Chapter 19: A Cry of "Mother"
The trip to the Imperial Estate was scheduled for three days later. During these three days, Mingxuan practically became Su Wanrou's little shadow, from greeting her in the morning to going to sleep at night. Except for the time when Gu Yangui tested his studies, he spent all his time at Jinse Courtyard.
Su Wanrou was happy to spend time with him. She discovered that although Mingxuan was pampered, he wasn't unreasonable. Perhaps it was due to Gu Yangui's effective teaching, but the child, at such a young age, could already recognize quite a few characters and was quite sensitive to numbers. Su Wanrou then found some simple poems, paired them with pictures, and taught him to read them word by word. Mingxuan learned very quickly, looking up at her with his little face, waiting for praise, like a young animal yearning for affection, which melted Su Wanrou's heart completely.
Gu Yangui occasionally visited Jinse Courtyard and often saw the mother and son huddled together, one teaching earnestly, the other learning intently. He didn't disturb them, only standing under the eaves watching for a while, a barely perceptible smile unconsciously curving his lips. The servants in the manor were all shrewd; seeing the young master and madam so close, and with the Duke's tacit approval and even delight, their attitude towards Su Wanrou became increasingly respectful and attentive. No one dared to neglect the provisions and expenses of Jinse Courtyard in the slightest.
On the day of departure, the autumn sky was clear and cloudless. Two spacious blue-curtained carriages and a dozen or so skilled guards were waiting outside the mansion gates early in the morning. Gu Yangui, dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, appeared even more upright. He first inspected the guards' arrangements and then personally inquired about the horses and carriages.
When Su Wanrou led Mingxuan out, they saw Gu Yangui standing with his hands behind his back, his profile cold and hard, quietly instructing the butler Gu An. The sunlight outlined his broad shoulders and back, exuding an undeniable authority. As if sensing their gaze, Gu Yangui turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the elegantly dressed Su Wanrou, lingering on her face for a moment, before giving a slight nod.
Today, Su Wanrou wore a begonia-red floral-patterned ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), over which she wore a moon-white vest. For ease of travel, her hair was simply styled, adorned only with a red-gold and kingfisher-feather hairpin and two small pearl flowers, making her look bright yet dignified. Mingxuan, on the other hand, was dressed in a royal blue riding outfit, looking spirited. Upon seeing Gu Yangui, he immediately broke free from Su Wanrou's grasp and rushed over like a little leopard, hugging his father's leg: "Father, can we set off now?"
Gu Yangui bent down and easily picked up his son with one hand, but his gaze turned to Su Wanrou, who was walking slowly towards him: "Is everything ready?"
"Yes, my husband." Su Wanrou gave a slight curtsy, her voice soft.
"Get in the carriage." Gu Yangui said succinctly, carrying Mingxuan towards the more spacious and luxurious carriage in front. A footstool had already been placed beside the carriage shaft. He first handed Mingxuan into the carriage, then naturally turned around and extended his hand to Su Wanrou.
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback. Since their marriage, this was the first time he had shown her such tenderness in public. After a moment's hesitation, she gently placed her hand in his warm palm. His palm was broad and strong, with calluses on his fingertips typical of martial artists. He steadily supported her, and an undeniable strength helped her easily board the carriage.
The carriage was furnished comfortably and luxuriously, with thick velvet carpets and low cushioned tables. Mingxuan was already excitedly leaning against the window, peeking out from behind a corner of the curtain. Gu Yangui followed and sat down opposite her. Although the space was spacious, the man's cool scent mixed with a faint fragrance of pine and ink still filled the small space, making Su Wanrou somewhat reserved. She lowered her eyes and adjusted her not-too-disheveled skirt.
The carriage slowly started moving, leaving Anning Street where the Duke's mansion was located, and merging into the bustling crowds of the capital. The clamor of the marketplace drifted through the carriage walls, and Mingxuan watched with great interest, occasionally exclaiming, "Mother, look! That sugar figurine is huge!" "Mother, there are acrobatic performers over there!"
His calls of "Mother" were crisp and clear, without hesitation. At first, Su Wanrou was a little unaccustomed to it; every time she heard it, her heart felt as if it were being gently brushed by a feather, with a slightly itchy flutter. But looking into the child's pure and trusting eyes, she gradually relaxed, responding with a smile, and occasionally looking outside in the direction he pointed, softly explaining those common things to him.
Gu Yangui remained silent, holding a book in his hand, but seemingly not absorbing much of it. His gaze occasionally swept across the woman opposite him. The woman's profile was beautiful, and as she listened to the child's innocent words, a gentle smile graced her eyes and brows. Those clear calls of "Mother" not only struck Su Wanrou's heart but also rang clearly in his ears. He recalled Zhao Mama's report that the young master now needed to hold a small cloth doll made by the madam herself, filled with calming herbs, to fall asleep peacefully at night.
This child truly considers her his mother.
The caravan sped up after leaving the city gate. The official road was flat, but inevitably bumpy. Mingxuan, having gazed at the scenery outside the window for a long time, began to feel drowsy, his little head nodding. Seeing this, Su Wanrou said softly, "Xuan'er, come sit here with your mother."
Mingxuan rubbed his eyes and obediently moved closer to her. Su Wanrou pulled him into her arms, adjusted her position to make him more comfortable, and then gently covered him with a thin blanket. The child snuggled against her, found a safe spot, and quickly fell asleep with even breathing.
Gu Yangui put down his book and looked at the mother and child nestled together opposite him. To help the child sleep more soundly, Su Wanrou maintained a fixed posture, gently patting Mingxuan's back while humming a tuneless, gentle nursery rhyme from the Jiangnan region. Sunlight streamed through the car window, casting soft shadows on her lowered eyelashes; her expression was focused and loving.
He suddenly spoke, his voice unusually deep amidst the rumbling of the wheels: "He's very dependent on you now."
Su Wanrou raised her head and met his deep eyes. Her heart tightened slightly, afraid that he would think that the child was too clingy to her and had lost his manners. She carefully replied, "Xuan'er is young. I took extra care of him when he was sick, so he became a little closer to me. I will be careful not to spoil him."
Gu Yangui shook his head: "It's alright. It's a good thing that he likes you." He paused, his gaze falling on Mingxuan's sleeping face, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes, "He... needs a mother."
This simple sentence sent a jolt through Su Wanrou's heart. She understood the unspoken meaning in his words: pity for Mingxuan's past and recognition of her role as his "mother." She lowered her head, looking at the peaceful sleeping face of the child in her arms, and a strong sense of protectiveness and responsibility welled up within her.
"Don't worry, my husband," she raised her head, her gaze clear and firm. "Now that I have married into the Gu family, I am Xuan'er's mother. Although I dare not say that I can replace my birth mother, I will do my best to protect him, love him, and treat him as my own son."
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying a gentle strength. Gu Yangui gazed at her, and for the first time, he saw so clearly beneath her gentle exterior the resilience and responsibility befitting the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. A corner of the ice in his heart seemed to melt away.
"Hmm," he responded softly, picking up the book again, but with no interest in reading. Silence returned to the carriage, broken only by the child's breathing and the rumble of the wheels. An indescribable peace and harmony flowed gently between them.
The imperial estate was located thirty miles outside the capital, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, a picturesque scene. The carriage arrived close to noon. The estate manager, along with a group of stewards and servants, were already waiting outside. Upon seeing the Duke alight from the carriage, everyone knelt down in unison to pay their respects, a truly impressive display.
Gu Yangui got out of the car first, turned around, and reached his hand into the car again. This time, Su Wanrou didn't hesitate, placing her hand in his palm and using it to land steadily. After she stood still, she tried to pull her hand back, but found that Gu Yangui didn't let go immediately. Instead, he gently took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. This was an extremely formal and protective gesture, clearly demonstrating the status of the lady of the house.
Su Wanrou's cheeks flushed slightly. Feeling countless curious or awe-inspiring gazes around her, she tried her best to remain calm, slightly raising her head and revealing a dignified and proper smile. Gu Yangui's expression remained unchanged, and he only said to the head of the manor kneeling on the ground, "Get up, all of you."
At this moment, the wet nurse also carried Mingxuan, who had just woken up, out of the car. Seeing the unfamiliar surroundings, Mingxuan was a little timid and immediately ran to Su Wanrou's side, tightly clutching her skirt. Su Wanrou bent down and picked him up, gently comforting him, "Xuan'er, don't be afraid, we're going to play on the estate."
The steward, a man in his forties with a capable appearance, hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and said, "Lord Duke, Madam, Young Master, you must be tired from your journey. The banquet is ready, would you like to have a meal first?"
Gu Yangui nodded: "Let's settle in first."
The group was led to the best courtyard in the estate. The courtyard was spacious and clean, and while the furnishings weren't as luxurious as those in the Duke's mansion, they were still elegant and complete. After a quick wash, they dined in the flower hall. The estate prepared seasonal vegetables and wild game, which, while not as refined as those prepared by the chefs in the mansion, had a unique and delicious rustic flavor. Mingxuan particularly enjoyed a wild pheasant soup, drinking a small bowl and eating some tender steamed eggs.
During the meal, the head of the estate and several key managers stood respectfully to the side. Gu Yangui didn't say much, only occasionally asking about the estate's harvest and the tenants' situation. Su Wanrou ate quietly, taking care of Mingxuan, but listened attentively to their conversation, gaining a general understanding of how the imperial estate operated.
After lunch, Gu Yangui went to check the fields and warehouses, instructing Su Wanrou to take Mingxuan to rest in the courtyard. Mingxuan, however, refused to take a nap, pulling on Su Wanrou's hand and gazing longingly outside: "Mother, shall we go outside to play? I see so many fruit trees over there!"
Seeing that the autumn day was perfect, Su Wanrou smiled and agreed. She took only Yun Que and two reliable old women with her, and strolled around the estate with Mingxuan in her arms. The imperial estate covered a vast area, including large tracts of farmland, orchards, fishponds, and even a small enclosed forest where some docile animals such as deer and roe deer were kept.
Like a bird released from its cage, Mingxuan was fascinated by everything. Seeing the bright red persimmons hanging on the fruit trees, he clamored to pick them; seeing the plump fish swimming in the pond, he excitedly pointed and gestured. Su Wanrou patiently stayed with him, telling him the names of various crops and the uses of farm tools. Seeing farm women working in the vegetable garden, Mingxuan asked curiously, "Mother, what are they doing?"
Su Wanrou explained softly, "They are weeding to help the seedlings grow better. The food we eat is all grown by farmers through such hard work."
Mingxuan nodded, seemingly understanding, and looked at the rough hands and sun-tanned faces of the peasant women, a thoughtful expression on his little face. Su Wanrou felt gratified; this child was kind-hearted by nature, and if she could guide him to understand the hardships of ordinary people, it would greatly benefit him in the future.
As he strolled near the orchard, he happened to run into Gu Yangui and his stewards walking along the field ridge. He spotted the two figures, one tall and one short, from afar. Su Wanrou was holding Mingxuan's hand, bending down to point to something on the ground and explain it to him. The autumn sun cast a soft glow around her, her profile gentle and serene. Mingxuan, his little face tilted up, listened intently.
Gu Yangui stopped and gestured for the stewards to wait. He gazed quietly at the scene, a corner of his heart filled with emotion. He thought of his deceased wife, that equally gentle yet frail woman who hadn't been able to watch Mingxuan grow up. Now, it seemed that heaven had bestowed upon Mingxuan a mother's love, and given him... a complete family.
"Daddy!" Mingxuan, with his sharp eyes, spotted him and immediately ran over excitedly, showing off his treasure. "Daddy! Mother taught Xuan'er to recognize so many things! That's a persimmon tree, and that's a cabbage! Mother said that all the food we eat comes from the hard work of farmers!"
Gu Yangui bent down to catch his son, but his gaze passed over him and fell on Su Wanrou, who was walking slowly towards him. Her face was flushed, whether from the sun or from walking, it was hard to tell; her eyes were clear and smiling.
"Are you tired?" he asked, his voice gentle to the point that he himself didn't even realize.
Su Wanrou shook her head: "I'm not tired. The air is fresh on the estate, and it's very comfortable to walk around."
Gu Yangui instructed the head steward behind him, "Pick some fresh fruit and bring it to the courtyard for the madam and young master to try."
"Yes, yes, I'll take care of it right away!" the head of the farmhouse quickly replied.
In the afternoon, Gu Yangui continued to attend to the affairs of the estate, while Su Wanrou played with Mingxuan in the courtyard. A servant brought over freshly picked persimmons and dates, which were sweet and crisp. When Mingxuan got tired of playing, he sat down next to Su Wanrou, eating the fruit while listening to her tell simple myths and legends. He clapped and cheered when he heard something interesting.
As evening fell, the sky was ablaze with the colors of sunset. A small, open-air banquet was prepared on a viewing platform with a panoramic view, overlooking the rolling farmland and the distant, dark green mountains. A refreshing autumn breeze carried the scents of earth and vegetation.
Mingxuan had played all day and had a great appetite, eating quite a bit. After dinner, he leaned against Su Wanrou's chest, watching the magnificent sunset on the horizon, and yawned, clearly a little sleepy. Su Wanrou gently patted him, humming a lullaby.
Gu Yangui sat opposite her, watching the sunset paint her fair cheeks and the child's soft hair red. All around was quiet, save for the sound of the wind and the occasional chirping of insects.
Mingxuan, still half asleep, snuggled closer to Su Wanrou, resting his head on her chest. In a soft, sleepy, and indistinct voice, he murmured something:
"Mother... Xuan'er loves you so much..."
This "Mother" was more intimate and natural than the previous "Mother," as if all defenses had been removed in a dream, and the call came instinctively.
Su Wanrou froze, her hand patting the child's back hanging in mid-air. A huge, bittersweet surge of emotion rushed to her eyes and nose, blurring her vision instantly. Instinctively, she tightened her arms, holding the warm little body in her arms even closer, as if she were holding the most precious treasure in the world.
She raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears, and looked at Gu Yangui across from her.
He was looking at her too, his deep eyes appearing especially profound in the twilight, churning with complex emotions she couldn't decipher—a mixture of shock, relief, and perhaps... a sense of relief. He didn't speak, but simply met her gaze silently across the small food table.
At that moment, no words were needed. That innocent, heartfelt cry of "Mother" completely melted away the last trace of estrangement and uncertainty in her heart, and seemed to break through the thickest layer of ice outside his heart as well.
The evening breeze, carrying the coolness of the autumn night, could not dispel the silent warmth that flowed from the viewing platform, a warmth that could melt away everything.
End of Chapter 19
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com