Chapter 8: Morning Greetings
Su Wanrou woke up in a state of extreme warmth yet strange sense of constraint.
Before she could fully regain consciousness, she first felt herself enveloped in a steady warmth, and a crisp, refreshing scent, like winter pine needles, lingered around her nose, mixed with a very faint aftertaste of alcohol. This was completely different from the warm, sweet incense that was usually in her bedroom; it carried an undeniable, aggressive quality.
She shifted slightly, somewhat dazed, only to find herself tightly embraced. Her cheek was pressed against cool, smooth silk, but beneath it she could feel the firm, warm contours of a body. A heavy arm was wrapped around her waist, with an unyielding strength.
Memories flooded my mind like a tidal wave—the grand wedding, the boisterous banquet, the brightly lit bridal chamber, those deep, scrutinizing eyes, the suffocating intimacy, and finally… that unexpected, tear-stained, peaceful sleep.
She actually slept in the arms of Duke Gu Yangui all night!
This realization instantly jolted Su Wanrou awake, her cheeks flushing red and her heart pounding erratically. She abruptly opened her eyes, only to be met with a dark red canopy and the sleeping face of the man so close to her.
Gu Yangui seemed still asleep. The first rays of dawn filtered through the window lattice and heavy curtains, casting dappled light and shadow on his face. Gone was the daytime's coldness and majesty; in his sleep, his brows softened, though his jawline remained sharply defined. His breathing was steady and long, his warm breath gently brushing against her forehead.
Su Wanrou didn't dare to breathe, her body stiff and motionless. This was the first time she had ever looked at her husband so closely and without any obstruction. His eyelashes were long, his nose was high and straight, his lips... She remembered the faint touch that had brushed against her forehead last night, and her face burned even hotter.
She carefully tried to move the arm that was across her waist. The arm was heavy and full of firm muscles. She used some strength and had only managed to lift it a little bit when the arm seemed to have its own will, and it closed up in dissatisfaction, pressing her even tighter against that warm chest.
"Mmm..." Caught off guard, Su Wanrou gasped softly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. The intense masculine scent assaulted her senses even more directly, making her dizzy.
A low, sleepy voice came from above: "Don't move."
His voice was hoarse and languid, completely different from his usual coldness, as if it had tiny hooks that scraped across Su Wanrou's heart. She immediately froze, like a cat whose neck had been pinched, daring not to make any further movement.
Gu Yangui didn't seem to be fully awake. He just instinctively tightened his arms and rubbed his chin against her soft hair to find a more comfortable position. His breathing then became even again.
Su Wanrou was forced to lie face down against his chest, the steady, powerful beat of his heart ringing in her ears, thump, thump, thump… each beat striking her eardrums, as if striking her heart. Time flowed slowly in the silence, the air inside the tent becoming ambiguous and thick. She could clearly feel the rise and fall of his chest, his body heat seeping through her thin undergarment, almost melting her.
This intimate position made her even more uneasy than last night. Last night she was filled with fear and trepidation, but now, in the morning light, lying clearly in the arms of a strange man, feeling the warmth of their skin touching, an indescribable shyness and panic entwined her heart like vines.
I don't know how much time passed, maybe just a quarter of an hour, maybe longer, but then I heard very light footsteps and whispers outside. The maids had gotten up and were waiting outside the door.
Gu Yangui's breathing rate changed slightly, and Su Wanrou felt the vibration in his chest. Then, the arm that had been holding her finally loosened its grip.
He woke up.
Su Wanrou felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She practically scrambled to the inside of the bed, wrapped herself tightly in the brocade quilt, revealing only a face that was so red it looked like it was about to bleed. Her eyes darted away, and she didn't dare to look at him at all.
Gu Yangui sat up, rubbed his temples, and seemed to be completely awake. He turned his head and looked at his little wife, who was curled up in the corner of the bed, wishing she could curl herself up into a ball. Her clear almond-shaped eyes were full of shyness and helplessness, which was different from her forced composure under the candlelight last night, and now had a touch of lively annoyance.
His eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't say much. He simply said in a deep voice to the outside room, "Come in."
The door was gently pushed open, and led by Yun Que and Qiu Yue, several maids entered in single file, carrying copper basins, towels, salt, and other washing supplies. They were well-trained, keeping their eyes down and not daring to peek into the bedchamber, but the subtle atmosphere and the new mistress's embarrassed expression still gave the experienced matrons and maids some clues.
"Lord Duke, Madam, it's almost time. We should get up and prepare to go to the ancestral hall and pay our respects to the Old Madam," a well-dressed nanny stepped forward and said respectfully. This was the head nanny of the inner courtyard of the Duke's mansion, surnamed Zhao. She was an old woman left behind by the late Madam, with a serious face and shrewd eyes.
Gu Yangui grunted in acknowledgment and got out of bed, lifting the covers. He was only wearing a white undergarment, his tall and upright figure exuding an imposing aura.
The maids immediately rushed forward to help him change. Su Wanrou hid inside the bed curtains, frantically searching for her undergarments that had been removed the night before. Her wedding dress and formal gown were neatly draped on the screen, but her undergarments were nowhere to be found.
Just as she was getting anxious, a large, well-defined hand lifted the bed curtains and handed her a brand-new, soft, and delicate primrose-colored satin undergarment.
"Wear this." Gu Yangui's voice came from above. He had already put on the inner layer of his outer robe with the help of the maids in the outer room, and someone was tying his belt.
Su Wanrou blushed, quickly took the clothes, and whispered, "Thank you, husband."
She hid under the brocade quilt, quietly putting on her undergarments before daring to peek out. A quick-witted maidservant immediately stepped forward and helped her put on her embroidered shoes.
The couple washed themselves separately at different basins. The warm water slightly dispelled some of the awkwardness and tension. Su Wanrou rubbed her teeth with salt, secretly observing Gu Yangui, who was having his hair styled by a maid, through the reflection in the mirror. He had already lost his usual cold demeanor, his face expressionless, allowing the maid to do as she pleased, radiating an aura that kept strangers at bay.
After washing up, it was time for hair styling. Just as Yun Que was about to step forward to style Su Wanrou's hair, Gu Yangui waved his hand, signaling her to step back.
"Today, I'll be wearing a woman's hairstyle," he said succinctly to the maidservant standing beside him.
Su Wanrou sat before her dressing table, watching her maid skillfully gather her waist-length hair into an elegant and elaborate updo, adorned with gold hairpins and hair ornaments symbolizing her status as a married woman. The girl in the mirror seemed to have shed some of her childishness overnight, gaining a touch of mature charm that even she herself found unfamiliar.
Gu Yangui had somehow appeared behind her, looking at her through the mirror. His gaze was calm, carrying a scrutinizing quality. Su Wanrou nervously lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze.
He picked out a dragonfly hairpin made of pure gold and inlaid with rubies from his makeup box and handed it to her. "Wear this one."
The hairpin was exquisitely crafted, its rubies sparkling. Compared to the occasion she was about to attend, it was neither beneath her dignity nor overly ostentatious or old-fashioned. Su Wanrou took it, her fingertips trembling slightly as she inserted it into one side of her hair. In the mirror, the bright color indeed enhanced her beauty considerably.
"Let's go." Gu Yangui turned and walked out after seeing that she had finished packing.
Su Wanrou quickly stood up and followed half a step behind him. His strides were long, so she had to quicken her pace to keep up. The air in the Duke's mansion courtyard was fresh and moist with the scent of flowers and grass in the early morning. The servants, upon seeing them, all bowed respectfully, addressing them as "Duke, Madam."
The title "Madam" sent a slight shiver down Su Wanrou's spine. From this day forward, she was the rightful mistress of this vast Duke's mansion. This realization filled her with a heavy sense of responsibility, in addition to her nervousness.
The first place to visit was the ancestral hall. The ancestral hall of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was located on the east side of the residence, solemn and dignified. Gu Yangui, accompanied by Su Wanrou, burned incense and knelt in obeisance at the behest of the steward, and had Su Wanrou's name written into the Gu family genealogy, recorded next to Gu Yangui's name, indicating her status as a second wife.
Looking at the name, still wet with ink, Su Wanrou was filled with mixed emotions. From this day forward, she, Su Wanrou, would share the glory and the shame with Duke Gu Yangui and the entire Gu family.
After leaving the ancestral hall, we went to pay our respects to Gu Yangui's mother, the most senior lady in the household.
The old lady's courtyard, "Songhe Hall," was located deep within the mansion, in a tranquil setting. As soon as one arrived at the courtyard gate, one could hear the clear laughter of children and the old lady's loving voice coming from inside.
“It’s Mingxuan.” Gu Yangui paused slightly, turned his head to look at Su Wanrou, his gaze deep and carrying a hint of subtle reminder.
Su Wanrou immediately understood his meaning. Today, she not only had to face her mother-in-law, but also, for the first time, face that five-year-old child—Gu Mingxuan—as a "mother." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her slightly racing heart, and nodded.
After the maid announced their arrival, the curtain was lifted, and the couple went in one after the other.
Inside the main hall of Songhe Hall, a warm and inviting atmosphere prevailed. On the rosewood daybed at the head of the table sat an elderly woman with gray hair, a kind face, yet sharp eyes. She wore an ochre-colored brocade jacket with an endless swastika pattern; she was Gu Yangui's mother, the Old Madam Gu. A small, adorable boy in a royal blue brocade robe nestled beside the old lady, his large, bright eyes gazing curiously towards the doorway.
That was Gu Mingxuan.
Upon seeing Gu Yangui, Mingxuan's eyes lit up, and he called out in a clear voice, "Father!" Immediately, his gaze fell on Su Wanrou behind Gu Yangui, with an undisguised scrutiny and a hint of... wariness.
Su Wanrou tried her best to make her smile look natural and gentle, and together with Gu Yangui, she knelt down to pay her respects to the old lady.
"The son (daughter-in-law) greets his mother, wishing her a long and peaceful life."
The old lady smiled and said repeatedly, "Get up, get up." But her gaze swept over Su Wanrou like a searchlight, scrutinizing her from her hair, clothes, and demeanor to the expression in her eyes.
"Good child, quickly lift your head and let me see you." The old lady said in a kind tone.
Su Wanrou looked up as instructed, a perfectly timed smile on her lips, her gaze respectful yet timid.
The old lady looked at her delicate face, as tender as a flower bud glistening with morning dew, and her clear, almond-shaped eyes, and nodded inwardly. Her appearance was excellent, and her eyes were pure, suggesting she didn't seem to have much scheming. However… she was far too young, appearing not much older than her senior maids. Could she truly shoulder the responsibilities of the Duke's mistress? Could she take good care of Yan Gui and Ming Xuan?
"Indeed, a fine child." The old lady praised with a smile, took off a jade bracelet of excellent quality from her wrist, and handed it to the nanny beside her. "Here, this is a gift from your mother. Live a good life with Yan Gui from now on and have children for our Gu family as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Mother." Su Wanrou accepted the bracelet with both hands and thanked her respectfully. The bracelet was cool to the touch and had excellent luster, clearly indicating its high value.
At this moment, Gu Yangui spoke up, "Mingxuan, come here."
Gu Mingxuan slid off the old lady's side, walked to Gu Yangui, and bowed respectfully: "Father."
Gu Yangui patted his head and gently turned him towards Su Wanrou: "This is your mother. You should respect and be filial to her as you would to me. Why don't you pay your respects?"
In an instant, all eyes in the room were focused on Gu Mingxuan and Su Wanrou.
Gu Mingxuan looked up at Su Wanrou with his little face. This new mother was very beautiful, even more beautiful than a fairy in a painting. She smelled wonderful, unlike the hard, unappealing things in his father's study. However, the nannies whispered that with a new mother, his father might not like him as much as before…
He pursed his lips, a hint of hesitation and struggle flashing in his big eyes, but still followed the rules, respectfully cupping his small hands and bowing to Su Wanrou. His voice was clear and crisp, yet carried a distinct distance.
"Your son, Mingxuan, greets...Mother."
That word "mother" was uttered dryly, devoid of any emotion.
Su Wanrou felt a slight pang in her heart, but her smile remained unchanged, even softening a bit more. She stepped forward, bent slightly to meet Mingxuan's gaze, and took out a delicate jade lock pendant, carved from the finest Hetian jade, which she had prepared beforehand. The jade was warm and lustrous, the carving exquisite, and it was adorned with red silk threads.
"Mingxuan is such a good boy." Her voice was gentle as she handed him the jade lock. "This is a gift from your mother. Do you like it?"
The jade lock was small and lovely, gleaming softly in the morning light. Mingxuan, being a child, noticed the exquisite and interesting object, his eyes lit up, and he instinctively reached out to take it, whispering, "Thank you... Mother."
Although still unfamiliar, there was less resistance compared to before.
Gu Yangui watched from the side and saw that Su Wanrou handled the situation appropriately. She was not flustered by Mingxuan's estrangement, nor did she try to please him. His expression softened.
The old lady saw all this and her smile deepened. She said, "Don't stand there, sit down and have breakfast with us. Wanrou is new here, so please try the cooking from our kitchen."
Breakfast was served in a side room of Songhe Hall. No one spoke while eating or sleeping, and the meal was very quiet. The old lady occasionally had a maid serve Su Wanrou food and asked casual questions such as, "Did you sleep well last night?" and "Are you settling into the courtyard?" Su Wanrou answered politely to all of them.
Gu Yangui didn't talk much, and mostly ate in silence. Mingxuan sat obediently in a specially made high chair, being served food by his wet nurse, but his big eyes would occasionally steal glances at Su Wanrou sitting next to his father.
After breakfast, he sat for a while and drank a cup of tea before standing up and saying, "Mother, I still have some official business to attend to."
The old lady nodded: "Go ahead, important business is at hand." Then she said to Su Wanrou: "Wanrou, stay and talk to me."
Gu Yangui glanced at Su Wanrou, his eyes carrying a hint of barely perceptible reassurance, before turning and leaving.
Su Wanrou knew that the real "test" had only just begun. She straightened her posture, a gentle smile on her lips, and met the old lady's probing gaze.
"Good child, don't be nervous." The old lady dismissed the maids and nannies serving her, leaving only a trusted old nanny by her side, and the room immediately quieted down. "Now that you've entered the household, you are the mistress of our Duke's mansion. There are some things I, as your mother, need to tell you..."
The sun gradually rose higher outside the window, and soft light shone through the window lattice onto the two women, one old and one young. A conversation concerning the future, responsibility, and the power transition within this deep courtyard slowly unfolded in this seemingly gentle atmosphere.
And Su Wanrou's life as the mistress of the Duke's mansion officially began on this first morning of her marriage.
End of Chapter 8
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