This was the voice of Gu Jinghui, deep and somewhat imbued with inexplicable melancholy.
Yuan'er furrowed her brow; shouldn't she be the one who was angry?
After all, she was the one left behind on their wedding night.
Yet, she couldn't express it directly, so Yuan'er raised her hand slightly.
Her hair was only half done, with the remainder cascading like a waterfall over her shoulder. Cui Ming obediently let go of the hair she was holding, and together with Hong Ye, they lowered their hands and squeezed past Marquis Gu to leave the room.
Gu Jinghui stood inside, his tall seven-foot frame emitting an aura of coldness and displeasure.
Like a big block of ice.
A bit frightening too.
Yuan'er rose, took two steps, and stopped at a distance, obediently asking, "Where has Yuan'er been inadequate or neglectful to husband?"
Gu Jinghui stared at her with ambiguous intent.
Yuan'er added, "If there is any shortcoming, Marquis should speak out, and Yuan'er will amend it. You and I are one as husband and wife, and I should fulfill my duty well."
Her demeanor was obedient, her words soft, yet hidden within there was a steely backbone.
She frequently mentioned their unity as husband and wife, subtly hinting to Gu Jinghui that to humiliate his wife is to humiliate himself.
She had fulfilled her duty, but what about Gu Jinghui?
She intended to see how Gu Jinghui responded.
Gu Jinghui evidently picked up on this and irritably said, "You are very good, everything is fine and proper, so proper that you didn't even care whether your husband returned last night."
Originally, she thought perhaps Lady Zhao had said something to upset him, but hearing his words, Yuan'er was taken by surprise and asked, "Did husband return last night?"
Gu Jinghui grimaced and let out a "hmph."
His cheeks and jaw were marked by a shade of blue; a night worth of stubble had grown significantly, with exhaustion deeply etched under his eyes, suggesting he hadn't slept all night.
Yuan'er said, "But none of the maids knew when husband returned."
Her gaze seemed to imply, weren't you just back moments ago?
Gu Jinghui chuckled lightly in frustration, took a few steps forward, leaned down to whisper, "When I returned, you all were sound asleep, so I had no choice but to rest in the study."
Yuan'er: "..."
Gu Jinghui pursued further, "Didn't I tell you I'd be back soon? You just treated my words like they were air or something, hm?"
The soft "hm" with a breath stirred an itch in Yuan'er's ear.
She couldn't help but retract her neck and giggle.
Gu Jinghui was momentarily distracted, before irritation consumed him again.
Yuan'er didn't want to provoke him, so she suppressed her laughter, feigning timidity, twisting her fingers, and softly said, "Last night, that woman's words were so serious, I feared Marquis might have to keep a constant vigil. Besides, I'm new here and was quite afraid without husband by my side, so I had no choice but to have the maids accompany me. Why didn't husband wake me up upon returning?"
She deftly conveyed her predicament.
The chill emanating from Gu Jinghui promptly dissipated mostly, and he extended his hand to grasp hers.
His hand was large, with thin calluses between the fingers, likely from martial practice, slightly coarse, making her hand itch.
"Last night," he coughed a few times before softening his voice, "last night it was my oversight not considering you, I forgot, you're still a child."
Yuan'er lowered her head, allowing her hand to be held by Gu Jinghui, shyly asking, "When did you return last night? Is staying in the study comfortable?"
"I came back after an hour, the study feels quite deserted," Gu Jinghui's tone grew gentler.
Yuan'er blinked.
And asked again, "Is Lady Zhao's son alright? What did the Imperial Physician say?"
Gu Jinghui replied vaguely, "Not a problem."
Then he added in a somewhat hostile tone, "You slept well last night."
Yuan'er laughed and said, "Perhaps I was too tired. I got up early to do my makeup yesterday, and barely ate, then bounced around in the bridal sedan all the way to the Marquis Mansion. Chatting with the ladies, I didn't know them, trying to remember everyone's names and habits, it was exhausting."
Gu Jinghui sighed and said, "Are all civil servant's daughters as delicate as you?"
This was the second time he remarked on her being a delicate civil servant's daughter.
Yuan'er countered, "What are the young ladies of the Marquis Mansion like?"
"You'll soon see," Gu Jinghui said, "My sister is quite a handful; my mother doesn't manage her much, lets her run wild. You'll have to guide her as her sister-in-law to temper her behavior, lest she is resented when she marries into another household."
Yuan'er pursed her lips in a smile, not replying.
Was that a compliment from Gu Jinghui? Let's assume it was.
His sister and Gu Jingjun, Sixth Master Gu, were siblings of the same mother, the Old Marquis's posthumous children, naturally in favor of Sixth Lady Gu.
Judging from Marquis Gu's tone, he seemed quite close with this sister.
Yuan'er withdrew her hand and said, "Marquis should quickly freshen up, we need to serve tea, or we'll be laughed at for being late."
Once Gu Jinghui agreed, Yuan'er called Cui Ming to continue combing her hair, then instructed Hong Ye to summon a servant to prepare the washing tools for Marquis.
Yuan'er soothed Marquis Gu with a few words, and both relaxed.
Gu Jinghui was always followed by his servant, Gu Shiliu. Most of the servants in the Marquis Mansion were house-born, who upon reaching a certain age, would come to serve and be given names by their masters.
Gu Jinghui couldn't bother with names, so he used numbers instead.
Previously, Gu Shiliu managed Marquis's attire and necessities, but now that the Marquis was married, he couldn't enter the inner rooms to serve, so he carefully explained the Marquis's habits and where items were placed.
"The Marquis lived with the soldiers at the Northern Border and accustomed to doing things himself, having fewer daily items and kept them in several chests near the north wall in the west wing room. It's now entrusted to Miss to manage."
Hong Ye went to the west wing to select the clothes Marquis would wear for the tea ceremony. After ironing out the creases, selecting incense bags and pockets, she carried them into the inner chamber.
At this time, Yuan'er's hair was finished being styled. Cui Ming opened the vanity case, from which various hair accessories were displayed for Yuan'er to choose.
Yuan'er thought about the floral hairpin she wore yesterday, which wouldn't suit her again today. As they were to serve tea to the mother-in-law, she needed to dress formally, but not overly.
"Let's use that jade flower comb set. Pairing it with the golden hairpin will be adequate."
Yuan'er gazed into the mirror as Cui Ming inserted the hair accessories.
Gu Jinghui just crossed his arms behind the headboard, leaning against it, watching Yuan'er.
Hong Ye noticed, and they seemed like a loving couple.
Yet who knew that the two hadn't consummated their marriage last night.
Hong Ye couldn't help but disparage Lady Zhao silently.
If it weren't for that awful woman causing trouble, Miss and Master would be so loving.
Hong Ye presented the gear on a tray, saying, "Marquis, these are the items I have selected for you to wear. Would you like to change into them now?"
Gu Jinghui nodded, "Just set them aside for now."
Once Yuan'er had inserted all her hair accessories, and stood to check her appearance, Gu Jinghui said, "Madam, help me change clothes."
Yuan'er: "..."
Hong Ye: "..."
Wasn't it said everything was handled personally?
This continued fussing, they'll be late for tea.