SGEIRS -Chapter 416 So Happy He Became Foolish

In the afternoon, Gu Jingxi returned from court. When he saw his young wife smiling softly, her brows curved and eyes bright, he could tell that she was in an especially good mood today.

When Meng Jinyao saw him come back, she gave a meaningful glance to the maid beside her. Ningdong immediately understood, bowed, and tactfully withdrew.

Gu Jingxi sat down and asked gently, “A-Yao, what has made you so happy?”

Meng Jinyao smiled sweetly. “There’s some good news today. Why don’t you guess?”

He asked, “Good news for our family?”

She nodded, looking at him with eyes brimming with joy.

Gu Jingxi thought seriously for a moment but couldn’t think of any happy event at home. None of the unmarried nephews or nieces were engaged, and Xiuwen’s success in the examinations was long past. What good news could there be?

He shook his head lightly. “A-Yao, I can’t guess.” As he spoke, he picked up a teacup and poured tea.

Seeing that he wouldn’t guess, Meng Jinyao glared at him lightly and said, “The doctor said I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a father.”

Gu Jingxi showed no reaction and simply replied calmly, “Oh.”

Oh.

Oh?

Oh?!?!

That was it?!

Meng Jinyao felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her. Her joy was instantly extinguished. She glared at him unhappily. His reaction was so indifferent, as if the child wasn’t his at all—there wasn’t even a trace of joy at becoming a father.

“Ah!”

She suddenly cried out.

She realized that while he was pouring tea, the cup had already filled to the brim, yet he hadn’t stopped. The tea overflowed onto the table, then dripped down onto her skirt.

She glared at him again. “Husband, what are you doing?”

Only then did Gu Jingxi react. He hurriedly put down the teapot and used his sleeve to block the tea flowing toward her. Seeing that a small part of her skirt was wet, he said anxiously, “A-Yao, I didn’t mean it. I’ll help you change into a clean skirt right away.”

Meng Jinyao stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly laughed.

In truth, it wasn’t that he had no reaction—he was just slow to process it, which made him seem cold.

She said gently, “It’s fine. It’s only a little wet.”

But Gu Jingxi insisted, “It’s autumn now. You’ll catch a chill easily, and that’s bad for you and the child.”

After speaking, he didn’t give her a chance to refuse. He picked her up and carried her into the inner room, determined to change her clothes.

Meng Jinyao was happy to let him fuss over her.

After she changed, he also took off his official robe and put on casual clothes. Only then did the couple return to the outer room to continue their conversation.

Meng Jinyao glanced at him and said, “Husband, when Mother and my two sisters-in-law found out this morning, they didn’t show much reaction either. I don’t know if they suspect whether this child is yours. Do they know that you’re fully recovered now?”

Gu Jingxi replied calmly, “It’s fine. I haven’t told Mother yet that I’m leaving the capital tomorrow. I’ll go to Shou’an Hall later and explain everything to her.”

Seeing that he still hadn’t smiled or shown much emotion, Meng Jinyao couldn’t help feeling puzzled. Was his reaction really that slow?

Gu Jingxi added, “A-Yao, I’ll go see Mother now.”

Feeling that he was rather dull at the moment, she waved her hand and let him go, hoping he would clarify things with her mother-in-law so the child’s identity wouldn’t be misunderstood.

Gu Jingxi nodded and walked out.

As he stepped over the threshold, he tripped slightly and stumbled, nearly falling.

Meng Jinyao couldn’t help laughing.

Very good.

His reaction was actually quite strong—it just wasn’t the usual exuberant joy. Instead, he was overly calm and slow to respond. It showed that he was truly happy and deeply welcomed this child’s arrival.

Hearing her laughter, Gu Jingxi turned back and saw his young wife laughing so hard she could barely stand straight. The corners of his lips lifted unconsciously, and he walked briskly toward Shou’an Hall.

After he left, Ningdong entered and said, “Madam, the Marquis must really love the young heir. When he went out, he was smiling so brightly—it looked like he was so happy he’d gone silly.”

Meng Jinyao said in disbelief, “You mean… he was smiling?”

Ningdong nodded. “Yes, he looked very happy.”

Meng Jinyao was speechless.

What did this mean? He didn’t smile in front of her, but smiled so brightly behind her back? Was he afraid she’d think he wasn’t steady enough at his age? That didn’t seem right.

Ningdong said, “Madam, the Marquis must really love the unborn young heir.”

Meng Jinyao touched her belly and smiled. “Don’t call it ‘young heir’ yet. The child isn’t even born. What if it’s a girl? People will laugh. But a girl would be nice too. Back when my husband hadn’t recovered, I often thought how wonderful it would be if he had a daughter who looked like him—she’d surely be beautiful and dignified, very lovable.”

Ningdong smiled. “Madam is still young. Having children one after another will be wonderful. This is the Marquis’s first child. Whether it’s a girl or a boy, both the Marquis and the Old Madam will be delighted.”

Meng Jinyao’s smile deepened. No matter what, she would love the child.

Shou’an Hall

When Old Madam Gu saw her son enter with a radiant smile, she had already believed the news eight-tenths. Now she believed it completely. The child in A-Yao’s belly was truly her son’s.

She never imagined that in her lifetime, she would be able to hold her own grandson or granddaughter.

She said gently, “Yaoling, no need for formalities. Sit down and talk.”

Gu Jingxi complied and sat down beside her.

Some things didn’t need to be asked—asking would be an insult to her daughter-in-law.

Old Madam Gu went straight to the point. “Yaoling, you must have heard about A-Yao’s pregnancy when you came back. When did your illness get better? You didn’t even tell me. If not for today’s surprise, I wouldn’t have known.”

Gu Jingxi answered honestly, “I recovered on the way to Huzhou. It was thanks to Imperial Physician Wen. His medical skills are superb.”

Old Madam Gu was surprised. “Imperial Physician Wen cured you? Weren’t you unwilling to see doctors or take medicine before?”

Gu Jingxi smiled gently. “A-Yao likes children. She mentioned several times that she wanted one, even if we had to adopt or take in a relative’s child. Since I married her, I should be responsible to her and not deprive her of the chance to be a mother. So I decided to try treatment. If it failed, I would adopt a son and a daughter. Fortunately, Heaven showed mercy, and after more than a year of treatment, I recovered.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu understood.

Her son had truly fallen in love with his wife. Otherwise, he would have chosen adoption long ago.

This daughter-in-law really was a blessing. She had once given up hope of having biological grandchildren, but now that hope had returned.

She said warmly, “This child was hard to come by. Tomorrow, let’s donate some silver to the orphanage to accumulate blessings for the unborn child.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Mother’s idea is excellent. However, I have official duties. I’ll be leaving the capital early tomorrow for Hangzhou Prefecture. I’ll have to trouble Mother with the donation.”

Old Madam Gu frowned. “You’ve only been back a couple of days, and you’re going to Hangzhou again?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “When I went to Huzhou last time, it led to a major case. I must personally investigate it.”

Old Madam Gu understood that this couldn’t be avoided. She said, “Then go with peace of mind. Finish things quickly and come back soon. During this time, I’ll take good care of A-Yao for you.”

Gu Jingxi said sincerely, “Thank you, Mother.”