Chapter 49: Imprisonment
The door swung open, and Gu Yan entered slowly, hands clasped behind his back. Behind him followed Ming Lan, with his sharp brows and clear, bright eyes. Father and son entered one after the other.
"Mother."
Ming Lan's stern expression softened slightly, but as a man, he couldn't act as freely as Ming Wei. With Gu Yan present, he halted his hurried steps, merely calling out "Mother" without stepping ahead of Gu Yan.
"How are you feeling?"
Gu Yan naturally lifted the hem of his robe and sat by the bedside, placing the back of his hand on her forehead.
A light drizzle fell outside, and his hand carried a slight dampness. Yan Xuerui's body stiffened abruptly as she looked up at Gu Yan's expression.
The man's gaze was gentle, his face calm, as if that night had been nothing but an illusory dream.
"It's n-nothing. I'm fine."
Her thick eyelashes fluttered as Yan Xuerui lowered her gaze. She didn’t know how to face Gu Yan. But Ming Wei and Ming Lan were here—they were no longer mere infants who only ate, slept, and cried. They had grown up.
Yan Xuerui didn’t want to distress the children.
"Since you’re well, have more nourishment to strengthen yourself."
Gu Yan glanced at the half-eaten bowl of meat congee and said lightly, "You’ve been unconscious for two days. The children and your mother have been very worried about you."
Whether intentional or not, his ordinary words inexplicably reminded Yan Xuerui of when Gu Yan had once forced her to take medicine.
"What will Ming Lan think?"
"Mother is elderly. Should she be worrying about us?"
"..."
The sound of rain outside brought a chilly, damp gloom. Yan Xuerui suddenly felt a little cold.
She said softly, "I’ll go pay my respects to Mother later."
"I’ll speak to Mother. You focus on recovering first."
Gu Yan held her hand and tucked it beneath the brocade quilt. Turning to Ming Lan, he instructed, "Shut the window tight. Your mother is cold."
His movements were smooth and natural, as if they were a long-married, loving couple, with no sign of their recent rift. Yet Yan Xuerui’s heart sank further.
She knew him.
Just like that bowl of medicine, which almost cost Bi He her life, that day... not to mention his injuries, just her meeting with Cousin Zhixu wouldn’t be easily overlooked.
He must be plotting something.
Yan Xuerui felt uneasy and listless. Soon, a maid supported the frail, trembling Mr. Gao into the room. He took Yan Xuerui’s pulse and repeated his usual diagnosis.
"An old ailment, pent-up emotions. Relax your mind, and all your ailments will vanish."
At these words, everyone present showed different expressions. Ming Wei, forthright and blunt, asked worriedly, "Mother, what’s troubling you?"
In her eyes, her mother enjoyed extraordinary wealth and luxury, with loving parents and a stable household. Even if her father was temporarily removed from office, it was only a temporary setback—he would surely overcome it.
What did her mother have to worry about?
Ming Lan frowned deeply, thought for a moment, and said, "Mother, my marriage is not urgent. I'll abide by whatever you decide."
Yan Xuerui had been preoccupied with his marriage plans lately, and Ming Lan thought it was because of this. A trace of guilt appeared on his stern face.
"I've been unfilial. Please do not worry about this, Mother."
Following her brother’s lead, Ming Wei thought of herself and Su Huaimo and quickly nodded. "Neither do I, Mother. Don't worry about me—I can handle myself."
Ming Lan and Ming Wei were sensible and thoughtful, their eyes full of devotion and respect. Yan Xuerui felt even more distressed but forced a smile for them.
"I already said it’s nothing. It’s just your father, taking this quack's word as gospel."
She glanced at Gu Yan’s calm expression, her little finger teasingly tugging his sleeve.
Sheltered by Gu Yan’s tall frame and the brocade quilt, their actions were very discreet. Gu Yan responded, his rough fingertips grazing the back of Yan Xuerui’s hand. Her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
Though not intentional, it felt... almost like being intimate behind their children's backs.
"Enough. Let your mother rest for a while. You two, come out with me."
Gu Yan spoke up to extricate Yan Xuerui, and she let out a sigh of relief. She had thought Gu Yan would return alone later and had prepared a whole arsenal of arguments in her mind. To her surprise, he actually left with the children, letting her "rest."
By evening, the family of five had dinner together.
Bright candlelight lit the dining hall like daylight. Maids filed in with gilded lacquer trays laden with delicacies: Eight-Treasure Deer Meat, red plum wine-infused meat, crucian carp and tofu soup, snow frog and white fungus porridge... The steaming heat carried a rich aroma lingering among the carved beams and painted pillars.
It was rare for the family to sit together like this for a meal.
When Ming Lan was young, he followed Gu Yuan to the northwest for training and was fortunate to return twice a year. Ming Wei studied at the academy. Even when they did manage to gather, it was usually in the flower hall of the marquis’ estate for banquets, together with the matriarch, the second branch, and the third branch. After the banquets, Yan Xuerui valued quiet, and Gu Yan didn’t let the children disturb her often.
Now, Gu Yan sat at the head of the table, with Yan Xuerui at his side. Behind them were Ming Lan and Ming Wei, while the nursemaid stood behind them holding a baby in tiger-embroidered golden swaddling. Little Young Slave waved his plump, lotus-root-like arms, babbling nonsense.
"Mother, eat more."
Ming Wei placed a piece of braised soy-marinated goose in Yan Xuerui’s bowl. She was very happy today—her mother had finally woken up. Though it drizzled outside, their family was dining together in a warm room. A dignified father, a gentle mother, a promising older brother, and a babbling little brother—it was perfect.
If only it could always be like this.
Ming Lan pushed up his sleeves and silently placed a bowl of snow frog porridge beside Yan Xuerui.
Surrounded by such an atmosphere, a faint smile appeared on Yan Xuerui’s face. Just as she was about to enjoy her daughter’s filial piety, Gu Yan pushed the bowl and plate in front of her aside and served her some jade cabbage.
"Too frail for heavy tonics. Your mother should eat more vegetables."
Gu Yan spoke lightly. Ming Wei nodded as if accepting a lesson. "Oh, yes, Father is right."
"Mother, listen to Father for now. Once you’re fully recovered, I’ll roast birds for you. My skills... hey, Brother, what are you doing?"
Egret Mountain Academy had a back mountain, and Ming Wei had grown wild over the years—digging for mushrooms, catching fish in the water, climbing trees to catch birds—nothing like a young lady of noble birth. Before Gu Yan could say anything, Ming Lan tapped the table in front of her with his jade chopsticks.
"How improper!"
Ming Lan said, his tone carrying the authority of an elder brother acting in place of a father.
"Hmph."
Ming Wei pouted indignantly and said to Yan Xuerui, "Mother, look at Brother."
"Such an old fossil. He’s becoming more like Father every day!"
Father had never managed her this way.
Ming Lan glanced up and said, "Gu Mingwei, how old are you?"
Still telling on me to Mother.
Watching the siblings bicker, Yan Xuerui smiled faintly, silently picking up the emerald cabbage she didn’t particularly like and chewing it slowly.
This was actually rather nice.
...
After finishing the lively dinner, the nursemaid handed Little Young Slave into the arms of his master. Thanks to Gu Yan’s persistent efforts over the past period, the little tyrant’s habit of bursting into tears at the slightest provocation had been thoroughly cured. Passed around among his father, mother, elder brother, and elder sister, he didn’t shed a single tear, only babbling and blowing spit bubbles with his little mouth.
The family of five shared this warmth until late into the night. When Young Slave grew too sleepy to keep his eyes open, the nursemaid carried him away. Ming Lan and Ming Wei also left side by side. After the noise faded, only Yan Xuerui and Gu Yan remained, facing each other.
Yan Xuerui felt somewhat awkward. She bathed and changed early, cocooning herself in the brocade quilt. She hadn’t spoken much with Gu Yan today and silently prayed he would sleep in his study.
But her hopes were dashed.
The bed sank heavily beside her, and half of the brocade quilt covering her was pulled away. Yan Xuerui faced inward, not looking at him.
After a while, unable to bear the silence any longer, she gave a light cough and asked, "How... how is your injury?"
She was prepared for his sarcasm and for him to bring up past grievances. Her relationship with Cousin Zhixu was entirely innocent, and she wanted to clarify that.
Sure enough, Gu Yan let out a cold laugh. "Do you care?"
Yan Xuerui pressed her pink lips together and remained silent.
She had hurt him; that was her fault. But after being pampered for so many years, was she supposed to apologize to Gu Yan?
Yan Xuerui took a deep breath, hesitating for a long moment before saying, "Marquis Gu, that day I acted impulsively—"
"Enough."
Gu Yan cut her off. "Focus on recovering. Once you’re better, pay a visit to the Chunhui Hall."
"Sleep."
His breathing beside the pillow gradually evened out. Restless and agitated, Yan Xuerui simply closed her eyes. The bed was large, and for the first time, they slept back-to-back. Yet, out of years of ingrained habit, in her drowsiness during the night, she unconsciously rolled into Gu Yan’s embrace, clinging to him with her arms and legs.
She was prone to feeling cold, and stripped of her outer layers, his body was like a heating stove, comforting her.
Waking up each morning in that familiar embrace made Yan Xuerui even more embarrassed. Gu Yan, however, said nothing and went to his study after breakfast. Without needing his instructions, Yan Xuerui prepared to visit the Chunhui Hall to reassure the elder madam.
They continued eating and sleeping together as before, yet strangely exchanged few words. Fortunately, Ming Wei and Ming Lan often kept her company, which comforted Yan Xuerui. She no longer resisted the bitter tonics, and after seven or eight days of rest, her complexion grew increasingly rosy.
The wound on Gu Yan’s shoulder had also scabbed over. Everything seemed to be moving steadily and smoothly. Then, suddenly, an edict arrived, harshly reprimanding Marquis Gu Yan for engaging in corruption and misconduct in the imperial examinations and ordering his immediate arrest and delivery to the Dali Temple for trial.
Yan Xuerui received the news upon waking to the sound of hurried footsteps. She was deeply shaken. Since his dismissal from office, Gu Yan had always appeared composed and confident.
He had told her that the innocent need not worry, as truth would prevail.
She thought it would blow over after a while—how could he suddenly be taken to the Dali Temple? The Ministry of Justice was under the Crown Prince's Faction, while the Dali Temple was controlled by the Virtuous Prince Faction.
Yan Xuerui dug her nails into her palms, took several deep breaths, and forced herself to calm down.
She asked, "Did the Marquis leave any message before departing?"
As an official of his rank, Gu Yan would not be treated like an ordinary prisoner—shackled and forcibly escorted—even in the Dali Temple prison. Before a formal conviction, he could put his household in order, even bathe, change clothes, and have a simple meal before leaving.
Given Gu Yan’s cautious nature, he would surely have left behind useful information.
Temporarily replacing Bi He was a serving girl called Qiu Yue, who looked panicked. "Madam, the Marquis left no instructions."
*When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.* Qiu Yue’s face was pale. The Marquis was the foundation of the household. Now that he was imprisoned, with the Second Master and Ming Lan away, only the elderly, the women, and the children remained. What were they to do?
Qiu Yue’s legs felt weak. She watched Madam Yan, who had always been delicate and frail, fearing she might collapse from the shock. She stepped behind Yan Xuerui, ready to support her.
To her surprise, after a moment, Madam Yan’s voice—still soft and gentle—sounded unusually calm.
"Get the tally tokens, and seal the front and rear courtyard gates immediately. No one is allowed in or out."
"Qiuhua, go to the First Young Mistress and tell her not to panic, to remain where she is."
With that, she hurried off toward the elder madam’s quarters, Chunhui Hall.