SGEIRS -Chapter 387 Piercing the Heart

Meng Jinyao asked curiously, “Auntie, how did the old lady go mad?”

The aunt turned her head to look at her. When she saw the couple’s faces, she was momentarily stunned by their beauty, but being her age, she had long grown calm around attractive people. She quickly withdrew her gaze and said, “The old lady was always fine, and her health was never bad. But one day, suddenly, she woke up and couldn’t recognize anyone, not even her own children. She even claimed to be only six years old. What’s even stranger is that she calls her eldest grandson ‘father.’ I heard it might be because he resembles her own father in some way.”

Meng Jinyao was astonished. “How could that happen?”

The aunt sighed softly. “Who knows? The doctor said it’s senile dementia. Older people can get this illness suddenly. There’s no cure. It’s been a year, and she’s still like this—if anything, it seems worse.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding.

At this moment, seeing that the old gentleman couldn’t manage the old lady—and considering his advanced age and inability to physically guide her—the aunt stepped forward to help coax the old lady, soothing her gently and saying that she would go home with the old gentleman to see her father.

At first, the old lady refused, but the neighbors knew them and pitied the elderly couple. With their help, the old lady finally believed that the old gentleman wasn’t a kidnapper and wouldn’t abduct children. Reluctantly, she agreed to go with them home, then added a condition: “The candy skewer you promised.”

Seeing that she was willing to go, the old gentleman felt relieved and nodded. “Alright, alright, I’ll buy it right away. Once we get it, we’ll obediently go home to find your father.”

He immediately went to a nearby street vendor and bought a skewer of candied hawthorn, then handed it to his wife.

The old lady took it, hesitant to eat but unable to resist. She licked the candy, and after tasting its sweetness, she smiled like a child and held out her hand for the old gentleman to take.

Seeing this, the old gentleman reached out and took her hand, walking her home together.

Meng Jinyao watched the elderly couple’s slow, deliberate steps as they faded into the distance. Only then did she notice the fresh flower tucked into the old lady’s hair bun.

A feeling of admiration arose in her heart. The old gentleman must truly love the old lady. Even when she behaved like a child, he patiently tended to her, taking the trouble to comfort her. Such love is rare in the world—serendipitous, precious, and a lifelong blessing if one is fortunate enough to encounter it.

Gu Jingxi also watched the elderly couple, but his thoughts differed from his young wife’s. He thought about how much older he was than Jinyao and wondered what would happen if he suddenly got such a disease one day. He couldn’t imagine himself fussing with Jinyao, searching for his parents, or worse, calling his son or grandson “father.” If it came to that, even if Jinyao didn’t mind, he would despise himself.

Meng Jinyao withdrew her gaze, noticing her husband still watching the couple. She said, “Husband, they’re so happy. They must truly love each other.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Mm,” he agreed, thinking that once back in the capital, he would ask Imperial Physician Wen about how older people could prevent such illnesses so they could take precautions in the future.

Meng Jinyao said, “Husband, let’s go. Let’s go over there and take a look.”

Meanwhile, after Mei Qingyun climbed into the carriage, her expression darkened, and the gentle demeanor from earlier disappeared entirely, not even glancing at her husband.

Lord Wei, seeing this, smirked with the satisfaction of a schemer.

He knew why Mei Qingyun was angry, and he had done it on purpose. Taking advantage of today’s day off and receiving news that Gu Jingxi and his wife had gone out, he had dragged Mei Qingyun out, deliberately hoping to encounter Gu Jingxi and his wife—and unexpectedly, he really did.

Gu Jingxi’s earlier behavior had not disappointed him; in fact, it had exceeded his expectations.

Gu Jingxi was gentle and considerate toward his wife—a perfect display to provoke Mei Qingyun, letting her see how the man she had cherished for over a decade now treated another woman with love and care.

Lord Wei was in high spirits and didn’t mind his wife giving him the cold shoulder.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the Wei residence.

Mei Qingyun took a deep breath and immediately changed her expression, returning to the composed, gentle Wei lady. When her husband got out of the carriage, she extended her hand for support.

This kind of public performance had become routine for the couple. They had an unspoken understanding: in front of others, they appeared to be a loving pair.

Lord Wei immediately reached out, gently supporting her as she stepped down, softly reminding, “Madam, take it slow.”

Once inside their courtyard, Mei Qingyun closed the door, her face full of anger. She took slow steps toward her husband, clearly intending to have a fierce argument.

Lord Wei, facing her, remained unusually calm. In a gentle tone, he asked, “Madam, the man you cherished for so many years is now being tender and considerate toward another woman in front of you. How does that feel?”

Mei Qingyun ground her teeth. “Wei Heng, you did this on purpose.”

Lord Wei chuckled lightly. “So what if I did? And what if I didn’t?”

He glanced at her. “Whether I did or didn’t, the result is what I wanted. Seeing you two—fated but not together—unable to attain love, I’m rather pleased. It’s a pity you’re still stuck in the past while he has moved on. That kind of tenderness he shows Madam Gu, he never showed you, did he? Doesn’t that prove he loves Madam Gu more than he ever loved you?”

Upon hearing this, Mei Qingyun’s expression darkened. When she was betrothed to Gu Jingxi, she had seen him a few times. He had been proper and polite, never overstepping boundaries. She knew he was satisfied with her as his fiancée.

But now, Gu Jingxi was someone else’s husband. The happiness that once belonged to her now belonged to another woman.

Before encountering Gu Jingxi again, she hadn’t felt so resentful. But after seeing him, the resentment surged like a tidal wave, threatening to drown her completely.

This was truly karma—the retribution for abandoning Gu Jingxi all those years ago.

Lord Wei coldly watched Mei Qingyun’s distraught state, seeing her deep regret yet forced acceptance of reality, seeing her pain and the tears streaming down her face.

After a long moment, he withdrew his gaze and taunted, “Poisonous woman, remember this—you deserve every bit of it. You’ll spend your life yearning and never obtaining.”

Mei Qingyun lifted her blurred, tearful eyes and saw her husband watching her with the triumph of a victor, as if she were a ridiculous clown. Her anger surged. “Wei Heng, are you very pleased with yourself?”

Lord Wei smiled. “If I’m in pain and you’re happy, that’s fine. Conversely, if you’re in pain, I’m happy too. Mei Qingyun, our story isn’t over yet—so we’ll take our time torturing each other.”

Mei Qingyun took a deep breath, forcing back her tears, then quickly revealed a chilling smile. “Wei Heng, your pride won’t last long.”