SGEIRS -Chapter 403 A Bolt from the Blue

Returned to the capital?

Mei Qingyun froze for a moment. Gu Jingxi returning to the capital was something she had expected, yet it still felt sudden to her. Her youthful “white moonlight” still stirred her heart whenever she saw him again—especially when compared to her own husband.

The last time she had followed her husband to take up an official post away from the capital, she had gone more than ten years without seeing Gu Jingxi. After this parting, who knew how long it would be before they met again? Perhaps by then, they would already be in the twilight of their lives.

That boy who had once dazzled her youth—missing him had become a lifelong regret. Facing her own husband now only filled her with lifelong resentment.

She had clearly been able to marry someone better. Yet because of one wrong decision, she had bound herself to her current husband for life.

Seeing the disappointment on her face, Lord Wei waved his hand to dismiss the maids. Then he sneered,

“So what if you still think about him? He’s leaving without even saying a word to you, without informing you at all. Don’t you think you’re pathetic? He’s already married, living harmoniously with his wife, while you’re still stuck in the past.”

Mei Qingyun flew into a rage.

“Wei Heng, have you said enough? If I hadn’t been fooled by your fake appearance back then, would I have married you? You’re a liar! I must have had eight lifetimes of bad luck to end up with someone like you!”

Lord Wei shot back, “Mei Qingyun, was it really me who deceived you? Or was it you who deceived me?”

He glanced at her coldly and said without mercy, “Everything we are today is your own doing. You were the one who despised him when he became useless. You were the one who abandoned him. And now you ridiculously can’t forget him. How shameless.”

Her face turned pale and then flushed.

“You—!”

Lord Wei warned, “If you want to keep up appearances in public and remain Lady Wei, stop mentioning that cripple Gu Jingxi. If you don’t want to, I don’t mind announcing that you’re ill. Then you can stay in your courtyard ‘recuperating’ for the rest of your life.”

With that, he flung his sleeve and left.

Mei Qingyun stared resentfully at his retreating figure, regret surging through her heart once more.

If she had known things would turn out like this, she would have gone to see Gu Jingxi the moment she learned he had awakened and told him everything Wei Heng had done.

Gu Jingxi was the Minister of Justice. If he had known about Wei Heng’s affairs, he would surely have investigated thoroughly. By then, Wei Heng would not only lose his official hat but might even lose his life.

A wife accusing her husband meant prison, even if the husband was convicted. But she would only go to jail, while Wei Heng would die. Her natal family still had officials in court—her life in prison wouldn’t be too miserable.

After leaving her courtyard, Lord Wei went straight to another concubine’s residence. The young, beautiful concubine, barely sixteen, gently tried to please him, but his mood did not improve.

Seeing his gloomy expression, she dared not speak and simply accompanied him quietly.

He asked, “Why aren’t you talking?”

After some hesitation, she replied, “Master seems upset. Would you like to hear me play a tune? I just learned a new piece.”

He responded listlessly, “Go ahead.”

She had a maid bring in the zither and began to play.

Listening to the soothing melody, Lord Wei suddenly remembered that Mei Qingyun often played this piece. It seemed Gu Jingxi liked it, so she had practiced it best.

The more he listened, the darker his expression became. Suddenly, he stood up and strode out, leaving the concubine staring at her instrument in confusion.

Unconsciously, he arrived at the study.

It was already time for dinner, but he had no appetite. He walked inside.

As soon as he sat down, his gaze fell on a row of bookshelves. His eyelids twitched.

For some reason, unease rose in his heart.

Instinctively, he reached for the key hanging around his neck. Feeling it still there, he let out a breath of relief.

Mei Qingyun also knew about the hidden chamber in the study, but only he could open it. The key never left his body.

He stood up and walked to the bookshelf. After finding the concealed keyhole, he took off the key, inserted it, and turned it twice.

The immovable shelf slowly slid aside, revealing the entrance.

He fetched a lamp, entered, and lit the oil lamp inside.

Gold and silver treasures came into view.

He glanced at them casually, then went to a cabinet and opened a drawer.

When he saw it was empty, thunder seemed to strike his head.

His mind buzzed. Everything went blank.

A chill surged from his feet upward, spreading through his body. Terror crashed over him like a tidal wave. He nearly fainted.

Where were the account books?

Where were the letters?

They had been there the last time he came. Only he had the key. It had never left him.

So how had they vanished?

He had visited his concubines, but never stayed overnight. They could not get his key. Even when bathing, he never let maids assist him.

The only person with a chance…

Was Mei Qingyun.

Thinking of this, Lord Wei trembled with rage.

He knew she hated him. He knew she could be ruthless—like harming his children and concubines and then proudly showing off.

But he never expected her to be this insane—to drag him down with her.

She might be tired of living.

But he wasn’t.

After a long while, he finally found his voice.

Grinding his teeth, he said, “Mei Qingyun, you crazy woman—you’ve really gone mad!”

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

His thoughts were chaotic, anger and hatred tangled together.

He wasn’t sure whether she had given the account books to Gu Jingxi.

He recalled the day he took her to visit the unconscious Gu Jingxi. She couldn’t have carried them then—her clothes had nowhere to hide such things.

That meant the three account books and letters were still with her.

As long as she didn’t lose her mind and hand them over…

He relaxed slightly.

After sealing the hidden chamber again, he left the study and went straight to her courtyard.

Seeing him rush in, ordering the maids out and closing the door, Mei Qingyun smiled.

“What’s so urgent that you’re this anxious, husband?”

To Lord Wei, her smile looked like gloating after a successful scheme.

He strode forward, grabbed her shoulders tightly, and demanded through clenched teeth,

“Mei Qingyun, are you insane? Even if you want to go crazy, know your limits! We’re husband and wife—if something happens to me, do you think you’ll be safe?”