SGEIRS -Chapter 443 Deliberately Avoiding Him

Madam Zhang was left speechless by Madam Chen’s retort. She had completely forgotten about that matter and smiled awkwardly.

“I… I only said that casually just now. I didn’t mean anything else. I just thought Second Sister-in-law is kind-hearted, treating even a concubine-born daughter so well.”

Madam Chen snorted coldly. “Whether you meant anything else or not, you know it yourself. Don’t think I’m stupid—I can’t fail to hear your veiled sarcasm.”

With that, she abruptly stood up and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Madam Zhang felt depressed. When she had said that earlier, she truly hadn’t meant to belittle her husband or Second Brother. Unable to hold back, she complained to Meng Jinyao.

“Third Sister-in-law, look at her temper—it’s getting worse and worse. I didn’t even say much, and she got angry. Xuanling isn’t even her biological daughter. Is it really necessary for her to fall out with me over a concubine-born girl?”

Meng Jinyao felt helpless. Her eldest sister-in-law had some small scheming thoughts, but sometimes she was simply careless.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, you also offended Second Sister-in-law just now.”

Madam Zhang was confused. “When did I offend her?”

“Second Sister-in-law is also concubine-born.”

Only then did Madam Zhang suddenly realize it. So Madam Chen wasn’t angry just because she mentioned Xuanling’s status, nor because she accidentally implicated her husband and Second Brother. It was because Madam Chen herself was also born of a concubine. Looking down on concubine-born daughters was the same as looking down on her.

Madam Zhang said, “Third Sister-in-law, I really didn’t mean anything about her. She’s just being overly sensitive.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Eldest Sister-in-law, whether Second Sister-in-law misunderstood you or not, what you said just now did offend her.”

Madam Zhang glanced in the direction Madam Chen had left. By now, her figure was long gone. She pursed her lips. Asking her to apologize was too embarrassing.

Seeing Meng Jinyao looking at her, she said awkwardly, “Forget it. I’ll explain it to her another day.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and made no comment.

An awkward silence followed. Madam Zhang quickly changed the topic.

“Third Sister-in-law, I remember Second Miss Meng is getting married tomorrow?”

“Yes, she is.”

“The future son-in-law seems to be a merchant?”

At such a time, Meng Jinyao naturally wouldn’t belittle her natal family. She only said, “Yes. My father thinks Young Master Deng is handsome, well-mannered, and eloquent, and he admires him greatly, so he chose him as a son-in-law.”

Madam Zhang disagreed.

“He may be decent, but he’s from a merchant family. Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are at the bottom. Second Miss Meng is the legitimate second daughter of Earl Meng—how can she marry a mere merchant? There are plenty of outstanding young men from official families. Why not choose among them?”

Meng Jinyao was unconcerned.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, I disagree. As long as Young Master Deng has good character and outstanding qualities, it’s acceptable. My father values character, not status. The wife of Lord Ling, Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, also comes from a merchant family. They met by chance when she accompanied her mother to offer incense, and now they’re deeply in love.”

Madam Zhang was stunned and had no way to refute her.

Not wanting to dwell on such unpleasant topics, Meng Jinyao said, “Eldest Sister-in-law, I suddenly remembered I still have something to do. I’ll head back first. Let’s talk another day.”

With that, she stood up and left, followed closely by Qingqiu.

Madam Zhang watched her go, pursed her lips, and felt it was pointless to stay. She left as well, planning to talk properly with her daughter. Xuanling, the younger sister, was already a mother. Even if Xuanyi, the elder sister, wasn’t yet, she should at least be engaged.

On the way, Qingqiu noticed they had taken the wrong path and reminded her, “Madam, this road leads to Old Madam’s courtyard.”

“That’s exactly where I’m going. I woke up late this morning and didn’t go to pay my respects. Going now is the same.”

Old Madam Gu’s gentle kindness made up for the maternal love Meng Jinyao had lacked for many years, while Meng Jinyao allowed Old Madam Gu to experience the joy of raising a daughter.

One had overflowing maternal affection. The other desperately lacked it.

They complemented each other perfectly and got along wonderfully.

When it was time to eat, Meng Jinyao was reluctant to leave. She directly abandoned her husband and stayed to dine with Old Madam Gu.

When Gu Jingxi returned to his courtyard and didn’t see his little wife, Xiazhu told him,

“Marquis, Madam sent word that she’s eating at Old Madam’s place and won’t be coming back. She said you don’t need to wait for her.”

Gu Jingxi: “???”

He suddenly felt as if he had been abandoned by both mother and wife.

What fun was it to eat alone?

Thinking this, he turned around and hurried to his mother’s place.

When he arrived, he had just stepped inside when he saw his mother and his little wife picking up their chopsticks, about to eat.

Both were stunned when they saw him.

Old Madam Gu turned to her daughter-in-law and teased, “Look at that. We’ve only been apart for a short while, and Yaoling has already chased after you, afraid I’ll steal his wife.”

Before Meng Jinyao could reply, Gu Jingxi answered, “Of course I’m afraid you’ll snatch her from me.”

Hearing their exchange, Meng Jinyao’s cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her head shyly.

Old Madam Gu smiled.

“Since you’re here, sit down and eat with us. You came just in time.”

She instructed the maid, “Go and bring another set of bowls and chopsticks for the Marquis.”

Gu Jingxi sat between them, taking care of both. After serving his mother, he immediately served his wife.

The family of three ate happily. Old Madam Gu usually didn’t eat much, but today she was in high spirits and ate half a bowl more than usual.

After the meal, the couple stayed to chat for a while before preparing to leave.

However, Meng Jinyao said, “Husband, you go back first. Mother and I are having such a good talk that I can’t bear to leave. I want to stay and sleep here tonight.”

Gu Jingxi: “???”

Was he being abandoned again?

Old Madam Gu was delighted.

“Yaoling, you go back first. I’ll stay with A-Yao tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”

Gu Jingxi was unwilling, but since his mother said so, he had no choice.

“Then I’ll trouble Mother to look after her. I’ll go back first and come tomorrow morning to fetch A-Yao, and then we’ll go to the Meng residence for the banquet.”

Meng Jinyao smiled sweetly. “Take care, Husband.”

Seeing the conspiratorial smile on her face, Gu Jingxi finally realized her intention.

She was deliberately avoiding him—or punishing him for his reckless behavior last night.

He said, “A-Yao, walk me out.”

She agreed. “I’ll walk you to the courtyard gate.”

They left side by side. After she saw him out, he leaned close to her ear and whispered,

“You little rascal. Deliberately avoiding me to punish me, aren’t you?”

She pretended to be innocent. “Take care, Husband. No need to see you off.”

Gu Jingxi looked at her, lips curling into a meaningful smile.

Avoiding him?

You might dodge the first day, but you won’t escape the fifteenth.