Chapter 12

Zhou Mao Cheng knew nothing about this undercurrent between Lin Wei Xi and Gu Cheng Yao, and was even enthusiastically pulling at Gu Cheng Yao, explaining how delicate Lin Wei Xi’s body was and how hard the entire journey had been for her. Because of her illness, Prince Yan had summoned all the doctors in the vicinity, and on top of that, he specially went to the city to pick a maid to take care of her.

Gu Cheng Yao was surprised when he heard this, “Father actually chose the maid himself?”

“Correct.” Zhou Mao Cheng looked perplexed. Not counting Gu Cheng Yao, even a subordinate like him who’d been with the Prince for more than ten years felt it unimaginable.

Gu Cheng Yao turned his head to look at Lin Wei Xi, but this time, the look in his eyes was much more complicated than before. Lin Wei Xi wasn’t afraid of another’s probing gaze. On the contrary, she was more concerned about something else. Why did she feel that Gu Cheng Yao’s eyes seemed to contain a little envy just now?

In hindsight, although Gu Cheng Yao was Prince Yan’s only son, they didn’t spend much time together. Prince Yan had spent half his life in the army, defending the country on all sides. Even children on the streets could recite his military exploits. However, he didn’t spend much time in the Prince Yan Residence, and spent even less time with Gu Cheng Yao.

When Zhou Mao Cheng saw that Gu Cheng Yao had fallen silent, he understood after thinking about it again. He sighed to himself, pretending to relax, and said, “The rebellions throughout the country have been resolved, and any small scuffles won’t require the Prince to enter the battlefield. The Prince will most likely stay for a long while this time.”

The previous emperor had entrusted his son to Prince Yan after his death, and while the new emperor was still young, the capital couldn’t be left unattended. If it weren’t for the serious rebellion in the North-West that needed to be quickly put down to deter further dissent, Prince Yan wouldn’t have personally led the army to battle. However, after news of this victory over the Dughlat tribe became widespread, no one would dare challenge the authority of Prince Yan and the country for quite a long time.

Gu Cheng Yao was relieved at the thought of this. It was truly such a rare thing to be able to live in the same house as his father for this long.

At that moment, Gao Ran returned after settling the matter, and there was an impatience to her steps. When she saw Gu Cheng Yao standing in the middle of the courtyard with Lin Wei Xi not too far off, her pupils shrank in surprise.

Gao Ran maintained her composure and smiled, greeted Gu Cheng Yao smilingly, and, with the air of the hostess, stood next to Gu Cheng Yao like it was the most natural thing to do. Lin Wei Xi couldn’t help but scoff when she saw this. She scorned them, and she inevitably couldn’t stop her expression from turning cold.

Zhou Mao Cheng had entered together with Gu Cheng Yao, but he’d come because of Lin Wei Xi. Now that he had seen her, and Shizi Fei had also returned, Zhou Mao Cheng, who wasn’t a family member, couldn’t continue lingering in the residence’s back courtyard and immediately bid farewell.

Once Zhou Mao Cheng left, only the three of them remained. For some reason, the servants suddenly felt indescribably stifled.

How strange, Shizi and Shizi Fei were deeply in love. Miss Lin wasn’t part of the family, today was her first time at the residence, and she held no grudges. So why was the atmosphere suddenly tense?

It was Gu Cheng Yao who acted first. He was a man, and Prince Yan had returned to the capital today, so there were plenty of matters in the outer courtyard that required his attention; he left after sending the women inside. Gao Ran dropped off the guest and left quickly. In the dim light, Lin Wei Xi sat across the window and watched as Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao talked to each other in hushed voices. The two stood close, whispering, Gao Ran looking at Gu Cheng Yao tenderly throughout. Before he left, she gently stretched out her hand to brush the dust off his shoulder.

Lin Wei Xi’s eyes hurt from watching them. In her previous life, she’d managed the Prince Yan Residence very strictly. No matter which room it was, it would’ve been cleaned every day, why would Gu Cheng Yao get dust on him when walking in the residence? Even if an evil wind had blown through today and caused dust to cover Gu Cheng Yao’s shoulder, were the servant girls behind him so useless that they needed Gao Ran to brush off the dust herself?

Lin Wei Xi fiercely rolled her eyes internally. It was nauseatingly pretentious. She regretted giving in when Prince Yan pushed her to agree to come to the Prince Yan Residence. If she had to watch this for a long period of time, this bitch would definitely anger her to death.

Fortunately, Gu Cheng Yao was, after all, born and raised in an aristocratic family, and he wasn’t used to being too intimate with his wife in public. He glanced at Gao Ran gratefully, whispered something, and then strode out the door.

Only then did Gao Ran seem to remember that there was a guest in the room. She walked in again, a blush painting her cheeks, showing just the right amount of shyness of a newly-weds, “please don’t laugh at me Miss Lin.”

Lin Wei Xi smiled cooperatively, but internally she rolled her eyes.

The rest of her time was spent sitting in the magnificent dining hall of the Prince Yan Residence, listening to Gao Ran inadvertently mention the nobility of the Prince Yan Residence, the influence of her maiden family, the Duke Ying Residence, as well as the fact that Gu Cheng Yao always worried about her and kept giving her ‘trouble’. If the news of Prince Yan’s return to the residence hadn’t arrived at a critical moment, Lin Wei Xi would have slapped her then and there.

When Gu Hui Yan entered the capital, he was asked by the palace eunuch to enter the palace to see the Emperor and Empress Dowager Qian, and could only successfully leave after placating the mother and son. Even as he stood in his residence now, the dust from his journey still clung to him.

From the moment Gu Hui Yan entered the door, the entire Prince Yan Residence noticeably came back to life. All the servants, from the front courtyard to the back courtyard, regardless of rank, all eagerly ran around and yelled in awe and joy, “the Prince is back!”

Prince Yan had returned, the expansive Prince Yan Residence finally welcomed it’s true master after three years of absence.

The noise could be heard all the way in the back courtyard, and Gao Ran promptly stood up, unintentionally revealing her nervousness, “Prince Yan has returned? Granny Tao, how do I look?”

Gao Ran and her maids started to bustle about. Ignoring the people around her, Lin Wei Xi slowly got up and stood by the door. Seeing the person who’d just arrived, she faced the courtyard and gave a standard Wanfu salute◇, “Your Highness Prince Yan.”

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Gao Ran heard this and hurried to greet him. Gu Hui Yan was in the middle of questioning Gu Cheng Yao, and hearing the familiar voice, he stopped and looked at Lin Wei Xi in surprise, “Why are you here?”

Lin Wei Xi asked in response, “Didn’t you insist on bringing me to the residence?”

The expressions of Gu Cheng Yao and the old servants of the residence around them shifted. Before they could intervene, they heard Gu Hui Yan sigh helplessly and say, “I’m asking you why you’re not resting. Didn’t I arrange for someone to send you back? How can they let you just stand here?”

It turned out she was mistaken. Lin Wei Xi straightened up without waiting for Gu Hui Yan to speak, and said nonchalantly, “I waited to pay my respects to you.”

“Tell me the truth.”

“Actually, I don’t know where I’m supposed to stay. You didn’t say anything, so how can I wander around?”

As soon as Gu Hui Yan left the imperial palace, he unintentionally displayed his imposing manner on the way back, his overwhelming presence fully revealed. Even Gu Cheng Yao was struck with fear and awe, and surrendered wholeheartedly, when he saw Gu Hui Yan. But when it came to Lin Wei Xi, with just a few words, she could make Gu Hui Yan let out a smile and look at her in amusement, “Even if you can speak, your body is weak and must recuperate. Jingdan Garden is suitable, so move your things there!”

Jingdan Garden? Lin Wei Xi was very familiar with the layout of the Prince Yan Residence. She smiled and immediately thanked Gu Hui Yan with a salute, “Thank you Prince Yan.”

Gao Ran hurried out to welcome back Gu Hui Yan. Because she presented herself as a gentle and generous Miss Perfect, she would maintain her bowing position if Gu Hui Yan didn’t say anything. But who would’ve thought that the famous Prince Yan would unexpectedly act as if no one else was around, and talk to a young girl about such trivial matters like her everyday life, not caring at all that her status was lower than his. Gao Ran couldn’t help raising her head and glancing forward in surprise, only to find clear bewilderment in Gu Cheng Yao’s eyes. Evidently, Prince Yan wasn’t an easy-going person. In his presence, no one in the residence dared to rise, let alone contradict him. However, according to the norm of the Prince Yan Residence, Lin Wei Xi’s words just now were already very disrespectful.

Gao Ran felt somewhat jealous. For a while now, she had her eye on Jingdan Garden, and planned to leave it for her son in the future. Jingdan Garden and the courtyard where Gu Cheng Yao lived were built symmetrically. It’s significance was obvious. It was only because the Prince Yan Residence didn’t have many people that it went unused. Why should Lin Wei Xi, an orphan with unknown origins who was a guest of the residence, live there?

Gu Hui Yan only seemed to notice everyone else then. He glanced down, stepped into the main hall, and said flatly, “all of you may rise.”

Only then did Gao Ran straighten up, and she felt an indescribable pressure just from facing the other person. She finally realized that her impression of a real wealthy family was too superficial. Prince Yan definitely wasn’t like the rich men she had witnessed in her previous life.

Even though Prince Yan was the son of an influential family, he had grown his family’s honour many fold. Gao Ran had been full of confidence before, but now she hesitated. If Prince Yan really wasn’t satisfied with her status…  Would it change anything even if she worked hard in managing the household and on her image?

After Gu Hui Yan walked in, he clearly didn’t display any coldness or ferociousness, but the whole hall held their breath as they solemnly stood in position, watching him in awe and respect. His gaze swept from Lin Wei Xi to the other two, and he asked, “Have you introduced yourselves to each other?”

“Yes.” Gu Cheng Yao responded. He stepped forward and knelt down with his back straight in front of Gu Hui Yan. When Gao Ran saw this, she hurriedly followed suit.

“I haven’t been filial, paying my respects to Father.”

Gu Cheng Yao kowtowed, his forehead knocking against the ground, and Gao Ran followed suit. Lin Wei Xi stepped to the side to make space for Gu Cheng Yao and his wife’s kowtow ceremony. But at the same time, Lin Wei Xi felt a strange sense of pleasure. Although it wasn’t directed at her, she was the one standing while Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were both kneeling, and it was enough for her to feel refreshed.

What’s done is done, and in the end, Gu Hui Yan didn’t embarrass Gu Cheng Yao and his new daughter-in-law. He calmly stared at them for a while, before motioning them to stand up. Gao Ran was overjoyed, and her maid immediately passed over the tea. She carried the teacup, her hands above her forehead, and said respectfully, “Daughter-in-law serves tea to Father.”

Gu Hui Yan took it and lifted the lid of the teacup, before setting it on the table. It was just a gesture and he didn’t intend to drink the tea, but this was enough for Gao Ran. She kowtowed to Gu Hui Yan, before being supported by her dowry maid to stand up.

Lin Wei Xi stood on the sidelines watching the entire thing. She was sneering to herself when she suddenly heard Gu Hui Yan call her name, “You are unwell. It’s bad for you to stay outside for too long. Why don’t you go back and rest.”

Lin Wei Xi’s goal had been achieved, and she didn’t want to stay here any longer to look at this pair of ‘lovers’, otherwise she would feel queasy. She bowed to Gu Hui Yan to retire and he nodded somewhat worriedly, before adding, “Jingdan Garden has been unoccupied for a long time. Tell me immediately if anything happens, and don’t endure it by yourself, okay?”

Lin Wei Xi responded with an “okay”, and couldn’t hold herself back from asking, “Prince Yan, about my box… “

Gu Hui Yan raised his eyebrows and didn’t speak, looking at her with clear eyes. Lin Wei Xi smiled at him, and shamelessly said, “Of course I dare not doubt Your Highness Prince Yan… It’s just that I’ll only feel at ease if I hold on to it myself.”

He looked away, still silent, but there was a smile in his eyes, “You really can’t do without your things, just go.”

Only then did Lin Wei Xi leave, completely satisfied. As the servants of the residence led Lin Wei Xi to Jingdan Garden, their expressions remained terrified throughout.

Lin Wei Xi had suddenly gone from being an exploited wife and transformed into a privileged exploiter, oh how refreshing. As expected, Jingdan Garden lived up to its superior location. Lin Wei Xi took a comfortable bath to wash off the dust. And after a nap, the servants outside cautiously reported, “Miss Lin, have you woken up?”

The person speaking thought that Lin Wei Xi didn’t recognize her, but Lin Wei Xi was actually very clear about the situation. She looked at the old servant’s distinctly different attitude, and smiled to herself sarcastically, “What is it?”

“The meal will be ready soon. The Prince said that if Miss wakes up, this slave will be the one to bring Miss to the main hall for the meal.”

Prince Yan had returned, so the dinner arrangements naturally couldn’t be sloppy. Lin Wei Xi’s clothes and hair accessories were all ready, so there was no need to dress herself again. She stood up and said, “Got it, lead the way.”

When they arrived, everyone was standing straight while holding their breath, and even Gao Ran stood to one side without sitting down. Lin Wei Xi calmly greeted Gu Hui Yan, then walked to the side and sat down. She carried herself as if she had always been a member of the family.

She sat down comfortably, while Gao Ran had to stand and serve the elders, and this contrast really made people feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, Gu Hui Yan paid it no mind. When he saw that Lin Wei Xi had changed her clothes, he frowned slightly and asked, “Does your head still hurt?”

This was clearly an illness she only had while travelling. She was weak, and would get a headache when a wind blew past so she needed to be careful after washing up. Lin Wei Xi shook her head and replied, “It’s nothing, you don’t need to bother with it.”

Gu Hui Yan frowned again after hearing this, but now wasn’t the time to talk about it, so he didn’t say anything. The dishes were passed from maid to maid, and they were silently delivered into the main hall one after another. Gao Ran used the serving chopsticks to serve food to everyone, and inevitably had to serve Lin Wei Xi. Lin Wei Xi felt gleeful, but she still declined in the end, “Thank you Shizi Fei. Shizi Fei is too polite.”

Gao Ran smiled stiffly, “As a married woman, of course I have to assist my husband, raise our children, and manage the household. This is what I ought to do.” It was custom for unmarried women to sit, but the daughter-in-law not to sit during meal times. It was also a rule for newly wedded brides to serve their elders during meal times. But who was Lin Wei Xi? Gao Ran really wanted to vomit blood.

Gu Hui Yan glanced at Lin Wei Xi slightly and said, “No one here is a stranger, there’s no need to do this. Sit down.”

Gao Ran declined as usual. Gu Hui Yan’s expression didn’t change, but a light bulb suddenly went off in her head, and she remembered what an old servant had mentioned before: Prince Yan never repeated what he said.

Gao Ran didn’t dare carry on her act. Gu Cheng Yao coincidentally happened to look at her, and she immediately took the opportunity to sit down next to him.

The room was completely silent throughout the meal, and when Gu Hui Yan stopped eating, everyone else immediately put down their chopsticks. There were still many matters that needed to be tended to after dinner. After rinsing her mouth and washing her hands, Lin Wei Xi heard Gu Hui Yan questioning Gu Cheng Yao. The voice was emotionless, but there was a fierce anger hidden within, “I heard from Gu Ming Da that our residence has been distant from the Princess Royal Shou Kang Residence these past few months. What the hell is this about?”