By the time she could finally sit down, Yu Wanxue felt parched and her legs ached. Her dowry maid Chuangfrost brought her tea, and wishing to get closer to Gu Jinchao, she smiled and asked: “Was Mother also this tired when she married into the family?”
Gu Jinchao shook her head: “You’re of the younger generation, so you mostly receive gifts and pay respects. I’m of the older generation, so I had to give gifts and receive others’ respect… But though you’re more tired, you gain more gifts. On my wedding day, I truly spent a fortune.”
Yu Wanxue laughed, thinking that this young mother-in-law wasn’t difficult to get along with, but rather quite interesting.
Gu Jinchao knew that her appearance was not naturally friendly, which was certainly true. Originally, she wasn’t very kind, and only after spending time with her would one know that she was relatively easy to communicate with and get along with. And not particularly clever…
In her previous life, she had treated Yu Wanxue too cruelly. Perhaps in this life, the girl would be hostile toward her from the first glance.
Gu Jinchao suddenly recalled a scene where she had demanded porridge in the middle of the night, making Yu Wanxue get up to cook for her. She had maids bring out a stool and personally stood watch outside the kitchen to monitor Yu Wanxue, preventing her from slacking off. Yet she dozed off, and when the porridge was ready, it was Yu Wanxue who woke her.
After waking, and seeing Yu Wanxue’s smiling face, she put on a stern expression and scolded her.
…Perhaps her rebirth was meant to repay debts! Debts to the Third Master, to Yu Wanxue, and herself.
Gu Jinchao shook her head with a bitter smile and pushed a plate of pastries toward Yu Wanxue. “Try this, it’s very crisp and delicious.”
Thousand-layer savory pastry—she remembered that Yu Wanxue loved it.
Yu Wanxue took a bite and indeed found it delicious, couldn’t help eating two more pieces, and said to Jinchao: “It’s delicious! I didn’t expect Mother’s taste to be so similar to mine, liking these crispy things.”
Gu Jinchao shook her head: “I don’t particularly like dry pastries; I prefer fresh fruits and such.”
Yu Wanxue was puzzled—if she didn’t like these, why recommend them to her…
Before she could think further, Chen Xuanqing had already walked over.
Seeing Gu Jinchao accompanying Yu Wanxue, his expression became somewhat unnatural.
Gu Jinchao noticed this as well. Not wanting to disturb their interaction, she gave Yu Wanxue a slight smile and left.
Chen Xuanqing then approached and asked Yu Wanxue: “How was meeting the relatives?”
Yu Wanxue nodded and said with a smile: “I chatted with Mother for a while; she’s nice.” She stood up and asked, “Do you have something to attend to?”
Chen Xuanqing shook his head: “…The banquet is about to begin. I’ll go first.”
He walked out of the reception hall, and the autumn wind blew against his face. All the voices faded away as he reached the lotus pond.
The lotus flowers had long withered, leaving a pool of decayed leaves and dried seed pods. Each hung its head, looking desolate and forlorn.
Chen Xuanqing closed his eyes briefly, suddenly feeling something rising in his throat.
He wanted to vent, to cry out, or perhaps to weep.
The last time he had cried was at ten years old when he broke his father’s inkstone and feared punishment. His father hadn’t blamed him but had been uncharacteristically gentle, stroking his head and saying: “It doesn’t matter if things are lost. You’re a man; you can’t be weak.”
He had never found his father so gentle before, and he never cried again afterward.
Chen Xuanqing took a deep breath before slowly walking back.