Zhao Changdu gently patted her back, coaxing her like a child, "What's wrong with that? I'll take care of Shen Ruxu's matters, no one can argue about it."
He knew a young wife would face many difficulties becoming a daughter-in-law, when the Cengs were in charge of the household, she didn't need to worry, but Mrs. Lin was his birth mother, inevitably she would have some concerns.
If she handled some matters, it would make his mother uncomfortable, but it would be different if he spoke up.
She was so young, and pregnant as well, he didn't want her bothered or distressed by these trivial things and insignificant outsiders.
"Sleep, with your husband here, no one can bully you, not even my mother."
Gu Ying was stunned, nestled in the man's arms, listening to his concise words and steady heartbeat, her eyes grew hot as her restless heart finally settled.
In her previous life, when she married Jiang Yin, she was filial to her parents-in-law and considerate of her sister-in-law, but she was tormented by Jiang's mother and Jiang Ling'er for two years. No one knew of her troubles and bitterness, Jiang Yin was consumed by his career, completely oblivious to the ugliness in the inner chambers, moreover he never loved her, he loathed her, wishing Jiang Ling'er would pester her to death.
This life she assumed that when the Heir brought Mrs Lin back it would put her in the same plight, but she never expected the Heir to indulge and consider her so...
It turns out there really were men in this world who understood a woman's troubles, what virtue had she cultivated to meet the Heir?
She smiled, silently shedding tears, in the dark canopy she hugged the man's strong waist tightly.
She gently nuzzled his chest, her voice hoarse, "Changdu."
The man's voice was low and attractive, "What is it?"
Laughing through her tears she said, "Nothing."
She just loved this man desperately, unable to resist calling his name.
...
The next day, Zhao Changdu went alone to see Mrs. Lin.
Last night Mrs. Lin had moved into Lingxi Pavilion.
Lingxi Pavilion was not far from Changfeng Pavilion. Zhao Changdu would visit Gu Ying before he went out.
Mrs. Lin knew her son was filial and was happy, but her intention was for Gu Ying to join them in morning and evening greetings to foster family feelings.
Zhao Changdu frankly declined on Gu Ying's behalf with a smile, "Ying intended to accompany Mother more, but I feel we are family by blood, no need for such formalities. So called morning and evening greetings are rigid rules intentionally created by idle, ignorant women of the inner chambers to torment daughters-in-law. We don't practice this in the Duke's estate. Moreover, Mother, when you married into this household, Grandmother treated you well, I'm sure Mother doesn't want to make things difficult for the pregnant Ying, correct?"
His words choked back all of Mrs. Lin's rebuttals.
When she married in high status back then, Zhao Hui didn't love her, in the entire household, except Zhao Hui, the old Duke and old Duchess treated her exceptionally well.
Not to mention morning and evening greetings, she had almost overslept the second day after her wedding, but the old Madam didn't scold her, instead told her with a smile to quickly eat breakfast and not starve herself.
Recalled by Changdu's words, she felt somewhat guilty. If not for Xu whispering maliciously in her ear last night, she wouldn't have thought to make Gu Ying formally greet her.
Moreover, although Gu Ying was an officer's daughter from Dongping Prefecture, she was well read and knew propriety. In the months since marrying Changdu she had managed Changfeng Pavilion perfectly without any oversight, everyone above and below Changfeng Pavilion liked her, she really was a capable daughter-in-law and mistress.
Furthermore, Changdu cared for her, doted on her, loved her, a young couple affectionate with each other was a blessing.
Having just returned to the household, she didn't want conflict with her son over a woman.
Considering this, she smiled kindly, "It was Mother's mistake, don't be angry Changdu, I'm very fond of Ying, she's pregnant so I wanted her to visit more, so I can see that she's well."
When Shen Ruxu entered, Zhao Changdu was raising a cup of hot tea by his side.
The man had painterly brows and eyes, handsome features, exceedingly refined and beautiful, unbelievable. He wore grand crimson official robes and black belt, sitting upright and slender in the chair, refined, righteous, yet with undeniable piercing cold, like an deity.
Seeing him, Shen Ruxu's heart raced, flushing she walked to Mrs. Lin in tiny steps, greeting her then turning to the man, also greeting him as "Brother Changdu".
Zhao Changdu was expressionless, placing the teacup on the table without a smile.
Receiving the man's cold gaze and disregard, Shen Ruxu felt rather awkward standing straight, "I came to see if Mother had woken, unexpectedly I ran into Brother Changdu—"
"Brother Changdu?" Zhao Changdu laughed coldly, looking away with detached coldness.
Glanced by his hawkish eyes, Shen Ruxu shuddered, utterly embarrassed without place to hide, this man's manner was too oppressive, recalling his cold yet frightening demeanor at the military camp, she forced a smile, enduring her fear, "What's the matter, does Brother Changdu feel it's inappropriate?"
She was Mother's daughter, naturally she should call him brother...
Zhao Changdu's deep phoenix eyes were obscure and ruthless, with indifferent expression, carrying bone-chilling cold, "You and I aren't blood kin, in the future, address me the same as everyone else in the household, as Heir."
Shen Ruxu's face froze, the man's emotionless words left her awkwardly mortified.
She was merely a commoner, able to live in the Duke's estate was thanks to Mrs Lin's grace, the Heir's attitude warned her not to foolishly fantasize.
Zhao Changdu didn't waste time on her, instead said to Mrs Lin, "Ying is the woman I love most, Mother treating her well is treating your son well. She carries my child and it's very difficult, Mother's medical expertise is superb, I hope Mother can diligently care for Ying's health."
Recalling the child, joy still rose in Mrs. Lin's heart, "Don't worry Changdu."
After breakfast with Zhao Changdu in Lingxi Pavilion, Mrs. Lin personally saw him out.
Returning inside, Mrs. Lin immediately slapped Shen Ruxu's face.
Stunned by the slap, Shen Ruxu was incredulous, "Mother, you hit me?"
Never in her life had Mrs. Lin hit her before, now she actually hit her?
"Why?" Shen Ruxu swiftly reddened, unseen resentment appearing in her eyes.
Mrs. Lin glared at her resentfully, feeling awful for hitting her daughter, quickly had someone fetch a handkerchief to apply to her cheek.
Shen Ruxu irritably turned her face away, sobbing grievously with knitted brows.
Mrs Lin sighed, "I already told you Changdu's heart is only filled by Gu Ying, stop fantasizing about him. You're already a young lady of this household, what more are you dissatisfied with? Why must you insist on marrying Changdu?"
Shen Ruxu unwilling, crying loudly, "Why can't I? Why can't I!"
Zhao Changdu gently patted her back, coaxing her like a child, "What's wrong with that? I'll take care of Shen Ruxu's matters, no one can argue about it."
He knew a young wife would face many difficulties becoming a daughter-in-law, when the Cengs were in charge of the household, she didn't need to worry, but Mrs. Lin was his birth mother, inevitably she would have some concerns.
If she handled some matters, it would make his mother uncomfortable, but it would be different if he spoke up.
She was so young, and pregnant as well, he didn't want her bothered or distressed by these trivial things and insignificant outsiders.
"Sleep, with your husband here, no one can bully you, not even my mother."
Gu Ying was stunned, nestled in the man's arms, listening to his concise words and steady heartbeat, her eyes grew hot as her restless heart finally settled.
In her previous life, when she married Jiang Yin, she was filial to her parents-in-law and considerate of her sister-in-law, but she was tormented by Jiang's mother and Jiang Ling'er for two years. No one knew of her troubles and bitterness, Jiang Yin was consumed by his career, completely oblivious to the ugliness in the inner chambers, moreover he never loved her, he loathed her, wishing Jiang Ling'er would pester her to death.
This life she assumed that when the Heir brought Mrs Lin back it would put her in the same plight, but she never expected the Heir to indulge and consider her so...
It turns out there really were men in this world who understood a woman's troubles, what virtue had she cultivated to meet the Heir?
She smiled, silently shedding tears, in the dark canopy she hugged the man's strong waist tightly.
She gently nuzzled his chest, her voice hoarse, "Changdu."
The man's voice was low and attractive, "What is it?"
Laughing through her tears she said, "Nothing."
She just loved this man desperately, unable to resist calling his name.
...
The next day, Zhao Changdu went alone to see Mrs. Lin.
Last night Mrs. Lin had moved into Lingxi Pavilion.
Lingxi Pavilion was not far from Changfeng Pavilion. Zhao Changdu would visit Gu Ying before he went out.
Mrs. Lin knew her son was filial and was happy, but her intention was for Gu Ying to join them in morning and evening greetings to foster family feelings.
Zhao Changdu frankly declined on Gu Ying's behalf with a smile, "Ying intended to accompany Mother more, but I feel we are family by blood, no need for such formalities. So called morning and evening greetings are rigid rules intentionally created by idle, ignorant women of the inner chambers to torment daughters-in-law. We don't practice this in the Duke's estate. Moreover, Mother, when you married into this household, Grandmother treated you well, I'm sure Mother doesn't want to make things difficult for the pregnant Ying, correct?"
His words choked back all of Mrs. Lin's rebuttals.
When she married in high status back then, Zhao Hui didn't love her, in the entire household, except Zhao Hui, the old Duke and old Duchess treated her exceptionally well.
Not to mention morning and evening greetings, she had almost overslept the second day after her wedding, but the old Madam didn't scold her, instead told her with a smile to quickly eat breakfast and not starve herself.
Recalled by Changdu's words, she felt somewhat guilty. If not for Xu whispering maliciously in her ear last night, she wouldn't have thought to make Gu Ying formally greet her.
Moreover, although Gu Ying was an officer's daughter from Dongping Prefecture, she was well read and knew propriety. In the months since marrying Changdu she had managed Changfeng Pavilion perfectly without any oversight, everyone above and below Changfeng Pavilion liked her, she really was a capable daughter-in-law and mistress.
Furthermore, Changdu cared for her, doted on her, loved her, a young couple affectionate with each other was a blessing.
Having just returned to the household, she didn't want conflict with her son over a woman.
Considering this, she smiled kindly, "It was Mother's mistake, don't be angry Changdu, I'm very fond of Ying, she's pregnant so I wanted her to visit more, so I can see that she's well."
When Shen Ruxu entered, Zhao Changdu was raising a cup of hot tea by his side.
The man had painterly brows and eyes, handsome features, exceedingly refined and beautiful, unbelievable. He wore grand crimson official robes and black belt, sitting upright and slender in the chair, refined, righteous, yet with undeniable piercing cold, like an deity.
Seeing him, Shen Ruxu's heart raced, flushing she walked to Mrs. Lin in tiny steps, greeting her then turning to the man, also greeting him as "Brother Changdu".
Zhao Changdu was expressionless, placing the teacup on the table without a smile.
Receiving the man's cold gaze and disregard, Shen Ruxu felt rather awkward standing straight, "I came to see if Mother had woken, unexpectedly I ran into Brother Changdu—"
"Brother Changdu?" Zhao Changdu laughed coldly, looking away with detached coldness.
Glanced by his hawkish eyes, Shen Ruxu shuddered, utterly embarrassed without place to hide, this man's manner was too oppressive, recalling his cold yet frightening demeanor at the military camp, she forced a smile, enduring her fear, "What's the matter, does Brother Changdu feel it's inappropriate?"
She was Mother's daughter, naturally she should call him brother...
Zhao Changdu's deep phoenix eyes were obscure and ruthless, with indifferent expression, carrying bone-chilling cold, "You and I aren't blood kin, in the future, address me the same as everyone else in the household, as Heir."
Shen Ruxu's face froze, the man's emotionless words left her awkwardly mortified.
She was merely a commoner, able to live in the Duke's estate was thanks to Mrs Lin's grace, the Heir's attitude warned her not to foolishly fantasize.
Zhao Changdu didn't waste time on her, instead said to Mrs Lin, "Ying is the woman I love most, Mother treating her well is treating your son well. She carries my child and it's very difficult, Mother's medical expertise is superb, I hope Mother can diligently care for Ying's health."
Recalling the child, joy still rose in Mrs. Lin's heart, "Don't worry Changdu."
After breakfast with Zhao Changdu in Lingxi Pavilion, Mrs. Lin personally saw him out.
Returning inside, Mrs. Lin immediately slapped Shen Ruxu's face.
Stunned by the slap, Shen Ruxu was incredulous, "Mother, you hit me?"
Never in her life had Mrs. Lin hit her before, now she actually hit her?
"Why?" Shen Ruxu swiftly reddened, unseen resentment appearing in her eyes.
Mrs. Lin glared at her resentfully, feeling awful for hitting her daughter, quickly had someone fetch a handkerchief to apply to her cheek.
Shen Ruxu irritably turned her face away, sobbing grievously with knitted brows.
Mrs Lin sighed, "I already told you Changdu's heart is only filled by Gu Ying, stop fantasizing about him. You're already a young lady of this household, what more are you dissatisfied with? Why must you insist on marrying Changdu?"
Shen Ruxu unwilling, crying loudly, "Why can't I? Why can't I!"
