Chapter 21: An Encounter in the Garden
After returning from the imperial estate, the atmosphere within the Duke's mansion underwent subtle changes. The servants served him with even greater care, and when the steward, Gu Anlai, reported on matters, he more naturally referred less important household affairs directly to Su Wanrou for decision-making. The biggest change, however, was in Xiao Mingxuan. The spontaneous cry of "Mother" seemed to have opened a floodgate in his heart; now, calling him "Mother" was incredibly natural and affectionate. Every morning, he would first report to Jinse Courtyard, clinging to Su Wanrou for breakfast before going to the home school to study.
Su Wanrou's life became increasingly fulfilling. Besides spending time with Mingxuan, she began to truly take over the management of the household affairs. Gu Yangui seemed to be keeping his promise, gradually sending her some of the accounts from the estates and shops. These accounts were complex and initially dizzying, but Su Wanrou possessed an indomitable tenacity. She patiently sorted through them bit by bit, asking Gu An or consulting past precedents when she encountered something she didn't understand, and slowly she figured out how to manage them.
That afternoon, the bright autumn sun shone warmly into the courtyard. Su Wanrou had just finished looking at a stack of new pattern catalogs sent by a silk shop and felt her eyes getting a little sore. She put down the catalogs and smiled at Yun Que, who was doing needlework beside her, saying, "I've been sitting here for half a day, and my body is stiff. Come with me for a walk in the garden."
"Yes, Madam." Yun Que smiled and put down her work, draping an apricot-red velvet cloak over Su Wanrou. "The autumn wind is chilly, be careful not to catch a chill."
The mistress and servant left Jinse Courtyard and strolled towards the mansion's grand garden. The Zhenguo Duke's garden, cultivated over generations, was vast, featuring pavilions, terraces, rockeries, winding streams, and ever-changing scenery. In autumn, the trees were ablaze with color, creating a unique and enchanting atmosphere. Su Wanrou walked slowly along the cobblestone path, admiring the maple trees, their colors enhanced by frost, and the evergreen pines and cypresses. She took a deep breath of the air, carrying the sweet scent of osmanthus and the dry aroma of vegetation, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Reaching a hexagonal pavilion near a lotus pond, she found someone already inside. A slender figure in a lake-blue brocade dress stood with her back to her, leaning against the railing, seemingly feeding the fish in the pond. Hearing footsteps, the figure turned around, revealing a bright and beautiful face, with willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, sparkling with charm. It was none other than the young lady residing in the mansion, Liu Yiyi.
Liu Yiyi was a distant niece from Gu Yangui's deceased mother's side of the family. Her parents had passed away early, and she had come to the capital to stay with relatives a few years ago and had been living in the Duke's mansion ever since. She was two years older than Su Wanrou, and they were always very polite and courteous when they met. However, Su Wanrou could always vaguely sense the distance hidden beneath the other woman's politeness, and even a hint of scrutiny that was not easily detected.
"So it's my cousin." Su Wanrou stopped and greeted her with a smile. According to seniority, although Liu Yiyi was a little older, Su Wanrou was the matriarch of the family, so calling her "cousin" was already a polite gesture.
When Liu Yiyi saw Su Wanrou, a complex and unreadable emotion flashed across her eyes, but then a bright smile bloomed on her face. She put down the fish food jar in her hand, went out to greet her from outside the pavilion, and gave a proper bow: "Yiyi greets Madam. I didn't know Madam was also taking a walk in the garden. I apologize for disturbing Madam's peace and quiet."
"No need for formalities, cousin. I'm just taking a stroll." Su Wanrou offered a slight gesture of support, her gaze falling on Liu Yiyi's carefully applied makeup and dress. Her tone was gentle. "Cousin, you seem to be in a good mood, feeding the fish here."
"Having nothing to do, I saw that the koi in the pond were plump and pleasing to the eye, so I couldn't resist teasing them a bit." Liu Yiyi smiled and stepped aside. "Would Madam like to sit in the pavilion? This pavilion is in a good location, perfect for enjoying the autumn scenery of withered lotus leaves."
Su Wanrou had no intention of staying long, but seeing that the other party had invited her, she couldn't leave immediately, so she nodded and went into the pavilion. Yun Que cleverly stayed outside the pavilion to wait.
A pot of tea and several plates of delicate pastries sat on the stone table in the pavilion, indicating that Liu Yiyi had been there for some time. The two sat down facing each other, and for a moment, they were silent. The autumn wind blew through the pavilion, carrying the cool scent of the pond water.
It was Liu Yiyi who spoke first, her tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity and flattery: "I heard that the Duke took his wife and young master to stay at the Imperial Estate a few days ago? The estate must be much more interesting than the manor, right? I really envy your wife, to have the Duke accompany you like this." Her words sounded like envy, but upon closer inspection, they carried a hint of sourness and probing.
Su Wanrou picked up the hot tea that Yun Que had just served, blew on it gently, and said in a flat tone, "My husband went to handle the affairs of the estate and just let Xuan'er and me go for a walk. Although the scenery on the estate is more rustic, it is not as well-maintained as the manor."
"Madam is too modest," Liu Yiyi chuckled, covering her mouth. "Everyone knows that the Duke has always disliked his wives accompanying him, so his special trip with you this time shows how much he loves you." She paused, then sighed seemingly casually, "Speaking of which, since you entered the household, Madam, the mansion has become much more lively and warm. Especially the young master, he's incredibly close to you now, calling you 'Mother,' 'Mother' all day long. It's truly a mother and son's bond, and it's heartwarming to see. I suppose... if the late Madam were alive, she could rest easy knowing that the young master has someone to rely on."
Her sudden mention of the late Madam caused Su Wanrou's hand, holding the teacup, to pause slightly. The air in the pavilion seemed to freeze for a moment.
Su Wanrou raised her eyes and looked at Liu Yiyi. The other woman still wore a bright smile, her eyes clear, as if it were just a casual remark, a heartfelt expression. But Su Wanrou keenly detected a hint of probing beneath that smile. Was this cousin reminding her of her status as a second wife, or was she implying that her closeness to Mingxuan might disturb some "spirits in heaven"?
Su Wanrou felt a slight chill in her heart, but her face remained calm. She put down her teacup, a gentle smile still playing on her lips: "What my cousin says is true. It is my blessing to have Xuan'er's trust. Although I am young and inexperienced, I know that a mother's only wish is for her child to be healthy and happy. Now that I have married into the Gu family, I am grateful for my husband's support. I will do my best to take good care of Xuan'er and manage the household affairs, so as not to betray my husband's trust and... have a clear conscience." Her words both followed up on Liu Yiyi's words, indicating that she would treat Mingxuan well, and also made it clear that she was the rightful Duchess, and that she only needed to act with a clear conscience, without needing others to interfere.
Liu Yiyi's smile froze almost imperceptibly for a moment, then she smiled even more sweetly: "Madam's virtue is a blessing for the Duke and the young master, and also a blessing for our entire household." She cleverly changed the subject, pointing to several large red and white koi in the pond, "Madam, look at those fish, how interesting it is to see them fighting for food."
Su Wanrou followed her gaze and readily agreed to change the subject. The two chatted for a while about the garden scenery and the latest trends in the capital. The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but undercurrents were stirring beneath the surface.
Just then, a familiar, slightly hurried sound of footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by Mingxuan's clear call: "Mother! Mother! Are you here?"
Hearing the sound, Su Wanrou turned her head, and a genuine smile immediately appeared on her face. She saw Mingxuan coming over breathlessly with a little page, without even changing his clothes, after finishing his studies at home. His forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.
"Xuan'er, why are you running so fast? Be careful not to fall." Su Wanrou got up and took out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead naturally.
Mingxuan let her wipe him, his eyes sparkling, and then, as if showing off a treasure, he pulled out a crooked grasshopper from behind his back: "Mother, look! This is what the teacher taught us to weave today! Mine is the best! I'm giving it to you, Mother!"
Although the grasshopper was rough, it was full of childlike charm. Su Wanrou's heart softened, and she took it and examined it carefully, sincerely praising, "Our Xuan'er is so clever! He made it so lifelike, Mother likes it very much."
Mingxuan was so happy to receive the praise that his little face lit up. Only then did he notice Liu Yiyi in the pavilion and respectfully bowed: "Xuan'er greets Auntie."
Liu Yiyi smiled warmly and said, "Xuan-ge'er, you're out of school? You've woven such a beautiful grasshopper; even your aunt can't do that."
Mingxuan's attitude towards Liu Yiyi was noticeably more distant and polite. He only smiled politely before turning to Su Wanrou, tugging at her sleeve and acting coquettishly: "Mother, I'm hungry. Shall we go back and have some snacks? Today we have your favorite osmanthus sugar steamed chestnut flour cake!"
"Okay, we'll head back now." Su Wanrou replied softly, then said to Liu Yiyi, "Cousin, we'll head back now."
Liu Yiyi rose to see them off, her smile impeccable: "Take care, Madam; take care, Xuan-ge'er."
Su Wanrou took Mingxuan's hand and turned to leave the pavilion. After a few steps, Mingxuan suddenly whispered, "Mother, I don't like playing with my aunt."
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback and looked down at him: "Why?"
Mingxuan frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Sometimes I don't understand what she's saying, and... her scent is so strong, it doesn't smell as good as my mother's." Children's senses are the most direct and acute.
Su Wanrou understood, gently squeezed his little hand, and said softly, "Your aunt is a guest, Xuan'er, just be polite. If you don't like it, then don't bother her."
"Yes!" Mingxuan nodded vigorously, quickly putting this little trouble behind him and excitedly talking about the interesting things that happened in his family school.
Watching the mother and son walk away hand in hand, their backs intertwined in close intimacy, Liu Yiyi's smile gradually faded and vanished completely in the pavilion. She leaned against the cold pillar, her nails digging unconsciously into the red lacquered wood. The autumn wind blew, ruffling her lake-blue skirt, but it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart. Once upon a time, she had dreamed of standing beside that tall, imposing man, of his cold, stern eyes softening for her, of her motherless child calling her "Mother" with dependence. But now, all of this had been so easily obtained by this suddenly appearing young lady from the Yongchang Marquis's mansion, even younger than herself.
She was unwilling to accept it.
End of Chapter 21
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