SGEIRS -Chapter 248 Already Known Each Other

It was the birthday of Old Madam Meng, the matriarch of the Yongchang Bo residence. The Meng family had invited guests to celebrate and even hired a troupe to perform for her.

As the granddaughter, Meng Jinyao naturally had to return to her maternal home to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday. Her husband, Gu Jingxi, accompanied his young wife.

As for Gu Xiuming, although he still resented Gu Jingxi over failing the autumn imperial exam and mistakenly believed that Gu Jingxi had secretly withheld knowledge while tutoring him, he did not slack off when it came to appearances. He followed Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi to the Yongchang Bo residence.

Seeing her smiling with a hint of excitement at the corners of her mouth, Gu Jingxi asked hesitantly, “A-Yao, are you missing your maternal home?”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao shot him a playful glare. “What does my maternal home have to do with me? You know very well I wouldn’t miss it. If I were to miss anyone, it would be my second brother. No one else.”

Gu Jingxi was slightly taken aback, then asked, “Then what’s got you so happy?”

Meng Jinyao countered, “Remember when I told you about my father’s birthday and the next step of my plan? I haven’t brought Ningdong today, but I have Qingqiu and Chanyan. Chanyan is the one you lent me. Didn’t you recognize her?”

Gu Jingxi replied honestly, “I didn’t pay attention to any other girls.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

Gu Jingxi then asked, “Are you planning to carry out that plan at the birthday banquet?”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly and thought of her grandmother with a faint scoff. “Although I shouldn’t ruin a senior’s birthday, if the elder isn’t kind, how can the younger be filial? There will be so many people at the banquet—it’s the perfect chance to execute my plan.”

Gu Jingxi first affirmed her approach, then asked, “So, how do you intend to do it?”

Meng Jinyao blinked playfully, smiling, “Well…” She noticed him waiting expectantly for an answer and giggled. “I won’t tell you for now. You’ll see when the time comes.”

Gu Jingxi smiled helplessly, flicking her nose with a tone full of affection. “You little rascal.”

He didn’t press further. Seeing his wife’s confident expression, he assumed she was well-prepared. Smiling, he said, “Since A-Yao has already set the stage, then I shall watch eagerly.”

Hearing him say this, Meng Jinyao suddenly felt a twinge of nervousness. “Husband, I’m not even sure it will succeed. I’m afraid something might go wrong.”

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “If she escapes this time, she won’t escape the next.”

Meng Jinyao slightly narrowed her eyes, a surge of hatred sparking in them. Gritting her teeth, she said fiercely, “But I still won’t accept failure. I want her ruined, wishing she were dead rather than alive. Only then can I bring peace to my mother and Chengyu’s spirit.”

As soon as she finished, Gu Jingxi anticipated her next move and immediately held her hands, preventing her from instinctively clenching her fists and scratching herself.

Meng Jinyao slowly looked up at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

“A-Yao, I told you before, you can’t hurt yourself over someone else’s wrongs. Have you forgotten?” Gu Jingxi said, pulling her into his embrace. “I know you hate Madam Sun. Since you hate her, make her suffer. If you’re upset, take it out on her, not yourself.”

His voice was gentle, his tone soft and caring.

Hearing him, Meng Jinyao felt like a child comforted by an elder after falling. Her heart, touched by his care, became fragile, and tears welled up. Choked with emotion, she said, “Husband, my heart aches.”

Gu Jingxi cooed softly, “A-Yao, don’t cry. Soon we’ll go give Madam Sun trouble. Our A-Yao is brave. If you want something, go after it boldly. I’ve got your back.”

A warm current ran through Meng Jinyao’s heart. After a moment, she looked up at him again, puzzled. “But didn’t you say I overthink things and hesitate? How is this brave?”

Gu Jingxi said softly, “It’s just that because of their relationships, the real little A-Yao got lost.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly stunned and pondered his words. She soon realized he was talking about her younger self.

Gu Jingxi smiled. “But little A-Yao was still very brave—fearless of anything.”

Meng Jinyao looked confused. “How do you know?”

Gu Jingxi glanced at her and smiled. “Actually, we’ve known each other since you were little. But you were young then, and you probably forgot all about me.”

Meng Jinyao was taken aback. Memories were blurry. She could hardly recall what she had been like, or whom she had met. Only the moments with her grandfather, Chengyu, and Chengzhang remained vivid, because she cherished them and recalled them over and over.

After recalling so often, she seemed to remember only the happy times with her grandfather, Chengyu, and Chengzhang, and the fact that Madam Sun tried to kill Chengyu. Other memories gradually faded.

She lowered her head, whispering, “Husband, I really have forgotten. I don’t have much memory of it now.”

Gu Jingxi said gently, “It’s okay. We’ll make more memories in the future. But from now on, don’t forget them again.”

Meng Jinyao looked up. Seeing his gentle smile, she gradually smiled too and nodded firmly, responding in a crisp voice, “Alright.”

Yongchang Bo Residence

Though the Meng family had declined, many guests who had suffered similar misfortunes came to celebrate Madam Meng’s birthday. Over a dozen carriages were already parked at the residence’s entrance.

Everyone had fallen on hard times, so no one mocked anyone else. They couldn’t enter high society, and they looked down on humble families—so they only had each other, banding together for warmth.

After Meng Jinyao, Gu Jingxi, and Gu Xiuming dismounted, they were about to enter the residence when a male voice called from the left: “Cousin A-Yao?”

Meng Jinyao turned and saw a young man in brocade robes, just over twenty, holding a two- or three-year-old boy, looking delightedly at her. Beside him stood a beautiful young woman.

That was her cousin, Luo Yong’an, and the young woman was obviously his wife. When her cousin married, she had been ill and couldn’t travel, so this was her first time seeing her cousin’s wife.

As she was about to approach, she noticed a middle-aged couple and a teenage boy her age. That was her uncle, Lord Luo, his wife, and their child from a remarriage.

She had only seen her cousin once, seven years ago, when her uncle came to the capital for official business. He brought his eldest son to visit her grandmother after a long separation. Her cousin stayed briefly at the Meng residence, a proper and courteous young man, and had even helped her when Meng Jinyu had wrongly accused her.

Meng Jinyao greeted them with Gu Jingxi and Gu Xiuming, exchanged pleasantries, and noticed that her elder cousin got along well with his stepmother. The family was harmonious: a loving mother, filial son, and brothers and cousins respectful of one another.

Luo Yong’an said warmly, “Cousin A-Yao, this is their first time in the capital. They don’t know anyone, so I’ll rely on you to take care of them among the ladies. I won’t be able to manage both sides.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “Don’t worry, cousin. I’ll take good care of Madam Luo and my cousin’s wife.”