SGEIRS -Chapter 234 Visible Only to Him

The autumn breeze drifted in, carrying a slight chill.

After Mid-Autumn, the autumn wind grew cooler day by day, and in another month it would already be early winter.

Meng Jinyao had overeaten at dinner. Gu Jingxi accompanied her for a walk in the backyard garden. The autumn breeze carried the scent of flowers.

Seeing her rubbing her little belly as she walked, Gu Jingxi smiled and said, “I told you not to eat so much, but you didn’t listen. Feeling uncomfortable now, huh?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “But my mouth is satisfied.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. His little wife truly loved to eat—her appetite was heavy. Anything delicious caught her fancy, and she often ate more than he did. Her little belly round and full, she would then drag him out for a walk.

Meng Jinyao gave him a glance. “Husband, what are you laughing at?”

Gu Jingxi smiled and said, “If someone saw this, they’d think I mistreat you, never letting you eat your fill.”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

After a pause, she mumbled, “I’m not doing this in front of anyone else.”

Gu Jingxi’s expression softened, and a sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart. His smile became even gentler.

His little lady—proper and composed as Madam Gu in front of others—could show her childish, coquettish side only to him.

In the next moment, Meng Jinyao’s hand was held by a large, warm, and slightly dry hand.

She was momentarily startled. At Weirui Pavilion, he was much more affectionate toward her, especially when no maid was present. Outside Weirui Pavilion, there was no hand-holding.

Meng Jinyao lifted her head slightly, and before her eyes was the man’s gentle, smiling face. His eyes, full of tender affection, were looking at her.

She didn’t know when she had grown so fond of these eyes. Every time she was looked at by them, she felt as if she were being held carefully in someone’s heart. She became increasingly attached to that feeling.

She tickled Gu Jingxi’s palm with her finger, but he held her hand tightly, preventing her from moving.

Then Gu Jingxi’s voice rang out: “Don’t fool around, it tickles.”

Meng Jinyao softly replied, “Oh.”

Meanwhile, Gu Xiuming had seen the couple from afar. His eyes darkened as he watched them laughing and walking toward him, and he even saw his father take the initiative to hold Meng Jinyao’s hand.

Everyone had noticed how much his father’s attitude toward Meng Jinyao had changed lately. He treated her like a treasured object—most likely, he genuinely liked her.

Luckily, his father had a hidden illness. Otherwise, if he and Meng Jinyao were to have a child, his position as heir would likely be in jeopardy.

As the couple drew closer, Gu Xiuming calmly emerged from behind the rockery, took a few steps forward, and cupped his hands in greeting: “Xiuming greets Father and Mother.”

Gu Jingxi responded lightly, “Hmm. You’re out for a walk too?”

Gu Xiuming replied, “I just passed by, so I didn’t want to disturb Father and Mother’s leisure.” Saying this, he bowed again and then left.

Meng Jinyao didn’t pay much attention to Gu Xiuming’s presence. Remembering an important matter, she said, “Husband, Princess Jingning has a villa with a hot spring. The villa also grows plenty of seasonal fruits, which are ripe now. She invited me and A-Ning to visit for a couple of days, but I haven’t replied yet.”

She was asking his opinion?

Without a second thought, Gu Jingxi agreed: “Go ahead. Staying at home would be idle anyway, and it’s good for you to go play with girls your age.”

Meng Jinyao smiled: “Then I’ll reply tomorrow and depart the day after.”

Gu Jingxi asked, “Do you like hot springs?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried it before, so it seems novel. I want to experience it. My mother left me a villa as part of my dowry too, but it doesn’t have a hot spring.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi thought of the troublesome Meng family. As a child not favored by her family, even if they visited such a villa, they would never bring their little lady along. He said softly, “I have a villa with a hot spring outside the city. Once I finish my current work, I’ll take you there.”

Meng Jinyao smiled brightly and chirped, “Great!”

—

That day, the sky was clear and crisp, with not a cloud in sight.

After breakfast, Meng Jinyao set off and met Princess Jingning and Song Xinning at the city gate. Together, they headed to the villa.

Princess Jingning’s villa wasn’t large, but it grew a variety of fruits, and its standout feature was the hot spring. With the cold dew just passing, entering late autumn, the temperature difference between day and night made it perfect for soaking in the spring.

Outside the villa was a maple grove. After the cold dew, the leaves had turned red—just the right time to enjoy the foliage.

After settling their bags in the villa, the group stepped out, taking along their servants and maids, planning to visit the maple grove first. They could explore the villa later.

Song Xinning glanced around at the scenery and nodded silently. “A-Yan, your villa is nice. The surroundings are beautiful.”

Princess Jingning was in high spirits. “The previous owner was a wealthy merchant. My father knew I liked hot springs and bought it for me as part of my future dowry. It’s my first time visiting—it’s pretty nice.”

At that moment, from the neighboring villa came faint singing from performers. The sound was low but audible; likely, the villa’s owner had set up a stage and invited performers.

Meng Jinyao asked, “A-Yan, whose villa is next door? Someone’s singing.”

Princess Jingning replied, “My father said it belongs to the Marquis Wu’an’s residence. Probably the heir is inside. He’s said to love theatre, even performs himself, and is quite the drama enthusiast. The theatre’s regular, and he even employs a few performers exclusively for him.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised: “He even hires performers?”

“Yes.”

Princess Jingning nodded and laughed: “There’s nothing strange about it. Wealthy families in the capital who love theatre often keep performers. Whenever they want to watch, they can. During banquets, the performers entertain guests as well.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “That makes sense.”

Princess Jingning asked, “The Marquis Wu’an’s heir is a man of strict morals, without a single concubine or servant girl. His family situation is a bit unfortunate. My mother once said it’s a pity. Has your eldest sister adapted well after marrying there?”

When Gu Xuanyi returned home, it seemed something unpleasant had happened, but she didn’t mention it. Meng Jinyao assumed all was well and replied, “It should be fine. On the day she returned home, Xuanyi didn’t mention anything bad and seemed very affectionate with the Marquis Wu’an’s heir.”

Princess Jingning didn’t think much of it and smiled. “That’s good. Let’s go.”

As they walked, Song Xinning suddenly sighed: “This is probably my last chance to play for two days without staying home at night before I marry. I begged my mother for a long time to let me come out.”

Princess Jingning was surprised. “Is Madam Song really so strict?”

Song Xinning shook her head. “It wasn’t so strict before, just stricter this year. My future mother-in-law had a serious illness. Now her health is poor, she needs rest, and shouldn’t work too hard. Once I marry at the end of the year, I’ll have to manage the household affairs.”

She sighed again, her face strained. “Mother has already trained me to be her assistant in running the household. Now all the house matters are on me—it’s exhausting. Every time I get dizzy from the ledgers, I envy A-Yao. She didn’t want to take over, and still had two sisters-in-law helping her first.”

Princess Jingning sympathized. “My mother said I’m not fit to manage the family affairs. She’s looking for a suitable young man from another family, so I won’t have to manage the household later.”

Song Xinning looked at her with a pitiful gaze. “Don’t provoke me.”