Chapter 82: Returning Home to Visit Relatives
The third day after Gu Yangui's triumphant return was an auspicious day, suitable for travel, meeting friends, and returning home.
Early in the morning, the area in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion became lively. Servants methodically loaded various gifts that had been prepared beforehand onto the carriages. Silks and satins, rare antiques, precious medicinal herbs, and the latest pastries... the gifts were dazzling and filled five or six small carriages with blue curtains, making quite a grand display and demonstrating the importance that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion attached to this homecoming.
Su Wanrou had dressed up specially for today, maintaining the dignified bearing of a Duchess while exuding the warmth of returning to her maternal home. She wore a primrose-colored brocade robe embroidered with magnolia blossoms, paired with a moon-white brocade skirt. Her hair was styled in a gentle updo, adorned with a pair of red-gold and kingfisher feather butterfly hairpins and a few fresh jasmine blossoms. Pearl earrings dangled from her ears. Her overall demeanor was elegant and noble, yet not overbearing; instead, she possessed a gentle beauty that soothed the soul. Gu Yangui, on the other hand, wore a dark blue silk robe with cloud and floral patterns. He lacked the fierce aura of the battlefield, but possessed the refined elegance of a noble young master. However, his imposing presence still commanded respect.
Mingxuan was dressed exceptionally smartly today, in a bright blue brocade robe, looking like a New Year's picture doll. He was led by his wet nurse, curiously watching the busy servants.
"Is everything ready?" Gu Yangui walked to Su Wanrou's side and asked in a low voice.
"Yes, I've checked everything against the list." Su Wanrou nodded, looking up at him with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness in her eyes. Although this was a triumphant homecoming, it was, after all, her first formal return to the Yongchang Marquis's residence as the Duchess of the State since her marriage, and facing her parents and relatives, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Gu Yangui seemed to sense her thoughts, and reached out to gently tidy up her non-existent stray hairs by her temples with a soothing gesture: "Don't be nervous, I'm here for you."
Those few simple words acted like a reassuring pill, instantly calming Su Wanrou's heart. She smiled sweetly at him and nodded.
The old lady personally escorted Su Wanrou to the second gate, holding her hand and giving her a few more instructions: "Go back and give my regards to your parents, tell them to rest assured that you are doing well in our family." She then said to Gu Yangui, "Yangui, take good care of your wife."
"Grandmother, rest assured," Gu Yangui replied respectfully.
The group then boarded their carriages. At the head of the procession was Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou's luxurious, ornate carriage with red wheels and a canopy, spacious and magnificent, with Mingxuan accompanying them. Behind them followed carriages loaded with gifts and guards and servants. The grand procession passed through the streets in the early morning, heading towards the Yongchang Marquis's residence.
At the Yongchang Marquis's residence, the main gate was wide open early on, and the entire household eagerly awaited their arrival. The Yongchang Marquis, Su Zhan, along with his wife, Su Wanrou's elder brother and sister-in-law, her unmarried younger sister, and a host of prominent relatives, were all dressed in their finest attire and waiting in front of the gate.
Seeing the imposing procession and grand convoy representing the Zhenguo Duke's mansion from afar, Su Zhan was filled with mixed emotions. He hadn't been without worries when his daughter was betrothed to the Zhenguo Duke, who was fifteen years her senior and had an adopted son, as his second wife; he feared she might suffer hardship at a young age. Now, it seemed the Duke valued his daughter greatly, and the pomp and circumstance of this homecoming spoke volumes.
The convoy came to a smooth stop. Servants quickly arranged the footstools. The curtain was lifted, and the first to appear was Gu Yangui, dressed in noble attire. He alighted first, then turned around and, without delegating to anyone else, personally reached out and carefully helped Su Wanrou down. That helping hand, though natural, was extremely caring, putting the Su family members at ease.
Then, the wet nurse carried Mingxuan out of the car. As soon as little Mingxuan got off the ground, he obediently stood next to Su Wanrou and took her hand in his.
"Your son-in-law greets your father-in-law and mother-in-law." Gu Yangui stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Su Zhan and his wife, and gave them ample face with a humble attitude.
Su Wanrou also bowed down, following Yingying's lead: "Daughter greets Father and Mother." Her voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.
"Get up, get up!" Madam Su's eyes were already red-rimmed. She stepped forward and helped her daughter up, looking her over. Seeing that her daughter's complexion was rosy and her eyes were relaxed and happy, without a trace of sorrow or reluctance, and that her clothes and demeanor were completely different from before, Madam Su's heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, finally settled down. She said repeatedly, "Good, good, my darling has really grown up..."
Su Zhan, also beaming, quickly said to Gu Yangui, "Your Highness, you must be tired from your journey. Please come inside and have a chat."
The crowd ushered them into the mansion and into the main hall. According to etiquette, Gu Yangui, as a Duke of the highest rank, should have been seated in the place of honor. However, he insisted that Su Zhan and his wife sit in the main seats, while he and Su Wanrou sat at the head of the table below. Mingxuan sat obediently next to Su Wanrou, curiously observing his unfamiliar grandparents' home.
A servant served fragrant tea. Although Gu Yangui didn't say much, his demeanor was refined, and he showed great respect for Su Zhan and his wife. When he inquired about the situation at home, his tone was gentle. Su Wanrou, on the other hand, chatted quietly with her mother, sisters-in-law, and younger sisters, asking about trivial matters at home. Her words revealed that she was living a comfortable life in the Duke's mansion, with a kind mother-in-law, a considerate husband, and well-behaved children.
Madam Su held her daughter's hand and asked her many questions. She was delighted to hear how kind the old lady was, how respectful the Duke was to her, and how he gradually entrusted her with managing the household affairs. She was also pleased to hear how close Mingxuan was to her. Tears welled up in her eyes again, but this time they were tears of joy.
"Seeing Jiaojiao doing so well, I can finally rest easy," Madam Su said, patting her daughter's hand and choking back tears.
After exchanging pleasantries, Madam Su led the women to the back courtyard for a private conversation, leaving the men in the front hall. When they arrived at Su Wanrou's unmarried room, it remained exactly as it had been, spotless and immaculate.
After dismissing the servants, leaving only the mother, daughter, and her trusted nanny, Madam Su pulled her daughter to sit on the couch and asked more private questions: "Jiaojiao, how well do you get along with the Duke? Does he treat you well?"
Su Wanrou naturally understood what her mother was asking. Two blushes rose on her cheeks, and she nodded with her eyes lowered. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz but clearly audible: "My husband... treats his daughter very well." Recalling Gu Yangui's usual care and tenderness when they were alone, the sweetness in her eyes was almost overflowing.
Madam Su, being an experienced woman, could tell from her daughter's expression that the couple's affection was deep and genuine, not just for show. Her last shred of doubt vanished, and she was overjoyed: "That's good, that's good! It's truly a blessing from the Bodhisattva! Back then… Mother was worried… but now I can finally relax. The Duke is a man of great loyalty and affection; you must serve your husband well, be filial to your mother-in-law, raise your children well, and fulfill your duties, so as not to waste this blessing."
"I understand, daughter," Su Wanrou replied obediently.
The atmosphere in the front hall was also very harmonious. Although Gu Yangui held a high position and wielded great power, he did not put on airs with his father-in-law and brother-in-law. When discussing current affairs, his insights were unique yet not arrogant, which greatly benefited Su Zhan and his son, who were filled with admiration. When Su Zhan inquired about the border war, Gu Yangui picked out some things to talk about and briefly touched upon them, expressing his appreciation for his soldiers and Su Wanrou's support in the capital.
"My daughter is young, and if she does anything inappropriate, I hope the Duke will forgive her," Su Zhan said sincerely.
Gu Yangui put down his teacup, his expression serious: "Father-in-law, you flatter me. Although Wanrou is young, she is intelligent and sensible, and she manages the household well. She has put the whole household in order and treats Mingxuan as her own son, taking good care of him. It is my good fortune to have her as my wife."
These words made Su Zhan very happy, and he nodded repeatedly.
The luncheon was held in a waterside pavilion and was extremely lavish. During the meal, Gu Yangui took meticulous care of Su Wanrou, serving her dishes and adding soup with natural ease, as if he had done it a thousand times before. Mingxuan also behaved very well and politely, calling her "Grandpa" and "Grandma" repeatedly, which melted the hearts of the two elders of the Su family, and they began to genuinely love this nominal grandson.
After the banquet, they talked for quite a while. As the sun began to set, Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou got up to say goodbye.
The Su family saw her off to the gate, where they bid each other another reluctant farewell. Madam Su held her daughter's hand, giving her countless words of advice. Su Zhan then said to Gu Yangui, "When you have time in the future, bring Jiaojiao back for visits often."
"Definitely." Gu Yangui nodded in agreement.
The carriage slowly started moving, driving away from the Yongchang Marquis's residence. Through the carriage window, Su Wanrou watched her parents and relatives gradually blur in the distance. Though her eyes held a hint of sorrow at parting, they also held a deep sense of peace and happiness. She knew that after this incident, her parents would no longer need to worry about her.
Inside the car, Mingxuan, having played all day, leaned against his wet nurse, dozing off. Gu Yangui held Su Wanrou's hand and asked softly, "Are you at ease now?"
Su Wanrou grasped his warm hand in return, gently resting her head on his shoulder, her voice soft and sweet, full of dependence and contentment: "Mmm. Thank you, my husband."
Today he gave her and her family a great deal of face, and she was deeply grateful for his thoughtfulness.
Gu Yangui put his arm around her shoulder to make her more comfortable, a slight smile playing on his lips. The afterglow of the setting sun streamed into the car, bathing their intertwined figures in a warm golden light.
Her return to her parents' home for the family visit was a complete success. Her glory was his honor. And this dignity, which he had personally provided for her, would surely earn her a more secure position in the Duke's mansion and deeper affection in the future.
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