SGEIRS -Chapter 323 The Wedding Approaches

Madam Zhang heard this and felt a huge weight lift from her heart. Everything was finally moving in the right direction.

Gu Xuanyi had been feeling comfortable these past few days; life now seemed full of hope. She said, “Mother, what you said earlier makes sense. Her setting rules for me was just temporary. Once she’s more satisfied with me, she might not impose rules at all.”

Madam Zhang smiled. “Of course. Setting rules for a daughter-in-law is always temporary. If it lasted a lifetime, outsiders would call me a wicked mother-in-law.” She took her daughter’s hand, gently patting the back of it, speaking earnestly, “Xuanyi, just focus on being a good daughter-in-law and honoring her. Human hearts are made of flesh; if she’s satisfied with you as a daughter-in-law, she will naturally treat you well.”

This time, Gu Xuanyi didn’t argue. She fully agreed with her mother and said, “Mother, last time I was thoughtless and caused you worry. I’m sorry.”

Madam Zhang, slightly surprised, hadn’t expected to hear such words from her daughter. After the previous incident of her running back to her maternal home, her daughter had clearly matured quite a bit.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out nearby: “Xuanyi, so you’re here.”

Gu Xuanyi looked outside the pavilion, and the familiar figure came into view. A smile immediately appeared on her face.

The heir of the Wu An Bo family approached quickly, bowing respectfully to Madam Zhang, then stood beside Gu Xuanyi, gazing at her affectionately.

Seeing this, Madam Zhang was also happy for her daughter. Having someone whose whole heart was devoted to Xuanyi meant the future would be bright. Taking advantage of both her daughter and son-in-law being present, she applied a bit of gentle pressure: “Xuanyi, your younger sister Xuanling is already three months pregnant. You two are getting married even earlier. You should make an effort too so that I can hold a grandchild soon.”

Gu Xuanyi lowered her head, cheeks tinged with shyness.

The Wu An Bo heir spoke gently, “Mother-in-law, matters of children cannot be rushed. Besides, Xuanyi is still young. If she became a mother too soon, she might be overwhelmed.”

Gu Xuanyi nodded earnestly. “Yes, Mother, these things can’t be rushed. I’m not ready to be someone’s mother yet—let’s wait another two or three years.”

Madam Zhang, hearing this, didn’t press further; otherwise, it would seem like she was meddling too much as a senior family member.

Soon after, Zhang had matters to attend to. With guests present, she couldn’t stay too long. She left the pavilion, leaving only Gu Xuanyi and her husband.

The Wu An Bo heir sat beside her, his gaze resting on the rare flowers outside the pavilion, seemingly admiring them, and casually asked, “Xuanyi, I saw you talking so happily with mother-in-law just now. What were you talking about that made you so cheerful?”

Gu Xuanyi replied, “Nothing special, just some casual family talk.”

“What kind of casual family talk?”

He tapped lightly on the stone table, glancing at her, clearly curious about their conversation.

Puzzled, Gu Xuanyi asked, “Are you interested in women’s chatter, Husband?”

He smiled gently. “Not at all. I’m only interested in things concerning Xuanyi. Whatever it is, as long as it involves you, I care about it.”

Her heart warmed, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She answered truthfully, “Mother just asked if I had been treated unfairly after I went back with you the other day. I said no, and she was relieved.”

The heir nodded slightly, speaking softly, “Your mother-in-law isn’t unreasonable. It was your younger sister’s fault. Don’t fuss over it. If you can’t get along well, just greet her politely. She began discussing marriage this year, so she’ll probably wed next year.”

Hearing this, Gu Xuanyi’s smile deepened. She had long hoped her little sister would marry soon—ideally setting the wedding in two months and celebrating by year’s end, rather than waiting until next year.

The heir looked thoughtful and advised, “Xuanyi, from now on, don’t discuss our matters with the elders.”

Confused, Gu Xuanyi said, “Ah?” and looked at her husband blankly. She hadn’t told the elders anything, had she?

He met her eyes seriously. “I don’t want the elders to inquire about or meddle in our affairs. Understand?”

Gu Xuanyi had no objections. She playfully scolded him, “I understand. We’re adults, not children. We handle our own matters. You’ve said this many times; I’m starting to get calluses in my ears from listening to it.”

The heir was slightly taken aback, then lowered his head and sighed softly. “That’s because I was so controlled by my mother as a child. That’s why I dislike elders meddling. When I was little, I reported everything to them, but as I grew up, I stopped doing so.”

Gu Xuanyi nodded repeatedly. “Husband, I understand. I haven’t told the elders about our matters either.”

He pursed his lips in a smile. “Xuanyi, you must be the one who understands me best in this world, the one whose temperament matches mine perfectly. With a wife like you, what more could a husband ask for?”

Her cheeks tinged pink at his words, and she teasingly said, “Flattery! Are you trying to sweet-talk me?”

He looked innocent. “Xuanyi, you’re wrong. I’m only speaking the truth.”

That day, the Changxing Marquis Mansion received an invitation from the Yongchang Marquis Mansion. Meng Dongyuan, the Yongchang Bo, was about to marry his third wife, Ms. Dong. The wedding was set for the eighth day of the fourth month, which was not far off.

Meng Jinyao glanced at the invitation and closed it. Her father remarrying didn’t stir any feelings in her, but she was somewhat curious about Ms. Dong. She had never met her but had heard she was gentle. Still, rumors weren’t always trustworthy. People had once praised Sun as a virtuous wife and caring mother, yet she turned out to be a poisonous woman.

Just then, Gu Jingxi returned and saw her holding an invitation. He casually asked, “A-Yao, whose invitation is that?”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “It’s from my father, your father-in-law. Next month, on the eighth, he’s marrying a new stepmother and has invited us to celebrate his wedding.”

Gu Jingxi, recently busy, had almost forgotten about his father-in-law remarrying. He paused upon hearing the news. “It’s the end of March now; April 8th isn’t far off.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Yes, only ten days to go.”

Gu Jingxi said gently, “A-Yao, we should prepare a congratulatory gift. You can pick one from the storeroom and bring it along.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and then asked with some hesitation, “Husband, although I’m not pleased with him, we can’t lose face at such a time, or people will gossip. As a daughter and son-in-law, what kind of gift should we bring for my father’s remarriage?”

Gu Jingxi thought for a moment, then said, “I remember there’s a folding screen in the storeroom embroidered with a pair of lovebirds on intertwined branches. How about that?”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “That works. It symbolizes a joyful union, suitable as a wedding gift.” She paused and frowned slightly. “Wait, I don’t think we have such a folding screen in our storeroom.”

Gu Jingxi shook his head. “Not our private storeroom—the family’s storeroom.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. “Husband, how do you know that so clearly?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I went to the storeroom a couple of days ago to look for an old painting, and I saw that folding screen.”