Chapter 60: The Splendor of My Mother's Family
The grand return of the Duke and Duchess of Zhenguo to their parents' home was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples throughout the capital's elite circles. The far-exceeding ceremonial procession, the astonishingly lavish gifts, and Gu Yangui's personal accompaniment and unwavering protection all sent an unmistakable signal to the outside world: this young Duchess was deeply favored by the Duke of Zhenguo, and her position was as secure as a rock.
After the carriages and horses departed from the Yongchang Earl's Mansion, what remained was not only the treasures piled high in the storerooms, but also an intangible yet immense glory. The once deserted mansion seemed to have been infused with new vitality overnight.
two
The day after returning home, Su Wanrou, following protocol, sent carefully prepared return gifts to the Yongchang Earl's residence, including several high-ranking items bestowed upon her by the palace, once again demonstrating the Duke's favor. Meanwhile, after the morning court session, the Duke of Zhenguo, Gu Yangui, was kept behind by His Majesty for a private conversation. During the conversation, His Majesty seemingly casually mentioned that the Yongchang Earl, Su Wenzheng, was "a kind and honest man." Although no substantial reward was bestowed, this seemingly insignificant remark was enough to stir the minds of the astute courtiers.
In the following days, the Yongchang Marquis's residence, which had been deserted in the past, gradually began to see visitors. First, some officials of low rank came to pay their respects under various pretexts, their words often carrying a tone of flattery and inquiries; then, some relatives and friends of the Yongchang Marquis's residence who had a past but had lost contact in recent years also sent out invitations again or visited in person.
Su Wenzheng was initially overwhelmed and flattered. His title of Earl of Yongchang was already a marginalized honorary title with no real power in the court. He had never received such attention before. But soon, with the reminder from his son Su Mingyuan, he gradually realized that the source of all this glory was his daughter, Su Wanrou, who had married into a high-ranking family.
On this day, Su Wenzheng's former superior, the retired Hanlin scholar Zhou, also condescended to come. The two talked in the study, and the old scholar Zhou stroked his beard and sighed, "Wenzheng, you've raised a fine daughter! The Duke of Zhenguo is a pillar of the nation, deeply favored by the Emperor, and now it seems he also highly values your daughter. The revival of your Su family is just around the corner!"
Su Wenzheng was both pleased and ashamed, and repeatedly said modestly, "You flatter me, sir. My daughter was just doing her duty. She doesn't deserve such praise. The Duke's kindness is a blessing for the Su family."
After seeing off the old scholar Zhou, Su Wenzheng sat alone in his study for a long time. Looking out the window at the slightly worn but spotless courtyard, he was filled with mixed emotions. He knew all this was like a mirage, its foundation entirely dependent on his daughter. If his daughter was well in the Duke's mansion, the Su family would benefit from this legacy; but if anything happened to her, all this current prosperity would vanish in an instant.
“Yuan’er,” he called to his eldest son Su Mingyuan and solemnly instructed, “Your sister has a hard time in the Duke’s mansion. Although our family is powerless to help her much, we must not cause her any trouble. In the future, you must be more careful in your interactions with others. Do not take advantage of the Duke’s mansion’s power to be arrogant, and do not make excessive demands on your sister, lest you give others something to say and make things difficult for her in her husband’s family.”
Su Mingyuan, already in his thirties and a steady man, solemnly replied, "Father, rest assured, I understand. Only when my sister is well can our Su family prosper. I will certainly restrain my family, be careful in my words and deeds, and never let down the respect my sister has earned for us."
three
Compared to the bustling crowds at the Yongchang Earl's mansion, some people were not having such an easy time.
Upon learning the details of the return visit, Princess An threw a tantrum in her own residence, smashing a beloved set of imperial porcelain teaware. "That Su Wanrou! That Gu Yangui! He really gave her a huge pat on the back!" She had thought that after the incident at the Ci'en Nunnery, Su Wanrou would have toned it down, but Gu Yangui had used such an almost ostentatious method to protect her so thoroughly, instead giving Su Wanrou and the Yongchang Marquis's mansion behind her a great deal of glory. This resentment festered in her chest, making her unable to eat or sleep.
The one most affected was Liu Yiyi, who was staying at the Duke's mansion under the pretense of illness.
Although she stayed indoors, the gossip of the maids and servants still seeped into her ears like needles.
"Tsk tsk, you didn't see it. The procession when the Duke accompanied his wife on her homecoming was more impressive than any ten-mile-long red bridal procession!"
"That's right! I heard the threshold of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion is almost worn down by the crowds!"
"Our lady is truly blessed to be so highly regarded by the Duke..."
"Of course, the lady is kind and virtuous, and she even treats the young master like her own mother. How could the Duke not like her?"
Every word was like salt rubbed into Liu Yiyi's bleeding wounds. She thought of her own loneliness and dependence on others, her marriage treated like a nuisance; while Su Wanrou enjoyed such unparalleled glory in her own family. The stark contrast and resentment burned in her heart like poisonous fire. She smashed everything she could in the room, then buried her face in her pillow and wept uncontrollably, her hatred for Su Wanrou reaching its peak.
Four
Inside the Duke's mansion, Su Wanrou's life didn't change much despite the grand occasion of her homecoming. She continued to manage household chores, teach Mingxuan, and chat with the Dowager Madam. However, the servants' attitude towards her underwent a subtle but real change. It was a heartfelt reverence and trust, no longer solely stemming from her status as the Duke's wife, but also from the Duke's undisguised favoritism and her own increasingly secure position.
That afternoon, Su Wanrou was checking the autumn grain accounts that the estate had just sent when the gatekeeper came to report that the Lady of Yongchang had arrived.
Su Wanrou was somewhat surprised and quickly instructed them to invite them in.
Li was led in by her maid. Today, she was wearing a brand-new crimson-purple jacket with intertwined floral patterns and a set of red gold headdress. Her complexion was rosy, and her eyes and brows were filled with undisguised joy. She was completely different from the worried and frowning look she had before her daughter's wedding.
"Why did Mother come so suddenly? You didn't even tell me beforehand so I could have greeted you." Su Wanrou greeted her with a smile.
Li held her daughter's hand, looking her up and down, her joy growing with each glance: "I came to see you, and also... to thank you." As she spoke, her eyes reddened again, but this time it was out of happiness. "Jiaojiao, you have no idea how different our family's life has been since you returned home."
The mother and daughter sat down in the inner room, and Li Shi eagerly recounted the recent changes in the household. She described which relatives who hadn't visited in the past had started coming back, which officials were much more polite to the Earl, and even some of the previously difficult estate managers and shopkeepers had become obedient and submissive…
"Your father went to a banquet a few days ago, and someone even offered to recommend him for a position as a physician in the Ministry of Personnel... Although your father is used to a leisurely life and may not really want to seek any real post, this kind of face is something he never dared to dream of before." As she spoke, Madam Li held Su Wanrou's hand and said earnestly, "Jiaojiao, all of this is thanks to you. Your mother, your father, your brother, and your sister-in-law all understand this. Your brother said that our family must be careful with our words and actions and must never bring shame to you or hold you back."
Listening to her mother's words, Su Wanrou was filled with mixed emotions. She knew that the rise in her family's status stemmed from Gu Yangui's high regard for them. She enjoyed the satisfaction that came with this prestige, but also remained clear-headed.
“Mother, you’re too kind. We’re family, there’s no need to distinguish between us,” Su Wanrou said gently. “I feel at ease here at home. But as my brother said, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it. We need to be more discreet and cautious in order to last.”
“That makes sense!” Madam Li nodded repeatedly. “Don’t worry, everything is fine at home now, so you don’t need to worry. While you are at home, you must serve the Duke well, be filial to the Dowager, and love the young master. Holding onto this blessing is the greatest favor you can do for your family.”
Li then went on and on about many trivial matters at home, and also brought some snacks and trinkets that Su Wanrou liked to eat before she got married. She left satisfied at the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM).
After seeing her mother off, Su Wanrou stood on the veranda, watching the leaves in the courtyard beginning to turn yellow, a sense of peace washing over her. The glory her family enjoyed was her way of giving back as a daughter, and a reflection of her own value. But the foundation of this glory lay in her current status, in Gu Yangui's protection. She knew better than anyone that only by managing her own life well and safeguarding the happiness before her could this glory continue.
five
During dinner, Su Wanrou briefly mentioned her mother's visit and the recent situation of her family to Gu Yangui.
Gu Yangui listened quietly without saying much, only saying lightly at the end: "Father-in-law is an honest man. If you are interested, there is a position in the Ministry of Personnel's Performance Evaluation Department, which is quite prestigious."
Su Wanrou's heart stirred. The position of Director of the Examination and Appointment Department, though only a sixth-rank official, was a powerful and important post, far more promising than her father's current nominal title of Earl of Yongchang. Gu Yangui's words clearly indicated his intention to promote her family. However, remembering her father's leisurely nature and her brother's admonition to be "cautious," she softly replied, "Thank you for your kind intentions, husband. However, my father is getting older and prefers quiet, so I'm afraid he won't be able to adapt to the busy work of the ministry. He is already very content with his current leisure and dignity. The Su family is fortunate to have your care and live a peaceful life; we dare not ask for more."
Her words were both an expression of her understanding of her father and a demonstration of her family's contentment and lack of greed.
Gu Yangui glanced at her, seeing her composed expression and clear eyes, devoid of any pretense, and inwardly praised her. He admired her intelligence and was also pleased with her family's tact. Often, a proper sense of propriety earns more lasting respect than greedy demands.
"Alright then." He said no more, picked up a piece of her favorite rouge-colored goose breast and put it in her bowl. "Let's eat."
six
As night deepened, Su Wanrou, after bathing, sat before her dressing table, combing her long hair. The girl in the mirror had relaxed features, a radiant complexion, and a serene happiness in her eyes and brows. The joy and satisfaction brought by her return home gradually settled into a sense of inner peace.
When Gu Yangui returned from his official duties, he saw her staring blankly at the mirror. He walked over and picked up a gold and kingfisher feather hairpin from the dressing table, the one she had worn when she returned to her parents' home. With slightly awkward movements, he gently inserted the hairpin into her hair.
Looking at his focused expression in the mirror, Su Wanrou felt a warmth in her heart and whispered, "Husband, thank you."
Thank you for the honor he bestowed upon me, thank you for the dignity he maintained, thank you for allowing me to hold my head high in front of my family.
Gu Yangui held her shoulders and made her turn around, his deep gaze fixed on her: "You deserve it."
Three simple words, yet they carried immense weight. He leaned down, his forehead gently touching hers, their warm breaths mingling.
"Wanrou, you are the mistress of our Duke's mansion. Your glory is the glory of the Duke's mansion." His deep voice was particularly clear in the quiet night. "From now on, no one will be able to look down on you or your family."
Su Wanrou's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest and nodding vigorously. All words seemed inadequate at that moment; only their heartbeats spoke of a silent promise and trust.
A cool autumn breeze swept through the window, but the room remained warm and cozy. The splendor of her maternal home, like the warm autumn sun, illuminated not only the gates of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion but also Su Wanrou's path, giving her more confidence and determination to continue on her chosen path. She knew that her roots were deeply embedded in this majestic Duke's mansion, inextricably linked to the man beside her.
End of Chapter 60
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