Chapter 16: A Familiar Face
"Slow down, what's the rush?"
Gu Yan's lips curved into a smile as he soothingly patted Yan Xuerui's hand, his refined face feigning innocence. "Even the most heinous outlaw gets a chance to plead their case before the Ministry of Justice. I haven't uttered a word, yet Rui'er is so quick to condemn me. Your husband... is truly wronged."
"Gu Yan, you—"
Yan Xuerui trembled with rage. She had never known Gu Yan possessed such a glib tongue and cunning charm. Knowing him as intimately as she did, she could tell at a glance that the man was plotting something.
She would never allow anyone to harm her children.
She had conceived Ming Lan and Ming Wei amidst blood, tears, and humiliation. By the time she gave birth to her youngest son, she was already over thirty. Even though the imperial physicians warned that her age made childbirth risky, even though people mocked her for being "an old clam bearing a pearl," she was determined to have him. She didn't know why ordinary women bore children, but to her, her children were her very life.
She was a foundling with unknown birth parents. Her adoptive parents treated her well, yet there was always a subtle distance. When they gave her to Gu Yan as a concubine, her mother held her and wept, saying what was done was done, it was fate, just accept it.
Her mother, strong-willed all her life, had taught her and her sisters since childhood to have backbone—better to be a poor man's wife than a rich man's concubine. How could she become someone's concubine? And to such a terrifying man? She shivered just at the sight of him.
But Gu Yan arranged a good marriage for Xue Fang—the groom came from a respectable family with upright character, settling a deep worry in her mother's heart.
Gu Yan also secured a sinecure as a sixth-rank clerk for her father, allowing her father, who had always schemed and bowed to officials, to finally straighten his back and walk with confidence.
No matter how grand the excuses, given the Yan family's status at the time, tangling with a marquis's household in the capital was like an egg hitting a rock. But deep down, Yan Xuerui knew: the price Gu Yan offered was too tempting. She had been "sold" to him by her parents.
She ran away many times. The more she ran, the harsher the "punishment" became. Later, Gu Yan chained her with a golden chain, stripped her naked. During those days, she felt like a whore whose only purpose was to spread her legs to please a man. It was so humiliating; in her daze, she thought it would be better to just die.
When she went on a hunger strike, she was truly resolved to die. Never did she expect she would become pregnant.
She had just turned fifteen, too young to understand what bearing a child meant. She watched her slender belly gradually swell, and felt it move. When she was happy, it seemed to share her joy; when she was sad, it was well-behaved, as if silently comforting her.
Giving birth to Ming Lan wasn't easy. It was her first child, her pelvis was narrow, and the labor lasted two days and a night. At dawn, the baby's first cry pierced the sky. Everyone was smiling, the midwife's congratulations endless. She looked at the wrinkled infant, like a hairless monkey, touched his small hand, and suddenly wept.
In this vast world, from that day on, she was no longer alone.
...
Whether it was Ming Lan, who carried so many of her complex emotions, or Ming Wei and her youngest son who came later, Yan Xuerui treasured each one dearly. She herself had never known true maternal love, but her children must never suffer. Over the years, for the children's sake, she was willing to live peacefully with Gu Yan.
Now Gu Yan wanted to harm her children? Over my dead body!
Yan Xuerui's beautiful eyes blazed with fury as she glared defiantly at Gu Yan.
"Alright, alright, it's all my fault. Don't be angry, my lady."
Gu Yan knew when to yield. Whatever schemes he had in mind, his expression remained calm. The formidable Senior Tutor Gu, who commanded respect outside, couldn't avoid playing meek to coax his wife in the inner chambers.
He pulled Yan Xuerui into his embrace, gently patting her slender back, and said softly, "What nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean, 'your children'? They are our children. They are also my flesh and blood. Even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its young. Put your heart at ease, Rui'er."
Little did he know, the more composed he appeared, the more frightened Yan Xuerui became. She knew how unhinged Gu Yan could be.
She glared at him, her eyes slightly reddening. "I refuse the treatment, I won't... Not Ming Lan either..."
The words were fragmented, but Gu Yan paused, understanding her meaning.
They had three children together. The youngest was still nursing in swaddling clothes; bloodletting would cost him his life. Ming Wei was a girl, not only weak but also likely to be left with an ugly scar. The only suitable candidate, readily available, was their eldest son, Ming Lan.
Ming Lan was strong and healthy, the eldest brother, the legitimate eldest son of the family—he should bear more responsibility. In that brief moment, Gu Yan's mind had already decided on Ming Lan.
Rui'er suffered so much giving birth to him, and had doted on him with care and love all these years, a mother's heart. Since ancient times, there was filial piety by cutting one's flesh to save a parent; now it was only some blood—it was only right!
Moreover, Ming Lan was a filial son. Knowing his eldest son as he did, he might even draw a dagger then and there to draw blood for his mother's treatment.
...
Gu Yan sighed softly. He lifted her delicate chin, looked into her eyes, and promised, "Alright. I understand."
Their eldest son resembled him in features, but the treatment the two received from her was worlds apart. The Senior Tutor felt somewhat aggrieved, even a little jealous.
But since he had promised her, he, Gu Yan, was a man of his word and wouldn't target their children again. He had finally gotten some peaceful days; a little spat was amusing, but he didn't want her to truly resent him.
Besides, it wasn't the only way. Apart from his offspring, there were also his parents, siblings...
"My lord, I'm unwell. You... carry me back."
Yan Xuerui suddenly grabbed Gu Yan's sleeve, wrinkling the silver-threaded auspicious beast embroidery on his cuff.
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. She usually disliked him being affectionate with her in public. But they were properly married, having bowed to heaven and earth before their ancestors—rightfully husband and wife, not stolen, so why avoid people?
Usually, to correct her of this habit, Gu Yan would boldly be intimate with her. Today, her asking to be carried was a first.
Abnormalities foretell trouble, but this was the first time Rui'er had used her wiles on him. After a moment's thought, Gu Yan slipped an arm under her knees and swept her up into his arms.
He chuckled softly, "Alright, let's go back to rest."
The man's tall figure was steady and handsome, while Yan Xuerui's was delicate and petite. From behind, her form was completely hidden. The rosy, gold-tinted hem of her skirt tangled with the man's wide sleeves. From Bihe's angle, only a pair of small, exquisite embroidered shoe tips could be seen dangling from the crook of his arm, the pearls adorning them glossy and trembling.
Bihe averted her gaze, looking at Mr. Gao, who had been left behind again, and said helplessly, "Sir, this way, please."
Two consultations, and not only had he found nothing, but the lady had also left angry twice. Bihe wasn't fond of the old man either. But he was the marquis's guest. Until Gu Yan said otherwise, the marquis household had to treat him hospitably with good food and drink, without neglect.
Mr. Gao was old and seemed slow to react. He sat upright in the chair for a long time. Just as Bihe's patience was wearing thin, he suddenly said in a hoarse voice, "That lady's voice and smile... I feel a sense of déjà vu."
Bihe rolled her eyes and quickly pulled his arm. "The door is this way. Someone come and see Mr. Gao out. Qiu Hua? Qiu Yue?"
Two young maids hurried over, supporting Mr. Gao's withered arms to lead him back. Bihe followed alongside, watching the old man's cloudy eyes, and said loudly, "There's a threshold ahead, please lift your foot."
Déjà vu, my foot. The old man's eyes were so dim he couldn't even see the threshold underfoot, yet he could clearly see her lady's flower-like face.
Bihe snorted inwardly. Before the maids helped him out, adhering to her duty as the head maid of the main courtyard, she earnestly advised, "Old sir, you were brought by the marquis to treat the lady's illness. How can you keep upsetting her?"
"As the saying goes, trouble comes from the mouth. In the marquis household, to get by, remember this four-word motto: speak less, do more!"
Bihe felt she was being utterly sincere, but the old man remained unmoved. After spending half the day persuading him, just before the moon gate of the main courtyard, she asked, "Did you remember?"
Mr. Gao was silent for a long time, then uttered one word: "Huh?"
Right, she forgot the old man was not only dim-sighted but also hard of hearing. A waste of breath!
Bihe waved her hand irritably, instructing the two young maids to see him out, then went back to the side room to rest and have some tea, telling the servants below to heat water. After an hour, she slowly returned to the main room to attend to her duties.