I Became The Stepmother of My Ex-husband

T/n: Trigger warning for brief mentions of suicidal intentions

After Gu Hui Yan said that, silence descended on the water pavilion. Only the murmuring of running water could be heard coming from outside the pavilion.

The servants of the Prince Zhao Residence reluctantly stepped up and said, “It’s our Prince.”

Gu Hui Yan’s gaze was sharp and there was a hidden thunder in his voice, “Let him speak himself.”

The little Prince Zhao stepped out from behind his servant, embarrassed, his voice almost inaudible, “It’s me.” After saying that, he mumbled to himself without a care, “didn’t she not fall? Who asked her to block this Prince from watching the dragon boat race.”

“Even now, you refuse to acknowledge your mistake.” Gu Hui Yan looked at him coldly, “You inherited your father’s title at a young age. I used to pity you for losing your father and didn’t discipline you too harshly, but now it seems to have harmed you. You’ve been indulged too much and ended up becoming so undisciplined and out of control.”

Prince Yan was the leader of the Princes. Even if the former Prince Zhao were to stand here today, he wouldn’t dare raise his head if he were to be scolded by Prince Yan, let alone a nine year old child like the small Prince Zhao. Gu Hui Yan had experienced several wars, and he had the aura of experiencing being surrounded by a mass of dead people. After being stared at by such unfeeling eyes, Prince Zhao immediately became scared and burst into tears. The cry of a nine year old child was sharp and resounding, stabbing everyone in the ears. But with Prince Yan standing there, no one dared to move. Even more so, the servants of Prince Zhao Residence didn’t dare coax this little devil of theirs.

The child’s sharp cries resounded through the water pavilion, and the Prince Zhao Consort hurried over. It almost broke her heart to hear her son’s crying from afar. She pushed through the crowd and threw herself at him, tightly embracing her cherished son and crying, “my son, you’ve been weak since young. Who wronged you and made you cry like this? It’s a pity your father passed early, leaving only us behind. Others can bully us and we can’t do anything about it… “

Gu Hui Yan listened to her words and had a headache. He could reprimand his nephew, could reprimand Prince Zhao, even the emperor would lower his face and listen to his teachings. But what could he say to his widowed sister-in-law?

The Prince Zhao Consort was still whimpering and sobbing as she lamented. With his mother to support him, the little Prince Zhao’s crying gradually morphed into a bellow of rage that was full of conviction.

Gu Hui Yan could only restrain his imposing manner and without making things too personal, stated the facts as they were, “Even if he’s young, he can’t disregard ethics or his relations with others. Besides, he’s not young anymore. He’s already nine years old and has since long reached the age to understand etiquette. It’s fortunate that no one was hurt when he pushed someone on the viewing platform. But what if something had happened? He has no regard for human life at such a young age, and touts himself around so arrogantly and self-righteously. If he isn’t disciplined now, wouldn’t he grow to be a tyrant who acts with total disregard for the life of his countrymen?”

Hearing Gu Hui Yan say this about her son, the Prince Zhao Consort’s heart crumbled and her cries grew more piercing, “Why is Prince Yan going so far to say these things about my son? He only wanted to have some fun and accidentally ran into an official’s wife who doesn’t even have a title. But Prince Yan is actually mocking and cursing at him like this. What do you mean by preying on people and disregarding human life? Prince Yan is trying to hound us to our deaths! My son lost his father at a young age. Since childhood, he’s experienced many illnesses and disasters, so his body is frail. We’re doing nothing more than drifting along to survive, but I didn’t expect that we would still anger Prince Yan. As a widow, I’m considered inauspicious no matter where I am. I’m going to ask Empress Dowager Qian for an official instruction and return to the Zhao fief tomorrow!”

The Prince Zhao Consort cried as she threatened to take her own life. The people around her hurriedly stopped her and tried to persuade her kindly. She continued crying and didn’t even look to see how fat and robust her son was. In what way did he look frail?

Gu Hui Yan held one hand behind his back, his face calm, but his eyes hid a great force. When he saw this, Shen Ming Da hurriedly bowed and said, “thank you for saving my wife, Prince Yan. She’s fine now, and since it was accidental, let’s put it behind us.”

Shen Ming Da said this because he didn’t want conflict to arise between Gu Hui Yan and the Prince Zhao Residence. The Prince Zhao Consort immediately agreed with him and said, “the child is just playful and nothing happened anyway, so why make a big deal out of it? My son was so scared that he started crying.”

The little devil existed because his parents spoiled him. With the Prince Zhao Consort like this, it was no surprise that the Prince dared to push people at the edge of the viewing platform. Gu Hui Yan recalled that this Prince was Prince Zhao’s only remaining descendant after all. In the end, he couldn’t take it and tried to give a word of advice, “a caring mother will only hold back her son. If you indulge him like this, you will harm him in the future.”

The Prince Zhao Consort hated it the most when people pointed out her son’s flaws. She pulled her son towards her and glared at Gu Hui Yan, her voice biting, “can’t Prince Yan see that the Prince Zhao Residence’s situation is bad? How can you insist on saying such malicious things to my son?”

The people of the Prince Yan Residence grew angry when they heard this, and glared at the Prince Zhao Consort with fire in their eyes. The Prince Zhao Consort cowered in fear and immediately started crying again, “My Prince, how could you leave us behind! You shed your blood and laid down your life for the imperial family and the country, and died guarding the desolate lands of the border. But everyone in the imperial family doesn’t appreciate your sentiments. Even if you’re dead, they will bully your only son. This is the only remaining descendant of our Residence! My Prince, I have let you down. I should just die… “

Gu Hui Yan had a headache from all her crying, waving his hand to hint to Gu Ming Da and the others to step down as they couldn’t be rude to Prince Zhao’s widow. The Prince Zhao Consort felt pleased with herself when she saw this and left while hugging her son. The Prince Yan Residence’s people who remained in the water pavilion seethed with anger. Didn’t Prince Yan lecture the little Prince Zhao for his own good? Not only were the results bad, but the Prince Zhao Consort had also set him up!

Gu Cheng Yao’s face turned ashen as he looked at Gu Hui Yan, “Father… “

Gao Ran also wrinkled her eyebrows as she walked closer, and she said earnestly, “Father, the Prince Zhao Consort only said this because she was anxious. Please don’t take it to heart. “

Gu Hui Yan didn’t want to get angry with a married woman. He waved his hand to show that he’d gotten over it. Lin Wei Xi suddenly turned around and said to Gu Hui Yan, “Your Highness Prince Yan, I feel stuffy. I’m going to get some air.”

Without waiting for him to reply, she swiftly walked out.

The few people remaining in the water pavilion froze for a moment before a clear voice echoed from outside, “Prince Zhao Consort, please stop.”

“Prince Zhao Consort, please stop.”

The Prince Zhao Consort stopped in confusion. When Lin Wei Xi was the one she saw after turning around, she felt unconcerned and looked impatient,  “Who are you to have the audacity to stop me?”

“In terms of status and position, I definitely can’t measure up to you, but in terms of my personal conduct, I’m definitely leagues beyond you, Prince Zhao Consort. I called out to you this time because I wanted to teach you how to conduct yourself and how to educate your child.”

“How brazen!”

“The Consort can only confidently stand here because nothing happened. If the little Prince had really pushed someone off the viewing platform today, seeing how deep the water is under the stands and how Miss Liu is pregnant, the slightest mistake would’ve taken two lives. This is a pregnant woman and an unborn child. While injuring these two people, the Consort and the little Prince would’ve accumulated some karma. Are you not afraid that your descendants will receive retribution?”

Talking about someone’s descendants receiving retribution was extremely serious in Chinese society, and the Prince Zhao Consort immediately became furious, “how impudent! Who are you? I will have you punished for disrespecting me!”

“Speaking of being disrespectful, it’s still uncertain who’s the lawless one here. The little Prince was standing behind a group of women, with Princess Royal Shou Kang just a short distance away. Who knows whether or not it was the Princess or someone else that Prince Zhao secretly wanted to push, and he’d only accidentally pushed the wrong person with Miss Liu suffering instead. If the Consort wants the Empress Dowager to be the judge, we can go together and let the Empress Dowager judge what exactly it was that your son was planning.”

The Prince Zhao Consort was at a loss for words. She could endlessly pester Prince Yan about whether or not her son was in the wrong. But in front of Empress Dowager Qian, the Prince Zhao Residence would definitely need to take responsibility. It was because Lin Wei Xi was sure that the Prince Zhao Consort wouldn’t bring this up in front of the Empress Dowager that she could mock her without restraint.

But even so, the Prince Zhao Consort couldn’t swallow the mockery. She looked at Lin Wei Xi and sneered, “do you think that because you didn’t give your name, I can’t find out who you are? Just you wait, I’ll make you regret what you did today until you come crying to the Prince Zhao Residence to apologize.”

“Alright.” Lin Wei Xi crossed her arms, tilted her head at the Prince Zhao Consort, and smiled charmingly, “What does the Prince Zhao Consort want to do to me or to my family? No need to trouble the Consort to investigate it, I’ll just tell you now. My name is Lin Wei Xi. My mother died many years ago and my father is Marquis Zhongyong, Lin Yong. Like the previous Prince Zhao, he also died in battle for our country. If the Consort wants to send someone to cause trouble, you don’t need too many people. I’m the only one left in my family so it’s enough to focus on me. When the Consort does something, I will go to the capital magistrate and appeal for justice by beating the drums outside the court. I’ll say that the Prince Zhao Residence is bullying the daughter of a martyr. When the time comes, let’s see who has the popular sentiment.”

“You… ” the Prince Zhao Consort was so angry that she pointed at Lin Wei Xi and clenched her teeth with hatred, “do you think that I can’t do something to you even with this?”

“No way, I only learned it from the Consort. Since you can go against Prince Yan with the excuse of your husband being killed in battle, I can also go against you using my identity. The Prince Zhao Consort is a widow while I’m a martyr’s daughter. Doesn’t the Consort enjoy acting miserable and pitiful? What a coincidence, so can I.”

The Prince Zhao Consort fumed with rage and gritted her teeth while looking at Lin Wei Xi. In the end, she glared fiercely at Lin Wei Xi and left with a flick of her sleeve. Lin Wei Xi watched as the Prince Zhao Consort walked away with that young devil of a boy. She smiled angrily and, knowing they would hear her, said to the retreating members of the Prince Zhao Residence, “Prince Yan disciplined the little Prince Zhao for his own good. If the Consort truly loves her son, you should have him apologize to the Shen family and Prince Yan, and discipline him strictly from now on. Don’t take his side if he’s in the wrong. Otherwise you’ll receive retribution sooner or later.”

The Prince Zhao Consort hated it when others criticized her son. She stopped to turn around, and one could feel the poison in her eyes even from a distance. At that moment, Gu Ming Da walked to Lin Wei Xi’s side and respectfully bowed to her, “Miss Lin, it’s windy outside. You should head back.”

This was Prince Yan’s unspoken but undisputable stance. He could let it go if she used a dead man as an excuse to make a fuss, but if she wanted to involve Lin Wei Xi, then he wouldn’t hesitate to take action even if it meant not giving her any face.

The Prince Zhao Consort understood Gu Hui Yan’s silent dissuasion and could only stomp her feet in anger before leaving.

Lin Wei Xi won an overwhelming victory. She sighed as she looked at the dark green of the pool, and hummed, “Sure enough, I came outside to take a breather and the tightness in my chest immediately improved. These kinds of people just need to be scolded. Let’s go and return to the pavilion.”

Lin Wei Xi turned around. On the other side of the winding corridor, she saw Gu Hui Yan standing with a few others. She felt embarrassed, but still pretended like nothing had happened and calmly walked through the secluded corridor.

Although the place where Lin Wei Xi and the Prince Zhao Consort were talking was a distance from the water pavilion, thanks to the quiet environment, the conversation could still be heard even if it was muffled. Gu Hui Yan watched as Lin Wei Xi walked through the corridor, her eyes lowered slightly and her actions cute. It was impossible to tell that she was threatening someone else just now.

Shen Ming Da was filled with a sense of disillusionment. If Prince Yan wasn’t also standing there, he’d have thought that he was hallucinating. He saw how lovable and charming Lin Wei Xi was and thought that she was like a pliant willow swaying in the wind kind of beauty. But what had he heard just now? Gu Hui Yan smiled slightly, and it was uncertain whether he’d unconsciously said his thoughts aloud or was speaking to the person next to him, “If the person being scolded is someone else, listening to her scold them is quite enjoyable.”

If Zhou Mao Cheng was here, he would surely agree. Gu Cheng Yao thought about it and quietly nodded.

The conversation between the Prince Zhao Consort and Lin Wei Xi could be heard faintly even inside the water pavilion. Astonishment and adoration coloured Liu Su Niang’s face while Gao Ran stood unhappily to the side.

The daughter-in-law of the Residence was her. Prince Yan was being pestered by that vixen, but the person getting chased out wasn’t her, and instead an outsider.

Gao Ran wrung the handkerchief in her hands. If she could start over, she definitely wouldn’t give in to Lin Wei Xi.

Things were hectic and Liu Su Niang was no longer in the mood to watch the dragon boat race. The emperor’s eunuch had come to nag at Gu Hui Yan several times and he couldn’t decline further requests, so he left. Gao Ran also took the opportunity to withdraw and returned to continue socializing with the other women as someone of the Prince Yan Residence. As an idle person, Lin Wei Xi had nothing to do and stayed behind to accompany Liu Su Niang.

The two of them sat for a while as Shen Ming Da left to request a leave of absence, before he returned to take Liu Su Niang home. Liu Su Niang reluctantly bid farewell to Lin Wei Xi, and she watched as Shen Ming Da carefully assisted Liu Su Niang, a boundless warmth radiating from both of them. She was the only one left in the water pavilion. She continued to sit, sighing at the silence.

After a while, it started to rain. Wan Xing looked anxious, “Miss, we don’t have an umbrella. What do we do?”

Lin Wei Xi looked at the drizzle outside and said indifferently, “What can we do? Let’s just wait. Prince Yan won’t just leave me here.”

As soon as she said that, the sound of footsteps could be heard coming around the corner. The umbrella slowly lifted and the face of the person was revealed as the rain pattered on.

It was Gu Cheng Yao.

T/n: thank you all for the kind messages and comments! I’m sorry if I’m slow at responding, I’ve just been very busy with uni and all that haha. I really appreciate them and it’s helped motivate me to continue translating this series despite my difficulties with all the ancient Chinese lingo and obscure poetry references.

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