SGEIRS -Chapter 29 A Glimpse of Spring

Weirui Pavilion.

So many things had happened today. In the morning, she went back to her parental home. After returning to the Marquis’ residence, she went to see that so-called “bargain son,” and even went to the ancestral hall to watch a punishment being carried out. Meng Jinyao was feeling rather tired. She lay on a chaise longue with her eyes closed, resting, and only opened them when she heard some movement.

Chunliu lifted the beaded curtain and entered. After bowing respectfully to Meng Jinyao, she handed over an invitation card with both hands.

“Madam, this is an invitation that was delivered some time ago.”

Meng Jinyao took it and glanced at it. It was from her close friend from her maiden days, Song Xinning, the daughter of the Director of the Imperial Academy. She was inviting her to meet at Charan Pavilion the day after tomorrow. Most likely, she was worried about her and wanted to know how she was doing now.

Meng Jinyao closed the card and casually instructed, “Go to the Song residence and pass on a message for me. Tell Miss Song that I’ll be there on time.”

Hearing that she had been assigned a task, Chunliu felt secretly delighted. It seemed that she had made a good impression on Madam today by informing her about the heir being brought back. She quickly asked, “Madam, which Song residence is it?”

“Minister Song’s residence—the Director of the Imperial Academy,” Meng Jinyao replied. Then she glanced at Chunliu. With her delicate looks, she was pleasing to the eye, but Meng Jinyao couldn’t recall her name for a moment. She asked, “What’s your name again?”

Chunliu replied respectfully, “Replying to Madam, this servant is called Chunliu.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly and asked, “Chunliu? Isn’t there another one called Xia… something?”

“Yes, Xiazhu. She’s also a senior maid in Weirui Pavilion. Both names were given by the Old Madam, corresponding to the seasons we were born in.”

Meng Jinyao said in surprise, “What a coincidence. Together with my two maids, that makes up all four seasons. Their names also match their birth seasons.”

Chunliu was also surprised. Taking the opportunity, she added some flattering words. “Madam, that means you and the Marquis are destined by heaven. Even our names are such a perfect match.”

Meng Jinyao pursed her lips and smiled but didn’t respond.

Whether it was destiny or not, she didn’t know. All she knew was that Gu Jingxi was the fool she ran into when she was unlucky. Who told him he failed to discipline his son properly? Then he’d have to pay for it himself first.

Seeing that she didn’t respond, Chunliu tactfully changed the topic. “Madam, I’ll go to the Song residence to reply to Miss Song now.”

Meng Jinyao waved her hand. “Go ahead.”

After Chunliu left, Ningdong, who had been attending at the side, finally spoke. She pouted, looking somewhat displeased.

“Madam, why did you let her go to the Song residence? It used to be either me or Qingqiu.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at her reproachfully and, seeing her dejected expression, asked with a smile, “What’s wrong? Someone’s helping you run errands, and you’re unhappy? If someone is willing to do the tiring work, shouldn’t you be glad to be more free?”

“How is passing on messages for Madam tiring?” Ningdong shook her head repeatedly. She was more than willing to do it. Now that she had nothing to do, she felt that both she and Qingqiu had fallen out of favor. Chunliu had a sweet mouth and knew how to please Madam, but her mouth was sweet too.

Meng Jinyao laughed helplessly. “Are you born to toil?”

Ningdong protested, “This servant just likes sharing Madam’s worries. Qingqiu does too. If you don’t believe me, ask her.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Qingqiu replied, “Madam, I actually think it’s good that someone else runs errands. I’d rather stay by your side and serve you.”

Ningdong: “???”

Meng Jinyao smiled warmly. “You grew up with me. We’ve shared more than ten years together, like sisters. How could anyone compare to that? Chunliu and Xiazhu are senior maids of Weirui Pavilion too. I can’t neglect them. They were sent by the Old Madam, so on the surface, I must treat everyone equally.”

Ningdong lowered her head. “Madam, this servant was narrow-minded.”

Meng Jinyao said gently, “It’s normal to feel a little jealous. But you don’t need to compare yourselves to them. Just get along well. Think of it as someone helping share the workload.”

Ningdong nodded. “Madam, I understand.”

After a while, worry surfaced in her heart. “Madam, the heir has returned. He might make things difficult for you in the future.”

Meng Jinyao didn’t take Gu Xiuming seriously at all. The corners of her lips slowly curved upward, and she said lightly with a smile, “Since when does a son make things difficult for his mother? A son who does that is unfilial. In the Gu family, unfilial sons are dealt with by family discipline.”

Seeing that meaningful smile, Ningdong felt enlightened, as if awakened by a revelation. All her worries vanished.

“That’s right! I almost forgot. You’re his mother now. When he sees you, he has to behave and show respect. You’re the one who can control him.”

“Yes,” Meng Jinyao said leisurely, her smile deepening, her brows and eyes curved, her bright eyes full of slyness. “I got myself a good big son for free.”

—

On the other side, after accompanying the Old Madam for dinner, Gu Jingxi went to the study in the front courtyard to deal with the official work that had piled up over the past two days.

Because he had suddenly gotten married, he also suddenly had marital leave.

And because he had been injured while saving the emperor, His Majesty felt indebted to him. His leave was longer than that of other officials—half a month. Once he finished the backlog, he could rest for a while.

By the time Gu Jingxi finished, it was already nearly midnight. He ordered the servants to bring water to wash up. He originally planned to sleep in the study, but then he thought—if he stayed there all night and didn’t return, the servants might think the young lady had fallen out of favor. Those opportunistic servants might treat her poorly.

Forget it. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t slept there before. They had already shared a bed for two nights—what difference would a third make? Since he had married her, he had to take responsibility.

Thinking this, he said, “No need to prepare.”

“Yes, Marquis,” the servant replied.

Gu Jingxi left the study and returned to Weirui Pavilion under the stars. After bathing in the washroom, he went back to the bedroom.

A single lamp was left on inside. The soft light fell on her beautiful sleeping face.

The young girl was extremely beautiful, her skin smooth like warm jade, her features delicate and bright.

She lay on her side, her hair loose, red lips slightly parted, eyes tightly shut. Her collar was half open, revealing her pale pink undergarment. Her sleeping appearance was charming and alluring.

Do not look at what is improper.

Gu Jingxi only glanced once before quickly averting his gaze. After undressing, he lay down and tucked her in, pulling the quilt up to her neck to cover that inadvertent glimpse of spring.

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable, the girl frowned, then simply and rudely lifted her leg and kicked the quilt away.

Gu Jingxi: “…”

So she had quite a temper even in her sleep.

Still, he reached out and pulled the quilt back up, trying to cover that tempting sight again. But before he could finish, the girl groggily opened her eyes and met his gaze.

His breathing stalled. He clearly hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he inexplicably felt guilty.

The next moment, the girl lowered her head to look, then blurted out: “Husband, we’re husband and wife. If you want to look, why sneak around?”