SGEIRS -Chapter 224 She Did It on Purpose

The night was deep, and the courtyard was silent.

Most of the lamps in the yard had been extinguished, leaving only a few for lighting.

However, tonight was a full-moon night, and the moonlight was bright. Even without lamps, one could see clearly.

The pale, radiant moonlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating the room. The interior was bright enough that there was no need for lamps to move around without bumping into anything.

Meng Jinyao lay quietly with her back to Gu Jingxi. The happiness in her heart made her a little restless; she had been lying there for quite a while without feeling sleepy.

From Gu Jingxi’s behavior, she had previously guessed that he had feelings for her. She also liked him, and their interactions had been smooth, yet sometimes it felt a little elusive, unreal. Now, having pierced through that hazy layer, her heart finally settled.

When emotions were out in the open, everything seemed to gain a sense of confidence. Before tonight, even when she wanted to act coquettishly toward her beloved, she hadn’t had the courage, feeling she wasn’t entitled to.

She wasn’t asleep, and neither was Gu Jingxi. Watching the slender figure lying with her back to him, he realized the young lady wasn’t asleep, perhaps thinking about something, so he didn’t disturb her.

After a while, he noticed her body, which had been motionless, shift and turn. Her eyes remained tightly closed, but her eyelids twitched slightly—obviously pretending to sleep.

He felt puzzled. If she wasn’t asleep, why were her eyes still shut?

After a short time, he saw her turn again, seemingly moving closer to him.

In that instant, Gu Jingxi realized something. No wonder recently, the young lady would unconsciously roll into his arms. Sometimes, just as he was about to fall asleep, a delicate girl would suddenly roll into his embrace, instantly banishing all sleepiness.

He hadn’t paid much attention before, thinking she just didn’t sleep well. Now he finally understood—it was because she wanted him to hold her.

Watching her turn once more, his heart’s softest part was touched, melting completely. He reached out and pulled the young lady, who was about to roll into his arms, close to him. He chuckled softly, teasingly asking, “Has the lady done this on purpose before?”

Meng Jinyao, surprised to be held, froze for a moment. The next instant, hearing this, she could no longer pretend to sleep. She suddenly opened her eyes, tilted her head up to look at him, and met his gentle, smiling gaze, murmuring, “On purpose… what?”

Gu Jingxi spoke softly, “On purpose… to roll into your husband’s arms.”

At these words, Meng Jinyao’s eyes widened in shock. Her cheeks flushed visibly, her heart raced, and she quickly lowered her gaze, feeling too shy to look him in the eyes.

The first time she had intentionally rolled into Gu Jingxi’s arms, it was just to test him. Later actions were mixed with her little secret desires. She liked being close to him, and now that he had seen through it, she felt utterly embarrassed.

She mumbled, “Husband, don’t speak nonsense. Just now, it was clearly you who wanted to hold me.”

Gu Jingxi, hearing her not mention the past, knew that young women were naturally shy and didn’t dwell on the matter. Smiling, he said, “Mm, it was your husband who took the initiative. Once accustomed to holding you, I can’t sleep without it.”

Meng Jinyao moved her lips but chose to play dead, not replying, though her mind was buzzing with thoughts. On the way home, he had said he didn’t know how to interact with young ladies—but now, seeing him act so intimately, and saying things he had never said before tonight, she wondered: could the sachet she gave him really have such an effect?

Nestled in Gu Jingxi’s arms, her thoughts spun endlessly. After a long while, sleepiness finally overcame her, and she fell asleep without noticing.

Gu Jingxi, hearing the steady rhythm of her breathing, looked down and saw the young lady fast asleep, her expression peaceful. Sleeping so soundly in his arms, he smiled gently. Surely, heaven had pity on him, granting him a young lady who did not mind being close to him.

The next morning.

When Gu Jingxi woke, the person in his arms was still sound asleep, her arms wrapped around his waist, one leg entwined with his, clinging to him like an octopus.

He smiled helplessly, gently separated her from himself, tucked her in properly, then got out of bed, dressed, and was about to go to the washroom when he noticed the sachet on the table—the one the young lady had given him last night.

If he didn’t wear the sachet she had given him, wouldn’t that go against her intentions?

After thinking it over, he hung the sachet at his waist, giving no thought to how a pale-blue sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks—a symbol of marital love—clashed with his bright red official robe, which looked quite imposing.

When Qingqiu and Ningdong served him breakfast, after he had finished and was about to leave, they noticed the sachet at his waist. The color of the sachet starkly contrasted with his robe, immediately catching the eye.

Both were startled. They recognized the sachet—it was made by the lady herself. Even if she hadn’t said so, they would have known it was made for the marquis. Unexpectedly, the marquis had already worn it; it was clearly the sachet the lady had given him yesterday.

After Gu Jingxi left, Ningdong, eyes shining, whispered, “Qingqiu, did you see that? The sachet the lady gave him—he wore it. If it were embroidered with another pattern, it would be fine, but this one has mandarin ducks. Anyone seeing it would know exactly what it means. That the marquis wears it shows he truly cares about the lady. How wonderful—the marquis and the lady are so close. With the marquis protecting and cherishing her, the lady will surely be happy. After suffering for so many years, she finally has her sweet reward.”

As she spoke, Ningdong couldn’t help but tear up. For a woman, before marriage, she relies on her parents; after marriage, she relies on her husband. In the deep mansion’s back courtyard, there’s no one to protect her—she must rely on her own strength to carve a path, which is extremely difficult. Unless luck favors her, granting opportunities to change her fate.

Even their mistress, a smart woman, had struggled during her years at the Yongchang Marquis’s residence. Surviving was already a feat; to live well was as difficult as climbing to the heavens. Elders could punish for any reason, leaving the mistress powerless to argue, living cautiously and frugally.

Qingqiu scolded her lightly, “Ningdong, this is a good thing—you’re not allowed to cry.”

Ningdong forced a smile and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, a good thing… we should be happy.”

At that moment, the sound of a bell rang from the inner room. They froze briefly, then spoke in unison, “The lady is awake.”

They hurried inside and indeed saw their mistress sitting up in bed. They bowed in greeting, then quickly assisted her in dressing and called Chunliu and Xiazhu to bring water for her morning washing.