I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

After Lin Wei Xi shouted those words at Prince Yan, she rushed off towards the inner courtyard. Only after returning to her room did her emotions finally settle.

She also didn’t know why she’d suddenly exploded like that. Maybe it was because her past life and that heavenly book had a firm hold on her during this period of time, and after her encounter with Li Da last night, her pent up emotions suddenly exploded. Or it could be because the person who said those words was Prince Yan. If it were anyone else, she could’ve convinced them with reason, but this was Prince Yan.

Lin Wei Xi didn’t light the lamp, and sat there daydreaming as the room gradually darkened to the point where she couldn’t even see the bedside cabinet. She was in a daze when a knock suddenly sounded from the door, “Miss Lin, are you in there?”

Lin Wei Xi returned to her senses. She’d never heard this voice before; why was it outside her door? However, no matter how pissed off she may be, she was convinced that Prince Yan would guarantee her safety, so she didn’t think too much and stood to open the door.

Outside the door stood a girl with her hair in twin buns, around seventeen or eighteen years old. Looking at her clothes, she seemed to be a maid. Seeing Lin Wei Xi’s clear look of shock, the visitor realized she’d been rude and quickly bowed her head in greeting, “Miss Lin, this servant is Wan Yue, here to attend to Miss Lin by order of the Prince.”

Lin Wei Xi looked at the girl, her eyes shifting faintly, “Prince Yan asked you to come?”

“Yes.”

Lin Wei Xi pursed her lips. She didn’t know what Prince Yan meant. The unpleasant scene from earlier was actually her fault. From a worldly perspective, he only did this for her own good; it was she who failed to appreciate it. Lin Wei Xi herself was still conflicted about whether to go over and apologize, but Prince Yan had sent someone over in an instant, as if what had happened earlier didn’t bother him. He didn’t care, so she should’ve felt relieved, but her feelings regarding this issue were very complicated. It made her feel like she was insignificant to him, like she was just an ignorant, unwanted step-child who needed to be settled down.

Lin Wei Xi immediately laughed at herself. She didn’t have any relationship with Prince Yan, and the fact that he’d brought her with him was a testament to his benevolence and attention to duty. When they reached the next town, she ought to voluntarily retreat. Prince Yan still had important things to do in the capital, not to mention, Gu Cheng Yao’s wedding would happen soon. He merely said the words, but how could he actually not attend the wedding? If she knew how to be tactful, she ought not burden Prince Yan.

Hence, Lin Wei Xi didn’t say anything, and only nodded before stepping aside, “Come on in. Where are you from?”

“This servant is from Shunde and used to wait on the county magistrate official’s young lady. Prince Yan commanded that this servant be bought from the mansion and sent this servant to serve Miss Lin.”

Lin Wei Xi’s forehead almost started dripping in sweat, “You were the personal maid of the county magistrate’s precious daughter?”

“I can’t be considered a personal maid, it was just some manual labour.”

Lin Wei Xi had managed a household for many years, and one look at Wan Yue’s speech and conduct told her this maid had to have had a very important position in her master’s house. Considering the difference between this small town and the capital, it definitely took a lot of effort to groom a capable maid like Wan Yue, who was probably a secret weapon that the county magistrate Lady had prepared for her daughters. No one expected Prince Yan to just ask for it. This was actually considered very rude in a wealthy family. After all, the maid who served the young lady represented her mistress’ honour. Prince Yan’s behaviour was… too high handed.

Lin Wei Xi thought about it, and couldn’t be bothered. The maid wouldn’t be returning to her previous master, and it was very important to have a clever maid by her side. Besides, it was Prince Yan who’d personally stepped in, why not just sit back and enjoy it?

Lin Wei Xi asked Wan Yue a few more questions, and set it aside after understanding the situation.

Although Lin Wei Xi received Prince Yan’s kindness, she still felt awkward. He didn’t argue with her, and even sent her a capable maid. Thus, shouldn’t Lin Wei Xi take the initiative and admit her mistake? After all, although he seemed easy to talk to, he was also a Prince with overwhelming power and was the commander of the three armies, with outstanding military accomplishments. Not to mention, when the Dughlat tribe rebelled the previous year, they tried to provoke Prince Yan, and after they were defeated, the male tribe members were exterminated. This had been commanded by Prince Yan himself.

His easy going personality was just a facade, and Lin Wei Xi didn’t dare offend such a person.

The next morning, Lin Wei Xi dilly-dallied as she walked to the front courtyard to look for Prince Yan. Zhou Mao Cheng was bustling about when he saw her, and he called out to her from a distance, “Lin Girl, why are you up so early?”

Lin Wei Xi blushed. Because she’d been frightened the previous day, she had a rare good night’s rest after calming down, so she only awoke when the sun was high in the sky, even though she was usually very well-educated and wouldn’t do such inappropriate things. The one time she overslept, she ran into Prince Yan. Not only did she trouble everyone by having them wait for her for a long time, she also appeared in front of Prince Yan with an unkempt appearance. Lin Wei Xi felt embarrassed at the thought of what happened that day. On top of that, Zhou Mao Cheng actually shouted so loudly  in front of so many people.

Lin Wei Xi smiled stiffly, “Uncle Zhou, you’re mistaken. I got up a long time ago.” She was afraid that Zhou Mao Cheng would question her again, and quickly changed the subject, “Uncle Zhou, what are you doing?”

Sure enough, he changed the subject and said, “I was ordered by the Prince to acquire something. If you dislike how noisy they are, you can return to the inner courtyard to rest.”

Lin Wei Xi guessed that Prince Yan was taking advantage of the time he had to replenish the items needed for the journey. This was a serious matter for his troops. She understood her place, so she didn’t ask., and secretly glanced in the direction of the study to find it blanketed in silence.

Zhou Mao Cheng noticed her actions, clearly understood it, and asked, “Are you looking for the Prince?”

Since she’d been discovered, she didn’t hide it and conveniently admitted, “I want to ask His Highness Prince Yan something regarding my father.”

Zhou Mao Cheng immediately sighed when he heard that it was about Lin Yong, and he looked at her with increasing pity in his eyes, “My Prince left early this morning. If you have something to say to him, it’ll be better to wait.”

Lin Wei Xi gave in. She was very self-aware, and smiled at this, “I understand, thank you Uncle Zhou.”

Zhou Mao Cheng looked at the expression on her face and almost let it slip what Prince Yan went to do that day, but he worried about how sensitive she would be. After all, this event would harm her reputation, so he dropped it.

Lin Wei Xi hid her sigh of relief when she learned that Prince Yan wasn’t in and returned to the inner courtyard so as not to disturb Zhou Mao Cheng’s work. However, it was as if she’d been born to worry. When she was ten, she was taken to the Princess Royal Residence, and at noon everyday, she shadowed her grandmother when managing the Princess Residence’s household affairs and external businesses. When Princess Royal Shou Kang saw that Lin Wei Xi enjoyed handling these things, she prepared many estates and shops for her dowry. When she got engaged to Gu Cheng Yao at fourteen, the Princess Royal passed these properties to her in advance and let her manage her own dowry.

Later, she married into the Prince Yan Residence. Although she became the Shizi Fei, she didn’t have a mother-in-law or a grandmother-in-law, so she managed the daily operations of the Prince Yan Residence herself. She had long grown accustomed to issuing orders and managing the operation and personnel. When she became Lin Wei Xi later on, the chattering by her ears suddenly turned quiet, but she was still not quite used to it. When she lived with Aunt Lin previously, she wouldn’t speak unless it was necessary, but listening to the activity outside right now made it really difficult for her to sit still.

Lin Wei Xi couldn’t stand it any longer, and took Wan Yue to the front courtyard to check out the excitement. Before she knew it, she was already directing Prince Yan’s subordinates. Zhou Mao Cheng returned from shopping with some others, and even he didn’t know whether this was a good or bad thing, so he made do with his shopping. Lin Wei Xi couldn’t stand idly by and watch, unable to resist giving an order or two. Gradually, the situation turned into something like this: she would say something, anyone who was available would listen, before they laboured to move the items.

These were mostly military men, reticent and preferring to take action over talking, and they were much stronger than those treacherous old vixens from the back courtyard, so Lin Wei Xi’s management went exceptionally smoothly. Zhou Mao Cheng also felt that working while relying on strength alone was truly too easy; he and a few others silently breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at her composed posture and sighed to himself once more. This kid Lin Wei Xi was articulate and arranged the housework in an orderly manner. At a glance, it seemed like she’d come from a prosperous household. Understandably, no matter who married her, their family business could only flourish in the future. It was a pity that none of his sons had such a blessing.

Gu Hui Yan returned with his subordinates at dusk. His trusted aide had already reported to him on the way back about the going ons in the courtyard that day. When Gu Hui Yan heard how Lin Wei Xi had criticized the way things were run and showed her capabilities, he smiled softly.

That was good; she was intelligent and had an outspoken personality. No matter who she marries in the future, Gu Hui Yan need not worry about her being taken advantage of for money. After all, Lin Yong had died to save him. So long as it was within his power, he, too, wanted Lin Yong’s only remaining bloodline to live in a carefree and idyllic manner for the rest of her life.

When Lin Wei Xi heard that Prince Yan was back, she struggled for a long time before bringing Wan Yue with her to greet him in the end.

Be it during her past life or with regards to Lin Yong, Gu Hui Yan was her elder, unquestioningly. As a junior, she ought to pay her respects to Prince Yan, and apologize for the previous day’s mistakes while she was at it. As an elder, Prince Yan definitely wouldn’t embarrass an ignorant junior like her.

This time, Lin Wei Xi had just walked into the study, when the guard at the door spotted her and let her in without reporting her presence. Gu Hui Yan was unsurprised by Lin Wei Xi’s arrival. He appeared to be busy with official duties, and pointed towards a pear wood armchair, saying, “Sit down first and wait for a while.”

Lin Wei Xi sat down obediently. Even when in front of Duke Ying, she was unwilling to obey him and refused to obediently receive a lecture. However, when facing Gu Hui Yan, she had no temper at all,  and she didn’t know the reason why.

Gu Hui Yan lowered his eyes to read the letter. When Lin Wei Xi saw him lost in concentration, she became curious and waited for him to close the letter, and couldn’t resist asking, “Your Highness Prince Yan, whose letter is this for you to be so focused?”

His hand stopped moving, and he glanced at her with a spark of interest,”How do you know that I’m focused?”

“It’s quite simple. The last time I was here, you read the letter very quickly, but this letter took you almost twice as long as the last time.”

Gu Hui Yan smiled lightly with a look of approval, “You are astute in your observation.” She’d only been here twice, but she could identify such a subtle difference. Of course, an old subordinate like Gu Ming Da could also get a feel for something like this, but considering Lin Wei Xi’s age and experience, this was commendable.

She felt flattered after suddenly receiving praise from Prince Yan. He also easily answered her previous question, “It’s from Zhang Jiang Ling.”

Lin Wei Xi thought for a moment, and was astounded, “Grand Secretary Zhang?”

Zhang Xiao Lian’s ethnic origins were from Jiangling, so he was also known as Zhang Jiang Ling. This wasn’t a secret within the official circles, but what about Lin Wei Xi?

Gu Hui Yan’s expression didn’t change. He set aside his things, like an easy-going uncle humouring his ignorant niece: “It’s him.”

Lin Wei Xi was frightened. She stared with wide-eyed reverence at the letter that Gu Hui Yan had folded randomly, “Your Highness Prince Yan, I only said it off-handedly. I don’t dare interrupt your work. You should go back to reading the Grand Secretary’s letter first.”

“What’s the rush?” ​​Gu Hui Yan appeared easygoing, like the world renowned Grand Secretary was nothing more than an ordinary scholar to him.

Lin Wei Xi realized that she’d actually delayed the response to the Grand Secretary’s letter, and she immediately couldn’t sit still. She also realized at that moment that Gu Hui Yan was one of the three Regent Ministers, the most trusted out of the three, and possessed military power. She used to think these titles only sounded glamorous in the past, but now she truly understood what they meant.

To Lin Wei Xi, the Grand Secretary was like a distant character in a stage play, but to Gu Hui Yan, he was nothing more than a colleague who often wrote letters.

She was speechless from shock, and when he saw that she was terrified, he spoke first and changed the subject, “I heard that Zhou Mao Cheng finished the shopping today, and you also contributed a lot.”

“I dare not take any credit, all I did was try out some small ideas.” Lin Wei Xi felt more relaxed when talking about this topic, “Your Highness Prince Yan, are you setting off soon?”

“More or less. This house was originally bought for you, and I had intended to settle your major life events before heading back to the capital. But since you don’t want to marry, there’s no need to wait.”

Lin Wei Xi sighed softly. She felt somewhat guilty, so she said to Gu Hui Yan with her head lowered, “Thank you, My Prince.”

“It’s nothing, it’s because I didn’t properly think it through. Even if I leave you with more self-protection, this place is too far from the capital and it will eventually be beyond my reach. The county magistrate will behave for a while, but after a period of time, I’m afraid he will make trouble for you. A single weak woman like you simply can’t contend with those government officials, so instead of making you worry about your safety all the time, it’s better to put you in a place where I can see you.”

Lin Wei Xi was grateful at first; Prince Yan was such a good person. But as she listened to his words, she gradually felt that something was wrong, “Prince Yan, what do you mean?”

“Didn’t Zhou Mao Cheng pass you the eyebrow powder? The road will be bumpy, we should thoroughly prepare while we still can so that you will feel at ease on our journey.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, and her small cherry lips opened slightly, “Could it be that you’re thinking of bringing me to the capital?”

Gu Hui Yan looked at her strangely, his tone absolute, “Of course. You are still observing filial mourning to your father, which isn’t as urgent as getting married. You can take it easy and live in the Prince Yan Residence for as long as you want. The Prince Yan Residence won’t  be stingy with it’s spending.”