Chapter Three: The Beauty

There is nothing more beautiful than the wedding night, except that the groom was out visiting brothels…

Gu Qiulan was half-asleep, feeling the bed suddenly dip beside her. She cracked her eyes open, then swiftly shut them again.

Qin Muchuan had slunk back to his manor, his heart full of frustration, but fortunately, no one had noticed his return. Glancing at the slumbering young lady of the Gu family beside him, he suddenly felt that a well-bred maiden wasn’t so bad after all. At least Gu Qiulan understood what it meant to put her husband first—unlike those women in the brothel, so fickle and changeable!

Qin Muchuan took long, calming breaths, releasing most of the stifling air he'd brought back from Yinyin’s place. Only then did he lie down slowly. He was exhausted; after a few yawns, he fell into a deep sleep.

It was only when the person beside him was breathing evenly that Gu Qiulan propped herself up, reclining gracefully as if she were a noble consort on a chaise. She reached out with delicate fingers, lightly caressing Qin Muchuan’s handsome face, the gesture laced with deep longing and desire. Unfortunately, the man beside her slept like a log—her flirtations were wasted on one utterly oblivious.

Gu Qiulan gazed up at the bed canopy embroidered with vines heavy with fruit, reminding herself not to be impatient. Now that the man was hers, there would be plenty of time yet…

The next morning, as soon as Qin Muchuan opened his eyes, he saw his new wife sitting at the edge of the bed, gazing at him tenderly. He stared blankly for a moment, then put on a stern face: “Since you’re already awake, why didn’t you call me?”

“I saw my husband sleeping so soundly that I couldn’t bear to disturb you. Besides, it’s still early; there’s over half an hour before we must pay our respects.” Gu Qiulan took a warm cloth from Qiaoyun and gently wiped Qin Muchuan’s face. He accepted his wife’s service as his due, feeling much more awake in the process.

Outside, the maids, hearing movement, filed in with water and toiletries, but stood behind the screen, waiting for instructions before bringing anything forward.

Qin Muchuan’s three favorite maids, as usual, came into the inner chamber to serve him.

Gu Qiulan received his clothes from Qiaoyun, who watched nervously—her mistress had only ever undressed others, never helped them dress. But Gu Qiulan simply handed the clothes over to one of the favored maids, and Qiaoyun breathed a sigh of relief.

Linglong held the clothes and instantly felt several searing gazes piercing her. Any secret delight she felt vanished without a trace. Today was the young lord and young mistress’s first morning after their wedding! No matter how favored she was, surely it should be the bride helping the groom dress. Now that the task fell to her, what would others think?

Qin Muchuan waited for some time, beginning to feel chilly. Seeing Linglong still in a daze, he became angry: “What’s going on? If you can’t serve properly, get out!”

Linglong felt wronged and couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Gu Qiulan—was this deliberate on the bride’s part? But before she could say a word, Qin Muchuan impatiently waved them all away: “Go, go, go! Who needs your attitudes first thing in the morning!” He’d already been given the cold shoulder by a woman last night, and now even the housemaids dared to act up—did they think he was made of paper?

Gu Qiulan had no choice but to take the clothes and make a show of helping Qin Muchuan dress. “The wedding clothes are truly exquisite—my husband looks unmatched in them.” As soon as she finished, Qiaoyun swiftly took over, completing the task.

Qin Muchuan was buoyed by her praise. He glanced at the three maids—useless for any proper occasion! His mood improved, and he smiled warmly at Gu Qiulan.

Qiaoyun saw this and felt a pang of dread. Gu Qiulan, with her hand pressed lightly to her chest and her eyes fixed on Qin Muchuan, seemed to have fallen prey to her old habit—unable to resist beautiful faces.

“Young mistress, will you wear this string of auspicious locks today?” Qiaoyun asked quietly, holding a wooden box. Gu Qiulan, still floating in a daze, nodded absently.

Qin Muchuan, thinking his earlier smile wasn’t enough to show his gentleness, noticed his wife was all but ready except for the lock necklace. He picked it up himself and said softly, “Don’t move.”

His warm breath brushed Gu Qiulan’s neck, nearly making her toss him back onto the bed—first this, then that… She struggled to keep calm, not realizing her palms had broken into a sweat. Sensing her composure slipping, Qiaoyun quickly interjected, “It’s getting late—shall we go to pay respects to the lord and madam?”

Qin Muchuan, admiring the delicate lock at Gu Qiulan’s throat, handed her a round fan. “Come with me,” he said.

Gu Qiulan wasn’t sure how her hand ended up in his, but she floated along, light as a feather, all the way to the courtyard where Lord Qin and Lady Zhou lived.

The elders saw the newlyweds so harmonious—the man elegant, the woman bashful—it was clear they were well matched. Lady Zhou, once worried her son would cause trouble, now felt at ease, though a bit sour, since the daughter-in-law hadn’t been her own choice. The match had been arranged by the Dowager Marchioness Qin and the Gu family, with Lord Qin only informed after the fact. Since he didn’t object, the two families proceeded with the wedding.

It was her own son, yet no one had thought to consult her about his marriage. Lady Zhou felt somewhat wronged, but since the Gu family was a suitable match and the bride seemed pleasing, she let it go.

“We are all fated to be family,” Lady Zhou said. “From now on, you must cherish each other.” As she finished, a maid appeared with a tray of embroidered pouches.

Lord Qin still wore his stern face, but when facing his new daughter-in-law, he softened. “I leave this boy in your care. Make sure he applies himself.” He turned to Qin Muchuan, “You’re a married man now. If you continue to consort with unsavory types outside…”

“What are you saying?” Lady Zhou quickly interrupted. “These two get along perfectly well. Chuan’er is always improving. Let’s keep the talk cheerful on such a happy day.”

Lord Qin grunted, but with his wife present, he refrained from saying more.

Lady Zhou said, “You haven’t visited the Dowager yet, have you? She’s been waiting for this day—go quickly.”

Qin Muchuan had wanted to argue, but at his mother’s words, he could only agree. As they left, he noticed Gu Qiulan’s serene expression and felt compelled to explain, “Just now, what my father said… don’t take it to heart.”

“Hm?” Gu Qiulan, still basking in the sensation of having her hand held by a beauty, finally recalled Lord Qin’s words with Qiaoyun’s urgent prompting. She replied nonchalantly, “A man’s ambitions should reach far and wide. If my husband makes many friends, what harm is there?”

Qin Muchuan felt a twinge of guilt at the praise but replied stoutly, “Exactly! Let’s go see Grandmother. She’s very kind—you needn’t be nervous, just follow my lead.”

“You’re so thoughtful,” Gu Qiulan whispered.

Qin Muchuan grinned, a touch bashful. Even he, thick-skinned as he was, felt overwhelmed by such praise. Seeing his little wife’s cheeks flushed, he was inexplicably delighted.

The Dowager Marchioness Qin, nearing seventy, was still hale and hearty. Seated on her high seat, she accepted her new granddaughter-in-law’s tea and then had the couple rise.

Gu Qiulan dared not lose focus, knowing her marriage had been decided by this formidable lady. “Today you should have been taking tea with your father and mother as well,” the Dowager said. “But I am old and dislike commotion, so I had you make another trip.”

Qin Muchuan replied with a grin, “Grandmother, I’d gladly come seven or eight times a day if you wished, I just hope you won’t find me bothersome.”

The dowager chuckled, tapping him lightly. “You monkey! I entrust him to you now,” she told Gu Qiulan. “Keep a close eye on him. If he misbehaves, just tell me!”

Gu Qiulan answered softly, “My husband treats me well. I will serve him faithfully, Grandmother, you may rest assured.”

“With those words, I am content.” The dowager nodded, gave them their meeting gifts, and did not detain them longer. Still, Gu Qiulan felt uneasy—better to visit this courtyard as little as possible in the future.

Qin Muchuan, on the other hand, was in high spirits. Except for his father’s perpetual grimness, he could hardly wait to see what rewards they’d received. Still, with Gu Qiulan present, he restrained himself and said, “You must be tired. Let the maids put the gifts away. Your dowry is stored separately; when you have time, I’ll have the steward bring you the inventory and keys.”

“No rush,” said Gu Qiulan, waving her hand. “Have some tea first.” She exchanged a glance with Qiaoyun, who immediately brought over the two sets of meeting gifts.

Both newlyweds had received the same from Lady Zhou and the Dowager—pairs of gold beads, ruyi scepters, golden grapes, and pomegranates for fertility and good fortune.

Qin Muchuan’s eyes nearly sparkled at the sight of so much gold. Poor as he was, even as the young master of a noble house, he only received a monthly stipend. When he overspent, Lady Zhou often had to help him out in secret.

“These are all auspicious tokens,” Gu Qiulan said. “We should keep them well, husband. Perhaps we can display a few pieces in the treasure cabinet, since they’re gifts from our elders.”

Your husband would much rather melt them down for gold ingots… Qin Muchuan struggled, but finally managed a single “Agreed.” Hardly had he spoken when Qiaoyun arranged two strings of golden grapes and pomegranates in the treasure cabinet as if they were mere fruit. The dazzling gold was almost vulgar enough to make one’s mouth water.

But Gu Qiulan seemed to find them beautiful, pulling Qin Muchuan over to admire them for a long while. His head spun from the sight, and he had to swallow his saliva before saying, “Let me show you around the manor.”

With a beauty on his arm, Gu Qiulan was overjoyed. She clung sweetly to Qin Muchuan, nodding her agreement.