SGEIRS -Chapter 433 Jingxi Returns

Autumn had passed in the blink of an eye, and winter was about to arrive.

By late September, the chill in the capital had grown more noticeable. The autumn season was coming to an end, and winter was fast approaching.

Not long after lying down, before the quilt had even warmed up, Meng Jinyao suddenly found herself missing this time last year. Back then, her husband was at home. Every night, he held her as they slept, and she stayed warm until morning.

It had been nearly three months since they last parted. She didn’t know how he was doing in Hangzhou—whether his case was progressing smoothly, or when he would finally return.

This was the first time they had been separated for so long. At first, she hadn’t felt much, but as time passed, her longing grew stronger. Sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night and find the space beside her empty, leaving her heart feeling hollow. Other times, she would stare at the empty spot after waking up in the morning, feeling lost for a while before forcing herself to smile again in front of others.

She had once thought she wasn’t the clingy type. Now she realized she was both clingy and sentimental. Her husband had gone away on important business, not for leisure, yet here she was drowning in emotions and melancholy. It was childish, really. But she couldn’t control her longing, so she only allowed herself to feel down when no one was watching.

Sometimes, she didn’t even know what was wrong with herself. Her emotions would suddenly sink, and her moods had become more volatile.

After a long while, drowsiness finally overcame her, and she stopped indulging in her melancholy. Closing her eyes, she drifted into sleep.

By the time the hour of Hai was nearly over, the night was deep and quiet.

Apart from the maid on night duty, the others in the courtyard had already gone to sleep.

Chunliu hadn’t rested yet. Just as she stepped out of her room, she saw a familiar figure appear in the courtyard, walking toward her. She rubbed her eyes and looked again—only to realize it really was their Marquis.

She was instantly shocked.

The Marquis hadn’t written to say when he would return. Why had he suddenly come back? Was he trying to surprise Madam?

Coming to her senses, Chunliu hurried forward and saluted.

“This servant greets the Marquis.”

Gu Jingxi nodded slightly and asked, “Has Madam gone to sleep?”

“Yes,” Chunliu replied. “This servant was about to inform Madam. If she knew you were back, she’d be overjoyed. She was thinking about you this morning, worrying that the cold weather might make you catch a chill.”

She turned to go inside.

Hearing this, warmth filled Gu Jingxi’s heart. He quickly stopped her.

“No need. Don’t make any noise. Go prepare some water.”

Chunliu froze for a moment, then understood. The Marquis didn’t want to disturb Madam’s rest. It was so late, and he had rushed back despite exhaustion—clearly, he missed her deeply.

“Yes, sir.”

After taking a few steps, she stopped again and asked respectfully, “Have you had dinner, my lord? Shall I prepare something?”

“No need. Just prepare the water.”

She responded and hurried away.

Gu Jingxi entered the inner room. A small lamp was still lit, casting a dim glow that was enough to see by. He walked toward the bed, and when he saw the person he had longed for day and night, his heart finally settled.

After nearly three months apart, A-Yao’s face was slightly fuller than when he had left. Her complexion was rosy and healthy. Clearly, his mother had taken good care of her in his absence.

He looked at her quietly for a long time before taking clean night clothes from the wardrobe and going to bathe.

After washing and drying his hair, he returned to the room and climbed into bed softly. Lying on his side, he propped his head with one hand and gazed tenderly at her peaceful sleeping face. With his other hand, he gently caressed her cheek and whispered in her ear:

“A-Yao, I’m back.”

In her sleep, Meng Jinyao let out a soft “Mm~.” Feeling warmth beside her, she instinctively moved closer and wrapped her arms and legs around him. She murmured “Husband” dreamily, without waking.

Her unconscious reaction softened Gu Jingxi’s heart completely. A smile spread across his lips. Holding her close, he kissed her cheek and gently placed his hand on her belly.

At four months pregnant, her abdomen had begun to round slightly. Feeling the small life growing inside her filled him with indescribable satisfaction.

This was his and A-Yao’s child. In a few more months, they would finally meet. He wondered whether the baby would look like him or her—hopefully her. She had been so adorable as a child.

As he stroked her belly and thought of her younger self, he gradually fell asleep.

The next morning, the Beginning of Winter had arrived, marking the final season of the year.

Meng Jinyao slowly woke up. As she opened her sleepy eyes, she noticed something wrapped around her. Instantly alert, she lifted her head—and saw a familiar face smiling gently at her.

“A-Yao, you’re awake?” he asked softly.

She was stunned, thinking she was dreaming again.

They said you dreamed of what you missed most. She must have missed him too much.

Subconsciously, she replied, “No, I’m still sleeping well. I’ll wake up when it’s light.”

As she spoke, she buried her face in his chest and rubbed against him.

“Husband, I miss you. The baby misses you too. When are you coming back? If you don’t hurry, the baby won’t even recognize you.”

Her voice, just awake, was soft and sweet, tinged with grievance.

Gu Jingxi’s heart ached. It was his fault for being away so long. Holding her close, he coaxed gently:

“A-Yao, you’re not dreaming. I’m really back.”

She felt even more wronged and spoke with a sob in her voice.

“You’re just trying to comfort me. You said the same thing in my last dream. You even said you’d take me out. But when I woke up, you were gone again, and I foolishly asked Qingqiu where you went.”

As soon as she finished, she burst into tears.

In front of others, she was the dignified Madam Gu. She never showed weakness. But in her dreams, she could cry and laugh as she pleased—no one would know.

Yet her crying frightened Gu Jingxi badly.

She was usually so strong. Even when her former fiancé had abandoned her, she hadn’t cried. Now she was sobbing in his arms as if she had suffered great injustice.

Panicking, he comforted her quickly.

“A-Yao, don’t cry. This time it’s really not a dream. I’m back. Look carefully if you don’t believe me.”

She slowly lifted her head. The face was the same, yet it still felt unreal. Silently, she reached out and pinched his waist hard.

Gu Jingxi frowned.

Seeing her stop crying, eyes filled with tears as she looked at him pitifully, she asked,

“Husband, does it hurt?”

He asked back, “What do you think?”