SGEIRS -Chapter 149 This Fool

Night had fallen, and everyone was resting.

Meng Jinyao lay in bed. In summer, the bed had been fitted with a yùdiàn—not made of jade, but a bamboo mat that kept one cool. Lying on it made sleep more comfortable in the summer heat. The window was open, letting in the summer breeze to dispel the warmth. The room didn’t even need an ice pan to feel cool.

While Gu Jingxi had gone to bathe and had not yet returned, Meng Jinyao shifted over and lay in his spot. After all, he wasn’t back yet. She leaned into the coolness of the mat, feeling the gentle chill, and closed her eyes with a sigh of comfort.

Before long, Gu Jingxi returned and saw that the young lady was already asleep—and in his spot, no less.

She was still wearing a thin silk shirt, through which even the color of her undergarments could be seen.

Seeing this, his expression turned awkward, and he averted his gaze. Yet he didn’t dare cover her with the quilt. The last time he had done so, she had woken up hot and angry, blaming him for disturbing her sleep.

They were going to spend their lives together. There was no need to be overly restrained—behind closed doors, whatever couples did was normal.

But now, the young lady was lying in his spot.

Gu Jingxi thought for a moment, then got onto the bed, gently lifted her, and prepared to place her back in the spot she had been sleeping in.

Meng Jinyao woke with a start, suddenly opening her eyes and seeing Gu Jingxi holding her. She blinked in confusion and asked, “Husband, what’s wrong?”

“You were sleeping in my spot,” he said.

He then gently put her down.

Meng Jinyao paused, then quickly recalled what had happened. She said sheepishly, “I just lay down for a bit… didn’t expect to fall asleep so fast.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “It’s fine.”

Suddenly, Meng Jinyao remembered something. She propped her head up with her hand and said, “Husband, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Gu Jingxi’s voice was soft and warm: “Please, go ahead.”

Meng Jinyao said, “The grain and oil shop in the north of the city isn’t making much profit. There are three shops there, all competing for customers, so business is mediocre. I was thinking of turning it into a wine shop instead—there isn’t one on that street. What do you think?”

The shop in the north was modest, small-scale, and not particularly important to Gu Jingxi.

Without much thought, he agreed: “As you wish, Madam. But have you thought about where to source the wine?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “A-Ning’s future mother-in-law, Madam Shen, comes from a merchant family with a winery. Plus, with A-Ning’s connections, sourcing from there should be reliable.”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “As long as you have a plan, we’ll follow it.”

Shou’an Hall.

The younger family members had come to pay respects to Old Madam Gu (the matriarch).

It was not a rest day, so after paying their respects, Gu Jingxi and his two brothers went to their respective government offices for duty.

Meanwhile, the eldest grandson, Gu Xiuyuan, and the second grandson, Gu Xiuhong, went to the academy. Although the eldest was already married at eighteen, until one passed the imperial exams, one still needed to attend the academy to receive instruction from the teachers.

With her sons and grandsons gone, Old Madam Gu’s gentle gaze fell on her two granddaughters. Though not her direct descendants, she had watched them grow up and cared greatly for their affairs.

The two granddaughters were the same age and had already come of age, though the eldest, Xuanyi of the main branch, was slightly older.

Old Madam Gu looked at the two young ladies, graceful and poised, and knew their temperaments well. The eldest, Xuanyi, was prideful, arrogant, and spoiled—thanks to Madam Zhang’s indulgence—and often domineering. The second granddaughter, Xuanling, was born to a concubine. Although her stepmother wasn’t harsh, her timid nature often left her bullied by her elder sister.

But overall, the eldest granddaughter wasn’t truly malicious. Apart from bullying Xuanling, she hadn’t intentionally harmed anyone. Her parents simply hadn’t disciplined her properly. Without some life experience, her nature was unlikely to change.

After a moment, Old Madam Gu withdrew her gaze and said gently, “Xuanyi, Xuanling, you may go back now.”

The girls understood that the elders had matters to discuss and obediently left.

The matriarch then dismissed the attending maidservants, leaving only Nanny Feng and her three daughters-in-law.

Madam Zhang couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Mother, do you wish to discuss something with us?”

Old Madam Gu spoke gently: “Eldest and second daughters-in-law, Xuanyi and Xuanling are of age now. When it comes to marriage, have you, as mothers, considered suitable matches?”

Hearing this, Madam Chen immediately said, “Mother, regarding Xuanling’s marriage, I have been keeping an eye out this year. We have already found a young scholar we like and plan to take Xuanling to meet him in a few days.”

Old Madam Gu asked, “Which family’s son is he?”

Madam Chen replied, “He is the only son of the deputy director of the Imperial Academy. He is said to be handsome, virtuous, and diligent. His family is small—just three people—and not particularly wealthy.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang glanced at Madam Chen and pursed her lips ever so slightly, showing her disdain. Deputy director of the Imperial Academy? A minor official of eighth rank at best. Since she wasn’t Xuanling’s real mother, how could she be genuinely trying to find a good match? She’d probably choose a minor family and just give a trousseau to get it over with.

However, Old Madam Gu was somewhat satisfied. Given Xuanling’s timid nature and her status as a concubine’s child, marrying into a modest family with few complications was ideal. A family of lower rank wouldn’t dare bully her, given their own standing in the Longxing Marquisate.

Having considered the age-appropriate young men in the capital and learned roughly about the Liu family, she knew they had been scholars for three generations. Though not high-ranking officials, they were respectable. Young Master Liu was well-educated and a candidate worth considering.

She nodded lightly and stated her opinion: “The Liu family seems fine. Xuanling may go meet him.”

Madam Zhang was stunned. She hadn’t expected the matriarch to approve. Then she reminded herself: as the main wife, she wouldn’t wish the concubine’s child well. Naturally, she would try to suppress them and prevent them from outshining her own children.

Madam Chen said, “We’ve already arranged with Madam Liu. In three days, we’ll visit the temple to offer incense.”

Old Madam Gu nodded gently, then turned to Madam Zhang: “Eldest daughter-in-law, what about Xuanyi? Have you chosen a suitor?”

Madam Zhang replied, “Mother, I have considered a few suitable young men but haven’t arranged for them to meet her yet.”

Old Madam Gu asked, “Which families are they from?”

Madam Zhang spoke at length, detailing each young man’s character and background. In the end, she added, “Mother, the one I favor most is the heir of the Wu’an Marquisate. I’ve seen him myself—handsome, polite, and refined. What do you think?”

She said this with a self-satisfied look, glancing at Madam Chen.

Madam Chen met her gaze, smiled subtly, and thought to herself: This fool!