The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 48: Meeting the Matriarchs

Chapter 48: Meeting the Matriarchs

Together with his legal husband, Xu Feng entered the courtyard. They may have worn clothing that the younger generation back in Dongmen referred to as "couples’ clothing." Well, maybe couples clothing was a stretch.

Xuan Yang wore graceful blue robes that were embroidered in exquisite grey thread. From head to toe, he gave off the impression that he immersed himself entirely in the world of books and knowledge.

Even though Xu Feng’s robes were more elaborate than the few sets he had made himself, the young master of the Xuan family’s was still a more elaborate robe.

Although the quality of the fabric was a little lacking, the ger’s white robes with their grey embroidery and detailing were still stunning.

The tall ger’s handsome face and otherworldly silver hair in the simple updo created by Si were still mesmerizing, even if he was dressed in subpar silk.

He appeared to be a handsome young master who did not get along with others when his natural resting bitch—higher than thou, young mistress—face was in place. Beside the tall, refined scholar, he was the perfect complement.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, all eyes were on their group, specifically Xu Feng.

The Xuan family seemed unaware, completely blind to the existence of the two lovers and all their little actions, but Xu Feng noticed. It was actually Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian who were dressed in the couple’s clothes.

Xuan Jian’s clothing was less eye-catching. He wore a dark blue that almost seemed black.

Although all three of the men were dressed in gray garments with gray embroidery, Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang’s garments had embroidery that was near identical and appeared to have been crafted by the same person.

The main difference was that Xuan Jian wore dark blue, almost black robes while Xuan Yang wore a light blue, airy colored robe.

As a certain stunned face couldn’t take her eyes off his hand in the palm of the Xuan young master, Xu Feng grinned to himself.

’He’s your son and my fake husband, but you can’t even tell I’m not the threat to your beloved son’s future happy marriage life with some high-ranking woman’ Xu Feng mused with some sympathy for Lady Xuan.

As soon as a child was born, she was probably thinking of a million ways to split up the fake "new couple."

She would have to learn the hard way that although her son was a scholar, the man was a rouge, Xu Feng didn’t believe she would get her way with a second marriage. Whatever she had used to blackmail him into this marriage wouldn’t work a second time.

The female members of the Xuan family were waiting to welcome the newlyweds in a well decorated pavilion, with a scenic view of the light snowfall in the surrounding area.

The elders of the Xuan family, dressed in lavish traditional robes, gathered to welcome their new bride. The two matriarchs fit in perfectly between the elaborate pavilion moldings and unlit wooden hanging lanterns.

Outside the pavilion, the world was transformed into a serene winter wonderland, with hibernating ancient plum trees, a stone bridge, and a small pond covered in a delicate layer of snow.

It wasn’t to Xu Feng’s taste, not because of the planning, but because of the lack of greenery.

It was January.

It was snowing, lightly, but it was still snowing.

Did they need to put on a show outdoors?

Couldn’t they pay their respects inside and forget about the traditions of large, wealthy families just this once?

He wasn’t a real bride anyway, and all the main Xuan family members present at the Nanshan estate should be aware of this.

Xuan Yang’s grandmother was the woman seated closest to Lady Xuan. She had a bun in her hair similar to Lady Xuan’s, but she seemed to have a more sophisticated look. Old Lady Xuan had more something, but Xu Feng couldn’t grasp the words.

Her clothes were simpler than those of the younger woman, but they were simple and elegant, and she didn’t have too many gold ornaments.

The two women were waging a silent war with their clothing. Lady Xuan wore elegant, expensive, and slightly more showy styles of clothes and make-up while Old Lady Xuan wore simpler styles that were obviously more expensive.

They were both beautiful women, in Xu Feng’s opinion, but there was definitely some backyard drama in the family. Xu Feng wanted none of the tea.

He wasn’t here to gossip.

...

There was a slight smile on Old Lady Xuan’s face; her features were regal and bright as if nothing could escape her eyes. She seemed to be in a good mood, while the other beauty, Lady Xuan, seemed a bit upset, and the handholding put her in a worse mood.

"Grandmother, Lady Xuan," Xuan Yang called out to the two women, and Xu Feng quickly followed.

"Lady Xuan, Grandmother Xuan."

The two women appeared to consider whether it would be best to make a fuss over the ger’s address. But if they did, they would also have to correct Xuan Yang.

After a couple of heartbeats, Old Lady Xuan nodded, allowing the two to step forward.

The serving of tea would follow, which Xu Feng had been quietly practicing on his own. Steward Wu hadn’t mentioned it, but the original owner had some vague memories from his mother when he was younger.

Piecing those memories together with every period drama Xu Feng had ever watched or any historical web novels he read, he was confident he would...still look like an idiot, but he should be able to make it through without completely embarrassing himself.

Even if he made all the mistakes possible, he would survive.

It was obvious to Xu Feng that the Xuans had probably planned for this meeting to take advantage of the "poor village ger" and remind him of his status as a mere childbearing tool—a role he should apparently be grateful for.

Why?

Because the chance to produce a Xuan heir was his highest honor...