SGEIRS -Chapter 165 Noticing Something Amiss

Weirui Pavilion.

After returning to Weirui Pavilion, Meng Jinyao looked at her two maids and asked, “Qingqiu, Ningdong, when we were in the back garden just now, did you notice anything unusual?”

Ningdong gently shook her head and looked at her in confusion, indicating that she hadn’t noticed anything at all and didn’t even understand what her mistress was referring to.

Qingqiu, however, was much more observant than Ningdong and paid close attention to details. She had indeed noticed something. With respectful composure, she replied, “Madam, this servant noticed that after pretending for so many days, the young master finally revealed a flaw.”

Ningdong looked at her in astonishment and quickly asked, “Qingqiu, nothing major happened just now. How did you notice something was wrong? I feel that the young master hasn’t changed at all.”

Meng Jinyao said gently, “Qingqiu is right. He did reveal something.” As she spoke, she cast Ningdong a reproachful glance. “I’ve told you before to observe things carefully. If you don’t pay attention, of course you won’t see anything.”

Ningdong blinked innocently. “Madam, I was watching them the whole time. I only saw that the eldest young lady looked guilty. I didn’t notice anything else.”

Meng Jinyao said to Qingqiu, “Qingqiu, explain it to her.”

Qingqiu nodded and said, “The eldest young lady hit Concubine Li. The young master was furious for the sake of his beloved, so naturally he should have been angry and come to question her. However, compared to the eldest young lady, the grudge between him and Madam runs deeper. Since he claims to have repented and treats Madam like his mother, how could he be so petty toward the eldest young lady? Those matters are already in the past. He should have treated everyone equally.”

Hearing this, Ningdong suddenly understood. “Madam, I get it now. Because he’s pretending, he subconsciously knows in front of whom he must act his best. Toward less important people, even if he’s acting, he doesn’t put in much effort. Still, the way he handled things today was much more composed than before.”

Meng Jinyao looked at her approvingly and smiled. “Our Ningdong is quite smart. You understand as soon as it’s explained.”

Ningdong pursed her lips and smiled brightly, then added, “Madam, since we’re sure the young master is pretending to be filial in front of you, we must be careful. Who knows, one day he might make a move against you.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Absolutely. A rebellious son suddenly becoming filial means he’s probably brewing something big against me.”

Ningdong hesitated and asked thoughtfully, “Madam, should we tell the Marquis? Let him see the young master’s true colors. Otherwise, he might really think he’s changed and trust him completely.”

Meng Jinyao smiled faintly. “If I can see it, the Marquis can too. I already have grievances with Gu Xiuming. If I say anything, it’ll look like I’m sowing discord between father and son. Let him discover it himself.”

Qingqiu agreed. “Madam is right. It’s best not to do such a thing. The Marquis and the young master have decades of father–son affection, while Madam has only been married for a few months. How could a few months compare to so many years?”

Ningdong disagreed. “Madam, I think even if you said something, the Marquis wouldn’t overthink it.”

Meng Jinyao shook her head lightly, her gaze resting on the greenery outside the window, her eyes deep and unreadable.

“Ningdong, the Marquis is indeed upright, fair, and responsible. In some matters, I can trust him without reservation—for example, when Madam Sun plotted against Chengyu, even the people who handled it were borrowed through him. But some things shouldn’t be taken for granted, especially matters of the heart. If you take them too much for granted and think too highly of yourself, you may end up making a fool of yourself. I don’t think I’m more important than his son. Of course, I also don’t think he would abandon me for his son when I’ve done nothing wrong.”

After hearing this, Ningdong pouted and lowered her head, falling silent.

Qingqiu also remained quiet. She understood her mistress’s thoughts and her situation even more clearly. Her mistress was cautious in everything because she had no room for recklessness. Her previous quarrels with the young master had been minor, and he had been disrespectful first, so Madam had been in the right.

But if, when the young master was “improving,” Madam went to the Marquis and constantly spoke ill of him, the Marquis would inevitably develop misgivings toward her. Their mistress never fought battles she wasn’t sure she could win.

Meng Jinyao glanced at them and said softly, “As long as Gu Xiuming doesn’t do anything to me, I’ll just stay on guard. I won’t take other actions for now. If I act first, with the Marquis’s insight, my methods won’t escape his eyes. That would be self-destruction.”

Ningdong nodded firmly. “Madam, he can’t compare to you in patience. You endured the matter of the eldest young master for so many years before acting against Madam Sun. He definitely won’t be able to endure you for long. Once he shows his true colors, the Marquis won’t let him off.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “Exactly. So let’s not do anything unnecessary.”

Just then, there was some movement outside. Gu Jingxi had returned from court. The three of them immediately fell silent and stopped discussing the matter.

Soon, the man in a crimson official robe walked in. Seeing the three of them looking at him in unison—especially his young wife, with her bright, watery eyes fixed on him—he paused briefly, then smiled lightly.

“Why are you all looking at me like that?”

Meng Jinyao replied smoothly, “Nothing. We heard footsteps and looked over. It really was my husband coming back.”

Gu Jingxi was about to reply when a maid’s voice came from behind, saying that Gu Xiuming had arrived.

He said calmly, “Let him in.”

Meng Jinyao’s expression stiffened slightly. She couldn’t help feeling that Gu Xiuming had stationed people at the entrance to keep watch. Otherwise, how could he arrive so promptly every time? To gain favor in front of Gu Jingxi, he was truly going all out, coming to Weirui Pavilion with remarkable frequency.

Recently, Gu Xiuming had been diligent and eager to learn, claiming he wanted to make up for the lessons he had missed. His industriousness even amazed Old Madam Gu, who praised him in front of the Third Branch, saying she had never seen her grandson study so hard.

This time was no exception. He came again to ask for guidance. He asked whether Gu Jingxi had time, and Gu Jingxi agreed, taking him to the study to tutor him.

At dinnertime, Meng Jinyao saw the father and son come out of the study in Weirui Pavilion and said gently, “My child, why don’t you stay and have dinner with us?”

Gu Xiuming didn’t refuse and followed her words. “Sure. I’ve never had dinner with Father and Mother before.”

Instantly, Meng Jinyao felt as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly. She had only meant to offer a polite courtesy, never expecting this rebellious son to accept without hesitation. Though inwardly annoyed, she still instructed the maid, “Go set the table. The young master is staying for dinner. Add another set of bowls and chopsticks.”

Seeing her slightly forced smile and faintly resentful gaze, Gu Jingxi couldn’t help but curl his lips subtly. It was rare to see his little wife at a loss like this.