Chapter 138: My Wife Wanrou
The news brought back by Gu Yangui was like a calming stone thrown into the tranquil lake of the Duke's mansion; the ripples, though gentle, were enough to soothe all undercurrents and anxieties. Su Wanrou's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, finally settled completely. That favor, promised by the Emperor himself, gave her more peace of mind and strength than any elixir.
For the next two days, the Duke's mansion was peaceful and serene. Under Gu Yangui's almost strict "supervision," Su Wanrou rested peacefully, her diet and medicine meticulously prepared. Imperial Physician Lin checked her pulse daily, his smile growing increasingly relaxed, stating that the lady's health had been properly restored, and her recovery was far faster than expected. The little life that had arrived in the storm had shed its initial redness and wrinkles, becoming fair and adorable. Its pair of dark eyes, so like Gu Yangui's, could already subtly capture light and shadow as it moved, captivating Su Wanrou's gaze.
Xiao Mingxuan became a frequent visitor to Ninghui Courtyard. The first thing he did after school was to run to see his mother and younger brother. He now called her "Mother" with perfect ease, his filial affection overflowing. Sometimes he would lie by the cradle, whispering stories of school to his brother, or clumsily tease him with a rattle drum. His careful yet joyful demeanor melted Su Wanrou's heart. Gu Yangui, though still not a man of many words, spent significantly more time in the inner courtyard, and mostly handled official business in the outer study, just so he could see his wife and children more often. He would hold his infant son, his movements becoming more practiced than initially stiff. Watching the tiny bundle sleeping peacefully in his arms, his stern expression would soften, revealing the tenderness of a father.
The servants in the manor keenly sensed this change. The Duke's high regard for his wife, demonstrated by the harrowing events of the past few days and his current hands-on approach to everything, was now beyond question. The steward, Gu Zhong, thoroughly implemented the directive of "putting the lady first in everything," ensuring the manor's affairs ran smoothly and no one dared to be negligent. A solid and warm sense of community was quietly taking shape in this prestigious residence.
On the morning of the third day, just as dawn was breaking, the tranquility of the capital's streets was shattered by the crisp, rapid sound of hooves. Several palace guards escorted a eunuch carrying a bright yellow scroll, crossing the street and stopping in front of the imposing gates of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
"Imperial edict arrives—Duke Gu, after his banquet, and his family, receive the edict!"
The gatekeeper, already given instructions, immediately opened the main gate wide upon seeing this, sending someone to announce the arrival while respectfully welcoming the angel into the mansion. An incense table was set up almost instantly in the courtyard of the main hall, incense smoke curling upwards.
In the inner courtyard, Su Wanrou had just finished washing up and was having breakfast with Gu Yangui. Upon hearing the news, she remained calm. She looked at Gu Yangui, a questioning look in her eyes. Gu Yangui put down his silver chopsticks, took her hand, and nodded steadily: "It's time. Don't be afraid, I'm here for you." He had already anticipated that the imperial decree would be issued in the next two days.
Su Wanrou took a deep breath, suppressing the slight nervousness arising from the formal occasion. With the help of her maid, she quickly changed into the grand dress befitting a Duchess. She wore a scarlet silk robe embroidered with phoenixes and phoenixes, a deep blue shawl, and adorned with pearls and jade. Although her face was still somewhat pale due to postpartum weakness, the calm demeanor between her brows and the brilliance in her eyes were enough to support the weight of this magnificent attire. Gu Yangui also changed into his Duke's court robes, the black silk fabric embroidered with a majestic qilin badge, which further accentuated his upright posture and imposing presence.
The couple walked hand in hand into the courtyard of the main hall. Little Mingxuan, dressed neatly by his wet nurse, was brought along and stood respectfully beside his parents. All the prominent stewards and servants of the household knelt in the courtyard according to their rank, holding their breath in solemn silence; the atmosphere was dignified and respectful.
The eunuch delivering the decree had a solemn expression. His gaze swept over Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou, who were kneeling at the front, lingering for a moment on Su Wanrou, a hint of barely perceptible admiration flashing in his eyes. Then, he slowly unfurled the bright yellow silk in his hand and read aloud in a clear and penetrating voice:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"I have heard that to govern a country, one must first regulate one's family; only when the family is regulated can the world be at peace. The relationship between husband and wife is the beginning of human relations and the source of social order. You, Duke Gu Yangui, are a descendant of meritorious officials and a pillar of the state. You are inherently loyal and brave, and your family is renowned for its strategic acumen. In battle, you swiftly defeat the enemy; in court, you maintain order and stability. Previously, when the northern barbarians invaded, you were given command of the army and led the campaign, achieving great success and bringing peace to the borders. I am very pleased with you. Your merits have been recorded in the imperial archives and rewards have been distributed to the court officials. This is a clear reward for your dedication to the country."
The opening act, praising Gu Yangui's military achievements, was customary and served as a prelude. The people in the courtyard listened attentively, heads bowed, knowing the main event was yet to come.
Sure enough, the eunuch paused slightly, raised his voice a little, and turned to the core issue:
"However, I especially cherish this memory: the soldiers serve their country on the frontier, and truly rely on the assistance of virtuous women within the home. Your wife, Lady Su, is gentle and graceful, born into a distinguished family, and well-versed in traditional lady-in-waiting virtues from a young age. She is beautiful, intelligent, and kind by nature. Since marrying into your Gu family lineage, she has fulfilled her duties as a wife, diligently managing the household. She serves her elders with filial piety and cares for her descendants with kindness. She assists her husband with righteous principles and maintains harmony within the family with benevolence and forgiveness. Her chastity and tranquility are exemplary, and her wisdom and virtue are a model for others."
"In particular, when you were away on a military expedition, the Su family single-handedly held the fort, remaining calm and composed, ensuring peace both inside and outside the home, so that you had no worries and could concentrate on military affairs. When she heard news of the dangers at the border, although she was six months pregnant and filled with fear and anxiety, she was still able to remain calm and manage the household, ultimately turning the danger into safety. When she went into labor, she endured many hardships and dangers, almost losing her own body, but finally gave birth to a son, continuing your family line. She is not only a beautiful woman from the inner chambers, but also possesses the qualities of a true woman, loyal, diligent, and righteous, a model worthy of admiration!"
This praise of Su Wanrou was the highest form of admiration. Phrases like "single-handedly upholding the family," "remaining calm in the face of adversity," "possessing the qualities of a true gentleman," and "loyal, diligent, and righteous" far surpassed the usual formulaic praise for a noblewoman, elevating her actions to a level related to national affairs and loyalty. Kneeling below, Su Wanrou listened to each word, a warm current flowing through her heart, her eyes slightly moist. She knew this was not only the Emperor's golden words, but also the affirmation that Gu Yangui had painstakingly secured for her in his memorial.
The eunuch continued reading, his voice growing louder and louder:
"As for raising Gu Mingxuan, the orphan of a loyal martyr, Su treated him as her own son, teaching and protecting him with kindness that surpassed even that of her own children. This allowed the orphan to find a loving mother, and the loyal minister and general could rest in peace. Her loving heart is a model for the world."
The text mentions Mingxuan and explicitly affirms Su Wanrou's role and achievements as a mother. Little Mingxuan, kneeling beside her, seemed to understand, and straightened his posture even more.
"Having thoroughly examined the facts, how could I allow any concealment? Therefore, I hereby bestow this special favor to recognize your virtuous character:"
"First, Lady Su is gentle and virtuous, a match for a gentleman, and has made great contributions to the country. She is hereby promoted to the title of 'Lady of Superior Rank, Chaste and Respectful,' and bestowed with an imperial edict, which will further enhance the glory of her family."
The mere mention of the title "Superior Rank" caused even the seasoned and composed stewards kneeling before her to visibly tremble. A noblewoman's rank usually followed that of her husband or son; while a Duchess was already of extremely high status, "Superior Rank" was an additional, symbolic honor, signifying her exceptional position among noblewomen, second only to princesses and royal consorts—an extremely rare honor in the court. The words "Chaste and Respectful" were the highest summary and praise of her character.
"Second, as requested by the Duke of Zhenguo, his adopted son Gu Mingxuan, a descendant of a loyal and valiant man, is intelligent and worthy of emulation. He shall be formally registered under the name of Lady Zhenjing, née Su, and shall enjoy the status and treatment of a legitimate son. He shall be recorded in the family genealogy to comfort the loyal soul and to fulfill the grace of his benevolence."
"Third, the eldest son of the Duke of Zhenguo (named Daici) was born to Lady Su, the Lady of Zhenjing, amidst hardship and danger. He is of strong lineage and auspicious sign. His status as the eldest son should be clearly established and recorded in the genealogy to ensure the perpetuity of the clan."
The three imperial edicts, each carrying significant weight, clearly defined the status and position of Su Wanrou and her two sons, leaving no room for ambiguity.
"Alas! The glory of the nation, the honor of the village. May you be ever more diligent and respectful, and forever enjoy blessings and good fortune. Assist your father, lest the achievements of your predecessors be monopolized; instruct your children, so that they may become virtuous successors. Respect this!"
The emperor's final words of encouragement conveyed his expectations for the family.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Gu Yangui kowtowed first, his voice steady and powerful. Su Wanrou followed closely behind, leading Mingxuan and everyone in the mansion to express their gratitude in unison, their voices echoing through the courtyard.
The eunuch, beaming with smiles, closed the imperial edict and respectfully handed it to Gu Yangui: "Congratulations, Duke! Congratulations, Lady Zhenjing! His Majesty's favor towards the Duke's mansion is truly admirable!"
Gu Yangui accepted the imperial edict and handed it to Gu Zhong, who was standing beside him, to hold it respectfully. Only then did he and Su Wanrou rise together. A rare smile appeared on his usually stern face as he cupped his hands to the eunuch and said, "Thank you for your trouble, eunuch. Please come inside and have some tea."
"Your Excellency is too kind. I must return to the palace to report, so I will not trouble you any further." The eunuch declined with a smile, but then said to Su Wanrou, "Madam Zhenjing, His Majesty and the Empress have specifically instructed that you take good care of yourself. Once you are fully recovered, the Empress would like to summon you to the palace for a talk."
Su Wanrou slightly curtsied, her demeanor graceful: "Your Majesty and Your Highness thank you for your kind concern. I will certainly obey your decree."
After the procession delivering the imperial edict left, the suppressed excitement within the Duke's mansion instantly erupted. Servants rushed forward to congratulate the Duke and his wife, their faces beaming with pride. This imperial edict not only solidified the mistress's unshakeable position but also brought honor to all the servants of the Duke's mansion.
Gu Yangui ordered a generous reward for everyone in the mansion, which caused a great uproar.
Back at Ninghui Courtyard, Su Wanrou changed out of her heavy formal dress and into soft, everyday clothes. Sitting on the soft couch by the window, she looked at the bright yellow imperial edict that Gu Zhong had carefully placed on the main hall table, still feeling as if she were in a dream.
Gu Yangui dismissed the maidservants, walked over and sat down beside her, taking her hand in his: "Are you at ease now?"
Su Wanrou turned her head and looked into his deep eyes, where she saw relief, pride, and undisguised affection for her. She nodded heavily, a thousand words stuck in her throat, finally turning into only one sentence: "Husband, thank you." Thank you for his unwavering protection, thank you for giving her and the children a solid status and future.
Gu Yangui reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, letting her lean against his strong chest. His deep voice sounded above her head, carrying an undeniable promise: "Silly Jiaojiao, you are my lawfully wedded wife, the rightful mistress of this Duke's mansion. You deserve all of this. In the past... it was my oversight that caused you to suffer. From now on, it will never happen again."
He paused, his voice softening further: "His Majesty bestowed upon you the words 'chaste and respectful,' and in my heart, you deserve all the beautiful words in the world. My wife, Wanrou, you are wonderful, a thousand times better than I imagined."
The words "My wife Wanrou" uttered by him carried a solemn, almost declarative tenderness that moved Su Wanrou more than any praise in an imperial edict. She nestled in his arms, feeling his steady heartbeat, and felt an unprecedented sense of security and happiness.
Just then, the wet nurse came in carrying the little boy, who was full and in good spirits. The little guy opened his big, bright eyes and made "ee-ee-ya-ya" sounds.
Gu Yangui took his son from the wet nurse, held him carefully, and gently touched the child's soft cheek with a finger. The little guy actually reached out his little hand, grabbed his father's finger, and held it tightly.
Seeing this, Su Wanrou's face blossomed into an extremely gentle smile. She whispered, "Husband, we haven't named our child yet."
Gu Yangui looked down at his infant son in his arms, then up at his wife nestled beside him, and then at Mingxuan, who was studying diligently at school. His gaze was deep and full of expectation. He pondered for a moment and said, "My Gu family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, passing down our martial arts skills. But for the world to be at peace, we also need civil administration. I hope that our child will be both learned and skilled in martial arts, protecting the country and ensuring its peace, and also be reasonable and self-disciplined, bringing glory to our family. How about we name him 'Sheng'? Sheng means bright and prosperous. May he rise like the sun, with a bright future, and may our Gu family prosper even more because of him."
“Gu Sheng…” Su Wanrou murmured softly, her eyes sparkling, “Gu Sheng, what a good name! I like it very much.”
"Yes, then let's call him Gu Sheng." Gu Yangui decided on the name, looking at his son in his arms, his tone firm, "My eldest son, Gu Yangui's son, will certainly live up to this name."
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the family of three in warmth and brightness. The glory of the imperial decree still echoed in their ears, but a more real happiness was held in their hands and flowed through their hearts. Their titles were set, their love deepened with each passing day, and a new chapter for the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was slowly unfolding its most splendid page, accompanied by the resounding cry of their eldest son, Gu Sheng.
(End of Chapter 138)
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