Chapter 54

Lin Wei Xi was very satisfied with the outcome. Who did these people think they were, to come over and blame her? Seeing Lin Wei Xi’s expression soften, the second Gao Madam was overjoyed and quickly helped her back to her seat. After resisting a little, Lin Wei Xi yielded and sat back down. Seeing that the farce had come to an end and that it wasn’t an irredeemable situation, the senior Duke Ying Lady felt greatly relieved, “Prince Yan Consort, this old lady spoke out of anxiety earlier and caused a misunderstanding.”

This was a roundabout way to apologize. After all, the senior Duke Ying Lady was forty or fifty years older than Lin Wei Xi. In a patriarchal society that placed importance on respecting the elderly, it was more rare for an elder that old to speak to such a degree than it was for red rain to fall from the sky. In her previous life, Lin Wei Xi never thought that one day, she’d actually hear her overbearing and bossy grandmother apologize to her.

But Lin Wei Xi wasn’t one to stop while she was ahead and she liked it best when she could make a clean sweep. She smiled at the senior Lady. She was radiantly beautiful and her smile looked like sunlight breaking through the clouds, like spring blooming on earth. What a pity her words were the complete opposite of her demeanour, “senior Lady, since today was all a misunderstanding, where is the servant who spread the gossip that caused this misunderstanding? For them to be able to pass on word of what happened in the Prince Yan Residence to the Duke Residence, it’s most likely a servant of the Prince Yan Residence. Someone dared to do this under my management and even misled the senior Lady and the Second Madam. It’s a crime punishable by death. Senior Lady, don’t hesitate to tell me. No matter who it is, I’ll give them a severe punishment and bring justice for the Duke Ying Residence.”

The senior Duke Ying Lady was shocked when she heard this. She was so shocked that she looked at the second Gao Madam in surprise. She’d never expected Lin Wei Xi to be so uptight about things. It was an eye-opener for the second Gao Madam. Out of all the noble ladies she met on a regular basis, were there any who weren’t thin-skinned, who didn’t place more importance on their dignity and image over their life? Even if they were angry, if others begged them properly, they’d be embarrassed and most would just let it go. But Lin Wei Xi didn’t do this. They’d spoken at such lengths earlier and almost left the Duke Ying Residence’s dignity in the dust before finally persuading Lin Wei Xi not to leave. But now she wanted to investigate the messenger?

This was the second Gao Madam’s first time meeting such an unrelenting◇ woman. Wasn’t she being too fearless just because someone had her back?

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But the other person was really very fearless. Lin Wei Xi was the Prince Yan Consort. She was one generation younger than Prince Yan and had been brought back by Prince Yan himself. It was clear how much he loved her. Even though the Duke Ying Residence were the in-laws, Gu Cheng Yao was the one they were connected to. The one they truly needed to rely on was Prince Yan, so how could they dare offend the little Princess Consort whom he loved so much? To make things worse, Gao Ran was in the wrong in this situation.

The second Gao Madam internally scolded Gao Ran. This troublemaker had gotten into trouble and was punished, but then sought out her maternal elders and now wanted them to accommodate the Princess Consort for her.

The second Gao Madam carefully glanced at her mother-in-law, and after receiving her instructions, she gave a name with shame on her face. Lin Wei Xi knew at once that it was one of Gao Ran’s dowry servants. Although she was also one of Gao Ran’s people from the Duke Residence, she couldn’t compare to trusted aides like Granny Tao and Ning Fu. Lin Wei Xi knew that it was impossible to remove Gao Ran’s right hand men all at once. But it was quite beneficial for her if she could get rid of a dowry servant because of an opportunity Gao Ran presented herself.

These were Lin Wei Xi’s thoughts. She knew what the senior Duke Ying Lady wanted and didn’t continue to investigate it, but merely dismissed the dowry servant. It just so happened that her master’s family was also here, so Lin Wei Xi said, “Shizi Fei was the one who brought this servant. Since she is part of my residence, these dowry servants all belong to my residence. But at the end of the day, they’re from the Duke Ying Residence. It’s hard for me to grasp the severity of the situation, so I’d like to ask the senior Lady for some advice. In your opinion, how should I deal with this kind of evil slave that incites disputes between in-laws through gossip?”

The senior Duke Ying Lady had never felt so irritated in such a long time. She said, “why would you keep such a wicked slave. Even the Duke Residence won’t tolerate this kind of servant. You don’t have to worry, Princess Consort. You can just sell her.”

“Alright.” Lin Wei Xi responded with a smile and said to Wan Yue, “Pass on the senior Lady’s command and sell all the dowry servants in the Shizi Fei’s courtyard who have the surname Li.”

The senior Duke Ying Lady was speechless. How had this become an order from her? The second Gao Madam learned that such a difficult person actually existed in this world. And that person was Gao Ran’s mother-in-law, the Prince Yan Consort that even Duke Ying didn’t dare to offend.

The Duke Ying Residence’s trip this time had truly been useless. They’d intended to support their granddaughter, but had been fooled by their granddaughter’s young mother-in-law. They’d been humiliated for the first time in many years. Furthermore, they’d lost a dowry servant. Gao Ran had only brought two dowry servants with her when she married. They’d lost one servant in the blink of an eye. This loss was not insignificant.

She might as well throw away her shame. The senior Duke Ying Lady simply gave up and shamelessly asked, “Princess Consort, the New Year is approaching. Even the imperial court has gone on annual leave. Does Shizi really have to study all night?”

For a moment, Lin Wei Xi couldn’t guess why the senior Lady was asking about Gu Cheng Yao. She was afraid to leave an opening and merely responded vaguely, “the outer courtyard has always been in charge of Shizi’s basic needs. They generally follow the Prince’s arrangement and I’ve never been involved.”

The senior Duke Ying Lady stuck to this topic. She didn’t intend to question the way Prince Yan disciplined his son, and instead asked, “it really amazes me how strict His Highness Prince Yan is with Shizi’s discipline. It’s just that studying is a noble and praiseworthy pursuit. It’s improper to be distracted. Since Shizi needs to concentrate on studying, won’t having a maid by his side disrupt his focus?

Only then did Lin Wei Xi realize that the senior Duke Ying Lady was talking about Yun Hui. She tilted her head and coughed, a blush rising to her face. Her expression turned embarrassed, “about Yun Hui… this is Shizi’s bedroom affairs. I’m afraid it’s inappropriate for me to meddle.”

The senior Duke Ying Lady also felt embarrassed saying this to a seventeen year old girl. She couldn’t contain her humiliation. However, this was the main purpose of her visit today. Since the conversation had concluded like this and they’d lost a dowry servant, they had to get rid of the vixen by Shizi’s side. They couldn’t meet Prince Yan and didn’t dare talk to him about this. Naturally, as the mother, Lin Wei Xi had to be the one to get rid of Shizi’s concubines.

Lin Wei Xi thought about this matter… She knew Yun Hui from her previous life. She had served Gu Cheng Yao for ten years and was two years older than him. Girls matured earlier, and Yun Hui had personally taken care of Gu Cheng Yao from when he was boy to when he became a man. Perhaps she already considered herself his bedside companion. Furthermore, she was close to Granny Bu, closer than mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would be. In such a situation, if the main wife who wasn’t from the household wanted to establish herself, these two who made “great contributions” were only trouble.

In her past life, Lin Wei Xi had disapproved of Yun Hui’s actions, and was even more disgusted with Granny Bu, who thought of herself almost as a mother-in-law. She wanted her and Yun Hui to copy Ehuang and Nüying’s◇ intimacy and enthusiasm? In her dreams. Yun Hui was no match for her.

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Lin Wei Xi had gotten into never ending disputes with Granny Bu and Yun Hui in her past life, but Gu Cheng Yao was unexpectedly blind and wholeheartedly thought that his nanny and personal maid were good people. She’d finally left that sticky situation and become the last one standing. Although it was true that she’d been the one to stir up trouble, why was she still contaminated by this mud? Gao Ran usually had her guard up against her, but now she wanted her to get rid of Yun Hui. Goodness, how could she be so shameless.

Lin Wei Xi firmly shook her head, “I’m around the same age as Shizi. I ought to avoid rousing suspicion. If I were to meddle with Shizi’s bedroom affairs, what would people say about me once it gets out? Shizi Fei is pure of heart and exudes elegance. She’s also the wife Shizi married against all odds. It won’t be a problem to deal with such a trivial thing. Anything that happens between the wife and concubine are part of Shizi Fei’s duties, so we should let her handle it herself.”

If Gao Ran could send Yun Hui away, why would she want to borrow Lin Wei Xi’s power? It was precisely because she couldn’t get rid of that person that the senior Duke Ying Lady was here to pressure Lin Wei Xi, “you’re wrong, Princess Consort. Shizi wants to call you mother, after all. But the kids don’t know you that well since they haven’t known you for long. They can’t see your good and bad qualities, and can’t rely on the Princess Consort to guide them as their mother. Princess Consort, you’ll have to depend on Shizi in your old age, and the relationship between mother and Shizi will carry on for a long time. Do you really not care about what happens in Shizi’s courtyard?”

The senior Duke Ying Lady had threatened Lin Wei Xi with her reliance on Shizi in her old age. Even if she had children in the future, she’d still have to depend on Gu Cheng Yao in her old age. And Gao Ran’s, the daughter-in-law, opinion was particularly important. After all, Shizi wasn’t Lin Wei Xi’s biological child. Wasn’t how she’d live in her old age depend on Gao Ran, the main consort?

Lin Wei Xi understood and felt a little angry. She no longer cared about their feelings, her voice instantly turning cold, “If it happened once, it will happen a second time. Hence, Shizi Fei hopes for me to arrange for a concubine for her?”

The senior Duke Ying Lady suddenly couldn’t speak. A stepmother meddling with Shizi’s bedroom matters wasn’t a good reputation to have, but reputation and rules could only restrict those who care about them. If Lin Wei Xi truly acted out and didn’t care about the consequences, she’d use her reputation as an excuse to bestow a servant girl to Gu Cheng Yao. She could meddle with Gu Cheng Yao’s concubines, but what could everyone else do aside from scorn her?

The room sunk into an unnatural silence. Lin Wei Xi and the senior Lady’s expressions didn’t look good. At that moment, the sound of movement suddenly came from outside the partition, like something toppling. Everyone in the room was shocked. Lin Wei Xi stood up and heard whispers of apologizing from outside, mixed with the sound of a greeting.

Lin Wei Xi’s expression sank. She quickly walked out and happened to see Gao Chen standing to the side, a toppled vase by his feet. His wet nurse embraced him as she apologized non-stop to another person.

Gao Chen had been eavesdropping from outside? Lin Wei Xi was furious, but she suppressed  it and gave a wanfu salute first, “my Prince.”

Gu Hui Yan nodded and indicated for her to get up. Gao Chen was small and he’d hidden in a small crack. If Gu Hui Yan hadn’t returned, who knows how long he’d hide there. Of course the family had instructed him to sneak back and eavesdrop. His mother often let him do this. After some time, Gao Chen learned how to do it. But he’d been accidentally discovered today and toppled a vase. Seeing the expression on his wet nurse’s face, even if he didn’t understand why, he knew that disaster was imminent this time.

The wet nurse also hadn’t expected that the young master would happen to be discovered by Prince Yan while eavesdropping and accidentally topple a vase in his shock. This was porcelain from the Tang Dynasty. Yue Porcelain had long since been discontinued and had been priceless since the previous dynasty. The wet nurse couldn’t even begin to imagine the current price of Yue Porcelain. She was thoroughly shocked and repeatedly apologized, “my Prince, please forgive me. The young master didn’t purposely topple the vase. He’s still a child… “

The senior Duke Ying Lady walked out with the help of the second Gao Madam. Seeing the scene outside, her expression darkened. Gu Hui Yan glanced lightly at the ground and said, “It’s nothing but a vase. Someone sweep it up.”

The maids on both sides responded and everyone from the wet nurse to the senior Duke Ying Lady breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you my Prince. Chen’er is young and mischievous. May we ask the Prince not to be offended by his rudeness.”

Gu Hui Yan didn’t intend to speak. Lin Wei Xi saw this and continued, “It’s only a vase. If it’s broken, then it’s broken. As long as no one is hurt. Should I call someone to take a look at his hand?”

Everyone from the Duke Ying Residence were rather embarrassed, so they naturally rejected the offer quickly. The senior Lady sighed to herself. The Prince Yan Residence was indeed a huge family with an enormous business. They didn’t bat an eye to a Yue porcelain case and just swept it up. The senior Duke Ying Lady felt a little rueful and turned to worry about the other problem. When had Prince Yan returned? Had he heard the first part of their conversation?

Gu Hui Yan was actually not in a good mood right now. Of course it wasn’t because he’d caught a child eavesdropping. He was a high-ranking official and naturally wouldn’t do something so beneath his dignity like eavesdropping. But he’d trained his sharp hearing after many years of combat, and the senior Duke Ying Lady and Lin Wei Xi hadn’t particularly lowered their voices when talking earlier.

Lin Wei Xi had said that she was around the same age as Shizi. After that, the Gao family’s senior Lady had replied that Lin Wei Xi would need to depend on Gu Cheng Yao in her old age, that they’d have to get along with each other for a long time.

Gu Hui Yan’s initially fair mood suddenly clouded over.

Over the years, he’d gradually advanced and reached the peak of his power step by step. But no amount of meticulous planning could change the passing of time. No matter what he did, he couldn’t erase the fact that he was more than a generation older than Lin Wei Xi.

He hadn’t cared initially. But recently, when he looked at the youthful and radiant Lin Wei Xi, and then his own son who was at the prime of his life, he’d always feel a little preposterous. It was undeniable that Lin Wei Xi and Gu Cheng Yao were close in age, young and energetic. They were the ones who ought to be from the same world.

And not him.

Especially when the senior Duke Ying Lady had said that Lin Wei Xi would have to depend on Gu Cheng Yao in her old age. How ridiculous it was that Lin Wei Xi and Gu Cheng Yao would probably accompany each other the longest and have the deepest bond. In this hierarchical society, brothers could separate, fathers and sons could become enemies, husbands and wives could part ways, but only the relationship between a mother and child couldn’t be severed.

Gu Hui Yan suddenly wanted to know what Lin Wei Xi thought about this marriage that had to be tied because of rash feelings of injustice and unforeseen circumstances. Why did she refuse to arrange a concubine for Gu Cheng Yao?