Chapter 48: The Fury Upon Returning from the Banquet
In the days following her return from the Marquis of Chengen's residence, Su Wanrou appeared outwardly calm. She continued with her household chores and tutored Mingxuan as usual, but a subtle sense of vigilance lingered in her heart. The Qin family had been rebuffed by her and would not give up easily; they were likely to turn their attention to Gu Yangui.
Sure enough, that evening, Gu Yangui returned home from the yamen, his face even more somber than usual, a layer of frost settling between his brows. He went straight into his study, even instructing Su Wanrou to eat her dinner first, without waiting for him.
Su Wanrou sensed something was amiss. She hastily ate half a bowl of rice, then asked the kitchen to keep the porridge and some light side dishes warm. She then took a cup of calming tea and went to her study.
Only one lamp was lit in the study. Gu Yangui stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at the deep night outside. His tall figure exuded a cold and aloof air. Hearing the door open, he did not turn around.
Su Wanrou gently placed the teacup on the desk, walked behind him, and asked softly, "Husband, are you troubled by affairs at the government office? Let's have some dinner first; I've asked the kitchen to keep it warm."
Gu Yangui slowly turned around. The dim light cast a deep shadow on his angular face, making his eyes appear even more unfathomable. He did not answer the question about whether he wanted to eat, but looked at her and said in a deep voice, "After court today, the Marquis of Chengen invited me to the yamen office for a chat."
Su Wanrou understood immediately; it was indeed about the Qin family. She listened quietly without interrupting.
"He first reminisced about the past, talking about how things were when Qin was alive, and then about how difficult things are for the Qin family now." Gu Yangui's tone carried a hint of cold sarcasm. "Finally, he still hoped that I would take good care of Liu, saying that she was, after all, someone left behind by Qin, and if she were in a bad situation, it might chill the hearts of old friends and also harm my reputation. He even implied that if Liu could have a child, it would be considered to continue a trace of the Qin family's bloodline, which would also be a help to Mingxuan in the future."
"Absurd!" Even though she was somewhat prepared, Su Wanrou couldn't help but get angry when she heard the last part. The Qin family's scheme was simply too despicable! They actually wanted to use a concubine to "continue the bloodline" and have an illegitimate child "help" Mingxuan? This was clearly an attempt to plant a spy in the Duke's mansion so they could control Mingxuan in the future and even covet the title!
Gu Yangui looked at Su Wanrou's cheeks, slightly flushed with anger, and the coldness in his eyes dissipated somewhat. He reached out and gently grasped her cool fingers, continuing, "I immediately rejected him. I told him that matters concerning the inner quarters of the Duke's mansion are none of your concern, Earl. Now that Lady Liu has entered our Duke's mansion as a concubine, her safety or danger is governed by the mansion's rules and decided by the mistress. As for offspring..." He snorted coldly, his tone resolute, "I, Gu Yangui, have enough with one son, Mingxuan; there's no need for anyone else to add fuel to the fire."
His words were concise, yet carried an undeniable resolve, completely extinguishing any remaining illusions the Qin family might have. Su Wanrou could imagine how grim Chengenbo's expression must have been at that moment. She gripped Gu Yangui's warm hand tightly, a surge of warmth welling up within her. His unwavering stance was the greatest support and protection he could offer her, his wife.
“If my husband refuses like this, the Qin family will likely hold a grudge,” Su Wanrou said with concern. Although the Chengen Marquis’s mansion has declined, it has been entrenched in the capital for many years, with a deep and complex network of connections. If they were to secretly sabotage it, it would be troublesome.
"Holding a grudge?" Gu Yangui's lips curled into a cold smile. "If they have the guts, let them come at me. I, Gu Yangui, have survived mountains of corpses and seas of blood to get to where I am today. Do you think I'm afraid of a declining, empty-headed marquis's mansion?"
The powerful confidence and subtle killing intent in his tone made Su Wanrou's heart skip a beat, but she quickly calmed down. Yes, her husband was the Duke of Zhenguo, a man of great military achievements and a pillar of the nation. How could he possibly fear the Qin family's underhanded methods?
"But, what about Mingxuan..." Su Wanrou still had some concerns when she thought of the child. After all, the Qin family was Mingxuan's maternal family. If the relationship were to completely break down, the child would inevitably face difficulties in the future.
Gu Yangui understood her concerns and pondered for a moment before saying, "Mingxuan is still young; there's no need for him to know about these conflicts. If the Qin family cares for him as a normal maternal grandparent, we won't stop them. But if they try to use this to interfere in the internal affairs of our Duke's mansion or to sow discord between you and your son, I will absolutely not allow it." He paused, looked at Su Wanrou, and said solemnly, "Wanrou, remember, you are the rightful mistress of our Duke's mansion, and Mingxuan's rightful mother. No one can surpass you. There's no need for any reservations; manage the household as you would normally."
These words, like a stabilizing force, completely reassured Su Wanrou. She raised her bright eyes, gazing at the man before her, as reliable as a mountain, her heart filled with gratitude and emotion. "I understand. I will certainly not fail my husband's trust."
Just then, Gu Yangui's stomach rumbled almost imperceptibly. He had been busy dealing with the Qin family and was filled with resentment. After returning home, he went straight to his study and had not eaten or drunk anything since.
Su Wanrou couldn't help but chuckle, and the tense atmosphere dissipated considerably. She said softly, "No matter how angry you are, my husband, you can't let yourself suffer. I'll have someone prepare the meal right away."
Soon, the maids brought the warm porridge and dishes into the small warm pavilion next to the study. Simple chicken porridge, a few refreshing side dishes, and a basket of crystal buns emitted an enticing aroma under the lamplight.
Su Wanrou personally served Gu Yangui a bowl of porridge, filling it to the brim. Gu Yangui was indeed hungry, so he took the bowl and ate quietly. Su Wanrou sat opposite him and also ate a small portion of porridge.
The warm room was cozy, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks. The anger and tension that had arisen because of the Qin family gradually subsided in this ordinary, homely atmosphere.
After the meal, the maid cleared away the bowls and plates and served hot tea again.
Looking at Su Wanrou's gentle features under the lamplight, Gu Yangui suddenly said, "In a couple of days, I need to leave the capital to inspect the capital's military camp. It will probably take me seven or eight days to return."
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback, and a feeling of reluctance welled up in her heart, but she still nodded immediately: "Husband, please go with peace of mind. I will take care of everything at home."
"Hmm." Gu Yangui responded, looking at her as if he wanted to say something, but then paused before saying, "After this incident, the Qin family should not dare to cause trouble openly again in the short term. But in the manor... keep a close eye on that Liu Shi. If she behaves herself, let her stay in the manor to live out her days. If she doesn't behave herself..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "...don't be soft-hearted, I'll take responsibility for everything."
He had completely and unreservedly handed over the reins of the inner quarters to her, even allowing her to deal with the concubines left behind by his late wife who might harbor disloyal intentions. This trust weighed more heavily than a thousand pounds.
Su Wanrou was deeply moved. She stood up, walked to him, and bowed solemnly: "Husband, rest assured, I know what to do. I will guard the house and wait for your return."
Gu Yangui reached out to help her up, grasped her wrist, and gently pulled her into his arms. Su Wanrou nestled against his strong chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling incredibly safe and secure.
Outside the window, the night breeze rustled through the treetops. Inside the study, the couple embraced, their silence speaking volumes. The Qin family's scheming and provocations, far from disrupting this peace, had instead served as a touchstone, forging a deeper trust and reliance between them.
His anger upon returning from the banquet erupted like a thunderbolt, swiftly and decisively sweeping away the gloom from the outside world; and after the anger subsided, he became even more steadfast in protecting the inner quarters, his wife, and their children. Su Wanrou knew that with such a husband sheltering her from the storms of life, she only needed to manage the home front steadily, and their home would be as solid as a rock.
End of Chapter 48
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