In the capital, the mansions of dukes, marquises, and earls stood in great numbers, but only those granted as fiefs to founding meritorious officials occupied entire streets. For instance, the Xiangyang Marquis Household lay two wards to the south, and the Duke of Ying's Residence stood three streets to the north. Later, mansions bestowed for military achievements or imperial kinship rarely enjoyed such grandeur—like the Dongchang Marquis Household and the ill-fated Fuchang Marquis Household, which, though imposing and luxurious, merely occupied larger plots of land.
Minglan understood this well. In the early days of the dynasty, land was plentiful and people scarce, so the emperor could afford to be generous. By the time the capital flourished, real estate had become prohibitively expensive, and the founding nobles had already claimed their plots, leaving little room for expansion.
Of course, there were also unfortunate cases like Hualan's in-laws, the Zhongqin Earl Household. As founding contributors, they once occupied over half a street with layered courtyards, pavilions, and towers. But after being implicated in a rebellion, their title and mansion were stripped away. Even upon rehabilitation, they could not reclaim the originally bestowed residence.
The Gu family, with several generations of marquises stationed at the border, had their Ningyuan Marquis Household on Ningyuan Street, which was not particularly spacious.
Yet, exceptions always existed. Take Uncle Shen, for example. As the Empress's maternal relative and a military achiever, his Weibei Marquis Household sprawled across hills and forests, backed by mountains and encircled by water, making it a unique spectacle in the capital.
Minglan also grasped this: in recent years, many nobles had erred, and after rounds of purges and confiscations, the new emperor had ample resources to generously reward his brother-in-law—and, well, his followers.
Thus, when Minglan beheld the grandeur of the Fuyuan Military Governor Gu's residence, she was not overly surprised. What astonished her was that this estate lay merely half a forest and one confiscated ministerial garden away from the Ningyuan Marquis Household.
"Well? Does this residence meet your expectations?" Gu Tingye asked, smiling at Minglan's bewildered expression.
Minglan gazed at the mist-shrouded, blossom-filled mountain forest and garden, her mouth slightly agape. After a long pause, she murmured, "It's so close, yet we argued for so long?" feeling as though she had wasted considerable effort earlier.
Gu Tingye raised an eyebrow. "No matter how near, they are two separate households. Outsiders have no say here."
A faint smile touched Minglan's lips. Did this mean... she wouldn't have to wake up early?
On the first day of her marriage, exhausted from a long day's bustle and aching all over, Minglan was utterly spent. By the time they returned to the governor's residence, dusk had fallen. She hadn't even glimpsed the full appearance of her new home before Danju helped her to her room. After a quick wash, she changed into casual, comfortable clothes and collapsed into the lavish, silk-embroidered crimson quilts adorned with dragons and phoenixes.
Intending only to rest briefly before dinner, she fell into a deep sleep the moment her eyes closed. No one disturbed her, and she only stirred around midnight. In her groggy state, she still thought herself in her maiden home, half-rising to feel for the small bedside table. Instead, in the darkness, her hand brushed against a bare, slightly rough chest.
Minglan squinted, dazed and uncomprehending. Who was this? She groped a few more times.
A large hand seized hers. The man lifted the thick, brocaded bed curtain embroidered with tangled flowers and hooked it casually onto the copper hanger by the window. On the small carved zitan round table beside the bed, a dim ram horn palace lantern cast a faint glow. By its hazy light, Minglan finally saw the man before her clearly.Gu Tingye's thick, raven-black hair was half-unbound, cascading over his shoulders clad in snow-white silk. His inner robe hung open, revealing a broad, sun-kissed chest that, in the dim light, appeared to Minglan's squinting eyes to bear several scars. The room was faintly scented with an alluring, rosy incense, yet it couldn't mask the potent masculine aura of the man beside her.
"What is it?" Gu Tingye, still drowsy, half-opened his eyes and pulled Minglan closer.
"I want water," Minglan mumbled, tilting her head. Her cheeks were like sculpted snow, her lips soft and pink, but her eyes were bleary. "I want Danju."
Naturally alert, Gu Tingye had shaken off his fatigue and was now fully awake. Seeing Minglan's dazed expression, he stretched out a long arm, retrieved a teapot from the warmer on the bedside table, and poured a cup of warm tea into a delicate porcelain cup. He handed it to Minglan, who clutched it with both plump little paws and gulped it down noisily. "More?" she asked blankly.
Gu Tingye checked the pot and poured her another cup. This time, she only drank half before pushing the cup and remaining tea back into her husband's hands. Then, quite automatically, she lay back down, turned over, and burrowed under the covers to resume sleeping.
Clutching the cup, Gu Tingye watched Minglan sleep like a little piglet, snoring softly, and was speechless for a long moment. He simply downed the remaining half-cup of tea in one go, set the cup aside, and turned to peel back Minglan's covers. Her warm, soft, fragrant body—plump yet slender-boned—pleased him greatly as he held her. Tightening his embrace, he slipped a hand inside her inner robe, finding her skin exquisitely smooth.
At first, it was just a few casual touches, but soon his interest was piqued. He leaned over her, seeking her soft lips, still damp from the water. As his kisses deepened, his ardor grew, and his hands began to roam urgently.
Minglan, feeling something amiss below, stirred awake. Her eyes fluttered open in confusion, lips slightly parted as she struggled weakly, bewildered. But he pinned her firmly beneath him, holding her fast.
Her body burned like fire. In a daze, she felt him thrust deeply into her. At first, Minglan endured it, but as a novice to such intimacies, she soon ached with soreness and heat, her legs hanging limply over his arms. She whimpered, pleading for him to finish quickly.
Yet, well-rested and full of vigor, he drove into her with relentless force, kneading her body all the while. His kisses melted her almost to liquid. Overwhelmed, Minglan began to sob and beg softly, her delicate pleas only fueling his desire. He nipped at her pale, tender shoulder, growling low in his throat.
Minglan listened to his rough, heavy panting, her body aflame and unbearably agitated, until she could endure no more and slipped into unconsciousness.
...
Early the next morning, when Cui Mama hurried to the newlyweds' chamber, she was met with a thick, sensual fragrance and the pervasive scent of lovemaking. The maids, blushing, had already assisted Minglan with her bath. Stepping inside, Cui Mama saw the couple seated side by side on the edge of the bed. Minglan looked utterly sleep-deprived, while Gu Tingye appeared refreshed and spirited, intently holding one of Minglan's jade-like feet on his knee as he slowly pulled on her sock.
Approaching them, Cui Mama resisted the urge to glare at the new son-in-law. She swiftly took the sock, curtseyed, and said, "Young Master, please go and freshen up. I'll take care of the young mistress here."Gu Tingye wasn't angry either. He rose to his full height, his inner garment with long sleeves and wide lapels draped over him, and headed towards the side chamber. Cui Mama waited until he had completely left before squatting down to help Minglan put on her shoes and socks. While dressing her in the outer coat, she accidentally lifted the garment and saw ambiguous bluish-red marks stretching from Minglan's shoulders and neck all the way down to her chest.
Cui Mama immediately felt a surge of anger but suppressed it silently, planning to report this during the third-day bridal return.
Minglan felt even more exhausted after sleeping than without rest, her back so sore she could barely straighten it. She was also starving, her stomach clinging to her backbone. The moment she saw the steaming breakfast on the table, her eyes lit up with hunger. She broke records by drinking three bowls of porridge in succession, nearly bursting her stomach. Gu Tingye also had a great appetite, eating quite a lot himself while watching Minglan eat with a beaming smile, even adding more dishes for her.
Minglan thought he resembled a black-hearted pig farm attendant diligently fattening up the pigs for slaughter. She shot him a fierce glare, only to see him smiling ambiguously, his eyes teasing as he looked at her. Minglan's face flushed so red it seemed about to drip blood.
She didn't even want to speak, thinking that since there were no other elders in this residence, she should finish eating quickly and go back for a nap. Currently, sleep-deprived and mentally foggy, she couldn't match wits with him yet - she needed to recover her combat effectiveness first.
Originally, Gu Tingye had planned to introduce Minglan to the household stewards and delegate domestic affairs to her today. But seeing Minglan practically falling asleep standing, he postponed all matters and went to his outer study to handle some urgent business instead.
Perhaps due to harmonious yin-yang balance, Gu Tingye found the daylight particularly bright and beautiful this day. The entire estate was filled with birdsong and floral fragrance, heaven and earth in perfect harmony. He completely forgot yesterday's displeasure, smiling all day with the corners of his mouth upturned, only thinking of finishing his work quickly to return to their chambers. Even if he couldn't do anything particular, gaining some other advantages would be nice too.
The daytime rest somewhat restored Minglan's energy, and she finally recovered some strength. She planned to discuss stars, moon, life ideals, and household management with her new husband that evening. Unfortunately, Gu Tingye had completely different plans. Before Minglan could even begin her topics, he eagerly dragged her to bed, excitedly occupying himself with her for most of the night.
On the morning of the third day of their marriage, Gu Tingye watched Minglan with concern beside her. Seeing her wilted, drooping appearance, he felt quite distressed and gradually somewhat regretful. Today was the third-day bridal return - he shouldn't have been so unrestrained last night.
Minglan lay slumped over the table, her body aching and weak, her wrist trembling as she held the porridge bowl. She couldn't help but weep inwardly - as a legal professional, she fully recognized the obligation for conjugal relations between spouses and greatly agreed with the importance of sexual intimacy in marital life. She was also willing to cooperate wholeheartedly, but, but... sob, she truly had the will but not the strength!
During these three newlywed days, Comrade Gu seemed to have no higher requirements for Minglan. He didn't demand she manage the household or immediately take on domestic responsibilities. His current sole and greatest need was hoping she performed well in bed.
Minglan picked up the lotus-patterned porcelain dish with a bitter expression, thinking rather tragically: other matriarchs of great households engaged in mental work, battling wits and courage, while she was doing physical labor - and heavy physical labor at that! What, what, what was this supposed to be? Yin harvesting to supplement yang?The more she thought about it, the more frustrated and depressed she felt. Minglan was furious. She was still a tender young girl—how could she possibly match his strong physique? Not to mention the... size mismatch, but their physical stamina was also worlds apart. He was just winning through unfair advantage! Hmph! Just wait until she reached her thirties and forties, when her desires peaked—then they'd see if Old Gu could still keep up!
While sipping her porridge, Minglan indulged in this Ah Q-style fantasy, feeling immensely satisfied. But then she accidentally shifted her body, and a sharp ache shot through her waist and legs, making her hiss sharply through gritted teeth—Damn it, just you wait and see!
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