SGEIRS -Chapter 427 Unwilling to Marry

Princess Jingning saw that she was silent and asked in confusion, “A-Yao, what’s wrong?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly. “Nothing.”

Princess Jingning looked at her thoughtfully and hesitated before asking, “You’re not overthinking things, are you?”

“What?” Meng Jinyao looked at her in bewilderment.

Princess Jingning replied, “There were rumors before that Marquis Gu hadn’t married for many years because he couldn’t forget his former fiancée. But you and the Marquis already have a child, and he treats you so well. That proves the rumor must be false.”

Meng Jinyao understood at once and said, “That rumor is indeed untrue. When we were in Huzhou Prefecture, the Marquis once told me that he never had romantic feelings for her. Their engagement back then was simply arranged by their parents and matchmakers.”

Hearing this, Princess Jingning finally relaxed. “That’s good. I was afraid you might think too much.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not overthinking.” She paused briefly. “I was just a little surprised that Lord Wei actually divorced Madam Wei. But when I think about it, it also seems quite normal.”

Princess Jingning nodded. “Being married for more than ten years without children and getting divorced is indeed common. Some women are divorced after just three years of childlessness.”

Meng Jinyao knew in her heart that Madam Wei was not divorced because of infertility, but she said nothing. Since the Wei family gave ‘no children’ as the reason, then so be it.

Lord Wei truly loved Madam Wei. Being divorced and sent back to her natal home at such a critical moment, while people were still unaware of the truth, she would surely be mocked. But when Lord Wei was escorted back to the capital for trial, people would instead feel happy for her, thinking it was fortunate that she had been divorced and freed from the Wei family’s troubles.

After a while, Meng Jinyao asked, “A-Yan, how did you hear about this?”

Princess Jingning replied, “Miss Mei from the Mei family, who was once known as the number-one beauty and talent in the capital, has returned quietly. But news still spread. With her former fame, people would naturally pay attention. Don’t be fooled by how dignified and virtuous my mother seems—she actually loves gossip. She even has maids who specialize in collecting other families’ scandals and telling her about them. I happened to overhear some while staying by her side.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding.

After thinking for a moment, Princess Jingning murmured, “She should be almost thirty by now, right?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “She’s one year younger than the Marquis. She’s twenty-nine this year.”

Princess Jingning sighed. “It’s quite miserable to be divorced at that age. It’ll be hard for her to remarry into a good family. Young men won’t consider her, and men around her age would prefer younger women. While Old Madam Mei is still alive, it’s fine, but once she’s gone, her brothers may dislike having an unmarried older sister living at home.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Meng Jinyao shook her head. “Madam Wei… no, she should be called Miss Mei now. Though she’s nearly thirty, she looks only twenty-four or twenty-five. She’s beautiful and talented. Back then, so many men admired her. If there’s a widower who still has feelings for her, he might propose. After all, men at that age usually already have children and won’t care whether she can bear more.”

Princess Jingning was startled, then nodded. “That makes sense.”

After a moment, she changed the subject. “A-Yao, let’s go pay our respects to the old madam. I haven’t greeted the elders since I came today.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “You came at an unlucky time. My mother-in-law isn’t home today. She went out.”

Princess Jingning was surprised. “The old madam rarely goes out and hardly attends banquets. Why is she in the mood today?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “She used to be like that, but she’s been going out more often lately. Today, she seems to have gone to burn incense and pray for blessings. Let’s stroll in the back garden. The autumn chrysanthemums are blooming nicely.”

Princess Jingning nodded. “Alright.”

The back garden in autumn looked rather desolate, with most plants withered. Only seasonal flowers were in bloom.

The two walked leisurely through the garden, chatting about lighthearted matters, while their maids followed a few steps behind.

Suddenly, Meng Jinyao heard the sound of an argument not far ahead and stopped. Princess Jingning stopped as well.

They heard Madam Zhang’s exasperated voice:

“What’s wrong with you? I told you to behave well and leave a good impression, but look at you—you only know how to eat! Why didn’t I notice before that you’re such a glutton? Is our family starving you? You looked like you hadn’t eaten in three days!”

As soon as she finished, Gu Xuanyi’s voice sounded, responding casually, “Their food is good. If I eat more, isn’t that giving them face?”

Madam Zhang snapped, “You… are you trying to anger me to death?”

Gu Xuanyi said, “Mother, I’m not planning to get married for now. Please stop fussing. Third Brother and I are twins. He’s only fifteen minutes older than me, and he’s not married yet. Why should I be in a hurry?”

Madam Zhang said angrily, “Xiuwen is a man, and you’re a woman. How can that be the same? Look at your Third Uncle—he’s nearly thirty, and there are still young, beautiful women willing to marry him. If he were a woman, who would want to marry her at thirty?”

Gu Xuanyi replied, “Anyway, I don’t care. I’m unwilling. If you keep nagging, I’ll go ask Grandmother to stand up for me.”

Madam Zhang exclaimed, “You dare use your grandmother to pressure me?”

Gu Xuanyi said, “I’m tired. I’ll go back and take a nap. You’ve scolded me for so long, you must be tired too. Go rest well.”

Madam Zhang: “…You child.”

…

From their argument, it was clear that Madam Zhang wanted to find Gu Xuanyi another good match, but Gu Xuanyi refused to cooperate and had messed things up, making Madam Zhang furious—while Gu Xuanyi remained completely unconcerned.

Princess Jingning whispered, “A-Yao, from what your family’s eldest young lady said, it seems she’s not very willing to marry.”

Meng Jinyao nodded softly. “Xuanyi was hurt before. She was deceived into marriage by her former husband and even beaten. She’s afraid of marriage now. But she’s sixteen this year. As her mother, my sister-in-law is naturally anxious, worried that it’ll be hard to find a good match when she’s older.”

Princess Jingning said, “Her ex-husband also got what he deserved. After they divorced, his father immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor to strip him of his heir title. His reputation was ruined, he couldn’t stay in the capital, and left. The Wu’an family abandoned him—he’s become a discarded pawn.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “With his preference for men, even while married he couldn’t consummate the marriage or have children. On top of that, he became notorious. To his family, he was already useless, so of course they couldn’t let him stay as heir. Besides, he bullied a daughter of the Gu family. Without paying a price, the Marquis would never let him go.”

Princess Jingning was puzzled and whispered into Meng Jinyao’s ear, “It’s really strange. If he can be intimate with men, why can’t he with women?”

Meng Jinyao froze for a moment, then shook her head. “That, I really don’t know.”