I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

Lin Wei Xi was happy for a moment, but as she suddenly thought of the events in the book, her joy immediately clouded over. Her smile faded and Gu Hui Yan was sharp enough to notice this. His gaze shifted and he asked, his voice deep, “What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing.” Lin Wei Xi shook her head. She didn’t intend to mention this to him. After all, the events in the heavenly book were too unimaginable. Frankly speaking, she was chasing wind and shadows and speculating about events that hadn’t occurred yet. But when she looked into his eyes, she wholly trusted him, not knowing why. It seemed like no matter what happened, she could depend on the person in front of her. Lin Wei Xi was gradually put under a spell as she looked at Gu Hui Yan, and she hesitated in asking, “my Prince, what kind of person do you think Grand Secretary Zhang is?”

Gu Hui Yan’s gaze changed abruptly and he even looked a little surprised. He initially assumed that his little wife had let her imagination run wild again. She seemed to easily get caught up in memories and sometimes mourned some things in her life, as if something similar but bad had happened to her before. This was absolutely undesirable for her growth. Gu Hui Yan kept these things to himself and didn’t normally talk about them. He thought the same thing was happening today, but he didn’t expect to hear this question from her.

If she could ask such a question, then the answer she wanted was definitely not something related to Zhang Xiao Lian’s poetry and literature, him personally attending to all the government affairs, or him laboriously teaching the Emperor. Gu Hui Yan felt it was strange. Given her age and experience, she shouldn’t have been exposed to this level of political affairs. Gu Hui Yan asked what was on his mind, “Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just that, when I saw the Emperor today, I suddenly realized that His Majesty has grown so tall and is almost the same height as me. He will probably be taller than me next year, so I feel a bit rueful.” Lin Wei Xi answered nervously. When she said this in front of Prince Yan, she felt quite like she was displaying her small skills in front of an expert. She peeped at him and asked carefully, “my Prince, my thoughts aren’t detailed but I decided to explain them to you. Do you find them laughable?”

“No.” Gu Hui Yan laughed in spite of himself and couldn’t resist reaching across the table to pat her head. “Why would I? It’s great that you thought of this.”

The young emperor grew older day by day, but the three regent ministers were still in charge of government affairs. Under the lively and vibrant facade, tensions were already brewing. Unfortunately, those of the imperial court remained wilfully ignorant and immersed in this flourishing era and their vanity. Perhaps even Zhang Xiao Lian himself never thought this would be a problem. It was very rare to come across a sixteen-year-old girl like Lin Wei Xi who could think like this after just entering the palace.

Gu Hui Yan’s expression darkened. He realized that Lin Wei Xi, who was sitting right next to him, was looking at him nervously with damp eyes, as if the sky was going to collapse at that moment. He smiled softly and his imposing aura relaxed, “that day is still far. We can enjoy at least five more years of peace. What are you worried about? Besides, even if the day comes, I will be here. Nothing will happen.”

Because Lin Wei Xi had read the heavenly book, she knew that someday, Grand Secretary Zhang’s actions would have huge implications. Even if the factions weren’t in conflict now, a shadow constantly loomed over her heart. Hearing Gu Hui Yan say this, her heart was consoled and she relaxed. She immediately smiled and said, “that’s right, you’re here.”

Lin Wei Xi was truly much more relaxed. Based on Gu Hui Yan’s expression, he seemed to constantly have his guard up against this matter. Maybe he already expected what had happened today from the moment he first entered the capital to assist the Emperor. Who was Prince Yan? Even if Lin Wei Xi was lucky enough to see the future from the heavenly book, she’d never compare herself to him. Since he was already prepared, wouldn’t her worries be groundless even if she continued to worry about it?

Lin Wei Xi calmed down a bit and her expression relaxed. Although this had been what Gu Hui Yan wanted, he was still surprised when he saw her reaction, “you’re trusting me so easily? It’s just an empty promise. No one can really predict the future.”

“Of course I believe you.” Lin Wei Xi wiped the depressed look off her face and smiled beautifully at Gu Hui Yan, her dimples flashing, “Because you’re Prince Yan.”

Such unreserved trust coming from this little lady really made him feel like he was falling. Gu Hui Yan unconsciously smiled and his gaze softened.

He said that he had seven days of wedding leave. Actually, he’d ended his leave on day three, after his return from the palace, and returned to handling government affairs.

Lin Wei Xi forced herself to get up early and insisted on personally helping Gu Hui Yan into his first-rank Prince court dress. He noticed that her eyes were red-rimmed, clearly not completely woken up yet. She only wore the inner lining^◇ to her clothes and she shivered slightly as she helped him change. Even though the earth dragon was burning, the early winter morning was freezing. Gu Hui Yan pitied her since she was still half-asleep and felt sorry that she’d catch a cold standing outside. He asked her to go back to sleep several times but she shook her head and declined. It was her first time doing this for a man. Because he held a high status, his court dress was rather complicated. She reached out and strained as she tried to tie his leather belt.

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Gu Hui Yan had strong shoulders, a slim waist, and well-proportioned and long legs. He looked tall and dignified when he stood, and anyone could tell at a glance that he was in the military. Lin Wei Xi already looked slim when standing in front of him. But as she wrapped her hands around his waist to tie his leather belt, in only her inner wear with her long hair draped behind her, it seemed like she was trying to hug him. While Gu Hui Yan was immaculately dressed and decked out in the first-rank Prince’s court dress, Lin Wei Xi wore her long hair at the waist, her clothes wrapping around her slim frame. The contrast gave one an indescribably romantic feeling.

Lin Wei Xi felt a little embarrassed as she tied on the leather belt, especially when she clearly felt Gu Hui Yan focusing on her. She didn’t know why, but the movement of her hands were a little flustered and the leather belt stayed twisted for a long time. She grew a little anxious. Attending court was an important event. Being discourteous or late were both serious offences. She was becoming impatient when he suddenly reached out to guide her hand to properly tie the leather belt. The light calluses on his palm were rough as he touched her hand, but it carried a reassuring warmth. Lin Wei Xi blushed a little. She forced it down, took the jade pendant, medal, Bixi^◇, etc. and hung them on the leather belt one by one.

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It was later than usual by the time she properly helped him into the entire first-rank court dress. Lin Wei Xi took a step back, deeply and intuitively feeling the impact of this outfit. She pursed her lips at Gu Hui Yan and smiled, giving a deep Wanfu salute, “my Prince, I’ve caused you to wait a long time today. This humble one will wait here for you to return.”

Gu Hui Yan couldn’t find his words. He looked at Lin Wei Xi deeply. After a moment, he stepped forward to support her arm and pulled her up with little effort. He raised his hand to her cheek, stroked her chin a few times, then walked away.

When Lin Wei Xi dressed Gu Hui Yan, there were many maids in the room, but no one dared to step up and interfere. The Princess Consort had run around from start to finish to help Prince Yan put on his clothes. He had also been focused on her. Even if he didn’t say anything, everyone knew that he wouldn’t allow them to disturb them.

After Gu Hui Yan left, everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did Wan Xing and Wan Yue step forward to support Lin Wei Xi. They asked, “Princess Consort, it’s still early. Do you want to lie down on the bed for a little while?”

Lin Wei Xi looked outside. Although the sky was still dark, at the same time, the Eastern sky was already turning bright. She’d been so sleepy when she first woke up, but after helping Gu Hui Yan change into his court dress, her sleepiness more or less disappeared. She shook her head and said, “I’m wide awake. It’s not proper for me to return to bed. I’ll change my clothes.”

Because Gu Hui Yan was the only one in the residence who needed to attend court, by the time Gao Ran came to pay her respects, Lin Wei Xi had already been sitting there for a long time. Previously, Gao Ran had waited for Lin Wei Xi for a long time before the tea ceremony. Coupled with entering the palace the day before, she determined that Lin Wei Xi liked to sleep in, so she was rather sloppy when paying her respects today. Unexpectedly, Lin Wei Xi actually woke up early today. The moment Gao Ran saw her already neatly dressed and sitting by the window drinking tea, she hurried forward to bow her head in shock. She said, “Paying my respects to Mother. This daughter-in-law is late today. Mother, please forgive me.”

Lin Wei Xi glanced at her and indifferently said, “Didn’t I excuse you from morning and evening greetings for the next few days because of your injury? Why did you come?”

“Mother is very compassionate to her children. This daughter-in-law is very grateful and wants to be even more filial to mother. How could I dare neglect you.”

Lin Wei Xi was no stranger to this kind of response. If their positions were switched and she was exempted from the routine greetings by her mother-in-law because she pitied her injury, she’d say she was grateful, but she wouldn’t actually skip the greetings. In the Duke Yingguo Residence, Lin Wei Xi had gotten used to her grandmother, the Duke Yingguo Madam’s, ways of doing things. Her mother was the Princess Royal’s daughter, but she never skipped the morning and evening greetings. In her memory, it was only during those few days where her mother went through labour prematurely that she was exempted from paying her respects because she couldn’t get out of bed. Afterwards, Wei Shi’s health deteriorated, so she couldn’t serve her mother-in-law.

Lin Wei Xi thought of Wei Shi, and also recalled Han Shi and Han Shi’s son, her former shu younger brother. Thinking of these unpleasant old friends, her interest waned and her expression became colder, “Shizi Fei is considerate. No wonder everyone always praises you for your filial piety. I heard that even before you married, you already had a reputation for being virtuous. Seeing you today, it seems like you deserve that reputation.”

“Mother, you praise me too much. Those Madams are just giving face to this daughter-in-law. I’m just lucky that I have a reputation for being talented and filial. How dare this daughter-in-law take it seriously? Mother, please don’t say that again. This daughter-in-law is ashamed.”

She spoke modestly, but deliberately implied that she indeed had a reputation for being talented and filial before she got married. Lin Wei Xi smiled, put down her teacup, and looked at Gao Ran, “Shizi Fei is actually so famous. My Prince Yan Residence is really fortunate to have you as a wife. Since Shizi Fei was so famous before getting married, then surely it wouldn’t be a problem for you to serve your parents-in-law and do the housework, needlework and cooking.”

Gao Ran’s face became a little stiff. She hadn’t said anything untoward, but the way Lin Wei Xi said it made her seem like a maid waiting on someone. But even if she was unhappy, she didn’t have a choice. Society’s requirements for a daughter-in-law were to be her mother-in-law’s maid, a perfect person in front of the husband, and the Buddha in front of the servants.

If Lin Wei Xi really ordered Gao Ran around like a maid, Gao Ran was powerless to do anything except use her tears to garner sympathy from the masses.

Lin Wei Xi wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief and held the armrest as she made to get up. Gao Ran felt fed up when she saw this and hurried to help. “Mother, be careful.”

After she stood up, she shook off Gao Ran’s hand. She walked to the anteroom and asked, “Shizi Fei, did you already have breakfast? If you haven’t, you can eat together with me.”

Gao Ran quickly said “I don’t dare”. She’d been late in paying her respects today. If she had breakfast here, that’d leave fuel for gossip. She’d rather go hungry.

It was just a rhetorical question. Lin Wei Xi didn’t actually want to eat together with Gao Ran. She sat at the dining table and a maid brought out steaming tea and cakes. Every dish was exquisite and small, and they all looked expensive. After Lin Wei Xi sat down, Gao Ran promptly stepped forward and said to the maid who was serving the food, “I’ll serve Mother. Withdraw.”

Seeing that Lin Wei Xi didn’t respond, the maid passed the serving chopsticks to Gao Ran with both hands, then bowed and withdrew.

Lin Wei Xi smiled politely, “Shizi Fei, you still have burns on your hand. How can we have you do a servant’s job? It’s too difficult.”

“How is serving Mother-in-law difficult?” Gao Ran continued to smile gently without showing any stiffness or embarrassment. Lin Wei Xi’s eyes merely shifted a little and Gao Ran put the dish that she’d looked at into her bowl. She didn’t need to say anything at all. Lin Wei Xi had seen Gao Ran ingratiate herself with their grandmother when she was still in the Duke Residence. Although she felt that Gao Ran was just putting on an act of filial piety, she had to admit that Gao Ran was much better at serving others than she was. If it were Lin Wei Xi, she definitely wouldn’t be able to do things like personally serve tea or eagerly serve food to the female elders or her husband.

She used to disdain Gao Ran’s way of doing things, but now that she was in a different position, she suddenly found that it felt quite good. No wonder the Duke Yingguo Madam always praised Gao Ran. Who wouldn’t praise her after being served so thoughtfully and thoroughly?