hui Yan's personal conditions were indeed superior, even the top aristocratic madams in the capital also willing to tie the knot with the old Yan Wangfei. Old Yan Wangfei was simply beaming, but suddenly heard news from her servants that Shizi himself had set a marriage outside.

This shock was not small, and the old Yan Wangfei hurriedly asked the servant to go out to investigate, and finally figured out the source of the rumors. It turned out that Gu Hui Yan rescued a woman on a riot, and then he had been keeping her in his own courtyard ever since. This woman was also very resolute, in this kind of world, she dared to seek husband for thousands of miles, following the trail of Gu Hui Yan all the way. Gu Hui Yan was very famous these days. People were just curious about this young Shizi. Now there was a live saving grace, chasing husband for thousand miles and so on story that usually written as romance scandals, the rumors among people naturally became more and more intense. Until now, everyone said that Gu Hui Yan and this beautiful woman fell in love at first sight, but because of the chaos of the war, the time they were together were short but the separation was long. After the war settled down, Gu Hui Yan would marry this beautiful woman as Wangfei.

When the old Yan Wangfei heard this, she was stunned. What was this? However, the common people were most enthusiastic about such love stories. When Old Yan Wangfei heard about it, the rumors among people had already evolved out of control. When the old Yan Wangfei heard the rumor outside that was so detail, she really thought this was someone Gu Hui Yan really fancy, and kept her outside to privately set livelong events. She was so angry that she wrote a letter to question him immediately.

Only then did Gu Hui Yan know what was going on, and he finally realize that time he rescued a woman in passing, whom he had not even asked the name of, actually turned into a scene where a hero saved the beauty and the beautiful woman gave her heart.

The people's enthusiasm for love stories was unreasonable. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai were not people of the same dynasty, and they were still passed down as eternal stories.

TN: Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, the protagonist from Chinese legend The Butterfly Lovers, it's a famous story so some of you must know, if you don't it's basically a Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet.

Chapter 86 Part 2: The Truth

Gu Hui Yan took the time to return to the mansion. The old Yan Wangfei learned that Gu Hui Yan didn't know about this matter at all, and there was nothing like falling in love at first sight or would not marry without love this kind of thing. Old Yan Wangfei was relieved, and didn't plan to pay attention to this woman. Anyway, this kind of thing had no effect on man. At most, he would be said to be romantic. But for the woman, her reputation would be destroyed. If she couldn't marry Gu Hui Yan, then the only way to prove her innocence was to hang herself from the roof beam.

But what does this have to do with old Yan Wangfei? She didn't care whether this woman was dead or alive. Her son should be matched with a brocade garment jade meals noble girl from the capital. Why should an ordinary girl bind her son? Old Yan Wangfei intended to continue to seek candidates for Shizi Consort in the capital, but Gu Hui Yan stopped her.

No need, marrying any wife was the same to him, however he couldn't do harm to this woman. Gu Hui Yan had been honed in the army these days, and what he saw was life and death, blood and war have made Gu Hui Yan grew up quickly. He had become more and more responsible, and more and more like the master of a vassal state. It was his responsibility to protect this land and protect the people here. It was impossible for Gu Hui Yan to be like an ordinary young master, solely engrossed in their own comfort, regardless other people's life and death.

Anyway, he was going to marry a wife after all. In that case, he might as well marry Shen shi. By the way, it wasn't until this time that Gu Hui Yan knew the woman's surname was Shen, and she was a county deputy's daughter in Linhe County.

It could be imagined how reluctant old Yan Wangfei was. But she couldn't persuade Gu Hui Yan. Such a thing was simply an unexpected calamities for Gu Hui Yan, it was baffling from beginning to end. He could completely ignore it, no matter whether Shen shi was dead or alive. However, he still married Shen shi in accordance with public opinion, which was equivalent to saving Shen shi again. Old Yan Wangfei was unbearably angry, but she also understood, this was her son, strict with himself, self-disciplined and full of sense of responsibility.

This was the truth about the so-called hero saving beauty, falling in love at first sight, and lovers breaking through the social status and finally getting married.

After marrying Shen shi, Gu Hui Yan certainly wanted to have mutual respect with his wife and manage their lives well. But Shen shi's mother had died since she was a child, and there were three older brothers above her. Her father and older brothers simply spoiled her to the bones. The Shen family was extremely defensive towards the stepmother, for fear that the stepmother would treat Shen shi harshly. Later the stepmother also put up her hands and didn't care. She wanted to see if these men raised Shen shi like a pet, what kind of virtue they raised in the end.

Sure enough, as her stepmother expected, she was... childishly unrealistic. She always spoke with a coquettish tone, and always felt that everyone in the world was pampering her. Her father and elder brothers always gave her whatever she want, that Shen shi really grew up in isolated atmosphere. Fifteen years old' Shen shi never washed her face herself, to washed her hands, she only need to spread her fingers and let her older brother come, even walking still let her older brother carried her. The stepmother looked at all this coldly, without speaking or reminding.

Every woman hopes to be spoiled by her father and brother like a princess. Actually this was a very tragic thing. People are human because they have independent personality and ability to support themselves.

Later, Shen shi married Gu Hui Yan in the eyes of ten thousand people, and the Shen family's father and brother couldn't help crying on the spot and eagerly sent Shen shi to get married. Only the Shen family's stepmother stood at one side, looking at Gu Hui Yan with sympathy.

Gu Hui Yan only felt strange that day. After returning to the mansion, he understood what the Shen family stepmother's eyes meant. However, spilt water was difficult to retrieve. Gu Hui Yan really tried to get along with Shen shi, but Shen shi was completely immersed in her own world. She chased people for a thousand miles because Gu Hui Yan's appearance was too dazzling, she rightly felt that this was a hero who saved the beauty, and Gu Hui Yan must like her when he saved her. Later, when the guards of the mansion wanted to send her home, she refused, and stubbornly waited for her 'husband' to return. When asked, she was not hesitant to tell her "beautiful encounter" with Gu Hui Yan. In this way one pass ten, ten pass a hundred (tn: how rumors spread). One person was immersed in the fantasy and couldn't extricate herself, and the other didn't know anything because of leading the army to fight, and the news was delayed. When Yan Wang Mansion and Gu Hui Yan knew about it, everything was too late.

What's frightening was that Shen shi was still dreaming after marrying. She still thought that Gu Hui Yan had deep love for her, and that old Yan Wangfei was cold to her because she was a bad mother-in-law. She thought that Gu Hui Yan liked her, that Gu Hui Yan liked to eat freshwater fish, and that the old Wangfei wanted to separate them, but she never actually opened her eyes to see what kind of person Gu Hui Yan was.

After Gu Hui Yan just got married, he stayed for only seven days before returning to the army to continue fighting. Later, every time he went home he wanted to get along properly with Shen shi, but Shen shi as always did not listen or look, and Gu Hui Yan really had no way to stay at home. In his short marriage, Gu Hui Yan never felt any family warmth, Shen shi also never cared about his food and clothes, his well-being, or asked about his injuries. As time passed, Gu Hui Yan spent most of his time in the army, even if he was free, he never return to his home.

This was why Bu Mama and others boasted about Shen shi's good destiny, but never dare to be presumptuous in front of Gu Hui Yan. This was a very interesting thing in the mansion. It was rumored that Yan Wang liked to eat freshwater fish. It was rumored that Yan Wang and Shen shi's first encounter was legendary, their love could touch other people's heart. But when Gu Mingda and Zhou Mao Cheng, the true confidants of Yan Wang, talked about Shen shi, they didn't have a good face. Zhou Mao Cheng had always persuading Gu Hui Yan to remarry, and Gu Mingda would risk the world to come to persuade Gu Hui Yan because of Lin Wei Xi's fainting.

Some things only outsiders could clearly see. From the time Lin Wei Xi appeared, Gu Hui Yan constantly made exceptions, and now he had no principles and bottom lines. Gu Mingda was happy from his heart for Gu Hui Yan. Gu Hui Yan was the god in the hearts of everyone in Yan fief. As long as Yan Wangfei treated Gu Hui Yan sincerely, Wangfei was their loyal mistress.

Gu Mingda understood Gu Hui Yan's scruples. You should respect the dead, and moreover the dead was his wife. How could a man of character tell other about the bad things of Shen shi many years after her death? Due to Gu Cheng Yao's face, Gu Mingda couldn't say much about Shen shi, but it didn't mean that Gu Mingda could sit back and watch others use this "legend" and "love" to destroy the relationship between Wangfei and Yan Wang.

Speaking of Gu Cheng Yao, Gu Mingda also had complicated feeling. Gu Cheng Yao was born when they were busy marching the armies. Shizi grew up next to Shen shi. The old Wangfei tried to take Gu Cheng Yao several times to raise him, but she was blocked by the wailing Shen shi. After these few years, Gu Cheng Yao was raised to be extremely conceited. To say something rebellious, Gu Mingda felt that Shizi was very small-minded, didn't have overall view at all. Shizi kept saying filial piety, but Shen shi told him that Yan Wang liked to eat fish, shrimps, crabs and other river fish, which Gu Cheng Yao noted down. In the eighteen years of father and son, didn't know how many meals have been eaten at the same table together, but Gu Cheng Yao had never noticed what Gu Hui Yan liked to eat.

Of course these words were not something that he could say as a subject. Gu Mingda closed the door gently, leaving all the space in the room to Gu Hui Yan. It was useless to say more, what Yan Wang really needs now was silence.

Gu Hui Yan was sitting in the dark room. He didn't know how long he had been sitting. When he came back to his senses, he was already standing in front of the storage box, holding a delicate white cloth in his hand.

There was a heavy rain that day when Lin Wei Xi rushed into his study, and he took this to Lin Wei Xi to wipe her hair. What did Lin Wei Xi say at that time, she didn't like the silk cloth because it's not absorbent, and asked him to prepare a cotton cloth.

Gu Hui Yan was amused and helpless at the time, saying "Yes" half-heartedly. But who knows, after that, he really kept clean cotton cloth in the study.

The night didn't affect Gu Hui Yan's sight. He slowly ran his fingers across the fine silk. That day, in the heavy rain, Lin Wei Xi's dribbling wet hair seemed to also pass to the palm of his hand. When Lin Wei Xi asked him today, Gu Hui Yan also really wanted to know, why he agreed to Lin Wei Xi's, acted in a pique, marriage proposal?

He stood quietly for a while, and slowly put the silk back in the wooden box, restoring everything to its original state. In fact, this was the wooden box that Gu Hui Yan really carefully kept. Fortunately, it was not this one that got wet today.

He thought he might have something to say to Lin Wei Xi.

Chapter 87 Part 1: Intention

Lin Wei Xi slept fretfully. During this time, she woke up several times, only opened her eyes and took a vague look before falling asleep again.

When she finally woke up, the night had completely come.

"Wangfei, the small kitchen keeps warming the food for you, do you want to set the meal now?"

Lin Wei Xi woke up and subconsciously looked at the side of the bed, but it was empty. Lin Wei Xi was supported by the maid, slowly sat up, "Where is Wangye?"

"Wangye watched over you for a long time. After you fell asleep, he went to the front yard."

"Went to the front yard." Lin Wei Xi looked down at the coiled branch and flowers on the brocade and sighed inexplicably, "I see."

Seeing that Lin Wei Xi was not in high spirits, Wan Yue said more cautiously: "Wangfei, do you want to set the meal?"

"I have no appetite, I don't want to eat." Lin Wei Xi said, "Let them withdraw."

Wan Yue looked awkward: "But, Wangye said to make sure to look after you and let you eat."

"You just listen to what he says? Why I didn't see you this diligent when I order you." Lin Wei Xi leaned on the bedpost and said casually, "Besides, if you don't say it, how will he know."

"Why don't I know?"

Wan Yue was shocked, and quickly turned her head, indeed she saw Wan Xing following like a quail at the back, her face almost pulled into a bitter melon. Wan Yue tried to compose herself, submissively bowing down: "Greetings Wangye."

Gu Hui Yan responded casually, and pointed to the outside lightly: "Go out and set the meal."

Wan Yue immediately lowered her head and left, didn't dare to make eye contact with Lin Wei Xi at all. When the people left, Gu Hui Yan sat down by the bed and calmly pulled the corner of Lin Wei Xi's quilt: "Your courage is really big, letting the maid become your accomplice..."

Lin Wei Xi was very surprised when she saw Gu Hui Yan, but looking at Wan Xing and Wan Yue in front of Gu Hui Yan did not dare to speak out, completely treating his words as imperial decree, she felt uncomfortable for some reason. Her mood was not very good, and her tone was lazy: "Not as powerful as Wangye's control over the mansion."

Gu Hui Yan certainly heard Lin Wei Xi's subtle moodiness. He asked, "Are you angry?"

"Why would I be angry, and what am I angry about?"

It seemed that the anger was not light, Gu Hui Yan didn't say much, carefully wrapped her in a quilt, and carried her to the Luohan bed outside to eat: "Even if you want to blame me, you should eat the food first. Your health is not good, and now you are carrying another life, cannot skip the meals."

Lin Wei Xi thought of the child in her stomach, became very alert, forcing herself to move her chopsticks. Gu Hui Yan was sitting opposite her, watching Lin Wei Xi only pick two bites of each dish and didn't eat anymore. He sighed silently and gave Lin Wei Xi the milk soup with his own hands: "Try this, milk is good for you and the child."

Lin Wei Xi had no appetite looking at the bowl of soup. She shook her head and didn't want to eat any more. Gu Hui Yan sat next to her, slowly stirred the soup with a spoon, tried the temperature with his hand, and then scooped a spoon to put on Lin Wei Xi's lips: "Even if you have no appetite, eat a little more."

The spoon was on her lips, and once Lin Wei Xi opened her mouth she could eat it. Gu Hui Yan fed the soup very meticulously, and often just as soon as she swallowed, the other spoon was already at her lips. Before she knew it, Lin Wei Xi already drank half bowl down.

Gu Hui Yan estimated that Lin Wei Xi's normal appetite was almost reached, so he put down the spoon and bowl. He left the small table to the maids to clean, and returned to the room with Lin Wei Xi in his arms.

Lin Wei Xi felt that this was a bit too much, she was just pregnant, not unable to walk. She struggled for a little while thinking about going down, but as soon as her arms moved, Gu Hui Yan clasped it again: "Be good."

Lin Wei Xi could only lie back, at ease leaned on Gu Hui Yan's shoulder, it's actually very comfortable being taken care of by Gu Hui Yan. Gu Hui Yan put the person on the bed, pulled up the quilt, and carefully wrapped Lin Wei Xi. However, his meticulous action did not mean that he was willing to spare this bold little wild cat: "You wanted to hide from me just now? You threatened the maid to cover you?"

Lin Wei Xi was not afraid of this kind of battle, and even vowed to bite back: "You obviously promised me to watch me sleep, but when I woke up I didn't see your shadow anywhere. Now you are still fierce with me!"

"Threaten the east, hit the west1, look at the people on both sides and say something else2, you learn well."

Lin Wei Xi snorted coldly, turned her face to the side, looked at the bed curtain, and refused to look at Gu Hui Yan again.

Gu Hui Yan was helpless. He pauses, and could only say: "Alright, don't be angry. Let me tell you a story."

"Coaxing this woman? Not listening."

"Really not listening?" Gu Hui Yan kept smiling, calmly looking at her, "This is something I have encountered before. Since you don't want to listen, then forget it."

Lin Wei Xi's ears moved, what happened to Yan Wang in the past? Lin Wei Xi turned her head slowly, coughing solemnly, "Then I will reluctantly listen."

When Lin Wei Xi played her temper, it could make people's teeth itchy, but when she gave in, it was an adorable mess that made people almost could do nothing to her. Gu Hui Yan's eyes unknowingly filled with a smile, he sighed slightly, and said, "This is the matter in Chu Yuan years."

"Chu Yuan years?" Lin Wei Xi thought for a while before blurting out the words directly, "This reigning era is a bit old."

Gu Hui Yan looked at her silently without talking or laughing. Lin Wei Xi chuckled, but hurriedly held back: "I didn't mean that. I only state the facts. Chu Yuan is an era three generations ago. It is indeed a bit old..."

The more Lin Wei Xi talked about it, the more she felt that she couldn't return. She didn't really mean that Yan Wang was old. Now the reigning era was Yuan Jia, before that it was Jian Zhao, and before Jian Zhao was Chu Yuan. This reigning era was really old.

Lin Wei Xi said this and laughed, Gu Hui Yan looked at her helplessly. After Lin Wei Xi laughed enough, Gu Hui Yan could continue: "Twenty-fourth Year of Chu Yuan..."

Gu Hui Yan watched Lin Wei Xi roll her eyes upwards, obviously counting his age, and then she was about to laugh again. Gu Hui Yan said helplessly, "Don't laugh."

1 Threaten the east, hit the west, it means making a diversions. ↩

2 Look at the people on both sides and say something else, it means deliberately avoiding the question, prevarication with other words.↩

Chapter 87 Part 2: Intention

Lin Wei Xi smiled with her shoulders shaking. She held the quilt with her fingers, trying her best to hold back her smile: "I'm not born yet in the Twenty-fourth Year of Chu Yuan."

Gu Hui Yan seemed to have been mercilessly ridiculed by the years. Lin Wei Xi was only seventeen now. At the time when he revealed an outstanding talent in the army, Lin Wei Xi was indeed not born yet.

Gu Hui Yan came back today with a lot of determination, and decided to confess everything to Lin Wei Xi. However, when Lin Wei Xi interrupted like this, Gu Hui Yan's rigorous plan was messed up. He looked at Lin Wei Xi who so happy that she almost fell into his arms laughing. Gu Hui Yan was helpless, unconsciously his originally serious mood also loosen up a lot: "Don't laugh, sit down."

His words sounded harsh, but there was no deterrent in his tone. Lin Wei Xi laughed enough, leaning crookedly on the soft pillow, her eyes were full of smiles: "I'm not laughing anymore, Wangye, you continue to say."

The serious atmosphere was wiped out. During the play just now, Lin Wei Xi rolled into Gu Hui Yan's arms and crumpled Gu Hui Yan's seamless clothes. Lin Wei Xi's hair was even more tangled, her hair was loosely draped among the soft and bright brocade quilt, which was indescribably alluring.

Gu Hui Yan looked at the scene in front of him and had to think about it before he remember what he was going to say: "In the twenty-fourth year of Chu Yuan, it was my first year in contact with military affairs. At that time I was full of youthful vigor, and always felt that there was nothing I could not do. When encountering war, I always took the lead and wanted to seize the top merit. Once I heard that there was another war ahead, I hurriedly led people there. On the road I encountered a small mutiny, but didn't take it seriously, let the people rode a horse back and forth in the crowd a few times, and then high-spiritedly left."

Lin Wei Xi looked solemnly, and she unconsciously straightened up from the pillow. She probably guessed what Gu Hui Yan was going to say.

"Later, when I was in the town to replenish the supplies, I met someone... Actually, I didn't think properly. The other party was a woman. Woman's reputation is very important. I should send this woman back to her family immediately instead of thinking it's too troublesome. I rushed to participate in another battle and threw the woman to my subordinates. Afterwards, the surroundings were unstable and she couldn't get on the road at all, so the girl could only continue to stay where I was staying, which caused rumors to spread and interfered with the woman's reputation."

In fact, it was not like what Gu Hui Yan said. The road was really not peaceful at the time, but with the personal escort of Yan Wang Mansion's guards, which bandits dared to hit Shen shi's carriage? Shen shi just sink into her own fanatical love story, that's why she didn't want to go home. What's more, even if Gu Hui Yan really sent Shen shi back to the Shen family at that time, wouldn't Shen shi continue to imagine that Gu Hui Yan fell in love with her at first sight, that's why he would send her home in person?

After Shen shi returned home, she could still tell her neighbors about her adventures. For example, Yan Wang Mansion's Shizi met her in the military chaos, from then on he couldn't forget her, and personally escorted her home. It's just the surrounding was just Shen family's neighbors, and similar rumors would not spread as quickly as in the big town. These two were just the issue of big and small impact. And then the love story between Gu Hui Yan and Shen shi's unnecessarily spread like that, the roots actually lied in Shen shi, not what Gu Hui Yan did.

Lin Wei Xi listened quietly. This was completely different from the mansion's love fairy tale that she had heard before. Life was not a storybook, where to find so many lingering life and death' feelings. Gu Hui Yan paused for a while. He seemed to feel that it was very inappropriate to say that the deceased was right or wrong, so he skipped all the strange things of Shen shi, and only stated the result: "Later, after I married her, because the war many things adds up. The longest time I stayed at home was the first few days of marriage, which was seven days in total. Ten months later, Gu Cheng Yao was born. I was a very incompetent father to Gu Cheng Yao. I was rebuilding Dingxiang City when he was born. When he was growing up, I also fought north and south, rarely stayed in the mansion. In the 6th year of Jian Zhao, when Gu Cheng Yao was 7 years old, my mother died at the beginning of the year. Not long after, Shen shi also passed away."

At that time, the storm was precarious, in the capital Bu Guifei and Empress Qian were fighting fiercely for the crown prince's position. Gu Hui Yan really didn't have much energy to take care of the mansion.

"I was very negligent about my family in those years. My mother and Shen shi died one after another. Gu Cheng Yao grew up alone in the mansion. I feel guilty, so I haven't remarried these years."

Guilt was only one aspect. In fact, anyone who had a wife like Shen shi and completely gave up on husband and wife's relationship, would never want to remarry.

Lin Wei Xi unconsciously held her breath, and asked in a low voice, "Then you, why did you respond to my willful act?"

Why? Gu Hui Yan seemed to sink into memories too. He slowly recalled the scene when he first saw Lin Wei Xi: "When I first saw you, I felt that you, this little girl was really lively, not only have a sharp mouth, but your courage also big. In so many years, only you who dare to look at me straight in the eyes, and stared at me for so long without any shy. Later, you deliberately pretended to cry and asked me to take you away. I have made such a mistake before, and I really don't want to hurt your reputation. But your aunt and cousin are too much, if I don't take you away, it will only harm you."

When Gu Hui Yan said that he remembered what the Li family's son had done to Lin Wei Xi, his eyes could not help but became cold. Lin Wei Xi now understood why Gu Hui Yan paused for so long under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village before agreeing to take her away. She leaned on the soft brocade pillow, the corner of her eyes carried a teasing light, deliberately glanced at Gu Hui Yan: "No wonder Wangye always wanted to get a good husband for me, even until reaching the capital this idea did not fade. Sure enough, Wangye thought I was a trouble."

Gu Hui Yan had nothing to say. Now thinking about it, fortunately he didn't seriously married off Lin Wei Xi. If he did, it's unknown with whose child Lin Wei Xi would be pregnant now. As soon as he thought about this scenario, he couldn't bear it.

He knew that he was in the wrong. Facing his petite wife's ridicules he couldn't retaliate, Gu Hui Yan sighed and said, "It's me who was wrong. Thank you, Wangfei for refusing to marry at that time."

Lin Wei Xi gave a soft "hum", and after a while, she still felt like a cat's paw scratching her heart, and couldn't help asking: "In the beginning you despised me. Then afterwards I forced you to marry me. Did you feel vexed to death by me?" Lin Wei Xi suddenly felt disheartened: "It's me who didn't keep my boudoir reputation, and was so shameless. In fact, you didn't want to marry me."

"How can that be?" Gu Hui Yan looked at the tender and beautiful, delicate like fine porcelain woman in front of him, and stretched out his hand to slowly stroke her face, "I have long been different from the past, if I don't want to do it, who could force me?"