SGEIRS -Chapter 410 I Heard Everything

As soon as she said that, Yu Chuan—who was disguised as a maid standing beside her—looked at her in disbelief. His expression seemed to say: Madam, is it really okay for you to ruin both your own and the Marquis’s image like this?

A trace of disappointment flashed through Miss Tang’s eyes. She truly had feelings for Young Master Xiao. He was different from the merchant sons she had met before. Although he was a businessman, he carried himself like a refined scholar, exuding an air of elegance and learning. That was why she had asked about his marital status. She never expected him to already be married—and to have married a tigress of a wife.

She was quite surprised and asked curiously, “I never imagined Young Master Xiao would be afraid of his wife. He’s such a gentle person—why would he marry such a fierce lady? Could it be that he didn’t know her temperament before?”

Meng Jinyao felt a faint sense of guilt for lying, but she still put on a serious face and fabricated smoothly:

“Of course he knew Third Sister-in-law’s temperament. In fact, he begged shamelessly to marry her. The two of them are simply a case of one willing to hit and one willing to take it.”

“He himself asked to marry such a woman?” Miss Tang was even more astonished. “Does she have some extraordinary qualities?”

“Not really,” Meng Jinyao replied. “But they grew up together as childhood sweethearts, so their bond is different. He’s liked Third Sister-in-law since he was young and has always obeyed her. As soon as she came of age, he rushed to her home to propose, afraid she’d be promised to someone else.”

After hearing this, Miss Tang felt disappointed yet somewhat envious. A girl with such a bad temper and no gentleness could still receive such devoted affection from the elegant Young Master Xiao. She truly was fortunate.

Just then, Gu Jingxi’s voice suddenly rang out coldly: “Little sister, are you talking badly about me behind my back again?”

The smile on Meng Jinyao’s face froze. She slowly turned her head and saw the man standing behind her, looking at her with a half-smile. She didn’t know how long he had been there.

She laughed awkwardly. “Third Brother, when did you come?”

“Not long ago. I heard everything I should—and shouldn’t—have heard.” He then looked at Miss Tang and said calmly, “My sister speaks carelessly. I hope you won’t mind.”

Miss Tang hurriedly shook her head. “Miss Xiao is very humorous. It’s been very pleasant talking with her.”

Gu Jingxi continued, “Little sister, I have something to discuss with you. Come with me for a moment.”

Meng Jinyao had a feeling it wouldn’t be anything good, but she had no choice but to follow him. Otherwise, she would surely suffer later.

She nodded and said to Miss Tang, “Please excuse me.”

She followed Gu Jingxi back. Yu Chuan went along as well. After the couple entered the cabin room, he stayed outside and even walked farther away, so as not to overhear their private conversation.

Gu Jingxi looked her over. His delicate little wife looked nothing like a tigress at all. He couldn’t help laughing.

“Our family’s little tigress doesn’t look fierce at all.”

Meng Jinyao blushed instantly and shot him a glare.

“Hmph! Who told you to be so attractive? I said that just to cut off her thoughts. If she knows you’re married and afraid of your wife, what girl would dare get close to you? See? Miss Tang immediately gave up.”

Gu Jingxi agreed, “That’s true. A-Yao did well. Tonight, I’ll reward you properly.”

She immediately knew he was talking nonsense.

“Behave yourself. We’re on a boat, and we’re pretending to be siblings. Don’t let others misunderstand us.”

Gu Jingxi thought about how they had already been misunderstood at an inn before. Seeing her glare at him, he pulled her into his arms and said softly:

“I’ll be gentler tonight.”

Meng Jinyao was speechless. “……”

After a moment, she said earnestly, “Husband, you need moderation in such matters. Take care of your health. You don’t want me making tonic soup for you later, right?”

Gu Jingxi’s face stiffened. “It’s only been a few days since last time. Isn’t that restrained enough?”

That night, taking advantage of no one watching, Gu Jingxi entered her room and pulled her into his arms without allowing refusal. This time, he was gentle and considerate, and they didn’t make much noise.

Afterward, he carefully cleaned her with warm water and coaxed her softly.

Meng Jinyao couldn’t even stay angry. He had even prepared a basin of clean water in advance, just for afterward. She felt helpless.

Why is he so obsessed with this? He can’t even wait a few more days. We’ll be in the capital soon. At home, with the doors closed, he can do whatever he wants.

Gu Jingxi corrected her, “It’s not that I crave this. I just crave you, A-Yao.”

She blinked. “Ah?”

He smiled gently. “If you don’t want me to hear your thoughts, don’t say them out loud. Just think them.”

“…I said it out loud?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise, how would I know?”

“……”

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek, asking suggestively, “A-Yao, do you still want more?”

Before she could answer, she pushed him away clearly, signaling her refusal. One more time and he definitely wouldn’t restrain himself—what if they made noise?

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi didn’t force her. He hugged her again and simply held her to sleep.

After a while, she asked softly, “Husband, it’s been peaceful these past few days. Do you think we’ll reach the capital safely?”

“Yes,” he replied gently. “We’re using new identities and disguises. We changed from four men and one woman to three men and two women to confuse them. They didn’t catch up to us, and they don’t know we’re on this merchant ship.”

She nodded lightly. She wasn’t afraid of death, but she was afraid of holding him back. She was weak—if assassins came, he’d have to protect her too.

Gu Jingxi said apologetically, “A-Yao, it’s my fault. I put you in danger and made you worry.”

“Don’t say that,” she replied quickly. “If not for you, I might never have come to Huzhou or seen the beauty of Jiangnan.”

She paused, then spoke lightly: “As for the danger, it was unexpected. We’ve gotten through it safely. It was thrilling and exciting, and it also made me see you differently. Your martial arts are really impressive.”

Gu Jingxi said nothing, only held her tighter.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, rubbed against him, and changed the subject.

“Husband, it’s late. Let’s sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

He hummed in response, kissed her cheek, and held her as they fell asleep together.