SGEIRS -Chapter 169 A Guilty Conscience

At dusk, the glowing sunset dyed half the sky red.

In Weirui Courtyard, Meng Jinyao was directing the maids to rearrange the potted plants in the yard. Several young maids were busily at work.

She wanted to place two large water vats in the courtyard to raise lotus leaves, lotus flowers, and small koi, so some open space had to be cleared. The original potted plants needed to be moved and rearranged into a pleasing layout.

Suddenly, Meng Jinyao noticed a tall, slender figure. When she looked carefully, she saw a handsome man with refined features and an outstanding bearing walking over slowly. His sword-like brows were slightly furrowed, and a gloomy air lingered between them, as though he was in a bad mood.

She stepped forward and asked, “Husband, are you feeling unhappy?”

Gu Jingxi stopped and looked at her. His brows relaxed as he replied, “Why do you ask that, Madam?”

“I saw you frowning, so I guessed,” Meng Jinyao answered.

Gu Jingxi responded calmly, “I do have something on my mind, but it’s nothing serious.”

Meng Jinyao gazed at him for a moment. Seeing that he did not intend to confide in her, she did not pursue the matter further.

“What is Madam planning to do?” Gu Jingxi asked, glancing at the busy maids in confusion.

Pointing at the cleared space, Meng Jinyao smiled. “I’m planning to put two big water vats there, grow lotus leaves and flowers, and raise a few little koi.”

“You like lotus flowers?” Gu Jingxi asked.

After she nodded, he looked around the courtyard and pondered for a while before saying, “Weirui Courtyard is the largest courtyard in the residence. If Madam likes them, why not dig a small lotus pond here?”

A lotus pond?

Meng Jinyao was stunned, feeling both surprised and flattered. Then she shook her head.

“That’s unnecessary. It would cost money and manpower. Two water vats are enough. If I stop liking lotuses in the future, we’d still have to fill the pond back in. That would be troublesome.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Alright. We’ll do as Madam wishes.”

After a while, Gu Jingxi went inside.

Chunliu stepped forward and whispered, “Madam, the Young Marquis went to see the Marquis this afternoon.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned, not understanding at first. When she followed Chunliu’s gaze toward the room, she immediately understood.

Gu Jingxi’s bad mood was likely related to Gu Xiuming.

After a moment, she asked curiously, “Chunliu, how do you know?”

Lowering her voice, Chunliu explained, “This servant is acquainted with a page who serves in the front study. I ran into him this afternoon and heard him mention it. He only saw the Young Marquis go in, but didn’t see how he left, so I’m not entirely sure it was because of him.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly.

Chunliu was very perceptive. Ever since she pledged her loyalty, she had paid close attention to matters in the residence. Any unusual movement would be reported to Meng Jinyao. Now that Gu Xiuming was acting abnormally, Chunliu paid him special attention. Many things that even Qingqiu and Ningdong had not thought of were already handled by her.

Although Chunliu had originally been Gu Jingxi’s maid, Meng Jinyao found her extremely useful.

Soon, the maids finished arranging the potted plants.

After taking a look, Meng Jinyao nodded in satisfaction and instructed Chunliu, “It’s getting late. Go and have dinner prepared.”

“Yes, Madam,” Chunliu replied.

The summer sun was fierce. Before noon had even arrived, the sunlight was already dazzling.

Heat rolled in from outside. Although Weirui Courtyard had a good orientation—warm in winter and cool in summer—it still felt hot.

Fortunately, ice containers had been placed indoors to cool the room and dispel the heat, making the temperature quite comfortable.

Meng Jinyao was working an abacus, checking accounts.

Her mother’s dowry shops and estates had previously been managed by Madam Sun. Although they had now returned to her hands, the managers were all trained by Madam Sun. Therefore, she had to be especially careful with the accounts. Otherwise, she might be cheated without even realizing it.

Those who could not be used would be replaced, while obedient ones would be kept for now.

Qingqiu lifted the curtain and entered, walking to her side.

“Madam, Chan’er has returned,” she reported.

Meng Jinyao paused her hands and looked up. “Let her in.”

Before long, Chan’er entered and bowed.

“Did something go wrong over there?” Meng Jinyao asked.

Chan’er stepped forward and replied respectfully in a low voice, “Madam, Madam Meng has been seeing ghosts repeatedly and invited a ritual master to perform rites. His skills were mediocre, and the effects only lasted a few days. Madam Meng has since started seeing ghosts again every night. She’s been anxious and frightened, and for the past two nights she hasn’t dared to sleep at night, only sleeping during the day.”

Meng Jinyao narrowed her eyes slightly. A cold smile curved her lips.

“Nanny Qiao is truly something,” she said lightly. “As a loyal servant, how could she allow her mistress’s schedule to become so chaotic, with day and night reversed?”

Chan’er understood immediately. “Madam, this servant will remind Nanny Qiao.”

“Anything else?” Meng Jinyao asked.

Chan’er shook her head, then added hesitantly, “Because Madam Meng has attracted something unclean, Lord Meng no longer dares to step into her courtyard. He also says she’s overly suspicious and paranoid.”

Meng Jinyao smiled indifferently. “That’s not surprising. It fits my father’s temperament. Husband and wife are like birds of the same forest—when disaster strikes, they fly separately.”

After a pause, she continued, “Proceed according to the original plan. If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”

Chan’er acknowledged and left.

Ningdong smiled and said, “Madam, are ghosts really that scary? Madam Sun is so frightened that she doesn’t even dare sleep at night.”

Meng Jinyao shook her head gently and sneered.

“Ghosts aren’t scary. What’s scary is having a guilty conscience.”

Ningdong asked curiously, “Madam, do you think Lord Meng knows about the evil things Madam Sun has done?”

“If he knew, he wouldn’t have doted on her for so many years. Chengyu is also his child—clever and lively, and much loved by him.”

Her tone was firm.

Images flashed through her mind of Meng Dongyuan holding her younger brother, his eyes filled with genuine affection. No matter how much he favored Madam Sun, he would never tolerate her killing his son.

Ningdong said, “Then Madam Sun probably doesn’t dare say whose ghost she’s seeing.”

“She may not say it now, but she will eventually,” Meng Jinyao replied.

Then she instructed Qingqiu, “Qingqiu, make preparations. Tomorrow I’ll go to Lingyun Temple to offer incense and stay there for a day or two.”

Qingqiu nodded in response.

Feeling left out, Ningdong hurriedly asked, “Madam, what about me? What should I do?”

Meng Jinyao laughed softly. “You little girl—are you born to be busy? If you’re not given work, do you start feeling itchy all over?”

Ningdong stuck out her tongue playfully and smiled. “This servant isn’t born to toil. I just want to help Madam. When I’m idle, I always feel at a loss.”

Meng Jinyao laughed helplessly. “And you still say you’re not hardworking? Only someone with a hardworking fate can’t sit still like this.”