Chapter 98: The Whole Family Rejoices
The next morning, before dawn, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had already quietly awakened.
The sounds within the main courtyard were quieter than usual. The maids and servants walked on tiptoe and spoke in hushed tones, afraid of disturbing their sleeping mistress. Yet, an irrepressible joy, like the vines of early spring, quietly crept into every corner of the mansion.
When Granny Wang personally carried the basin of warm water into the inner room, Gu Yangui had already gotten up and was standing in front of the bed tying the sash of his outer robe. He moved very quietly, glanced back at Su Wanrou who was still sleeping soundly behind the curtain, and gestured for Granny Wang to be quiet.
Wang Mama understood, her face filled with a kind but restrained smile. She gently placed the basin of water on the shelf and said in a soft voice, "Your Excellency, this old servant understands. Did Madam sleep well last night?"
Gu Yangui nodded slightly, his gaze unconsciously drifting back to the bed curtains. His eyes, still bearing the faint dark circles from a sleepless night, shone with a gentle light: "She slept more soundly in the latter half of the night." After their heartfelt conversation last night, a weight had been lifted from his heart. Seeing her steady breathing and serene expression, he was truly at ease.
He went to the outer room and whispered, "Have the kitchen prepare light porridge and side dishes. Serve the meal whenever Madam wakes up. From today onwards, everything will be based on Madam's daily routine."
"Yes, this old servant understands." Granny Wang replied respectfully, then added, "Your Highness, what do you think... should we inform the Old Madam and the palace of the good news today...?"
Gu Yangui pondered for a moment. After the imperial physician's diagnosis yesterday, he did not announce it immediately for the sake of caution. Now that a night has passed and Jiaojiao's condition has stabilized, it is time for those who need to know this joyous news to know.
"Hmm." He said in a deep voice, "Later, go to the courtyard by the ancestral hall in person and report to Mother. As for the palace... I will personally submit a petition to His Majesty and the Empress. As for the servants in the mansion, once Madam wakes up, she will personally announce and reward them."
He intended to reserve this honor of announcing the good news and bestowing favors upon Su Wanrou. This was not only the authority of the mistress of the house, but also a way to help her further win over people's hearts and solidify her position.
Wang Mama understood immediately, and her smile deepened: "The Duke has considered everything very well. This old servant will go and make the preparations right away."
The sun was high in the sky when Su Wanrou finally woke up naturally. She had slept exceptionally soundly and peacefully, even her dreams were warm and sweet. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the profile of Gu Yangui sitting on a low couch by the window, reading a book. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, gilding his figure with a golden edge, peaceful and serene.
"Husband?" she called softly, her voice still languid and hoarse from just waking up.
Gu Yangui immediately put down his book, got up and walked to the bedside. He leaned down and felt her forehead, asking gently, "Awake? How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"
A series of questions, filled with deep concern, warmed Su Wanrou's heart. She shook her head and tried to sit up. Gu Yangui quickly reached out to help her, placing a pillow behind her back with meticulous care.
"I'm fine, I've had enough sleep and I feel great." She smiled at him, "Have you been keeping watch here the whole time, my husband?"
"I just returned from court not long ago." Gu Yangui didn't want to burden her, so he avoided the main point and turned to instruct Qingdai and Zizhu, who were waiting outside the door, to come in and help her with her washing and grooming.
After having breakfast (which was actually close to lunchtime), Su Wanrou's complexion became even more rosy and radiant after a bowl of warm and nourishing bird's nest porridge. Seeing that she looked so good, Gu Yangui brought up the matter of announcing the good news.
"Jiaojiao, since you feel so good, why don't you tell everyone in the household the good news today, so that everyone can share in the joy?"
Upon hearing this, Su Wanrou's eyes lit up. She knew the significance of this matter, and felt both anticipation and a little nervous. She took a deep breath and nodded, saying, "Alright, I will follow my husband's arrangements."
A moment later, the main hall of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was packed with people. The mansion's most prominent stewards, head maids, personal maids, and senior servants all stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, holding their breath. An atmosphere of curiosity and speculation filled the air—the Duke and his wife's simultaneous summons must mean something important was about to be announced.
Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou sat side by side in the main seats at the head of the table. Su Wanrou wore a festive rose-red brocade jacket with lotus patterns, which made her skin look as white as snow and her complexion excellent. Although Gu Yangui's expression remained calm, the gentle smile that he couldn't hide in his eyes secretly startled the old servants who knew him well.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Gu Yangui glanced down but did not speak. Instead, he looked at Su Wanrou beside him, nodded slightly, and handed the floor to her.
Su Wanrou understood, a warm current and strength welling up in her heart. She straightened her posture, a graceful and gentle smile on her face, her clear gaze slowly sweeping over the people below, her voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the entire hall:
"I have called you all here today because I have some good news to share with you."
Upon hearing this, although the crowd below remained standing respectfully, their eyes lit up, and they exchanged knowing glances—it was indeed a joyous occasion!
Su Wanrou paused, feeling her husband's encouraging gaze beside her, and continued with a smile, "Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the love of my husband, the imperial physician diagnosed me yesterday, and I am nearly two months pregnant."
After the words were spoken, the hall fell silent for a moment, and then an immense joy exploded out like a heat wave!
"Congratulations, Your Excellency! Congratulations, Your Excellency!"
"What a joyous occasion! Congratulations, masters!"
"May Buddha bless us, our Duke's mansion will soon have a young master!"
Congratulations and joyful chatter filled the air. Every face beamed with genuine smiles. The Duke was over thirty, with few children, and now his wife was pregnant. This was not only a joyous occasion for the head of the household, but also a momentous event concerning the future prosperity of the entire Duke's mansion! With their master's position secure, they, the servants who depended on the Duke's mansion for survival, would have even more reason to strive.
The eldest steward, Gu Zhong, was so excited that tears streamed down his face. He stepped forward first, lifting his robe to perform a grand salute: "This old servant congratulates the Duke and Madam! This is a great blessing for the entire household! This old servant... this old servant is truly overjoyed!" As one of the elders in the household, he had watched Gu Yangui grow up and witnessed everything that happened after Su Wanrou entered the household, so his joy at this moment was the most genuine.
"Please rise, Steward Gu." Su Wanrou offered a slight gesture of support and smiled, "Over the years, the manor has relied heavily on your and everyone's hard work. Now that this joyous occasion has arrived, we will certainly need your continued support in the future."
As she spoke, she looked at Gu Yangui. Gu Yangui understood and said in a deep voice, "The Madam's pregnancy is a matter of utmost importance to the Duke's mansion. Pass on my message that all servants in the mansion, regardless of rank, will receive double their monthly wages this month, plus a new set of clothes and a meal of wine and meat!"
"Thank you, Duke! Thank you, Madam, for your kindness!" The crowd expressed their gratitude in unison, their voices loud and cheerful.
Su Wanrou added, "Wang Mama, Qingdai, later you should distribute the reward money and new clothes fabric according to the roster. Also, tell the kitchen to add extra dishes to each room and courtyard for dinner tonight, so that everyone can have a good time."
"Yes, Madam!" Granny Wang and Qingdai quickly replied, their faces beaming with smiles.
Gu Yangui watched as Su Wanrou methodically arranged the rewards, her words gentle yet possessing an undeniable air of authority, filling him with admiration and pride. His beloved was already a capable matriarch of the Duke's mansion.
The good news spread like wildfire throughout the Duke's mansion. From the main courtyard to the kitchen, from the stables to the garden, joyful laughter filled the air. The maids chattered excitedly about how much reward they would receive and what new clothes they would have made; the older women chanted Buddhist prayers, marveling at the lady's kind heart and good fortune; the guards and servants also wore happy expressions, congratulating each other.
Even Mingxuan, who was at school, immediately felt this unusually cheerful atmosphere when he returned home for lunch.
"Father, Mother, is there some good news in the manor? Everyone looks so happy." Mingxuan ran in with his short legs, looking at his parents curiously.
Su Wanrou smiled and pulled him to her side, asking softly, "Mingxuan, do you like little brothers or sisters?"
Mingxuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately nodded vigorously: "I like it! Mother, are you going to give me a little brother or sister?" He remembered what his mother had told him before.
"Yes." Su Wanrou patted his head. "Mingxuan is going to be a big brother. Aren't you happy?"
"Happy!" Mingxuan cheered and jumped into Su Wanrou's arms, but he was careful not to pull too hard. He looked up at her with his little face and said earnestly, "Mother, I will be a good older brother! I will protect my younger brothers and sisters and share all my toys with them!"
Looking at his son's sensible appearance, Gu Yangui felt comforted. He picked him up and placed him on his lap, saying gently, "Good, Mingxuan is a man. In the future, you will help your father protect your mother and younger siblings."
"Yes!" Mingxuan nodded vigorously, his little face full of a serious sense of responsibility.
The family of three enjoyed their lunch together in a harmonious atmosphere, with laughter and cheerful conversation filling the room.
In the afternoon, people arrived at the palace. First came the head eunuch of the Empress, who brought the Empress's edict and a large number of rewards, which were nothing more than precious medicinal materials for pregnancy and health, silks and satins, jewelry and trinkets, etc. He also conveyed the Empress's decree that Su Wanrou should take good care of herself during her pregnancy and not be bound by formalities. If needed, she could send a token to the palace at any time.
Immediately afterwards, His Majesty the Emperor also sent someone to bestow upon him a plaque inscribed with the words "Fortune, Longevity, Health and Peace" written in his own hand, as well as one hundred taels of gold and one hundred bolts of brocade, to show the Emperor's boundless grace.
The noble families who were on good terms with Su Wanrou, such as the wife of the Marquis of Yongting and the wife of the Duke of Yingguo, also sent congratulatory gifts. For a time, carriages and horses streamed in and out of the Zhenguo Duke's mansion, making it a bustling and prosperous place.
Accompanied by Gu Yangui, Su Wanrou calmly dealt with the congratulatory guests. Her demeanor was proper, and her speech was generous. She was neither arrogant because of the great favor she received, nor was she timid because of her youth. She won unanimous praise from all the people who came to offer their congratulations.
As night fell, the Duke's mansion, which had been bustling all day, finally quieted down.
Inside the bedroom, red candles burned brightly. Su Wanrou looked at the various congratulatory gifts piled up on the table and bed, let out a soft sigh, her face showing a hint of weariness, but more so a sense of satisfaction and happiness from being recognized.
Gu Yangui walked behind her, gently put his arm around her waist, rested his chin on the top of her head, and whispered, "Are you tired? You've had a hard day."
Su Wanrou leaned against him, relaxed, and shook her head, her voice soft: "It's not tiring, I'm happy." She turned around, looked up at him, and said, "Husband, I feel... we really have a home now, a complete home, blessed by everyone."
Gu Yangui's heart was touched in the softest place. He lowered his head and placed a solemn kiss on her smooth forehead.
“Yes, we have it,” he replied in a deep voice, tightening his arms around her. “This is just the beginning, Jiaojiao. There will be much more joy to come.”
Outside the window, a young maid from some courtyard was still humming a cheerful tune. Red lanterns hanging throughout the mansion emitted a warm and peaceful glow in the night.
The entire household rejoiced, and the cheers never ceased. This joy, permeating every corner of the Duke's mansion, was not only for the arrival of the new life, but also for the fact that this family had finally ushered in its most complete and solid foundation. The road ahead is long, but at this moment, there is only abundant warmth and hope, enough to illuminate the cold winter.
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