Just then, Yun Xi heard a low, gentle voice outside the door: “Is my lady awake?”
This was her nominal husband.
“Not yet.”
This voice belonged to the maid she’d seen the night before, named Chun Mei. Although the original Yun Xi had been timid, her memory was decent, despite her overwhelming nervousness, she’d still managed to recognize and remember everyone.
“Wake her up. She needs to go to the main hall to serve tea.”
“Yes, sir.”
After the reply came a knock at the door.
Only then did Yun Xi realize, the day after the wedding, according to custom, the newlyweds needed to go serve tea to their elders and meet the rest of the household.
“Come in.”
Yun Xi said casually.
Hearing this, Mu Sheng outside the door was momentarily stunned.
Although it was just one word, the voice was clear and the tone calm, completely different from the night before.
Mu Sheng didn’t think much of it, assuming that after a night of reflection, his wife had finally come to terms with things and steeled herself.
Hearing Yun Xi’s voice, Chun Mei pushed the door open and entered, saying, “This servant Chun Mei is here to help my lady wash and dress.”
Yun Xi didn’t put on any airs about it, back in the modern world, she’d been used to having people wait on her too.
With Chun Mei’s help, Yun Xi got dressed properly and had her hair done.
Chun Mei was a careful maid, and while combing Yun Xi’s hair, she noticed a faint bump on the back of her head. She thought Yun Xi might have been trying to hurt herself, given how the maid had witnessed the young lady’s attitude toward the general the night before.
Her hand grew even gentler as she combed, and she kept up a stream of kind words about the general’s household: “The old general and the old lady are both very reasonable people. The young master looks stern, but he really does care about you, my lady. From last night until now, he’s reminded me several times to take good care of you.”
The servants of the general’s household were used to calling Mu Sheng “Young Master” and Mu Xuan “Second Young Master.”
Yun Xi smiled and said, “I understand. I accidentally hit my head on the pillow while lying down, it wasn’t on purpose.”
Chun Mei smiled and dropped the subject, praising instead: “My lady is so beautiful.”
Chun Mei was a maid of the general’s household, not part of the original Yun Xi’s dowry.
She had come into the marriage without bringing any maids of her own.
In the Protector General’s household, the original Yun Xi was truly all alone, not a single familiar face. This actually worked out well for Yun Xi, since no one really knew her, even if she behaved differently from the original, no one would grow suspicious.
In fact, before she married, the original Yun Xi’s personality had been lively and spirited, it was only after marrying that she’d become overly anxious and reserved. This was likely the result of some deep-seated insecurity.
Soon, Chun Mei finished helping Yun Xi wash and dress.
While she was getting ready, Mu Sheng had already entered the room and sat in a chair in the outer chamber, waiting for her.
The moment Yun Xi came out, she saw him.
He looked to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven, roughly the same age as Yun Xi had been in the modern world. He had sword-like brows and bright eyes, a dignified bearing, and skin of a very healthy wheat-brown tone. Even sitting there, he looked exceptionally tall and upright, his posture perfectly correct, clearly someone who’d come up through military ranks. He gave off a very serious air overall.
No wonder the original Yun Xi had been afraid of him, he really did carry a certain pressure about him. But Yun Xi wasn’t afraid at all. Not only was she not afraid, she found herself looking him over with some interest, his looks suited her taste exactly.
On top of her already-favorable first impression, this added yet another layer of goodwill.
Mu Sheng, for his part, was also quietly sizing up his new wife, and the surprise in his heart was even greater than Yun Xi’s interest.
Last night she’d been trembling like a frightened quail, not daring to lift her head or say a word, to the point where he couldn’t even stay in the bridal chamber for fear of frightening her into some kind of breakdown. How, after just one night, had this little wife not only stopped being afraid of him, but seemed almost excited?
Still, this was a good thing.
Mu Sheng quickly arrived at that conclusion.
He withdrew his gaze and said to Yun Xi, “Let’s go to the main hall first, to serve tea to Father and Mother.”
Having just arrived, Yun Xi naturally deferred to his arrangements. She fell in half a step behind him, and together they headed toward the main hall.