SGEIRS -Chapter 300 Waiting for the Hare by the Stump

That afternoon.

Meng Jinyao glanced outside. It was quite cold, but it wasn’t snowing, so she said, “The weather is pretty good today. Let’s go out for a walk.”

Qingqiu looked at her in surprise and reminded her, “Madam, there’s a strong north wind outside.”

With a serious expression, Meng Jinyao replied, “Then we’ll just dress more warmly. Staying indoors all the time isn’t good for the body either. Let’s take a walk every afternoon.”

Hearing this, Qingqiu felt that her words made some sense and asked, “Madam, where would you like to go for a walk?”

“To the back garden,” Meng Jinyao replied. “The flowers there are blooming nicely. It’s pleasant to look at. Walking while enjoying the flowers sounds quite nice.”

Qingqiu: “……”

The back garden was currently very desolate, with hardly any flowers in bloom. Only that plum tree was blooming rather well.

Still, since her mistress was interested in going out for some exercise, it was a good thing. More movement was good for her health—she couldn’t just sit or lie around all day. So Qingqiu put a warm fox-fur cloak on her and accompanied her to take a walk.

Master and servant left the room. The biting cold wind swept over them, stinging their faces.

Meng Jinyao was dressed thickly, had pulled up the hood of her cloak, and held a hand warmer, so she didn’t feel very cold.

At this time, there were hardly any flowers in the back garden. With the harsh weather, few people came here deliberately to admire the scenery. Only maids and old servants who came to clear snow could be seen.

Qingqiu pointed at a master and servant not far ahead and said in confusion, “Madam, isn’t that Concubine Li? She was clearly coming this way earlier. Why did she quietly turn back when she saw you?”

Meng Jinyao glanced at them and replied indifferently, “She probably doesn’t want to see me. Don’t worry about her. Let’s just stroll on our own.”

Qingqiu answered and accompanied her around the garden for several rounds before returning.

Originally, Qingqiu thought her mistress was just acting on a whim. She hadn’t expected Meng Jinyao to persist in going for walks every afternoon. As long as it wasn’t snowing, she would go. It seemed she was truly determined to exercise.

So, on this rest day, when Gu Jingxi came out of the small study in Weirui Pavilion and found that his little wife was nowhere to be seen, he asked Chunliu, “Where is Madam?”

Chunliu replied truthfully, “Madam went to the back garden for a walk.”

Gu Jingxi was surprised. “She went for a walk?”

Chunliu, not understanding his reaction, explained, “Madam said her health isn’t very good and needs some exercise. She’s been going for walks every day these past few days. Only the day before yesterday, when it snowed, did she take a break.”

Gu Jingxi was greatly astonished. His little wife was afraid of the cold and wished she could stay indoors all day. When it was especially cold, she would rather lie in bed and refuse to get up. Yet now she was braving the cold to take walks?

After hesitating, Chunliu asked, “My Lord, should this servant go and call Madam back?”

Gu Jingxi waved his hand. “No need. When she comes back, tell her that I’m going to Lord Qi, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. If I’m not back by dinner, she doesn’t need to wait for me.”

“Yes, My Lord,” Chunliu replied.

Back Garden

Meng Jinyao and Qingqiu walked leisurely.

Today, there was sunshine. Warm rays spread over the ground, making it very comfortable to stand under.

Meng Jinyao wasn’t wearing her cloak today. When a gust of north wind blew past, she shivered and said to Qingqiu, “Even though it’s sunny, it’s still a bit cold. Go back and fetch my cloak for me.”

Qingqiu said nervously, “Madam, if you’re cold, we should stop walking and go back. Don’t catch a chill.”

“It’s fine,” Meng Jinyao replied gently. “It’s only cold when the wind blows. Go get the cloak. I’ll wait here. After the walk, I still need to go to Shou’an Hall.”

Qingqiu agreed and hurried back along the path.

On the left, red plum blossoms were in full bloom—brilliant yet not gaudy. A faint, elegant fragrance drifted over, refreshing the spirit.

Meng Jinyao stopped and quietly admired the flowers. Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Looking over, she saw Li Wan’er walking toward her.

She stopped admiring the blossoms and calmly watched the approaching figure.

Li Wan’er curtsied. “This concubine greets Madam.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and glanced at Li Wan’er, who was alone. “No need for formalities. You’re pregnant. Why didn’t you bring a maid with you?”

“I dropped something earlier and sent my maid to look for it,” Li Wan’er replied. Then she looked at the blooming plum tree. “Madam, are you here to admire the plums?”

“Yes,” Meng Jinyao said lightly. “And you?”

“No,” Li Wan’er answered. “I just felt stuffy indoors, so I came out for some air. Ever since I became pregnant, Brother Xiuming has made me stay in my courtyard to rest. I only managed to sneak out while he went to discuss studies with the eldest young master.”

As she spoke, she gently stroked her belly, smiling—whether in pride or provocation, it was hard to tell.

Meng Jinyao replied calmly, “I’ve heard that the first three months of pregnancy require special care. Otherwise, a careless mistake could cause a miscarriage. Xiuming is doing this for your and the child’s good. You shouldn’t be willful next time.”

Li Wan’er smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with provocation. “Now that I’m pregnant and Madam is about to become a grandmother, aren’t you especially happy? This is Brother Xiuming’s first child. If Madam had married him, his first child would have come from your womb. Madam won’t be angry with me, will you?”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao gave her a strange look, then smiled. “Concubine Li worries too much. I was already happy to have a son without having to endure ten months of pregnancy. Now I’ll be a grandmother at seventeen—I’m even happier. I should thank you for letting me become a grandmother so early.”

Li Wan’er’s expression froze.

Then she stepped forward, looked straight into Meng Jinyao’s eyes, and said meaningfully, “Since Madam isn’t angry, I’m relieved. It’s just that Madam is unfortunate—you won’t get to be a grandmother this year.”

After speaking, she gave Meng Jinyao a malicious smile. Seeing Meng Jinyao’s confused expression, she suddenly threw herself forcefully against the main trunk of the plum tree and cried out in pain.

She hit herself hard enough that several blossoms were shaken loose.

Meng Jinyao stared at the fallen flowers for a moment, then subtly curled her lips.

Waiting by the stump—this was the “accident” she had been waiting for.

She lowered her gaze to Li Wan’er, who was clutching her stomach in agony, her face twisted in pain. Meng Jinyao thought to herself that this woman was truly ruthless toward herself. Still, she cooperated with the act and asked anxiously, “Concubine Li, are… are you all right?”

At this moment, Li Wan’er’s personal maid, Hongling, appeared from somewhere nearby. Pale with fright, she rushed over and asked tremblingly, “Mistress, what happened?”

Meanwhile, other maids in the area, having heard the scream, hurried over as well.

Before they even reached them, they saw Concubine Li lying beneath the plum tree, clutching her belly and moaning in pain. Hongling stood beside her, utterly panicked, while Madam stood nearby with a tense expression, staring fixedly at Concubine Li—her anger seeming strangely unsettling.