SGEIRS -Chapter 285 Giving Up the Idea

It had snowed the night before. When morning came, everything outside was covered in silvery white.

After breakfast, Meng Jinyao wrapped herself up tightly and went to Shou’an Hall to pay her respects to Old Madam Gu.

Although Meng Jinyao’s clothes had been scented and she wore a sachet, she was taking medicine and soaking in medicinal baths every day. The medicinal smell could not be completely removed. Anyone who sat close to her could catch a faint scent of herbs, and Madam Zhang, who was seated beside her, noticed it.

Madam Zhang asked with concern, “Third Sister-in-law, you seem to have a medicinal smell on you. Are you ill?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu looked at her youngest daughter-in-law with worry in her eyes.

Naturally, Meng Jinyao would not reveal the whole truth. She avoided the main issue and replied lightly, “No. It’s just that my qi and blood are a little weak, and I’m rather sensitive to the cold. I’ve been soaking in medicinal baths, so there’s some smell left.”

Madam Zhang showed a look of understanding. “So that’s it. No wonder you don’t look sick.”

Meng Jinyao replied gently, “Sorry to make Elder Sister-in-law worry. It’s just a minor issue, nothing serious.”

Old Madam Gu felt relieved, but still reminded her, “Weak qi and blood isn’t a big problem, but you can’t be careless. You must take good care of your body. When one lacks qi and blood, it’s easy to feel tired, listless, and sensitive to cold. It also makes one age faster and grow white hair early.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. “Mother, it can cause premature aging too?”

Old Madam Gu glanced at her daughters-in-law and said kindly from experience, “Yes, it happens. That’s why women who care about their appearance should pay attention to this. No matter how much face cream you use, it’s not as good as nourishing your body from within. When you reach a certain age, those with good qi and blood look much younger than their peers.”

Meng Jinyao pressed her lips together. It didn’t matter if the medicine was bitter or smelly, but she absolutely could not age early. She couldn’t possibly look older than her husband in the future. The medicine had to be taken on time.

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen subconsciously touched their faces. At their age, they already felt anxious—afraid of growing old, and even more afraid of looking older than others. They had put much effort into maintaining their appearance. Among noblewomen, gatherings were often about comparing who looked younger, whose clothes and jewelry were better. Who wanted to be the one who looked the oldest?

Seeing her daughters-in-law’s worries, Old Madam Gu shook her head with a smile. All of them were good-looking. The two elder ones were already in their thirties but didn’t look old, and A-Yao was only sixteen, full of youthful vitality.

After a while, Old Madam Gu asked, “By the way, Eldest Daughter-in-law, I heard that Xiuyuan’s wife is ill. Is it serious?”

Madam Zhang replied, “Please rest assured, Mother. She just caught a cold. The fetus is stable and unaffected.”

Old Madam Gu nodded lightly. “Pregnant women fear illness the most, especially if it affects the fetus. Taking too much medicine during pregnancy isn’t good either. Increase their supply of silver frost charcoal. She mustn’t fall ill again.”

Madam Zhang nodded in agreement.

Old Madam Gu then asked, “How are the brothers doing lately? Are they studying diligently?”

Madam Zhang said proudly, “Mother, since Xiuyuan passed the provincial exam, he’s been even more hardworking than before. If he keeps this up and studies steadily for another three years, he should be able to place in the metropolitan exam.”

Madam Chen added, “Xiuhong is quite self-disciplined too. He often asks his Third Uncle for guidance and is preparing for next year’s exam.”

Old Madam Gu was very satisfied. Seeing that her youngest daughter-in-law hadn’t spoken yet, she asked, “What about Xiuming?”

Although Meng Jinyao disliked Gu Xiuming in her heart, she only spoke well of him in public. “Mother, although Xiuming was disappointed after failing the exam, he recovered quickly. He’s been studying hard lately, often discussing academics with his classmates, and has attended several poetry gatherings.”

Old Madam Gu nodded with satisfaction. “Xiuming has become much more steady and sensible. I think it’s time to find him a proper wife. It’s not good for him to rely on a concubine forever. People will gossip.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s expression froze. If the elders arranged a proper wife for Gu Xiuming, wouldn’t that be exactly what he wanted?

Absolutely not.

With his character, finding him a good girl would only harm her—pushing her into a pit of fire. Ruining an innocent girl’s life was immoral.

She immediately said, “Mother, I think this matter is inappropriate.”

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen exchanged strange looks. It was no surprise that this stepmother wasn’t fond of Gu Xiuming, but refusing so openly to find him a wife was rather blatant.

Old Madam Gu wasn’t displeased. She simply asked, “Why is it inappropriate?”

Meng Jinyao replied smoothly, “Mother, when Xiuming took Concubine Li, he said in front of his Father and me that he wanted to marry her as his wife. But because of her low status and their elopement, she couldn’t be made his wife and could only be a concubine. At that time, he said that after taking her as a concubine, he would never marry a wife nor take other concubines, and that he would be devoted to her for life.”

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen were shocked. They hadn’t expected Gu Xiuming to go that far for Concubine Li. No wonder he dared to elope and pampered her so blatantly. It turned out he had already decided not to marry a proper wife, so he wasn’t afraid of offending noble families.

Even so, anger rose in their hearts. If he didn’t want to marry, fine—but his brothers still had to. His behavior affected the family’s reputation and made others suspect that their sons might also favor concubines over wives.

Madam Zhang frowned. “Third Sister-in-law, how could you and Third Brother let him act so recklessly? If he had such thoughts, you shouldn’t have let Concubine Li enter the household. Even if she had to enter, he should have married a proper wife first.”

Meng Jinyao sighed helplessly. “The child was stubborn. We elders couldn’t persuade him. Even if we forced him to marry another girl, if he resented her because of it, she would only suffer. Then it wouldn’t be a marriage alliance, but a feud.”

Madam Zhang was stunned. That was true.

Old Madam Gu knew about this matter. She had originally thought that since her grandson had matured, it was time to arrange a wife for him. But after hearing this, she could only put the idea aside for now.

Looking at Old Madam Gu, Meng Jinyao softly advised, “Mother, regarding Xiuming’s marriage, I think it’s better to wait until he brings it up himself. When he figures things out and mentions it, we can arrange it then. If we push him now, he’ll probably become rebellious and cling even more firmly to Concubine Li. After some time, when the novelty fades and his brothers all have wives, he will naturally want to marry too.”

She dared to say this because she was certain Gu Xiuming would never bring it up himself. If he were willing to do so, he wouldn’t have secretly tried to court well-matched noble girls. Unfortunately, none of them paid him any attention. Who knew what methods he might use next?

Old Madam Gu felt that her words made sense and sighed softly. “Then let’s wait a little longer.”