The luxurious black car moved smoothly through the dimly lit streets, but inside, the atmosphere was anything but calm. Jiang Yuxi sat stiffly beside Gu Zeyan, her hands clenched into fists on her lap. The silence between them was thick, almost suffocating, and neither made an effort to break it.
Yuxi's mind replayed the events of the evening. The sneering faces of Qin Ruo and Jiang Roulan, the whispered insults, the malicious attempt to humiliate her with the spilled wine—it all played like a cruel movie in her head. She should have been crushed by the weight of their scorn, yet she wasn't.
Because of him.
Her gaze flickered to Gu Zeyan, whose expression remained unreadable as he focused on the road ahead. He had shielded her tonight, stepping in when she least expected it. He had allowed her to stand her ground but had also drawn a clear line—no one would openly disrespect her. But why? Was it just to maintain appearances? Or was there something more behind his actions?
Her thoughts were interrupted when the car slowed, finally arriving at the Gu family mansion. Yuxi exhaled, preparing herself for whatever awaited them inside.
As they entered the grand hall, Madam Gu was already waiting for them. Dressed in an elegant silk robe, her poised posture and the slight narrowing of her eyes made it clear—she was not pleased.
"You're finally back," she said, her voice smooth but carrying an unmistakable edge. Her sharp gaze fell on Yuxi, scrutinizing her from head to toe.
Yuxi straightened her shoulders, refusing to shrink under her mother-in-law's scrutiny.
"I heard about the… commotion at the event," Madam Gu continued, her lips curving in a thin smile. "It seems our Yuxi is still struggling to adapt to the Gu family's standards."
Yuxi clenched her jaw. She knew what Madam Gu was doing—subtle humiliation, disguised as casual remarks.
Before she could respond, Gu Zeyan spoke, his tone cold but firm. "There was no commotion. Everything was handled."
His mother turned her gaze to him, slightly surprised by his dismissal of the situation. "Still, I hope Yuxi understands that as the Gu family's daughter-in-law, she must conduct herself properly."
"I understand," Yuxi said, her voice steady. "I'll make sure not to let the Gu family's reputation be affected."
Madam Gu's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—annoyance? Or perhaps a mild surprise that Yuxi had not been completely cowed?
With a nod, Madam Gu turned away. "Good. I expect nothing less."
Yuxi swallowed a sigh of relief as Madam Gu disappeared into her chambers. Just as she thought the conversation was over, Gu Zeyan spoke again.
"You handled yourself well tonight," he said, his voice softer than usual.
Yuxi blinked. It wasn't exactly a compliment, but coming from him, it was close enough. Before she could respond, he had already turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her standing in the dimly lit hall, heart pounding for reasons she didn't understand.
Sleep didn't come easily that night. Yuxi tossed and turned in her grand but unfamiliar bedroom, her mind refusing to quiet down.
Why had Gu Zeyan stepped in for her? He had no reason to. Their marriage was a contract—he had nothing to gain from protecting her in public. And yet, he had done it so effortlessly, as if it were natural.
A soft knock at the door broke through her thoughts. Her breath hitched.
"Who is it?" she called, already knowing the answer.
The door creaked open, and Gu Zeyan stepped inside, his expression unreadable as always.
"You're still awake," he said, more as a statement than a question.
Yuxi sat up, pulling the blanket around herself. "What do you want?"
He stepped closer, his presence commanding even in the dim light. "I wanted to remind you of something."
She frowned. "Remind me of what?"
"Tonight was just the beginning," he said, his voice low and firm. "You saw how people look at you, how they speak about you. They are wolves, Yuxi. If you give them even a sliver of weakness, they will tear you apart."
She swallowed. She had already known this, but hearing it from him sent a chill down her spine.
"And what do you suggest I do?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even.
Gu Zeyan studied her for a long moment before finally answering. "Be careful. Don't trust anyone so easily."
Something in his tone made her heartbeat quicken. He wasn't just talking about tonight's event—he was warning her about something bigger.
She held his gaze, searching for something in those cold, dark eyes. "Why do you care?"
He smirked slightly, the expression brief but unreadable. "Don't misunderstand, Jiang Yuxi. I have no interest in being your knight in shining armor. But you are my wife—for now. If anyone dares to make a fool out of you, they are making a fool out of me."
Her lips pressed together. Of course. It was always about appearances with him.
"Good night," he said before turning and leaving the room as quietly as he had come.
Yuxi exhaled slowly, her heart still racing.
For now, she told herself. For now.
Meanwhile, in a luxurious suite on the other side of the city, Jiang Roulan sat on a velvet couch, her fingers drumming against the armrest impatiently.
"She made it through the night without humiliating herself," she muttered, irritation clear in her voice.
Yang Meilin, sitting gracefully across from her, took a sip of her tea before replying, "You underestimated her."
Jiang Roulan's eyes flashed. "No, she was just lucky. But luck doesn't last forever."
Yang Meilin set her cup down. "Perhaps it's time we stopped relying on small tricks. We need something bigger. Something that will make her fall from grace permanently."
Jiang Roulan's lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "I think I know just the person who would love to help us with that."
The next morning, Yuxi barely had time to process the previous night's events before a new challenge awaited her.
Xu Chen, Gu Zeyan's assistant, knocked on her door and handed her an envelope. "Master Gu has arranged something for you."
Frowning, Yuxi opened it, her brows furrowing as she read the contents.
An etiquette coach?
She looked up at Xu Chen, incredulous. "He thinks I need lessons on how to behave?"
Xu Chen, as professional as always, merely nodded. "Madam Gu also approved of it."
Yuxi exhaled, forcing down the anger bubbling in her chest. She knew how this looked—Gu Zeyan still didn't believe she was fit for his world. But she refused to let this shake her.
Fine. If they wanted her to learn, she would learn. But she would do it on her terms.
Let them try to mold her into their perfect housewife. She would show them that Jiang Yuxi was more than just a woman struggling to fit in.
She would prove that she belonged—not because they allowed her to, but because she decided to.
And she would do it her way.