SGEIRS -Chapter 143 A-Yao Likes It

The next day at noon.

After lunch, Meng Jinyao was about to take a nap when Zhou Yun, a senior attendant of Gu Jingxi, sent over a young lady.

The girl appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen. She had an oval face, a gentle and composed temperament, and eyes that were soft and clear. She gave the impression of being obedient and well-behaved.

Seeing her, Meng Jinyao felt a surge of delight. This was the girl she had been looking for. To create a convincing resemblance, having a similar temperament was very important. Then, with some work on makeup and clothing, she could achieve about seventy percent similarity.

When one is drowsy, seventy percent resemblance could easily appear as one hundred percent—especially when feeling guilty or flustered, perception becomes all the more blurred.

The girl stepped forward respectfully and bowed slightly. “Your servant, Chan’er, pays respects to Madam.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly. “Good, rise.”

Zhou Yun asked, “Madam, is she satisfactory? If not, I can send another one.”

Meng Jinyao looked at Chan’er and felt increasingly pleased. She smiled warmly. “No need. Chan’er is fine. I’ll take her.”

Seeing her satisfied, Zhou Yun said no more. “As long as Madam is pleased. The girl has been sent to you. I have other matters, so I’ll take my leave. If you need anything else, just send for me.”

Meng Jinyao waved her hand, dismissing him.

Chan’er stood respectfully and asked softly, “Madam, what would you have me do?”

Meng Jinyao said, “There’s something I need you to handle.” She glanced at the outwardly gentle Chan’er. “Chan’er, you really know martial arts?”

Chan’er was momentarily stunned, then replied, “Madam, truth be told, even against ten soldiers fresh from the battlefield, I can handle them with ease, resolving matters effortlessly.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. She hadn’t expected such a seemingly delicate girl to be so capable.

Chan’er extended her hands. “Madam, see for yourself. I truly am a martial artist.”

Meng Jinyao’s gaze fell on Chan’er’s hands. They had thin calluses, especially on the right hand near the thumb—a sign of frequent weapon use. Such a girl’s martial skill was clearly not weak.

Meng Jinyao then explained the details of the plan to Chan’er, instructing her to act accordingly when the time came.

By late afternoon, approaching the evening hour, Gu Jingxi had finished his duties and returned. As soon as he entered the room, a chill hit him—it was clear ice panels had been placed. Yet, looking around, the room was empty. He was about to ask a maid where the Madam had gone when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, a young girl lying on the couch by the window.

Who else could it be but his little wife?

He stepped over. The young girl was curled slightly on her side, fast asleep, with no maid nearby. She wasn’t even covered with a light blanket, just wearing a thin silk shirt. The room was cool, and with the ice panels, it was easy for the chill to seep in.

He reached out and touched her hand—it was icy cold. Frowning slightly, he went into the inner room to fetch a thin blanket to cover her.

As soon as the blanket touched her, Meng Jinyao woke up. Groggy and blinking, she noticed someone standing by the couch. Startled, most of her sleepiness vanished. Seeing it was her husband, she asked dazedly, “Husband, why are you here?”

“Where are the maids who are supposed to attend to you? Why isn’t a single one in the room? You were asleep, yet no one came to cover you with a blanket,” Gu Jingxi asked, frowning, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand. Of course, this wasn’t directed at Meng Jinyao—it was aimed at the maids for failing in their duties.

Meng Jinyao said, “Ah?” She glanced down at the blanket she had pulled over herself. “But isn’t this already covering me?” Then she realized, “You—Husband, you covered me? Thank you. I wanted some time alone this afternoon, so I sent them away. I didn’t expect to fall asleep.”

Gu Jingxi said, “A young lady’s body is not like a man’s. You must take care not to catch cold. If you’re sleepy, go back to bed. Don’t risk your health.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned. Thinking of her body, her expression softened, and she nodded gently. “Alright, I understand.” She then changed the subject: “Husband, do you have time now? How about a game of chess?”

Gu Jingxi gladly agreed. “Sure.”

Meng Jinyao fetched the chessboard, and they played a game together.

After about half an hour, the game concluded. As expected, Meng Jinyao lost. She looked at the chessboard, regretting a misstep.

Gu Jingxi noticed her frowning, a look of regret as if she wished time could rewind. He subtly curved his lips and spoke gently, “Madam, I told you yesterday—being cautious is good, but excessive caution can be harmful. The game is over; regrets won’t change it.”

Meng Jinyao refused to accept defeat. “Husband, let’s play another round.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Alright, another round. This time I’ll give you three pieces advantage.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao immediately became displeased, but her fighting spirit was ignited. She glared at him, laying down a bold declaration: “Do you look down on me, Husband? Don’t go easy on me—I’ll defeat you completely one day!”

Gu Jingxi couldn’t help but smile. Looking at the lively little girl, he curled his lips teasingly. “I believe that day will come. But before then, Madam must continue to refine her chess skills.”

Meng Jinyao: “…”

That day, the sun was setting, casting its golden-red glow across the sky. Everything beneath the heavens was bathed in orange-red light.

Gu Jingxi was carrying a food box, just leaving the Dali Temple, about to head home, when he unexpectedly ran into Qi Yunwen, who was returning from errands. They greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries.

Qi Yunwen noticed the food box and asked curiously, “Yaoling, what are you carrying? It even feels cold—just standing nearby sends chills through me.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at the box casually. “These are lychees presented by His Majesty at noon. Keeping them on ice preserves their freshness.”

Qi Yunwen’s eyes lit up. He stared at the box intently, interested in the lychees. “Yaoling, can you give me some?”

Gu Jingxi was about to hand it over but then remembered the little girl at home who loved treats. He could tell the lychees were sweet and juicy; she would surely enjoy them. So he refused his friend: “Sorry, I can’t.”

Qi Yunwen was stunned. He hadn’t expected a refusal. Looking at him oddly, he said, “Yaoling, you don’t even like these, but your sister-in-law does. She was just talking about wanting some yesterday. Couldn’t you do me this favor? I’ll treat you to a drink someday; I got two jars of aged wine recently—both thirty-year vintage.”

Gu Jingxi replied calmly, “I would have given them before, but now there’s a little girl at home who likes this kind of thing.”

Qi Yunwen froze, realizing belatedly that his friend now had a family. Naturally, good food should go to one’s wife first. He hurriedly smiled and apologized: “Yaoling, sorry. My fault—I forgot about sister-in-law. She would definitely love these lychees too.”

Gu Jingxi shook his head lightly. “No matter. I’ll head home now.”

Qi Yunwen responded, “Alright, Yaoling, take care.”