Chapter 4: The Duke asks for marriage
The allegorical phrase "Though the jasmine is small, its fragrance is pure and far-reaching" in the Imperial Garden was like a pebble thrown into Su Wanrou's heart lake. The ripples it created continued to spread after she returned to the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion, and they did not subside for a long time.
She sat by the window in her boudoir, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the jasmine pattern embroidered on her handkerchief. The steady voice of Gu Yangui coming to her rescue, and his deep glance beside the jasmine garden, kept replaying in her mind. Her cheeks flushed slightly again.
"Miss, you've been lost in thought ever since you came back from the palace. Are you tired?" Yun Que, the personal maid, asked with concern.
Su Wanrou gently shook her head, her voice so low it was almost a soliloquy: "Yun Que, tell me... what kind of person is the Duke?"
He was rumored to be ruthless and authoritative, a decisive war god on the battlefield. But she witnessed his courage in saving her, his composure and resourcefulness in front of the Empress Dowager, and... his seemingly casual yet heart-stirring words of protection. Which one was the real him?
Yun Que tilted her head and thought for a moment: "This servant thinks that although the Duke looks scary, he has a good heart. Otherwise, why would he speak up for you, Miss? Besides, he praised you as being like a jasmine flower!" The little maid said, covering her mouth and laughing.
Su Wanrou glared at her, but a secret sweetness welled up inside her because of those words. Did he really... mean that?
Unlike Su Wanrou, whose heart was filled with turmoil, the atmosphere in the study in the front courtyard of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion was much more somber.
Lord Su, Su Wenqian, paced back and forth in his study with his hands behind his back, his brow furrowed. Madam Wang sat beside him, her face also filled with worry.
"My lord, what do you think was the Duke's actions in the palace today? It's a good thing that he stepped in to help Rou'er out of that predicament, but... but it also puts Rou'er in the eye of the storm! Now the whole capital is probably talking about it, and our Rou'er is probably being targeted!" Madam Wang said anxiously.
Su Wenqian stopped and sighed, "What is meant to be will be. The Empress Dowager has personally hosted a banquet to assess the situation, and the Duke has publicly expressed his opinion. This marriage... is probably beyond our control."
He walked to the window, looking at the somewhat desolate scene in the courtyard, and said in a low voice, "My Yongchang Marquis's Mansion has been in decline for a long time. If we could marry into the Zhenguo Duke's family, it would be an opportunity for revitalization that I would be eager to seek. But... that child Yan Gui, although she is about the same age as my husband, is a high-ranking official with a deep mind, and she also has a five-year-old adopted son. Rou'er is gentle and young. I am really afraid... that if she marries into the family, she will not be able to cope with such a complicated situation and will suffer instead."
This is the deepest worry for parents. A prestigious family background is certainly tempting, but their daughter's happiness is the most important thing.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's eyes also reddened: "Who says otherwise! But now, do we have any way out? If we refuse, wouldn't we offend both the palace and the Duke's mansion? How can our Earl's mansion maintain its standing in the capital after this?"
The couple looked at each other in silence, both seeing deep helplessness and struggle in each other's eyes.
Compared to the unease at the Yongchang Earl's Mansion, the atmosphere at the Songhe Hall of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion was practically frozen.
Old Madam Liu sat upright at the head of the table, her face so dark it seemed like it could be wrung out of water. Zhao Yueru sat below, wiping away tears with a handkerchief, her voice choked with sobs: "Aunt! You saw it all! My cousin... he actually protected that Su Wanrou like that! In front of the Empress Dowager and all the noblewomen of the capital! Doesn't this tell everyone that he's set his sights on that little girl? Will Xuan'er and I still have a place in this mansion from now on?"
Madam Liu slammed her hand on the coffee table, causing her prayer beads to bounce. "Enough! What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing like this!"
Zhao Yueru shuddered in fright, fell silent, and only sobbed softly.
"Yan Gui's actions were indeed beyond my expectations." Old Madam Liu narrowed her eyes, her eyes gleaming. "He has never liked to concern himself with matters of the inner quarters, and he detests such occasions even more. Yet today he was willing to speak up for that girl... It seems that he does treat that girl somewhat differently."
This "slight difference" was what truly alarmed her. If Gu Yangui's actions were merely out of a sense of duty or a passing fancy, she could still find a way to smooth things over. But if he had truly taken it to heart…
"Then...what should we do?" Zhao Yueru panicked.
"What's the rush!" Old Madam Liu snorted coldly. "Even if he's willing, this marriage might not be so easy! Don't forget, I'm his aunt, the matriarch of this household! Mingxuan's upbringing, the rules of this household—none of them can be separated from me. As long as I don't agree, do you think Gu Yangui would risk being branded as disobedient and unfilial for a mere young girl?"
She pondered for a moment, then instructed her trusted nanny: "Go and find out where the Duke went after returning to the manor. Also, bring Mingxuan here and tell him I miss him."
She had to hold onto Mingxuan tightly. As long as Mingxuan relied on her and was close to her, Gu Yangui would have to be wary.
However, the news brought back by the nanny made Old Madam Liu's heart sink even further: after returning from the palace, the Duke went straight to the outer study and ordered that no one should disturb him. As for the young master Mingxuan, he was being played by his wet nurse in the small garden of Jinmoxuan, where, it was said... he was playing with a set of small Luban locks that the Su family had sent over that day.
"The Su family! They've got a quick move!" Old Madam Liu gritted her teeth. This Su family is using a two-pronged approach: attracting Gu Yangui's attention in the palace while simultaneously trying to curry favor with Ming Xuan!
"To the outer study!" Old Madam Liu stood up abruptly. She had to talk to Gu Yangui, now, immediately!
The outer study of the Duke of Zhenguo's residence.
Gu Yangui stood by the window, gazing at the deepening twilight outside. Scenes from the Imperial Garden replayed vividly in his mind.
The girl's startled, deer-like eyes, her forced composure as she bowed, her helplessness under the scrutiny of others, and... when he saw her alone by the jasmine garden, her slightly relaxed profile, tinged with a hint of confusion and vulnerability.
He had always despised such hypocritical social niceties, and even more so, he disliked being manipulated into marriage. He was fully aware of the Empress Dowager's intentions. Under normal circumstances, he would have had a way to deftly deflect the criticism.
However, when the Empress pointed the finger at Su Wanrou and saw her face turn deathly pale and her eyes filled with panic and tears, an inexplicable emotion drove him to speak before he could even react.
He didn't regret it. In fact, after uttering those words of defense, when he saw the sudden gleam in the girl's eyes, a mixture of surprise and gratitude, a faint...pleasure flickered in his heart?
This unfamiliar feeling made him somewhat irritable and confused.
"Master, the old lady is coming this way," the servant Gu Qing whispered outside the door.
Gu Yangui composed himself, his face regaining its usual coldness: "Please invite the old lady in."
Old Madam Liu entered the study with a chill in her air. Before Gu Yangui could speak, she asked directly, "Yangui, what is your explanation for what happened in the palace today?"
Gu Yangui remained calm and gestured for Gu Qing to serve tea: "Aunt, please sit down. The matter in the palace is nothing more than a regular banquet; there's no need for explanation."
"An ordinary banquet?" Old Madam Liu raised her voice. "You publicly protected the Su family girl and turned back the Empress Dowager and the Empress's wishes. Is that what you call ordinary? After the banquet, tell your aunt, are you really thinking about marrying Su Wanrou?"
Gu Yangui picked up his teacup, the rising steam blurring his deep eyes. He was silent for a moment, then put down the teacup, looked up at Old Madam Liu, his gaze sharp: "Does Aunt think this is inappropriate?"
"Of course it's inappropriate!" Seeing his tacit agreement, Old Madam Liu became even more anxious. "What kind of family is the Su family? A declining Earl's mansion! And what is Su Wanrou's background? She's said to be the legitimate daughter, but who doesn't know the truth? She's only fifteen, spoiled and timid. How can she shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the mistress of the Duke's mansion? How can she take good care of Mingxuan? Yan Gui, your marriage is not a game. It's for the future of the Duke's mansion and for Mingxuan's upbringing! Su Wanrou is definitely not a good match!"
Gu Yangui listened quietly, his face revealing neither joy nor anger. Only after Old Madam Liu finished speaking did he slowly open his mouth, his voice deep yet carrying an undeniable power: "Aunt, it is precisely because of Mingxuan that I think she is suitable."
Madam Liu was taken aback.
Gu Yangui continued, "What Mingxuan needs is a gentle, kind mother who can truly care for him, not a calculating and power-hungry matriarch. Su Wanrou is pure-hearted and kind-hearted; although young, she has a clean mind. Today in the palace, despite her predicament, she did not behave improperly, which shows her resilience. Mingxuan... seems to like her very much." He recalled the gleam in Mingxuan's eyes when he mentioned "sister."
"That's just childish talk!" Old Madam Liu said urgently. "One should marry a virtuous wife! The Su family is of low social standing and will be of no benefit to your career! If you really want to find a wife for Mingxuan, how many noble ladies in the capital are not better than Su Wanrou? Your aunt can help you..."
“Aunt.” Gu Yangui interrupted her, his tone slightly cold, “I have my own ideas about my marriage. Social status has never been a constraint for me, Gu Yangui. As for my career…” A faint sneer appeared on his lips, “My achievements, Gu Yangui’s, were earned through real battles on the battlefield, and I don’t need marriage to embellish them.”
He stood up, walked to the window, his back to Madam Liu, and his voice regained its calmness, yet carried a sense of determination: "Miss Su, I think she is very good. Aunt, there is no need to say anything more."
Looking at his tall, indifferent back, Old Madam Liu knew there was no turning back. A chill rose from the bottom of her heart. Once her nephew made a decision, not even nine oxen could pull him back.
"Fine...fine! Since you've made up your mind, your aunt has nothing more to say!" Old Madam Liu said in a trembling voice, with a hint of defiance. "But you should think carefully. If you marry her and there's any discord in the household in the future, don't regret it!"
After saying that, she turned and left, but in her heart she was already planning how to keep the household management and Mingxuan firmly in her grasp after Su Wanrou entered the house.
The study returned to silence.
Gu Yangui gazed at the completely dark sky outside the window, his eyes swirling with emotions. Marrying Su Wanrou was a decision made after careful consideration, based on his concern for Mingxuan's future. But deep down, he couldn't completely deny that the pure and delicate girl, like a jasmine flower, also attracted him.
Perhaps, this marriage is not just a transaction as he initially envisioned.
In the following days, the capital city appeared calm on the surface, but the undercurrents grew increasingly turbulent.
The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion remained silent, neither sending anyone to contact the Earl of Yongchang's mansion nor giving a clear response to the palace's hints. This silence fueled a great deal of speculation.
Some say that the Duke was only acting out of consideration for the Empress Dowager that day, and that he actually had no feelings for Miss Su.
Some speculate that the old lady of the Duke's mansion strongly opposes the marriage, and the marriage may fall through.
Some busybodies even started to take stock of other eligible noble ladies in the capital, speculating on who was most likely to marry into the Duke's mansion.
The Yongchang Marquis's residence endured each day with agonizing anticipation. Su Wanrou was particularly burdened with worries, both hoping for news and fearing that what she received would be nothing, or an outcome she could not bear.
That afternoon, Su Wanrou was sitting by the window embroidering, trying to calm herself down, when she suddenly heard a commotion from the front yard. Immediately afterward, her maid, Yun Que, came running in, panting, her face filled with barely suppressed excitement and joy.
"Miss! Miss! They've arrived! Someone from the palace has come! It's a eunuch delivering an imperial decree! Master and Madam want you to go to the front hall immediately to receive the decree!"
The embroidery needle in Su Wanrou's hand suddenly pierced her fingertip, drawing out a bright red bead of blood, but she was completely unaware of it.
To receive the imperial decree?
Her heart leaped into her throat, her hands and feet felt icy cold yet faintly hot. With Yun Que's support, she moved almost mechanically toward the front hall.
In the front hall, Earl Yongchang Su Wenqian and his wife, Lady Wang, were already dressed and kneeling on the ground, their faces tense yet expectant. The eunuch delivering the imperial edict stood expressionless in the hall, holding a bright yellow imperial decree.
Su Wanrou knelt behind her parents, her heart pounding like a drum. She could barely make out what the eunuch's shrill voice was saying. She could only vaguely catch fragments of words:
"I have heard that Duke Gu Yangui is valiant and loyal... and that Su Wanrou, daughter of Marquis Su Wenqian of Yongchang, is virtuous and upright... Therefore, I hereby bestow upon her the title of Duke Gu Yangui as my second wife... and we shall choose an auspicious day for the wedding... This is my decree!"
"...So be it!"
The two words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Su Wanrou's ears.
A marriage decreed...it really happened!
She knelt there blankly until her mother quietly tugged at her sleeve, at which point she snapped out of her daze and joined her parents in kowtowing and expressing their gratitude: "Your Majesty, we (your subject and daughter) accept your decree and thank you for your great favor. Long live the Emperor!"
As Su Wenqian received the heavy, bright yellow imperial edict, a symbol of a turning point in his life, his hands trembled slightly. Madam Wang was already weeping with joy, constantly wiping away her tears with her handkerchief.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree beamed with a smile: "Congratulations, Lord! Congratulations, Madam! Congratulations, Miss Su! I'll be returning to the Duke and the palace to report now."
After the eunuch left, the entire Yongchang Earl's mansion was filled with jubilation. Servants rushed forward to offer their congratulations, and Su Wenqian, forcing himself to remain calm, ordered that the entire mansion be generously rewarded.
Madam Wang held Su Wanrou's hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears: "Rou'er! Rou'er! Did you hear that? A marriage decree! A marriage decree! You are now the Duchess of the State! Our Su family... has hope!"
Looking at her ecstatic mother, then at the cold imperial edict in her hand, Su Wanrou felt a mix of emotions. Joy? Yes. After all, that person was the hero she secretly admired. Fear? More so. The road ahead was long, and the Duke's mansion was a deep, unfathomable sea. Could she truly handle it?
She recalled his words in the Imperial Garden, "Though the jasmine is small, its fragrance is pure and far-reaching," and a faint glimmer of courage rose in her heart.
Perhaps... she could try, like a jasmine flower, to bloom with her own fragrance, however small.
The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, Jinmoxuan.
Gu Yangui stood with his hands behind his back under the corridor, listening to Gu Qing report on the situation of the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion receiving the imperial decree.
“When Miss Su received the decree, she seemed… somewhat dazed.” Gu Qing carefully chose her words.
Gu Yangui's gaze shifted slightly, and the image of those clear, almond-shaped eyes, always tinged with a hint of timidity, seemed to reappear before him. Upon learning of the arranged marriage, was she happy, or... afraid?
"Where is Mingxuan?" he asked.
"The young master was overjoyed to hear that the imperial decree had decreed the marriage, saying that he would have a mother to play with from now on. He even asked... asked when his new mother would enter the house," Gu Qing replied with a smile.
Gu Yangui's cold, hard lips softened almost imperceptibly for a moment. Mingxuan likes her, that's good.
"Master, what about the old lady..." Gu Qing hesitated. Since receiving the news, Songhe Hall had kept its gates tightly closed, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
"It's alright." Gu Yangui said indifferently, "Prepare the betrothal gifts according to etiquette. Three days later, I will personally go to the Yongchang Marquis's residence to present the betrothal gifts."
"yes!"
After Gu Qing withdrew, Gu Yangui stood alone in the twilight. The imperial decree of marriage had been issued; everything was set in stone. Where would this marriage, which began with an accident and careful consideration, ultimately lead?
He recalled that pale yellow figure, and her slightly flushed profile amidst the scent of jasmine.
Now that the choice has been made, Su Wanrou is Gu Yangui's wife from this day forward, and the rightful mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
He would give her the respect and protection she deserved. As for the rest… he lowered his gaze, suppressing the unfamiliar flutter in his heart. Let's wait and see.
End of Chapter 4
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