SGEIRS -Chapter 277 An Improper Book

Gu Jingxi put down the book in his hand and glanced at him with a strange expression. He said slowly, “An improper quack doctor.”

Imperial Physician Wen: “?”

Earlier, Marquis Gu had called him a quack. Now he was not only a quack, but also improper?

He couldn’t agree with that. Calling him a quack was one thing, but saying he was improper was unacceptable. His book had been tested and proven to be a “good medicine.” His patients all said the “effects” were quite good.

Imperial Physician Wen picked up the book, remaining calm, and casually flipped to a page for him to see. Pointing at the content, he said, “My lord, tell me—what’s improper about this? These are all things that husbands and wives do.”

Gu Jingxi retorted, “What kind of doctor gives this kind of book to a patient as treatment?”

Imperial Physician Wen replied solemnly, “This ‘medicine’ has been verified by my patients. My lord, don’t feel embarrassed. Sometimes you have to take unconventional paths—there might be unexpected results. This is the only copy I have left. I spent quite some time rummaging through the corners of the bookshop before finding it a few days ago.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi couldn’t help imagining an old man going to a bookshop to buy erotic illustrations, perhaps even being teased by the shopkeeper. It really wasn’t easy for Imperial Physician Wen.

He glanced at the page Wen had opened. It would have been better if he hadn’t looked—his temples immediately began to throb. This page was even more improper than the previous one. The earlier one at least took place on a bed. This one was by a window in a pavilion, overlooking the scenery below.

He rubbed his forehead helplessly. “What decent couple would do something like this?”

Imperial Physician Wen replied in the tone of someone experienced, “My lord just hasn’t tried it. If you had, you might even find the pictures in this book not exciting enough.”

Gu Jingxi looked at him in disbelief. He had always thought this old man was quite proper, and Madam Wen seemed gentle and reserved too. Who would’ve thought they had been so bold when they were young? One really couldn’t judge by appearances.

Imperial Physician Wen, however, was completely at ease. Even under Gu Jingxi’s gaze, he didn’t feel awkward. At his age, he had long passed the stage of being shy over such matters.

He continued, “I’ll leave the book with you for now. Whether you use it or not is up to you.”

After that, he took out another bottle of medicine from his medical case and placed it on the table. “Same dosage as before—three pills a day. When you run out, come to me for more. If there’s any reaction, be sure to come back for a follow-up. I’ll switch you to another medicine. This one won’t be suitable anymore then.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Alright. Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician Wen.”

Imperial Physician Wen: “…” Wasn’t I just called an improper quack?

Seeing that Gu Jingxi had no objections and was willing to accept the book, Physician Wen didn’t dwell on the matter. He said, “My lord, study this book carefully. It will be of great benefit to you. I’ll take my leave now. No need to see me off.”

Gu Jingxi didn’t try to keep him. He instructed his servants to escort Physician Wen out and put away the medicine bottle.

As for the book, he flipped through it briefly and discovered that it wasn’t just erotic illustrations—it even had a storyline. It told the story of a newlywed couple who, after their wedding night, became addicted to intimacy, trying various positions and scenes. It even included episodes after pregnancy.

Looking at those images, a bright, beautiful face flashed through his mind. When he imagined himself and A-Yao in those scenes, he quickly shook his head, not daring to think further.

Such an improper book.

It really could corrupt people.

After some thought, he still didn’t throw it away. Instead, he put it into a drawer in his study.

Returning to Weirui Pavilion, Gu Jingxi went to find his young wife. He wanted to ask her about what had happened when she was thirteen and nearly froze to death—such a serious matter, yet she had never mentioned it before.

Meng Jinyao didn’t hide anything and told him the whole story. Seeing how gloomy his face had become, she leaned into his arms and said softly, “Husband, don’t be angry. It’s all in the past.”

Gu Jingxi’s heart ached. He gently patted her back and asked, “A-Yao, did you take the blame for Second Miss Meng many times?”

She nodded first, then shook her head slightly. “I did take a lot of blame. But sometimes, it wasn’t exactly taking the blame. Many times, Meng Jinyu didn’t say anything—she’d just shed a few tears in front of Grandmother. Then Madam Sun would show her ‘kind-heartedness’ and say a few words that seemed to defend me. Grandmother would immediately condemn me without investigating, putting all the fault on me. If I tried to explain, I’d be punished even more severely. Later, I understood—people who don’t want to believe you will see any explanation as an excuse. So I simply stopped explaining.”

Anger surged in Gu Jingxi’s eyes, his expression growing darker. “An unvirtuous wife brings disaster to three generations. The ancients weren’t wrong.”

Meng Jinyao agreed deeply. “I think so too. It’s a pity for my grandfather. He lived upright and was a refined gentleman. Sometimes, marriages arranged by parents and matchmakers really do harm people.”

She sighed regretfully. “I heard my second uncle was smart and talented in his studies. But as the youngest legitimate son, he was spoiled by Grandmother and became a useless playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. In the end, he drowned after getting drunk. If he hadn’t been spoiled and had focused on studying and taking the imperial exams, the Meng family wouldn’t have declined like this.”

Gu Jingxi said solemnly, “A-Yao, when we have children in the future, we must start educating them early. Whether boys or girls, they must be taught well. If girls aren’t taught properly, they’ll harm another family. If boys aren’t taught properly, they’ll harm their own family and ruin good girls from other families too.”

Although he said this firmly, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy. He had tried hard to teach Xiuming, yet he still turned out like that. Would he and A-Yao be able to raise their children well?

Meng Jinyao looked up at him and smiled brightly. “Of course.”

Seeing her radiant smile, the knot in Gu Jingxi’s brow gradually loosened. His thoughts drifted. If he and A-Yao had children, would they look like him or her?

Maybe one like him, and one like her.

Thinking of this, he smiled happily. He lowered his head and kissed her smooth forehead. Seeing that her face was still pale, he asked gently, “A-Yao, are you feeling better? Do you need to rest a bit more?”

She replied, “Don’t worry, husband. It doesn’t hurt as much anymore. I just didn’t sleep well last night, so I’m a bit tired. I want to sleep a little more.”

Gu Jingxi nodded slightly. “Then I’ll sleep with you for a while.”

With that, he loosened his hold, undressed, lay down, and pulled his young wife into his arms.