Chapter 57: Yi Yi's Miscalculation
After the Qixi Festival, the Duke's mansion was filled with peace and tranquility, and Qiwu Courtyard was especially warm and affectionate every day. However, beneath this peace, some people were restless and uneasy.
Miss Liu Yiyi, who was staying in the old lady's courtyard, had been suffering terribly lately. She was originally a distant niece of the old lady, but due to a family tragedy, her parents died, and she was brought to the Duke's mansion to be raised three years ago. The old lady pitied her orphanhood and treated her very kindly, providing her with the same food, clothing, and daily necessities as the young ladies in the mansion. She also harbored a thought that if she was well-behaved, she might be betrothed to Gu Yangui as a concubine in the future, thus ensuring her lifelong security and fulfilling her own family's care for her deceased relative.
Liu Yiyi was sixteen years old, with almond-shaped eyes and peach-blossom cheeks, quite beautiful, and quick-witted. She was adept at reading people and situations, and in front of the old lady, she always acted as gentle, obedient, and well-mannered. She believed that although her background was not as noble as that of a high-born lady, it was not necessarily inferior to Su Wanrou from the fallen Earl's Mansion. Moreover, she had the status of cousin with the Duke and had come to the mansion three years earlier, so their relationship was naturally different.
Originally, she patiently waited for the right moment for the Old Madam to speak. Who knew that Su Wanrou would suddenly appear, not only marrying in grand style as the principal wife, but also quickly winning over the hearts of the Duke and his young master. Now, everyone in the household praises this new lady for her virtue, competence, and ability to manage the household. Even the Old Madam, who initially had reservations about her, now speaks highly of Su Wanrou.
Liu Yiyi's resentment and jealousy grew wildly like weeds. Especially after Qixi Festival, she witnessed the unspoken understanding and tenderness between Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou several times during her morning and evening greetings. The glaring purse and love knot at Gu Yangui's waist stung her heart even more. When had her cold and imposing cousin ever cared for any woman so much?
"She's just a young girl, relying on her looks and luck!" Liu Yiyi said resentfully to her trusted maid Chunxing in her room, twisting the handkerchief in her hand. "How could a little girl like her keep my cousin around for long? She's just still infatuated with him."
Chunxing chimed in, "Miss is right. Madam is young and may not truly know how to serve the Duke. Miss, you are well-educated and reasonable, and you are also the Duke's cousin, so your relationship is naturally different. As long as you find an opportunity to let the Duke see your goodness, there may be hope."
These words struck a chord with Liu Yiyi. She could no longer sit idly by and wait for her fate. Su Wanrou's position was now secure; if she were to give birth to a legitimate son, where would she find a place in the mansion? She had to take the initiative and create an opportunity for a "chance encounter" with her cousin, so that he would see her and remember their past relationship.
two
The opportunity soon arrived. That day, after paying her respects to the Dowager, Liu Yiyi deliberately took a detour along the garden path that Gu Yangui usually used to walk from his study in the front courtyard back to Qiwu Courtyard. She had already found out that Gu Yangui had gone to the outskirts of the capital after court that day and, as usual, would return to the residence around 3 PM.
She had dressed meticulously, wearing a light green dress embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, her hair styled in an exquisite flying fairy bun, adorned with kingfisher feather and pearl flowers, and lightly made up, striving for a fresh and refined look that evoked pity. She also held a book in her hands, pretending to be reading and admiring flowers in the garden, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere.
At the beginning of Shenshi (3-5 PM), a commotion was heard coming from the front yard; the Duke had returned home. Liu Yiyi's heart tightened, and she quickly adjusted her posture, leaning against a hibiscus tree in full bloom, pretending to be engrossed in her book, while her peripheral vision kept a close eye on the entrance to the path.
As the footsteps drew closer, Gu Yangui's tall figure appeared beneath the moon gate. He was dressed in a dark riding outfit, looking travel-worn, with a hint of fatigue in his brows, which only added to his cold and stern air. He walked hurriedly, clearly wanting to return to his room as soon as possible to change and rest.
Seizing the opportunity, just as he was about to pass by, Liu Yiyi pretended to trip over a flower branch, causing the book in her hand to fall to the ground with a "ouch," landing right at Gu Yangui's feet. She then raised a tearful, pitiful face, her voice soft and slightly panicked: "Cousin...cousin?"
Her cry of "cousin" was tinged with a complex mix of emotions—grievance, surprise, and admiration.
According to Liu Yiyi's plan, Gu Yangui would at least stop and ask a question, or help her pick up her book. She could then take the opportunity to express her admiration or concern. Even if she only gets a glance or a response from him, it would be a good start.
However, Gu Yangui did not even pause in his steps.
He merely glanced indifferently at the books on the ground, then swept his gaze over Liu Yiyi, who was pretentiously leaning on a flower branch, her posture delicate and frail. His eyes were cold and sharp, as if they could penetrate all her carefully crafted pretense and reach her shameful thoughts.
Immediately, as if he had seen something in his way, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and then he walked straight past the book without even pausing for her. The whole process took only a moment.
He didn't utter a single syllable. Utter disregard, complete and utter disregard, is more humiliating than a reprimand.
Liu Yiyi froze on the spot, her pitiful expression instantly freezing, then turning deathly pale. She watched helplessly as the dark figure disappeared without a trace of regret at the end of the flower path, as if she were merely an insignificant pebble on the roadside, a harmless weed.
A profound sense of humiliation, like ice water poured over her head, instantly overwhelmed her. Her carefully planned encounter, the atmosphere she painstakingly created, all her expectations and calculations, became a colossal joke in the face of his cold glance and utter indifference!
“Miss…” Chunxing stepped forward tremblingly, picked up the book from the ground, her voice shaking.
Liu Yiyi snatched the book and slammed it to the ground. Her beautiful face was contorted with extreme anger and shame, and there was no trace of her usual gentle demeanor.
"Su! Wan! Rou!" She spat out the three words through gritted teeth, her eyes flashing with venomous resentment. It must be that bitch! She must have slandered her to her cousin, making him despise her so much!
She will never let this go!
three
When Gu Yangui returned to Qiwu Courtyard, Su Wanrou was sitting by the window sewing an autumn jacket for Mingxuan. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window lattice, illuminating her focused profile, soft and serene. Mingxuan, meanwhile, was hunched over a small table beside her, diligently practicing calligraphy, occasionally looking up to ask, "Mother, how do you write this character?"
Gu Yangui stood at the door, watching this scene. The slight annoyance he had felt earlier in the garden because of Liu Yiyi vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of comforting warmth. This was what a home should be like.
"My husband is back." Su Wanrou heard the noise, looked up, put down her needlework, smiled and came forward to greet him. She naturally took the outer robe he had taken off, and then said to Mingxuan, "Xuan'er, Father is back."
“Father!” Mingxuan put down his pen, ran over and bowed respectfully.
Gu Yangui patted his son's head, his gaze falling on Su Wanrou: "What are you doing?"
"Make Xuan'er an autumn coat. The child grows so fast, last year's clothes are too short." Su Wanrou handed the robe to the maid while gesturing to Yunbin to prepare water for Gu Yangui to wash his face and hands.
Gu Yangui looked at the almost invisible needle prick on her fingertip—it was from when she accidentally pricked herself while embroidering a purse a couple of days ago, and it was almost healed now—and felt a warmth in his heart. His little wife cherished him and their family dearly.
He suddenly recalled Liu Yiyi's affected manner in the garden, and compared it to Su Wanrou's gentle and genuine demeanor before him, feeling a world of difference. How could he not know Liu Yiyi's thoughts? He had only ignored her in the past out of respect for the Old Madam. But today, she dared to act so brazenly in front of him; it was utterly foolish and filled him with disgust.
"If you don't have anything to do in the future, try to avoid that path on the west side of the garden." Gu Yangui washed his hands, took the warm tea handed to him by Su Wanrou, and casually mentioned this.
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback, then understood. She must have encountered her cousin. Although she rarely went out, everyone in the manor could see through Liu Yiyi's intentions. However, as the principal wife, it would be beneath her dignity to argue with a mere concubine. Hearing Gu Yangui's words clearly indicated his stance, telling her not to worry about it and to put an end to Liu Yiyi's hopes.
She felt little pride, but rather a sense of melancholy, and simply nodded obediently, "Yes, I understand."
Seeing that she remained calm, without any hint of jealousy or schadenfreude, Gu Yangui was even more pleased. His beloved Jiaojiao was kind-hearted and clear-sighted, never wasting her energy on such pointless struggles.
Four
Liu Yiyi stormed back to her room, smashing all the porcelain ornaments to pieces, still not satisfied. Chunxing was so frightened that she knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Why! Why does Su Wanrou have the right!" Liu Yiyi's eyes were bloodshot, and her chest heaved violently. "I am the one who has blood ties with my cousin! I have served the old lady diligently in this mansion for three years. How dare she, a newcomer, take away everything that should belong to me!"
The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became, convinced that Su Wanrou was behind it all, causing Gu Yangui to be so cold towards her. "She must have been spreading rumors about me to my cousin! That two-faced bitch!"
"Please calm down, Miss!" Chunxing cried as she pleaded. "Now that the Empress Dowager... she is in favor, if you confront her head-on, you will only hurt yourself!"
"A head-on clash?" Liu Yiyi sneered, a glint of malice flashing in her eyes. "Of course I'm not that stupid! Isn't she virtuous? Isn't she magnanimous? I'd like to see how long she can be virtuous and magnanimous!"
A wicked plan slowly took shape in her mind. Since directly approaching her cousin wouldn't work, she'd try another approach. Wasn't Su Wanrou after that little bastard? Wasn't she close to the Yongchang Marquis's mansion? She would find a chance to tear off that hypocritical mask!
She forced herself to calm down, looked at the mess on the floor, and took a deep breath: "Clean it up, don't let anyone notice anything." She couldn't lose her composure; she still had the old lady as her backer. As long as the old lady still had pity on her, she still had a chance.
The next day, Liu Yiyi was like a different person. She still went to pay her respects to the old lady early in the morning and served her medicine. Her words and actions were more respectful and considerate than usual. She didn't mention the events of the previous day at all, as if nothing had happened.
But in a corner where no one was watching, her gaze toward Qiwu Courtyard was icy cold, as if laced with poison.
five
Gu Yangui's admonition to Liu Yiyi wasn't limited to the reminder he gave to Su Wanrou. A few days later, he found a pretext to either reassign or reprimand several old women and maids on duty near the path on the west side of the garden. Although he didn't explicitly state the reason, most of the people in the manor were quick-witted, and with a little thought, they knew it was related to that cousin.
Therefore, it would be even more difficult for Liu Yiyi to "accidentally" meet the Duke again in the same way. She was filled with resentment, but she could only endure it for the time being and wait for a better opportunity.
Meanwhile, Su Wanrou's life remained peaceful and warm. Gu Yangui's protection put her at ease, and she focused more on managing the household and taking care of Mingxuan. Occasionally, she would exchange letters or have small gatherings with other young ladies, such as the second young lady of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion, whom she was close to. Her life was fulfilling and satisfying.
That evening, Su Wanrou sewed a new pair of wrist guards for Gu Yangui under the lamplight. He often went to the military camp for martial arts practice, and his wrist guards wore out quickly.
When Gu Yangui returned after finishing his official business, he saw that she was still busy and said, "Let the embroiderer do these things. Don't hurt your eyes."
Su Wanrou looked up and smiled, "It's alright, it'll be done soon. No matter how well the embroiderer does it, it's never as comforting as something I make myself." She finished the last stitch, bit off the thread, picked up the wristband and held it up to his wrist, nodding in satisfaction, "The size is just right."
In the candlelight, her eyes were gentle, her expression focused. Gu Yangui looked at her, then suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback, then relaxed and leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, her cheeks slightly flushed: "Husband?"
Gu Yangui gently rested his chin on the top of her head and said in a low voice, "If there are any troublesome people or things in the manor, you don't need to suffer in silence. I will take care of them for you."
Although he didn't explicitly name Liu Yiyi, Su Wanrou understood his meaning. He was telling her that he was her strongest support, and she didn't need to worry about anyone or anything unrelated to her.
"Mmm." Su Wanrou nodded gently in his arms, feeling a warm and peaceful feeling in her heart.
The moonlight outside the window was hazy, while candlelight cast two shadows inside. Liu Yiyi's miscalculation and jealousy were like a pebble thrown into a lake; though they created ripples, they could not break the deep affection hidden beneath the still waters. A true fortress is never one of strict defense, but rather one of mutual understanding and trust, leaving no room for outsiders to infiltrate.
End of Chapter 57
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