Wan Niang breathed in the scent of the plum blossoms on him, looking up at him, just like every embrace before.
This time, Gu Lang's gaze was somewhere else.
She took a breath, pressing her cheek against his chest.
She was his wife now, and as the husband sings, the wife follows. As long as he didn't do anything heinous, she would stand by him.
Her cousin was already gone, and no one would likely visit her mother's grave anymore.
That woman was also her aunt.
Wan Niang decided to fulfill her cousin's filial duty in the future. The two hundred taels she donated to Green Maple Temple could be considered funds for the salvation ritual for her aunt.
On holidays, she would go to the grave to burn paper offerings.
*
That year, New Year's Eve came late. In early spring, the weather was still chilly. Wan Niang spent her first New Year in her husband's home.
Logically, such a wealthy household should have been lively; but aside from the other branches of the Gu family, when it was just their immediate family of four at the dinner table, the atmosphere was quite cold.
Madam Zhou was clearly used to it.
Probably to accommodate her taste, the dishes were mostly light. Gu Lanyin served her soup. Madam Zhou glanced at them and smiled, "You two have only been married a short time. His father said that after the New Year, he should go out to gain experience. I originally thought you could go along to take care of Gu Lang, but the weather is changeable, and you're weak. If you get sick, it’s no good; instead, he'll have to take care of you."
Wan Niang put down her bowl and said cautiously, "It's all right. Wherever my husband goes, I will follow. I can endure hardship. Please rest assured, Mother."
That wasn't what Madam Zhou meant. Seeing her pretending not to understand, she added, "You've been in the family for three months now. I've noticed you've been low on energy these days, and Gu Lang dotes on you. Could it be that you're pregnant?"
Wan Niang was startled at first, then blushed and shook her head, "It's just because I've been waking up too early these days."
Madam Zhou was about to say more, but Gu Lanyin put some food on her plate and said, "Don't overthink it."
Old Master Gu saw that his son’s heart and eyes were full of Wan Niang and didn't want to be the villain, so he said, "This trip to Xunyang may not take many years, but you've only been married a short time. Being alone outside will inevitably make you homesick. Your mother and I don't want to move again. Since Wan Niang is willing to endure hardship with you, take her along."
Old Master Gu was quite satisfied with his daughter-in-law. Apart from her family background, her conduct was impeccable, though she was a bit soft.
Wan Niang thanked her in-laws and poured wine for them.
Gu Lanyin was about to say something, but Old Master Gu smiled at him and warned, "If you get into trouble out there, don't ever come back. I'll consider myself without a son."
"What nonsense! Are you going to leave all your hard-earned wealth to others? Wan Niang, you must be ambitious. When you return later, bring me a little grandson. Once Gu Lang becomes a father, he'll surely be different."
Madam Zhou's eyes crinkled with laughter as she spoke, as if she could already see her little grandson. She became much warmer toward Wan Niang, and the dinner table was unusually harmonious. But Gu Lanyin remained silent.
"Gu Lang, what's wrong?"
Gu Lanyin looked up. Behind him, it seemed as if a wind blew, making the lamp above flicker.
His thoughts drifted. He downed his wine, and seeing everyone looking at him, he smiled, "Maybe it'll be a daughter. Wouldn't you like a daughter?"
Hearing this, Madam Zhou relaxed and smiled even more, "As long as it's your child, Mother will love it. They say daughters resemble their fathers. How wonderful if she looks like you! When I take her out, everyone will envy me."
"Of course, resembling her mother wouldn't be bad either."
Wan Niang pressed her lips into a smile.
After dinner, Madam Zhou couldn't sit still and went to play cards with her sisters-in-law. Gu Lanyin took Wan Niang back to their own house.
The five-courtyard mansion was brightly lit, and the cost of lamp oil for one night was considerable.
Wan Niang sat in the main hall keeping vigil. Bored, she had Bao Niang fetch her chess set, intending to play a game with Gu Lang.
Pieces clicked on the board; the lampwick crackled and popped.
In the middle of the night, fireworks flashed and crackled in the small patch of sky above the courtyard.
Gu Lanyin put down his chess piece, looking a bit tired.
Seeing this, Wan Niang prepared to make the bed.
Tonight, they probably didn’t need to sleep apart. She went into the inner room to bring out his bedding, but when she came out, Gu Lang was no longer on the couch.
Wan Niang stood there dumbfounded, her face turning pale.
She lowered her head, thinking about the many words she had left unsaid, and sighed softly.
Because it was New Year's Eve, the maids in the corridor were chattering outside, keeping watch all night. Wan Niang lay in bed, hearing all sorts of rustling sounds.
Finally hearing the rooster crow, she closed her eyes.
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
The young man's clothes were covered with dirt, and there was a smell of earth on him.
Wan Niang lifted the curtain and saw his dark-circled eyes and disheveled hair.
"What did you do last night?"
Gu Lanyin opened the window.
Wan Niang didn't understand, so he beckoned to her.
She walked to the window and realized that the shed not far behind was empty.
"Did you... stay up all night?"
Wan Niang couldn't believe it. She looked down at his hem and sleeves—some of the soil was still damp. She felt sorry for him, brushed off the dust, and said weakly, "You could have had the servants do this. Why do it yourself? It's so unlucky."