I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

T/n: some formatting errors caused parts of this chapter to get deleted without my knowledge. I’ve updated it to include the full chapter so the current version is accurate.

For the first time in a while, Lin Wei Xi sat in a carriage. After a long journey on the bumpy road, it grew noisy outside the carriage. Lin Wei Xi guessed that they’d probably entered the city.

Sure enough, when the city guards saw Prince Yan’s token, they didn’t dare to check the carriage, and lowered their heads to let Prince Yan’s convoy enter the city. When the county magistrate heard that Prince Yan, who’d clearly said the day before that he was leaving, had actually come to the county town, he was startled, and hurriedly brought his assistant to welcome Prince Yan.

“Welcome Your Highness Prince Yan. My Prince has visited in person, please forgive me for the inadequate welcome.”

“It’s no problem, get up.” Gu Hui Yan loosely grasped the reins as he towered from his position on his horse, and said stoically, “Is there a quiet courtyard nearby?”

Courtyard? How long was Prince Yan actually planning on staying? The county magistrate was a little confused. He glanced at the carriage behind Prince Yan and made a random guess that Prince Yan was looking for a quiet courtyard for that person. He heard that Prince Yan had lost his wife nearly ten years ago… The county magistrate’s thoughts only went so far and he didn’t dare think about it further. His attitude became more respectful, “My Prince, we are honoured by your presence in our humble county, how could I dare let you stay outside? My official residence might be small, but if My Prince doesn’t mind, how about staying at my residence.”

Gu Hui Yan quickly glanced at the county magistrate. This county magistrate was truly a smooth talker, even in the bureaucratic language. Gu Hui Yan tightened his hold on the reins and said as he soothed the agitated Zhao Xue, “No need, find another house.”

Gu Hui Yan’s words were flat, but the county magistrate immediately heard a danger within it. Cold sweat oozed from his back, and he didn’t dare make any more assertions. He lowered his body and replied, “This lowly official obeys. My Prince, please wait a moment.”

Lin Wei Xi felt the carriage stop. Although she was alone in the carriage, she sat in place without lifting the curtain out of curiosity. After a while, the carriage continued moving, and after an estimated few turns, a thump sounded from under the carriage. Zhou Mao Cheng’s voice came from outside the carriage, “Lin girl, you can get off the carriage.”

Actually, according to Lin Wei Xi’s upbringing, her appearance couldn’t be seen by men other than her father and brother, and the carriage had to stop at the second gate, which led to the main courtyard. It was a breach of etiquette to get on or off a carriage on the street. But this was just a small town, and she no longer had her original identity. In that case, there was no need to be too particular about the rules.

Lin Wei Xi lifted the corner of her skirt and stepped off the carriage. She looked up and found that they’d stopped in front of a double gated house. Lin Wei Xi felt a little confused by Prince Yan’s train of thought. What did Prince Yan mean?

Lin Wei Xi snuck a look at Prince Yan as he stood in front of everyone like usual. He was listening to his subordinate report something when he became aware of her gaze, so he raised his hand to stop the subordinate from continuing, and gently nodded to her, “Go inside.”

Lin Wei Xi looked around and pointed to herself in bewilderment. Gu Hui Yan nodded. She felt flattered and walked in first, with Gu Hui Yan following behind her, and then everyone else.

They were only staying here temporarily, so Gu Hui Yan only bought a house with two courtyards. The inner yard was entirely left for Lin Wei Xi herself, while Gu Hui Yan stayed in front with his subordinates. If something happened, it would certainly alarm them, so her safety was guaranteed.

Lin Wei Xi hadn’t brought any luggage when she left that morning. She’d lived in Aunt Lin’s house for six years, but she had very few belongings. The only thing that she had any attachment to were several letters sent by Lin Yong. She’d already packed those a long time ago and was ready to leave at any time. She didn’t want to see Aunt Lin’s family again, so she didn’t go back, and instead entrusted Zhou Mao Cheng with going to Aunt Lin’s house to fetch her things.

In the end, Aunt Lin was Lin Wei Xi’s blood relative who’d adopted the original host for six years. She scolded them ferociously, but she actually didn’t know how to deal with them. She didn’t intend to look into the silver taels that Aunt Lin had swiped, and merely regarded it as charity to a beggar, but what Li Da did the day before disgusted her.

She’d lived this long, but be it as Gao Xi or as Lin Wei Xi, she’d never suffered such humiliation. She was angry beyond words, but now she was without her former identity. She couldn’t do anything to Li Da, and she didn’t know who to turn to for help. Lin Wei Xi contemplated the entire situation, but in the end she could only get angry with herself.

Lin Wei Xi walked to the inner courtyard. As she entered the door, Zhou Mao Cheng took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and whispered to her, “Lin girl, don’t be afraid. Last night, Uncle beat that kid to a pulp. When I went to pick up your things this morning, the entire family was trembling like a quail, and didn’t even dare to make a sound.”

They were such vulgar words but Lin Wei Xi let out a chuckle. She stopped laughing and said seriously, “Thank you Uncle Zhou.”

Zhou Mao Cheng felt incredibly smug when he heard the phrase “Uncle Zhou”, and he lamented that it was better to have a daughter. He could listen to this charming voice and polite manner. It was better than those rascals in his family.

As Zhou Mao Cheng looked at Lin Wei Xi, he asked on a whim, “Lin girl, it’s not that Uncle wants to take advantage of you, but I’ve taken a liking to a little kid like you. It just so happens that there are a few good-for-nothing boys in my family who are about the same age as you and haven’t married yet. See if you want to marry into Uncle’s family as a daughter-in-law or not? So long as you consent, Uncle will let you marry whichever son you want!”

Lin Wei Xi was smiling in the beginning, but when she heard this, her smile slowly stiffened, “Uncle Zhou, thank you for your kindness, but there’s no need…”

“Don’t be polite, as long as you are willing, those small brats in our family earnestly look forward to it.”

“There’s really no need…”

After bidding farewell to a disappointed Zhou Mao Cheng, Lin Wei Xi turned around and walked into the building. After entering, she heaved a heavy sigh.

Did she seem anxious to marry? Why did everyone want to act as a matchmaker? Even Zhou Mao Cheng planned to force this on his son.

Lin Wei Xi slowly sat down on the chair^◇, looking at the thin cracks on the round table made of pear wood, lost in thought.

◇

Prince Yan rushing back to the capital should be because of Gu Cheng Yao. It’s true that she used to be blinded by her family background, and really thought that because she was proficient in Four Arts^◇, she would also be good at managing the household. Furthermore, she’d thought that others spoke highly of her because they really liked her. But once she broke out of her family’s influence, her true colours were exposed.

◇

Lin Wei Xi smiled bitterly. When she thought about it, if she were a man, she also wouldn’t like herself, an overbearing woman who relied on her family background and grandmother. That’s why, if she was really grateful to Zhou Mao Cheng, she couldn’t marry into his family and bring them harm.

Zhou Mao Cheng watched Lin Wei Xi enter the house in disappointment before returning to the front courtyard with a deep sigh. Gu Hui Yan was handling urgent matters in the temporary study. When he heard Zhou Mao Cheng sigh, he raised his head and glanced up without stopping the brush in his hand, and asked off-handedly, “What the problem?” 　　

“That Lin girl is smart and articulate. In the future, she will bring prosperity to the family that she marries into. I brazenly acted as matchmaker for my sons, but she refused. Sigh, although I expected it, it’s still a pity… “

Gu Hui Yan laughed lightly. That girl wasn’t only intelligent, but also courageous and high-spirited. If the man wasn’t capable, he couldn’t possibly rein her in. Gu Hui Yan wasn’t surprised that Zhou Mao Cheng had been rejected, because just the day prior, he’d barely touched the topic before she butt heads with him.

But speaking of Lin Wei Xi bringing prosperity to the family, Gu Hui Yan was reminded of another matter. He’d personally written a letter to Princess Royal Shou Kang to bring in a daughter-in-law, but the girl had died of illness at the end of the previous year.

Gu Hui Yan remembered that this daughter-in-law was called Gao Xi. In all fairness, Gu Hui Yan was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law. It’s just a pity that things were not meant to be, and it couldn’t be forced.

Shen Shi had been dead for ten years, and the old Princess Consort had also died a long time ago. The only two men who remained in the Prince Yan Residence were Gu Hui Yan and Gu Cheng Yao. There wasn’t a mistress to care for the home, and each of their marriages had been delayed year after year. Gu Hui Yan himself didn’t want to remarry, so of course he couldn’t be bothered with Gu Cheng Yao’s marriage matters. So when Gu Cheng Yao suddenly sent him one half of a fish-shaped jade pendant and asked him to find the owner of the jade pendant, he was surprised.

Gu Cheng Yao was only sixteen years old but he already knew how to find a wife for himself? Gu Hui Yan didn’t really care about family status, so no matter what status the woman had, it would all be the same in the face of his household. Since Gu Cheng Yao liked her, then as his father he didn’t need to dampen his enthusiasm. However, at that time, Gu Hui Yan was in the midst of quelling the Dughlat tribe’s rebellion. He didn’t have the time to investigate some woman’s jade pendant, so he wrote a letter and sent it back to the capital together with the jade pendant, entrusting Princess Royal Shou Kang with finding the woman.

Princess Royal Shou Kang was Gu Hui Yan’s paternal aunt. Back then, when the previous Prince Yan hadn’t yet moved to his vassal state, Princess Shou Kang took care of him, so the previous Prince Yan and Princess Consort greatly cared about their friendship with Princess Shou Kang. Later on, when Gu Hui Yan suddenly emerged with a force to be reckoned with, his power greatly surpassing that of the Princess Royal Shou Kang Residence, he didn’t sever contact with the Princess Royal Residence. The two families were quite close, and Gu Hui Yan was also very courteous to his aunt.

Gu Hui Yan was busy, so naturally he entrusted Princess Royal Shou Kang with finding the woman. The Princess Royal lived in the capital, and she made frequent contact with the women there, so it was better to have the Princess Royal find someone than Gu Hui Yan. But he didn’t expect that after he sent the letter, the Princess Royal sent back a reply almost immediately, and along with the letter came the other half of the fish-shaped jade pendant.

So such a coincidence could actually occur. The woman Gu Cheng Yao wanted to find just so happened to be the granddaughter of Princess Royal Shou Kang. After receiving the reply, Gu Hui Yan didn’t say a word, immediately took out his official seal, and sincerely asked for his son to marry the granddaughter of the Princess Royal, Gao Xi.

Everyone in the capital knew what happened after. The Duke Ying Residence and the Prince Yan Residence were joined together by their marriage, two joyful events occurring in succession. Gu Hui Yan had one less thing to worry about, so he went back to concentrating on dealing with the war in the Northwest, and stopped paying attention to what happened in the residence.

Gu Hui Yan was very clear about the Princess Royal Shou Kang Residence’s situation. Princess Shou Kang had been favoured before she went into decline and her husband placed third in the national civil exams during the Chengwu era. The emperor’s son-in-law couldn’t become an official once he married into the imperial family, and Princess Shou Kang’s Husband^◇ was a scholar with no particular foundation for his career. It was an honour to marry a princess, but he had to choose between his career prospects or marrying the Princess. The Princess’ Husband had no official career, so he had no choice but to rely on the Princess’s dignity. As for Princess Shou Kang, she had a rather strong personality.

◇

Consequently, Princess Royal Shou Kang’s only daughter, Wei Shi, was influenced by the way her parents interacted. After marrying into the Duke Ying Residence, she refused to swallow her pride and suffered a lot under the concubine’s deceitful ways. Wei Shi’s daughter, Gao Xi, couldn’t accept her mother’s situation. She was competitive from a young age and had to be the best at whatever she did out of all her sisters, even brothers. In Gu Hui Yan’s opinion, a woman having a strong personality wasn’t a bad thing. On the contrary, if Gu Cheng Yao actually took a liking to those kinds of gentle and frail women, he would really worry about the Prince Yan Residence and it’s large family business. Furthermore, Gao Xi stayed at the Princess Shou Kang Residence most of the time. Since she had the Princess Royal’s guidance, Gu Hui Yan felt very relieved.

But he didn’t expect that in the short time he wasn’t paying attention to the affairs of the residence, the next time he received a letter, it informed him of the news of Gao Xi’s death.

Although it was very disrespectful to say this about the deceased but… wasn’t this too quick? But what caused Gu Hui Yan to frown in particular was the fact that Gu Cheng Yao had handed over the obituary along with the deceased. The Duke Ying Residence intended to let Gao Xi’s shu  sister, Gao Ran, marry in as his second wife. And he’d already consented.

Gu Hui Yan hadn’t said anything at the time, but everyone who was present knew that Prince Yan was very upset about his son’s remarriage.

He didn’t know why Lin Wei Xi reminded him of his former daughter-in-law. When Zhou Mao Cheng saw that Gu Hui Yan’s face was a little sombre, he suddenly swallowed his unspoken grumble. He looked at Gu Hui Yan’s expression and carefully said, “My Prince, did Shizi send that letter?”

Gu Hui Yan sighed slightly: “A letter was just sent from the capital, his marriage to the third miss of Duke Ying Residence is scheduled for next month.”

Lin Wei Xi had come over to express her thanks to Prince Yan when she happened to hear this as she walked past the window.

Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran would be married next month.