SGEIRS -Chapter 269 Dealt a Blow

The next day was Gu Xuanling’s huimen—the day she returned to her natal home after marriage.

No one in the Gu family went out that day. They all stayed home, waiting for the Second Miss and her husband to visit.

Gu Xuanyi arrived early in the morning—and even earlier than Gu Xuanling. It wasn’t because she valued this cousin or had a close relationship with her. Rather, she wanted to see how this cousin, who had married “worse” than herself, was living. Clearly, Gu Xuanling could have married into a well-matched family, yet she insisted on marrying into a humble household.

Accompanying Gu Xuanyi was the Heir of Marquis Wu’an’s Mansion. The young couple looked very affectionate.

Seeing how loving they were, Madam Zhang felt relieved. Though her daughter’s in-laws were difficult and her mother-in-law hard to serve, that wasn’t the most painful part. The worst thing was discord between husband and wife. As long as a couple was harmonious, there was still some comfort in life.

After exchanging pleasantries with the elders, Gu Xuanyi noticed that her cousin and brother-in-law had not yet arrived and casually asked, “Why haven’t Second Sister and Second Brother-in-law come yet?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a maid came in to report, “Old Madam, Second Miss and Second Master-in-law have arrived.”

Old Madam Gu smiled kindly. “Quickly invite them in.”

Gu Xuanyi looked toward the doorway, a trace of amusement in her eyes. She was eager to see how her cousin, who had married into a small household, was really doing.

Before long, Gu Xuanling and her husband, Liu Zifang, appeared.

Gu Xuanling looked radiant, her lips curved in a smile, joy evident between her brows. Walking beside Liu Zifang with a shy expression, she clearly seemed to be living well after marriage.

Seeing this, Gu Xuanyi’s smile stiffened visibly. The failure of her attempt to watch a joke made her feel subtly uncomfortable and bitter.

Although Liu Zifang came from a humble background, he showed no timidity before the Gu elders. Together with Gu Xuanling, he greeted everyone respectfully and confidently. The young couple looked talented and beautiful, perfectly matched.

Old Madam Gu was quite satisfied with this grandson-in-law. As the only son in his family, Liu Zifang had not been spoiled and was outstanding in both character and learning. From this visit alone, it was clear that Xuanling had not suffered after marriage. In fact, she seemed to be living better than Xuanyi, who had married into the Marquis Wu’an’s family. One could not judge marriages solely by status. Xuanyi’s stubbornness and refusal to listen had led her to reap bitter consequences.

After some small talk, Gu Jingxi and his brothers left one after another. As the eldest brother, Gu Xiuyuan led the younger brothers to entertain the two brothers-in-law elsewhere. Since they were men, there was little for them to discuss with the women.

Once they had left, Madam Chen asked with concern, “Xuanling, are you doing well in the Liu family? Have you been wronged?”

Gu Xuanling shook her head lightly. “Mother, don’t worry. I’m doing very well. I haven’t suffered at all. Father-in-law and Mother-in-law treat me very kindly.”

Madam Chen asked again, “And how does your husband treat you?”

Hearing this, Gu Xuanling lowered her head shyly. The corners of her lips lifted unconsciously. “My husband treats me very well too.”

“Did the Liu family set rules for you?” Gu Xuanyi asked.

There was a hint of urgency in her tone. She stared fixedly at Gu Xuanling, hoping to see disappointment on her face so she could gain some emotional comfort.

Madam Zhang also looked over.

Her own daughter had been made to follow strict rules by her mother-in-law—paying respects morning and night—and had cried to her twice already. All she could do was comfort her, saying that most new daughters-in-law had to endure such things. Now, she secretly hoped Xuanling had also been burdened with rules, so her daughter would feel more balanced.

Unexpectedly, Gu Xuanling first looked at her cousin in confusion, not understanding why she would ask such a question. Then she answered honestly: “No. After I served tea yesterday, Mother-in-law told me that the Gu family doesn’t have such rules. Even Grandmother never imposed them on the three daughters-in-law, so naturally the Liu family wouldn’t either.”

Gu Xuanyi: “???”

She stared at her cousin in disbelief. Seeing that Xuanling wasn’t lying, her heart took a heavy blow.

She had to get up early every morning, rain or shine, to help her mother-in-law dress, wash, and eat—yet her cousin didn’t have to?

Why?

Madam Zhang was also startled. She looked worriedly at her daughter and felt even more heartbroken. Other girls were cherished after marriage, yet her daughter was being worn down by her in-laws.

Seeing that her daughter was stiff and speechless, Madam Zhang hurriedly tried to ease the awkwardness: “I thought Madam Liu was easy to get along with when I met her last time. I didn’t expect her to be so kind in reality. Xuanling is truly fortunate.”

Gu Xuanling lowered her head and smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing.

She also felt fortunate.

She had once worried about getting along with her mother-in-law, but her mother-in-law was gentle and loving, her father-in-law open-minded, and her husband deeply caring.

Compared to many other concubine-born daughters, she was very lucky. Her legal mother had never mistreated her, and her marriage had been carefully chosen with her best interests in mind. Whether before or after marriage, she had always been happy.

The only unfortunate thing was that she had been bullied by her cousin for over ten years. Her father didn’t manage household matters, and though her legal mother treated her well, she wasn’t her biological mother, so she didn’t dare complain about such minor matters.

Now that she was married and no longer in the same household, her cousin could no longer bully her.

Madam Chen smiled gently. “Everyone is fortunate. Your Xuanyi is fortunate too. Madam Wu’an is very kind, and surely treats her well. And your eldest son-in-law is handsome and talented—perfectly matched with Xuanyi, like a pair of golden children. Just looking at them is pleasing to the eye.”

Madam Zhang: “……”

If her daughter were truly fortunate, she wouldn’t be crying to her.

Gu Xuanyi: “……”

She felt like a mute forced to swallow bitter herbs—full of bitterness she couldn’t voice.

Her mother-in-law was anything but kind. Not only did she set rules for her, she also tormented her over trivial matters. For example, if she wanted walnuts, she was made to crack them herself, even though servants were present. Her fingers had become red, swollen, and painful from shelling them.

Madam Chen glanced lightly at the mother and daughter. Seeing their embarrassed expressions, her smile deepened.

She could easily guess what they had been thinking—hoping Xuanling was living poorly so they could feel better. Xuanling’s answer had clearly dealt them a blow.

In her view, this mother and daughter were simply foolish. Anyone with half a brain could see that although Xuanling was concubine-born, she came from the Marquis of Changxing’s household. She was more than worthy of Liu Zifang, the son of an eighth-rank official. With the Gu family as her backing, how would the Liu parents dare put on airs before her?

Even after the family split, their second branch still had Second Master, a fifth-rank Ministry of Rites official. If Xiuhong passed the imperial examination next spring, their status would rise even further.

Feeling displeased with Madam Zhang’s petty thoughts, Madam Chen subtly changed the subject and continued to further provoke them: “Xuanling, is Zifang preparing to take next year’s spring examination?”