SGEIRS -Chapter 439 What Are You Nervous About?

The next day, inside the study.

Yu Chuan closed the door behind him, stepped forward, and saluted Gu Jingxi before asking,
“Marquis, what are your instructions?”

Gu Jingxi said frankly, “Madam has already asked Chan’er about your matter. Chan’er didn’t say much—she only asked you to talk to her personally after returning to the capital. Find a time and speak to her yourself.”

The moment he heard this, Yu Chuan’s heart leapt into his throat. Stammering, he asked,
“Marquis… she, she really said that?”

Gu Jingxi replied helplessly, “Do you think I’d joke with you about something like this?”

Seeing that his master was serious, Yu Chuan pressed his lips together in distress. He was supposed to talk to her himself—but he had no idea how! Otherwise, he wouldn’t have secretly admired her for so many years without daring to show it.

Gu Jingxi scolded him in frustration, “Look at you. Are you actually too scared to do it?”

Yu Chuan shook his head repeatedly. “No, it’s just that… I don’t know what to say.” He looked at Gu Jingxi and asked humbly, “Marquis, how do you usually make Madam happy?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “She hasn’t even agreed to marry you yet, and you’re already thinking about how to coax your wife?”

Yu Chuan said, “I’m just thinking—if I say something wrong and make her angry, how should I make it up to her?”

Gu Jingxi was speechless. “…”

After a moment, he said patiently, “Madam and Chan’er have completely different personalities and preferences. What works on my wife won’t work on Chan’er.”

Yu Chuan disagreed. “But they’re both women. Why wouldn’t it work?”

Gu Jingxi asked, “My wife likes pretty dresses and jewelry. Are you sure Chan’er likes those too?”

Yu Chuan hurriedly shook his head. Chan’er didn’t like such things at all. If she had to choose between an expensive, beautiful piece of jewelry and a fine sword, she would definitely choose the sword without hesitation and wouldn’t even glance at the jewelry.

After a brief silence, Yu Chuan suddenly had an idea and pleaded, “Marquis, you’re extremely learned. How about I give you some ideas, and you help me write a love poem? I’ll copy it and give it to Chan’er.”

Gu Jingxi looked at him in disbelief, staring as if to say: Love poems can be written on commission?

Embarrassed, Yu Chuan lowered his head. “I think saying it directly is too blunt. A poem would be more subtle.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Yu Chuan, how did I never realize you were so timid? You two grew up together—what kind of person you are, doesn’t she know? If you give her a poem, she’ll know at once it’s not yours. You have a mouth, don’t you? You need someone else to speak for you? That just shows a lack of sincerity.”

Yu Chuan exclaimed, “Huh? That… that’s not sincere?”

Gu Jingxi retorted, “You think that’s sincere? Having me write it for you? You’d be better off buying her a skewer of candied hawthorns with your own money.”

Yu Chuan thought about it carefully and realized it really did seem insincere.

Gu Jingxi waved him away. “Alright, go figure it out yourself.”

Yu Chuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end swallowed his words and left, returning to ponder how he should confess.

Not long after Yu Chuan left, Meng Jinyao arrived.

Curiously, she asked, “Husband, what’s wrong with Yu Chuan? I ran into him just now. He seemed troubled and was walking with his head down—he didn’t even notice me.”

“That silly boy is thinking about how to win the beauty’s heart,” Gu Jingxi replied. He then told her about Yu Chuan’s visit and shook his head helplessly. “I used to think he was quite bold. Turns out he’s actually rather timid.”

Meng Jinyao had a different opinion. “I think it’s because he likes Chan’er too much, so he’s become timid. When you truly like someone, you start overthinking everything and become afraid to move forward.”

She herself had been the same. She liked her husband, but didn’t dare show it, afraid of misunderstanding his feelings. Only after confirming again and again did she dare to give him a pouch with romantic meaning.

Gu Jingxi laughed helplessly. “Chan’er already knows how he feels. Even if he says nothing, she knows. What is he still worried about?”

Meng Jinyao replied calmly, “He doesn’t know what she truly thinks. He’s afraid of rejection and afraid of being too abrupt. When you confess, there are three possible outcomes. First, lovers become a couple. Second, both pretend nothing happened and continue as before. Third, they can no longer be like before. The last one is what Yu Chuan fears most.”

After a pause, she continued thoughtfully, “Actually, I think now that Chan’er knows his feelings, the pressure on him is even greater. He knows she already has an answer in her heart. He’s afraid of hearing it—but at the same time, he wants to try his best to change the outcome.”

She looked at Gu Jingxi and asked, “Husband, didn’t you ever feel like that toward me?”

Gu Jingxi was slightly stunned. He really hadn’t.

Back then, he had fallen for her without realizing it. He only thought she was young and had suffered too much, so he wanted to treat her better and better. Later, she was the one who confessed first. Only then did he realize his feelings, and everything progressed naturally.

After a moment, he shook his head. “Your husband was a bit slow in that regard. I hadn’t figured it out yet.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned, but didn’t dwell on it. “Husband, you know your bookshelf well. Help me find a travelogue.”

Gu Jingxi agreed and went to look for it.

She waited nearby, glancing around the study. There was nothing special—just an ordinary study. The only eye-catching things were several calligraphy and paintings on the wall, all by famous masters.

Soon, Gu Jingxi returned with a book. “A-Yao, I found it.”

Seeing she didn’t respond, he instinctively reached toward a drawer. His heart instantly tightened. He hurried over, took her hand, and stuffed the book into it.

Softly, he said, “A-Yao, see if you like this travelogue. If not, I’ll find another.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at the book, then looked up at him. Seeing how nervous he seemed, she smiled meaningfully and asked, “Husband, what are you so nervous about?”

Gu Jingxi pretended to be calm. “How could I be nervous?”

She glanced at the drawer handle and asked slowly, “Husband… are you afraid I’ll discover that improper book you’ve hidden in there?”