Chapter 24: Gossip in the Capital
After the horse racing accident, life within the Duke's mansion seemed to have quietly slipped into a warmer and calmer phase. Between Su Wanrou and Gu Yangui, the tight embrace during that perilous moment and their silent walk together under the setting sun afterwards seemed to have broken through an invisible layer of thin ice. While their interactions were still not particularly passionate, their "mutual respect" had genuinely gained a more natural and tacit understanding of "both host and guest enjoying themselves."
Gu Yangui began having dinner at the main courtyard more frequently. Sometimes, even when official business delayed him, he would send Chang'an to inform her, "The Duke will arrive a little later. Please have some refreshments, Madam. You won't have to wait long." Su Wanrou would then eat something first, and then watch Mingxuan study or do needlework while waiting for him. At the dinner table, it was no longer just Mingxuan recounting his day's experiences in childlike ramblings. Gu Yangui would occasionally mention some interesting anecdotes from court that didn't involve state secrets, or, while testing Mingxuan's studies, he would explain a few classical allusions to Su Wanrou. Su Wanrou was intelligent and quick to grasp things, sometimes even offering unique insights, which drew Gu Yangui's attention, his gaze filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible admiration.
Mingxuan became completely attached to Su Wanrou, calling her "Mother" more and more naturally and affectionately. A child's world is the simplest; he's close to whoever treats him well. Su Wanrou's patience, gentleness, and companionship had long since melted away the last trace of unease and uncertainty he felt due to his change in status. That day, Mingxuan returned home from school, excitedly presenting Su Wanrou with a colorful bird feather he'd received at school—a rare item among his classmates—his little face beaming with anticipation, "Praise me!"
Su Wanrou accepted it with delight and immediately had her maid find a small white jade vase to put it in. She placed it on a table by the window in the inner room and smiled at Mingxuan, saying, "It's really beautiful. Thank you, Xuan'er. The feathers are so brightly colored. It makes me feel happy just looking at them in the room."
Mingxuan's face lit up with joy. He snuggled up to Su Wanrou, watching her do needlework, and chattered on about how everyone in the school wanted to take the feather, but he hadn't given it to anyone, thinking of saving it for his mother.
When Gu Yangui stepped into the room, this was the scene he saw: Under the warm yellow light, Su Wanrou was bending over, sewing a garment clearly meant for him. Her profile was soft and gentle, while Mingxuan leaned against her knees, talking animatedly. The colorful bird feather in the jade vase added a touch of brightness to this heartwarming scene. He paused, a quiet, gentle warmth flowing through a corner of his heart, like a spring stream.
"Father!" Mingxuan, with his sharp eyes, spotted him first and jumped off the bed to run over.
Su Wanrou put down her needlework, stood up to greet him, and smiled naturally: "Husband, you're back. Have you eaten yet? There's still some soup warming in the small kitchen."
"I used it at the yamen," Gu Yangui replied, his gaze sweeping over the feathers on the table. "What's this?"
Mingxuan eagerly answered, with a hint of pride: "It was a gift from your son to your mother! She said it's beautiful!"
Gu Yangui hummed in agreement and looked at Su Wanrou: "I'm glad you like the child's gift." His tone was calm, but he did not blame Mingxuan for bringing the "toy" into the inner room.
Su Wanrou smiled and nodded, "I like it very much." She stepped forward to take off his cloak, her movements already quite natural and skilled. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against the side of his neck, and both of them paused slightly, but quickly returned to normal. A silent intimacy quietly grew in the everyday trivialities.
However, the growing harmony within the Duke's mansion could not shield it from the turmoil of the outside world. The capital city is never short of eyes and mouths, especially when it comes to the residence of a high-ranking and powerful figure like the Duke, whose marriage had once caused much discussion.
On this day, Lady Zhou, the mother of Su Wanrou and wife of the Earl of Yongchang, sent a letter into the mansion, saying that she missed her daughter and had come to visit.
Su Wanrou was naturally delighted and had her mother's favorite snacks and tea prepared early on. After Zhou arrived, the mother and daughter had a private conversation in the inner room. Seeing that her daughter had a rosy complexion and a relaxed and peaceful expression, without the worry or depression often seen in newlyweds, Zhou felt somewhat relieved. After chatting about everyday matters for half a day, Zhou dismissed the maid, her expression showing a hint of unspoken words.
"Mother, is something wrong at home?" Su Wanrou sensed something was wrong and asked softly.
Madam Zhou sighed, took her daughter's hand, and lowered her voice, saying, "Nothing's wrong at home, but you... Jiaojiao, have you heard any of the rumors circulating in the capital about you and the Duke?"
Su Wanrou was slightly taken aback, then shook her head: "I stay in the manor all day and know nothing of what's going on outside. What gossip is this?"
Madam Zhou looked worried: "I don't know where this gossip came from. One story says that the Duke was infatuated with your looks. He was only interested in you during your honeymoon, but now that the passion has faded, he's become cold again. He often stays at the yamen or the outer study. You're young and can't handle the situation, so your presence in the manor is just for show... And some even said worse things, that Mingxuan isn't your biological son and isn't close to you. It's just a facade for outsiders..."
Su Wanrou listened, initially taken aback, then a chill ran through her heart, but she quickly suppressed it with an inexplicable sense of confidence. She thought of Gu Yangui's meticulous care, though he rarely smiled; she thought of Mingxuan's complete dependence on her; she thought of the servants in the mansion's growing genuine respect... How could these real days be negated by a few lighthearted words?
She grasped her mother's hand in return, her tone calm, even with a faint smile: "Mother, do you believe these words?"
Looking into her daughter's clear and calm eyes, Madam Zhou paused for a moment, then shook her head: "Of course I don't believe my darling would be wronged. It's just that people's words are a fearsome thing, and many mouths can melt metal... I'm afraid that you'll feel bad if you hear them, and I'm also afraid that if these rumors go on for too long, they will affect your relationship with the Duke."
"Mother, rest assured," Su Wanrou said firmly. "My husband is not easily swayed by rumors. I know best how I am doing in the manor. What outsiders say is their business. We should live our own lives in harmony behind closed doors, which is more important than anything else."
She paused, a shrewd glint in her eyes: "Besides, these gossips, though seemingly belittling me, are also a test of the Duke's mansion. If I panic because of this, or if I develop a rift with my husband, that would be exactly what some people want."
Madam Zhou looked at her daughter in surprise. In just a few months, although the childishness in her daughter's eyes had not completely disappeared, she clearly had gained a lot of composure and insight as the head of the household. She felt a mix of relief and sadness in her heart, and finally patted her daughter's hand: "I am relieved that you think this way. I was overthinking it. My darling, you have really grown up."
After seeing her mother off, Su Wanrou sat alone by the window, gazing at the colorful feather Mingxuan had given her. Her heart was not entirely unmoved. She could comfort her mother, she could tell herself she didn't care, but those malicious speculations, like tiny specks of dust, inevitably settled in her heart, causing slight ripples. She couldn't help but wonder if Gu Yangui had also heard these gossips? Would he... care?
During dinner, Gu Yangui noticed that Su Wanrou was a little quieter than usual. Although she still carefully served the dishes and took care of Mingxuan, there seemed to be a faint trace of sorrow between her brows. He did not ask her about it on the spot.
After Mingxuan fell asleep, the two returned to the main room. The maids prepared hot water and then withdrew. The candlelight flickered in the inner room, leaving only the two of them. Gu Yangui did not go to the study to handle unfinished official business as usual, but instead sat down on the couch by the window and looked at Su Wanrou, who was tidying up her dressing table.
"Did your mother-in-law come today?" he asked, his tone casual.
Su Wanrou paused, turned around, and met his deep gaze. She knew he might have noticed something, or... heard something. She walked to the bedside, sat down on the embroidered stool opposite him, lowered her eyes slightly, and said softly, "Yes. Mother came and spoke to me."
"What did you say?" Gu Yangui's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable calmness.
Su Wanrou hesitated for a moment, feeling there was no need to hide it; on the contrary, being honest would better reveal her true feelings. She carefully chose her words, selecting the key points from the gossip her mother had heard, and finally looked up at him, her tone carrying a faint hint of grievance and inquiry that she herself didn't realize: "...That's all. I didn't take it to heart, but I feel it's unnecessary for my husband's reputation to suffer."
Gu Yangui listened quietly, his face expressionless, except for a fleeting hint of cold mockery when he heard phrases like "staying in the outer study" and "Mingxuan not being close to him." After Su Wanrou finished speaking, he remained silent for a moment, the only sound in the room being the soft crackling of the candlelight.
Suddenly, he reached out his hand to her: "Come here."
Su Wanrou was stunned for a moment, her heart skipping a beat as she looked at his large, outstretched hand with thin calluses. She got up as instructed and placed her hand in his palm. His hand was warm and strong, and he gently pulled her to the couch, where she sat down beside him.
"Look up at me," Gu Yangui commanded, his voice low but authoritative.
Su Wanrou looked up as instructed, meeting his unfathomable black eyes. There was no annoyance, no suspicion, only a calm and reassuring power within them.
“Su Wanrou,” he called her by her full name, his tone unusually solemn, “remember this: you are the Duchess whom I, Gu Yangui, married through proper matchmaking and imperial decree, and you are the rightful mistress of this mansion. How I treat you, how Mingxuan treats you, is evident to everyone in the mansion. If a few words of gossip from outsiders can make you doubt, then you are not worthy of this position.”
His words were direct, even harsh, yet like a heavy hammer blow, dispelling the last vestiges of gloom in Su Wanrou's heart caused by the rumors. He didn't offer gentle comfort, but rather told her, with an almost cold bluntness, how to position herself and how to view these storms.
"As for my reputation," Gu Yangui's lips curled into an almost sharp smile, "it was earned through the swords and spears on the battlefield and the political achievements in the court, not through the long gossip of these women. Anyone who thinks that a few idle words can shake me in the slightest is welcome to try it themselves."
At this moment, the decisive and ruthless aura of the Duke of Zhenguo was faintly revealed in him, making Su Wanrou feel slightly uneasy, yet strangely reassured.
"I understand," she replied softly. The slight grievance she had felt earlier had vanished, replaced by a firm sense of trust and support. "I was mistaken. I will never worry about such trivial matters again."
Looking into her eyes, which had regained their clarity and resolve, Gu Yangui's expression softened. He loosened his grip on her hand, his thumb unconsciously stroking the back of her hand lightly. This subtle gesture made Su Wanrou's cheeks flush slightly.
“Tomorrow,” he suddenly began, changing the subject, “the Empress is hosting a small banquet in the palace to admire the newly presented chrysanthemums. She specifically requested that you accompany her.”
Su Wanrou was taken aback: "Does Her Majesty the Empress wish to see me?"
"Hmm." Gu Yangui looked at her. "You must have heard some rumors. You don't need to be shy. Just behave properly in front of me and Mingxuan as usual. I'll take care of everything."
His last four words, spoken calmly, carried immense weight. Su Wanrou suddenly understood that his seemingly stern words today were also a form of protection and...support. He was telling her that no matter what storms raged outside, he would always stand behind her. And tomorrow's palace banquet might just be another form of "gossip in the capital," one that they, as a couple, would have to face together.
"Yes, my husband." Su Wanrou felt reassured, met his gaze, and gave him a light yet bright smile. "I understand."
In the candlelight, she smiled radiantly, her eyes filled with dependence and trust. Looking at her, the chill that had settled in his heart due to the rumors quietly dissipated. He felt that the room, because of her presence, was so warm that he didn't want to leave. He didn't say anything more, but simply tightened his grip on her hand.
Outside the window, the autumn wind rustled through the treetops, bringing a touch of coolness. Inside, candlelight cast two shadows on the window paper, standing very close together.
End of Chapter 24
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com