Chapter 280: Undercurrents
The main hall of Osmanthus Hall was prepared, and after a while, Chen Xuanqing arrived with Yu Wanxue.
The couple served tea to their elders, and Yu Wanxue respectfully addressed them as "Father" and "Mother."
Gu Jinzhao observed Yu Wanxue closely. She wore a crimson gold-woven beizi, her hair styled in a phoenix-tail bun adorned with a gold hairpin featuring a phoenix holding a pearl in its beak. The bright red hue accentuated her snow-white complexion, and her delicate features were exquisitely refined. The two maids who had accompanied her as part of her dowry were also quite beautiful.
Given that her stepmother was so young, Yu Wanxue couldn’t help but feel a little awkward when addressing her.
Gu Jinzhao smiled and instructed her maids to present the couple with red envelopes. She then personally handed Yu Wanxue a sandalwood-carved box, about a foot square, filled with unset gemstones and pearls. The entire box was worth roughly four to five hundred taels of silver.
When Gu Jinzhao had first married into the family, Madam Chen had also gifted her a box, but it contained extremely valuable jewelry—pieces she rarely wore. Thinking it more practical, she decided to give Yu Wanxue raw gemstones instead, allowing her to craft gold hairpins and set them as she pleased.
Third Master Chen took a sip of tea and studied Chen Xuanqing, whose expression remained indifferent, showing no trace of newlywed joy.
Gu Jinzhao turned to Yu Wanxue and said, "Now that you’ve married into the family, the affairs of the Seventh Young Master’s household will be entrusted to you. If you have free time, feel free to come and chat with me. There’s no need to be too reserved..."
Still somewhat nervous as a new bride, Yu Wanxue smiled timidly and replied, "This daughter-in-law understands."
Meanwhile, Third Master Chen spoke to Chen Xuanqing, "Now that you’re married, you must take on responsibilities. You can’t continue as carefree as before."
Chen Xuanqing nodded, and his father continued, "Once your observation period at the Imperial Academy concludes, I will submit a memorial to the Emperor requesting your transfer to serve as a local magistrate. Only by governing the common people well can you later qualify for higher positions—prefectural roles or leadership in the Six Ministries. The future of the Chen Family will rest on your shoulders. Do you understand?"
Chen Xuanqing replied, "Father, you need not worry. Your son understands." Currently, he served as a Compiler in the Imperial Academy, but it was merely for accumulating experience.
His father wanted him to start from the very bottom. Moreover, since Third Master Chen now held a position in the Grand Secretariat, other accomplished members of the Chen Family had to be transferred elsewhere to avoid suspicion. Only after his father retired from the Grand Secretariat would Chen Xuanqing return to the Northern Metropolitan Region and truly shoulder the family’s responsibilities.
Third Master Chen nodded in approval.
He actually hoped Chen Xuanqing would leave the Imperial Academy sooner. To cultivate true talent capable of governing, mere bookish learning in the academy was insufficient. Throughout history, how many ministers had brought ruin to the state and its people by being mere armchair strategists? Under his protection, Chen Xuanqing had lived a life even smoother than his own, which was not beneficial for his growth. Serving as a magistrate for a few years would teach him the fundamentals of statecraft, ensuring he understood how to govern for the people in the future.
Chen Xuanqing was now married—those past matters were just that: the past. Third Master Chen decided to let bygones be bygones. Since the two no longer interacted, he would not dwell on suspicions. By the time Chen Xuanqing returned to the Northern Metropolitan Region after years away, everything would surely be forgotten.
Youth was often a time of confusion, but maturity brought clarity.
After much deliberation the previous night, he had resolved not to bring up the matter. He ought to trust Jinzhao—especially now that she carried his child.
Such doubts could not be tolerated.
After the tea ceremony, Yu Wanxue went to pay respects before Jiang Shi’s memorial tablet. Then, the group proceeded together to Sandalwood Mountain Courtyard.Madam Chen pulled Yu Wanxue over to examine her closely. She instructed the maids to take the children outside to play first, then asked Granny Zheng with a smile, "...Has the ceremony been completed?"
This was asking whether Chen Xuanqing and Yu Wanxue had consummated their marriage.
Granny Zheng nodded with a smile, holding a large red and gold-painted box in her hands. Inside was the wedding handkerchief bearing the proof of virginity.
Yu Wanxue's face flushed crimson with embarrassment, and Chen Xuanqing couldn't help but cough awkwardly.
Wang Shi laughed, "Look at our Seventh Young Master getting all shy!"
Madam Chen beamed at Yu Wanxue and said, "You must take good care of him from now on. Don't be fooled by his gentle and courteous appearance. In truth, he's stubborn and obstinate, even more so than his father! He's also grown accustomed to living alone, making him somewhat cold and distant. But since marrying you, his quarters have finally become lively. If he ever treats you poorly, come tell your grandmother, and I'll set him straight!"
Yu Wanxue replied softly, "Grandmother, don't worry. Seventh Young Master is very kind to me..."
Chen Xuanqing was indeed gentle in his demeanor, though their relationship remained somewhat distant and lacking in affection. Even on their wedding night...
On their wedding night, they lay side by side for hours without anything happening.
Yu Wanxue pretended to be asleep, though her heart pounded like a drum.
She could feel Chen Xuanqing's breathing, could detect the faint, elegant fragrance on him—like the scent of incense used to perfume clothes.
Secretly, she felt both disappointed and anxious... If they didn't consummate their marriage on the wedding night, it would be difficult for her to establish her place in the Chen Family.
She had never met him before, but she had heard his name countless times, along with his legendary stories. The sixteen-year-old Third Scholar. Her mother had always told her she would marry this man, and when others heard she was to wed Chen Xuanqing, they envied her. She, too, felt grateful that her grandmother had arranged such an excellent match for her.
Since childhood, she had known she would marry him. And whenever she heard others speak of him, her heart would flutter with a peculiar excitement.
At first, she had only admired his brilliance from afar. But when he lifted her bridal veil with the ceremonial wedding scale, she saw a man as refined and handsome as an immortal.
Though surrounded by people, his expression remained calm. Unlike other young grooms, who might be shy or excited, he was composed and steady. In comparison, the other young men she had seen seemed like immature boys.
So she bit her lip, cast aside her reserve, slipped into his bedding, and reached out to embrace him.
Yu Wanxue feared he might push her away.
But after a long while, she only heard him sigh softly.
What was he thinking?
Soon, she had no more doubts, because he turned and embraced her in return...
He was exceedingly gentle, and when she cried out in pain, he stopped altogether. He withdrew from her and went to the bathing chamber, calling maids to attend to him. Yu Wanxue lay on the wormwood bedding, her hands and feet icy cold. Only when the two maids emerged without any unusual reactions did she finally relax.
She thought to herself that her mother had been right—once married, she would understand what marriage truly meant.
She was grateful for Chen Xuanqing's respect toward her.
Madam Chen chuckled and said to Chen Xuanqing, "See what a wonderful wife you have? It's only been a day since the wedding, and she's already defending you! You must treat her well—don't you dare let her down!"
Yu Wanxue lowered her head even further.
A faint smile appeared on Chen Xuanqing's lips. "Yes, Grandmother. I understand."After sending Chen Xuanqing off to the side room to speak with his father and fourth uncle, Yu Wanxue proceeded to greet each of the elders one by one. Most of them were either senior in rank or older in age, and she received a pile of gifts—so many that her two maids couldn’t even hold them all. Gu Jinzhao sighed inwardly at her lack of experience and sent her own maid, Yuzhu, to help. Yu Wanxue glanced back at Gu Jinzhao with a grateful smile.
Yu Wanxue then went to the banquet and rest area to meet the relatives.
Gu Jinzhao, who already knew most of them, introduced her around.
By the time they could finally sit down, Yu Wanxue was not only parched but also had sore legs. Her personal maid, Cong Shuang, brought her tea. Wanting to get closer to Gu Jinzhao, she asked with a smile, "Mother, was it this exhausting when you first married into the family?"
Gu Jinzhao shook her head. "You’re the younger generation—most of the time, you’re either receiving gifts or paying respects. I’m a generation older, so I had to give gifts and receive others’ respects… But while you’re more tired, you’re also gaining more gifts. That day, I was truly spending a fortune."
Yu Wanxue couldn’t help but laugh, thinking to herself that this young mother-in-law wasn’t hard to get along with—in fact, she was quite amusing.
Gu Jinzhao was well aware that her appearance wasn’t particularly warm or friendly, and she wasn’t wrong. She hadn’t been very kind in the past. Only those who spent time with her would realize she was actually quite easy to talk to and get along with. And not particularly clever either…
In her past life, she had bullied Yu Wanxue terribly. It was entirely possible that in this life, the moment Yu Wanxue saw her, she’d already be on guard.
Gu Jinzhao suddenly recalled a memory from her past life—demanding congee in the middle of the night and forcing Yu Wanxue to get up and cook it for her. She had even set up a stool outside the kitchen to supervise Yu Wanxue, making sure she didn’t slack off, only to doze off herself. When the congee was ready, it was Yu Wanxue who had to wake her up.
And after waking, she had scowled and scolded Yu Wanxue, despite the latter’s smiling face.
…Perhaps she had been reborn to repay her debts—to Third Master, to Yu Wanxue, and to herself.
Gu Jinzhao shook her head with a bitter smile and pushed a plate of pastries toward Yu Wanxue. "Try these—they’re very fragrant and crispy."
The Salty Crust Cake—she remembered Yu Wanxue had loved it.
Yu Wanxue took a bite and found it delicious, quickly eating two more pieces. She said to Jinzhao, "It really is delicious! I didn’t expect Mother’s tastes to be so similar to mine—liking these crispy treats."
Gu Jinzhao shook her head. "I don’t actually care much for dry pastries. I prefer fresh fruits and the like."
Yu Wanxue was puzzled. If she didn’t like them, why recommend them to her…?
Before she could dwell on it, Chen Xuanqing approached.
Seeing Gu Jinzhao sitting with Yu Wanxue, his expression stiffened slightly.
Gu Jinzhao noticed. Not wanting to intrude, she gave Yu Wanxue a small smile and excused herself.
Only then did Chen Xuanqing come over and ask Yu Wanxue, "How was meeting the relatives?"
Yu Wanxue nodded with a smile. "I chatted with Mother for a while. She’s really quite nice." She stood up and asked, "Do you need something?"
Chen Xuanqing shook his head. "…The banquet is about to start. I’ll take my leave."
As he stepped out of the banquet and rest area, the autumn wind brushed against him. The voices of the crowd faded into the distance as he walked toward the lotus pond.
The lotuses had long withered, leaving behind a pond of decaying leaves and shriveled seedpods, their heads bowed as if lonely and desolate.
Chen Xuanqing closed his eyes, and suddenly, an indescribable feeling rose in his throat.He wanted to vent, to roar out loud—perhaps even to cry.
The last time he had cried was at the age of ten, when he had broken his father’s inkstone and feared being scolded. But his father hadn’t blamed him. Instead, unusually gentle, he had patted his head and said, "Losing things doesn’t matter. You’re a man—you mustn’t be weak."
He had never seen his father so tender before, and so he had never cried again.
Chen Xuanqing took a deep breath before slowly turning back.
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