SGEIRS -Chapter 327 Give Her Some Pampering When Needed

The Supreme Court of Justice (Dali Temple) had been quiet recently. As the Shen hour arrived, Gu Jingxi prepared to head home.

Just as he stepped out of the court’s gates, a voice from behind stopped him. He turned, puzzled, and saw Qi Yunwen.

Qi Yunwen said, “Yaoling, how about a gathering at the Drunken Immortal Tavern tonight? It’s been a while since we’ve had drinks and a meal together. Tonight’s on me.”

Gu Jingxi declined politely but firmly. “Mobei, another day.”

Hearing such a direct refusal, Qi Yunwen was taken aback. “Do you have something on today?”

“I need to go home and have dinner with my wife,” Gu Jingxi replied.

Qi Yunwen chuckled. “I thought it was some big matter. You could just have sent someone to tell younger sister-in-law that you have an engagement tonight so she wouldn’t have to wait. Wouldn’t that suffice?”

Gu Jingxi gave him a meaningful look. “Did you have a quarrel with sister-in-law and need some alcohol to drown your sorrows?”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

Seeing his expression, Gu Jingxi smiled knowingly. “That’s good. Women, no matter their age, are still little girls at heart. They need to be pampered.”

Qi Yunwen let out a small “ah” and said, “Gu Yaoling, I used to teach you how to pamper your wife, and now you’re teaching me in reverse?”

Gu Jingxi replied warmly, “I’ll take my leave first. I still need to swing by Yipinzhai; if I dawdle, the pastries might be sold out. If I rush now, I might still catch them in time.”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

He watched Gu Jingxi walk away, unable to do anything.

A little later, he saw another official come out. Qi Yunwen smiled again and asked gently, “Lord Zhang, are you free tonight? How about a gathering at the Drunken Immortal Tavern? Tonight, it’s on me.”

Lord Zhang, surprised by the attention, still declined politely. “I sincerely thank you for your kind offer, but my wife has already prepared dinner at home and insists on cooking tonight. I must accompany her.”

Qi Yunwen was surprised. He remembered that Madam Zhang was a fierce woman, comparable to Lady Liu from a military family. She had even fought with Lord Zhang before because he took a concubine. Their relationship had not been harmonious. He asked in astonishment, “You and Madam Zhang are really on good terms? Weren’t you fighting before?”

Lord Zhang: “……”

Really bringing up old grudges—those fights were ages ago.

He laughed awkwardly. “That was before. Thanks to your guidance, Lord Minister, I’ve realized that with women, it’s best to yield a little. What’s the point of arguing? Ever since, my wife and I have reconciled, and she has become even more gentle and considerate.”

Qi Yunwen: “……”

What kind of superior you have influences the subordinates. The effect isn’t small at all. Ever since Yaoling wore that embroidered pouch with the mandarin ducks, other officials at Dali Temple seemed to start following suit to please their superior. Competition had even begun.

But it had its benefits—it fostered marital harmony. Officials whose families were harmonious now looked radiant. Look at it—Madam Zhang, who once fought with Lord Zhang, had now become gentle and considerate, and their marriage appeared loving.

Seeing Qi Yunwen silent, Lord Zhang worried he might be displeased and quickly added, “Lord Minister, another day I will host and invite you to drink.”

Qi Yunwen glanced at him. “Alright, go home. I need to return to my residence too.”

Lord Zhang nodded, reassured that Qi Yunwen wasn’t upset, and bid him farewell.

Qi Yunwen, having lost interest in finding someone to drink with, walked to his carriage. Once inside, he instructed the driver, “To Yipinzhai, quickly.”

When Qi Yunwen arrived at Yipinzhai, he saw Gu Jingxi just having bought pastries.

Their eyes met. After a moment, Gu Jingxi said, “What a coincidence. I thought you would have gone to drown your sorrows with other colleagues.”

Qi Yunwen pressed his lips together. “I think when it’s time to pamper, you should pamper.” He paused, then awkwardly added, “Even if it’s not my fault.”

Gu Jingxi laughed softly. “I’ve bought them. I’ll return home first. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow,” Qi Yunwen replied.

After he left, a shop assistant enthusiastically approached him. “Sir, there’s only one portion of pastries left today—salted egg yolk pastry. Would you like some? Our pastries are well-known throughout the capital. Many who buy elsewhere say ours are the best. That gentleman just bought one.”

Qi Yunwen nodded. “Yes, I’ll take it.”

Changxing Marquis Residence

Gu Jingxi returned home. As he passed the garden, he heard familiar laughter ahead. He quickened his pace and saw A-Yao and his two sisters-in-law in the garden open space, playing touhu (pitch-pot game).

To be precise, it wasn’t actually them playing; each had a maid take the field while they sipped tea and snacked on melon seeds, enjoying the spectacle.

Without conflicts of interest, the three sisters-in-law got along fairly well.

Madam Zhang first noticed Gu Jingxi. “Third sister-in-law, look, Third Younger Brother is back.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao looked up and met Gu Jingxi’s gentle, smiling gaze. Her lips curved in a smile.

Gu Jingxi approached, greeted the two sisters-in-law, and then took his little wife with him.

Meng Jinyao noticed the square package he carried. The distinctive paper immediately indicated it was Yipinzhai pastries. She smiled and asked, “Husband, what pastries did you get this time?”

“Salted egg yolk pastry. Didn’t you mention wanting some yesterday?” Gu Jingxi replied.

Meng Jinyao’s face lit up. “You’re so thoughtful.”

Gu Jingxi looked at her meaningfully. “Now you praise me? Weren’t you calling me a jerk last night?”

Blushing, Meng Jinyao shot him a reproachful glance. “If you bring up last night again, I won’t speak to you.”

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly. “Alright, alright, I won’t mention it.” He reached for her small hand to prevent her from pulling away, holding it firmly.

Meng Jinyao laughed. “Why hold it so tight? I’m not running away. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t outrun you.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at her. It wasn’t about her running—it was about ensuring she allowed him to hold her. Though she was delicate, she could be difficult when in a mood.

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen watched the couple walk away, a little envious of their affection. Their own husbands couldn’t compare to Third Younger Brother.

Madam Zhang sighed. “We used to think he wasn’t interested in women, thought he was a wooden block, but seeing him treat his wife like a treasure…we misjudged him.”

Madam Chen nodded. “Indeed. Look at what he’s carrying—that’s Yipinzhai pastries. Unlike our residence, he went out of his way to buy them for his wife.”

Madam Zhang’s tone was sour. “Our eldest master never did such a thing, even when he was young.”

Madam Chen added, “Nor did our second master.”

Madam Zhang pursed her lips and replied with a tinge of envy, “Second master is much better than our eldest master.”

And it was true. In terms of talent and ability, the second younger brother surpassed her husband. He had only taken one concubine—Xuanling’s mother, Madam Fang, who had passed away.

Meanwhile, her husband had several favored concubines. Had she not kept a close watch, there would have been numerous illegitimate children. Her strict vigilance had prevented that.