Chapter 7: Heart's Blood
Yan Xuerui wondered if it was her imagination, but Gu Yan seemed particularly forceful today. Her arms and neck were covered in dense red marks. With her delicate, snow-white skin, the sight was rather distressing.
Supporting herself on trembling, slender legs, Yan Xuerui rose from the bed, her eyes red with accusation. "Gu Yan! How am I supposed to face anyone today?"
There was a welcome banquet for the Second Master's branch that evening. As the principal mistress of the Marquisate, she absolutely could not be absent, especially with Ming Lan attending. The last time she saw him, she was still pregnant; now, her youngest son was already suckling.
Ming Lan hadn't even met this youngest brother yet.
At the thought, Yan Xuerui shot another fierce glare at the culprit. Her eldest and youngest sons were seventeen years apart—what woman her age still bore children? "An old clam producing a pearl"—the phrase made her head ache at the thought of the teasing looks she’d receive in the future. She had prolonged her confinement period, partly to avoid going out and socializing.
As the wife of an influential official, Yan Xuerui couldn’t possibly spend her days idly enjoying flowers and plants. Initially, she and Gu Yan had fought intensely. The marquis’s residence was a labyrinth of high walls and deep courtyards; she hadn’t even stepped beyond the three layered ornamental gates of her own courtyard, let alone the main gate. After Ming Lan and Ming Wei were born, her relationship with Gu Yan gradually eased. It was no longer as tense as before, and he no longer confined her.
But every time she went out, it was either with him or surrounded by a crowd of guards. To those who didn’t know, it might seem like the marquis’s household was putting on a grand display, but to others, it looked more like escorting a prisoner. She didn’t enjoy going out much. Back then, she appeared compliant on the surface, but she still held a grudge in her heart: Fine, if you want to keep me locked up, I’ll comply. I won’t go out, and I won’t handle the duties of the Marquis’s wife either!
In a prestigious family like the Gu household, selecting a mistress involved many considerations. Managing the daily needs of hundreds of people in the inner household, external social interactions, and the transactions of shops and estates—all had to go through the mistress’s hands. How could a mistress who remained confined to a small courtyard all day possibly handle such responsibilities?
Yan Xuerui simply ignored the household management and never socialized with the officials' wives as Gu Yan’s spouse. Looking back now, it seemed somewhat ridiculous, but at the time, it was her silent and hopeless form of resistance.
Gu Yan, however, never commented on it, only saying she could do as she pleased. She loved scent blending, so he specially built a flower room for her and sought out ancient recipes for incense-making. Spending all day with flowers and plants could become monotonous, so he also handed over a few perfume shops to her, ensuring her carefully crafted fragrances wouldn’t be left gathering dust.
Yan Xuerui was the daughter of a merchant. Back in Yangzhou, she had already been helping her family manage shops and review account books, known far and wide for her intelligence and capability. She carefully selected varieties, attracted customers, hired staff… In Yangzhou, she was in her element, but in the capital, she suddenly found herself struggling. The shops kept losing money with no profit in sight. After handing them over to her, Gu Yan truly disengaged, only privately subsidizing her losses when needed, saying the marquis’s household wasn’t short on money and she should treat it as a hobby, not something to take too seriously.
Yet Yan Xuerui couldn’t help feeling defeated. Later, seeing her losses mount and her daily distress, Gu Yan offered a suggestion: the floral materials she used were of high quality, but few customers could afford them. Selling them cheaply would mean losses, so why not choose a better location and open another shop?
Intrigued, she did some research and indeed found a prime location. In the capital, land was expensive, and the best shops were held by the wives of officials. Coincidentally, the owner of the place she had her eye on was one of Gu Yan’s subordinates. After much deliberation, she, for the first time, sent out an invitation in her capacity as the wife of Marquis Gu.
Things went much more smoothly after that. Not only did the new shop become highly profitable, but the original perfume shops also began to thrive. Yan Xuerui gradually started building her own social circle, mostly among the mistresses of major families and the wives of Gu Yan’s colleagues.
To be fair, these officials' wives were all highly sophisticated, at least on the surface, making others feel at ease. However, Yan Xuerui suffered from a cold constitution and couldn’t drink alcohol, so she seldom attended such gatherings.
Gu Yan was strict with her in other matters, but in this regard, he was quite lenient. She could open shops if she wished, and if she didn’t want to manage household affairs, the internal procurement and interactions had always been handled by the elder lady. It wasn’t until a couple of years ago that Yan Xuerui suddenly realized how time had flown—Ming Lan had grown up.
When a family has a daughter, a hundred suitors come courting. It was time for her to seek a wife for him.
Moreover, her mother-in-law was getting older. Over the years, the elder lady had treated her with kindness and care. Now that her eldest son was about to marry, why dwell on past grievances?
She began learning household management from the elder lady, preparing to take over the internal affairs of the household. She also started frequently attending various blossom appreciation gatherings and garden gatherings, learning to be a competent mistress. Just as she was beginning to master it, she became pregnant again.
She had to put everything on hold, resting at home during her pregnancy and postpartum confinement, and before she knew it, she was where she was now.
…
Yan Xuerui sat trembling before the bronze mirror. She asked Bi He to fetch a high-collared *ruqun* to cover the pitiful red marks on her neck. Spring clothing was thin, and to avoid revealing the marks on her arms, she wore a light rose-red cloud-patterned brocade outer robe. The collar was embroidered with faintly visible intertwining begonia patterns in gold thread, and the cuffs were adorned with small, exquisite pearls. Paired with a pomegranate-red skirt underneath, she looked like flowing rosy clouds when she walked, ethereal and dreamlike.
After an intense session of intimacy, the corners of her eyes were slightly red, and her complexion appeared somewhat pale. She applied makeup and lipstick in front of the mirror. As the saying goes, "A carefree heart reflects a radiant face." Over the years, spending her days with flowers and plants and occasionally worrying about her perfume shops, Yan Xuerui’s face remained as flawless as a lotus flower, showing no signs of age or hardship.
Compared to her younger self, she now carried an aura of tranquility and gentleness, like a pearl within a shell, growing more radiant with time.
Gu Yan, who was buttoning his robe nearby, paused, his tone ambiguous. "Your attire today is… quite unique."
He wished he could mold her into a pearl in his palm, a jade in his sleeve, holding her tightly and not letting anyone else lay eyes on her.
Yan Xuerui didn’t want to engage with him. She knew immediately that the man was acting strangely again. It was just her usual attire—what was so unique about it? Gu Yuan was returning today, and Gu Yan was just being peculiar again.
She sidestepped the sensitive topic and said hoarsely, "I’ve recovered now. The elder lady has been working hard these days, and with Second Uncle returning, the household will surely be busy. I’ll go help the elder lady with the account books tomorrow."
In the past, whether she wanted to manage the household or not, Gu Yan had never expressed an opinion. Today, however, Yan Xuerui’s words carried an underlying meaning:
She had begun to become a competent mistress. The past was water under the bridge, and Gu Yan shouldn’t bring up old grievances either.
"No need. Your health comes first. Rest for now. I’ll speak to Mother."
To Yan Xuerui’s surprise, Gu Yan objected this time. Puzzled, she looked up and saw Gu Yan take her hand, saying, "A Yuan has brought back a divine physician this time. Let him examine you."
Yan Xuerui’s cold syndrome was exceptionally stubborn. According to the imperial physicians, most slender women suffered from this condition, and it often improved with age or after childbirth. But Yan Xuerui was already over thirty and had given birth to three children, yet she still suffered from cold hands and feet daily. During her periods, the abdominal pain was unbearable, leaving her drenched in cold sweat, and at its worst, she even lost consciousness.
The imperial physicians said it could only be managed with treatment, and Yan Xuerui had grown accustomed to it. But Gu Yan refused to accept this, angrily dismissing them as quacks and seeking physicians from among the common people for her.
They consulted many itinerant doctors, and she took numerous medications, but there was little improvement.
Without a doubt, this "divine physician" brought back by Gu Yuan was at Gu Yan’s request. Yan Xuerui sighed and said, "We’ve seen so-called divine physicians over the years, most of whom were all talk. Don’t be too credulous, Marquis."
Once, a charlatan spouted nonsense, claiming it wasn’t an illness but poison that required the heartblood of a loved one as medicine. Gu Yan, usually so astute, actually believed it! The result, needless to say, was useless.
Having witnessed Gu Yan’s madness, Yan Xuerui didn’t dare provoke him on this matter. It was her own body. Though she resented his past coercion, she wasn’t ungrateful.
Gu Yan chuckled softly and explained, "Don’t worry. This man was once renowned throughout the land for his medical skills, surpassing even the imperial physicians. Later, he ended up in the court of the King of Wu. After the king’s downfall, he escaped in the chaos. A Yuan spent two years tracking him down."
"He must be quite capable."
The matter involved the rebellion of the King of Wu and palace secrets, which Gu Yan glossed over. From his confident tone, he deeply trusted this "divine physician’s" skills and believed he could completely cure her cold syndrome.
Yan Xuerui didn’t want to dampen his spirits. Though she held little hope herself, she agreed to let the "divine physician" examine her first, putting household affairs aside for now.
***
Today, Gu Yan didn’t attend to official documents. Instead, he rested with Yan Xuerui until a maid came to announce that the Second Master had arrived. The couple went together to the flower hall for the banquet. Yan Xuerui’s legs were sore, so she walked slowly. By the time lanterns were lit, everyone in the marquis’s household, including Gu Yuan’s party, was seated at the banquet. The head of the household, Gu Yan, holding Yan Xuerui’s hand, arrived late.
The grand hall was brilliantly lit, candles illuminating the room brightly. Dozens of red sandalwood tables were arranged on both sides. The elder lady sat in the host’s seat at the head, with two seats of honor empty on the left. On the right sat an imposing man clad in armor.
His features bore a fifty percent resemblance to Gu Yan’s, with a sharply defined face and stern angles. Perhaps due to years of campaigning, he carried a heavy aura of killing intent, like a sharp blade ready to draw blood and seal throats.
"Elder Brother."
Seeing Gu Yan arrive, Gu Yuan stood up and nodded in greeting. He was tall and robust, as imposing as a small mountain, giving people a deep sense of oppression.
"Hmm."
Gu Yan nodded slightly. The brothers’ reunion lacked tearful embraces or incoherent excitement. Gu Yan’s expression was calm as he raised his hand and patted Gu Yuan’s shoulder.
He said, "You’ve worked hard."
The two were biological brothers, similar in build and features, and equally aloof in temperament. In their youth, when they wore identical clothes, some careless people even mistook one for the other.
Now, over a decade later, their circumstances differed. Gu Yuan had endured years of wind and sand on the battlefield, surrounded by an aura of blood and killing intent, while Gu Yan held up the family’s reputation in the capital, authoritative yet restrained, sharp but concealed. Their temperaments were vastly different.
Moreover, after experiencing the harsh winds of the northwest, Gu Yuan’s complexion was darker than Gu Yan’s, and his build was more robust. No one would ever mistake the two brothers again.
"Alright, alright, catch up later. Let’s eat."
Chopsticks tapped against porcelain plates, producing crisp sounds. The elder lady, looking at the belated couple, said discontentedly, "Grand Tutor Gu is occupied with official duties. Please, take your seats."
This was a reproach for their late arrival.
After all, as the head of the household, no one dared touch their chopsticks before he arrived. Both sons were dear to her, but the second son was rarely home. It was no wonder the elder lady was displeased that he couldn’t even have a warm meal upon his return.
Yan Xuerui freed herself from Gu Yan’s hand and walked to the elder lady’s side, saying softly, "A maid accidentally spilled tea on the Marquis, so he had to change his outer robe. That’s why we’re late. Please don’t be upset, Mother."
On such occasions, Yan Xuerui always showed respect to Gu Yan. After all, he was the father of her children, and her mother-in-law had always treated her well.
The old lady snorted coldly, letting Gu Yan off for the sake of her daughter-in-law. She turned to Yan Xuerui, touched her icy hand, and sighed softly:
"You have a weak constitution. Wear an extra layer of clothing in the evenings."
Though both husband and wife arrived late, she only blamed her son, not her daughter-in-law. Yan Xuerui came from a humble background, took over Gu Yan’s household, neglected household duties, and possessed nothing but lotus-blossom looks that captivated her son. No mother-in-law would like such a daughter-in-law.
Yet the old lady felt nothing but compassion for Yan Xuerui.
Others might not know the full story, but the old lady was well aware of the entanglement between the two in their early years. Though she was a merchant’s daughter with a lowly background, her talent, appearance, and character were top-notch, especially her looks—jet-black hair, snow-white skin, cloud-like hair and a face like a flower—none of the noble ladies in the capital could surpass her. She seemed to glow with an otherworldly charm.
Beautiful in appearance and sharp-witted, anyone who saw her couldn’t help but feel affection for her. Yet she was stubborn and never one to stay quiet.
She knew her own son: self-centered, domineering, and overbearing, never tolerating defiance from others. The two went through their ups and downs, and she heard the girl even went on a hunger strike… Their stubborn clashes threw the entire marquis’s household into turmoil. It was only after Ming Lan was born that they gradually began to resemble a married couple. Now, so many years had passed, and with her son and daughter-in-law living a stable life, the old lady felt greatly relieved.
Yan Xuerui responded to the old lady. She drew a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and said softly, "Mother, there’s dust in your eyes. Allow your daughter-in-law to wipe it for you."
Her voice was gentle and soothing, still carrying the soft Wu accent of the Jiangnan region even after all these years in the capital, making it hard for anyone to refuse.
The old lady let her wipe the corners of her eyes, sighing inwardly once again—no wonder her son was so infatuated with his wife. Earlier, when she suddenly saw her son who’d been away so long, a mix of emotions—longing, joy, heartache—surged up all at once, bringing tears to her eyes.
Having lost her husband in middle age, she never liked showing weakness in front of others. The hall had been swept spotless by the maids—where could dust possibly come from? It was merely her daughter-in-law seizing the opportunity to help her compose herself.
Such a thoughtful, clever, and considerate girl—even an old woman like her, with one foot in the grave, adored her, let alone men.
The old lady patted the back of her hand, signaling her to return to her seat and rest. Yan Xuerui smiled. Her mother-in-law might appear solemn and dignified, but in truth, she was extremely reasonable and had been her only source of warmth in the marquis’s household in her younger days. Back then, she was stubborn, and Gu Yan was mad; it was only thanks to the old lady’s mediation that they managed to navigate their relationship. Thus, Yan Xuerui genuinely respected and cherished her mother-in-law.
As mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along harmoniously, enjoying each other’s company, Gu Yan gave a low cough, and Yan Xuerui returned to sit beside him. Gu Yan served her a piece of her favorite fish, but Yan Xuerui did not touch it. Instead, she lifted her eyes and scanned the banquet hall.
The Marquis of Jingyuan’s household was not complicated. The old lady had one daughter and three sons. The eldest daughter had married into the Earl of Dingtong’s household as the principal wife but tragically died in childbirth. The eldest son, Gu Yan, inherited the title. The second son, Gu Yuan, was stationed year-round in the northwest, had never married, but had two sons.
The youngest son, Gu Lin, was the most heartbreaking—he died young, struck by a stray arrow in the war, not yet twenty. Fortunately, Gu Lin had been a romantic in his youth, with a lively household during his lifetime, leaving behind three sons and four daughters. One young son died early, but the remaining six children were healthy. The third branch had always been the liveliest courtyard in the estate.
The other scattered collateral and illegitimate branches mostly relied on Gu Yan to secure official positions for them in the court. There was also a daughter in the Gu household, who was considered Gu Yan’s half-sister, and was one of the four consorts in the palace, Consort Shu. Aside from her, everyone in the Gu household had gathered for Gu Yuan’s welcome banquet today.
Yan Xuerui’s gaze swept back and forth across the banquet. On the right, Gu Yuan, who had been drinking quietly, suddenly said, "Today in front of His Majesty, Ming Lan and Colonel Qi competed in archery, and it was a draw."
He turned to look at Gu Yan opposite him, not glancing elsewhere, and said, "Both are still young and competitive and insisted on determining a winner. I brought everyone back to the estate first. Hope you don’t mind, elder brother."
"Don’t mention it."
The corner of Gu Yan’s lips lifted slightly, but his eyes gradually turned icy. "Ming Lan has caused you much trouble. How could I blame you?"
No one knew that, beneath the hidden tablecloth, Gu Yan’s hand suddenly grasped Yan Xuerui’s wrist, firmly.