SGEIRS -Chapter 105 It’s My Husband

Weirui Pavilion

Meng Jinyao looked at the account books delivered by the steward of the estate. They were all Gu Jingxi’s private property. She skimmed through the records—the income was impressive. This estate had been under Gu Jingxi’s name for over a decade.

After going through so many account books and roughly calculating Gu Jingxi’s private wealth, she realized her husband wasn’t just rich—no wonder he could casually give her thirty thousand taels in silver notes.

At that moment, Qingqiu stepped forward quietly and gently advised, “Madam, you’ve been looking at these for quite a while. Perhaps you should take a break? Staring too long could strain your eyes. These accounts don’t need to be finished today.”

Meng Jinyao also felt tired. She put down the account books, rubbed her forehead, and nodded lightly. “Alright, you can accompany me for a walk.”

Qingqiu nodded and helped her tidy up the books.

Not long after, Xiazhu hurried in, bowed to Meng Jinyao, and reported, “Madam, the Marquis has summoned you to the study in the front courtyard.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned. Confused, she asked, “Why would the Marquis suddenly want to see me?”

Xiazhu shook her head. “I don’t know, Madam. Just now, a page from the front courtyard came with the message that the Marquis wants you to come over.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and told Qingqiu she didn’t need to follow, heading to the front courtyard study alone.

Her steps were light as she passed through the garden, circled the side corridor, and passed through the moon gate before reaching the front courtyard. She then walked toward the study and soon arrived at the door.

Seeing the study door open, Meng Jinyao didn’t hesitate and stepped inside.

Upon entering, she was met with a keen, expectant gaze. Following her intuition, she looked and saw Qi Yunwen, the Junior Minister of the Dali Court. At the sight of her, his expression froze for a moment, staring at her in bewilderment.

Meng Jinyao also froze. Her husband had sent for her, but there was no sign of him—only his close friend. Instantly, she became alert and instinctively stepped back a half-step.

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Qi Yunwen—he was the uncle of her close friend A-Ning, a gentleman she had always called “Uncle Qi.” He would never do her harm—but she was afraid of being falsely accused of being alone in a room with her husband’s friend.

Qi Yunwen looked surprised. “You’re here, sister-in-law? Where’s Gu Yaoling?” He glanced behind her and, not seeing his friend, asked again, “Where’s Gu Yaoling?”

For a moment, Meng Jinyao didn’t react, confused. “Who is Gu Yaoling?” she asked.

Just then, a warm voice came from behind: “Gu Yaoling—your husband. Madam, how could you forget me?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Meng Jinyao froze, turning her head in shock. There was Gu Jingxi’s extraordinarily handsome face, half-smiling at her.

She suddenly remembered: Gu Jingxi, styled Yaoling, had been mentioned once by her mother-in-law.

In an instant, Meng Jinyao felt like thunder had struck—how could a wife call out her husband’s name to someone else?

Qi Yunwen looked at the couple—one half-smiling, the other struck dumb—and couldn’t help but chuckle. Teasing, he said, “It’s my first time seeing a couple who don’t know each other. You’ve been married a while, and yet… still unfamiliar?”

Meng Jinyao felt even more embarrassed, wanting to disappear into the ground. If she had thought a moment longer, she wouldn’t have been so awkward.

Gu Jingxi glanced at her and said with a smile, “So Madam isn’t familiar with me? But didn’t we just see each other this morning?”

Meng Jinyao hurriedly shook her head, explaining sheepishly, “I…I just didn’t react in time.”

Gu Jingxi pressed his lips into a faint smile and said gently, “Next time, Madam, you can react a bit slower. But don’t ask who Gu Yaoling is—otherwise, people might really think we don’t know each other.”

Meng Jinyao’s face stiffened, forcing out an embarrassed but polite smile. She gave him a resentful look—fine if others teased her, but him? He had never told her his style name, only his mother mentioned it once. Normally, she called him ‘husband,’ so she had forgotten.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi stopped teasing and looked at Qi Yunwen, asking, “I asked my wife to come, but didn’t call you. Why are you here?”

Qi Yunwen was taken aback. Was he not supposed to be here?

He shrugged helplessly. “When I arrived, your servant said you were in the study, so I had him lead me here. I didn’t expect not to see you, only your sister-in-law coming.”

Leaning against the doorframe, Gu Jingxi asked calmly, “Do you have business?”

Qi Yunwen rolled his eyes. “Yes, if I didn’t, why would I bother you, such a boring person? Got nothing better to do?”

Gu Jingxi asked again, “Is it urgent?”

Qi Yunwen answered truthfully, “Not really urgent. Why?”

“Then go back first. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Gu Jingxi said indifferently, then reached out to pull the stunned Meng Jinyao beside him, clearing the doorway so Qi Yunwen could leave efficiently.

Qi Yunwen was shocked. After all these years of friendship, he had never been treated so coldly by Gu Jingxi. Previously, if it wasn’t urgent, Gu Jingxi wouldn’t have told him to leave and come back tomorrow.

Frowning slightly, he asked, “Gu Yaoling, I’ve already come. You’re sending me away now?”

Gu Jingxi raised an eyebrow. “What else? You came uninvited, and I just happened to be busy.”

Qi Yunwen laughed in exasperation. “Busy with what?”

“Busy with important matters.”

Qi Yunwen couldn’t help but smile wryly. “We’re colleagues. What important matter can’t I help with? Tell me, I’ll finish your work first, then handle mine.”

Gu Jingxi replied calmly, “Keeping your sister-in-law company.”

“I can help with that too.”

Qi Yunwen then realized something was off. His gaze fell on Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao. They were doing something… together?

Could it be what he thought?

It was still daytime, inside the study—was it really that urgent?

He stared at them for a while, then his gaze nervously dropped, finally fixing on a certain part of his friend for a brief moment before quickly looking away. Flustered, he said, “Yaoling, don’t misunderstand. I won’t disturb you. Go ahead, I’ll leave first. Goodbye—you don’t need to see me out.”

With that, he stood up and left as quickly as possible, even pushing Gu Jingxi further into the study and kindly closing the door behind him.

Meng Jinyao knew what he had misunderstood. Her mouth twitched slightly as she hesitated. “Husband, is this really appropriate?”

Gu Jingxi was unconcerned. “Trivial matter. If I don’t deal with him, he’ll sort it himself. Listening to his nonsense wastes time anyway.”