SGEIRS -Chapter 287 Wanting a Grandson

That day was a rest day.

Gu Xiuming went to Weirui Pavilion to pay his respects. When he arrived, Meng Jinyao had just finished breakfast.

Looking at her gentle and refined stepson, who wore an expression of respect, Meng Jinyao thought that at first glance, he really did look like a filial son. Inwardly, she couldn’t help admiring his acting skills. Over these past days, he had become more and more adept at putting on a show. Just by looking at him, one could hardly detect any flaws.

She curved her lips into a faint smile, adopted the demeanor of a kind mother, and said gently,
“Xiuming, it’s still snowing, and the weather is cold. You don’t need to come and pay your respects during this time.”

Gu Xiuming replied respectfully, “To have such a loving and considerate mother, I am deeply honored. But Mother’s concern for me and my wish to be filial toward you are two different things. How can I neglect greeting my elders just because of wind and snow?”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao didn’t refuse him. After all, she wasn’t the one being battered by the cold wind. She said, “With such filial piety, I, as your mother, am very comforted.”

Gu Xiuming asked, “Mother, why haven’t I seen Father?”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “Your father hasn’t gotten up yet.”

Gu Xiuming was surprised. “At this hour, Mother is already up. Why is Father still sleeping?”

Meng Jinyao didn’t hide anything and answered honestly, “Your father has been very busy with official duties lately. He came back quite late last night and only went to sleep after dawn. Do you have something to see him about? If it’s urgent, I can wake him.”

Gu Xiuming hurriedly said, “No need to wake Father. I don’t have anything important. I was just curious since I didn’t see him.”

The two of them exchanged polite, insincere pleasantries for quite a while before Gu Xiuming finally left.

After he was gone, Meng Jinyao let out a soft laugh and murmured, “No matter how good the acting is, there are still flaws.”

He had been sitting not far from her. At that distance, he could smell the medicinal scent on her. If he were truly filial, he would have asked whether she was unwell. Even a well-acted fake filial son should have noticed it.

But Gu Xiuming hadn’t paid attention to it at all. He probably felt extreme disgust toward this “stepmother,” so under that resentment, he simply ignored it.

Ningdong only heard her mutter something indistinctly and asked, “Madam, what did you say?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head. “Nothing.”

Not long after, Chunliu entered with a rectangular wooden box about the width of a man’s palm and handed it to her.

“Madam, this is the hairpin you ordered. The shopkeeper from Jinyu Pavilion just delivered it. Please see if you’re satisfied.”

Meng Jinyao took it and opened the box. Inside lay a gold-inlaid ruby hairpin in the design of blooming flowers and prosperity. A bright red ruby was set at the center of the petals, entwined with golden threads—luxurious and beautiful.

She picked it up and examined it carefully, then nodded in satisfaction. “Very nice.”

There were only a few days left before her friend A-Ning’s wedding. She had specially commissioned this hairpin as a wedding gift.

Afternoon

Gu Jingxi went to the front courtyard study to handle official business. With nothing to do, and unwilling to go out in the cold weather, Meng Jinyao followed him there.

He worked on his documents while she quietly read beside him. Neither disturbed the other.

In a nearby bronze incense burner, Silver Frost charcoal was burning. This kind of charcoal produced no smoke, unlike ordinary charcoal that filled the room with haze.

Gu Jingxi happened to look up and saw that at some point, Meng Jinyao had taken off her cloak, moved her chair to about three steps away from the burner, and was sitting there with a book in her hands, reading attentively.

Seeing her gentle and tranquil expression, he smiled faintly and lowered his head to continue his work.

Time passed unknowingly. When Gu Jingxi set down his brush and looked up again, lamps had already been lit, and dusk had fallen outside.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, followed by a familiar voice.

“My lord, it’s your subordinate.”

Meng Jinyao, feeling a little drowsy, immediately perked up out of curiosity. If she remembered correctly, the person outside should be Yu Chuan, who had been monitoring Gu Xiuming.

Gu Jingxi said aloud, “Come in.”

After entering, Yu Chuan closed the door. Seeing Meng Jinyao present, he froze briefly, then respectfully saluted the two of them and went straight to the point.

“My lord, the young heir seems to be ill.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised and asked softly, “Xiuming came to greet me this morning, and he looked quite energetic. How did he suddenly fall ill?”

Gu Jingxi also looked puzzled and turned his gaze to Yu Chuan.

Yu Chuan hesitated for a moment. Though it wasn’t a major matter, it involved descendants, so he felt it was better to report it.

“The young heir seems to have… difficulties in that area. I saw Concubine Li secretly send a maid out to buy deer penis and pig penis from a pharmacy to stew into soup for him. He drank deer soup the day before yesterday and pig soup yesterday, but it doesn’t seem to have worked. To save his face, Concubine Li didn’t tell him what those soups really were.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi frowned slightly.

Meng Jinyao found it unbelievable. That rebellious boy had only turned seventeen after the New Year. At such an age, when one should be full of vigor, and with no injuries or illnesses—how could he already be “incapable”?

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “There’s no need to interfere. Keep watching him. If he dares do anything disgraceful, stop him immediately.”

Yu Chuan was momentarily stunned. Then he thought that even if the heir were truly incapable, they could always adopt a child. The family line wouldn’t be cut off. There were plenty of children in the Gu clan.

He quickly replied, “Yes, my lord.”

After Yu Chuan left, Meng Jinyao said in puzzlement, “Husband, he’s so young. Is his body really that weak? Could it be that he indulged too much before and ruined himself?”

Gu Jingxi shook his head lightly. “Before he ran away to avoid marriage, he seemed upright and self-disciplined. He didn’t even have a maidservant for personal service. I think his body is fine—he just doesn’t want to.”

Meng Jinyao didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

Gu Jingxi explained, “Isn’t he trying to find himself a proper wife? If a concubine gets pregnant and gives birth, girls from decent families won’t dare marry him. And Concubine Li isn’t an ordinary concubine—she’s his favored one, the one he ruined his family’s reputation for when he ran away.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned. “If he doesn’t want children, isn’t there contraceptive soup?”

Gu Jingxi asked in return, “What if he doesn’t want Concubine Li to know he has already betrayed their relationship? Since he claims to want lifelong devotion, why wouldn’t he want children?”

Meng Jinyao frowned. Gu Xiuming did have feelings for Concubine Li, but in front of interests, he couldn’t remain faithful. Perhaps out of guilt, or fear of her making trouble, he hid it from her. He planned to wait until the marriage was settled before telling her, then coax her into accepting it.

She curled her lips into a sly smile. “Since he drank those tonics without knowing they were aphrodisiacs, he can only suppress himself for now. Speaking of which, I’ve never experienced being a grandmother. I hope Concubine Li works harder, stews more tonic soup, and gives me a big, chubby grandson.”

Gu Jingxi was left speechless by her words. Seeing her mischievous smile, he shook his head helplessly and laughed.

“There will be grandchildren in the future. Let’s eat dinner first.”