SGEIRS -Chapter 16 Listening to the Madam

After hearing this, the maid was stunned. She hurriedly stammered, “Old… Old Madam, the young master-in-law also came back with Eldest Miss.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the room was thrown into shock. Such a scandal had occurred on the wedding day, yet Marquis Changxing still accompanied Meng Jinyao back to her natal home—this was completely unexpected.

Old Madam Meng was equally astonished. She asked in disbelief, “You mean Marquis Changxing has come as well?”

“Yes,” the maid replied. “The young master-in-law is waiting outside the main gate.”

Old Madam Meng’s face darkened with displeasure. She scolded, “How do you people handle things? Since the son-in-law is here, why have you left him waiting outside instead of welcoming him in?”

The maid lowered her head, not daring to answer. The household had clearly taken this stance. It was said that the Marquis had even declared he no longer recognized Eldest Miss as his daughter. There had been no preparations at all today—obviously, they did not welcome her return on the third day after marriage. How could the servants dare to let her and her husband in without permission?

This was not the time to blame the servants. Madam Sun quickly smoothed things over.

“Mother, the servants lack discernment. Let’s not argue with them now. Since the new son-in-law is visiting for the first time, we should go welcome him first.”

A long-lost smile appeared on Meng Dongyuan’s face as well.

“Yes, Mother. We should greet the new son-in-law. It wouldn’t be right to keep him waiting too long.”

Since someone had given her an out, Old Madam Meng naturally took it. She nodded.

“Go on, then.”

As the grandmother, she did not need to greet her grandson-in-law personally—it would seem too ingratiating. But as the parents-in-law, it was appropriate for her son and daughter-in-law to go out and welcome him, showing proper respect.

Meng Dongyuan responded and left with Madam Sun and their three children.

Outside, the gates of the Yongchang Marquis’s Residence were tightly shut, looking as though they were closed to all visitors. The carriage of the Marquis of Changxing’s residence stood parked before the gate.

Gu Jingxi lifted the curtain and glanced at the tightly closed doors. On the day a married daughter returned home, they had not even opened the gates or stationed servants to wait. It was obvious they had made no preparations and did not welcome her at all—showing no regard for this daughter.

After a moment, Gu Jingxi lowered the curtain and looked at his young wife sitting across from him.

She sat upright, calm and composed as ever, without even a frown. Clearly, she had long expected this outcome. Since she had never hoped for anything, she felt no disappointment.

Only then did he understand why she was more mature than others her age. It was because her life as an unmarried daughter had been difficult. A girl who was doted on at home could never have endured the humiliation of her wedding day. Only someone accustomed to being wronged could face such things so indifferently.

Suddenly, Gu Jingxi said, “Madam, the Gu family would never do this.”

“What?” Meng Jinyao asked, confused.

“We wouldn’t treat you the way the Meng family does.”

Meng Jinyao’s heart wavered slightly. She raised her eyes to look at him and saw the gentle yet earnest expression in his eyes.

She froze.

It was the first time someone had truly understood her situation and promised to treat her well. This was her husband in name—whether he truly meant it or not, she was still moved.

For a moment, she did not know how to respond. She only said softly, “Thank you, Husband.”

Gu Jingxi replied matter-of-factly, “As it should be. You are a daughter-in-law of the Gu family. We never mistreat our daughters-in-law.”

He paused, then added, “Madam, since they don’t welcome us, shall we go back?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly, curled her lips into a faint smile, and said, “If Gu Jingxi’s wife is turned away from her natal home and returns without even getting a cup of tea, wouldn’t you be embarrassed too?”

She gave a soft scoff, mockery flashing across her face.

“We’ll wait a little longer. They’ll definitely come out to welcome us themselves. Then they’ll be the ones losing face. A married daughter returns home, and they keep the gates shut. Later, when they learn the new son-in-law is here, they’ll rush out to fawn over him.”

Gu Jingxi was briefly taken aback, then smiled with interest.

“Alright. We’ll listen to Madam.”