Chapter 20: Husband's Praise
That dreamlike "Mother" was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples that lingered in Su Wanrou's heart for a long time. Holding the already sleeping Mingxuan in her arms, feeling the heavy sense of dependence in her embrace, a tear that she had been holding back finally slipped down and silently disappeared into the child's clothes.
She looked up at Gu Yangui. In the twilight, his face was somewhat blurred, but his eyes remained sharp and deep, as if they could see through all her emotions. He didn't speak, but simply looked back at her quietly. His gaze lacked its usual coldness, replaced by a complex, scrutinizing, yet subtly warm quality.
Su Wanrou lowered her eyelashes in a fluster, feeling that her sudden tears were really out of line and seemed like she was being pretentious. She quickly used her free hand to wipe away the wetness from the corner of her eyes, trying to make her voice sound as calm as usual: "Husband, Xuan'er is asleep. The night breeze is cool, so... shall we go back first?"
Gu Yangui's gaze lingered on her slightly reddened eyes for a moment before he stood up and said, "Okay."
He walked over and naturally reached out, not to pick up Mingxuan, but to firmly support Su Wanrou's arm, helping her stand up with the child in her arms. His palm was warm and strong, conveying an undeniable sense of support through her thin autumn shirt. With this support, Su Wanrou stood up, and her legs, which had been a little sore and numb from sitting for a long time and carrying the child, immediately felt much better.
On the way back, Gu Yangui didn't let her carry the child while walking. He gestured for the wet nurse who was following closely behind to come forward and carefully take the sleeping Mingxuan from her. Feeling a little lost as her arms went empty, Su Wanrou's hand unconsciously clenched slightly. Gu Yangui noticed this subtle movement but didn't say anything. He simply walked beside her, deliberately slowing his pace to accommodate her.
The night in Zhuangzi was exceptionally quiet, save for the chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the wind. The glow of the lanterns cast swaying shadows on the cobblestone path, making the figures of the two walking side by side appear longer and shorter. They walked in silence, but the atmosphere was not awkward; instead, it was filled with a tranquility that had settled after the hustle and bustle of the day.
After settling Mingxuan in the side room and instructing the wet nurse and maids to take good care of him, Su Wanrou returned to the main house. Gu Yangui was already sitting on the couch by the window, a freshly brewed cup of hot tea beside him, steaming gently. Seeing her enter, he raised his eyes and said, "You've had a long day, sit down and rest."
"Thank you, my husband." Su Wanrou sat down on the couch opposite him. Yun Que quietly served her hot tea and then tactfully withdrew, gently closing the door behind him.
Only the two of them remained in the room. The flickering candlelight illuminated Gu Yangui's sharply defined profile. He seemed lost in thought, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the warm rim of the teacup. Su Wanrou held the teacup, the warmth spreading from her palms, yet unable to dispel the unease in her heart. She wondered what he thought of that "Mother," whether he felt she was deliberately trying to win over the child, overstepping her bounds.
After a moment of silence, Gu Yangui finally spoke, his voice sounding particularly deep in the quiet night: "Thank you for your hard work today."
Su Wanrou quickly replied, "It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to play with Xuan'er."
“Hmm,” Gu Yangui responded, turning his gaze to her with a hint of scrutiny, but without displeasure. “Mingxuan is very happy today. I rarely see him so lively.”
Hearing him mention the child, Su Wanrou's tense nerves relaxed slightly, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on her face: "Xuan'er is naturally intelligent and lively, but perhaps he was a little lonely in the past. With companions by his side, he will naturally be more cheerful."
"You're very good at taking care of children." Gu Yangui said this casually, but it made Su Wanrou's heart skip a beat. It was his way of affirming her.
"I am young and have done many things poorly, but I have only treated him with a sincere heart." She lowered her head and said humbly, "I still need my husband to give me more guidance."
“Sincerity is the best.” Gu Yangui interrupted her self-deprecating words, his tone carrying an unquestionable tone. “Although the rules in the manor are strict, there is no need to be too rigid. Since Mingxuan is close to you, you can teach him in your own way. As long as he does not lose the manners of a Gu family member, a little liveliness is harmless.”
These words practically granted her immense autonomy and the right to raise Mingxuan! Su Wanrou looked up in surprise, meeting his deep eyes. He was clearly expressing his support for her and acknowledging her role as "mother."
"Husband..." She was momentarily at a loss for words to respond to this profound trust.
Gu Yangui looked at her slightly parted lips in surprise, and her almond-shaped eyes that appeared particularly moist in the candlelight, and his heart stirred slightly. He looked away, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then asked, "How did you feel walking around the estate today? Are you settling in well?"
Seeing that he had changed the subject, Su Wanrou breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "The estate is very nice, spacious and peaceful, and the people are very honest and kind. I noticed that the fields are neat and the crops are growing well, and the estate managers all seem diligent and conscientious." She paused, hesitated for a moment, and then recounted what she had seen that afternoon, "However... when I was strolling around with Xuan'er, we passed through a village where tenant farmers lived, and I saw several houses that were quite dilapidated, as if they had been neglected for many years. Now that it's autumn and the weather is getting chilly, I wonder how those tenant farmers keep warm in the winter..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yangui frowned slightly: "The head of the estate has not reported this matter."
Su Wanrou hurriedly said, "Perhaps I misread it, or perhaps a few families are just having a particularly difficult time. My husband is very busy with many affairs of state, and the estate manager may feel that such trivial matters are not worth troubling him."
Gu Yangui pondered for a moment and said, "I'll go and take a look before I return to the manor tomorrow." There was a deeper meaning in his gaze as he looked at Su Wanrou. "You are observant and can notice these things, that's good."
The repeated praises made Su Wanrou feel flattered, and her cheeks flushed slightly: "I was just mentioning it casually, and I don't deserve your praise, husband."
"As the mistress of the household, it is only natural for you to be aware of the situation of your subordinates." Gu Yangui's tone was no longer as calm as usual, but carried a solemnity that indicated that he truly regarded her as a partner. "In the future, you can keep an eye on the affairs of the manor, as well as the situation of the various estates and shops. If you feel that anything is amiss, speak directly to Gu An, or tell me."
"Yes, I understand." Su Wanrou felt a warm current flowing through her heart. This was not just praise, but also a delegation of authority, a true inclusion of her in the core management of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. She felt the responsibility on her shoulders grow heavier, but even more so, she felt a sense of security from being trusted and needed.
After exchanging a few more words about the arrangements for returning home the next day, the night grew deeper. Gu Yangui put down his teacup, stood up, and said, "It's getting late, let's get settled."
"Yes." Su Wanrou also quickly stood up. Every time she heard the word "arrangement," she couldn't help but feel a little nervous, especially after today's delicate atmosphere.
The maids came in to help her with her washing and dressing. Once everything was ready, the curtains were drawn, the candlelight dim, and only the two of them remained in the inner room. Su Wanrou, dressed in her nightgown, stood by the bed, somewhat flustered. Gu Yangui, however, did not immediately go to bed as usual, but instead walked over to her.
He was very tall; Su Wanrou only reached his shoulder. Enveloped in his shadow, she could clearly smell the fresh, clean scent of soap mixed with a faint masculine aroma emanating from him after his shower. Her heart began to pound faster involuntarily.
Gu Yangui looked down at her slightly lowered eyelids and trembling eyelashes, then suddenly reached out, not to hug her, but to gently brush her eyes, where she had shed tears that afternoon, with his fingertips.
The touch was cool and rough, the strength of a martial artist perfectly controlled. Su Wanrou stiffened, abruptly raising her head to meet his unfathomable eyes.
“Now that you’ve entered the Gu family, you’re a member of the Gu family.” His voice was low and slow, carrying a weighty promise. “Mingxuan is your child, and I… am your husband. There’s no need to be constantly fearful or cautious.”
His words were like a warm current, instantly dispelling all the unease and barriers in Su Wanrou's heart. She stared at him blankly, her eyes uncontrollably reddening again, but this time not because of grievance or sadness, but because of a huge, overwhelming feeling of being accepted.
"Husband..." she choked out, but could not say anything more.
Looking at the young woman before him, on the verge of tears, so different from the composed and attentive mistress of the manor he had been during the day, Gu Yangui was deeply moved. He said nothing more and gently pulled her into his arms.
This embrace was different from the unfamiliarity and intrusion of their wedding night, and also different from their occasional contact on ordinary days. Instead, it carried a gentle, comforting meaning. Su Wanrou buried her face in his firm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and her tense nerves finally relaxed completely. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently hugged his strong waist in return.
Sensing her response, Gu Yangui tightened his arms around her. The two embraced silently in the dim light of the tent, their silence speaking volumes.
That night, Su Wanrou slept exceptionally well. Her dreams were no longer filled with the unease she felt upon first entering the manor, but rather with sunshine, orchards, the cheerful laughter of Mingxuan, and… a strong, warm embrace.
The next morning, after breakfast, the caravan prepared to return to the city. Before leaving, Gu Yangui indeed only took two attendants with him, riding to the tenant village mentioned by Su Wanrou. Su Wanrou stayed in the courtyard with Mingxuan.
Less than half an hour later, Gu Yangui returned, his expression as usual, but Su Wanrou keenly sensed that his aura was a bit colder than when he left. He didn't say much, only instructing the head steward to accompany him back to the manor, and gave other instructions.
On the return journey in the carriage, Mingxuan was as lively as ever, chattering about the interesting things that happened on the estate. Gu Yangui was more silent than when they arrived, occasionally responding to his son, but his gaze would often fall on Su Wanrou, deep in thought.
As the carriage entered the capital, the hustle and bustle returned. Nearing the Duke's mansion, Gu Yangui suddenly spoke to Su Wanrou: "You were right yesterday; those houses were indeed dilapidated, and there were elderly, weak, sick, and young people living there. The estate manager has certainly neglected his duties."
Su Wanrou's heart tightened, and she quickly said, "I didn't mean it..."
“You did the right thing.” Gu Yangui interrupted her, his tone certain. “If you hadn’t mentioned it, those tenants probably wouldn’t have survived this winter. I’ve already ordered the estate manager to start repairs immediately and allocated some money and grain from the public funds to help them through this difficult time. From now on, you need to carefully check the accounts reported by the various estates. If there are any doubts, you must investigate them thoroughly.”
"Yes, my husband," Su Wanrou replied solemnly. She knew that this was not only an affirmation of her judgment, but also the entrustment of a heavy responsibility to her.
Looking at her earnest little face, Gu Yangui suddenly felt that marrying this "little darling" might be the best decision he had made in recent years. She not only warmed Mingxuan's heart, but also seemed to gradually bring real life and...human warmth back to his long-desolate Duke's mansion.
The carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the Duke's mansion. Gu Yangui alighted first, and as he had done yesterday, reached out to help Su Wanrou down, his manner practiced and natural. The servants who had been waiting inside understood the Duke's treatment of his wife, and their respect only increased.
Mingxuan skipped down, holding Gu Yangui's hand in one hand and Su Wanrou's hand in the other, and happily walked towards the mansion: "Let's go home! Father, Mother, shall we go to the estate again tomorrow?"
Gu Yangui looked down at his son, then glanced at Su Wanrou beside him, who was smiling gently. A faint but genuine smile appeared on his usually cold and hard lips.
"Yes, I'll go again when I have the chance."
The sight of the family of three entering the mansion hand in hand was witnessed by many observant people. From this day forward, the world of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion seemed truly different. And Su Wanrou knew that a new chapter in her life had truly begun with that cry of "Mother" and her husband's weighty praise.
End of Chapter 20
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