SGEIRS -Chapter 375 The Former and the Current

The next day was the birthday banquet of Prefect Wei’s mother.

Meng Jinyao dressed and prepared herself, then brought along Qingqiu and Chan’er, accompanying Gu Jingxi to attend the banquet.

The mother of the Prefect was celebrating her birthday, and officials, merchants, and other notable people of Huzhou Prefecture had all arrived early to offer their congratulations.

Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi, as a married couple, arrived neither too early nor too late. As they got off the carriage, they saw many carriages and sedan chairs already parked in front of the residence.

At that moment, another carriage beside them also stopped, and a middle-aged couple descended. They were dressed elegantly and appeared to be around forty. The man exuded scholarly elegance with authority, while the woman was gentle, dignified, and wore a faint smile that made her seem kind. Behind them, a younger couple carrying a child stepped down from another carriage.

Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao exchanged a glance with the middle-aged couple across from them.

Gu Jingxi then cupped his hands in salute: “Lord Han, it has been many years. I hope you have been well?”

The middle-aged man calmly returned the gesture: “I have been well. From the looks of you, Lord Gu, it seems life has treated you kindly too. Marriage really does make a difference.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at the person beside him, his gaze softening, a gentle smile curving his lips. “Naturally. My wife is gentle and virtuous. If life were not good, it would be my fault.”

From their conversation, Meng Jinyao recognized them. This was Lord Han, the Governor of Zhejiang, and his wife. The people behind them were presumably their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild.

Madam Han looked Meng Jinyao over, a spark of admiration in her eyes, and said warmly, smiling: “Madam Gu, you are truly beautiful. Without knowing, one might think you are a fairy in the presence of the Queen Mother—simply delightful to behold.”

Meng Jinyao smiled in return: “Madam Han, you flatter me. I’ve heard that in your youth you were both talented and beautiful, a model for the young ladies of the capital, and an example for us juniors to follow.”

Whether or not Madam Han was truly such a model, Meng Jinyao did not know. She decided to just compliment her—after all, Madam Han came from the Wei family, a prominent household in the capital. Most daughters from such families were remarkable; remarkable people were considered models.

Whether it was sincere or not didn’t matter much. The key was that the words felt pleasant to hear. Mutual flattery between official wives was commonplace.

Madam Han’s smile broadened. After a few words of conversation, seeing that Meng Jinyao spoke to her respectfully as one would to a senior, she said kindly, “Considering age and our families’ connection, I might be considered an elder. If you don’t mind, you may call me ‘Aunt.’”

Meng Jinyao was a little surprised. Her husband had said they had no connection with the Wei family, but with the Han family? Perhaps they did, otherwise Madam Han would not have said such a thing.

She didn’t fully understand the intricacies, but Madam Han was indeed older. Even if her own mother were still alive, she would not be older than Madam Han. Since her husband had not signaled that it was inappropriate, she replied, “Aunt.”

Madam Han smiled, removed a finely crafted jade bracelet from her wrist, and, without asking, slipped it onto Meng Jinyao’s wrist. Her voice was gentle: “I didn’t bring much with me, so consider this bracelet a token of greeting from me.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at Gu Jingxi. Seeing him nod slightly, she did not refuse, smiling as she said, “Jinyao thanks you, Aunt.”

The women bonded naturally, and the men also broke the initial formality. Gu Jingxi greeted, “Uncle Han,” and Lord Han replied, “Yaoling,” instantly warming the relationship.

Lord Han’s son and daughter-in-law stepped forward as well to exchange greetings.

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the Wei residence.

Madam Han cast a glance at Gu Jingxi’s back and then at Meng Jinyao beside him. This young woman was truly beautiful, especially her large, expressive eyes. It was a bit of a pity she had married Gu Jingxi, but matters of marriage were often beyond outsiders’ judgment; what outsiders thought was merely their opinion.

Speaking of Gu Jingxi, Madam Han recalled her own sister-in-law, Mei Qingyun, who had once been Gu Jingxi’s fiancée. The top scholar of the capital and the most talented beauty, a pairing of a perfect couple—a celebrated story.

But Gu Jingxi had met with misfortune, the Mei family called off the engagement, and her brother, long enamored with Mei Qingyun, eventually asked their parents for her hand and married her. At first, the couple was affectionate, but now… well, it was better not to think about it.

The male guests gathered in the front courtyard while the women stayed in the rear.

Familiar with the Wei residence, Madam Han led Meng Jinyao, along with her daughter-in-law and little grandson, to the rear courtyard.

Upon arrival, they were soon greeted.

Meng Jinyao looked up to see a woman in her twenties, with skin as smooth as cream, eyes like autumn water, and features soft but precise—captivating in her beauty, yet not provocative or ostentatious.

Her attire was simple and elegant: a light blue dress, jade hairpin, pearl earrings—graceful and refined. Her steps were light, her movements composed and dignified.

When she smiled slightly, she seemed gentle and approachable, a beauty that immediately inspired admiration.

Next, she addressed Madam Han: “Eldest sister, you’ve finally arrived. Mother was just mentioning you.”

Upon hearing “eldest sister,” Meng Jinyao realized her identity. This was her husband’s former fiancée and the current Prefect’s wife.

Madam Han and Mei Qingyun exchanged a few pleasantries, and Madam Han then introduced her: “Qingyun, this is Madam Gu, the wife of Marquis Gu.” Turning to Meng Jinyao, she said, “Jinyao, this is my sister-in-law.”

Mei Qingyun had casually glanced at Meng Jinyao before, about to ask who she was. Hearing Madam Han introduce her, she paused, then studied Meng Jinyao again.

At first glance, the young woman was stunning. Upon closer look, she remained breathtaking—strikingly radiant, alluring, with clear and lively almond-shaped eyes that seemed to speak. She was truly a rare beauty.

She had already known that her former fiancé had married, and under what circumstances, but she did not expect him to marry such a beautiful woman, and that Gu Xiuming had abandoned such a stunning fiancée for an orphan girl.

Mei Qingyun composed herself, slightly bowed, and said, “Madam Gu.”

Meng Jinyao nodded, “Madam Wei.”

They did not converse further. Mei Qingyun led them into the flower hall. The birthday lady, as the mother of the Prefect, was being fawned over by all the female guests.

Upon learning Meng Jinyao’s identity, the knowledgeable women displayed a fleetingly subtle expression—seeing the former fiancée and the current wife of Marquis Gu meet, yet both polite and courteous, left them slightly disappointed. However, being proper ladies, they refrained from showing any outward reaction.

Lord Han’s official post was in Hangzhou Prefecture, not far from Huzhou. Madam Han, when free, visited Huzhou to see her elderly mother. She knew many of the local officials’ wives, merchants’ wives, and notable families. While speaking with Meng Jinyao, she introduced them.

Although Meng Jinyao was unfamiliar with Madam Han, she could feel her kindness and gentle nature.

At the same time, she realized that Madam Han’s warmth toward her was also due to her husband. In official circles, when a husband works to advance his career, his wife often takes the initiative to build friendships with other ministers’ wives, which can be useful at key moments. For instance, earlier, Madam Han had drawn closer to her, and in a sense, so had their husbands.

Overall, Madam Han bore no ill will toward her, though she would not entirely drop her guard.

Interestingly, this kind and gentle Madam Han seemed more approachable toward Meng Jinyao, a first-time acquaintance, than toward her own sister-in-law, Madam Wei.