Chapter 4 Returning

 Full disclaimer this work is not mine. And should the author ask me to take it down, please contact me and I will take it down.

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Pei Shu said: "See more doctors, there should be a chance to be cured. "

The candlelight on the table with a painting of a beauty holding a fan flickered. The couple sat on the Arhat bed and looked at each other. There was a square table in the middle. No one spoke for a while.

In the end, Pei Shu couldn't bear it and coughed in embarrassment. With a sound, Gu Yun lowered her head. She thought that even if she got married, Pei Shu would not succeed the Duke. As long as she gave birth to a child and raised her well, there would be hope even if her life was so bad. This time, the child was gone, and she could not say anything to make Pei Shu sad. Didn't he say that there might be a chance in the future? She would read more medical books, and even if it really didn't work, she would adopt one and raise him as a parent.

Gu Yun comforted Pei Shu dryly, "You can't rush this kind of thing, and don't be too sad. "

Pei Shu grinned.

Gu Yun has always been optimistic. In the past in the Gu family, she was not favored, marginalized and humiliated. She thought about it for a while and felt that there was nothing too difficult to overcome. "Father, does he know this? "

Pei Shu shook his head this time. He was lying to Gu Yun, but he was not obsessed with sex between men and women. He only liked drinking and gambling.

Gu Yun looked at him worriedly, "Then don't tell him, find out privately. Find several doctors to look at it and think of other solutions if it really doesn't work. "

Pei Shu said: "I'll listen to you. "

Gu Yun comforted him, "If you don't have a child, you can adopt one. I used to go outside the city to give porridge, there were many beggars in the ruined temple, and they looked decent. "

If you don't have your own children, then adopt two, one boy and one girl.

Pei Shu felt uncomfortable. Gu Yun could think like this, which was beyond his expectations. How old she was, he should have explained it clearly to her.

Pei Shu sighed. After a breath, "It's all up to you". Gu Yun hesitated for a while and said: "Then when we come home the day after tomorrow, you can't go out to play anymore. When we get to Gu's house, we"'ll stay for half a day and we will come back. After we come back, you can go wherever you want, how about that?" "

She was afraid that Pei Shu would go out again and ask her to come back alone. Many people were not optimistic about this marriage. She didn't need Pei Shu to do anything special on the day she came back, as long as he was by her side.

Pei Shu nodded, " Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. "

Looking at Gu Yun's serious look, Pei Shu suddenly felt distressed. He had a bad reputation and no one wanted to marry him. He didn't know Gu Yun's situation in the Gu family, which was not good to think about.

Gu Yun's expectations for him were very low: don't go drinking, just play less, let her do the rest.

Gu Yun was relieved, "Then let's wash up and rest." "

As newlyweds, even if Pei Shu is sick, they should sleep together. Gu Yun was lying on his back, but after lying for a while, she turned to her side, and held Pei Shu's hand, but said nothing. But Pei Shu couldn't sleep. Now, Gu Yun's hands are very soft, she smells sweet when she is close to him, and there is no defense at all. In her eyes, no matter how unbearable he is, he is still her husband.

The day of her return will soon come.

Mrs. Xu has an early morning She prepared the homecoming gifts, including two jars of fine wine, two boxes of snacks, valuable ornaments, pig heads, and pieces of silk and satin that must be included in the gift list... She read it three times and found that there was nothing wrong.

After seeing the carriage leave the Duke's Mansion with her own eyes, Mrs. Xu took her daughter back.

Pei Zhen followed her back to the main courtyard. Even though she was only twelve years old, she knew a lot, "With such a carriage full of things... Why did my mother let the third sister-in-law take care of the house so quickly? The second sister-in-law is your biological daughter-in-law. "

Not only did she hand over the power of the housekeeper, but she also made up for all the money spent by Pei Shu, the prodigal son.

Mrs. Xu closed the door, "You are still young, and you can only see the surface. Pei Shu is the eldest son, and the bride comes in. If I hold on to account, it would appear to outsiders that I have ulterior motives. If I don't make up for all the shortcomings, how can Gu Yun take it with confidence?"

Pei Zhen didn't understand, "Mom, this is not a hot potato. I think she wants to be the housekeeper."

Mrs. Xu: "She definitely wants it, but she doesn't see if she has the ability."

Mrs. Xu was worried about her daughter and was even more afraid of causing trouble, so she hid some things from Pei Zhen. "Look at the money Pei Shu has spent over the years, tens of thousands of taels a year. He squandered all his mother's dowry. If I really thought that he would change his nature after getting married, I'm a fool. "

Pei Zhen suddenly realized, "Then all the money spent by Pei Shu will have to be replenished by Gu Yun. She is just a concubine. Where can..." The money came from.

Mrs. Xu nodded, "I have repaid all the money. In the future, whether Pei Shu spends money or owes money has nothing to do with me. "

This is one, and the other is that Pei Shu spends money like water, and he can't even remember it.

Mrs. Xu patted Pei Zhen's hand, "Whether she can manage the house depends on her ability. "

She has been planning for many years, and she doesn't care if it takes more time, but it's only a few days left. What kind of trouble can a little girl like Gu Yun make?

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Today Gu Yun has changed her clothes, with cherry red clouds. Wearing a wide blouse with a pattern and a long underskirt embroidered with cinnamon branches in lotus color, his black hair was combed into a peony style, with a begonia hairpin on the right side.

Pei Shu, on the other hand, was wearing a pearl-white robe, which was different from the one he wore on the day of the tea ceremony. Much more low-key.

Pei Shu held Gu Yun's hand all the way.

Gu Yun was nervous, so she distracted Pei Shu by talking about the Gu family. Her eldest sister was already married, and her second brother married her five years ago. Her sister-in-law, Shen Yunzhu, is now in charge of the house. The third sister, Gu Zhen, married a man from a poor family years ago. Now she has left Beijing with her husband, and she is living at home.

The fifth son, Gu Chengxian, is a concubine-born, and the sixth sister, Gu Jin, is one year younger than her. The one that has not yet reached the coming age, Gu Ning is only thirteen years old, and her biological brother Gu Chenglin is five years old this year and has been weak and sick

since childhood.

Gu Yun said: "Grandpa and grandmother are kind people. After you meet the elders, I will take you to see my mother. "

According to the rules, my mother is not in the main hall on the day she comes home. She gave birth to her. raised her, and worked hard for her, but she can't send her off to get married, and she can't welcome her back.

That's how it is for a concubine, no matter how favored she is, enjoying endless glory and wealth, but in the eyes of others, she is just a slave who cannot live up to the Madam seat.

Therefore, Gu Yun does not want to be a concubine, she even wants to marry a man from a poor family like the third sister, it is just that the Ying Duke family comes to propose marriage, and her mother asks Gu Yun to agree. It was better to marry Pei Shu than to become a concubine in the palace. Even if Pei Shu was unreliable, she could still rely on herself.

In fact, no one took this marriage seriously. Gu Jin said that she had always been a concubine since she was a child. She is very competitive, but her vision in choosing a husband is not very good. The foundation of the Duke's Palace can withstand Pei Shu for a few years. Sure being a Duke's wife looks glamorous, but being Pei Shu's wife is ridiculous.

Besides, Xu is a stepmother. , Pei Jing passed the imperial examination, can Pei Shu keep his position as the heir?

Gu Yun will omit these words. Now everyone knows that she was left in the new house on her wedding night, but she feels that Pei Shu is not bad to the core, at least he knew how to take care of her when serving tea, and held her hand when he came home.

He used to be naughty and mischievous, just because of his poor health and the absence of his mother, which made him feel uncomfortable.

Pei Shu listened to her every word, and she didn't take the marriage seriously. So, naturally, she won’t put too much thought into this, to not mistaking the person.

After only half an hour’s drive from the south to the north of the city, She has arrived at Pingyang Hou’s Mansion.

The Hou’s Mansion is not as grand as the Duke’s Mansion, with two stone lions at the door. The vermilion door was wide open. Pingyang Hou had stayed and was waiting at the door with his wife.

Next to him was the young master and the young lady of the mansion, as well as a group of maids and servants. Early on, some servants were staring at the alley to see the carriage coming from the Duke's mansion. He ran back to the house to report, and within a short time, the group of people came out.

The carriage came to a slow stop. The first carriage was occupied by Shizi and his wife, and the rear carriage was full of maids and servants.

Marquis Pingyang's face was expressionless, Mrs. Marquis Pingyang's manner was dignified, Shen Yunzhu supported her mother-in-law, Gu Jin stood beside Shen Yunzhu, with a smile on his face. Standing next to her was Gu Ning, Gu Jin tilted his head slightly, She spoke in a very low voice and said to Gu Ning, "I don't know whether the fourth sister came back alone or with the fourth brother-in-law."

Gu Ning was startled, and she shook her head, "How do I know that?"

Gu Ning was stunned. Gu Yun finally got married. If she were still in the boudoir, she would definitely be overwhelmed by her in the future. Gu Yun was like a bright pearl, shining brightly.

Gu Ning sighs, why is she not as good as the fourth sister in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and playing the piano and pipa? Even feminine works are left far behind. At first, she was jealous, but later she became accustomed to it after the difference was too big. I always wonder in my heart why the fourth sister is so powerful.

She was a concubine-born, so it didn't matter if she was overshadowed by Gu Yun's light. But Gu Jin was different. She was a legitimate daughter, but she was always suppressed by Gu Yun.

If she couldn't compete, she would resort to small tricks, but Gu Yun would fight back every time.

After learning that Gu Yun had decided on this marriage, Gu Jin was very happy. Also relieved.

There is no comparison between her and Gu Yun. Her mother is right. No matter how good she is, she is just a concubine-born. Even though Pei Shu is incompetent, being able to marry into the Duke's palace is a blessing that Gu Yun has cultivated for several generations.

Although Mrs. Gu would not even look at such a person for Gu Jin.

On their wedding night, the guards of the Duke's Mansion were all over the streets looking for someone, and I don't know how the fourth sister survived the long night.

The curtain of the carriage opened and a person jumped out, it was Pei Shu. Pei Shu stabilized the stool and stretched out a hand in the car, "Madam, get out of the car."

From a distance, he looked like a man with sparse features. Looking at his appearance alone, regardless of his character, Pei Shu could do well in Shengjing City. Could rank among the top few.

Gu Jin bit her lip.

Gu Yun only hesitated for a moment, then put her hand on his. The spring breeze blew dry the sweat from their hands as they held each other's hands.

Gu Yun was helped down by Pei Shu. After getting out of the carriage, Pei Shu let go of his hand and stood beside her. The two of them climbed up the steps and bowed their knees.

Mrs. Pingyang Hou had a kind smile on her face, "Good child, why do you need these false gifts when you go home? Your grandmother misses you so much, come in quickly."

Pei Shu's courtesy was thoughtful: "I have met my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Pingyang Hou said: "It's been a hard journey all the way here. Come in and drink some hot tea."

Gu Jin stared at the backs of Gu Yun and Pei Shu, gritting her teeth secretly, listening to her mother greeting Gu Yun and asking her where she was in the Duke's Mansion. Whether you are living well or not, what is missing?

Gu Yun said everything was fine.

Gu Jin thought to herself, even if it was not good, would Gu Yun say anything? The marriage she chose, even if it was not good, she would just swallow her grievances.

The return ceremony prepared by the Duke's Mansion was very honorable, and Pei Shu was also polite. He answered whatever was asked, and even praised Gu Yun so much that it made Gu Yun feel embarrassed.

Looking at the newlyweds, there is still a bit of sweetness.

Mrs. Gu didn't have any unnecessary feelings for this concubine daughter. She said that Gu Yun was the best, but winning first place in poetry contests abroad also earned face for the Gu family. She took her sisters with her when she went to charity events. People said that the Gu family sisters were close to each other.

Whoever she marries is her own destiny. Now it seems that Pei Shu is not so out of tune and may be able to change. However, Mrs. Gu does not have high expectations and Mrs. Xu is not easy to get along with. She said: "Your grandmother has been thinking of you, go and see her, your mother is also thinking of you."

Gu Yun and Pei Shu excused themselves, and when they left the house and went down the steps, Pei Shu extended his hand to help Gu Yun's waist. The nanny in the courtyard saw it.

The nanny told Mrs. Gu about this after she returned.

Mrs. Gu said: "We just got married. Let's see later. It's all her own choosing."

Gu Yun didn't even notice this little move. When she went to the old lady's yard, Gu Jun's eyes were a little red. Her grandmother was very good to her. Madam Gu suffered from backache and leg pain. Gu Yun read medical books and learned some massage techniques. She rubbed the old lady's shoulders and legs when greeting her every day, rain or shine, and then they became closer.

Her grandmother didn't want her to marry into the Duke's palace, but she couldn't get her to do so. She didn't know if she was still angry now.

After the ceremony, Gu Yun threw herself into the arms of the old lady. It was the first time that Pei Shu saw Gu Yun crying. She was crying hard. Her eyes were more red than that day, and he was even more at a loss. "Hey, don't cry. You're happy. Those who knew better will think I had bullied you."

Old Mrs. Gu then took a good look at her grandson-in-law.

Pei Shu just stood and let her look at him.

Older people are good at judging people. Pei Shu's eyes are clear and not vain at all. He feels concerned when he looks at Ah-Yun, but she don't know if he is pretending.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TLnote: I'll try to update weekly, and as this was a MTL translation, I apologize in advance if there was a mistake. Oh, and consider buying me a Ko-fi to pay bills :)