I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

Lin Wei Xi felt something was wrong when she heard the voice. She opened her eyes and found herself lying on black coloured embroidery. And because she wasn’t sleeping in a proper position, she was almost entirely in the other person’s embrace.

Lin Wei Xi pushed herself up absent-mindedly and happened to meet Gu Hui Yan’s gaze. She looked at him, dumbfounded. Her foggy mind finally clearing a little, she quickly looked around at the other people in the room.

Fortunately, the room was very quiet. The sound of firecrackers going off one after another merged into a sea of ​​sound. The servants seemed fascinated by the excitement and had all left to watch the fireworks. Aside from her and Gu Hui Yan, no one else remained in the room.

But how could Gu Hui Yan not have any servant on standby next to him? Lin Wei Xi was a little embarrassed. He had obviously chased everyone out because of her. Since he’d done this, wouldn’t everyone know that she’d fallen asleep while welcoming the new year and that she was still nestled in Gu Hui Yan’s arms?

Oh God, Lin Wei Xi simply couldn’t continue thinking about it. How would she be able to face her subordinates and give them orders after this. Not even that. If she went out now, how was she supposed to face the maids and grannies outside, or even her son and daughter-in-law? It was enough to make her head hurt.

She whimpered and dejectedly rubbed her head, “My Prince, why didn’t you wake me?”

Lin Wei Xi knew the answer to her question after it left her mouth. It was quite troublesome to wake her up, and what could Gu Hui Yan say in front of everyone? She felt a little apologetic. This was her mistake, but instead she’d questioned him. However, he wasn’t impatient at all and wasn’t bothered by her grumbling. Instead, he said seriously, “There’s no need for that. You would usually be in bed early at this time. There’s no need to force yourself to stay awake, sleep if you’re tired.”

Gu Hui Yan was always like this: putting himself in other people’s shoes and being considerate. Lin Wei Xi was very touched. Seeing as she just woke up, she gave a little stretch and immediately took the opportunity to hug Gu Hui Yan, before returning to her previous position. She’d slept there for so long that the cool stiff fabric had absorbed her warmth. She couldn’t resist rubbing against it and she heard Gu Hui Yan laughing from above her.

“You’re already awake but you’re still acting coy. There are others outside.”

Lin Wei Xi originally considered stopping while she was ahead, but when Gu Hui Yan said this, she hugged him and refused to move. She tilted her face up from where it was resting against his chest and blinked at him intentionally, “My Prince, didn’t you chase everyone out? What is there to be afraid of?”

Based on the standards Gu Hui Yan abided by over the years, it was absolutely taboo to wear dishevelled clothes or have poor posture in a public gathering. Lin Wei Xi had now violated both of them. Gu Hui Yan ought to have seriously corrected her from the start, and even instructed her to sit upright, but as he watched his little wife nestled in his arms acting coquettishly, he was surprisingly reluctant to correct her.

Gu Hui Yan’s momentary hesitation gave Lin Wei Xi the encouragement to take greater liberties. Seeing as he was silent, she knew that although he seemed virtuous and meticulous, when it came to her little tricks, he quite enjoyed them. He merely refused to admit it. There was no one here anyway. Since she’d started it, she might as well see it through to the end, and immediately wrapped her hands around his neck. With this, all her weight was on her waist, and it twisted in a beautiful and captivating line. However, Lin Wei Xi couldn’t see this view from her angle. Gu Hui Yan put his hand on her waist, and it was at this moment that she leaned towards his ear and whispered, “My Prince, this is our second year of marriage. Happy New Year.”

Gu Hui Yan looked down at Lin Wei Xi. They were extremely close to each other, breathing the same air. Lin Wei Xi had intended to be provocative, but seeing the look in his eyes now, she couldn’t help feeling a little afraid, and even faintly regretted her earlier rashness.

The resounding echo of fireworks carried in from outside. It seemed that the young manservants had brought a new batch of fireworks and lit them all together for fun. The look in Gu Hui Yan’s eyes disappeared and he pulled Lin Wei Xi into his lap. This way, she wouldn’t continue to lean her weight on her waist. He straightened the hairpin on the side of her hair and said, “Today is one of the few days in the year that’s so lively. Let’s go and watch the fireworks.”

Lin Wei Xi thought the same. She’d long since outgrown the age for being curious about fireworks, but as the Princess Consort and mistress of the household, it was inappropriate for her not to make an appearance in front of everyone in the residence during shousui^◇. She’d originally planned to call for Wan Xing and Wan Yue, but perhaps because the sound of firecrackers outside was too loud, the maid by the door couldn’t hear her. Lin Wei Xi felt embarrassed, but before she could repeat herself, Gu Hui Yan had her cloak in his hands. He carefully buttoned up and straightened out the fine fur on her coat.

◇

Lin Wei Xi immediately became quiet and silently watched Gu Hui Yan as he worked on her coat. When he got to the buttons, she reached out to take over for him, but was stopped by him. It was only after he straightened it out to his satisfaction that he patted her head, a smile in his eyes, “Let’s go.”

He was already holding on to her hand, so he led her outside. Come to think of it, it was strange that no one heard her call for a maid in the room earlier. But as soon as the door opened, the servants, who were doing who knows what earlier, immediately looked at her and greeted her one by one. The wind was a little strong outside, and the fur on her hood danced wildly in the night breeze. Half of her face was covered by white fur. It was too cold to take her hands out, so she nodded slightly at the servants greeting her, signalling that she’d heard their greet.

With the main courtyard of the Prince Yan Residence being so large, in addition to the strong evening wind and deafening sound of firecrackers, it was hard to notice activity in any corner of the courtyard. But the moment Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan emerged, everyone in the courtyard was immediately conscious of them. Although Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran were quite far away, as soon as the door opened, they glanced over out of the corner of their eye. Lin Wei Xi and Gu Hui Yan’s figures appeared and they stepped out together.

Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran had moved to another room for shousui earlier. Lin Wei Xi falling asleep on Prince Yan’s lap wasn’t something they ought to see. Yet, this was how humans were. Sometimes, the less they saw, the easier it was to let their imagination run wild. It was only when they welcomed the new year, the whole city releasing firecrackers, that Gao Ran saw the two of them appear in public, after waiting outside for a quarter of an hour.

Although Gao Ran smiled as she stood outside accepting everyone’s congratulations, she only had to imagine what had happened inside the room before she felt the disgust from earlier ooze from every pore of her body. What did it feel like to watch your father-in-law and mother-in-law show affection? Apart from Gao Ran, perhaps only Gu Cheng Yao could relate to that question.

For the past eighteen years, Gu Cheng Yao’s impression of his father had always been proper, solemn, dignified and invincible. Gu Hui Yan also approved everything Gu Cheng Yao imagined about his father. He respected and admired his father from the bottom of his heart. But no matter what, he didn’t expect his father to give his full attention to a woman’s needs. Gu Cheng Yao had also been there at the time. Of course he could see Prince Yan’s constant attention for Lin Wei Xi. None of her small actions could even be concealed from his father. And his father, who had always been cold and indifferent, was careful and meticulous as he placed her on his lap, treating her like a priceless treasure.

A year ago, if someone had told Gu Cheng Yao that Prince Yan could be this considerate, he would’ve scoffed at them. But now, he was speechless.

Especially when Gu Cheng Yao realised that this indescribably complicated feeling was not directed at Lin Wei Xi, but at his father, Gu Hui Yan. Although Gu Hui Yan hadn’t said anything aloud at the time, no one dared to remain in the room. He didn’t allow anyone to see what Lin Wei Xi looked like after falling asleep, but he himself stayed in the room for over an hour. Gu Cheng Yao suddenly realised what it was that he was thinking. His fist clenched tightly by his side. At that moment, a cold gust of wind blew by. Gu Cheng Yao covered it up by taking a deep breath of ice-cold air and allowed his mind, most likely lethargic from staying up late, to calm down.

Now that they’d seen them, Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran definitely had to pay their respects to their parents and give their New Year’s greetings. Although they stood next to each other, they were each in their own thoughts, and it seemed like they were in discord with one another as they made their way over.

Lin Wei Xi wore a scarlet cloak, fluffy white fur lining the ruff of her hood. She stood under the vermilion corridor, quiet and elegant. Her silence carried an unassailable magnificence, like Zhao Jun^◇ came to life, a goddess descended to the mortal realm. Seeing Gao Ran and Gu Cheng Yao coming over to pay their respects, she simply nodded slightly before turning her gaze back to look at the dark night sky.

◇

It was quite dark this evening, the air was cold and it carried the strong scent of fire. This was the distinctive ambience of New Years. The Prince Yan Residence had prepared many various fireworks. The young male servants eagerly and continuously moved the barrels of firecrackers to the courtyard, then they reached out to light the fuse. The maids covered their ears and stood in the corridor. No one knew whether they were afraid or delighted watching the young men as they lit the firecrackers, shouting and jumping.

Lin Wei Xi was unwittingly enthralled watching such excitement, her earlier sleepiness disappearing without a trace. Wan Xing was lively and had been unable to hold back herself early on, taking an incense stick and making a ruckus as she lit fireworks in the courtyard. Lin Wei Xi couldn’t help laughing when she saw this. She stood in the corridor and wasn’t looking at anyone, but many people were secretly paying attention to her. The Princess Consort, who was so beautiful she didn’t seem real, looked to be smiling. Many of those who were setting off the fireworks were inspired, and came up with even more ways to light the fireworks, hoping to win the Princess Consort’s attention.

Wan Xing truly played in a rowdy manner. Although Wan Yue was happy for her, she was composed by nature and tended to contemplate things more. Wan Yue called Wan Xing back and said, “There are so many servants in the garden to take care of such things. Look at the state of you after going along with them to light fireworks. Why don’t you take a break for now. Your priority is to serve the Princess Consort.”

Wan Xing was in the mood to play and was reluctant to suddenly be called back, but she knew that Wan Yue said this for her own good. Wan Xing could only mumble to herself and hand the incense stick to the maid next to her. However, she was downcast for barely two seconds before she saw Lin Wei Xi and became excited again, “Princess Consort, you’re awake?”

Lin Wei Xi coldly pursed her lip and smiled in response to hide her embarrassment. Wan Xing didn’t notice this. She was still excited, like she’d been injected by chicken blood^◇, “Princess Consort, it’s a pity there are no children in the residence. The fireworks can only be lit by the servants. In a few years, the young masters will be running everywhere. At that time, the New Year fireworks will be lively!”

◇

Since coming outside, Lin Wei Xi had been standing next to Gu Hui Yan, but the noise out here was so loud that no one could be heard unless they were shouting. With the sound of firecrackers concealing it, Lin Wei Xi and her maid did not appear to be having an unexpected conversation. But now that Wan Xing, this dim-wit, said such a thing, Lin Wei Xi hurried a glance at Gu Hui Yan to find that he was still looking ahead and didn’t seem like he’d heard. Relieved, she immediately glared at Wan Xing.

With regards to children, Lin Wei Xi’s attitude had always been to let nature take its course. After all, this was a patriarchal society. If a woman wanted to survive, she couldn’t avoid bearing a son. But she knew that her identity was sensitive. Would Prince Yan allow her to give birth to an heir? A daughter was fine, but what if she had a son?

Lin Wei Xi refused to think too deeply about this question, so she never allowed the maids to mention it in front of Prince Yan. It was out of the question even if they did it by accident. She didn’t want Gu Hui Yan to think that she was hinting at something.

This was something she’d thought through already, but at that moment, her excitement for the New Year suddenly dimmed, and the endless stream of fireworks before her lost its appeal. Lin Wei Xi’s mind naturally wandered. She stared at one spot in a daze, when a violent explosion of firecrackers suddenly sounded behind her. She was startled and took a step back in fright.

Fortunately, there was no small number of people who were frightened. The courtyard filled with screams and Lin Wei Xi’s loss of composure was no big deal. She took a step back. Before she recovered from the shock, she felt someone support her arm. Following that, her ears were covered by a warmth, the deafening firecrackers instantly fading away.

Lin Wei Xi’s violently beating heart slowly settled down. Her ears were blocked so the sound of her heartbeat was especially clear. Beat after beat, it was a strong presence in her chest. Gu Hui Yan was much taller than her, and now he bent slightly over her to cover her ears. Not only her ears, she could also clearly feel the heat of his body on her back. It was as if her whole person was wrapped in his arms. As if there was no need to fear the fire and loud noise outside. All she needed to do was appreciate the beauty of the fireworks without being concerned about the noise that came with such beauty.

Lin Wei Xi pursed her lips and finally stopped struggling. She allowed Gu Hui Yan to partially hug her in front of everyone. All the gorgeous and noisy firecrackers exploded quickly, as sparks as bright as peacocks sounded in the courtyard. Everything was indescribably lively and beautiful. Lin Wei Xi took advantage of the darkness to hide the corners of her mouth that were quietly raised.

That’s right, the New Year was here. Last year’s New Year hadn’t been pleasant. In December, she’d endured a hopeless marriage until death. She’d died at the mere age of seventeen after being married for less than a year. When she’d woken up again, although she’d been lucky enough to continue living, she was faced with Lin Wei Xi’s difficult family situation. It had also been difficult for her to celebrate her first New Year after being reborn with a peace of mind. But the fifth year of Yuanjia had passed. That year, she’d met Prince Yan, whom she’d never met in her previous life, gave up her entire life and glory from her previous life, and had no choice but to return to this residence that had brought her both honour and suffering. But in the sixth year of Yuanjia, she welcomed the first day of the New Year in Gu Hui Yan’s embrace that seemed to carry a cold air.