SGEIRS -Chapter 219 Only for Her

In the afternoon, Gu Jingxi returned from his duties and brought along some snacks that Meng Jinyao liked—dried fruits, all the kinds that young girls usually enjoyed.

Recently, Gu Jingxi had been buying things for her more often. He had also begun to understand the kinds of food, clothing, and accessories a young lady would enjoy, so most of the items he brought were ones Meng Jinyao would like.

As soon as Gu Jingxi arrived in the courtyard, before even entering the house, he saw Meng Jinyao standing at the doorway. The young lady wore a coral-red dress embroidered with golden peonies and a jade-and-gold hairpin swaying delicately. Her smile was radiant, and she stood there quietly and gracefully, a sight that warmed the heart.

The clothes, jewelry, the rouge and lip color she wore—all of it was bought by him. Even the little plumpness in her cheeks was his doing.

Seeing the young lady so well cared for, he felt a sense of accomplishment.

In the past, money had merely accumulated in his hands, serving no particular purpose. He wasn’t the type to spend lavishly; aside from routine social obligations, he had little expenditure. Now, with a young lady to take care of, his money finally had its use.

Gu Jingxi walked over to her and handed her the snacks he had just bought. “Madam, here.”

Meng Jinyao, accustomed to his occasional treats, smiled brightly and took the snacks. “Thank you, husband.”

Gu Jingxi spoke softly, “Today’s yellow peach preserves are a new product from the shop. They said they added milk, giving it a fragrant dairy flavor. Try them and see if you like them.”

Curious, Meng Jinyao went inside to taste them. As soon as she unwrapped the wax paper, the aroma of milk wafted up. She picked up a piece and tasted it. The yellow peach preserve was soft and slightly chewy, its orange hue inviting. It melted pleasantly on the tongue, sweet and tender, with a rich milky fragrance. The shop had processed the milk well, leaving no unpleasant odor.

She picked up another piece and held it to Gu Jingxi. “Husband, try this too. It’s quite good.”

Thanks to Meng Jinyao, Gu Jingxi had recently been treated to quite a few snacks favored by young ladies. Whenever she found something tasty, she never forgot to feed him a piece.

Gu Jingxi opened his mouth and took the piece she offered. The preserve was soft, sweet, slightly chewy, with a pleasant milky flavor.

Meng Jinyao tilted her head back, smiling at him. “How does it taste?”

Seeing the young lady’s radiant smile, Gu Jingxi’s lips curved into a faint smile. A sense of inexplicable joy welled up in him. “Not bad,” he said with a nod. But since he didn’t particularly enjoy the sweets favored by young girls, he politely refused when she tried to feed him more. “Madam, you eat it. No need to worry about me—I’m not very concerned with food.”

Meng Jinyao, hearing this, turned the snack into her own mouth instead.

Gu Jingxi then said, “You play by yourself; I’ll go read in the study for a while.”

Meng Jinyao: “…”

She wasn’t a child—what was there to play with?

Chunliu glanced at Gu Jingxi’s retreating figure and said to Meng Jinyao, “The Marquis is truly patient with Madam, like coaxing a child in the palm of his hand. He never behaved this carefully with the elder or younger nieces. I heard that when they were little, the Marquis never pampered them. Now that they are grown, they act like mice seeing a cat whenever he’s around.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. “He’s not that frightening, is he?”

Chunliu replied, “The Marquis is usually aloof to everyone, seeming difficult to approach, and maintains the sternness expected of a senior. He just behaves differently toward Madam.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao recalled the early days of her marriage. Gu Jingxi wasn’t unkind, but he was a bit distant—a polite, well-mannered distance. He would answer questions and reason sensibly. Even if they weren’t familiar, as long as she was in the right, he would help her.

Chunliu looked at her mistress’s delicate and beautiful face and thought to herself: no wonder the Marquis likes her. Even as a girl, just looking at her is pleasing. She added, “I think, Madam, you are the Marquis’s only exception.”

Only exception?

Meng Jinyao paused slightly. She didn’t know how Gu Jingxi had treated his former fiancée, but as far as she was concerned, being the only one for the rest of his life was enough.

Seeing that Meng Jinyao remained silent, Chunliu dropped the subject and looked at the unwrapped preserves. “Madam, you won’t finish all these at once. Shall I fetch a porcelain jar to store them?”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll eat two more at most. Any more and I won’t have room for dinner.”

Not long after, Gu Xiuming came to see Gu Jingxi, seeking guidance about tomorrow’s imperial examination.

Though Gu Jingxi was dissatisfied with Gu Xiuming’s approach, he didn’t give perfunctory answers. He explained everything clearly and even offered some encouragement.

Afterward, Gu Xiuming asked academic questions. Gu Jingxi answered each in turn and tested his knowledge. Seeing that Gu Xiuming could answer most questions, he explained the few that he couldn’t.

Before leaving, Gu Xiuming, thinking about tomorrow’s exam, nervously asked, “Father, do you think I have a chance of passing the imperial exam this time?”

Gu Jingxi replied vaguely, “It’s too early to say. Anything is possible. Treat it with a calm mind and do your best. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

Unsatisfied, Gu Xiuming felt a little frustrated but also more determined. If his name appeared on the list, the elders would finally take him seriously.

He hesitated, then asked, “Father, what if I fail?”

Gu Jingxi answered calmly, “Xiuming, you’re only sixteen. Failing at this age is nothing to be ashamed of. Some people don’t even pass the lower exam in their twenties, let alone become a candidate. You already have the title of xiucai, which surpasses many scholars. Even if you don’t pass, you can try again in three years—you’ll only be nineteen.”

Comforted, Gu Xiuming replied, “I understand, Father.”

Gu Jingxi said, “Alright. Go prepare everything you need for tomorrow. Make sure nothing is missing, sleep well tonight, and go to the exam first thing in the morning.”

Gu Xiuming bowed, “Yes, Father,” then left.

After he left, Meng Jinyao went to the study, peeking inside. Seeing Gu Jingxi looking her way, she stepped in. “Husband, why did our eldest son come by?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “To ask about the imperial examination and some academic questions.”

Meng Jinyao, uninterested, merely said, “Oh,” and didn’t ask further. Instead, she turned to him. “Do you have any other matters to attend to? If not, let’s have dinner.”

Gu Jingxi shook his head. “Nothing else.”