SGEIRS -Chapter 120 Taking the Little Wife Along

Was he worried about her?

Was he waiting at the gate because he feared something might happen to her?

Meng Jinyao’s heart skipped a beat. She suddenly looked up, shocked and stunned at the sight of him.

Under the soft light, the man’s features were distinct, his brows and eyes long and elegant, and the previously sullen expression on his face had calmed.

The lanterns on either side cast a gentle glow, reflected in his narrow, long eyes. The gaze was calm and gentle, tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible worry.

Meeting his eyes, Meng Jinyao was momentarily dazed. She instinctively lowered her gaze, shifting it elsewhere in mild panic, and pressed her head against his chest. Listening to his strong heartbeat, her own heart skipped an involuntary beat.

She whispered softly, “Husband, why are you so good to me?”

They were just a couple brought together by chance. What merit or virtue did she have to make Gu Jingxi wait for her outside their home in the middle of the night?

Gu Jingxi glanced down at her. Perhaps feeling guilty for staying out so late, the little girl now nestled into his embrace like a tiny quail. He tugged the corners of his mouth slightly and said in a calm voice, “We only just got married. Being a widower so soon wouldn’t be proper, would it?”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

Just moments ago she had been deeply moved, but now her heart sank.

She snapped, “Husband, you are a Marquis, holding a high position. You could easily marry again if you wanted. If it weren’t for me, you could just take another wife.”

Gu Jingxi’s expression stiffened, then he let out a soft laugh. “If I couldn’t even take care of just you, marrying someone else would only bring misfortune, wouldn’t it?”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao paused, lips slightly parted, but said nothing. She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his chest. The alcohol in her system made her drowsy, and before long she fell asleep comfortably against him.

After a moment of silence, Gu Jingxi spoke softly, almost like a father lecturing a child: “Next time, if the madam goes out, leave a note with the maids so I know where you are. Return home earlier in the evenings. It’s unsafe for a young lady to come home late. If you really need to spend the night out with friends, bring a few house servants skilled in martial arts. Tonight, just a driver and two maids—during the day that’s fine, but at night it’s not safe enough.”

Meng Jinyao unconsciously murmured, “Mm,” nuzzling closer to him, pressing her ear against his chest as if the world would become more peaceful this way, and sleep would come easier.

Gu Jingxi looked down. The little girl in his arms had closed her eyes, likely asleep. Whatever he had said, she hadn’t registered a word. He shook his head with an amused smile. His colleagues envied his luck: a young, beautiful wife, a marriage with a large age gap. But he felt like he was taking care of a child. For example, tonight, when the “child” went missing, he had sent people searching half the night.

Qingqiu and Ningdong exchanged a glance. They had to admit, the Marquis was quite considerate. Even if he might have other women in his heart, he fulfilled the responsibilities a husband should toward his wife.

After a while, Gu Jingxi stopped in his tracks, glancing at the two maids behind him. He questioned them, “How did you take care of the madam? So late at night, you didn’t remind her to return home and let her drink so much.”

Qingqiu hurriedly replied, “Your servant knows her mistake and it will not happen again.”

At that moment, Gu Jingxi’s long-time attendant, Zhou Yun, arrived. Seeing the person in his master’s arms, he paused. “Marquis, the madam is back?”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “Mm. Let the others go back. No need to search.”

Weirui Pavilion.

The two masters had not yet returned, but the main hall was brightly lit.

Xiazhu and the night-duty maids heard the movement outside and went to check. Just as they reached the door, they saw the Marquis carrying the madam home. The two maids were stunned.

Xiazhu glanced at them and stepped forward with concern. “Marquis, what happened to the madam?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “The madam fell asleep. Bring a basin of water inside and clean her face.” Then he instructed the night-duty maids, “Prepare the bath.”

The two maids immediately set to work.

Gu Jingxi carried the little girl inside, gently laid her on the bed, then fetched medicinal wine for treating bruises and injuries, handing it to Qingqiu and Ningdong to apply on her. He then went to the bathing room to wash.

Meng Jinyao wasn’t seriously injured. Her arm was bruised from falling, and she had sprained her left ankle. The bruises on her arm would fade in a few days and didn’t affect her much, but her ankle was swollen and she likely wouldn’t be able to walk for several days.

After bathing, Gu Jingxi returned to the bedroom. Looking at the peacefully sleeping girl, he calmly asked, “Qingqiu, how is the madam? Was her fall serious?”

Qingqiu bowed slightly. “Marquis, the madam only has a bruised arm, nothing serious. But her ankle is swollen from the sprain and she won’t be able to walk for several days.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi sat at the edge of the bed, lifting the pant leg of her left leg. Sure enough, the ankle was swollen. He frowned and said, “Bring the medicinal wine here.”

Qingqiu replied, “Marquis, I already applied the medicine.”

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “Just smearing the wine lightly won’t help much.”

Qingqiu was taken aback. Could it be that the Marquis wanted to apply it himself? She didn’t dare refuse and quickly handed over the medicinal wine that hadn’t been used.

Gu Jingxi poured some wine into his palm, pressed it onto the girl’s swollen ankle, and gently massaged, kneading, and rubbing with moderate force.

Qingqiu watched in surprise. Though she didn’t understand medical practice, she instinctively knew this method would be effective.

Before long, the girl was roused by the treatment. In pain, she furrowed her brows and suddenly opened her eyes. Seeing Gu Jingxi applying the medicine, she gasped sharply: “Ah… it hurts!”

She instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but the man held it firmly.

Frowning, she glared at him and said plaintively, “Husband, what are you doing? If I’ve done something wrong, you can’t take revenge on me like this! This is like rubbing salt into a wound. Ah, gentler… it hurts!”

Gu Jingxi looked at her and said calmly, “Stay still while I apply the medicine. Wait a little longer and it’ll be fine. Otherwise, your leg won’t just be unusable for a few days. If it isn’t treated properly, your ankle will be prone to injury in the future.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao was frightened and didn’t move again. Even with her face pale from the pain, she endured, staring intently at the large hand, silently hoping it would be over soon. Her white teeth bit her lip, her expression full of painful endurance.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi was slightly surprised but smiled gently. “It’s fine. When children cry, no one mocks them. If it hurts, cry. Madam doesn’t need to endure it.”