SGEIRS -Chapter 185 Has He Grown Old?

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly. “Alright, of course.”

Seeing that his brows were relaxed and that there wasn’t the slightest trace of displeasure on his face, Meng Jinyao felt reassured.

Originally, she had thought that even if Gu Xiuming and Gu Jingxi were not biological father and son, they had still been father and son for many years. Moreover, Xiuming was his only son and still firmly held the position of heir. Naturally, Gu Jingxi would still care about him, so she had always been cautious with her words and actions.

Now that she understood Gu Jingxi’s true thoughts, she was no longer afraid that speaking ill of Gu Xiuming in front of him would make him misunderstand her intentions and think she was trying to sow discord between father and son.

In aristocratic families, interests always came first. The head of the household had to possess both virtue and ability. Otherwise, even if it were his own biological son, Gu Jingxi would show no mercy in removing him—let alone someone who wasn’t.

Gu Jingxi asked gently, “Usually, who attends your father’s birthday gatherings?”

Meng Jinyao answered honestly, “Although the Meng family has declined, in the past my mother’s dowry helped maintain appearances and keep the estate respectable. My father is vain and likes showing off. When he was younger, he didn’t bother with birthday banquets—just a simple family meal. But my grandmother’s birthdays were always celebrated properly. These past two years, now that he’s getting older, he’s started making a fuss over his own.”

She paused, glanced at Gu Jingxi, and continued, “After all, the Yongchang Marquis’s Estate has a marriage tie with the Changxing Marquis’s Residence. Out of respect for your family, my grandmother’s relatives, my stepmother’s relatives, and my father’s friends who are worse off than him are all quite willing to flatter him. As for mid-ranking official families, they don’t care at all. Not to mention whether our estate will ever rise again—even if it does, it won’t catch up to them anytime soon.”

From her words, Gu Jingxi immediately picked out the key point: “getting older these past two years.”

Today was his father-in-law’s thirty-fifth birthday. If he had started making a fuss about birthdays two years ago, that meant he had begun around thirty-three—and that already counted as “getting old.”

Gu Jingxi was twenty-nine this year. In a few more years, would he also be considered “old”?

Thinking this way, his mood became rather complicated.

Seeing that he had fallen silent and that his expression was subtle and thoughtful, Meng Jinyao asked, “Do you want to hold a birthday banquet too? When is your birthday, anyway? I can organize one for you.”

Gu Jingxi froze and said solemnly, “No need. I’m still young. What’s the point of fussing over that? I can do it when I’m sixty or seventy.”

Meng Jinyao disagreed. “Actually, young people can hold them too. Many girls celebrate every year with their close friends. Men can do the same. It’s just an excuse to gather everyone and strengthen relationships.”

Gu Jingxi still insisted, “I don’t need it.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao didn’t push further. “Alright then. When you’re sixty or seventy, I’ll still be young and energetic enough to organize one for you.”

Gu Jingxi was speechless.

For some reason, the more he thought about her words, the more unpleasant they sounded.

He had never felt old before. But now, standing beside a young woman like her, he suddenly realized that he was nearing the age of becoming a grandfather. When his eldest nephew Xiuyuan’s child was born next year, he would be a great-uncle.

Had he really grown old?

Yongchang Marquis’s Estate

Relatives from Old Madam Meng’s family had arrived, as had members of Madam Sun’s natal family. Many of Meng Dongyuan’s friends who were worse off than him also came with their families.

In their eyes, although the Yongchang Marquis’s Estate had declined, it still had ties to the Changxing Marquis’s Residence. Even though the eldest daughter had fallen out with her natal family over the dowry issue, everyone said it was Madam Sun’s doing, and the Meng family also blamed Madam Sun.

What did a stepmother’s wrongdoing have to do with the rest of the family?

The Meng family had lost face over this matter, but they had returned Madam Zhou’s dowry in full, even reimbursing the money that had been spent. No matter how resentful Meng Jinyao might be toward Madam Sun, her other relatives were still blood kin. How could there be grudges that lasted overnight?

If Meng Jinyao returned home, they could try to rebuild relations. If they managed to connect with the Changxing Marquis’s family and gain some benefits, this trip would be worthwhile.

Madam Sun’s sister-in-law, Madam Yang, arrived but did not see Meng Jinyao. Feeling disappointed, she asked, “Sister, today is your husband’s birthday. Why haven’t your eldest daughter and son-in-law arrived yet?”

Madam Sun felt that Meng Jinyao probably wouldn’t come, but she didn’t say so openly. She only sighed softly. “That child, A-Yao, has barely kept in touch with her natal family since marrying. I don’t know if she’ll come today.”

As soon as she said this, everyone had different thoughts. They glanced at Madam Sun discreetly and vaguely felt that Meng Jinyao’s absence was likely because of her. After all, Madam Sun had embezzled her birth mother’s dowry, and the matter had caused a huge uproar.

Still, no matter what, Madam Sun was an elder. As a junior, one should know when to stop. How could she argue with an elder forever?

No matter how angry she was, her father was innocent. Could she really skip his birthday?

Madam Sun added, “It’s fine even if she doesn’t come. It’s just a small birthday. The Marquis likes liveliness, so he held this banquet. It’s just for relatives and friends to chat and have some fun—treat it as an ordinary gathering.”

Mentioning the banquet made Madam Sun irritated. When it was her birthday, there was never any celebration. But when it was her husband’s, there had to be a banquet.

The family finances were thin now. In the past, Madam Zhou’s dowry had supported them, but now it was gone. Such banquets should be avoided to save money.

Who would have thought her husband would say that since they held one last year, not doing it this year would make people look down on them? Even her mother-in-law agreed.

So now they had no choice but to keep up appearances, pretending to be wealthy while suffering inside, cutting expenses elsewhere and burdening her, who managed the household.

Madam Yang frowned and said disapprovingly, “Sister, even if it’s a small birthday, they are juniors. They should come to show filial piety. Chengzhang even took leave from Lingshan Academy to return. They live in the capital yet haven’t come—this is truly unfilial.”

Other ladies echoed her. “Exactly. I don’t know what that eldest daughter is thinking, not even coming back for her father’s birthday.”

Madam Sun shook her head lightly. “Don’t guess randomly. A-Yao is very filial. She’s probably still on the way and will arrive later. No matter how much she resents me, she will definitely attend her father’s birthday.”

After saying that, she went to greet the guests.

There weren’t many guests. Aside from the male guests in the front courtyard, there were the families of Meng Dongyuan’s friends and about ten young ladies. A few female relatives from Old Madam Meng’s side had come—mostly her nieces-in-law and grandnieces. From Madam Sun’s side, there were only Madam Yang and her daughter.

All of them were worse off than the Meng family. Thus, among this group, Madam Sun actually became the center of attention. Even if they looked down on the Mengs, the family still held a noble title—and their eldest daughter had become a marchioness’s wife.