The main hall of Muxi Hall was arranged, and after a while, Chen Xuanqing and Yu Wanxue arrived together.

The couple offered tea to their elders, and Yu Wanxue addressed them as “Father” and “Mother.”

Gu Jinchao observed Yu Wanxue, who wore a bright red over-jacket embroidered with gold, her hair arranged in a phoenix-tail bun, adorned with a gold hairpin with pearl pendants. The crimson color accentuated her snow-white skin, and her features were exceptionally delicate. The two maids who came with her dowry were also quite attractive.

With such a young stepmother, Yu Wanxue couldn’t help feeling somewhat awkward addressing her.

Gu Jinchao smiled and had the maids present the newlyweds with red envelopes, then personally handed Yu Wanxue a foot-square sandalwood carved box. Inside were unmounted gemstones and pearls, a whole casket full, worth approximately four to five hundred taels of silver.

When Gu Jinchao had just married into the family, Old Lady Chen had also given her a box containing extremely valuable jewelry. Jinchao rarely wore them. She thought it better to give the girl some gemstones; if she wanted a particular style, she could have gold hairpins made with the stones set into them.

Third Master Chen took a sip of tea, looking at Chen Xuanqing. Chen Xuanqing’s expression was indifferent, showing no joy of a newlywed.

Gu Jinchao called Yu Wanxue over to speak: “After marrying into the family, you’ll be in charge of the Seventh Young Master’s household affairs. If you have nothing to do, come keep me company. Don’t be too formal…”

Yu Wanxue was still a bit nervous, being a new bride after all, and smiled slightly: “Daughter-in-law understands.”

Third Master Chen then said to Chen Xuanqing: “Now that you’re married, you must shoulder responsibility. You can’t be like before.”

Chen Xuanqing nodded, and Third Master Chen continued: “After you complete your internship at the Hanlin Academy, I will petition the Emperor to transfer you to serve as a district magistrate. Only by governing the common people well can you later be qualified for positions like prefect or ministerial director. The burden of the Chen family will eventually fall on your shoulders. Do you understand?”

Chen Xuanqing said: “Father, please rest assured. Your son understands everything.” Currently, he serves as an editor at the Hanlin Academy, merely accumulating experience.

His father wanted him to start from the lowest level, and now his father held a position in the Cabinet. When other members of the Chen family achieved outstanding merit, they had to be transferred far away to avoid suspicion of favoritism. Only when his father retired from the Cabinet would it be time for him to return to North Zhili and truly shoulder the responsibilities of the Chen family?

Third Master Chen nodded.

Third Master Chen indeed hoped that Chen Xuanqing would leave the Hanlin Academy soon. To develop administrative talent, merely studying at the Hanlin Academy was insufficient. Throughout history, how many officials have brought disaster to the country and the people by knowing only book learning but not practical governance? Under his protection, Chen Xuanqing’s life had been even smoother than his own, which was not beneficial for him. After serving as a district magistrate for a few years and understanding the foundation of state affairs, he would know how to serve as an official for the people.

Chen Xuanqing was now married, and those matters were in the past. He decided to let bygones be bygones. Since the two no longer had any contact, he would stop doubting. After Chen Xuanqing left North Zhili and returned in a few years, everything should be resolved.

Young people are easily confused, but once they mature, they understand everything.

Yesterday, he had thought long before deciding not to expose the matter. He should trust Jinchao, especially now that she was carrying his child.

Such suspicions could not be tolerated.

After the tea ceremony, Yu Wanxue still needed to pay respects to Lady Jiang’s memorial tablet. Afterward, they all went to Tanshan Court together.

Old Lady Chen pulled Yu Wanxue over to examine her, having the nurses take the children outside to play, and asked Nurse Zheng with a smile: “…has the ceremony been completed?”

This was asking if Chen Xuanqing and Yu Wanxue had consummated their marriage.

Nurse Zheng nodded with a smile, holding a large red box decorated with gold, containing the wedding handkerchief with the bride’s blood.

Yu Wanxue’s face turned crimson with embarrassment, and Chen Xuanqing also coughed awkwardly.

Lady Wang laughed: “Look, our Seventh Young Master is embarrassed!”

Old Lady Chen smiled at Yu Wanxue: “You must take good care of him in the future. Though he appears gentle and courteous on the surface, he is stubborn and inflexible, even more so than his father! And he’s used to living alone, so he’s a bit cold and quiet. Now that he’s married you, his quarters will finally be lively. If he treats you poorly, come to Grandmother to complain, and Grandmother will discipline him!”

Yu Wanxue said softly: “Grandmother, please don’t worry. The Seventh Young Master is very kind…”

Chen Xuanqing was indeed very gentle with people, though the couple was still distant without much affection between them. Even on their wedding night…

On their wedding night, the two had lain for half the night without any movement.

Yu Wanxue pretended to be asleep, but her heart was pounding like a drum.

She could feel Chen Xuanqing’s breathing and the subtle fragrance on him, like some kind of clothing incense.

She was a bit disappointed and anxious… if they didn’t consummate their marriage on their wedding night, it would be difficult for her to establish herself in the Chen family later.

She had never seen him before, but she had heard his name so often, along with his legendary stories. A jinshi scholar at sixteen. Moreover, her mother had always said she would marry this man someday. When others heard she was to marry Chen Xuanqing, they all envied her, and she was also grateful that her grandmother had arranged such an excellent match for her.

From childhood, she knew she would marry him. Whenever she heard others mention him, she always felt a strange flutter in her heart.

Originally, she had merely admired his brilliance, but when he lifted her bridal veil with the ceremonial stick, she saw a man as handsome and refined as an immortal.

People surrounded them, but his expression was calm. He didn’t show the shyness or excitement typical of young men getting married. He remained calm and steady throughout. By comparison, other young men she had seen were merely immature boys.

So she bit her lip, abandoning her reserve first, and slipped into his bedding, reaching out to embrace him.

Yu Wanxue was afraid he would push her away.

But after a long while, she only heard him sigh.

What was he thinking?

Soon she had no more questions because he turned and embraced her…

He was very gentle, and because she was in such pain, he didn’t even continue. He withdrew from her body and went to the washroom, calling for maids to attend to his bath. Yu Wanxue lay in bed with cold hands and feet, but when the two maids came out without any unusual expressions, she finally relaxed.

She thought her mother was right—once married, she would know the taste of marriage.

She was very grateful for Chen Xuanqing’s respect toward her.

Old Lady Chen said to Chen Xuanqing with a broad smile: “Look what a good daughter-in-law. Married for just one day, and already knows to defend you! You must treat her well and never mistreat her!”

Yu Wanxue lowered her head even more.

A smile appeared at the corner of Chen Xuanqing’s mouth. “Yes, grandson understands.”

After sending Chen Xuanqing to the side room to speak with his father and fourth uncle, Yu Wanxue paid her respects to the elders one by one. Everyone either outranked her or was older than her, and she received a large pile of gifts. Her two maids couldn’t carry everything, and Gu Jinchao silently lamented her lack of experience, calling her attendant Yuzhu to help. Yu Wanxue looked back at Gu Jinchao and smiled at her.

Yu Wanxue then went to the reception hall to meet relatives.

Gu Jinchao knew at least half of them and introduced these people to her.

By the time she could finally sit down, Yu Wanxue felt parched and her legs ached. Her dowry maid Chuangfrost brought her tea, and wishing to get closer to Gu Jinchao, she smiled and asked: “Was Mother also this tired when she married into the family?”

Gu Jinchao shook her head: “You’re of the younger generation, so you mostly receive gifts and pay respects. I’m of the older generation, so I had to give gifts and receive others’ respect… But though you’re more tired, you gain more gifts. On my wedding day, I truly spent a fortune.”

Yu Wanxue laughed, thinking that this young mother-in-law wasn’t difficult to get along with, but rather quite interesting.

Gu Jinchao knew that her appearance was not naturally friendly, which was certainly true. Originally, she wasn’t very kind, and only after spending time with her would one know that she was relatively easy to communicate with and get along with. And not particularly clever…

In her previous life, she had treated Yu Wanxue too cruelly. Perhaps in this life, the girl would be hostile toward her from the first glance.

Gu Jinchao suddenly recalled a scene where she had demanded porridge in the middle of the night, making Yu Wanxue get up to cook for her. She had maids bring out a stool and personally stood watch outside the kitchen to monitor Yu Wanxue, preventing her from slacking off. Yet she dozed off, and when the porridge was ready, it was Yu Wanxue who woke her.

After waking, and seeing Yu Wanxue’s smiling face, she put on a stern expression and scolded her.

…Perhaps her rebirth was meant to repay debts! Debts to the Third Master, to Yu Wanxue, and herself.

Gu Jinchao shook her head with a bitter smile and pushed a plate of pastries toward Yu Wanxue. “Try this, it’s very crisp and delicious.”

Thousand-layer savory pastry—she remembered that Yu Wanxue loved it.

Yu Wanxue took a bite and indeed found it delicious, couldn’t help eating two more pieces, and said to Jinchao: “It’s delicious! I didn’t expect Mother’s taste to be so similar to mine, liking these crispy things.”

Gu Jinchao shook her head: “I don’t particularly like dry pastries; I prefer fresh fruits and such.”

Yu Wanxue was puzzled—if she didn’t like these, why recommend them to her…

Before she could think further, Chen Xuanqing had already walked over.

Seeing Gu Jinchao accompanying Yu Wanxue, his expression became somewhat unnatural.

Gu Jinchao noticed this as well. Not wanting to disturb their interaction, she gave Yu Wanxue a slight smile and left.

Chen Xuanqing then approached and asked Yu Wanxue: “How was meeting the relatives?”

Yu Wanxue nodded and said with a smile: “I chatted with Mother for a while; she’s nice.” She stood up and asked, “Do you have something to attend to?”

Chen Xuanqing shook his head: “…The banquet is about to begin. I’ll go first.”

He walked out of the reception hall, and the autumn wind blew against his face. All the voices faded away as he reached the lotus pond.

The lotus flowers had long withered, leaving a pool of decayed leaves and dried seed pods. Each hung its head, looking desolate and forlorn.

Chen Xuanqing closed his eyes briefly, suddenly feeling something rising in his throat.

He wanted to vent, to cry out, or perhaps to weep.

The last time he had cried was at ten years old when he broke his father’s inkstone and feared punishment. His father hadn’t blamed him but had been uncharacteristically gentle, stroking his head and saying: “It doesn’t matter if things are lost. You’re a man; you can’t be weak.”

He had never found his father so gentle before, and he never cried again afterward.

Chen Xuanqing took a deep breath before slowly walking back.