Chapter 29: Entertaining the Idea of Serving Two Husbands...
His touch always carried a suffocatingly restrictive quality. Yan Xuerui subtly furrowed her delicate brows but ultimately said nothing, relaxing her body as usual.
A short while later, maids filed in, carrying trays laden with dishes, the candlelight illuminating the room brightly. During the meal, Yan Xuerui spoke softly, recounting in detail her experiences of the day at Qianyuan Hall.
Finally, she paused, looking at Gu Yan with a troubled expression. "His Majesty wishes for me to frequently accompany him in the palace. This..."
He hadn't even allowed her to host the all-female Flowerviewing Banquet; regularly entering the palace... Gu Yan would surely be displeased. They had just "reconciled," and she didn’t want to cause further complications.
Gu Yan gently set down his jade chopsticks, and the maid behind him immediately bowed, offering a silk handkerchief. He took it and lightly dabbed the corners of his mouth, uttering a low "hm" without further words.
Yan Xuerui stole a glance at his expression. Under the bright candlelight, his brow bones were cold and sharp as if carved, his thin lips pressed tightly together. His countenance, however, was not as gloomy as it had been moments before.
Yan Xuerui felt it was somewhat unlike him but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was strange. He had always been one to hide his feelings; his face had been so dark earlier, yet now he seemed to have come to terms with it?
While she was still hesitating, Gu Yan patted the back of her hand and said, "I’m going to bathe."
Yan Xuerui replied, "Alright. You’ve had a long day, Lord— Bi He—"
Suddenly, her voice caught in her throat as she finally grasped his meaning.
For commoners, bathing was actually a luxury; it consumed considerable labor and materials. Even though the Yan family was not impoverished, when Yan Xuerui was a young lady, during the cold winter months, she couldn’t bathe daily.
It wasn’t for lack of money for charcoal; the winter cold was harsh. Even with plenty of braziers in the room, her constitution was weak, and there was always the risk of catching a chill and falling ill, which would mean drinking medicine and causing a stir throughout the household. Thus, Yan Xuerui hated winter the most.
Later, in the capital, because she was constantly frail and cold, even before winter arrived, the marquis’s residence had already activated the underfloor heating system throughout. The estate also had a heated chamber, and gradually, she developed the habit of bathing daily. Gu Yan was even more so.
Such an ordinary matter wasn’t worth him mentioning specifically. Unless...
He hadn’t touched her in so long that she didn’t catch on right away.
Under the candlelight, a light flush spread across Yan Xuerui’s snow-white face. She still felt some resistance and said softly, "Didn’t the physician say we must not indulge in excess?"
Gu Yan’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze steady. "Food and sex are part of human nature; it’s not indulgence."
Because of Divine Doctor Gao’s advice, he hadn’t truly touched her in a long time. It wasn’t that he couldn’t control his desires; he wanted to have her fully.
Just this once, he’d make an exception.
He raised his hand to touch Yan Xuerui’s slightly cool cheek, then turned and went into the inner room.
Whatever he wanted to do, Yan Xuerui never had a way to resist.
A night of debauchery.
...
The next day, Ming Lan came to pay his respects but waited a long time without seeing his mother emerge. He checked the time, drank a cup of tea as usual, and was about to leave after instructing Bi He when he saw his well-groomed and dressed father.
His father wore a tall crown and magnificent robes, a moon-white brocade gown with discreet embroidered ruyi patterns. The nephrite jade pendant at his waist swayed lightly with his steps, accentuating his tall, straight posture like a bamboo stalk. Except for... those prominent scratches on his neck.
Ming Lan’s eyelids twitched; his elders’ bedroom matters were not for him to comment on. He bowed to his father. "Father."
"Hmm."
Gu Yan nodded faintly, beckoned a maid, and instructed the kitchen to prepare light meals, ensuring they did not disturb his wife’s rest. Father and son walked out through the moon gate of the rear courtyard, one after the other.
As they walked, they discussed court affairs. When they reached a fork in the path, seeing that Ming Lan showed no intention of taking his leave, Gu Yan asked, "Aren’t you on duty today?"
Ming Lan pondered for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Father, that Taoist Master Xu in the palace is problematic."
Gu Yan was busy with affairs; when Ming Lan had first noticed something unusual about Yao Er, he had discussed it with Gu Yuan to investigate. Now, they had just gotten somewhere but hadn’t had time to report to Gu Yan before yesterday’s incident.
Since it involved the elders' past grudges, it wasn’t appropriate for him to say too much. Ming Lan said, "When you have time, Second Uncle will explain it to you in detail."
At this moment, he felt immensely relieved that even in front of his close uncle Gu Yuan, he had kept secret his mother’s particular soft spot for Yao Er. He absolutely did not want his mother involved in the political storms of the former court.
He had a graceful younger sister and an adorable little brother. As the eldest son of the family, Ming Lan felt the weight of his responsibilities deeply. Harmony in the family led to prosperity in all things; he didn’t want unneeded trouble.
Gu Yan frowned. "Out with it."
From Ming Lan’s tone, it was clear the boy knew something— why was he being evasive?
Ming Lan pressed his thin lips together stubbornly. "I’m afraid my explanation might be unclear and mislead you."
Ming Lan was already seventeen. Having been deeply influenced by Confucian teachings since childhood, he had always been obedient to his father. Now, for the first time "defying" him, Gu Yan wasn’t angry.
A man should have some mettle; even the Crown Prince— his original intention had never been to raise him to be a weak puppet.
Thinking of the Crown Prince, Gu Yan’s eyes darkened. He dismissed Ming Lan without pressing further.
After yesterday’s events, even if Ming Lan hadn’t said anything, he would have investigated this "Taoist Master Xu."
***
After court, Gu Yan first went to the Eastern Palace to teach, then sent a message to meet with Empress Xu. As an external official, it was inconvenient for him to stay long in the palace. Gu Yan carefully inquired about the affair of Consort Chen from years ago. After about an incense time, he returned to the residence around noon.
As soon as he stepped through the gate, a servant hurriedly reported that Second Master had been waiting for him in the study for a long time.
Gu Yan thought for a moment, handed the pastries from Furong Pavilion to a servant, and instructed, "Ask Mr. Gao to go to the main courtyard and take my wife’s pulse."
Outwardly, he showed nothing, but only Gu Yan knew he had overstepped yesterday. She had always been gentle, but last night, pushed to her limit, she had scratched him and nearly fainted.
He truly detested the feeling of losing control. Only in that moment, when he truly possessed her, did his heart finally settle.
Compared to before, Gu Yan had been celibate for a long time. Occasionally indulging, he didn’t consider it excess, but for the sake of her health, he still wanted Mr. Gao to examine her.
Gu Yan stepped slowly into the study. He was well-attired, but the scratch on the side of his neck was so conspicuous that Gu Yuan couldn’t ignore it.
Gu Yuan lowered his eyes respectfully. "Brother."
Gu Yan waved his hand dismissively. During morning court, because of this scratch, he had received many teasing glances. Even the Emperor had condescended to say, "Minister Gu, be gentle."
His tone carried hidden displeasure.
Ridiculous! The Emperor could meddle in everything under heaven, but could he interfere in his private affairs? She was his rightful wife; did they have to sneak around?
Gu Yan remained expressionless, neither concealing it nor showing anger, openly displaying it for all to see. Today, he had certainly been the talk.
He took a sip of tea and got straight to the point. "That Taoist Xu— who exactly is he?"
Gu Yuan slightly bowed his head, his gaze fixed intently on the cracks in the marble floor.
"I am at fault."
After a long time, he spoke in an obscure tone. "Brother, do you remember that scholar named Fang from twenty years ago?"
His original name was Fang Zhixu. Fang Zhixu, Xu Zhi... Their people had followed the clues to Yangzhou. This "Xu Zhi," Taoist Master Xu, was a renowned immortal master in Yangzhou in recent years, not only famous among the common people but also a guest of honor for many high officials and nobles.
Gu Yuan finally remembered. Fang Zhixu— her former "fiancé," a mere scholar who had overreached and come to the capital to appeal to the Emperor.
That petition was submitted to the capital prefect, never reaching the emperor, and landed on Gu Yan’s desk the very next day. According to the laws of the dynasty, even if the case had been heard, he would not have won—the concubine agreement was explicitly stated, written in black and white.
He was merely a former fiancé, with no legitimate claim or standing. In the end, he would most likely have been stripped of his scholar status and expelled from the capital.
But his actions enraged Gu Yan.
Hadn’t he already spared his life in Yangzhou? How dare he provoke us now? At the time, they were on bad terms, and Gu Yan was convinced that her defiance and coldness toward him were because her heart belonged to another.
He stared at the petition, pondered for a long time, before summoning his younger brother, Gu Yuan.
He said, “Your sister-in-law is entertaining the idea of serving two husbands.”
At the time, Gu Yuan was completely smitten by the stubborn yet beautiful young woman in the rear garden. His heart trembled, and he couldn't bring himself to meet his elder brother’s eyes.
“Brother, please calm down. Perhaps… there’s some misunderstanding.”
“The lover has come knocking at our door! What misunderstanding could there be?”
Gu Yan let out a cold laugh and waved his hand dismissively. The thin petition fluttered to the floor at Gu Yuan’s feet. He picked it up and examined it carefully. His expression shifted from initial unease to one as dark and stormy as Gu Yan’s.
It was only then that Gu Yuan learned she had a deeply committed “fiancé” back in Yangzhou.
After a moment, Gu Yan seemed to calm down and said slowly, “Your sister-in-law is appealing and coveted. It’s not her fault that others covet her.”
“But…”
His voice turned icy. “Anyone who dares to compete with me, Gu Yan, for a woman should first weigh whether they are worthy.”
Gu Yuan clenched his fist inside his sleeve, his heart filled with an inexpressible rage, mingled with guilt toward his brother and a sense of panic.
To this day, he still didn’t know whether those words were meant for the “former fiancé” or as a warning to him.
He didn’t dare dwell on it. Among all the capable people in the marquis’s household, why his brother had entrusted this matter to him?
His brother instructed him: “Handle this discreetly. Keep this from your sister-in-law. Her heart belongs to that man. If she finds out, she’ll try to kill herself again.”
“Remember—uproot the weed, destroy the root.”
…
Gu Yuan thought his brother was right. It should have been over in an instant, but he was too young at the time, and the pent-up bitterness in his heart needed an outlet.
He told himself: He couldn’t betray his brother, so how could he not handle a mere scholar?
He had men break his legs and set fire to his residence, leaving no whole body behind.
In the end, he had been careless, allowing him to escape. If you cut the grass without removing the roots, it will grow again with the spring breeze. Now, Fang Zhixu had returned, seeking revenge.
And her.
…
After Gu Yuan confessed, he expected his brother to fly into a rage. Instead, he saw Gu Yan clench the white jade ring on his finger tightly, then suddenly release it.
Over the years, Gu Yan had improved his composure. They now had three children together. A former fiancé from twenty years ago was hardly worth his concern.
“So, the skulking rat in the palace is him.”
Gu Yan picked up his teacup and took a sip. “It’s fine. Now that we know his identity, we can prepare our countermeasures early.”
He said casually, but Gu Yuan, sharp-eyed and attentive, noticed the hairline cracks forming across the rim of the celadon teacup.
Gu Yuan closed his eyes, ready to apologize again, but Gu Yan, toying with the empty cup, said softly, “Ah Yuan.”
“How do the three thousand Black Armor Army troops you brought back compare to the imperial guards?”
Gu Yuan was taken aback. After a moment of serious thought, he replied, “In terms of combat strength, the Black Armor Army is unmatched. But the palace has layer upon layer of walls, and the imperial guards are familiar with the terrain. If it really came to a fight… the outcome is uncertain.”