15: Chapter 15: The Second Wife Enters the House, and Lifespan Increases Again

When Gu Yan returned to the mansion with Bai Linger, it was already near dusk.

Shen Qingxue had long been waiting at the entrance. When she saw the timid yet undeniably beautiful young girl behind Gu Yan, a flash of complex emotion crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle smile.

She did not ask any questions, but simply walked up to greet them, bowed to Gu Yan, and nodded gently at Bai Linger.

"Everything has been arranged," she said softly.

In the half-day that Gu Yan was away, she had already managed everything in the mansion in an orderly fashion. The injured employees had received the best medical treatment and generous rewards, and the rice shop had been temporarily closed for renovations.

Most importantly, she had prepared a clean and tidy room for the new arrival and had the maid prepare hot water and a change of clothes for her.

"Linger, this is Shen Qingxue. From now on, you should call her Sister," Gu Yan introduced them.

"Sister Qingxue." Bai Linger lowered her head nervously, her voice barely audible.

"Sister, please don't be so formal." Shen Qingxue took her hand, feeling that it was slightly cold. Sensing the girl's restraint and anxiety, she comforted her softly, "From now on, this is your home. Go inside, freshen up, change into some clean clothes, and we will have dinner together as a family tonight."

Shen Qingxue's gentleness and magnanimity caused much of Bai Linger's nervousness to dissipate. She looked at Shen Qingxue gratefully, glanced secretly at Gu Yan, and then followed a clever maid to the backyard.

Watching the two of them get along harmoniously, Gu Yan nodded with satisfaction.

He knew that a stable home front was crucial for his future plans.

And Shen Qingxue was undoubtedly the perfect anchor for this family.

That night, the lights were lit in the small flower hall of the Gu Family mansion, a sight that hadn't been seen for a long time.

At a small square table, the dishes were not extravagant, but they were all carefully prepared home-cooked meals.

Gu Yan sat in the main seat, while Shen Qingxue and Bai Linger, who had changed into clean clothes, sat on either side. Five-year-old Yaya was held in Shen Qingxue's arms, her large, dark eyes wide open as she curiously examined the newcomer, this sister who was as beautiful as if she had stepped out of a painting.

Bai Linger had clearly never experienced such a scene and appeared somewhat at a loss, her hands resting nervously on her knees, not even daring to use her chopsticks.

"Eat. From now on, we are all one family, no need to be constrained," Gu Yan said gently as he placed some food in her bowl with his chopsticks.

These simple words seemed to carry a certain magic.

Bai Linger's eyes reddened, and she almost shed tears again. She quickly lowered her head and began to eat the rice in her bowl in small bites, trying her best to swallow her tears back.

This meal was warm and peaceful.

After the meal, Gu Yan announced that he would hold a simple concubine-welcoming ceremony for Bai Linger the next day, officially bringing her into the Gu Family.

...

The next day, at the Gu Family mansion.

There were no crowds of guests, and no fanfare of music.

Everything was kept simple, but it was still solemn.

A few red lanterns were hung throughout the mansion, adding a touch of festivity.

Bai Linger was wearing a brand-new red dress. Although the material was not expensive, it made her look even more charming and lovely. She knelt shyly in the center of the hall, kowtowing respectfully three times to the ancestral tablets of the Gu Family, as well as to Gu Yan and Shen Qingxue who were sitting in the seats of honor, and offered a cup of tea as the new bride.

As the matriarch, Shen Qingxue personally took the tea and removed a jade bracelet of good quality from her wrist, placing it on Bai Linger's hand.

"From now on, we are sisters."

With this, the ceremony was complete.

Bai Linger officially became the Second Wife of the Gu Family.

That night, in the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly.

Bai Linger sat nervously on the edge of the bed, twisting the hem of her clothes, her heart pounding like a trapped rabbit.

Gu Yan pushed the door open and entered. Seeing her like this, he couldn't help but smile.

He didn't rush to do anything, but simply poured two cups of warm wine and handed one to her.

"After drinking this nuptial wine, you will be my person, Gu Yan's person."

Bai Linger blushed, took the wine cup, linked arms with Gu Yan, and drank it all in one go.

The spicy liquor went down her throat, adding a touch of intoxicating flush to her already crimson cheeks.

The night deepened. Just as the affection between the two grew, and the bridal chamber became warm.

In Gu Yan's mind, the familiar mechanical notification sound rang out right on time.

[Ding — —]

[Detected that the host is engaging in the core "Spreading Branches and Leaves" behavior, target locked: Bai Linger.]

[Aptitude Assessment: Mortal Grade Medium Grade.]

[Luck Assessment: Mortal Grade High Grade.]

[Overall Evaluation: C+. Rewards are being calculated...]

[Congratulations to the host, obtained Lifespan + 5 years!]

A warm current of life, slightly weaker than the last time but still incomparably pure, surged from the depths of Gu Yan's body once again.

He could clearly feel his internal organs being further nourished and strengthened by this warm current. The flesh beneath his skin became firmer and full of vitality.

He closed his eyes and could even "see" the few remaining fine wrinkles on his face being slowly smoothed out by an invisible force.

His appearance, which was in his early fifties, was pushed by this life force to move toward a younger stage once again.

Fifty ... forty-eight ... forty-five ...

Finally, when the warm current was completely absorbed into his body, his appearance settled at the look of a man in his mid-forties!

In his black hair, there were only a few strands of silver. Far from making him look old, they added a touch of seasoned, mature charm. His facial contours became more defined, his eyes were deep, and his posture was upright, like a pine tree in its prime.

At the same time, he could feel that his First Level of Qi Refining cultivation, under the washing of this life force, had become more condensed and stable, taking another step closer to the threshold of Qi Refining Stage 2.

Gu Yan slowly opened his eyes and walked over to the somewhat blurry bronze mirror in the room.

In the mirror, a middle-aged man with a resolute face and deep eyes was reflected.

This appearance was completely different from the eighty-year-old man who had been lying on the bed, on the verge of death, just a few days ago.

He slowly clenched his fist, feeling the more surging power within his body than before.

A sense of stability, of having control over his own destiny once again, arose spontaneously.

"The Wang Family..." He looked at himself in the mirror and whispered to himself, his voice carrying an indescribable calmness.

"I am waiting for you."

Just as he finished speaking, as if to confirm his words, a rush of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard. Immediately after, there was the somewhat panicked report of Old Zhang, the gatekeeper.

"Old... Old Ancestor! The Wang Family... the head of the Wang Family has sent someone to pay a visit! They... they are already outside the mansion gate!"