Chapter 2: 002 Rules

Chapter 2: 002. Rules

Bai Suihe resigned herself to her fate and allowed herself to be dressed properly. If it weren't for the few maidservants attending to her, she truly wouldn't have been able to manage these cumbersome ancient garments on her own.

However, she was also carefully memorizing every step. Since she had arrived here, she had to adapt slowly. Before long, the house would be raided, and there would be no more such good days in the future.

The jewelry was a complete set; without her needing to say a word, Dongmei had already matched everything perfectly.

After pinning in the final hairpin, she finally set out with the two senior maids.

The young maids and matrons outside all bowed as she passed, their attitudes exceptionally respectful.

This was another manifestation of the Old Madam’s strict family rules; at the very least, on the surface, these servants all performed their duties and dared not overstep their bounds.

As Bai Suihe walked, her mind did not stop. If the Old Madam dared to make things difficult for her again this time, or force her to stand and observe the "rules," it wouldn't be impossible to faint once more.

The Gu residence was a five-courtyard compound. Her third branch and the second branch were located in the fourth courtyard. Just as they reached a corner, they ran into the second sister-in-law, Xu Yulan.

Xu Yulan was the maternal cousin of the Old Madam, Xu Huizhen. In this Gu residence, even the eldest sister-in-law had to bow her head to her.

Seeing Bai Suihe, the other woman walked straight past her with her head held high, ignoring her younger brother’s wife entirely.

Bai Suihe curled her lips, not taking it to heart. This was also a cannon-fodder existence, just one that had lived a little longer than herself.

Upon arriving at the main courtyard, the maids and matrons were moving in an orderly fashion, bowing and greeting them as they saw them.

Once the first-to-arrive Xu Yulan reached the main courtyard, a matron lifted the curtain. Before going in, Xu Yulan cast a triumphant glance in her direction.

Expecting to have to stand outside for a while again, she was surprised to hear the matron by the Old Madam’s side speak up just as she reached the door: "Third Young Mistress, the Old Madam invites you to come straight in."

In the past, when she arrived here, she would have to wait for these maids and matrons to announce her, and then it would depend on Xu Huizhen’s mood to decide how long Bai Suihe would stand outside.

Of course, there were exceptions. During the first three months of her pregnancy, she hadn't been made to stand, but she had to come to the main room every morning and evening, with the excuse that this was the way of a daughter-in-law.

But as soon as the three months were up, these damned rules were picked up again, under the high-sounding excuse that it was for the sake of her health—that a pregnant woman should stand more so that she would have an easier delivery later.

The original owner’s husband was actually quite good; he would help out in the residence and mediate before the Old Madam, giving her some breathing room.

However, there were many trivial matters in the residence, and he could not always be there. Most of the time, Bai Suihe had to endure it on her own.

As her body grew heavier, she still had to wait for the three of them—the mother-in-law and her two daughters-in-law—to finish eating before she could sit at the table to have a few bites. Pregnancy was already exhausting, and combined with irregular meals, it was only because she had a sturdy constitution that she had lasted until the fifth month before fainting.

The furnishings in this main courtyard were rather dull, dominated by dark colors. It was unclear whether this was the Old Madam’s taste or the preference of the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Gu. The entire room was dominated by gray and black, creating a sense of oppression upon entering.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sitting on the soft couch were worthy of being aunt and niece; they looked the same, both possessing large, round faces, which were considered a sign of good fortune in this day and age.

But the stern look the Old Madam swept over her added three parts of malice to her expression.

"Mother, I want to go back to my maiden home today. Do you have anything you need me to bring back?" Xu Yulan asked intimately, leaning against the Old Madam.

"Is there something wrong with your father?" Upon hearing about returning to her maiden home, the Old Madam’s expression turned serious. "Didn't you just go back a few days ago?"

"It’s just that Kaichen bought some game yesterday, and I’ve already had people send some to the main kitchen, so I thought I’d take some back..."

"So that’s it. Then you go. It just so happens that your eldest cousin sent some bird's nest a few days ago; take some of that back as well."

As for Bai Suihe entering, both of them acted as if they didn't see her, continuing to chat among themselves.

Bai Suihe turned a deaf ear to their conversation, performed a bow, and went straight to find a seat.

She wouldn't be foolish like the original owner, standing there all day like a wooden stake.

"Bai-shi," without being asked, Bai Suihe had sat down herself, which had already touched upon Xu Huizhen’s great taboo. "What about the rules?"

"In reply to the Old Madam," Bai Suihe said, supporting her belly without standing up, "your daughter-in-law is doing this because I am feeling unwell. Furthermore, the doctor said that my condition was caused by excessive fatigue, which led to the fainting spell. If such a thing were to happen again, it would be bad for the fetus.

I am doing this for the sake of the Gu family’s descendants; I have no choice but to be careful."

Xu Huizhen squinted at Bai Suihe. The third daughter-in-law had never talked back to her before. Could it be that the fetus was really in such danger?

Moreover, there were traps in these words. Even if she wanted to assert her authority in front of her daughter-in-law, she had to consider her own reputation.

Although the management of the residence was very strict, it was inevitable that some news would leak out. She knew why her daughter-in-law had fainted, and yesterday, her face had been deathly pale and she had been breaking out in cold sweat; it didn't look like she was faking it.

Forget it. Although that boy, the third son, didn't please her, he was still a descendant of the Gu family. There was no need to have a conflict with him over such trivial matters, lest he stop putting his heart into managing the household affairs.

Besides, that boy was protected by the old man. Perhaps news of yesterday’s incident had already reached his ears, and he was only delayed by official business at court and hadn't had time to come home yet; otherwise, he would be arguing with her again.

"Since that is the case, you should rest well in your courtyard for these few days and stop running around if there is nothing to do." Xu Huizhen didn't want to see this daughter-in-law either. Since she couldn't bully her, there was no need to let her be an eyesore.

It just so happened that she had some secrets to discuss with her niece.

"Many thanks, Old Madam." Bai Suihe hadn't expected today to go so smoothly; she had thought she would have to trade barbs here for a while before she could escape. "Then this daughter-in-law will take her leave."

Just as she exited the main courtyard, the eldest daughter-in-law, Liu Yun, arrived late. Following behind her was a young girl of fourteen or fifteen, with a stunning face, dressed in a flamboyant red dress, and adorned in extremely valuable attire. This was the female lead of the book, Gu Antong.

She hadn't expected to run into the female lead on the very first day. One had to know that this person was not one to come and pay her respects often; she only came to the main courtyard when she wanted something.

They also saw Bai Suihe. After Bai Suihe exchanged greetings with Liu Yun, Gu Antong reluctantly said to Bai Suihe, "Greetings, Third Aunt."

"Sister-in-law, are you heading back? Have you seen the Old Madam?"

These words were somewhat malicious, but unfortunately, she had miscalculated today.

"Sister-in-law is joking. Of course, I have seen the Old Madam. The Old Madam is compassionate toward the difficulty of my pregnancy and has excused me from my morning and evening greetings so I can go back and properly protect the fetus."

"Oh, the mother-in-law is indeed benevolent." Liu Yun saw Matron Zhou standing at the door and covered her mouth, laughing loudly. "Since the mother-in-law is compassionate, then go back and rest well. That appearance of yours yesterday really frightened everyone."

"That was my fault." Bai Suihe hadn't yet adapted to the identity of a pregnant woman. In just this short while, she felt physically and mentally exhausted, and it couldn't help but show on her face. "I won't disturb you and the Old Madam any longer; I shall head back now."

Seeing that her complexion was poor, Liu Yun hurriedly pulled Gu Antong’s hand and stepped aside. "Then Third Sister-in-law, hurry back."