SGEIRS -Chapter 214 Chaos of War

The next morning.

When Meng Jinyao woke up, Gu Jingxi had already gone on duty.

She stared at the canopy above her bed, her mind not yet fully alert. She remained in a dazed state for a while before completely coming to her senses. Suddenly, she remembered her actions from the previous night, and her heart involuntarily began to race.

She had been far too bold last night, daring to test Gu Jingxi in such a manner.

But then sleep had overtaken her, and she had unknowingly dozed off, unaware of what happened afterward. She could only judge based on what she knew upon waking.

Gu Jingxi was likely interested in her—at least he had some affection.

Otherwise, why would he indulge her so, and treat her with such gentleness?

Meng Jinyao shook her head, putting the matter aside for the moment. As she was about to get up, she noticed a thin quilt covering her abdomen. Without guessing, she knew it was Gu Jingxi who had put it there, and the corner of her mouth lifted involuntarily.

When a young girl’s heart first awakens to love, meeting a truly wonderful man, realizing she might like him even a little, and discovering he might have feelings for her too—especially when they are married—what could be better than that?

Yet the joy of first love rarely lasts a day. The man she had just begun to like did not return home that very day.

Seeing that the evening was getting late, Qingqiu said, “Madam, perhaps we shouldn’t wait any longer? The Marquis is probably busy with official duties, which is why he hasn’t returned yet.”

Meng Jinyao, not wanting to trouble her stomach, replied, “Have them serve the meal. We won’t wait.”

After dinner, the night grew quiet, yet Gu Jingxi still hadn’t returned.

Even the next morning, when Meng Jinyao got up and asked the maid in the courtyard, she learned that Gu Jingxi hadn’t returned home all night. She was surprised; it seemed this was the first time he had stayed out overnight. Still, she didn’t think too much of it.

By that day, however, Gu Jingxi did return. After bathing and changing clothes, he went out without having dinner. The next morning, when she asked the servants if he had come home the night before, they said he had returned but had gone straight to the study in the front courtyard, and as soon as dawn came, he changed clothes and left.

Meng Jinyao couldn’t help but feel a bit doubtful of life itself, wondering if she had misread him—perhaps he wasn’t interested in her at all, and her little test had simply startled him. But that night, Gu Jingxi didn’t seem at all frightened.

She asked her two trusted maids, “What do you think? What does the Marquis mean? Is he avoiding me?”

Qingqiu, puzzled, said, “Madam, don’t overthink it. Why would the Marquis be avoiding you?”

Meng Jinyao naturally didn’t dare tell her maids that she had already tested Gu Jingxi. She puzzled over it and asked, “The night before last he didn’t come home, and last night he clearly did, yet he didn’t return to Weirui Pavilion. If he’s not avoiding me, then what is he doing?”

Ningdong, also confused, hesitated before saying, “Madam, perhaps the Marquis has tried to show his affection for you so many times, yet you never responded. Maybe he feels frustrated?”

Meng Jinyao was taken aback. “Just frustrated?”

Ningdong said, “Think about it: if you liked a man, and you tried to show your affection, even gave him gifts, but he never responded, would you still approach him?”

Without hesitation, Meng Jinyao said, “Of course not.”

Ningdong continued, “Then there you have it. Perhaps the Marquis feels frustrated, so he’s avoiding you. Why don’t you respond a little? In relationships, giving and taking sustains them. Isn’t it the same with love between a man and a woman?”

Meng Jinyao thought she had a point and asked, “Then how should I respond?”

Ningdong pondered for a moment and suggested, “How about this: this noon, you go to the Dali Court to deliver lunch to the Marquis? You can also observe his reaction.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then nodded.

Qingqiu listened to their conversation and felt they might have misunderstood something. She didn’t think the Marquis was avoiding Madam. When he returned yesterday afternoon, he had been very gentle toward her.

Still, delivering lunch could be seen as a way to foster harmony between husband and wife, so Qingqiu didn’t interject. She would just let Madam go.

Dali Court.

Gu Jingxi was examining several confessions, checking for any loopholes. He had been busy with a case for the past two days, and not only he, but his subordinates were also swamped.

At that moment, someone came to inform him, “Sir Gu, Madam Gu has arrived. She’s waiting outside.”

Gu Jingxi was surprised, wondering why the young lady had suddenly come to the court to see him. He nodded, then hurriedly walked out. At the court gate, he saw the young lady waiting beside a carriage.

Seeing him, Meng Jinyao’s lips curved, lifting into a smile. “Husband.”

Gu Jingxi quickened his pace, stepping down to her side. Softly, he asked, “Madam, why are you here?”

“I’ve come to deliver lunch. I hope I’m not disturbing you,” Meng Jinyao said, taking the lunch box from Ningdong and handing it to him.

Gu Jingxi was momentarily stunned. Though they had been married for several months, this was the first time she had brought him lunch. He hadn’t felt it was a problem before, but seeing other wives occasionally bring meals to their husbands, he had never felt envious.

Now, with her suddenly delivering lunch, he was genuinely surprised. A subtle, indescribable feeling lingered in his heart, making it skip a beat, stirring gentle ripples inside him.

After a moment, Gu Jingxi reached out to take the lunch box. Seeing her eyebrows curved in a smile and her radiant expression, the corners of his mouth lifted. All the fatigue of the past few days seemed to vanish in an instant.

Then he noticed beads of sweat forming on her forehead. The sunlight reflected off them, and with the scorching heat, her cheeks were flushed. His smile froze, and his brows furrowed. “Madam, you don’t need to bring me lunch next time. There are cooks at the Dali Court; the food is quite acceptable.”

Meng Jinyao’s smile faltered, her mood plummeting. She couldn’t understand Gu Jingxi’s intentions. First, he had suddenly given her things and taken her out, even bought her snacks. Now he was acting like this. Had she imagined his feelings for her, and was he purposely avoiding her to cover the awkwardness of the past few days, planning to act as if nothing happened once time passed?

At nearly thirty, how could he not think things through properly before acting? She had misread him, discovered her own little feelings, and now what should she do? Packing away those feelings would take time.

She felt a twinge of resentment, glancing at him with a slight frown. Her tone carried displeasure: “Husband, you don’t like me coming here?”

Gu Jingxi, hearing her tone, realized she had misunderstood. He pulled a blue handkerchief from his sleeve, wiping her sweat while explaining, “It’s summer now; the weather is hot. Be careful in the midday heat. If you wish to deliver lunch to me, wait until the weather cools down.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned. Her emotions had soared and plummeted in a short time, leaving her feeling as if she were in turmoil. Though she hadn’t gone to a battlefield, she felt as if she were amidst the chaos of war.

Being so easily affected by someone’s single remark left her feeling helpless, and she also felt unfamiliar with this side of herself.

Is this what it’s like to like someone?