The Young Mistress’s Little Romance in the Duke’s Mansion 32

Chapter 32

When April arrived, it was already early summer. The weather was warm, and the vegetation was lush and verdant. On the eighth day of this month, for the Empress Dowager’s birthday, all officials in the capital were ordered to attend the royal temple to establish a grand ceremony for blessings, and each prefecture and province also followed the custom of celebrating together, either offering auspicious signs and musical performances or performing acts of releasing living creatures, all to pray for peace and health.

Those in the Duke’s household who held honorary titles by imperial decree all entered the palace to offer congratulations, and the entire household was busy to the point of chaos.

Although Lu Chengyuan had left early, he had still earned her the honorary title of Anren, so she could barely follow the other madams to offer birthday wishes. However, because of that incident last month, the Old Madam feared it might bring bad luck, so she kept her in the household to rest and recuperate properly.

The Fifth Young Madam was deeply sympathetic about this and advised her, “Go beg the Princess. Perhaps it will work.”

But Gu Xiyan was quite happy to have her freedom. Entering the palace to see that magnificent spectacle would require following all sorts of tedious rituals and being extremely careful.

Staying quietly at home by herself, painting, eating when she wanted, drinking when she wanted, and even enjoying the flowers and scenery—wasn’t that more comfortable?

After finally seeing off all the madams and young madams with a solemn and dignified expression, Gu Xiyan turned and went back to her own courtyard, feeling at ease. She was just wishing she could do whatever she pleased when suddenly, she heard that Zhou Qing’s wife had arrived.

Zhou Qing’s wife was not alone—behind her followed an entire row of maidservants, each holding a carved lacquer tray covered with bright yellow brocade cloth.

Seeing this display, Gu Xiyan did not dare be negligent and hurried forward to greet them.

Zhou Qing’s wife walked up with a smile, offering congratulations. It turned out that the Emperor was generously rewarding the family members of the Duke’s household. The Empress Dowager had heard that there was a young widow in the household who had maintained her chastity, and felt compassion in her heart. She specifically allocated a portion from the tribute gifts offered by foreign lands and sent it down as a reward, ordering it to be delivered to her immediately.

Gu Xiyan was naturally quite surprised—there was such good fortune even without going out. She immediately straightened her clothes and composed her expression, first bowing respectfully toward the direction of the imperial city to thank the imperial grace, before receiving it with both hands.

After the bustle, once everyone had dispersed, Gu Xiyan carefully examined the items on the tray. She saw they were lustrous tortoise shells and brightly patterned hawksbill turtle shells, all rare treasures from overseas.

She picked one up and examined it carefully in her hands. It felt cool and smooth to the touch, with natural patterns—quite rare and interesting.

While she was admiring them, she suddenly heard noise from outside again. Helplessly, Gu Xiyan had to rise. This time it was the Old Madam’s attendant, saying she was conveying the Princess’s order: since it was the Empress Dowager’s birthday and things were lively outside, the Princess was granting permission for the young madams and young ladies in the household who did not hold honorary titles to go out and stroll around, to see the sights of the marketplace.

Gu Xiyan originally did not want to join the excitement, but on second thought, she could take the opportunity to visit her sister-in-law. So she instructed her maidservants to help her wash up and change clothes, and to fix her hair and makeup.

Now, those remaining in the household were, aside from the unmarried young ladies, just some inconspicuous wives from branch families. They originally had no opportunity, so now that they could go out, each one was overjoyed. Escorted by maidservants and old women, they took small sedan chairs to the second gate. Outside, carriages and horses were already prepared. Everyone boarded the carriages and set out in a grand procession.

The current Emperor governed the realm with filial piety, and had specifically erected a thatched stage with four doors and eight windows outside the palace gates. Though called a thatched stage, what the royal family built was naturally luxurious and magnificent.

In front of the thatched stage, it was extremely lively. At a glance, it was all people. Many merchants had hitched black mules to carts laden with goods, propped up the front shafts with two stools, and set up stalls selling items there. All kinds of food, head ornaments, and children’s toys—everything one could imagine was available.

For a household of the Duke’s status, arrangements had naturally been made long ago. Opposite the stage, a standalone viewing pavilion had been prepared. The women of the household ascended the building and took their seats, watching the performance from behind curtains.

Gu Xiyan was also watching from the side when suddenly, she felt her arm being gently tugged.

She looked over and was startled—so dark!

After a moment, she remembered: this was Amole.

Amole opened her bright, shining eyes: “Young Madam.”

Gu Xiyan: “Miss Amole, why are you here?”

But Amole did not explain. She grabbed Gu Xiyan’s sleeve and tried to pull her outside.

Gu Xiyan feared being seen, so she quickly looked around. Everyone was focused on the performance and no one was paying attention.

She had no choice but to follow Amole forward, into the corridor.

There was no one else in the corridor. Amole said, “Young Madam, come with me.”

Gu Xiyan had never expected to encounter such a thing: “Where to?”

Amole: “To see the Third Master.”

Gu Xiyan found it amusing: “What kind of logic is this? I’m here watching the performance, enjoying myself just fine. For no reason at all, why should I go see your Third Master?”

Amole scratched her head, looking both innocent and helpless: “The Third Master said to bring you over.”

Gu Xiyan became angry upon hearing this: “I’m not going!”

With that, she turned and walked away.

But unexpectedly, Amole flashed over and blocked her path: “The Third Master said, you must go.”

Gu Xiyan could hardly believe it: “I told you, I don’t want to go. Move aside!”

Amole stubbornly repeated once more: “The Third Master said—”

Gu Xiyan furrowed her brows, examining Amole with incomprehension.

No wonder Qiusang got angry every time Amole was mentioned—there was indeed a reason. Was Amole stupid? She only knew how to repeat that one sentence!

She immediately said, “Miss Amole, even if you were born in the Year of the Parrot and repeated it ten thousand times, I still won’t go. Go back and tell your Third Master—who does he think he is, to summon and dismiss people at will!”

She no longer paid Amole any attention and left on her own.

Amole stood there blankly, a look of bewilderment on her face. After quite a while, she finally thought to return and report.

Back at the viewing pavilion, no one had noticed her absence. Gu Xiyan pretended nothing had happened, but thinking of what Amole had said earlier, she felt angry.

It had been so long since Qingming Festival, and this person had acted as if nothing had happened. Now suddenly he pulled this stunt.

He was clearly doing it on purpose, using a soft rake to scratch at one’s heart, scratching until one’s mind was unsettled—and then he withdrew.

No matter how lowly she was, there was no reason for her to be summoned and dismissed at will.

What ginseng from Shangdang—he gave it to the Old Madam himself. The Old Madam only let her use it out of consideration for Lu Chengyuan. It had nothing to do with him, and she would not be indebted to him.

As for the jade spring vase, it was just an object. She could not use it for wine, but it looked nice on display. Could it be eaten as food? She did not dare pawn or sell it for silver either, so whether she had it or not made no difference.

In this life, ultimately one had to stand up for oneself with confidence and thicken one’s skin a bit. Then there would be nothing left to fear.

Gu Xiyan sat there continuing to watch the performance. After a while, all the young madams and young ladies wanted to go pick flower branches. Gu Xiyan had no interest, and thought she would first return to the private room the Duke’s household had reserved to rest.

Chunlan and Qiusang were somewhat hesitant. Gu Xiyan noticed and told them to go enjoy themselves—she would return on her own. After all, this entire floor had been reserved by the Duke’s household, with guards, servants, and old women stationed outside. It was just like their own backyard.

But just as Gu Xiyan was about to step into the private room, suddenly a figure flashed beside her. The person grabbed her wrist, covered her mouth, and without explanation dragged her behind a corridor pillar.

Gu Xiyan was frightened out of her wits, but then she heard a low voice by her ear: “Don’t be afraid, it’s me.”

This voice was too familiar. Gu Xiyan’s heart skipped a beat violently.

This person was too brazen!

Lu Chenglian released his hand, but still kept his arm loosely encircling her, not allowing her to escape: “I sent Amole to invite you, but you wouldn’t come.”

Gu Xiyan’s heart pounded wildly. She said in panic, “You’re crazy. What are you doing!”

Lu Chenglian lowered his gaze, gazing at her: “Today is so lively, yet you hid away in the depths of the household and wouldn’t come out. I went to great lengths to lure you out.”

Gu Xiyan thought of all the events of today and suddenly understood.

First, she was not allowed to follow them to the palace. Then a pile of rewards was bestowed. Then she was lured out. It was all his doing!

She snorted and glanced at him sideways: “So it was all your scheming!”

Lu Chenglian: “Yes. I went to great lengths, wanting to bring you to watch the performance and taste tea, but you wouldn’t listen to my arrangements.”

Gu Xiyan turned her face away: “Who do you think you are? Why should I listen to you!”

Lu Chenglian leaned down, pressing close to her ear, and said softly, “Then shall I listen to your arrangements?”

The distance was too close. Warm breath suddenly rushed into her ear, and everywhere it reached stirred up a frightening tingling sensation. Gu Xiyan felt her knees go weak, almost unable to stand steady.

Gu Xiyan’s face grew even redder: “What could I arrange?”

Lu Chenglian: “Arrange me?”

Gu Xiyan: “You!”

He really knew how!

Gu Xiyan felt her heart swaying, unable to control herself.

Yet this man seemed to have seen through her abnormality. His iron-like arm tightened imperceptibly, pulling her deeper into his embrace.

In early summer, clothing was thin. Gu Xiyan felt the hardness and heat of the man’s chest. Her skin was burned until it ached.

She clenched her trembling hands and told herself: this won’t do, of course it won’t do.

Desperately grasping at her retreating rationality, she weakly reached out and pressed against his solid chest, maintaining that last bit of space between them.

Perhaps it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, but she had to resist.

A man and a woman alone in private, watching a performance and drinking tea—this had already crossed the line. Once she took this step, there would be no turning back.

Lu Chenglian bowed his head: “It wasn’t easy to get out. Accompany me for a cup of fragrant tea, will you?”

Gu Xiyan said directly: “No!”

Seeing her like this, with a hint of coquettishness, his eyes held a smile: “Really no?”

Gu Xiyan’s ears grew even hotter from his smile. She became annoyed and lifted her leg to leave.

Lu Chenglian: “Gu Xiyan, that egg—I still have it.”

Gu Xiyan abruptly stopped in her tracks. She slowly turned around, looking at Lu Chenglian in disbelief: “What did you say?”

Lu Chenglian took a step closer, smiling at her gently: “Tell me, if I made it public now, what would happen?”

Gu Xiyan was so angry her fingertips trembled: “That duck egg should have gone rotten long ago!”

Lu Chenglian: “It hasn’t gone rotten. It’s kept on superior ice, chilled every day.”

Gu Xiyan gritted her teeth: “You—”

She could not believe it!

Who was Lu Chenglian? He was the legitimate son of the eldest branch of the Jingguo Duke’s household, the only bloodline of Princess Ruiqing, a great general who had gone to battle in the Western Frontier at twenty and established illustrious military achievements, and a pillar minister of the Emperor!

Such a person—who could have imagined he would so manipulate a widow, and his own clansman’s wife at that!

Gu Xiyan was so angry she could not stand steady, swaying on her feet: “How can you be like this? You’re simply insane. Do you have no shame?”

Lu Chenglian’s long fingers slowly but unquestionably closed around Gu Xiyan’s wrist.

“I’m not insane. I want to watch the performance and taste tea with you. Don’t you want to?”

He leaned slightly closer, his deep dark eyes fixed on her: “Do you dare say you don’t like it?”

Hearing these words, Gu Xiyan’s original anger instantly froze. She stared blankly at the man above her.

The man’s gaze was so calm and sharp, as if it could cut her open and see through her heart.

But his knuckles were very hot, hot enough to make her flustered and confused.

She knew she should refuse, slap him and run, or simply cry and beg him to let her go.

She had ten thousand ways to escape this calamity, but under that gaze, she found that she wanted nothing at all.

She only wanted to comply with his wishes—or rather, with her own desires.

And so, as if possessed by a ghost, she was led forward by him, led through the corridor and into an elegant room.

The room was not large, but it was decorated quite tastefully. A carpet with precious floral patterns covered the floor, and by the window stood a rosewood table and chairs. In a white porcelain plum vase, a single sparse plum branch was placed at an angle.

On the black lacquer small table inlaid with mother-of-pearl in the center, freshly brewed fragrant tea was sending up curling wisps of white steam, filling the air with a refreshing fragrance.

Gu Xiyan looked at the arrangements in this elegant room and felt a resolve like a warrior cutting off his own wrist, yet also felt unsteady on her feet, her thoughts dazed. She did not know what year it was, much less why she had come here.

She had clearly sworn a hundred times in secret, warned herself ten thousand times, yet she still had not withstood his temptation.

His eyes were full of hooks, his low voice full of bewitchment. She had lost her soul just like that and complied with his wishes.

Now, a man and a woman alone, in the same room, meeting each other’s eyes—only then did she belatedly panic.

What should she do next, and what would he do?