SGEIRS -Chapter 380 He’s the One Who Suffers

Gu Jingxi came out of the study in the front courtyard and ran into Steward Liu.

Seeing him, Steward Liu quickened his pace toward him—it seemed he had something to report.

When he got close, Gu Jingxi waved his hand, signaling that no formalities were needed, and asked directly, “Steward Liu, is there something you need?”

Steward Liu replied, “My lord, the branch of the Gu family that stayed in Huzhou learned that you were returning home to pay respects to your ancestors. They have come to ask whether they may accompany you on the ancestral rites.”

Normally, such a matter wouldn’t require disturbing the lord, but going with him to pay respects had a different significance. The Huzhou branch of the family had little achievement; they lived quietly in their ancestral home. Going with the lord to the ancestral tombs would boost their prestige in Huzhou.

Gu Jingxi didn’t hesitate and replied, “Of course they may.”

The ancestors weren’t his alone. Even though the distant branches were not closely related and rarely interacted, they shared the same lineage. He was returning home to perform ancestral rites, so the more people who joined him, the grander the occasion would be—making it easier to conceal other matters.

Steward Liu nodded. “I will send someone with the message shortly.”

Gu Jingxi gave a faint “hmm” and asked, “How are the preparations for the ancestral rites coming along?”

“They’re nearly complete, my lord. Rest assured, everything will be ready the day after tomorrow, so it won’t affect the rites,” Steward Liu answered respectfully. Since his master had returned home after such a long time, he was determined to make a good impression. The message from the ancestors in a dream was a major matter, so he not only wanted it done but done properly.

After a moment, Steward Liu continued, “My lord, a branch relative of your generation—his eldest grandson will hold a full-month celebration ten days from now. He sent an invitation. After passing the xiucai exam, he did not advance further and is now teaching at the academy.” With that, he handed over the invitation.

Gu Jingxi glanced at it and instructed, “I won’t be in Huzhou city ten days from now. Prepare a gift to be sent on my behalf.”

Steward Liu responded, “Yes, my lord.”

Suddenly remembering something, Gu Jingxi added, “The madam likes Taihu silverfish. Have the kitchen procure some to eat at lunch or dinner.”

Steward Liu replied, “My lord, I had someone buy it yesterday. It should already be here.”

Surprised, Gu Jingxi glanced at him and praised without restraint, “Well done.”

Steward Liu felt pleased. To win the lord’s favor, one must put in effort. In the past few days, he had noticed that the lord treated the madam extremely well, always putting her first. The dishes were prepared according to her preferences. When she was happy, the lord was happy.

So upon learning that she liked Taihu silverfish, he immediately had someone buy it. Besides silverfish, the madam also liked Taihu white shrimp, Taihu whitefish, and some local Huzhou delicacies.

Over the next two days, Gu Jingxi took Meng Jinyao out to enjoy herself, visiting local scenic spots and experiencing the region’s customs.

Meng Jinyao had a wonderful time. Huzhou was far from the imperial city, with fewer strict rules. The people were more open-minded and the lifestyle freer.

But there was one bothersome matter.

Yu Chuan had been keeping an eye on Lord Wei these past two days, stubbornly trying to dig up some secret. Yet, there was no progress—only two days of gossip.

Ever since their lord and lady attended Madam Wei’s birthday banquet, and considering the four arguments between Lord Wei and Madam Wei that night—each somehow involving their lord—Yu Chuan had been endlessly reporting the quarrels.

Anyone unaware might think that their lord had done something to seduce Madam Wei.

Madam Wei herself was ridiculous; she had been married for many years and yet still paid attention to the lord’s actions. She constantly raised the lord’s status in front of Lord Wei while belittling him, enraging Lord Wei and creating a grudge against the lord.

But what was astonishing was that this couple was unlike others. Typically, after such quarrels, most couples would avoid intimacy, even face-to-face contact. But this couple was different—they could still be intimate after arguing, and even during quarrels, they sometimes carried on.

Of course, it was Lord Wei who initiated this forcefully. Madam Wei did not resist, only mocking him afterward, which infuriated him enough to take medicine in advance next time.

Even an onlooker like Yu Chuan was confused—what kind of madness was this?

Despite mutual hatred, they still engaged in such acts. Madam Wei had even plotted against heirs and concubines. Lord Wei knew this and could have divorced her to marry a virtuous woman, ensuring household peace—but he didn’t. Instead, they remained entangled, torturing each other.

Meanwhile, Gu Jingxi, hearing Yu Chuan’s gossip, grew increasingly annoyed. How on earth had he become the root cause of a married couple’s quarrels?

Lord Wei was incompetent, Madam Wei mocked him, and yet he was pulled into the aftermath and called useless.

He scowled. “Yu Chuan, can’t you find out about anything else? Why should their quarrels concern me?”

Yu Chuan glanced nervously. “My lord, their arguments are connected to you. Madam Wei fancies you, and Lord Wei thinks you are deeply attached to his wife… he even said you two are a pair of star-crossed lovers.”

Gu Jingxi: “…”

He had seen clingy couples before, but never strangers being called star-crossed lovers—especially when one of them was himself.

After a pause, he replied, “That’s just their delusion. Besides this, did you uncover anything else?”

Yu Chuan said, “I secretly entered Lord Wei’s study and searched carefully. There were no hidden compartments. He’s a cautious man. There were some letters, but only correspondence with family and friends—nothing else.”

Gu Jingxi frowned slightly. He knew Lord Wei accepted bribes and facilitated favors. Even if he knew, proving it definitively would be difficult unless he found a private account. All official assets were recorded publicly, but some wealth acquired through corruption appeared in private accounts. A dishonest official usually kept such a record.

For now, evidence of Lord Wei’s bribery could wait. The matter in Deqing County was more urgent. If a clue there led directly to Lord Wei, they could follow the trail.

Suddenly, Yu Chuan said, “My lord, Lord Wei also asked his confidants about your activities these past two days—where you went and what you did. He knows the movements of you and the madam.”

Gu Jingxi’s expression stiffened. He asked about their whereabouts—did he suspect something, fearing investigation?

He said calmly, “Understood. From now on, don’t tell me about their quarrels.”

Yu Chuan: “Yes, my lord.”

Initially, Yu Chuan found the gossip about Lord Wei and Madam Wei tiresome. But after listening a few times, he found it amusing—every time they quarreled, their lord suffered. Madam Wei would praise him, and Lord Wei would criticize.

Gu Jingxi’s expression darkened. “Yu Chuan, what are you thinking?”

Yu Chuan quickly replied, “My lord, nothing at all.”

Gu Jingxi warned, “Control your thoughts. Don’t think about things you shouldn’t, and don’t relay them to the madam. Don’t taint her ears. Otherwise, I’ll find a woman with Madam Wei’s temper and marry you off to her.”

Yu Chuan: “…”

What a cruel punishment. How could a straightforward lord do such a thing? Could ordinary people endure a woman like Madam Wei? Only Lord Wei could.

Gu Jingxi narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, “Yu Chuan, do you understand?”

Yu Chuan nodded vigorously. “Yes, my lord, I understand. I am focused entirely on digging up Lord Wei’s secrets and not interested in anything else.”

Gu Jingxi said lightly, “Good. You may leave.”

Yu Chuan left. After stepping out of the study, he recalled the quarrels of Lord Wei and Madam Wei, and the lord’s warning just now. A chill ran through him, and he completely lost interest in such gossip.