Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Because he was unwell, no one came to make trouble in the bridal chamber.

Nor did they leave me sitting there stiffly for long.

As soon as I returned to the wedding room, I lifted off my veil and had Siyue help me remove the phoenix coronet.

The phoenix coronet had been sent over by Gu Chengyan. When I received it, I was stunned speechless. It was so beautiful that I hugged it to sleep for several nights.

The wedding dress had been prepared by the Wang Family. After I took it off, I had Siyue lock it away in a chest. I never wanted to see it again.

Once I had changed into something lighter, I sat somewhat awkwardly beside Gu Chengyan and said softly, “My elder brother has come to the capital.”

“?”

“The one who shouted those two lines earlier?”

I nodded.

Gu Chengyan called someone in and told him to go check the main gate. If he saw my brother, he was to invite him in for the wedding feast.

“I cannot arrange for him to sit at the main table.”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as my brother can enter the Gu Mansion and drink at my wedding feast, I’m already very happy.”

Of course, if I could see him once…

I dared not hope for more.

After the meal, Gu Chengyan said, “From now on, you will live in this courtyard. I live in the front courtyard, with only a garden between us. If anything comes up, have a maid come tell me. You may also come yourself.

“As for learning to read and write, I will have it arranged in a few days.”

I nodded again and again.

Even I could feel the light bursting from my eyes.

I smiled like a fool. “Third Master, thank you.”

Gu Chengyan did not share my bed. That night, I slept alone.

The room was spacious and bright, with exquisite furnishings. Everywhere revealed taste and careful thought.

The bedding on the bed was soft and fluffy, carrying a faint fragrance.

The maids and old women I had brought with me were useless, but the momo Gu Chengyan sent over was truly capable.

By capable, I did not mean she was harsh with me. Rather, she was very strict with the servants, while remaining respectful and courteous toward me.

“If Young Madam is tired, you may rest early.

“If you are not tired, you may read for a while. It would be best not to go out today.”

How could I read? I did not know a single character.

I asked her, “I still don’t know what to call you, momo.”

“This old servant’s husband’s surname is Zhao. I was Third Young Master’s wet nurse.”

“Nanny, may I call you that?”

Nanny Zhao smiled until her eyes narrowed.

“It is my good fortune that Madam thinks so highly of me.”

Gu Chengyan had sent her to serve me in order to help me. I could not possibly make things difficult for her, nor did I dare drop a stone on my own foot.

She also had no intention of laying down rules or putting on airs with me. In short, on my first day at the Gu Family, I lived very comfortably and happily, and I slept especially sweetly.

As for the fact that we had not consummated the marriage, I did not take it to heart.

I was still young, after all.

The next day was the tea ceremony.

He knew very well what my dowry contained, and I had nothing presentable to give. Gu Chengyan had prepared all the gifts. When Nanny Zhao told me about them, I memorized it once-what should go to whom, and what should go to whom.

As long as I followed the proper order and made no mistakes, it would be fine.

The tea ceremony and meeting the relatives went smoothly. There were many people in the Gu Family, but they all seemed kind. No one deliberately targeted me. They all told me to live well with Gu Chengyan.

My father-in-law and mother-in-law said I only needed to come pay respects on the first and fifteenth of each month. On ordinary days, I could stay in my courtyard if I wished, or stroll around the garden.

This was my home, so I could be more at ease and did not need to be overly restrained.

If there was anything they needed me to do, they would send someone to tell me.

On the way back to my courtyard, I looked at Gu Chengyan and smiled.

He smiled gently as well. “That happy?”

I nodded hard.

“There is something else that will make you even happier.”

I lifted my brows, thinking he meant I would be learning to read and write.

To my surprise, in the garden, I saw my elder brother.

“Brother.”

I ran over with quick little steps, about to throw myself into his arms.

My brother stretched out a hand and pressed it against my forehead.

“Brother.” I stamped my foot in protest.

My brother laughed. “You’re already married, yet you’re still so childish.”

“Even when I’m seventy or eighty, in front of you, I’ll still be a child.”

“Such a sharp tongue. I can’t win against you.”

My brother’s eyes were full of laughter and indulgence. Smiling, he withdrew his hand.

Then he took a purse from his robe and handed it to me.

“This is the dowry Mother and your sister-in-law prepared for you.”

I accepted it with a smile and opened it for a look.

It was silver.

I was no longer short of silver now.

But I did not hurriedly hand it back to my brother. I thought I would wait a little, then exchange it for something else for him to bring back to Nanny and my sister-in-law.

I turned to look at Gu Chengyan.

Gu Chengyan’s eyes were filled with a warm smile. “Yuwan, have your brother stay for a meal. We can set it in the side hall of my courtyard. What do you think?”

That was exactly what I wished for.

I quickly thanked Gu Chengyan.

Tugging at my brother’s sleeve, I asked in a low voice, “Is everything well at home? Is Nanny well? How did you come this time? How many days do you plan to stay? When are you going back? When will you come next time?”

“So many questions. Which one should I answer first?”

“Answer them one by one. You aren’t allowed to skip a single one.”

“Bossy.”

As my brother spoke, he reached out as if to pinch my nose.

But his hand stopped midway, and he only patted my head lightly.

After returning to the Wang Family, I had suffered so many grievances. Now that my brother still treated me exactly as before, my nose suddenly stung, and I nearly burst into tears.