SGEIRS -Chapter 210 Keep It Up

Lotus Garden.

The Lotus Garden was the private courtyard of a wealthy merchant. It was said that the merchant’s wife loved lotus flowers. When he was young and poor, he promised his wife that once he had money, he would build a lotus garden for her.

However, by the time his career began to prosper, his wife had already fallen gravely ill from overwork.

In the end, there was still not enough wealth to build the garden before she passed away. After her death, the merchant never remarried—not even taking a concubine—and devoted himself entirely to raising the only son he had with his late wife.

The Lotus Garden was finally built eight years after his wife’s passing.

By the time the garden was completed, the beloved lady was long gone. The garden was opened to the public; anyone wishing to enjoy the lotus flowers could do so by paying an entrance fee.

This story of love, so beautiful yet tinged with regret, touched many hearts. Visiting scholars and literati who came to see the lotus flowers would inscribe their own words of lamentation in tribute.

Entering the Lotus Garden, a summer breeze brushed against them. A fresh, delicate fragrance of lotus flowers filled the air. Looking out over the garden, pale pink lotus blossoms were in full bloom, clustering tightly around the emerald-green leaves, basking in the sunlight with an elegant charm.

Meng Jinyao was enjoying the view from one of the garden’s pavilions. Surrounded by clear ponds, green leaves, and pink petals, the oppressive heat of summer seemed to melt away, replaced by a sense of refreshing serenity.

Leaning against the railing, she gazed into the distance and said to the man beside her, “Lotus flowers always look best in large clusters. In our Weirui Pavilion, we only have two big water tubs for lotus flowers—they’re decent, but they can’t compare. Even the lotus pond at home isn’t as beautiful as this garden.”

Gu Jingxi, hearing her, asked, “Madam, if you like, shall we build our own lotus garden?”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and shook her head. “There’s no need for that. It would be a waste of money. Isn’t there already a garden here? Next time we want to see lotus flowers, we can just come here directly.”

“Gu Yaoling!”

At that moment, a man’s voice came from nearby. It was unfamiliar, and Meng Jinyao did not recognize it. She turned to Gu Jingxi and said, “Husband, someone is calling you.”

Gu Jingxi responded with a hum and looked in the direction of the voice, seeing a few of his friends walking toward them—among them, Qi Yunwen.

Seeing the young lady beside him, Qi Yunwen gave a meaningful smile.

Gu Jingxi furrowed his brow slightly, unsure of the meaning behind the strange smile.

When the group reached the pavilion, they greeted Gu Jingxi and, upon seeing Meng Jinyao, smiled and softly called her, “Sister-in-law.”

Meng Jinyao didn’t know them, except for Qi Yunwen. As Gu Jingxi introduced them, she politely returned their greetings, graceful and composed.

Seeing her gentle and elegant smile, they all nodded inwardly. They thought to themselves that Yaoling had truly married well. Gu Xiuming had no eye for a good wife—he gave up a fine young lady for an orphaned girl, ruining his own reputation. Who in the future would dare let their daughter marry him?

The friends only came to greet them and had no intention of disturbing the couple. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they departed.

Before leaving, Qi Yunwen leaned close to Gu Jingxi and whispered, “Gu Yaoling, well done—you even brought the young lady out to enjoy herself. She seems in a good mood. Keep it up and make sure you keep her happy.” Saying this, he gave Gu Jingxi an encouraging pat on the shoulder, winked, and then rejoined the others.

Gu Jingxi slightly furrowed his brow and thought to himself: Did he really have to say it like that? I’m not that dumb, am I?

Meng Jinyao, not having heard him, curiously asked, “Husband, what did he say to you?”

Gu Jingxi replied calmly, “He said I’m dumb.”

“Ah?”

Meng Jinyao was taken aback, thinking, Husband isn’t dumb at all.

Gu Jingxi smiled faintly. “Exactly. He’s talking nonsense. Let’s ignore him and continue exploring the garden. We can leave around noon.”

Meng Jinyao nodded enthusiastically and wandered around the Lotus Garden, enjoying herself.

Meanwhile, after Qi Yunwen and the others had walked away, they began to discuss Gu Jingxi and his wife.

One of them said, “Mobei, you’re closest to Yaoling. You must know what their relationship is like now, right?”

Qi Yunwen glanced at him and nodded, “I know a little. Why?”

The man chuckled, “Nothing much. I just noticed that Yaoling actually brought his young wife out to see lotus flowers. Their relationship seems pretty good.”

“Pretty good? That’s an understatement.”

Qi Yunwen arched an eyebrow, smiling meaningfully. His gaze swept over his friends, who were eagerly waiting for more gossip. He said, “You all have wives, so you know about the Jinyu Pavilion. A few days ago, Yaoling went there and bought twelve hairpins for his young wife—spending over a thousand taels of silver.”

The others were stunned. Even when they bought hairpins for their wives, they had never spent so much at once. Usually, they bought them one at a time—each hairpin costing a few dozen taels, and only the very finest jade or rare materials could cost a little over a hundred taels.

A thousand taels of silver—ordinary people wouldn’t earn that in a lifetime.

Yaoling spent over a thousand taels on hairpins for his young wife. That’s not just “pretty good”—that’s treating her like a little goddess.

One of them sighed, “I thought maybe his young wife was his son’s former fiancée, and he married her reluctantly, keeping her only as a trophy. But I never imagined he would treat her with such care.”

Qi Yunwen waved off the comment. “His son made a mistake. It wasn’t the girl’s fault. Yaoling is sensible—he wouldn’t take it out on her.”

Another added, “That’s true. Yaoling’s young wife seems nice. My eldest daughter is about the same age, also newly married this year. Maybe they could get along—just a difference in generation.”

Qi Yunwen smiled, “Generation aside, people of the same age and interests can still get along. My niece and his young wife are close friends—they’re the same age.”

“My daughter is fifteen, still unmarried, but she’s about the same age too. Maybe they could become friends as well.”

“I also have a daughter, but only six years old.”

Listening to their chatter, a man who had remained silent finally spoke in a sour tone, “All of you have daughters. My kids are all boys. Just looking at them irritates me.”

“Ha ha, then you and your sister-in-law should try harder—have a daughter.”

“No, already have four sons. Clearly, I’m not destined for a daughter. I give up.”

Amid the playful banter, they saw Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao walking along another path. From afar, the couple strolled side by side, laughing and talking. The scene was simple, yet beautiful.