SGEIRS -Chapter 11 Never Daring Again

The curve of Meng Jinyao’s lips deepened, her eyes brimming with laughter. Her gaze was bright, and even her voice carried a smile. “This is what you said, husband.”

She hadn’t expected Gu Jingxi to be so easy to talk to. After all, he was getting on in years—a man nearing thirty. In a few more years, he’d be at the age to be a grandfather, so his temperament was relatively gentle.

Unlike Gu Xiuming, who was hard to approach and always carried himself with an air of superiority, making people feel he was untouchable. It seemed her decision yesterday to go all out and marry Gu Jingxi had been the right one. Even if she had to live as a widow in name for the rest of her life, she could accept it.

Seeing her cheerful expression, Gu Jingxi noticed that the usually calm and composed girl was showing a rare trace of youthful liveliness. No matter how mature and steady she was, she was still a young girl at heart.

He replied, “Mm. I said it.”

There was a huge age gap between them. They weren’t familiar with each other, and their marriage had been rushed into. After discussing business, they fell into silence. Gu Jingxi didn’t want to stay with a childlike girl either, so he found an excuse and left.

Meng Jinyao immediately took action, instructing the maids to rearrange the room according to her preferences. The interior decorations were made similar to her boudoir at her parents’ home.

Seeing this, the maids of Weirui Pavilion wore expressions of disapproval. One of them muttered softly, “The Marquis hates flashy decorations like this. He prefers simple, single colors. I wonder if he’ll get angry when he comes back and sees the room like this.”

Another replied, “Even if the Marquis gets angry, it’ll be the madam who suffers. She gave the orders. We’re just following instructions.”

Hearing this, the first maid showed a look of disdain. “She really thinks that just because she married in, she’s a proper Marchioness now. Doesn’t she think about how she married the Marquis? It’s only her second day here and she’s already messing with his courtyard.”

The other maid said, “Exactly. Let’s hurry up. Only the bed curtains are left. Finish before the Marquis comes back so we can enjoy the show later.”

As the saying goes: Don’t speak ill of people by day, and don’t talk about ghosts at night. There’s a reason for that.

While they were gossiping behind her back, the person involved appeared behind them and asked with a half-smile, “What show are you planning to watch?”

The maid hadn’t reacted yet and replied instinctively, “Of course, we’re watching our new Marchioness make a fool of herself. She lacks confidence but puts on such airs.”

“Oh?” Meng Jinyao chuckled softly and said unhurriedly, “Before you watch my show, I’ll watch yours first. What do you think?”

As soon as she said that, the two maids turned pale and froze. When they turned around and saw Meng Jinyao looking at them with an unreadable half-smile, panic rose in their hearts.

They hadn’t expected her to return so quickly. No matter what, she was their mistress. If she pursued the matter, they would surely be punished.

They quickly came to their senses, casting resentful glances at the three other maids who hadn’t joined in the gossip, seemingly blaming them for not warning them. Then they bowed to Meng Jinyao.

“Greetings, Madam.”

Meng Jinyao sat down and looked at them calmly. Without showing anger, she exuded authority.

“It seems my husband is too busy with official matters and has neglected to manage the servants. Even maids dare to slander their mistress behind her back.”

The two maids immediately dropped to their knees.

“Madam, please calm your anger! We won’t dare do it again!”

“Won’t dare?” Meng Jinyao raised her eyebrows and asked softly, “By ‘won’t dare,’ do you mean you want to gossip about and criticize your mistress, but you’re just afraid to? Not that you don’t want to do it?”