SGEIRS -Chapter 298 Reconciled as Before

The next day.

The Changxing Marquis’ Residence held a banquet, inviting relatives and friends.

The three sisters-in-law, including Meng Jinyao, were busy once again. The men of the household were just as occupied. Gu Jingxi and his two brothers entertained guests of the same generation, while Gu Xiuyuan and his three brothers received guests of similar age. Even Old Madam Gu had to socialize with the elderly ladies who came to attend.

After the luncheon, everyone chatted for a while. As it neared dusk, the guests gradually took their leave, and only then could the family finally rest.

Once the guests had gone, Madam Zhang’s smile could no longer be maintained. She frowned, clearly troubled by something. Without greeting her two sisters-in-law, she went straight back to her own courtyard.

Noticing something was wrong, Meng Jinyao quietly asked Madam Chen, who had spent the most time with Madam Zhang that day, “Second Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with Eldest Sister-in-law? She seems to be in a bad mood.”

Madam Chen replied, “Isn’t it because of Xuanyi? The people from the Marquis Wu’an’s Residence came today. Eldest Sister-in-law accidentally saw the Marquis’s wife scolding Xuanyi in a secluded corner. Xuanyi felt wronged but didn’t dare speak up. When she returned to public view, she forced a smile and didn’t show the slightest grievance.”

After speaking, she sighed softly. She and Madam Zhang had been at odds for over ten years. They had never liked each other much. Yet now, seeing her worry over her child, Madam Chen suddenly felt a bit sympathetic. Since Xuanyi got married, the open and secret rivalry between them had indeed lessened.

Meng Jinyao asked again, “Did Eldest Sister-in-law go out and confront the Marquis’s wife?”

Madam Chen shook her head. “She wanted to, but she held back. If she had offended the Marquis’s wife, Xuanyi would surely suffer when she returned. Later, she wanted to advise Xuanyi on how to deal with such matters, but the Wu’an family left early, so she didn’t get the chance. Luckily, our Xuailing is obedient and sensible. Although she married down, she lives happily. In another year or two, when she has a child, it’ll be even better. Otherwise, Second Master and I would be worried sick.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent.

The Gu family’s two daughters—one married to an marquis’s heir, the other to the son of a minor official. The former rarely had peaceful days, while the latter enjoyed harmony and affection. Sometimes, listening to elders could help one avoid jumping into a pit of fire. Those who insisted on their own way usually did not end well.

After a while, Madam Chen asked curiously, “Third Sister-in-law, what’s going on between your Xiuming and Concubine Li lately? They seem to be at odds. He’s been gloomy these days, as if something is weighing on his mind.”

Meng Jinyao answered vaguely, “What else could it be? Young people quarrel with their beloved over romantic matters. They’re fighting now, but once they’ve had enough, they’ll make up again.”

Madam Chen twitched her lips inwardly. You’re two months younger than him—yet you call him a child?

Meng Jinyao continued, “They’re grown up. They can handle their own affairs. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. We elders should meddle less. Worry too much, and you’ll age faster.”

Madam Chen agreed. “That’s true. Since Xuanyi married, Eldest Sister-in-law has become much more anxious. She doesn’t seem as spirited as before.”

Changing the subject, Meng Jinyao said, “Second Sister-in-law, I heard from the Marquis that Xiuhong has a good chance of passing the spring examination this year. After that, his marriage should be settled, right?”

“I do think so,” Madam Chen sighed. “If he passes, I’ll find him a good wife. But if he fails, he won’t agree to marry. He insists on getting his name on the honor roll first.”

Meng Jinyao comforted her. “He studies so diligently. He’ll surely succeed.”

Madam Chen nodded. “Let’s hope so. Otherwise, I don’t know when I’ll get a daughter-in-law.”

In the following days, everyone was busy visiting relatives and strengthening ties.

In the blink of an eye, the seventh day of the New Year passed. The men who served at court returned to work on the eighth, beginning another year of toil.

The young scholars were still free. The academies would not reopen until after the Lantern Festival, so Gu Xiuyuan and the others invited young gentlemen over to brew tea and compose poetry. The household was lively.

Only Gu Xiuhong, who would take part in the spring examination on the ninth day of the second month, shut himself indoors to study. He devoted himself to the classics and only went out to consult his third uncle when he encountered difficulties.

One matter, however, was worth mentioning—about Qingyu Courtyard.

Previously, after Gu Xiuming quarreled with Concubine Li, he was attended daily by the maid Yuan’er. Yuan’er’s status rose rapidly, and even she herself became rather complacent.

But then, Concubine Li suddenly coaxed Gu Xiuming back. The two reconciled, and he stopped neglecting her. Instead, Yuan’er was now the one being sidelined, which infuriated her.

Ningdong, who always followed such gossip, reported it to Meng Jinyao at once.

Meng Jinyao was slightly surprised. “They suddenly made up yesterday?”

Ningdong nodded. “Yes. Concubine Li personally cooked dishes Young Master loves and apologized. Seeing her sincerity, he stopped holding a grudge, and they reconciled.”

Meng Jinyao chuckled softly. “So impatient? It seems the good show is about to begin.”

Ningdong was confused. “Madam, what do you mean? What show?”

“For now, I can’t say,” Meng Jinyao replied with a smile. “Just wait. We’ll soon have something interesting to watch.”

“Is it about Young Master and Concubine Li?” Ningdong asked.

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly.

Abnormal behavior always hid something. Gu Xiuming had been furious over Concubine Li’s pregnancy—how could he forgive her just because of one meal? This reconciliation was merely a smokescreen, meant to lull her into sweetness so he could act more easily.

If her guess was right, he was already planning to make her lose the child. Her cooking had simply given him a convenient excuse.

Still unsatisfied, Ningdong stared at her eagerly. “Madam, do you know something?”

“Just a little more than you,” Meng Jinyao said playfully, gesturing with her fingers.

“What is it?” Ningdong pressed.

“Not yet. I’ll gossip with you properly later.”

Ningdong immediately wilted. If her mistress refused to say, she definitely wouldn’t. At most, she could only share the vague hint with Qingqiu.

Seeing her drooping expression, Meng Jinyao smiled and pushed a plate of pastries toward her.
“Here, your favorite. Eat more. Is his business more important than food?”

Ningdong brightened instantly. “Madam is right. Eating is more important!”

Meng Jinyao laughed helplessly. “You’re such a glutton. Won’t some man trick you away someday with good food?”

Ningdong blushed and shook her head quickly. “I don’t want to marry! I only like what Madam gives me. I don’t care about food from smelly men. Staying with Madam means I always have good things to eat. With a man, maybe not. If he stops pleasing me, won’t I starve?”

Meng Jinyao teased her further. “But didn’t you once say you wanted to marry a cook? They make lots of delicious food.”

Ningdong’s face grew even redder. “That was when I was young and ignorant. Now I know many cooks don’t even cook at home—it’s the women who do! No matter who you marry, you have to cook. Following Madam, I never have to. Marrying someone means going to suffer.”

Meng Jinyao smiled gently and stopped teasing her.

For now, neither Qingqiu nor Ningdong wished to marry. Still, she didn’t want them to waste their lives. In a few years, she would ask again. If they wished to marry, she would find them good husbands. If not, and they wanted to stay by her side for life, she would never treat them unfairly.