Rebirth of the Excellent Daughter of the Marquis Household (REDMH) - Chapter 160

He removed the hairpin from her bun and slowly let down her hair, little by little. Her hair was smooth and glossy, cascading like a waterfall through his fingers, as fluid as running water.

Her long hair was so soft that Yun Ke did not want to let go.

In their previous life, Gu Yu Qi’s hair had already turned white while she was in the Cold Palace.

Yun Ke picked up the ivory comb on her dressing table and gently combed through her hair bit by bit. To his own surprise, Yun Ke found that he rather enjoyed the process of combing Gu Yu Qi’s hair. It was quiet and peaceful. Every time he lifted his gaze, he would catch a glimpse of Gu Yu Qi’s reflection in the bronze mirror. So serene, so beautiful.

A beauty like a dream, like a painting come to life. The strands of her hair gave Yun Ke a warm and real feeling. This was a part of Gu Yu Qi, a part of her body, held in his grasp.

Yun Ke’s movements were gentle, though a bit clumsy. Gu Yu Qi could tell.

She sat quietly, letting him play with her hair. From the dim reflection in the bronze mirror, Gu Yu Qi could see that the cold sharpness in his brows had softened. In the depths of his dark eyes flickered something tender.

Tenderness? Gu Yu Qi almost thought she was dreaming.

He could be tender?

Yun Ke, who had always been cold-hearted and aloof, would show tenderness to her?

A pang suddenly seized her heart, as though someone had quietly torn it open. What was he thinking now? Was he planning to lift her up into the clouds again, only to kick away the ladder and watch coldly as she plummeted to her doom? Yun Ke, Yun Ke… Was what you did in the past life not enough? Must we repeat it all over again in this one? Fine. Whatever he planned to do, she would simply guard her own heart.

If her heart remained unmoved, then even if there were wounds, they would be no more than superficial, nothing that could reach her soul.

If he wants to play, she will play along. If he likes make-believe games, then let it be so.

Having come to terms with it, the tightness in her chest eased a little. Gu Yu Qi could not help letting out a yawn. Her hair was being combed so gently, it was soothing.

She was truly tired today. She had barely slept the night before, and at the crack of dawn, she had been dragged out of bed and had been going nonstop since. Who knew how long Yun Ke planned to comb her hair for? Gu Yu Qi could not be bothered to ask. Her eyelids had already begun to droop.

Noticing her boredom as she yawned in the mirror, Yun Ke tied up Gu Yu Qi’s long hair with a simple ribbon.
In their previous life, Gu Yu Qi had adored this look where she dressed in vivid red, her hair loose save for a crimson silk ribbon tying it casually. Her entire appearance was radiant and carefree, imbued with an effortless elegance and a touch of scholarly charm. Yet in every frown and smile, there was also a bone-deep allure that rendered her unforgettable.
Back then, her style had captivated countless noble sons in the capital. Suitors nearly wore down the threshold of the Ding Yuan Marquis’ residence, all desperate to seek her hand.
But Yun Ke in that past life had disliked this style. A proper noblewoman, in his view, ought to behave with decorum, dress modestly, style her hair carefully and she should not be without hairpins or accessories. That was the conduct befitting a lady of noble birth. Gu Yu Qi’s unrestrained style too steeped in the ways of the martial arts world and was not something a Marquis’s daughter should wear.
Yet now, in hindsight, Gu Yu Qi had indeed been beautiful and stunningly so. She had always known how to present herself at her finest. That bold, spirited air had come from her very bones, something no other noble lady could replicate. And those eyes of hers, ever so slightly upturned, seemed to be looking at you, smiling at you, and yet also mocking you all at once, stirring guilt in your heart.
That was Gu Yu Qi.
“Rest,” Yun Ke said, taking Gu Yu Qi’s hand. Her hand was not as soft as that of a typical noblewoman, but slim and well-shaped, with a subtle strength. Some calluses lingered on her palm, evidence of years wielding a sword and spear.
To hold such a hand brought Yun Ke deep satisfaction.
That one simple word, “rest,” nearly startled Gu Yu Qi out of her seat.
Pulled to her feet by Yun Ke, Gu Yu Qi reluctantly allowed herself to be led to the bedside. Her gaze fell warily on the large bed draped in bright red bedding. The bold scarlet of the marriage quilt and pillows was almost garish, the pillowcases embroidered with playful mandarin ducks, the covers blooming with large peonies, symbols of joy and prosperity. Yet to Gu Yu Qi, it all looked somewhat ominous.
“Your Highness…” Gu Yu Qi bit her lip, looking up at Yun Ke, “This concubine…”
Yun Ke raised a hand to stop Gu Yu Qi from talking. She had a knack for spoiling the mood. After all the effort it had taken for them to reach this tentative harmony, Yun Ke did not want Gu Yu Qi to ruin the relaxed atmosphere.
“Sleep. This prince will sleep here tonight. You may rest easy.” With that, Yun Ke gestured for Gu Yu Qi to get into bed.
Gu Yu Qi hardened her resolve and climbed into bed. She was already married, was it not a little late to act coy now? She should have been mentally prepared for this moment long before she entered the Prince’s palace.

She burrowed beneath the quilt and shut her eyes tightly.

She and Yun Ke were already so familiar with one another, it hardly mattered anymore.

She felt the mattress dip slightly beside her as Yun Ke lay down. Then, a single arm slid under the quilt and wrapped gently around her slender waist.

Gu Yu Qi’s entire body tensed. Her eyes clenched even tighter, and her fingers involuntarily twisted into the sheets beside her.

She thought a little bleakly, if he really meant to do something, then just get it over with.

Who knew that the person beside her would just gently embrace her and not make any further moves.

Gu Yu Qi waited for quite a while, but nothing happened. Confused, she cracked one eye open just enough to sneak a glance at Yun Ke.

To her surprise, he had turned toward her and was sleeping quietly, eyes closed.

Well damn. This… All right then. Gu Yu Qi’s whole body relaxed. It seemed she had overthought it. Whatever Yun Ke’s intentions were, she was exhausted anyway. It would be better if he did not bother her. Gu Yu Qi turned over with her back towards Yun Ke, her mind suddenly blank.

She thought about many things, yet it felt like she thought of nothing at all. Drowsiness crept in, and before she knew it, she had drifted off.

Yun Ke listened as Gu Yu Qi’s breathing gradually deepened and grew steady. He knew that she had fallen asleep, but he could not sleep at all. Eyes wide open, he lay there, gazing at the soft, elegant curve of her figure, his heart feeling miserable.

Sigh, the person he loved was right in front of him, within sight, but he could reach or touch her. That kind of longing was really…

Quietly, Yun Ke leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Gu Yu Qi’s hair. His movements were gentle, careful not to wake her.

Just that small kiss, and his heart felt inexplicably light and content. Unknowingly, Yun Ke too fell asleep.

It was not until the next morning that Gu Yu Qi finally opened her eyes. The first thing that met her gaze was a stretch of smooth, jade-like skin. A refined collarbone peeked out from beneath the loose robe, completely exposed. Her hand rested upon his chest, her upper body half draped across it, and even her leg was lightly thrown over one of his strong thighs.
Gu Yu Qi stared blankly for quite some time before she fully registered the situation. Yun Ke was still sound asleep. She moved ever so carefully, trying to peel his arm away from her waist and slip out of his embrace.
“You’re awake?” came Yun Ke’s husky morning voice from above her head, tinged with nasal drowsiness. Gu Yu Qi gave a startled jolt.
“Your Highness.” She no longer bothered with stealth. Flustered, she leaned sharply back and pulled herself away from him in a panic.
What had been a warm and cozy embrace moments before now felt oddly chilly with her sudden departure. Yun Ke turned onto his side, watching her with amused interest as Gu Yu Qi’s cheeks unconsciously flushed red in the morning light. She looked so cute after waking up. He seemed to sense a certain part of him moving a little and quickly rolled over, subtly adjusting his leg to cover the issue.
“Your consort… should rise now,” Gu Yu Qi mumbled, seizing the chance as he turned to slip past his legs and awkwardly clamber out of bed. “Please continue resting, Your Highness.” She all but fled.
Yun Ke pulled the quilt up and glanced down at himself, then let out a long, helpless sigh toward the ceiling.
As it was the morning after their wedding, the two of them were supposed to enter the palace together to express gratitude.
Since Gu Yu Qi had already risen, the palace maids began filing in to help her wash and change clothes.
Through the palace screen painted with delicate floral motifs, Gu Yu Qi’s graceful silhouette was cast softly across the silk. Yun Ke, despite himself, found that certain thoughts were once again starting to stir. He really ought to turn his face away, but he could not bring himself to look elsewhere.
Sigh, this kind of life is difficult. When will it ever get easier?
After Gu Yu Qi had changed into a crimson ceremonial robe appropriate for a secondary consort, the screen was removed. Yun Ke half reclined on the bed, taking in the sight of his wife with quiet appreciation.
With a slender waist and tall figure, she looked good in anything, but red suited her especially well.
Seated at the dressing table as the maids applied her makeup, Gu Yu Qi could see, out of the corner of her eye, Yun Ke getting dressed.
There was no denying it, this man’s appearance was impeccable.

He was wearing a black and red prince’s robes, exuding both dominance and elegance. No wonder Bai Fu had never stopped pining after him. She herself had also fallen for his appearance in her past life. One careless plunge, and she had been utterly consumed.

After they had both dressed and eaten a light breakfast, Yun Ke dragged Gu Yu Qi out of the Tong Xin Courtyard.

“About Her Ladyship the Primary Consort…” Gu Yu Qi asked cautiously.

He had spent the night here. The principal consort must surely be seething with hatred toward her.

Gu Yu Qi could already envision the many days ahead when she would be targeted.

Just as Gu Yu Qi was sighing silently over her own miserable future, a cluster of palace maids came into view, surrounding a delicately dressed young woman.

“Greetings, Your Highness,” the girl said, stopping before them. Her face was pale, and there were faint shadows under her eyes.

At least she knew her place. Yun Ke merely gave Xia Ying a single glance before letting out a cold snort.

“This is Consort Rou, conferred by His Majesty,” Yun Ke announced proudly, pulling Gu Yu Qi close to his side.

“Xia Ying greets Consort Rou,” the young woman murmured, unable to stop herself from raising her eyes to take in Gu Yu Qi’s appearance.

Bathed in the morning light and in palace attire, Gu Yu Qi looked like a goddess descended from the heavens, so breathtakingly beautiful it made one’s vision blur.

So this was the Gu Yu Qi that Yun Ke held so closely in his heart. Jealousy, frustration, and helplessness all surged within Xia Ying, alongside a deep, gnawing envy.

Yun Ke’s hand never once left Gu Yu Qi’s. The two of them stood together right in front of her, so perfectly matched, like a couple from a painting. She was merely the unnecessary extra.