SGEIRS -Chapter 17 Speaking the Truth

Not long after, the gates of the residence were opened. Meng Dongyuan, Madam Sun, and three younger family members arrived at the entrance.

Gu Jingxi also stepped down from the carriage. He glanced at his young wife, who was standing on the carriage and preparing to get down. After a moment’s thought, he extended his hand toward her.

Seeing this, Meng Jinyao paused slightly, then quickly reacted. Cooperating with him, she placed her hand in his palm and, under her family’s watchful gaze, stepped down from the carriage with his support.

When Meng Dongyuan and Madam Sun saw this scene, their expressions changed slightly. They had not expected that although this daughter’s reputation had been damaged, she was still doted on by the Marquis of Changxing. At least her good looks had not gone to waste.

With a radiant smile and a hint of flattery, Meng Dongyuan said, “A-Yao, Son-in-law, you’ve finally arrived. Your grandmother has been waiting for quite a while and was just talking about you.”

Madam Sun looked Meng Jinyao up and down. Seeing her rosy complexion, which showed no sign of having suffered any grievances, she spoke gently, “Son-in-law, seeing that A-Yao looks so well, I know you treat her very kindly. Ever since she got married, I’ve been worrying about her day and night. Now that I see she’s doing well, the heavy stone in my heart can finally be put down.”

Listening to the couple repeatedly calling him “son-in-law,” Meng Jinyao couldn’t help but feel a little impressed. Her father was only five years older than Gu Jingxi, and Madam Sun was just two years older than him. Yet, facing people of similar age and generation, they could call him “son-in-law” so effortlessly.

Gu Jingxi glanced at them indifferently and said in an even tone, “Is that so? Your residence gates were tightly shut. I thought you didn’t welcome us.”

Meng Dongyuan’s smile froze. Instinctively, he shifted the blame to Madam Sun and questioned her, “Madam, didn’t I ask you to send someone to wait at the gate? Why was it closed?”

Madam Sun choked, feeling wronged, but could only swallow the blame. With an apologetic smile, she explained, “Look at my poor memory. I was busy preparing for A-Yao’s return visit today and forgot about it in the rush. Please don’t take offense, son-in-law.”

But Gu Jingxi did not give them a way out and instead pushed them into an even more awkward situation.

“Even something like this can be forgotten. It seems Marquis Meng and Madam Meng don’t take us seriously as a couple.”

He glanced at the stiff-faced husband and wife and continued, “Even if you forgot, we were already at the gate, yet you still left us standing outside. From what I see, the Meng residence had no intention of letting A-Yao enter. If I hadn’t come, wouldn’t she have been sent back without even getting a cup of tea?”

His gaze was cold and distant, his tone growing sharper, carrying the air of an accusation.

Madam Sun: “……”

Meng Dongyuan: “……”

Why was he speaking such blunt truths?

The couple was rendered speechless by his words, their faces stiff. By addressing them as “Marquis Meng” and “Madam Meng,” he had deliberately distanced himself from them. Gu Jingxi clearly did not treat them as his in-laws.

The three younger relatives behind them all wore different expressions.

A trace of surprise flashed through Meng Jinyao’s eyes. She had never expected Gu Jingxi to speak to her father and Madam Sun like this—especially since he had voiced exactly what she herself wanted to say. Seeing the couple left speechless, she felt a surge of secret delight.

After a moment, Meng Dongyuan endured the embarrassment and explained awkwardly, “Son-in-law, what are you saying? A-Yao is my first child, and I dote on her the most. Today is her return visit. Even if you were busy with official duties and couldn’t accompany her, we would never shut her out.”

Madam Sun hurriedly echoed him, “Yes, yes. I really was too busy and muddleheaded today and forgot.” As she spoke, she shot Meng Jinyao a meaningful look, hoping she would show some tact and say a few kind words to smooth things over.

But Meng Jinyao pretended not to notice. She stood obediently beside Gu Jingxi with lowered eyes, looking every bit like a gentle, well-behaved young wife.