I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

by Usui Takumii

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

21. 101 to 105

Chapter 101 Part 1: Gao Ran

Although Gu Hui Yan didn't speak, the maids were very perceptive, one by one withdrew from the inner room, and quietly closed the door.

After everyone was gone, Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi and asked slowly, "Where have you been?"

Although he asked, Lin Wei Xi knew that he must have already know. The maid guarding Gao Ran was originally his person.

Lin Wei Xi's mood originally was not good, but now she was questioned like a criminal, she became more and more angry. She passed through Gu Hui Yan sullenly and went to see her daughter in the bedroom. When passing by Gu Hui Yan, she gave him an angry look, "None of your business!"

Gu Hui Yan actually speechless, he was the one that should asking for the crime, why Lin Wei Xi look angrier than him.

The sound of Lin Wei Xi hugging Rui Yang could be heard from the inside. Rui Yang was babbling, listening to the sound, it was very lively. Didn't know what the mother and daughter were muttering about. Gu Hui Yan stood outside for a while, in the end decided to go in and take a look.

He looked at Rui Yang.

The little girl was loved as soon as she was born. On her third day washing, the whole city was dispatched. Grand princess Shou Kang was overjoyed and gave the little girl a longevity lock. Not only that, the palace also delivered many rewards. The emperor gave her a golden lock, Empress Dowager Qian also followed up by adding a Ruyi jade. Yan Wang called the clan people to discuss for a long time in the study, and finally named the much-anticipated little Junzhu Rui Yang.

Rui (auspicious) was from xiangrui (auspicious sign), Yang (sun) was from chaoyang (rising sun).

It could only be said that things in the world were very strange. If Lin Wei Xi gave birth to a boy, when people came to visit, even if they didn't say anything, they would be wondering about it. However, Lin Wei Xi gave birth to a daughter. Not only did Yan Wang spoil this daughter, but Gu Cheng Yao also regarded this sister who was 19 years younger as a treasure. When Yan Wang's many subordinates came over to congratulated, they couldn't help but look at this little Yan land's Junzhu, who was extremely rare.

Rui Yang was only one month old. It was pure nonsense to say that people could see her beauty that could overturn the country, but everyone who saw her was very affectionate, even Grand Princess Shou Kang said that she had seen so many children, but never seen the kind like Rui Yang that so was lovable and delightful.

When Gu Hui Yan walked into the inner room, he saw Lin Wei Xi holding Rui Yang, the mother and daughter were playing with their heads close. Rui Yang was lying on the goose yellow brocade, watching Lin Wei Xi intently with wet eyes. Didn't know what she saw, she suddenly grinned, her legs kept kicking, and wanted to grab Lin Wei Xi's earring.

"You can't play with this yet." Lin Wei Xi smiled and ducked away, but she didn't expect that the child was so strong that she still able to grab it. Lin Wei Xi cried out, trying to pull away but afraid of hurting her fingers, and from this angle she couldn't see the place, for a while it was extremely difficult.

Gu Hui Yan stepped forward, gently held Rui Yang's hand, and slowly separated her fingers. Lin Wei Xi's earring could be considered rescued, but Rui Yang's grabbing just now severely pulled her earlobes.

Lin Wei Xi's earlobe turned red in a blink of an eye. She lightly flicked Rui Yang's forehead with her hand, and said, "How old are you, what do you want an earring for?"

But Gu Hui Yan's eyes fell on Lin Wei Xi's ears. Her skin was whiter than snow, her neck was long and graceful, and even her ears were delicate and exquisite, with colored jade earrings hanging on it, swaying in between it was indescribably beautiful. But now one of the earlobe was red. Although Rui Yang was a child, but a child didn't know how to control her strength. Her earlobe must be hurt.

Lin Wei Xi leaned over to tease Rui Yang. She felt there was a shadow by her side, and then she saw Gu Hui Yan's arm came around her, vainly embracing her from behind. Lin Wei Xi subconsciously wanted to dodge, but was held by Gu Hui Yan: "Don't move."

Lin Wei Xi soon felt Gu Hui Yan rubbing her earlobe, the movements were gentle, but with a great strength.

Lin Wei Xi bent down to hold Rui Yang, and now Gu Hui Yan also embraced her from behind, as if holding them both with one hand. Lin Wei Xi went a little stiff, but Rui Yang thought that her parents were playing with her, she was kicking and waving with joy, laughing.

Lin Wei Xi saw Rui Yang put her fist in her mouth again, and quickly stopped her: "Don't eat your hands."

Gu Hui Yan leisurely glanced down and said, "If she likes it, let her do it. Anyway, her hands is already wiped clean."

Lin Wei Xi looked behind at Gu Hui Yan in disbelief. She still remember the first two days of her wedding. Because of her poor sleeping posture, she was forcefully twisted back by Gu Hui Yan in the middle of the night. But what did he say now?

Lin Wei Xi thought in her heart really couldn't judge a book by its cover, sure enough, a man treated his daughter and his wife differently. Lin Wei Xi angrily hugged Rui Yang, twisted her waist irritably, and freed her waist from Gu Hui Yan's hands: "I can't control what you like, but don't teach my daughter bad things."

Hearing this, Gu Hui Yan's expression immediately sank, stretched out his hand and took control of the person again: "Your daughter?"

"Originally it was I who gave birth. Didn't know where you were when she was able to kick people."

Gu Hui Yan was speechless, this matter was his Achilles heel, but even if he felt guilty about this, it doesn't mean that Lin Wei Xi could use the word "her daughter alone" to get angry.

While Gu Hui Yan was still stunned, Lin Wei Xi broke free of his hand and walked out. She barely walked halfway, and in only two steps Gu Hui Yan already stopped her: "You secretly ran out and get blown by the wind today. What if you get a headache later? Give me Rui Yang, you go drink the medicine."

"I don't need you to take care. Not drinking."

Gu Hui Yan also solemnly raised his face, his voice suddenly appeared imposing and stern: "Go or not?"

"Not going!" Lin Wei Xi stared with her round eyes, and gave Gu Hui Yan a vicious look. The maid holding the medicine bowl outside was almost scared to death, but soon Wangfei turned around, stuffed Junzhu to the wet nurse next to her, picked up the medicine bowl herself and drink a mouthful. Later, because she drank too quickly, she was choked by the medicine soup. She covered her lips and coughed twice, there were tears in her eyes from the bitterness.

The maid wanted to laugh but didn't dare to, the companion behind her tugged her sleeve, and the maid tactfully received the tray and withdrew.

Standing there, Gu Hui Yan couldn't help but raise his hand to press his brow. Lin Wei Xi must be specially exist to subdue him, she could easily make him angry, but in a flash, made him unable to tell whether to laugh or cry.

This is definitely an ancestor.

TN: For those who expecting mass release, I'm so sorry but I cannot do it (I have some family matters this weekend), but I will release both part of the chapter everyday (hopefully) until the whole novel finish, which is in a few days.

Chapter 101 Part 2: Gao Ran

However Lin Wei Xi was coughing hard, and tears came from her eyes. He didn't order people to add licorice to the medicine. Thinking about it, he knew how bitter it was. This angry spirit actually raised her head and directly drank a mouthful, the style was actually straightforward. In the end Gu Hui Yan caved in and walked to her with a calm face, put a candied fruit in her mouth, and then patted her back with a cold face: "Isn't it arrogant to drink medicine like this? Now know how to suffer?"

Lin Wei Xi's eyes were red like rabbits, and her face wrinkled by bitterness, but even so, she refused to soften her mouth: "This is a medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, and it's actually so bitter. It's because his lack of thought."

"I don't think this can be blamed on the imperial physician." Gu Hui Yan said quietly, "after all, no imperial physician prescribes medicine for the patient to drink grandly like drinking wine."

Lin Wei Xi raised her head and glared at him angrily. Even at a distance, Gu Hui Yan could feel that intense glare. He originally had a displeased look, but the corners of his mouth curled slightly.

After this episode, the atmosphere between the two changed a lot, as if they had returned to those noisy and indulgence times. Gu Hui Yan naturally knew what Gao Ran had said to Lin Wei Xi today. He was furious when he first heard it, but he didn't know whether he was angry at Gao Ran or angry at Lin Wei Xi's action that had gone to look for Gao Ran. Gao Ran just passed the words vaguely, but Lin Wei Xi seriously came looking for her. Did it mean that Lin Wei Xi couldn't be relieved of her previous life?

Otherwise, why did she care so much.

Gu Hui Yan personally fed Lin Wei Xi a cup of water. When he put down the cup, he said nonchalantly: "Later you must not go there anymore."

Lin Wei Xi paused, lowly said "um".

Gu Hui Yan lowered his eyes to look at Lin Wei Xi, his heart also very surprised. When admitting defeat it was obviously so adorable, but why this mouth so annoying when it speaks?

Gu Hui Yan combed her hair that had been messed up by Rui Yang, and said, "There is still something I need to deal with. I will come back to accompany you later."

Lin Wei Xi nodded again. After Gu Hui Yan left, Lin Wei Xi hugged Rui Yang and lightly teased her. She looked at her daughter's delicate cheeks, couldn't help but lost in thought.

He already knows it. But even so, he just said later must not go there anymore.

Lin Wei Xi couldn't tell how she felt. Just as she was in a daze, someone knocked on the door.

Gu Mingda stood at the door, his eyes stared politely at the ground, but his tone was very solemn: "Wangfei, the matters about Wangye and Wangfei Shen, this subordinate have something else to tell you."

In Jingsi Hall, since Lin Wei Xi left, Gao Ran had been sitting on the ground in a daze.

Gao Ran had always have a sense of superiority when facing people around her. She knew that she was different from these ancient women. She was smarter, more sensible, and more charming. Therefore, Gao Ran always condescendingly looked down on sisters from the same house and other young ladies she befriend with. She was pitying them, because she knew that these people would not be as good as her in the future. Either their husbands would take concubines or they would not be able to give birth to sons. In short, Gao Ran was the only winner among all of them.

And the life in Duke Yingguo Mansion had deepened her self-confidence. She was more and more doing as she pleased, more and more unscrupulous. She still felt that no matter what she does, she would not be seen through. She was a transmigrator woman, how could her schemes fail and be loathed by others.

But what did she get in the end? Her husband was at odds with her, and her father-in-law personally ordered her to be imprisoned in the Buddhist hall. Her grandmother was so angry at her that she fell seriously ill, heard that these few days she was already dying. And her younger brother's position as the head of Guo Mansion was hopeless, and she instead offended the true heir, Gao Ke.

With a sister like her, Gao Ran couldn't think about what life Gao Chen would have in the future. As for her biological mother, her yiniang, Han shi, life and death had long been unclear. The specific whereabouts, afraid only Duke Yingguo old madam who knows.

The father of this body was really good to her, but when learned the real cause of his death, Gao Ran chose to hide it. Gao Ran thought that she herself had difficulties, she had no choice, she was forced by Han shi.

Gao Ran in a muddy state vaguely saw Duke Yingguo Shizi standing inside the Buddhist Hall with disheveled hair, his face was gray, and he pointed at her blankly: "I sincerely think of you as my daughter. Others have let you down, but what do I do, you don't even want to save me?"

"I didn't..." Gao Ran's eyes gradually turned into horror, and shouted at the empty Buddhist hall, "You don't come over, I was also forced, I haven't let you down!"

The guard maid outside the door moved her eyebrows when she heard this, but she still stood still and ignored it.

But after a while, Gao Ran ran out frantically, clasping the maid's hand tightly: "There is a ghost inside, there is a ghost inside that want to kill me!"

The maid glanced inside, and said politely and nonchalantly: "Shizi Consort, there is no one inside, you are just hysteric."

"No, I'm not crazy, I'm not crazy! You take me to Yan Wang, I have something to tell him. The Wangfei he always thinking in his heart actually..."

Gao Ran's eyes widened and her mouth opened in vain, but she could no longer speak. She stared blankly at the guard maid, this unremarkable girl, the last person she saw in her life.

The maid gently put down her hands and Gao Ran hit the ground with a bang, but she no longer felt the pain. Her throat moved ups and downs, still trying to say the biggest trump card in her hand: "Lin Wei Xi, she actually is, is..."

Before Gao Ran could finish her words, her eyes widened and lost her breath.

The guard maid let out a sigh of relief. No matter what Gao Ran wanted to say, since Yan Wang didn't want it to be known, no people in the world could listen to it. Fortunately, Gao Ran didn't finish, otherwise, she wouldn't be able to survive.

The guard maid gently closed the door, walked lightly to the outside of the Buddhist Hall, and half-kneeled respectfully at the man in the wood: "Wangye, it's done."

There is still something I need to deal with.

This is what he has to deal with.

Letting the tiger return to the mountain and allowing the hidden dangers to grow was a major taboo of military strategists

Chapter 102 Part 1: The Grand Finale

"... Before, Wangye with Wangfei Shen is only one-sided fate. After marriage, Wangfei Shen often talked to herself and felt sorry for herself. She always lived in her own fantasy, and Wangye could not stay at home, so he stayed with the army for many years, in the end, it became a habit." Gu Mingda still kept his eyes down, but the strength of his words was not vague. He said, "Wangye these years has been fighting war in all sides. His achievement can shake all the land under heaven. He is someone we, the whole army, revered to, and also the god in the hearts of Yan land's people. When we saw Wangye suffered from such frivolous attitude in those years, us as his subordinates are very dissatisfied."

Lin Wei Xi sat there, almost frozen. Even though Yan Wang told her about Shen shi that day, he only briefly introduced the cause and effect. He talked more about what happened after encountering Lin Wei Xi. Therefore, Lin Wei Xi had always felt that the feelings between Yan Wang and Shen shi were naturally true. Those rumors might be exaggerated, but it didn't affect the beauty of their small family.

But now Gu Mingda's words showed Lin Wei Xi a completely different image of Shen shi. How could she think that the reason Gu Hui Yan married Shen shi was largely because it was difficult to get off once you ride a tiger1. Shen shi was immersed in her own little girl's dream, and didn't care how much trouble it caused another person.

Although Gu Mingda couldn't see Lin Wei Xi's expression, but from the atmosphere in the room he could judge that Yan Wang really chopped off the head and the tail, omitting the most critical part. Yan Wang thought that talking about a deceased woman's right and wrong was too low, so he only talked about himself and refused to talk about Shen shi's problems. It didn't matter. Anyway, Gu Mingda was not a gentleman, so let him talk about it. Gu Mingda knew that if this problem was not communicated, there would always be a knot between Yan Wang and Wangfei. Lin Wei Xi has the right to know the truth of this matters.

"This subordinates don't know how Wangye said it to Wangfei, but it will certainly not involve the details of Wangfei Shen's personality. People should respect the dead, and it may be low for this subordinates to say the right and wrong of the deceased. However, if Wangfei doesn't know about this, afraid that she will always misunderstand Wangye. Wangye is very caring to you. This subordinates has been with him for more than 20 years and have never seen him treat any woman like this. To put it bluntly, Wangye was a victim of the previous marriage. The victim of satisfying a woman's fantasy. He marries you, is the beginning of the true heart."

"This subordinates don't know what misunderstandings there are between Wangfei and Wangye, but this subordinate is insolent, still want to say a few more words on behalf of Wangye. Wangye is very sincere to you. This subordinate do not want to see Wangye's hard-won happiness to prematurely die because of some groundless reasons. Wangye is admired by thousands of people, but it was not easy for him to walk this step. His childhood was harsh, and he joined the army as a young man. After that, every day he was accompanied by war deaths. The family warmth he received can't be said to be much, as for his wife… don't even say it. This subordinate in place of 100000 soldiers and millions of people of Yan land ask Wangfei sincerely to take care of Yan Wang and have a good life with Wangye. This subject wait to burn the incense of eternal life every day, hoping that Wangfei and Junzhu will live long for a hundred years, in good health for a lifetime."

...

Gu Mingda had left for a long time, but Lin Wei Xi still sat in a daze, unable to recover for a long time. Rui Yang was dissatisfied with being ignored by her mother, pulled Lin Wei Xi's collar while babbling.

Lin Wei Xi lowered her head to look after Rui Yang. She barely called "baby", her eyes suddenly blinked, and a tear fell directly on Rui Yang's cheek.

Gu Hui Yan had finished dealing with those miscellaneous matters, when he was about to enter Jingcheng Courtyard, he suddenly stopped.

In Jingcheng Courtyard there was those two mother and daughter. He had just finished seeing the blood, it seemed not good to go see them like this.

Gu Hui Yan stayed in place for a few moments, and finally decided to see them from a safe distance. After all, he promised Lin Wei Xi to go back to see her. If he didn't go, once there was another mistake she would take it out on him again.

But today, when Gu Hui Yan walked into Jingcheng Courtyard, he felt something was amiss. Gu Hui Yan's heart was cold and immediately strode inside. There was no lamp left in the inner room, for a while Gu Hui Yan felt panic, until he opened the curtain with force and saw the silhouette in front of the window, only then he invisibly let out a sigh of relief.

Gu Hui Yan's heart get calmer, and then felt angry again: "Why you didn't light the lamp?"

Lin Wei Xi sat on her side and didn't move for a long time. Gu Hui Yan gradually felt something was wrong. He stepped forward and looked startled when he saw Lin Wei Xi's face: "Are you crying?"

Lin Wei Xi wiped her face in a daze, "No."

Gu Hui Yan had long forgotten what he had come in for. He walked to Lin Wei Xi and sat down, carefully holding her face up: "What's the matter?"

"Gu Mingda came just now and told me something."

Gu Hui Yan's eyes moved, vaguely let out an "Oh".

Gu Hui Yan's qi training was really good, even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him, his expression remained unchanged. But Lin Wei Xi already could recognize Gu Hui Yan's true feelings from his subtle expression. For example, even now, although Gu Hui Yan's expression was plain, Lin Wei Xi knew that he must have written down this matter, and he would find Gu Mingda to settle the account when he left.

Of course Lin Wei Xi didn't want Gu Mingda to get into trouble, so she immediately spoke for the other person: "You can't be angry at him, he is right about some things."

After Lin Wei Xi finished speaking, looking at Gu Hui Yan's face, she faintly felt that she was not able to help much. As soon as the chatterbox opened, the rest of the words of course were out: "Wangye, I have been indulged by people around me since I was a child, and my temperament has been nurtured to be somewhat not know the immensity of heaven and earth (arrogant and ignorant). In addition, I am competitive, what other people have I also need to have, what other people good at I will think every possible method to do better than them. I am very ambitious but also have high eyes but low hands. I also know that my personality is not very pleasing. When I first met Wangye, I was arrogant and offended Wangye a lot. After getting married I also always act willfully, letting you follow me in everything."

Gu Hui Yan wiped away the tears on her face little by little. Lin Wei Xi just an only daughter, and her family conditions in her childhood were not good, so when growing up she could not be indulged. The two of them knew exactly who Lin Wei Xi was talking about.

However, it was one thing to understand, but there was no intention to point it out. Gu Hui Yan looked calm, and the movements of his hands were also very patient: "You have never offend me. After meeting you I become happy very easily. I don't think you are spoiled. Why are you suddenly talking about this?"

Lin Wei Xi glanced at Gu Hui Yan with a sobbing expression: "Why you didn't say that I am very pleasing, do you really think that I have high eyes and low hands?"

Gu Hui Yan paused for a while, only to realize that her previous words also had several important points. Gu Hui Yan could only say: "It's not that you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth, and your personality also quite... lively. Everything is just right, and those who say you are not very pleasing must be intentional."

Lin Wei Xi burst into laughter. She laughed for a while, and suddenly took the initiative to embrace Gu Hui Yan's neck: "My own worth, I myself understand. I am not as good as you said. If I didn't meet you, I definitely would often quarrel with my husband, and perhaps I would not become a good daughter-in-law in everyone's eyes. All my luck is because I met you."

Gu Hui Yan's hand paused. For the first time in his life, his thought could not keep up with his external reaction.

"Do you remember the first time I saw you? You stood under the old tree in our house. There were so many people standing there, but no one could get past your graceful bearing. When I turned back, at first glance I saw you."

"Oh?" Gu Hui Yan slowly relaxed, with a smile in his voice, "Then how do you feel?"

"I thought you are not as old as the stories said. You are younger and better-looking than I thought."

Gu Hui Yan pinched her waist neither too light nor too heavy. Lin Wei Xi giggled, more and more calmly embraced him, and buried the bridge of her nose deeply on his collar: "Later, due to unexpected turn of events I married you. I'm afraid you will scold me, compare to my teacher when I was a child you are more fierce, but you did not. I thought you will give me cold-shoulder after marriage, but also no. You are the best person I have ever met. Just a while ago Gu Mingda told me everything about Wangfei Shen. I didn't expect your past to be like this. In fact, I'm just jealous that she was able to participate in your youth and growth. I appeared too late. If possible, I wish I could born ten years, or twenty years earlier, so that I can meet you at the right age."

"There's no need." Gu Hui Yan wrapped her waist with one hand, with a little bit of force, almost embedded her to his body, "Really not necessary, Xi'er, you are fine like this."

Lin Wei Xi heard the familiar pronunciation, "Xi'er," and tears suddenly couldn't help but fell: "I've been through some forks in the road before, when I first said I want to marry you, there was indeed some anger, but later on no more. I have already paid the price, let's start over and live a good life with Rui Yang, okay?"

In his 30 years of life, Gu Hui Yan had never experienced such a touching emotion, and never had his heart this soft and painful like sinking into a big cave. She was right, anyone has a chance to start over, not to mention that she had already paid the price of her life. She was an unmarried woman, she was free.

The hidden barrier in Gu Hui Yan's heart also unconsciously melted. What he cared about was not her identity, but her attitude. Lin Wei Xi wished to start over, this couldn't be better.

"Good."

1 It was difficult to get off once you ride a tiger, it means impossible to stop halfway.↩

Chapter 102 Part 2: The Grand Finale

In the seventh year of Yuanjia, the impeachment of First Assistant Zhang was still sweeping the court, and the situation was getting bigger and bigger, those who tried to protect themselves and watch the fire across the river were dragged into the water. No one could stay out of this political carnival. Everyone was waiting for the fire to hit Yan Wang. The day Yan Wang declared his position was the day the boulder fall.

At the end of May, Yan land vaguely heard the news of enemy attack. Why was it vague? Because it was a very small disturbance, people in the court were not sure whether it could be defined as disciplined or planned enemy attack. However, Yan Wang took the initiative to present the memorial to the Emperor and said frankly that His Majesty had grown up and that he, this auxiliary minister, no longer needed, so he asked himself to retire and return to Yan land to defend the border.

The emperor was naturally urge to stay three times, but Gu Hui Yan was determined to leave. The three battalions had 100,000 troops and the six departments had half the power. Gu Hui Yan said release then at once released. The young Emperor was at the age when he wanted to roll up his sleeves to do great causes. Gu Hui Yan handed over such large power, which was exactly what the emperor wanted.

By June, it was a foregone conclusion that Yan Wang would return to his vassal state. When he came, he was entrusted with Mu Zong's secret imperial edict to enter the capital quickly. When he left he was only accompanied by Yan land's close follower, and the reputation of retiring with meritorious deed. The only difference was probably an extra Wangfei and a beautiful and lovely little Junzhu.

"This vase is Wangfei's favorite, be careful to wrap it in cotton, don't knock it on the road. Don't move those paintings and calligraphy, this is Wangye and Wangfei's own handwriting, Wangfei said she want to take it herself... Wan Xing, where have you been? The courtyard is busy, and yet you are running away again!"

Wan Xing came back leisurely from the outside, and was caught by Wan Yue. The always dependable Wan Yue, couldn't help but crackle. When Lin Wei Xi heard it from the inner room she shook her head amusedly.

When Gu Hui Yan walked over he saw Lin Wei Xi smiling. He glanced out of the window, and also understood: "The two of them have followed you for three years, and now they are fully experienced."

"Yeah, at first I couldn't bear to control them when they were being noisy, didn't expect to be this soft-hearted, even until now."

Gu Hui Yan smiled lightly, obviously feeling the same. Lin Wei Xi looked around at this familiar mansion, full of memories from the previous life and this life. She couldn't help being curious, and asked, "Wangye, what does Yan land look like?"

"The mansion in Yan land is larger than here, and also not as finely crafted as in the capital. But the place is enough, there is a special pasture behind the mansion. If you want to go horse riding in the future, you can take a look."

Lin Wei Xi wowed. Since she was a child she grew up in the capital. Of course, she couldn't imagine what it was like to have a grassland in the mansion. Surely it was very grand and majestic.

Yan Wang Mansion was Yan Wang Mansion, Yan land was the real foundation of Gu Hui Yan. The entire Yan land belonged to Gu Hui Yan. He had military power in his hands, and economically, there were also the offering from the people of Yan land. The emperor was far away, at this slice of land he was no different from the real power regent

Lin Wei Xi was overjoyed. When she was a girl, the boudoir teaching was very strict. Afterwards, when she became a married woman, also couldn't be said to be relaxing. Later when she come to Yan land, in family hierarchy she had no mother-in-law or other elders, in status had no Empress Dowager and other ancestors. Gu Hui Yan couldn't control her at all. Wouldn't it mean that the sky is so high that the birds can fly, and the sea is so wide that the fishes can jump.

Lin Wei Xi sincerely looked forward to the life in Yan land. She walked around the house to see if there were anything she missed. She flipped through the books on the shelf, and asked casually: "Wangye, there are no mistress in Shizi's courtyard to manage things, has his things packed up?"

"He won't go."

"What?"

Gu Hui Yan looked at Lin Wei Xi's eyes, there seemed to be something in his smile: "He already told me, our whole family return to Yan land, although the emperor doesn't say anything now, but the monarch is mistrustful, after a few years, he will inevitably have doubts in his heart. Therefore Gu Cheng Yao will not return to Yan land with us. He will stay in the capital and continue to take a post in the sixth department, which also let him learned through experience."

Lin Wei Xi was stunned for a while, and then lightly respond, "It turns out that Shizi will not leave. That's fine, Shizi Consort has just died, and Shizi now has no intention to remarry. After a few years, Shizi will slowly come over, also conveniently marry a new consort."

Gu Hui Yan looked at her and smiled lightly.

Going out from Yongdingmen1, all the way towards the north, gradually, the hustle and bustle of the capital was gone, and the wind brought the uniqueness of the north. Rui Yang was full of milk, it's time to make a fuss. She was holding the curtain of the carriage and refused to let go, eyes whirling around to watched the plain outside.

Lin Wei Xi pointed out the direction, told her young daughter one by one: "South is the capital city, where you were born, and further south is Shunde prefecture, where father and mother met for the first time. Now we are going to Yan land, your father's fief. In the future there will be a small area that become your territory."

While Lin Wei Xi said this, she squeezed Rui Yang's delicate cheeks: "Born as a Junzhu who will be conferred thousand household land, are you happy or not?"

Rui Yang giggled, although she still doesn't understand what it means, but saw her mother smile, she also instinctively followed. Lin Wei Xi hugged Rui Yang, quietly opened a slit from the carriage window, pointed at the figure in the front, and said, "Look, the man in the front is your father."

Gu Hui Yan seemed to feel something, from the ten thousands army preceding at the front he turned his head and saw Lin Wei Xi's small movement, smiled helplessly at her.

The setting sun behind was like a wheel, the wind blowing the grass below. Yan Wang Mansion's winding fleet divided the vast grassland into two, Gu Hui Yan stood alone in front of everyone, holding the reins loosely in his hands, his body tall and straight, the grandeur was like a rainbow.

When they first met that day, a small county magistrate in Shunde prefecture was sweating on his head, and pointed to the outside, "He wants to give it to you, you should accept it."

Lin Wei Xi turned her head in that direction and saw many horses tied under the old tree in front of her aunt's house, there were so many people, but no one dared to make a sound, standing silently behind one person.

-"Who is that?"

-"Yan Wang."

Only when I look back at you, I think about the future and the evening of you. In the misty rain curtain, the emotional girl used three-point impulse and three-point hope, and asked tentatively: "Your Highness, aren't you lack a wife?"

Look, how about me?

The End.

TN: Phew! The main story ends here. There are 3 extras after this, come back tomorrow for extra no 1.

The author has something to say: The full text is over.

The story of Lin Wei Xi and Yan Wang is over. The article was opened on November 24 last year, unconsciously, three months have passed. (tn: seriously took 3 months for the author to write this whole thing, and here I am patting myself in the back for translating it in 7 months)

At the beginning of the conception, the male protagonist's appearance was always fuzzy, but I came up with his appearance all at once. When he appeared in my mind, there was no fancy external description, no scene setting, only these words:

-Who is that?

-Yan Wang.

Using this as an inspiration to write the first three chapters, the structure of the whole story is also clear.

So, I'm a superficial author who has strong love for ten thousand years (classic line from Stephen Chow's movie) for appearance description and simply itching to pile up 10,000 idioms to describe the appearance of male and female protagonists. But this whole article is nearly 400,000 characters, and I rarely describe the appearance of Yan Wang. Even if there is, I will put more emphasis on his movements and imposing manner, it's because there is no longer need to describe his appearance. Not in my mind, not in the article.

Lin Wei Xi is my first attempt at contrast personality...Well, the lively (?) heroine, laughs and scolds, if she scolds you, at once scolds you. Yan Wang said that he likes to listen to her scolding people. In fact, when I write about her quite important scolding battle, my heart is very comfortable.

I really like this kind of slick girl.

The interactions between her and Yan Wang was unexpectedly smooth. I had to set a strict transition on the plot line and the previous life line to ensure that there is no block sentence, but for the emotional drama between the two of them, it was always "what outlines, open word just do it", it seems that they both have their own personalities. When they are together, they will naturally collide with each other.

After the previous life, plot, and emotions these three lines winding up together, many readers said that they did not want Yan Wang to know the truth, but I knew that he would know. It has nothing to do with my arrangement, his character and style have already determined this. If forcefully stop him from knowing it, it would be unfair to him and to Lin Wei Xi.

I have always thought that the greatest threat to the relationship between the two of them is not Shen shi, not Gu Cheng Yao, but themselves. After they passed this hurdle by themselves and calmly accept everything about each other, then is the time when the virtuous achievements come to their successful conclusion.

The story begins outside that remote and exclusive village. Lin Wei Xi turned around and saw Yan Wang in front of the crowd. The story also ends here.

-Who is that?

The text of "I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband" is over, and there will probably be a few extras. I am honored to meet many readers in this story. I am very honored. Thank you very much for your love of the story of IBTSOME. Thanks to every reader who has collected, commented, and subscribed. Thank you for enduring me for such a long time. Love you guys.

See you in the next book~

1 Yongdingmen, the front gate of the outer section of Beijing's old city wall.↩

Chapter 103 Part 1 Extra Story: Yan Land's Record

"Heaven is dark, earth golden. The cosmos is vast and diffuse. Sun and moon wax and wane. The stars are fixed in their constellations..."1

The girl with a double bun sits on a high seat, solemnly held the book, reading clearly. Because her legs could not reach the ground, her lotus root-like legs were still dangling in the air, the red soft shoes embroidered with delicate lotus flowers was peeking from between the clothes, and a pearl the size of a pigeon egg could be faintly seen on the toe of the shoe.

This girl who wore all red read aloud for a while, her eyes secretly looked at the door. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she lean forwad on the armrest of the chair, reached out her arm to take the agate ornaments on the Treasure Cabinet. The agate has a fine texture, bright and clear color, and the thing that rarer than the material was its carving. The color of this agate changed from red to green, and didn't know which craftsman was so ingenious, he carved the red part into two lotus flowers, one in bud and the other in full bloom, and the base along the green part carved into lotus leaf.

This piece of agate was perfectly integrated and ingenious, and its value was immeasurable. The girl was at the age when she loves to play and loves freshness, naturally loved bright things. One of her small chubby hand grabbing the handrail, and the other arm with much difficulty stretched out to reach the red lotus agate. Wan Yue came in with people carrying the hot tea, and as soon as she went around the curtain, she was shocked.

"Junzhu!" Seeing that half of Rui Yang's body was outside the chair, Wan Yue quickly stepped forward to catch her and hugged her back to her seat. Wan Yue was shocked, she patted her chest and let out a long sigh: "Junzhu, if you want to take stuffs just call people, how can you do it yourself? If you fall, even if this servant die ten thousand times still not enough to ask forgiveness to Wangfei."

Rui Yang was held by Wan Yue so she couldn't see anything outside. She pointed at Treasure Cabinet and said childishly, "I want that red flower!"

Wan Yue put Rui Yang away, and the little maid by her side brought the red jade agate over. Wan Yue took it from the maid, wiped it back and forth with the kerchief, and then handed it to Rui Yang: "Junzhu, this jade piece is not light, you be careful not to smash your hand."

Rui Yang played with the lotus agate, touched it here tapped it there, had a great time playing. Wan Yue watched for a while and said softly: "Junzhu, it's time to study."

Rui Yang's round cheeks suddenly wrinkled, it could be seen that reading was not as attractive as the agate. Wan Yue looked amused at such childish look. She bent down and said more patiently: "Junzhu, this servants also know that you are tired today, but Wangfei asked you to read the first ten lines of Thousand Character Classic, in a moment she will return to check. If you cannot recite, how will you explain it to Wangfei later?"

Rui Yang's delicate fingers clasped the petals of the agate lotus, and after a long time, she said gruffly, "But I want to go out to see Da Huang (big yellow)."

Da Huang was the name she gave to her little pony. Yan Wang Mansion enclosed a piece of meadow in the back mountain. The horse farm has everything, and Rui Yang liked to play on the grass field. When Yan Wang saw that she liked it, he specially selected a docile little yellow horse for her. Although she could not ride it yet, it was still possible for Rui Yang to feed it the grass and play with it.

Wan Yue squatted in front of her, asked while imitating her tone: "If Junzhu goes to play with Da Huang, then what to do when Wangfei asks about Thousand Character Classic?"

Rui Yang pouted for a long time, and discontentedly said, "Well, I'll go after I finish reading. But the Thousand Character Classic is too difficult..."

The little girl who was as delicate as polished jade said with a grieved expression "too difficult", Wan Yue's heart was full of cuteness. Although Rui Yang was the only Junzhu of Yan Wang Mansion, she was still the jewel that Yan Wang obtained in his middle age. She had been pampered and spoiled since childhood, but her temper was not arrogant. On the contrary, when meeting people she was full of smiles, simply soft sticky rice adorable.

In the whole mansion top to bottom, no one dislikes this little Junzhu.

Wan Yue said to Rui Yang in a low voice, "It's not difficult. Junzhu is naturally intelligent. If you read it a few times, you will definitely remember it."

"Why mother want me to recite this?"

"Because Junzhu is already three years old, it is time for enlightenment (start of school). When you grow up, Wangfei will invite the female master to come to the mansion to teach Junzhu the four arts."

Oh no, Rui Yang heard Wan Yue's words like this, her little face immediately collapsed: "After I finish studying this book, I still have to study?"

Wan Yue couldn't help laughing. She smiled and touched Rui Yang's soft hair bun, and said: "Junzhu is the jewel of our Yan Wang Mansion. Of course, have to dabble in zither, chess, calligraphy and painting. In the future, will intimidate those people in the capital."

Although Rui Yang was born in the capital, but her impression started in Yan Wang Mansion. In her world, Yan Wang Mansion was the whole world. Now suddenly she heard aunt Wan Yue, who she was familiar with since childhood, mentioned another place name, Rui Yang was very curious: "Where is the capital?"

"The capital..." Mentioning this long-lost name, Wan Yue's words contained a sigh, "The capital is to the south of Yan land, it's not too far away, the carriage can go there in three or four days. There are red walls and green tiles, and everywhere has imperial atmosphere, it's very different from Yan land."

Rui Yang let out a soft "Ah" and asked curiously, "Is there also Da Huang's favorite grass?"

Wan Yue smiled: "The capital is expensive. Where can spare a place to grow grass, this is too extravagant. Our Yan Wang Mansion in the capital is also one of the best mansions, but the back garden is half occupied by the lake, and the rest of the place is not enough for Junzhu to ride a horse."

Rui Yang sighed disappointedly: "The capital is not good at all, I don't want to go to the capital."

"Junzhu should not say that." Wan Yue's face was slightly serious. Even in Yan land, it was not a safe thing to rashly say the home was not good. Wan Yue said, "Junzhu is still young, still can speak children's words. But what is right and wrong in the capital is not something we can say. What's more in recent years, the wind of impeachment has prevailed in the capital. Even First Assistant Zhang not able to die well, let alone other people? Moreover, Junzhu's elder brother is also in the capital."

"Elder brother?"

The smile on Wan Yue's face faded, but she nodded and said, "Yes, Junzhu's elder brother, our mansion's Shizi, Gu Cheng Yao."

Rui Yang was only four years old now, and naturally there was no memory of her birth, unlikely remember that when she was born, an elder brother who was nineteen years old extremely cherished her. In recent years, Rui Yang had also sometimes heard people mention this elder brother, but in the world of children, if you can't see it with your eyes, then naturally there is no such person.

Rui Yang, who had just been enlightened, became infinitely interested in this unfamiliar elder brother, and pestered Wan Yue to tell her about Gu Cheng Yao. Wan Yue unable to resist, had no choice but to pick out a few fairly satisfactory things and tell them to the little Junzhu one by one.

Although things were not pleasant back then, the late Shizi Consort repeatedly wanted to harm Wangfei, and Shizi seemed to have some hidden thoughts about Wangfei, but the entanglement of the previous generation did not necessarily spread to the child. When Wan Yue told Rui Yang about Gu Cheng Yao, she only talked about the good aspects of Gu Cheng Yao.

It had been three years since Yan Wang returned to the vassal state.

In the past three years, after the emperor married, First Assistant Zhang died of illness, and then the vigorous liquidation of Zhang Xiao Lian rose. People in the court come and go, and there were countless officials who have lost their job or their lives due to unwarranted charges, and there were also many upstarts who have soared because of stepping on First Assistant Zhang. Within the capital here were many factions charging violently, but separated by a distance Yan land was as calm as paradise.

TN: If you were here early yesterday, I end up adding the author's note at the end of the previous chapter. If you haven't seen it then check it out.

1 The first four sentence of Thousand Character Classic by Qian Zi Wen, texts for teaching Chinese characters and calligraphy to little children. I do not translate it myself but use this source ↩

Chapter 103 Part 2 Extra Story: Yan Land's Record

Yan Wang with his wife and daughter stationed at the northern gate of the dynasty, and also intimidated the Jurchen, Rong Di and other tribes who were itching to move beyond the border. Gu Cheng Yao stayed in Beijing, firstly, to secure the Emperor's heart, and secondly, it also meant to not leave the power center.

Wan Yue in Yan land didn't know much, only vaguely heard that Gu Cheng Yao lived simply deep in the capital, did not participate in political party' gatherings, and had few banquets with friends. Gu Cheng Yao had no trouble on his own, and there was Gu Hui Yan's accumulate power to intimidate. No one dared to hit Yan Wang Mansion. Only Yan Wang Mansion could watch the fire from the vortex torrent, high and mightily stand still.

It's really embarrassing to say that the three auxiliary ministers back then were all top-notch figures under the sun. They were well-known in their respective fields, but in the end, only Gu Hui Yan alone who get through unscathed.

Until today, the First Assistant was Shen Changzhou, and as before he extremely respects Yan Wang.

Before she knew it, her thoughts ran away. Wan Yue retracted her mind and said to Rui Yang, "Junzhu, you should read the book."

Rui Yang didn't care. She slid off the chair while Wan Yue was not paying attention, and ran out: "I'm tired, I'm going to find my mother."

In the main courtyard, Lin Wei Xi was replying to Liu Su Niang.

Since she left the capital, it had been inconvenient to communicate with each other, and the intersection between her and the people in the capital had inevitably weakened, but the contact with Liu Su Niang had never been interrupted. Later, Shen Changzhou entered the cabinet and became the First Assistant. The Shen family husband and wife's attitude towards her had not changed.

In Su Niang's letter, she mentioned the current situation not without worry. Although Shen Changzhou was accommodating and cautious, the disagreement between the emperor and the court officials was intensifying day by day, and gradually he couldn't compromise between the two parties. When First Assistant Zhang still there, everyone felt that Zhang Xiao Lian was monopolizing the power, until replaced with themselves, only realize First Assistant Zhang's ability.

Lin Wei Xi sighed quietly after reading this.

After staying in the peaceful Yan land for a long time, she almost forget the changeable nature of political situation. In the past few years, the capital suffered unceasing wind and rain, it was unknown how the people could still be alright.

Lin Wei Xi had just finished writing a page, and in the middle of freshening her brush she suddenly heard the sound of footsteps outside. There was no need to guess the identity of the person, because from a distance, her voice already loud: "Mother, I am back!"

Lin Wei Xi's face couldn't help but change into a smile. As soon as she stood up, Rui Yang slammed into Lin Wei Xi's arms, and then acted coquettishly to make Lin Wei Xi hug her. Lin Wei Xi picked up the chubby daughter and sat on the Luohan bed: "Why did you come back so soon? Has the Thousand Character Classic finished?"

Rui Yang blinked and said nothing, Lin Wei Xi already understood: "You ah, you are lazy again."

Rui Yang put her arms around Lin Wei Xi's neck, almost hung the whole person on Lin Wei Xi's body: "I don't understand a few words, mother teach me."

When Gu Hui Yan came back, he saw Lin Wei Xi and Rui Yang sitting in front of the bookcase, bowing their heads and talking. There were two sets of writing equipment, one large and one small, on the wooden table, even the ink stones were placed side by side.

Gu Hui Yan's eyes became soft all of a sudden, the maids inside and outside greeted "Yan Wang" one after another. Gu Hui Yan walked in slowly and asked with a smile, "What are you looking at?"

When Rui Yang heard the sound, she immediately shouted "Father", then opened her hand, wanted Gu Hui Yan to hug her. Gu Hui Yan held his daughter in his arms and looked at Rui Yang's round cheeks carefully: "Rui Yang is still so light. Eat more."

"Eat more." Lin Wei Xi stood up and went around Gu Hui Yan to pick up Rui Yang from his hands. "If you eating more, I won't be able to hold you anymore. You haven't finished your task today, come here."

Rui Yang hid in Gu Hui Yan's arms, giggling and avoiding Lin Wei Xi's hand. Lin Wei Xi was still strict and was about to forcibly grab her back, but another person held her hand.

"She is only three years old, and it's not too late for her enlightenment to be delayed for two days."

Lin Wei Xi raised her head and stared at Gu Hui Yan: "You are proudly spoiling her, is there a father like you?"

Seeing his father stopped her mother, Rui Yang cleverly slid from Gu Hui Yan's arms to the couch, then turned around and climbed out of the couch, and ran away without wearing her shoes. Lin Wei Xi was so angry that she wanted to chase her, but Gu Hui Yan laughingly hugged her from behind: "It's already late today. You can give her a day off."

Wan Xing and Wan Yue had already taken the maid out to put the shoes for Junzhu, and the wet nurse also waiting outside, Rui Yang would not have any mishap. Lin Wei Xi was relieved with Rui Yang's whereabouts, so she devoted herself to educating this classic example of the benevolent father in front of her: "Which three years old child is not start the enlightenment period. Last year I said that I wanted to teach her to read, you can't bear it. Now you are more a hindrance than a help."

Yan Wang, who could scare off foreign enemies by his name alone, was now powerless when criticized. Gu Hui Yan let Lin Wei Xi scold him and admit the charges one by one: "It's me who is not good, don't be angry."

"How can I not be angry." Lin Wei Xi struggled to free her waist, and when she found that she couldn't escape, she bitterly beat Gu Hui Yan's chest, "Let go, I have to write back to Liu Su Niang."

Lin Wei Xi originally had a slender and exquisite body, since giving birth to her daughter the waist was still slender, but the area that supposed to be plump was much more plump. Now the two of them were very close, Lin Wei Xi made a strong struggle, and twisted her waist to break free from Gu Hui Yan's arm. Gu Hui Yan only felt that the waist on his palm was too full to grasp, incredibly soft, it felt warmth and smooth like jade on his hands. Slowly, he thought about something else.

Gu Hui Yan controlled Lin Wei Xi's two hands that always making troubles with one palm, and the other arm was wrapped around her waist, earnestly fumbling up and down: "Your waist is really flexible."

This man's hand movements were so unruly, on the contrary his expression was serious and calm, as if he was discussing something serious. Lin Wei Xi was so angry, unfortunately her wrists were controlled by him, wanted to resist was impossible: "Frivolous, let me go."

Listening to Lin Wei Xi's curse was an enjoyment, and in this kind of situation, there was even more unspeakable taste. Gu Hui Yan smiled and held her up: "Okay, let's go inside and say."

"What time is it now, I still haven't finish writing my letter."

Gu Hui Yan put her on the bed. Lin Wei Xi half propped up her body and wanted to get up, but just halfway up Gu Hui Yan had already leaned down, Lin Wei Xi was blocked by his chest and could only retreat. However, this posture tested her waist strength, and it didn't take long before she fell back on the bed again.

The world in front of her suddenly fell into ambiguous dimness. With her breathing in confusion, Lin Wei Xi heard him whispered in her ear softly: "Xi'er."

Because the pronunciation of these two words is the same, when he was clear-headed Gu Hui Yan didn't call her this very often, but changed into other scenes, such as between the sheets, he liked to call her like that.

Oh, man.

"Rui Yang is three years old, and it is time for us to add a younger brother and sister for her."

Lin Wei Xi fell into the soft silk quilt, didn't know whether from hot weather or something else but her cheeks were already blushing. Lin Wei Xi was always restrained on bed matters, most of the time it was Gu Hui Yan who took the initiative. Just when Gu Hui Yan thought that today was the same as usual, Lin Wei Xi suddenly stretched out her arms around his neck and exhaled gently on his ears: "I heard that it seems women are more likely to conceive if she is on top."

As for if it's true or false, they could only investigate it by themselves.

Chapter 104 Part 1 Extra Story: Cannot Get What One Ask For

The winter in the capital was always dry and dark, later than youshi (5-7pm), even couldn't see figure in the courtyard clearly.

Gu Cheng Yao sealed the letter with the sealing wax and set it aside. He stared at the majestic and solemn Yan Wang Mansion emblem above, and suddenly fell into a deep sense of melancholy.

It had been three years since his father returned to the fief, and he had been wandering alone for three years.

On that day of departure, he followed the crowd to send off Yan Wang Mansion's carriages from far away. The banners were flapping around, after Gu Hui Yan said farewell to the palace envoy, he mounted Zhao Xue and lead great number of retinue from the imperial court to the north. There were so many eyes, Gu Cheng Yao certainly didn't have the opportunity to talk to Lin Wei Xi, he didn't even see her. He saw her carriage slowly started, and then merged into Yan Army torrent, and could no longer be recognized.

The carriage had moved for a long time, but Gu Cheng Yao seemed to still able to see the tassels on the carriage curtain swinging from side to side, lingering in front of his eyes.

He had this kind of thought about his stepmother, the righteousness and propriety of the past two decades had become a joke. Gu Cheng Yao struggled painfully for a long time, and he even thought about receiving other women to divert his attention. He took Yun Hui first. Later in half-awake and half-drunk state he saw a person who looked like Gao Xi, from then on, he seemed to be possessed and disregarding anything asked her from someone else's house.

But all the efforts he made in the end pushed the situation in a worse direction. He accepted Yun Hui, aroused Gao Ran's jealousy, and planted the root that cause a series of family disasters. He took Lu Niang, but Lu Niang's impetuous and foolish character made the house restless, even made disturbance in front of Lin Wei Xi

Lin Wei Xi, he chewed over these three words, slowly called another name in his heart.

Gao Xi.

He discovered that this matter purely by accident. In fact, he had never verified the authenticity of this idea. Perhaps everything was his wishful thinking. But Gao Ran's death gave him an unspeakable feeling.

This is real.

The two of them are really one person.

After the news of Gao Ran's death came out, the entire Yan Wang Mansion remained silent. Gu Cheng Yao didn't say anything. The servant asked him if he wanted to see Shizi Consort's body, but Gu Cheng Yao said no. He didn't know what he should do if he went and saw some traces that were too late to cover up, and not belong to the signs of a serious illness.

Although he knew that his father would not leave such a handle, he still did not want to face this scene. In the fourth year of Yuanjia, he watched Gao Xi leave, and now Gao Ran was also dead.

His feelings for Gao Ran were very complicated. When he first searched for her with the jade pendant, he was really caught up in the fanaticism and love at first sight idea. He felt that he had fallen in love deeply with this woman. This was their destined marriage, so no one could stop them from being together.

Many years later, Gu Cheng Yao thought, maybe at the time he was not in love, he was just moved by himself.

He found this woman and got married with enthusiasm and expectation. However, Heaven's Will was just like that. If Heaven didn't want him to find her, then don't give him hope from the beginning, he wouldn't receive the jade pendant, and he wouldn't send the jade pendant to his father. Why after he found his wife, he was told ruthlessly that he found the wrong person.

This truth was undoubtedly a big deal for him at the time. Although Gao Ran was standing in front of him, Gu Cheng Yao couldn't hear anything anymore. He didn't even know how he left Duke Yingguo Mansion and how he returned to Yan Wang Mansion.

That night, he went to find his new wife. He asked her, why are you lying to me?

Gu Cheng Yao didn't know what kind of answer he wanted to hear. At that time, Yan Wang's Shizi was young and his life was always smooth sailing, could not bear any sand in his eyes. How could he tolerate his new wife deceived him like this? At that time, he thought, maybe Gao Xi also had difficulties, maybe she would cry and admit her mistake. What if she cried? Women's cry was always troublesome. If at that time Gao Xi could not be coax, maybe he also could forgive her...

However, he didn't see any scenes he imagined. Gao Xi just looked at him strangely, with unspeakably calm and confident expression: "What are you talking about?"

She deceived him, but didn't have any remorse.

Gu Cheng Yao was furious, and since then he deliberately ignored Gao Xi. In the beginning, Gao Xi often sent people to invite him, the maid, the young manservant, the cook...all kinds of names were there. But didn't know since when, this kind of things disappeared.

Gao Xi began to erect thorns all over her body. She rectified the rules of the mansion, aggressively replaced the old slaves, and repeatedly targeted Yun Hui and Bu Mama, deliberately confronting Yun Hui. If such words were passed on to Gu Cheng Yao's ears, naturally it could only add more dislike. Indifference and misunderstanding had the tendency to remain unchanged. Once the gap was opened, then it would be more and more impossible to return, and the two could only become more and more unfamiliar.

Sometimes in the dead of night, Gu Cheng Yao asked himself, just because of one sentence, why did their husband and wife get into such a situation? Since he asked that question, he never said a complete sentence to Gao Xi again.

However, when the sun shines in the east the next day, Gu Cheng Yao still couldn't pull down his face to find Gao Xi. Indifference was the best mask. Gradually, the mask and the flesh become one, and even its owner couldn't take it off.

Countless times Gu Cheng Yao wanted to return to that time, to tell himself at that time, because you have never experienced loss, therefore so ignorant and fearless. Cherish the present and never squander other people's love. Because it's very likely that after such delay, you will never see it again.

When Gu Cheng Yao saw Gao Xi again, it was the day she was buried.

He thought he didn't care, he thought he loathed and hated her, but when he saw Gao Xi's face, his heart was caught off guard, violently pulled out into a lump.

Gao Xi has died, she has died. But how could she die?

She had let him down, she occupied the position of his destined wife, so she should make up for him for the rest of her life. What's the point of her passing away early like this?

Later at the funeral, his father-in-law, Duke Yingguo Shizi, made a cryptic apology to him. Perhaps everyone thought that Gao Xi was competitive, her woman's virtue was lacking, so she could not invite her husband's love. Even Gao Xi's father was able to apologize to his son-in-law with a sad expression at his only di daughter's funeral, and then offered to marry another daughter.

Gu Cheng Yao didn't know who he should be angry to, who he should blamed. At that time, he really thought it didn't matter who become his wife. Gao Xi was dead, so what was the difference if it changed to someone else? Perhaps getting everything fixed was the best solution.

In the first few days Gao Ran married him, her gentle and considerate nature, her agreeable and cautiousness were indeed very suitable for Gu Cheng Yao. No one would dislike this kind of woman who was in line with the scholar's ideals, and Gu Cheng Yao gradually got used to it. He deliberately treated Gao Ran very well, and his patience was far higher than the previous marriage. Everyone said that the new Shizi Consort was very favored by Shizi, but Gu Cheng Yao knew it was not.

Chapter 104 Part 2 Extra Story: Cannot Get What One Ask For

His kindness to Gao Ran was a kind of deliberate kindness. He was like a clown on the stage, he pampered his wife, and accompanied his wife for a chat or a walk according to the arrangement of the playbook. But when he did all this, his heart was calm without any ripples, and no longer tried find the happiness, anger, sorrow and joy like when he married Gao Xi. His anxiety and excitement as he waited for the wedding, the nervousness when he lifted Gao Xi's veil, and all his enthusiasm for marriage had been exhausted at the end of his first marriage.

Although he could not ignite the enthusiasm for Gao Ran, he always told himself that Gao Ran's heart was kind and pure. She saved people in the moonlit night and stand aloof from worldly affairs, so it was his blessing to have Gao Ran as a companion for the rest of his life. But when Gao Ran and Yun Hui rushed to beat each other that day, Gu Cheng Yao stood at one side and couldn't even react.

In his mind, the gentle and virtuous older sister, the kind and indisputable wife, would actually do such a shrew-like thing. Later, Lin Wei Xi put the yin yang pot in front of him and told him that Gao Ran had planned to kill Yun Hui with this pot of wine.

When impressions turned from good to bad, the consequences were far more serious than always bad. If originally he didn't like a person, even if that person done a heinous thing, he would just say "oh". But if a person who had always have a good image suddenly burst into a scandal, the backlash in people's heart could swallow them alive.

Gu Cheng Yao's evaluation of Gao Ran plummeted because of this, and he also doubted Gao Ran's previous words.

When Gao Ran was alone with him, she always faintly discredited Gao Xi. Although she always said that Gao Xi's status was high, and the brothers and sisters in the family respect the eldest sister very much, but Gao Ran's words meant that everything about Gao Xi was just because of her identity. She, Gao Ran, was the one that everyone really loves.

Some matters, the person involved were always the one that confused, Gu Cheng Yao could easily hear, Gao Ran very much cared about Gao Xi. She kept saying that she was free and at ease, but Gu Cheng Yao, as a bystander, knew that Gao Ran should felt very inferior to Gao Xi. Not only her, the other member of Gao family talked about the eldest sister Gao Xi with awe, not dare to rushed, even more in front of this eldest sister not dare laughing freely.

Gao Xi thought her temperament was unpleasant, actually it was not. Love revealed a man's male instinct. Gao Xi was well-versed in all Four Arts, excellent in poetry, and her identity was also unapproachable. Her aura would unmasked the true image of most men. Even if many cousins admired in their hearts, they unlikely had any thoughts about Gao Xi, they more likely wanted to find a woman who was not as good as them and could satisfy their male self-esteem.

Father was right, Gao Xi, or Lin Wei Xi had a high spirit and strong ability. If it's not a powerful man, he would not be able to subdue her.

Perhaps because he was afraid that people would not believe it, later father really practiced this sentence himself.

The more Gu Cheng Yao wavered, the more he could hear Gao Xi's news from all directions and corners. For example, Duke Yingguo Shizi actually felt guilty towards his di daughter. For example, even if Duke Yingguo old madam liked Gao Ran because of her strong desire for control, but subconsciously her evaluation of Gao Xi was the highest. For another example, Gao Xi did not bully others or snatched Gao Ran's marriage, and Gao Ran was not a weak and harmless little white flower.

Gu Cheng Yao finally understood his heart. He had always loved Gao Xi, but when he was young he didn't know how to cherish it, he had already lost her. When she appeared before him again, the person she depend on, trusted, and admired had changed from him to his father.

The maid beside her, Wan Yue, thought that he had some bad intentions, because he was overwhelmed by Lin Wei Xi's outstanding beauty and could not extricate himself, but Gu Cheng Yao always knew that he loved Gao Xi. When he looked at Lin Wei Xi's charming face, he also thought of Gao Xi's face.

The Buddha said that there are seven sufferings in the world, birth, old age, sickness, death, resentment, separated from the loves one, and not able to get what one asked for.

Perhaps, could add one more suffering, able to get it but lost it.

He knew clearly that he had lost Gao Xi forever, that she had married his father, and that when she looked at his father, there was obvious adoration and happiness in her eyes. During the few years when Yan Wang and Lin Wei Xi were still in the capital, he felt pain every time he saw Lin Wei Xi, like his heart has been cut, trembling pain to the bone marrow. But he couldn't control himself from seeing her, so that one pain was not over, and yet he went to see Lin Wei Xi again, and was bloodied again by the interaction between her and his father.

He knew that he was sinking deeper and deeper on a road of no return. Such thoughts were not only against the norm, but would also consigned her to eternal damnation. He couldn't face his father's gaze. When Rui Yang was born, when his father looked at him with a deep gaze, Gu Cheng Yao almost knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

How could he have such thoughts, but how could he not have such thoughts.

Of course because of her.

Later, when the whole Yan Wang Mansion returned to the country, he stayed alone in the capital. Political reasons accounted for only one reason. But more than that because he could not face Lin Wei Xi, let alone face his father.

Probably after he made such a decision, his father was also relieved.

In recent years, the capital had been turbulent. He has experienced many thrilling moments. Political training had allowed him to grow rapidly, but it was precisely because of his maturity that he knew what he missed. People always understand the value of barriers only after they met and smashed their head. He was so, and the little emperor was also so. How vigorous the emperor when he settling accounts of Zhang Xiao Lian, but after First Assistant Zhang completely collapsed, the emperor was forced with nowhere to go by the deformed group of court officials he previously indulged. Managing a country had never been easy, only after he was severely beaten with two hammers that he finally understand First Assistant Zhang's toughness. Back then, he was ambitious to be like Emperor Qin and Han Wu, but now he had become passive and evasive, ignoring government affairs.

Every time he retreats from a dangerous situation, his desire to talk was particularly strong. He wanted to share his thrills and tensions with his wife, and later when she worried, he would lightly say "It's actually nothing." But looking back around, where is his wife?

On the Dragon Boat Festival in Yuanjia's fifth year, he and Lin Wei Xi took shelter from the rain in the water pavilion. The sky was dark and there was no light in the room, only the rain reflected on her face. At the sound of rain, Lin Wei Xi's outline was vague, but her black hair, snow-colored skin, and red lips became more vivid. Gu Cheng Yao almost thought he was looking at a painting. Her voice was accompanied by the vastness of rushing rain from the sky, fresh and mocking, but mysteriously carried a prophetic rhythm in it. She said: "You always take it for granted. When you made this decision, did you talk to her frankly? Did you really know the truth? Sooner or later, you will pay for your idealization."

What did he say at that time? He just shook his head amused and helplessly, his tone could not hide his carelessness: "Then I wish Miss Lin all the best."

A prophecy.

He really paid the price for his self-righteousness, and he paid for the rest of his life.

Birth, old age, sickness, death, resentment, separated from the loves one, not able to get what ones asked for, able to get it but lost it.

He knew that she would live a very good life, with both children and husband-to dote on her. He also often heard from Yan land's people the news about Wangfei and Junzhu, his father really cherished her, and she and Rui Yang were also happy and peaceful.

But after all, these things have nothing to do with him.

He couldn't get what he asked for, his had lost it.

Chapter 105 Part 1 Extra Story: Gu Hui Yan

"Wangye."

Gu Mingda stopped three steps away, as his habit for many years, bowing his head respectfully and abide by the rules. He said many times that when there was no one around, there was no need for them to be so restrained. But Gu Mingda agreed on the surface, and yet it would be the same the next time.

Gu Hui Yan knew that he could not change this stubborn confidant, so he let Gu Mingda do as he please. But today, Gu Mingda was standing three steps away, Gu Hui Yan paused for a long time before saying to Gu Mingda: "Come here."

Gu Mingda still looked inflexible and cold. Like a machine without feelings, he put a thick stack of envelopes on Gu Hui Yan's desk, then stepped back into the darkness without saying a word, turned and closed the door.

It seems that Wangye's unusual silence, suddenly let him personally check the life of Wangfei, all were extraordinary things.

After Gu Mingda went out for a long time, Gu Hui Yan still sat on the red sandalwood seat surrounded by fragrance smoke curling up, unable to open the envelope for a long time.

He turned a blind eye to this matter for nearly a year, and now the truth was at his hand, and he was unwilling to open it.

But some things were already so obvious that he couldn't ignore it. Finally, Gu Hui Yan reached out his hand and slowly tore the letter open.

Here was Lin Wei Xi's life in Shunde Prefecture, including her birth date, her life experience, also her personality and hobbies... Gu Hui Yan read very rapidly, almost cruelly reading all the investigations from the beginning. He put down the last page, and the candlelight jumped in his eyes, dark and frightening.

At this time, the night was already very deep, and he suddenly returned, shocking the maids at Jingcheng Courtyard. The two maids beside her looked at him cautiously: "Wangye, Wangfei has been waiting for a long time, cannot help but fell asleep."

"I see, go on."

Wan Xing and Wan Yue filed out with the other maids. Following his actions, the lights of Jingcheng Courtyard were brightened, and now they fell into silence again.

Gu Hui Yan walked slowly to the inner room where they were living, opened the bed curtain, and from some distance stared deeply at her profile.

She slept unsteadily, seemed to feel the wind from outside, and her eyebrows frowned uneasily. Lin Wei Xi's sleep was not always peaceful, this matter he knew on the first day, but actually when he was away, Lin Wei Xi would curl up into a ball and shrank in a corner like a baby. He subconsciously wanted to pull her away, even if the quilt was spread, she might still catch a cold leaning against the wall like this. But his hand had just reached out halfway, his fingers suddenly curled up, and finally took it back restrainedly.

How he wished he didn't know about it, so that he could still pretend that everything was good and continue to keep her by his side. When she was in the right she could be unforgiving to people, slept very insecurely, liked to eat sweets and spicy foods, and especially afraid of cold in winter... He knew a lot of her cute little movements, and many of his habits gradually merged with hers. He once thought they had the rest of their lives to enrich these details.

This joke-like marriage began with his momentary selfishness. He was always harsh and rational at himself, but at that moment, when Lin Wei Xi made this request to him, his long-lost heart actually moved. But soon, he woke up.

Lin Wei Xi was just confused. She could be confused, but he could not. However he obviously underestimated Lin Wei Xi's stubbornness. That very night she had a high fever, even if her cheeks were red, but she had to forcibly climb up from the bed, with hoarse voices said to him: "Your Highness, what I said yesterday was not just nonsense."

Gu Hui Yan looked at her for a long time: "Do you know what you are talking about?"

She paused and said, "I know."

But Gu Hui Yan knew very well that she didn't know, she was just a little girl who hadn't been out in the world. Because she was compared by a woman she didn't like, so she willfully wanted to win back. What did she say yesterday? She actually came to him and said, aren't you lack a wife. Look, how about me?

Gu Hui Yan suddenly felt an extremely despicable mood. This was what she said. Pushing the boat with the current, also not impossible.

Gu Hui Yan couldn't tell who he was angry with. He took people out and walked through the winding corridor. He suddenly saw a wisteria tree on the flower stand swaying by the wind. Normally, he would never notice these flowers and plants. He stayed on the corridor for a long time, until the gardener who looked after the courtyard almost fell to his knees in fright.

"Wangye, perhaps it's the wind."

It's not the wind. It was not the wind that move, it's his heart.

Gu Hui Yan finally decided to obey his own heart for once. He was harsh on himself since he was a child, not allowed himself to indulge in things, and not allowed himself to waste time with hobbies. He had always been restraining himself, constantly taking care of the mansion, Yan land, mother, father, and later on Shen shi.

But this time, Gu Hui Yan thought, maybe he could indulge himself this once. Yan Wang Mansion always need a Wangfei, many social necessities and ceremonial façades couldn't be brought forward by Shizi Consort.

From that indulgence, he step by step surrender and never came back.

Chapter 105 Part 2 Extra Story: Gu Hui Yan

Up until now, Lin Wei Xi already pregnant with their children. Gu Hui Yan had thought many times, what if it's a boy, what if it's a girl. He was indeed an excellent military commander, he had already deduced many arrangements in his mind like a formation. He had been in the army for ten years and has yet to fail. An old friend said that he has a natural talent. Gu Hui Yan didn't care about it before, but now he hopes that this was true. Perhaps in this way, he could also become a good father.

But at this critical juncture, when he was almost dizzy by the sudden happiness, God put another bloody fact before him.

As if someone poured a basin of ice water, his floating mind suddenly cooled down.

He didn't care about Lin Wei Xi's former identity, she was not his daughter-in-law now. What's more, Gu Hui Yan's attitude towards remarriage was very tolerant. It might be because he was used to seeing life and death, used to see a mother loses her son, and a bride loses her husband. Therefore, Gu Hui Yan had always felt that it was very baffling thing to let widows observe festivals (cannot remarry). Disharmony leads to separation, and the widowed husband married another, which was really nothing.

Lin Wei Xi was even more so, she had paid the price of life, and she had no reason to be trapped for a lifetime. But Gu Hui Yan wanted to know why Lin Wei Xi said she want to marry him.

He originally thought it was a little girl's pique, but now he thought it might be more than that.

Gu Hui Yan watched her for a long time under the dim light that day, and finally left silently. A few days later, he took the initiative to ask for orders to go to Guanzhong for disaster relief.

He was actually going to run away, but he really didn't want to know the most probable reason.

Lin Wei Xi returned to Yan Wang Mansion again, was it because she couldn't let go of her former husband? Couldn't get what one ask for, love and hate mixed together, but even so, still want to stand in the nearest place to look at the other person.

After all, Gu Cheng Yao and Lin Wei Xi were about the same age and in their prime times.

His mood during the disaster relief in Guanzhong could be said to hit the rock bottom, those days even Gu Mingda did not dare to get in front of him. Gu Hui Yan almost self-abuse arranged a lot of official business for himself, so that he would not have the energy to think about another thing.

Who knows with such busy schedule he missed the most important letters. After Gu Hui Yan got his hands free, he realized that Lin Wei Xi didn't have an appetite and had a serious pregnancy reaction, actually dared to hold her stomach without eating.

Gu Hui Yan was angry and distressed. He struggled inwardly for a while, but still couldn't win against this little girl.

No matter what, her body was the most important thing. Let's talk about these things later.

For many years afterwards, Gu Hui Yan was extremely grateful for this decision. He rushed back to Yan Wang Mansion day and night. Originally he was only seeking peace of mind, but actually he happened to catch up with Rui Yang's birth. He looked at the basin of blood coming out of the delivery room and felt dizzy. Was the blood flowing out of her? How much pain she should have.

At that moment, Gu Hui Yan regretted it very much. He actually left her alone for something inexplicable. What if he didn't come back tonight? What if she had difficult birth and met an accident? When Gu Hui Yan thought that he might lose Lin Wei Xi forever, he couldn't accept it.

When Rui Yang was wrapped in a swaddle and was carefully held in front of him, Gu Hui Yan suddenly felt soft-heartedly become a mess. At least she was still by his side now, that's enough. No matter what she thought, she would remain Yan Wangfei for the rest of her life until death separate them. She had no right to take it back.

Life seems to be back on track, but Gu Hui Yan knew what lies between them. Until Lin Wei Xi went to see Gao Ran, the bomb hidden between the two finally detonated.

"Go drink the medicine first."

"Not going."

Gu Hui Yan lowered his face and unconsciously released his powerful aura, "Go or not?"

"Not going!"

Lin Wei Xi glared viciously at him with her round eyes, Gu Hui Yan was angry, but he felt funny in his heart.

This reminded him of the first time he saw Lin Wei Xi, when she was single-handedly fighting against a group of Confucian. Gu Hui Yan stood outside the door and felt that this little girl was really...lively, and when she cursed her voice was very pleasant to hear.

Who knows that there was a price behind any enjoyment. At the time he listened with appreciation attitude, and then he would need a lifetime to slowly repay the tickets for that time. The lively little girl glared at him, disliked him, and could always come up with endless tricks to provoked his anger in one second, and made him didn't know whether to laugh or cry in the next second.

She didn't decide to stay with him because of Gu Cheng Yao. She also could worry about gains and losses, joy and disappointment. When she married him, she really felt that she was pretty good and suitable for him to be the Wangfei.

Gu Hui Yan broke into laughter, the knot that had troubled him for a long time, it turned out from the beginning he went into a fork in the road.

It was now the thirteenth year of Yuanjia, Rui Yang was six years old, and their son was three years old. Rui Yang gradually became like her, loved to make trouble, his son also wanted his sister to take him to play, but Rui Yang always rejected him.

Lin Wei Xi was holding her son to wipe the mud spots on his hands. She seemed to sense something, turned around and smiled, "Wangye?"

Knowing each other for eight years and married for seven years, his wife's immature features faded away, becoming gentle, beautiful and peaceful. Time flies, but she was still like a young girl, with a slender figure and bright eyes.

Gu Hui Yan greeted her with a smile, held her hand, and took her and his son over together: "What he was up to again? How he end up like this?"

Little Lang Jun, who was decked out beautifully, hurriedly cast a look at his mother for help, but Lin Wei Xi glanced at his son with a smile, between looks her eyes flowed: "I don't know, you ask him yourself."

I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-Husband has end!

TN: It's finish! Six and a half months, every day without fail, I can't believe the lazy me actually do this (lol). Thank you to all readers who keep up with my subpar translation, thank you for all of your encouragement, your kind words, and it's especially fun seeing how people got involve with the story, sometimes even write such deep comments about it. Now I will take a break for a while, but maybe I will pick another project in the future, who knows, it's kinda fun. Hopefully you will come here again when that time comes.