Chapter 79 Could It Be That She Has a Taste for Illicit Affairs?
"Your Excellency, His Highness the Crown Prince has set the date for the twenty-first of the twelfth lunar month, less than ten days before the New Year," the subordinate replied nervously, fearing that Gu Yan might vent his displeasure on the child. After these days, they had come to understand the ruthlessness of Senior Tutor Gu.
Gu Yan gave a light chuckle, his well-defined fingers stroking the edge of the congratulatory memorial as he said coolly, "I have taught the Crown Prince for many years. Now that he has such a happy event, why was I not invited?"
The conflict between the Crown Prince and Gu Yan was now almost out in the open. The officials present thought to themselves: *Why weren’t you invited? Don’t you know the reason?*
No one dared to voice it aloud, each tucking their heads in like quails. Gu Yan sighed softly and said, "Princess Changle isn’t invited either."
"Princess Changle is his elder sister. I taught him to respect the virtuous and care for his elders. It seems now that I have failed in my duty and have failed to live up to the Emperor’s deep affection."
Yan Xuerui had pleaded illness and secluded herself in her residence. The princess’s estate remained peaceful and stable, an oasis of calm compared to the constant executions and confiscations outside.
Among the officials seated in two rows below Gu Yan, the youngest, Su Huaimo, pondered for a moment before rising and cupping his hands respectfully. "Marquis."
"Princess Changle is chaste, gentle, and serene, and she abhors public appearances. The banquet will be crowded and noisy, and it might offend Her Highness."
If it weren’t for Ming Wei, Su Huaimo would not have spoken up. After Gu Yan came to power, he rooted out the Virtuous Prince Faction. Even Su Huaimo’s mentor was forced to "claim illness" and retreat from the spotlight. Only Su Huaimo was spared.
Gu Yan often brought him along during discussions. The Qingliu faction believed he was currying favor with the powerful, while Gu Yan’s supporters scorned his humble origins. Caught in an awkward position, Su Huaimo dared not refuse whenever Gu Yan summoned him.
Not because Gu Yan was the powerful Senior Tutor, but because he was Ming Wei’s father.
He could not fathom Gu Yan’s intentions. Though summoned to participate in discussions, Gu Yan never consulted him, treating him as little more than decoration. Su Huaimo remained patient, listening without speaking, keeping to himself. Now that Princess Changle was involved, and knowing Ming Wei’s concern for her mother, he carefully considered the matter and decided to persuade Gu Yan to drop the idea.
For instance, Princess Changle, out of love for her daughter, had hidden Ming Wei in Egret Mountain Academy for the past few months, far from the turmoil. Putting himself in Gu Yan’s shoes, he assumed Gu Yan cherished the princess and would do the same.
Gu Yan glanced at him sideways, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Su Huaimo, if you have such idle concerns, perhaps you should focus more on state affairs. The year is ending. Have all the evaluation reports from the various prefectures been reviewed?"
His wife—why should others worry about her?
Ming Wei was fond of Su Huaimo, and Yan Xuerui had always spoken highly of him. Even though Gu Yan had considered Su Huaimo as a potential son-in-law, he was a narrow-minded man who could not tolerate Yan Xuerui having other men in her sight.
Suddenly put on the spot by his superior, Su Huaimo replied solemnly, "Replying to the Senior Tutor, this year’s canal transport delays have caused some prefectures to submit their reports late. They need to be sorted and organized upon arrival in the capital. It is estimated that the review will not be completed until after the New Year."
Gu Yan nodded slightly and said calmly, "Why delay this year’s matters until next year? Relay my order: the Ministry of Personnel will suspend its holiday starting tomorrow. All documents must be submitted by the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month."
He paused, then softened his tone. "If manpower is insufficient, transfer personnel from the Hanlin Academy. Ensure charcoal and tea are regularly supplied by the Imperial Household Department. The New Year must be celebrated, but official duties must not be neglected. If you perform well, I will seek rewards for you."
After this mix of authority and benevolence, Su Huaimo and the other officials from the Ministry of Personnel quickly rose to express their gratitude. Gu Yan waved his hand and said, "It is late. You may all leave."
He did not mention Princess Changle again. Su Huaimo hesitated for a moment. Princess Changle was young and beautiful. Despite the difference in generations, he could not help but see Yan Xuerui as a young girl like Ming Wei. Given the distinction between men and women, he could not inquire further.
"What is it, Su Huaimo? Do you have something to say?"
Gu Yan had a sharp eye. How could Su Huaimo, a novice, hide anything from Gu Yan, who had years of experience in officialdom? After the others had trickled out, Su Huaimo said, "This official presumes to ask the Marquis and Princess Changle when… uh… when…"
The eloquent top scholar was at a loss for words for the first time. After thinking for a long time, he finally managed, "When will you… make up?"
Ming Wei had said that since her father and mother had parted ways, she had no intention of marrying. Now that the Gu family’s status had risen, he knew of at least three families coveting the marriage of the Senior Tutor’s daughter. If he wanted to marry Ming Wei, he had to worry about the relationship between his future father-in-law and mother-in-law. Such an absurd situation was rare under heaven.
"Su Huaimo, you have overstepped."
The smile on Gu Yan’s lips vanished instantly. He did not like hearing this! What reconciliation? In his heart, he and Yan Xuerui were a loving couple who had never been apart.
But in name, the Emperor had personally issued an edict stating that henceforth, each was free to marry without interference. For certain reasons, everyone from high officials to storytellers under the bridge knew that Senior Tutor Gu and Princess Changle had separated.
This was a humiliation in Gu Yan's heart, one that still rankled him whenever he recalled it. With a darkened expression, he reprimanded the bewildered Su Huaimo and dismissed him. He sat alone in the chilly study for a long time before finally rising and stepping out.
***
Deep in the night, at this hour, Yan Xuerui should have been asleep. But today, Young Slave had been particularly fussy; a child’s mood shifts as swiftly as the wind. Yan Xuerui had held him, coaxing him for what felt like ages. Young Slave was sturdy-built, and the effort left her back and waist aching.
After her bath, she lay face-down on the soft couch, instructing a few young maids to massage her shoulders and legs.
Warm charcoal heaters glowed in all four corners of the room, making it as cozy as spring compared to the icy snowscape outside. A loose, rosy-hued gauze robe embroidered with tangled lotus patterns draped carelessly over her, the collar slipping off one shoulder. Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back, revealing a small section of her snow-white, slender waist.
She preferred quiet, so the maids knelt beside the couch, their fingers pressing gently, using only half their strength for fear of damaging their mistress’s soft, delicate skin.
"Mmm, right there, a bit harder."
Yan Xuerui sighed softly, her eyes closed. When no movement followed after a moment, she opened her eyes in confusion. Suddenly, a pair of large hands covered the small of her back.
Unlike the maids’ delicate fingers, his palms were calloused and carried the chill of winter. Yan Xuerui flinched; she didn’t need to look back to know who it was.
Startled, she exclaimed, "What brings you here?"
"Can’t I come?"
Gu Yan retorted, his palms rubbing repeatedly over her waist. Her waist was so slender that one of his hands could almost span it, and it moved with a willowy suppleness.
Pressing his thin lips together, he asked, "Here? Or here? Is the pressure enough?"
It had been over a month since they last saw each other. Yan Xuerui shifted her waist slightly and whispered, "Hand me my robe."
Having the maids massage her was a pleasure, but letting Gu Yan do it was sheer torture. His hands were strong; when he used to hold her, there was always an almost suffocating pain.
She had grown accustomed to it over time, but after moving out on her own, she felt momentarily at a loss.
Gu Yan did not rise. Instead, he lifted her dark hair, his gaze sweeping over her boldly.
"It’s late. Why do you need a robe?"
His slender, pale hands gathered her jet-black tresses, revealing the dazzling, vibrant patterns blooming across her shoulders. Gu Yan smiled, walked to the dressing table, and picked up a jade hairpin to fasten her hair.
He had never learned how to do this, and his skill was far from refined, but practice made perfect. He fiddled with her thick, dark locks, loosely pinning them up in a manner that managed a decent job.
Yan Xuerui tried to sit up, but Gu Yan pressed down on her shoulder. She was no match for his strength. She rolled over, and now Gu Yan sat at the edge of the couch while Yan Xuerui curled her legs and nestled against his chest.
Knowing Gu Yan’s temperament, Yan Xuerui stopped resisting. She shot him a sidelong glance and chided, "Why must you always sneak in like a roof-scrambler? The princess’s residence has a main gate, you know."
Gu Yan massaged her waist intermittently, teasing her deliberately. "The princess’s residence has so many guards. I thought they were here to keep me out. Naturally, I didn’t dare use the main entrance."
Yan Xuerui fell silent. That was exactly why they were there—to keep him out. Not that it worked. This infuriating man, always hitting a nerve.
"Am I wrong? Could it be that your servant has misunderstood Her Highness? Surely Your Highness is magnanimous and won’t hold a grudge against a lowly subject like me."
Gu Yan’s words were merciless, making her eyes flash with anger. She pinched his waist hard. "Stop talking!"
"Alright, alright. If it upsets you, I won’t say another word."
Gu Yan backed off good-naturedly. He looked down and asked, "Why aren’t you wearing the phoenix hairpin I gave you? Don’t you like it?"
He hadn’t seen the phoenix hairpin he’d gifted her earlier. Gu Yan knew nothing about women’s hair ornaments and jewelry. He simply had the storeroom bring out the finest pieces for his wife to choose from. Every year, the latest styles from the capital’s Treasure Pavilion were delivered to his residence, yet he still felt it wasn’t enough. In his eyes, none of these gaudy accessories were worthy of his Rui Er.
He said, "Tell me what you like, and I’ll have craftsmen make it for you."
Yan Xuerui quickly pressed his arm. "No, that piece is too extravagant for my rank. I can’t wear it."
"I'm here, what couldn't be done?"
Gu Yan said casually, his nose brushing against the side of her neck. "What scent are you wearing today? It's elegant and unique, and has a distinctive charm all its own."
"It suits you well."
Yan Xuerui: "..."
Now in middle age, Gu Yan was better at flirting than in his youth. In earlier years, with a cold expression, he rarely spoke more than a few words, let alone offered sweet nothings or tender gestures.
So many years had passed in the blink of an eye. Sometimes she would drift into thoughts, wondering what might have been if she had met Gu Yan at this age back when she was still a young girl.
She tilted her head away slightly and replied, "I don’t wear any scent. It’s just the soap from my bath."
Gu Yan laughed softly. He hadn’t really been asking about her scent. His fingers gently loosened the silk ribbon at her waist, and her loosely draped robe slipped completely from her shoulders, revealing her skin pale as jade.
"So it’s here that smells so sweet."
His hands moved upward. Having shared a bed for many years, he knew exactly where she was sensitive. In just a few strokes, he had Yan Xuerui turned soft and pliant. She was aroused too.
She reached out and hooked her arms around Gu Yan’s neck. "Let’s move to the couch."
The couch was too narrow, forcing her to cling tightly to him, afraid she might fall. She couldn’t handle that.
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. He was certain it wasn’t his imagination—since she had moved into the princess’s residence alone, her personality had become bolder and more spirited, and the worry that once clouded her brow had lessened.
Was it the good *feng shui* of the princess’s residence, or was there another reason?
Gu Yan made a mental note. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. He slid his arms under her legs and carried her steadily toward the inner room.
"As the princess commands, how could your servant dare to disobey?"
...
After they had called for water twice, Yan Xuerui lay panting against Gu Yan’s chest, her dark lashes thick and curled, dotted with trembling teardrops.
"N-no more... it hurts," she stammered.
For Gu Yan, this was merely a prelude; for her, it was just enough. Any more, and pleasure would turn into pain. Besides, Zhilu was quite the handful—her waist was already sore.
She never failed to complain it hurts. Though Gu Yan was usually accommodating, he was not so easily swayed at times like this. He flipped over, his hands wandering mischievously.
"Where does it hurt? Here?"
"Or here?"
"This humble official is dull-witted. Please, Princess Changle, show me where."
Calling her "Princess Changle" at a time like this made Yan Xuerui flush red with embarrassment. She opened her mouth and bit his shoulder. After a while of fooling around, Gu Yan patted her slender back and laughed. "I won’t tease you anymore."
"Let go. I’ll pour you a cup of warm water."
He had come today on official business. His sedan chair had stopped at the main gate of the princess’s residence, and the servants were about to announce him when he suddenly remembered the first time he had seen her. On a whim, he stopped the servants and scaled the wall.
She had protected herself well—there were even traps inside the walls. She hadn’t seen how discomposed he had been when he arrived, and Gu Yan certainly wouldn’t bring it up himself.
He had originally intended only to talk with her for a while, but upon entering, he saw her lying there, her jade-like body hardly covered by a tantalizing sheer robe. It was almost worse than wearing nothing. Naturally, they ended up on the couch. He restrained himself, not taking things too far.
Otherwise, if she fell into a deep sleep, he wouldn’t be able to stay long tomorrow morning, and today’s visit would have been for nothing.
Gu Yan said, "The crown prince’s eldest son’s daytime banquet—you should attend. And also—"
After today’s provocation from the tactless Su Huaimo, Gu Yan wanted to bring up their wedding—he wanted to hold it again with great fanfare. But then he remembered her recent bold and fiery behavior and wondered to himself: *They say a wife is not as enticing as a concubine, and a concubine is not as thrilling as a clandestine affair. Does she actually enjoy the taste of an illicit relationship?*
When she didn’t suppress her true nature, her scolds, laughter, anger, and teasing were all filled with charm.
He abruptly changed what he was about to say. After a pause, he continued, "Also, have the maids dress you carefully. If you don’t like that phoenix hairpin, I’ll commission another one for you."
"Wear it."
Princess Changle had been kept out of sight for too long. It was time for her to make an appearance.