Chapter 100: A Place of Peace of Mind
After the hustle and bustle, what remains is a long and peaceful happiness.
After seeing off the last group of guests who came to offer their congratulations and properly arranging the mountain of gifts, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion finally returned to its usual tranquility. However, this tranquility was quietly permeated with a warm joy unlike any other, like a perpetually burning underground dragon in winter, radiating a comforting warmth to every corner of the mansion.
At dinner time, the dining hall was brightly lit. The dishes were more refined than usual, but also more focused on being light and nourishing. Gu Yangui had specifically instructed the kitchen to reduce the amount of oily and meaty dishes and add several sweet and sour dishes and refreshing soups that Su Wanrou had recently been enjoying.
Mingxuan sat on his little chair, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the dishes on the table. However, he did not rush to pick up his chopsticks as usual. Instead, he first looked cautiously at Su Wanrou, and then at Gu Yangui, his little face showing a solemn expression that imitated an adult.
"Mother, you eat first," he said in his childish voice, pointing with his little finger to the plate of steamed sea bass. "Granny Wang said that eating fish is good for younger brothers and sisters."
Su Wanrou's heart was instantly filled with warmth and tenderness at her son's thoughtful gesture. She picked up a piece of the freshest fish belly meat with her chopsticks, carefully removed the almost non-existent tiny bones, and placed it in Mingxuan's small bowl, saying softly with a smile, "Thank you, Mingxuan. You're such a good boy. Here, eat more fish so you can grow up to be even smarter."
Mingxuan blushed with pride after receiving the praise, nodded vigorously, and then picked up his little spoon to eat with relish.
Gu Yangui observed all of this, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He didn't say anything, but silently placed the sweet and sour lotus root that Su Wanrou liked onto the plate in front of her, and then ladled a small bowl of steaming yam and pork rib soup and placed it beside her.
No words were needed; every subtle movement at the dinner table, every exchange of glances, conveyed silent love and tacit understanding. The flickering candlelight illuminated the peaceful silhouettes of the family of three, and the gentle clinking of bowls and chopsticks, along with Mingxuan's occasional childlike questions, wove together the most beautiful melody of family in the world.
After dinner, Gu Yangui, as usual, tested Mingxuan on his lessons. The little guy had a good memory, reciting the Thousand Character Classic taught by his teacher word for word, and even proudly recounted some interesting things that happened at school. Gu Yangui, unusually, didn't put on a stern face, but listened patiently, occasionally correcting a pronunciation or two, his eyes filled with the gentle warmth of a father.
After the wet nurse took Mingxuan, who was tired from playing and started to yawn, away to rest, only Gu Yangui and Su Wanrou remained in the inner room.
The maids had already prepared hot water, and steam rose from behind the screen. Su Wanrou emerged from her bath, dressed in a moon-white soft satin nightgown, her long hair, still damp, cascading down her back, exuding a faint fragrance of soap and jasmine hair oil. She walked to the dressing table, picked up a jade comb, and was about to comb her long hair when a large, well-defined hand took the comb from her.
In the bronze mirror, Gu Yangui's tall figure was reflected. He stood behind her, gently combing her long hair with focused attention, as if handling a rare treasure. His fingertips occasionally brushed against her scalp, bringing a slight, ticklish shiver.
"Husband, let Qingdai do it," Su Wanrou said softly, a little embarrassed. Since she became pregnant, Gu Yangui had tended to do many of the personal chores himself.
"It's alright." Gu Yangui's voice was deep and steady. "I enjoy combing your hair."
The comb's teeth brushed against his cascading black hair, a tranquil atmosphere flowing between them. Su Wanrou looked at his focused eyes through the mirror; his sharp features appeared exceptionally soft in the candlelight. She suddenly recalled the awkwardness and distance between them when she first entered the manor. Back then, she never dared to imagine that one day, this dignified and aloof Duke would indulge in such intimate pleasures as drawing her eyebrows.
The world is full of wonders. One sincere heart was reciprocated with the complete trust of another sincere heart.
As he combed her long hair, Gu Yangui didn't put down the comb. Instead, he gently ran his fingers through her hair, his gaze falling on her still flat stomach. There, their shared bloodline was growing, the fruit of their love, and the hope for their future.
"Are you tired today?" he asked, his voice filled with obvious tenderness.
Su Wanrou gently shook her head, placing her hand on her lower abdomen, where she seemed to feel a strange, faint warmth. She looked up at Gu Yangui in the mirror, a satisfied and serene smile spreading across her lips: "Not tired at all, my heart is full, I'm too busy being happy to feel tired."
She paused, her voice growing softer, carrying a dreamlike, wistful emotion: "My husband, I just feel... how wondrous. Is there really a little life here? What does he/she look like now? Will he/she look like you or like me?"
Gu Yangui put down the comb, gently wrapped his arms around her from behind, and carefully placed his large hands on her hands, which were clasped together on her lower abdomen, forming a double protective gesture. He rested his chin on the top of her head, feeling the real warmth and soft breathing of the person in his arms.
"The imperial physician said that he is still very young, like a small bean." His voice carried a rare, almost clumsy tenderness. "No matter who he resembles, he will definitely be the best child in the world."
Su Wanrou was amused by his rare "clumsiness," leaning back slightly to rest completely in his strong, warm embrace. Outside, a biting wind blew, but inside, it was as warm as spring. The candlelight crackled, casting their shadows on the wall, closely intertwined and inseparable.
“My husband,” she called softly, her voice filled with peace and reliance, “I feel so secure.”
Yes, it felt reassuring. This sense of security came from the mountain-like, reliable love and care of the man beside her, from Mingxuan's trusting, clear eyes, from the heartfelt respect and joy of the servants in the household, and from the sincere concern of the elders far away.
This Duke's mansion, which she once found empty and unfamiliar, had somehow become a place of peace and comfort, a haven where she could completely relax and let down her guard. It was no longer just "the Duke's mansion," but her "home."
“Before, I was always afraid that I wouldn’t do well, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to shoulder the responsibilities of a Duchess, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to teach Mingxuan well, afraid… that I wouldn’t be worthy of my husband’s love.” She whispered the unease that had been hidden deep in her heart. “But now, I’m not afraid anymore. Because I know that no matter what happens, my husband will be by my side, Mingxuan will be my child, and this family is my root.”
Gu Yangui tightened his arms, pulling her even closer into his embrace. His Jiaojiao, seemingly fragile, possessed such a resilient and insightful heart. She felt everything he gave her, and transformed that feeling into an even deeper love and sense of belonging.
"This will always be your home." He promised in a deep voice, each word resounding. "I, Mingxuan, and our future children are all your family. You, Su Wanrou, are my lawfully wedded wife, the rightful and unique mistress of this Duke's mansion."
These words, like the most solemn vow, completely soothed the last ripple in Su Wanrou's heart. She closed her eyes, feeling this heavy happiness, her eyes slightly moist, but not with sadness, but overflowing with joy.
After a long while, Gu Yangui picked her up and carried her to the bed. His movements were extremely steady and gentle, as if he were holding a fragile treasure. He carefully placed her in the warm quilt, then lay down himself, as usual, and pulled her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his arm.
Su Wanrou instinctively found the most comfortable position in his arms, one hand still unconsciously resting on her lower abdomen. Sleepiness gradually crept in, her consciousness began to blur, but a sweet smile still lingered on her lips.
In a hazy state, she seemed to feel a warm, large hand, extremely gentle, with a hint of probing and immense tenderness, covering the back of her hand resting on her lower abdomen, and not moving away for a long time.
At that moment, without even opening her eyes, she could imagine her husband's expression—a genuine, clumsy joy and boundless tenderness, revealing the truest side of him after shedding all his cold, hard exterior.
Home is where the heart finds peace.
Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, falls silently, guarding the peace and harmony of this room. The third volume, "Our Harmonious Family," draws to a close amidst this exquisitely warm scene. And new expectations and new stories have already been quietly sown in the gently budding life within it.
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