Gu Hui Yan couldn’t make heads or tails of his emotions. He was only surprised for a moment, then suppressed his unnecessary change in mood. He wasn’t in the habit of commenting whether the deceased was right or not, nor did he wish to bring these things up in front of Lin Wei Xi. His expression didn’t change and he calmly changed the subject, “you didn’t eat this entire time?”
Lin Wei Xi was sitting opposite him, and she looked up at him, baffled, when she heard his question, “of course. How can I leave you behind and eat by myself? Who does that?”
“Your body is weak so you have to pay attention to your diet. If I get held up by something, you should eat first and not wait for me.”
She was a little unhappy and she said softly, “my Prince, you’re not sending me away because you don’t want to eat together with me, or because I’m bothering you, right?”
Gu Hui Yan frowned. That was simply unimaginable, “why would you think that? I’m just afraid you’ll go hungry.”
“Then that’s fine.” Lin Wei Xi snorted lightly and said, “If that’s so, then all the more reason to wait for you. I’m your wife. Sleeping and eating together is what a wife does.”
Lin Wei Xi’s mind was full of thoughts on how to be a qualified wife. Gu Hui Yan felt a little helpless and a tiny spark of peculiarity in his heart. It was common for him to postpone his meal out of habit, as well as being too busy to eat. But at that moment, he understood that it’d be different from now on. If he didn’t return, this silly girl would continue waiting for him. Her body was weak and if her meals were irregular, more so she wouldn’t be able to take it.
He thoroughly concealed the pounding in his heart. Whenever he faced Lin Wei Xi, he always seemed to be able to relax easily. He smiled unconsciously, “Why are you so obsessed with the word wife?”
Was it not because of Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran. In the heavenly book, Gao Xi was a complete failure when it came to gentleness, bearing heirs, and managing the household. She didn’t have a single good aspect when compared to Gao Ran and was basically a counterexample of an outstanding wife. Lin Wei Xi didn’t seem to care on the outside, but she actually doubted herself.
That’s why she was so obsessed with being a “qualified” wife.
She remembered the heavenly book’s assessment of her and somehow thought of Granny Bu’s words earlier. The smile on her face disappeared, “It’s nothing. I’m just fulfilling my promise. My Prince, you gave in to my wilfulness and married me. I’m endlessly grateful for this and will definitely return the favour many fold. As I said that day, as long as my Prince treats me with the respect owed to the main wife, I will do my utmost to repay you. I can’t do anything else except manage and take care of your household. Just treat this as my repayment to you.”
Gu Hui Yan was amused by her words. This girl actually took it seriously and wanted to manage his household. He smiled as he said, “then I’ll be depending on you from now on.”
He knew that he hadn’t returned to the residence in many years, it’s state in complete shambles. But he’d been too far away to help and he didn’t have the time to look after it, so he left these people be. Now that he could finally stay in the residence for a long time, these vermin in the residence ought to be beaten. He initially wanted to warn Lin Wei Xi, but then he told himself that he’d be looking after her during this period in time. There was no need to tell her now and scare her. He’d help her when something happened.
Lin Wei Xi smiled sadly to herself when she saw Gu Hui Yan’s relaxed expression. Since she wasn’t a part of his past, she would just keep her distance and fulfil her duty as a good wife. As she thought of that, she took the opportunity to inquire about his daily habits and preferences while the table was being set. Lin Wei Xi only realized the night before that there was a considerable gap between their habits. The two of them would be living together moving forward, so they had to ask about each other’s habits ahead of time.
Preferences? Gu Hui Yan paused for a moment before saying, “I don’t have any specific conditions, so you can arrange it according to what you like.”
“How can I do that?” Lin Wei Xi thought he was only being polite, but after she questioned him, she found that he really didn’t care at all. There actually existed a person who had no preferences? She was unconvinced and asked, “Prince Yan, could it be that you don’t have any personal interests? People always need something to do to kill time.”
Gu Hui Yan only smiled, “it’s unnecessary.”
Unnecessary? She looked at him in disbelief. Her eyes were extremely focused and he couldn’t avoid getting lost in them when stared at by such extremely beautiful eyes.
In the eyes of a little girl like her who’d been taken good care of since childhood, she most likely couldn’t comprehend a different way of life.
The Prince Yan Residence was now becoming more prosperous by the day, but during the time when Gu Hui Yan was born, the Prince Yan Residence’s situation wasn’t this optimistic.
The previous Prince Yan was Emperor Shizong’s youngest brother. Because he was young, he inevitably received preferential treatment in the palace. When Emperor Shizong later ascended the throne, few of his elder brothers met a good ending and the previous Prince Yan’s unfavourable situation turned awkward.
Emperor Shizong’s suspicions gradually grew after he ascended the throne and it really wasn’t easy for the previous Prince Yan, a pampered younger brother, to survive to adulthood. Later, when he moved to his vassal state, Emperor Shizong became more suspicious. It was at this time that the difference between a Princess and a Prince revealed itself. They had the same father, but Princess Royal Shou Kang was much more pleasing to Emperor Shizong than Prince Yan. It was only through Princess Royal Shou Kang’s hard work and assurance that Emperor Shizong’s suspicion gradually dispelled, and the previous Prince Yan and Prince Yan Consort were able to successfully reach the Yan fief.
The Yan fief was situated in an important stronghold and was often invaded by Northern enemies. The previous Prince Yan had trembled with fear when he arrived at the Yan fief. He knew that his brother’s doubts about him hadn’t dissipated and if something went wrong with the fortress, he’d be the first to take the blame as the Prince responsible for defending the Yan fief. It was under such circumstances that Gu Hui Yan was born. From birth, he was told that he was the heir of the Prince Yan Residence and that he’d assume the responsibilities of the entire residence, and even the Yan fief, in the future.
In such a situation, Gu Hui Yan had no time to explore his preferences and hobbies. From a young age, he lived and breathed for the Prince Yan Residence. When he was fifteen, the border requested emergency assistance, but the previous Prince Yan was sick and unable to handle it. Gu Hui Yan had no choice but to step up and join the army. His amazing talents showed themselves as soon as he started handling military affairs. At the beginning of the twenty fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty, at the age of fifteen, for the first time in his life, Gu Hui Yan fought a losing battle and won. He had beaten twenty thousand soldiers with his three thousand. The battle was beautifully won, and when it was reported to the capital, Emperor Shizong exclaimed loudly as he sat on his throne. From then on, the Prince Yan Residence, which had been the subject of suspicion early in the Yuan Dynasty, flipped it’s situation because of Gu Hui Yan and gradually earned the Emperor’s favour. After that, Gu Hui Yan went on a never ending stream of campaigns to guard not just the Yan fief, but sometimes also the territories of other vassal states to calm the dissent. As a result, Gu Hui Yan became the nephew that Emperor Shizong relied on the most.
Afterwards, Emperor Muzong ascended the throne, and the imperial power changed. There was a new emperor, so the courtiers also changed, but this didn’t affect Gu Hui Yan. Emperor Muzong favoured this young cousin who was good at war. He was given an important position under the reign of two emperors. The Prince Yan Residence’s power only snowballed. At the end of Jianzhao, the eunuchs of the harem started a revolt, but Gu Hui Yan had already become Emperor Muzong’s life saving trump card.
Gu Hui Yan had spent half his life in the military. He had very little time to himself and even less personal time. Taking advantage of his only free time in the army, he dealt with the fief’s trivial matters and returned to look after his mother, the previous Prince Yan Consort. On top of that, he was distracted by developments in the capital. When would he find the time to explore his interests and romantic matters?
His life seemed to have been dedicated to a single goal the moment he was born. As a child, he studied rigorously in order to take over the residence. As a teenager, he joined the army to protect the Yan fief. His entire youth had been spent fighting in wars for the emperor on the throne. Even up until now, as he entered his thirties, he needed to assist the young emperor and support the entire dynasty.
A lively girl like Lin Wei Xi, who came from a calm and peaceful life, would naturally be unable to understand the kind of regimental and politically grey world he came from.
When he snapped back to reality, Gu Hui Yan laughed at himself. He was so old, but he’d been stunned by beauty like a prepubescent boy. Lin Wei Xi looked like a Persian cat with her claws retracted, with snow white fur, single-minded and curious. Gu Hui Yan’s palms itched. He really wanted to touch her long soft hair. Then he remembered that he was now married to her and there was no need to avoid her like before. At that thought, he reached out to pat her hair.
Lin Wei Xi, who’d been sincerely waiting for his answer, realized that he had no intention of answering, but was patting her hair with a smile instead. She grew impatient and avoided his hand, “Prince Yan, I’m not a child.”
Gu Hui Yan patted his bad tempered Persian cat in self-satisfaction, perfectly content, and nodded to her with a smile, “I know.”
This attitude again. Lin Wei Xi was secretly annoyed. What exactly was she to him? Previously, he almost always gave in to her arbitrary requests. The only thing that went against her wishes was when they returned to the Prince Yan Residence in the capital. After that, Lin Wei Xi made even more excessive demands. Aside from getting angry that first day, the next day when she fell ill, he did what she wanted and married her as she insisted.
Lin Wei Xi didn’t believe that the famous Prince Yan could really be so easily threatened. What exactly was she to him?
She didn’t know why she suddenly thought of what Granny Bu said just now about how Princess Consort Shen and Prince Yan sincerely loved each other. She instantly stopped that train of thought and returned to the topic at hand, “my Prince, what is your schedule like and what are your habits? Everyone has their own preferences. I’m afraid that I’ll disrupt your regular schedule if I make plans without consideration.”
“You won’t.” Gu Hui Yan said, “do as you like. I’m fine with anything.”
Lin Wei Xi was helpless, “my Prince, you don’t have to be so considerate of me. A husband and wife always need to compromise with each other. If I invade your space, you need to tell me immediately. I may have little tolerance, but I’m not that unreasonable.”
Gu Hui Yan smiled softly as he looked at her, “wow, so you actually know about it.”
Lin Wei Xi tried to put on a serious expression, “my Prince.”
Gu Hui Yan could only hold back his laughter, but his fine eyes overflowed with amusement as he looked at her, “it’s true. Circumstances during the war were much worse than this. There was no room for pickiness. You can arrange things as you like. I don’t really mind.”
Lin Wei Xi was a little shocked, “Are you really not trying to be polite?”
Gu Hui Yan was about to respond when Wan Yue’s voice came from outside, “my Prince, Princess Consort, the meal is ready.”
The stars in Gu Hui Yan’s eyes immediately disappeared like a tide. He stood up first and reached out to pull Lin Wei Xi up, “Let’s go eat.”
He smoothly placed his palm in front of her. She felt flattered. Her head snapped up and she glanced at him, then skeptically placed her hand on his palm. He held onto her slender palm and tugged her to his side.
Lin Wei Xi… she felt a little dizzy. Until now, only her maid had ever supported her, and that was when she got off a carriage. Of course, the two were not the same. In her previous life, she’d never been treated like this even during the first month of marriage, when she and Gu Cheng Yao were at the height of their fake harmonious relationship. Back then, Lin Wei Xi saw her male cousins constantly give their utmost attention to Gao Ran. Even the maternal cousins who visited the Duke Residence for the first time and were attracted to Gao Xi on their first meeting would be more partial to Gao Ran before long. They’d treat Gao Xi with respect but were distant.
After so many years, Lin Wei Xi had already accepted that her personality wasn’t very likeable. Now that she was suddenly being treated kindly by another man, a man whom she’d greatly admired as a teenager, Lin Wei Xi felt unspeakably overwhelmed by his favour. Nowadays, men liked to put on the airs of a respectable official while his wife couldn’t even protest against him. How could he move to support his wife first in the presence of all these maids? Normal men didn’t even do that, what of the beloved sons of the imperial family?
During their meal, Lin Wei Xi couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at Gu Hui Yan. One really couldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Gu Cheng Yao looked mild-mannered and courteous, radiating dignity, but was actually selfish and didn’t have much regard for others’ feelings. On the other hand, Gu Hui Yan had a high status and wielded great power. He didn’t easily let people close, but was attentive and considerate if anything unexpected happened. For example, he’d asked the kitchen to prepare hot soup for her yesterday. Another example was when he subtly took care of her today.
Lin Wei Xi ruefully finished the meal in silence. After the meal, Gu Ming Da sent over many books and reports, placing all of them in the East side room. The East side room had a door that led outside, allowing direct access to it without going through the bedroom, so it was used as a study room. After all, this was the Prince and Princess Consort’s main courtyard. Even the residence’s vassals couldn’t just come in and out of the Princess Consort’s sitting room.
But when Lin Wei Xi went to see it the day before, although it was furnished, there were no books, brushes and other things. Anyway, Gu Hui Yan could handle official documents in his own separate study room. There was no need to move to the inner courtyard, so this small study room was just for show. She didn’t know what was the matter with Gu Hui Yan today, but he ordered his servants to move his frequently used books to the inner courtyard. Lin Wei Xi was curious and couldn’t resist asking, “my Prince, do you have something urgent to deal with?”
Why else would he suddenly move his things?
“The next seven days are my wedding vacation. After this, I won’t have any more leisure time. You just entered the residence and there may be many things you haven’t adapted to yet. I can’t just leave you alone. “
Gu Hui Yan seemed calm as he spoke, but he was in fact quite hesitant. He actually didn’t have much experience living together and being intimate with another person, and that experience was next to nothing when it came to women. Lin Wei Xi was working hard to be a qualified wife and he felt that he also needed to do something. At the very least, he should fulfill his responsibility as a husband.
Spending more time with his wife seemed to be the most basic requirement.
Lin Wei Xi understood. Prince Yan was actually also doing his best to accommodate her. It wasn’t just her learning to be a wife. Prince Yan was also adapting to another person in his life.
The communication and compromise between husband and wife had actually already begun. Lin Wei Xi was suddenly full of fighting spirit, and the dejection caused by Granny Bu’s words was also wiped clean. With Gu Hui Yan’s cooperation, she immediately had the servants move the roster, bills, and the like to the side room. She still needed to see the residence’s servants this afternoon, and originally wouldn’t have had time to sleep. In that case, she might as well accompany Prince Yan in reading something.
Gu Hui Yan couldn’t make heads or tails of his emotions. He was only surprised for a moment, then suppressed his unnecessary change in mood. He wasn’t in the habit of commenting whether the deceased was right or not, nor did he wish to bring these things up in front of Lin Wei Xi. His expression didn’t change and he calmly changed the subject, “you didn’t eat this entire time?”
Lin Wei Xi was sitting opposite him, and she looked up at him, baffled, when she heard his question, “of course. How can I leave you behind and eat by myself? Who does that?”
“Your body is weak so you have to pay attention to your diet. If I get held up by something, you should eat first and not wait for me.”
She was a little unhappy and she said softly, “my Prince, you’re not sending me away because you don’t want to eat together with me, or because I’m bothering you, right?”
Gu Hui Yan frowned. That was simply unimaginable, “why would you think that? I’m just afraid you’ll go hungry.”
“Then that’s fine.” Lin Wei Xi snorted lightly and said, “If that’s so, then all the more reason to wait for you. I’m your wife. Sleeping and eating together is what a wife does.”
Lin Wei Xi’s mind was full of thoughts on how to be a qualified wife. Gu Hui Yan felt a little helpless and a tiny spark of peculiarity in his heart. It was common for him to postpone his meal out of habit, as well as being too busy to eat. But at that moment, he understood that it’d be different from now on. If he didn’t return, this silly girl would continue waiting for him. Her body was weak and if her meals were irregular, more so she wouldn’t be able to take it.
He thoroughly concealed the pounding in his heart. Whenever he faced Lin Wei Xi, he always seemed to be able to relax easily. He smiled unconsciously, “Why are you so obsessed with the word wife?”
Was it not because of Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran. In the heavenly book, Gao Xi was a complete failure when it came to gentleness, bearing heirs, and managing the household. She didn’t have a single good aspect when compared to Gao Ran and was basically a counterexample of an outstanding wife. Lin Wei Xi didn’t seem to care on the outside, but she actually doubted herself.
That’s why she was so obsessed with being a “qualified” wife.
She remembered the heavenly book’s assessment of her and somehow thought of Granny Bu’s words earlier. The smile on her face disappeared, “It’s nothing. I’m just fulfilling my promise. My Prince, you gave in to my wilfulness and married me. I’m endlessly grateful for this and will definitely return the favour many fold. As I said that day, as long as my Prince treats me with the respect owed to the main wife, I will do my utmost to repay you. I can’t do anything else except manage and take care of your household. Just treat this as my repayment to you.”
Gu Hui Yan was amused by her words. This girl actually took it seriously and wanted to manage his household. He smiled as he said, “then I’ll be depending on you from now on.”
He knew that he hadn’t returned to the residence in many years, it’s state in complete shambles. But he’d been too far away to help and he didn’t have the time to look after it, so he left these people be. Now that he could finally stay in the residence for a long time, these vermin in the residence ought to be beaten. He initially wanted to warn Lin Wei Xi, but then he told himself that he’d be looking after her during this period in time. There was no need to tell her now and scare her. He’d help her when something happened.
Lin Wei Xi smiled sadly to herself when she saw Gu Hui Yan’s relaxed expression. Since she wasn’t a part of his past, she would just keep her distance and fulfil her duty as a good wife. As she thought of that, she took the opportunity to inquire about his daily habits and preferences while the table was being set. Lin Wei Xi only realized the night before that there was a considerable gap between their habits. The two of them would be living together moving forward, so they had to ask about each other’s habits ahead of time.
Preferences? Gu Hui Yan paused for a moment before saying, “I don’t have any specific conditions, so you can arrange it according to what you like.”
“How can I do that?” Lin Wei Xi thought he was only being polite, but after she questioned him, she found that he really didn’t care at all. There actually existed a person who had no preferences? She was unconvinced and asked, “Prince Yan, could it be that you don’t have any personal interests? People always need something to do to kill time.”
Gu Hui Yan only smiled, “it’s unnecessary.”
Unnecessary? She looked at him in disbelief. Her eyes were extremely focused and he couldn’t avoid getting lost in them when stared at by such extremely beautiful eyes.
In the eyes of a little girl like her who’d been taken good care of since childhood, she most likely couldn’t comprehend a different way of life.
The Prince Yan Residence was now becoming more prosperous by the day, but during the time when Gu Hui Yan was born, the Prince Yan Residence’s situation wasn’t this optimistic.
The previous Prince Yan was Emperor Shizong’s youngest brother. Because he was young, he inevitably received preferential treatment in the palace. When Emperor Shizong later ascended the throne, few of his elder brothers met a good ending and the previous Prince Yan’s unfavourable situation turned awkward.
Emperor Shizong’s suspicions gradually grew after he ascended the throne and it really wasn’t easy for the previous Prince Yan, a pampered younger brother, to survive to adulthood. Later, when he moved to his vassal state, Emperor Shizong became more suspicious. It was at this time that the difference between a Princess and a Prince revealed itself. They had the same father, but Princess Royal Shou Kang was much more pleasing to Emperor Shizong than Prince Yan. It was only through Princess Royal Shou Kang’s hard work and assurance that Emperor Shizong’s suspicion gradually dispelled, and the previous Prince Yan and Prince Yan Consort were able to successfully reach the Yan fief.
The Yan fief was situated in an important stronghold and was often invaded by Northern enemies. The previous Prince Yan had trembled with fear when he arrived at the Yan fief. He knew that his brother’s doubts about him hadn’t dissipated and if something went wrong with the fortress, he’d be the first to take the blame as the Prince responsible for defending the Yan fief. It was under such circumstances that Gu Hui Yan was born. From birth, he was told that he was the heir of the Prince Yan Residence and that he’d assume the responsibilities of the entire residence, and even the Yan fief, in the future.
In such a situation, Gu Hui Yan had no time to explore his preferences and hobbies. From a young age, he lived and breathed for the Prince Yan Residence. When he was fifteen, the border requested emergency assistance, but the previous Prince Yan was sick and unable to handle it. Gu Hui Yan had no choice but to step up and join the army. His amazing talents showed themselves as soon as he started handling military affairs. At the beginning of the twenty fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty, at the age of fifteen, for the first time in his life, Gu Hui Yan fought a losing battle and won. He had beaten twenty thousand soldiers with his three thousand. The battle was beautifully won, and when it was reported to the capital, Emperor Shizong exclaimed loudly as he sat on his throne. From then on, the Prince Yan Residence, which had been the subject of suspicion early in the Yuan Dynasty, flipped it’s situation because of Gu Hui Yan and gradually earned the Emperor’s favour. After that, Gu Hui Yan went on a never ending stream of campaigns to guard not just the Yan fief, but sometimes also the territories of other vassal states to calm the dissent. As a result, Gu Hui Yan became the nephew that Emperor Shizong relied on the most.
Afterwards, Emperor Muzong ascended the throne, and the imperial power changed. There was a new emperor, so the courtiers also changed, but this didn’t affect Gu Hui Yan. Emperor Muzong favoured this young cousin who was good at war. He was given an important position under the reign of two emperors. The Prince Yan Residence’s power only snowballed. At the end of Jianzhao, the eunuchs of the harem started a revolt, but Gu Hui Yan had already become Emperor Muzong’s life saving trump card.
Gu Hui Yan had spent half his life in the military. He had very little time to himself and even less personal time. Taking advantage of his only free time in the army, he dealt with the fief’s trivial matters and returned to look after his mother, the previous Prince Yan Consort. On top of that, he was distracted by developments in the capital. When would he find the time to explore his interests and romantic matters?
His life seemed to have been dedicated to a single goal the moment he was born. As a child, he studied rigorously in order to take over the residence. As a teenager, he joined the army to protect the Yan fief. His entire youth had been spent fighting in wars for the emperor on the throne. Even up until now, as he entered his thirties, he needed to assist the young emperor and support the entire dynasty.
A lively girl like Lin Wei Xi, who came from a calm and peaceful life, would naturally be unable to understand the kind of regimental and politically grey world he came from.
When he snapped back to reality, Gu Hui Yan laughed at himself. He was so old, but he’d been stunned by beauty like a prepubescent boy. Lin Wei Xi looked like a Persian cat with her claws retracted, with snow white fur, single-minded and curious. Gu Hui Yan’s palms itched. He really wanted to touch her long soft hair. Then he remembered that he was now married to her and there was no need to avoid her like before. At that thought, he reached out to pat her hair.
Lin Wei Xi, who’d been sincerely waiting for his answer, realized that he had no intention of answering, but was patting her hair with a smile instead. She grew impatient and avoided his hand, “Prince Yan, I’m not a child.”
Gu Hui Yan patted his bad tempered Persian cat in self-satisfaction, perfectly content, and nodded to her with a smile, “I know.”
This attitude again. Lin Wei Xi was secretly annoyed. What exactly was she to him? Previously, he almost always gave in to her arbitrary requests. The only thing that went against her wishes was when they returned to the Prince Yan Residence in the capital. After that, Lin Wei Xi made even more excessive demands. Aside from getting angry that first day, the next day when she fell ill, he did what she wanted and married her as she insisted.
Lin Wei Xi didn’t believe that the famous Prince Yan could really be so easily threatened. What exactly was she to him?
She didn’t know why she suddenly thought of what Granny Bu said just now about how Princess Consort Shen and Prince Yan sincerely loved each other. She instantly stopped that train of thought and returned to the topic at hand, “my Prince, what is your schedule like and what are your habits? Everyone has their own preferences. I’m afraid that I’ll disrupt your regular schedule if I make plans without consideration.”
“You won’t.” Gu Hui Yan said, “do as you like. I’m fine with anything.”
Lin Wei Xi was helpless, “my Prince, you don’t have to be so considerate of me. A husband and wife always need to compromise with each other. If I invade your space, you need to tell me immediately. I may have little tolerance, but I’m not that unreasonable.”
Gu Hui Yan smiled softly as he looked at her, “wow, so you actually know about it.”
Lin Wei Xi tried to put on a serious expression, “my Prince.”
Gu Hui Yan could only hold back his laughter, but his fine eyes overflowed with amusement as he looked at her, “it’s true. Circumstances during the war were much worse than this. There was no room for pickiness. You can arrange things as you like. I don’t really mind.”
Lin Wei Xi was a little shocked, “Are you really not trying to be polite?”
Gu Hui Yan was about to respond when Wan Yue’s voice came from outside, “my Prince, Princess Consort, the meal is ready.”
The stars in Gu Hui Yan’s eyes immediately disappeared like a tide. He stood up first and reached out to pull Lin Wei Xi up, “Let’s go eat.”
He smoothly placed his palm in front of her. She felt flattered. Her head snapped up and she glanced at him, then skeptically placed her hand on his palm. He held onto her slender palm and tugged her to his side.
Lin Wei Xi… she felt a little dizzy. Until now, only her maid had ever supported her, and that was when she got off a carriage. Of course, the two were not the same. In her previous life, she’d never been treated like this even during the first month of marriage, when she and Gu Cheng Yao were at the height of their fake harmonious relationship. Back then, Lin Wei Xi saw her male cousins constantly give their utmost attention to Gao Ran. Even the maternal cousins who visited the Duke Residence for the first time and were attracted to Gao Xi on their first meeting would be more partial to Gao Ran before long. They’d treat Gao Xi with respect but were distant.
After so many years, Lin Wei Xi had already accepted that her personality wasn’t very likeable. Now that she was suddenly being treated kindly by another man, a man whom she’d greatly admired as a teenager, Lin Wei Xi felt unspeakably overwhelmed by his favour. Nowadays, men liked to put on the airs of a respectable official while his wife couldn’t even protest against him. How could he move to support his wife first in the presence of all these maids? Normal men didn’t even do that, what of the beloved sons of the imperial family?
During their meal, Lin Wei Xi couldn’t resist sneaking a peek at Gu Hui Yan. One really couldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Gu Cheng Yao looked mild-mannered and courteous, radiating dignity, but was actually selfish and didn’t have much regard for others’ feelings. On the other hand, Gu Hui Yan had a high status and wielded great power. He didn’t easily let people close, but was attentive and considerate if anything unexpected happened. For example, he’d asked the kitchen to prepare hot soup for her yesterday. Another example was when he subtly took care of her today.
Lin Wei Xi ruefully finished the meal in silence. After the meal, Gu Ming Da sent over many books and reports, placing all of them in the East side room. The East side room had a door that led outside, allowing direct access to it without going through the bedroom, so it was used as a study room. After all, this was the Prince and Princess Consort’s main courtyard. Even the residence’s vassals couldn’t just come in and out of the Princess Consort’s sitting room.
But when Lin Wei Xi went to see it the day before, although it was furnished, there were no books, brushes and other things. Anyway, Gu Hui Yan could handle official documents in his own separate study room. There was no need to move to the inner courtyard, so this small study room was just for show. She didn’t know what was the matter with Gu Hui Yan today, but he ordered his servants to move his frequently used books to the inner courtyard. Lin Wei Xi was curious and couldn’t resist asking, “my Prince, do you have something urgent to deal with?”
Why else would he suddenly move his things?
“The next seven days are my wedding vacation. After this, I won’t have any more leisure time. You just entered the residence and there may be many things you haven’t adapted to yet. I can’t just leave you alone. “
Gu Hui Yan seemed calm as he spoke, but he was in fact quite hesitant. He actually didn’t have much experience living together and being intimate with another person, and that experience was next to nothing when it came to women. Lin Wei Xi was working hard to be a qualified wife and he felt that he also needed to do something. At the very least, he should fulfill his responsibility as a husband.
Spending more time with his wife seemed to be the most basic requirement.
Lin Wei Xi understood. Prince Yan was actually also doing his best to accommodate her. It wasn’t just her learning to be a wife. Prince Yan was also adapting to another person in his life.
The communication and compromise between husband and wife had actually already begun. Lin Wei Xi was suddenly full of fighting spirit, and the dejection caused by Granny Bu’s words was also wiped clean. With Gu Hui Yan’s cooperation, she immediately had the servants move the roster, bills, and the like to the side room. She still needed to see the residence’s servants this afternoon, and originally wouldn’t have had time to sleep. In that case, she might as well accompany Prince Yan in reading something.
