Chapter 27: Wife

The atmosphere inside the room was too strange. The young couple both sensed something was off. Chu Mingxi, standing beside Wei Qingchen, vaguely noticed her small movements. Seeing everyone’s eyes on them, her brow couldn’t help but twitch.

The Old Titled Lady opened her mouth to speak. Afraid his elderly mother might say something earth-shattering, Wei Huaishu quickly coughed, breaking the bizarre tension.

“You two…” He had spoken on impulse, not yet sure what to say. He paused, then barely found a pretext. “Oh, right. Your mother prepared some jewelry for your wife. It’s all stored in the back courtyard. You should go with your mother later to take a look.”

“Huh?” Wei Qingchen looked at her mother.

A gift normally given between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law being announced by the father of the house felt strange no matter how you thought about it. Fortunately, Mu Yunxian was used to staying calm in any situation. She smiled and said, “It’s just a set of head ornaments, nothing much. Your father is making a fuss over nothing.” As she spoke, she took Chu Mingxi’s hand. “Let’s go back and look at them in a bit.”

Chu Mingxi offered gentle thanks. At that moment, Little Sister Bao came over, sucking on her finger, to pay her respects to her uncle and aunt. The group chatted and laughed, changing the subject. Only then was the young couple finally out of the awkward spotlight.

When it was time for the midday meal, the servants set up individual low tables in the side hall. The table for Wei Qingchen and her wife was placed directly below Wei Huaishu’s seat. However, Chu Mingxi did not sit down. Dishes were brought out one after another. The Eldest Young Master’s wife, Qin Nuannuan, stood by the Old Titled Lady to serve her food. As the Heir’s wife, Chu Mingxi stood behind the Grand Princess to attend to her.

Wei Huaishu’s two concubines were not permitted at the table. The third brother, Wei Jiewu, sat alone at the very last seat. Wei Qingchen, who got along well with him, cracked a few jokes from time to time.

After everyone had finally eaten and drunk their fill, the Grand Princess led the young couple back to Jade Grain Courtyard.

The Grand General’s Mansion covered a vast area. It was said that the late Emperor had originally granted a separate Princess’s Mansion, but Mu Yunxian herself had said that, while thanking her father for his favor, the people’s livelihood was difficult and the royal family should set an example. There was no need to waste public funds and labor. Thus, the Princess’s Mansion project was halted. This became widely praised as a virtuous deed for a time. The late Emperor, cherishing his daughter, eventually granted a large piece of land when the Grand Princess received her ceremonial gifts. A tall building was erected facing the Bin River, with gardens for all four seasons and rare flowers and trees planted, which became the present-day Grand General’s Mansion.

Winding past multiple flower screens, they returned to the courtyard. Young maids had already come out to open the doors for their masters. The winter wind was swift, so the door curtains were quickly lowered again.

Aunt Qi brought out a sandalwood chest from inside. The chest was inlaid with gold and silver flying fish and encircled by several gemstones. Just looking at it, one could tell the gift inside was precious.

Mu Yunxian opened the wooden chest with a smile. Inside was a complete set of head ornaments—twenty-some pieces in total, including a diadem, hairpins, bracelets, and pendants. Everything was there, shimmering with radiance.

“This was part of my imperial dowry, granted by the late Emperor at my wedding,” Mu Yunxian said cheerfully, picking out a hairpin and personally pinning it into her daughter-in-law’s hair. “After I gave birth to Chen’er, I stopped wearing such elaborate things. Fortunately, the styles are still presentable.”

The first gift given by a mother-in-law after a wedding couldn’t be refused, according to custom. Chu Mingxi pressed her lips together in a smile and offered her thanks. She then took four colors of needlework from Qingdai and, looking rather embarrassed, said, “I am not very skilled at needlework. I hope you won’t mind, Mother.” After Mu Yunxian accepted them with a smile, Chu Mingxi also handed over two sachets. “I heard the Heir…” Chu Mingxi glanced at Wei Qingchen and corrected herself, “I heard my husband say that you haven’t been sleeping well lately. These sachets contain some floral pellets I made myself. If you carry one with you ordinarily, it will help you sleep better at night.”

While she was speaking, Wei Qingchen’s eyes opened wide and round. Chu Mingxi truly feared she would blurt out, “When did I ever tell you my mother couldn’t sleep well?” That would have been terribly awkward. But luckily, Wei Qingchen’s bright eyes just sparkled as she smiled. She even took a step forward and gently squeezed her hand.

Mu Yunxian was very pleased. She gave the sachets a particularly long look before telling Aunt Qi to put them away. Seeing the two children getting along so well truly made her happy. She took Chu Mingxi’s hand again and instructed, “You are new here. If you find anything uncomfortable in the Marquis Mansion at first, feel free to tell Chen’er. Even if it’s something he can’t easily handle, you still have me. I only have this one child. Now that I’m handing him over to you today, if he misbehaves, don’t spoil him. Scold him when you should, even yell at him if necessary. There’s just one thing,” Mu Yunxian paused slightly, her tone growing earnest. “The years ahead are long. No matter what happens, you two must support each other, sharing honor and disgrace, never betraying one another.”

Chu Mingxi agreed to everything, and thinking of the Grand Princess’s worries, replied with a gentle smile, “My husband is very good. And we will treat each other well. Mother need not worry.”

Mu Yunxian nodded with a smile, then beckoned a senior maid over. “This is Ruolan. She has followed me for many years. Like Jingyun in your own courtyard, she is a child born to servants of the Marquis Mansion. There are also a few older serving women for tasks, and some rough laborers for sweeping. They will all be assigned to your courtyard.”

Ruolan and Jingyun knelt together and kowtowed to the Young Mistress. Ruolan had a baby face and still looked like a child. Jingyun was true to her name—calm like clouds, and more steady in temperament.

Wei Qingchen watched from the side as the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged pleasantries for the longest time. Once all the necessary words were finally spoken, she sidled up to stand next to her mother and pretended to pout. “Mother, how can you be so biased? You gave Mingxi jewelry and maids, but what about me, your son? I get nothing at all?”

“Didn’t I get you such a wonderful wife? What more do you want?” The Grand Princess played along, glaring at her.

She pursed her lips. “I got this wife all by myself. I chased her all the way from the Northern Region to the Capital City.”

The maids nearby all started laughing. Chu Mingxi’s face flushed slightly, and she gave a soft cough.

The Grand Princess, however, showed no mercy in teasing her. “You got her yourself? Wasn’t it your father and your uncle who troubled themselves to seek her hand in marriage? Wasn’t it me, your mother, who went to the palace to ask for the Imperial Edict granting the marriage? Just you? Could you have won over such a fine wife? Ask your wife yourself if she would have paid any attention to you.”

The bystanders were getting dragged into this, too. Chu Mingxi bit her lip. How could she answer a question like that?

But before she had to struggle, Wei Qingchen’s eyes curved into crescents. “I suppose that’s true, too. Then thank you, Mother and Father. Mother is right. Having such a beautiful wife is better than anything else I could get!”

The Grand Princess burst out laughing. Chu Mingxi’s face turned even redder. Wei Qingchen then deliberately came over to take her arm. Seeing them get along so well, the Grand Princess felt relieved and let them return to their own courtyard.

After the young couple left the courtyard, the Grand Princess remained seated in her chair, looking a bit lost in thought. Aunt Qi stayed quietly by her side.

After a long while, the Grand Princess asked, “What kind of liking do you think Qingchen has for Mingxi?”

Aunt Qi was taken aback. She bowed slightly and said, “This servant has never had such feelings for another. I don’t know what kind of liking the Heir has for the Young Mistress. But I can see the Heir is truly happy. Besides…” She hesitated. “If this servant may speak out of turn, it doesn’t matter what kind of liking it is between the Young Mistress and the Heir. What matters is that the Young Mistress can help the Heir.”

The Grand Princess seemed pensive. After a long pause, she gave a relieved smile. “Ah, well. Whatever kind of liking it is, it was ultimately her own choice. As long as she’s happy, that’s fine.”

On the other side, Wei Qingchen and Chu Mingxi returned to their own courtyard. The newly assigned maids, female servants, and matrons knelt in a dark mass covering the floor, paying their respects to the Young Mistress. Yining saw them and distributed rewards on behalf of her mistress. Only then did the crowd finally shuffle and withdraw.

After all this commotion, the sun had already begun to slant westward. It was precisely the time for an afternoon rest. Wei Qingchen covered her mouth and yawned.

The only people left in the room were Yining and Qingdai, the two maids brought from Chu Manor. Together, they helped their mistress out of her more formal attire. Unsure if they should immediately proceed to help the Heir freshen up and rest, they both looked toward their mistress for guidance. Wei Qingchen didn’t notice their hesitation at all. She simply opened her mouth and ordered a cup of hot tea.

After drinking the tea, rinsing her mouth, and returning to the inner room, Wei Qingchen complained, half puzzled, half grumbling, “Why did Father suddenly think of having lamb soup at midday? He even had it freshly made and forced me to drink two bowls. It was so greasy.”

It was early winter, and the underfloor heating hadn’t been lit yet. Chu Mingxi had thrown a lake-blue vest over her dress. Hearing this, she turned her head and gave Wei Qingchen a knowing glance. Her eyes glimmered, as if she wanted to speak but held back.

Yet Wei Qingchen continued obliviously, stretching her arms and rambling, “On the way back just now, I heard the Old Titled Lady ordering someone to prepare deer kidneys and loins, urgently sending people to buy them. I’ve never heard of anyone in our family loving deer meat before. I wonder what’s gotten into everyone today.”

Chu Mingxi’s cheeks flushed slightly. She glanced around the room. The two maids, understanding her temperament well, curtsied and silently withdrew.

After the door was closed, Chu Mingxi slowly walked over and asked, tentatively, “You really don’t know why we had lamb soup today?”

“I don’t.” Wei Qingchen looked completely baffled.

The more clear and innocent her eyes looked, the redder Chu Mingxi’s face became. Eventually, even Wei Qingchen noticed. Startled, Wei Qingchen grasped her hand and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” As she spoke, she raised her other hand, touching the back of it to Chu Mingxi’s forehead.

Chu Mingxi tilted her head slightly away. The back of Wei Qingchen’s hand missed its target, landing on her cheek instead.

“So hot!” Wei Qingchen quickly pulled her toward the sleeping chamber. She led her to the bed and pressed her down to sit. “Lie down for a bit. I’ll go call someone!”

“Who are you going to call?”

“I’ll send a maid for a doctor!”

“I am a doctor myself,” Chu Mingxi said, being pushed to sit on the bed. She suddenly pressed a hand to her forehead. Her thoughts had been pulled off-track again by Wei Qingchen’s words. Wei Qingchen kept insisting on calling for help, so Chu Mingxi quickly held her back. “I’m not unwell.”

“But you’re burning up!” Wei Qingchen’s face was full of tension. She leaned close and looked at her for a moment. “Hurry, just lie down first.” After speaking, she bent down and personally set about removing her shoes and stockings.

“Heir…” Chu Mingxi pressed down on her shoulder. Wei Qingchen’s hands paused. Holding the shoe she had just removed, she looked up and asked, “Why are you calling me ‘Heir’?”

“What?”

“Just now in the front hall, didn’t you call me ‘husband’?”

Chu Mingxi lowered her head and said nothing.

Wei Qingchen grinned. She casually took off her other shoe and stocking as well. “If you’re not used to it, you can just call me Qingchen. Calling me ‘Heir’ is too distant. I’m afraid people might see through it.” As she spoke, she pulled the blanket up to cover Chu Mingxi’s knees, a bright smile still on her face. “Rest a while.”

“Mm…” Chu Mingxi nodded in agreement, then asked, “Where are you going?”

“Oh… I’ll go out and have them bring in two charcoal braziers.”

Chu Mingxi hurriedly grabbed her sleeve. Wei Qingchen turned back to look at her. Chu Mingxi slowly exhaled a breath. “I really am not unwell. See? My face isn’t hot anymore. There’s no need for braziers.”

Wei Qingchen tilted her head, studying her for a moment, as if confirming her words.

Chu Mingxi simply shifted further back on the bed and patted the space beside her. “Come up here. Let’s just talk for a while.”

Wei Qingchen figured squeezing together might help; maybe snuggling close could ward off the cold! Thinking this way, she happily shed her outer clothes and scrambled onto the bed. Lying down and pulling Chu Mingxi close, she wrapped her arms around her, blankets and all, pulling her into her embrace.

Chu Mingxi: …