The woman who walked in looked about twenty years old, dressed in an off-white blouse and skirt, with a white stand-up collar and cross-collar inner garment. Upon closer inspection, one could see bamboo leaves embroidered with white thread along the collar, which were almost indistinguishable due to being the same color as the clothing.
Her appearance was graceful and charming, with unadorned vermilion lips, the corners slightly upturned, always giving one a sense of gentle friendliness, tenderness and virtuousness, yet approachable.
For someone of this age to foster such dignified character, it was evident that she hailed from a prestigious family.
The wife that Gu Yifeng married was indeed the daughter of the Imperial Tutor. She was renowned outside for her excellence from a young age. Before Gu Yifeng became the Dingyuan Marquis, the Dong Family did not disdain Gu Yifeng's humble origins or the Gu Family's low status, and thus arranged their marriage.
Later, when misfortune befell the Gu Family and Gu Yifeng went to the border for three years, the Dong Family did not withdraw from the engagement.
At that time, people in the Capital were quietly lamenting for the Dong Family's daughter. Yet, three years later, Gu Yifeng returned triumphant from battle and was conferred the title of Dingyuan Marquis, and the Dong Family's daughter suddenly became the Marchioness.
Those who once secretly lamented swiftly changed their opinion, claiming the Dong Family's daughter brought good fortune to her husband. In this way, the Dong Family's daughter's status in the Capital was raised even higher.
Mrs. Dong came from a scholarly noble family, talented and knowledgeable, and even at a young age was wise to the ways of the world, yet she was rarely vocal, possessing a maturity beyond her age. She was socially adept and, after marrying into the Marquis Mansion, was tolerant and gentle, poised and gracious, skilled in handling affairs, earning great respect from the servants.
Regrettably, no one is perfect and everything does not always go smoothly. Before Mrs. Dong married into the Marquis Mansion, Gu Yifeng already had an illegitimate son. Back then, when Gu Yifeng went to the border and his fate was unknown, the two widowed sisters-in-law of the Gu Family discussed and decided to promote Gu Yifeng's big maid to a concubine. It is said that the concubine was fortunate, just a few nights after, Gu Yifeng went to the border, unexpectedly, the concubine became pregnant, resulting in Gu Yifeng's illegitimate son.
It was this situation in the Gu Family that prevented them from being criticized for disrupting order.
After Mrs. Dong married into the Marquis Mansion, she remained childless, and two years later, a distant cousin of Mrs. Dong was promoted to a concubine, resulting in just a daughter. Over the years, Gu Yifeng had few descendants, and until now Mrs. Dong had only given birth to a daughter. Fortunately, because of the earlier situation regarding the illegitimate son, Mrs. Gu Sr. did not make things too difficult for her.
Although Mrs. Dong was gentle and kind, Mrs. Gu Sr. was not very fond of her, mainly because Gu Mansion had few people, and she preferred those with a livelier temperament. Unfortunately, her son married a daughter-in-law who was steadier than her, more reserved!
This left Mrs. Gu Sr. feeling somewhat dispirited, although she did not show it outwardly. She couldn't draw close, yet she wouldn't disgrace the other party.
Mrs. Dong walked in with graceful elegance, her hands folded in front of her abdomen, bending slightly, "Daughter-in-law greets Mother."
"Rise up, there are no outsiders here, no need for such formalities," Mrs. Gu Sr.'s tone was mild, revealing no hint of joy or anger.
"Paying respects to Mother is what a daughter-in-law ought to do." Mrs. Dong's tone was gentle, "Daughter-in-law knows Mother loves her, thus one must adhere to proprieties and not disrupt order."