SGEIRS -Chapter 444 Jinyu Gets Married

After returning, Gu Jingxi instructed the maid to prepare clothes, jewelry, and all the necessary items for Meng Jinyao, and have them sent to Shou’an Hall. There was no need to wait until tomorrow morning for someone to come fetch them.

Once the maid had left, Gu Jingxi looked around the bedroom. Everything was familiar, yet everything felt wrong.

This, perhaps, was the terrifying thing about habit.

When one gets used to someone’s presence, being in a familiar place without seeing them creates a sense of loneliness, a feeling of being at a loss, as if something is missing.

Normally at this hour, A-Yao would have been sitting at the dressing table, the maid removing her jewelry, preparing for a bath before going to bed.

Gu Jingxi glanced at the dressing table, then went to instruct the maid to prepare water for bathing.

Inside the bath chamber, steam curled up in wisps.

Gu Jingxi usually disliked being attended to by servants; dressing, undressing, and bathing were all things he handled himself.

Suddenly, he heard movement behind him. His expression darkened instantly, and he asked coldly, “Who’s there?”

Just as his voice fell, Xiazhu spoke: “Marquis, it’s me, Xiazhu. I forgot to bring in your clothes earlier, so I’ve brought them now.”

Gu Jingxi replied flatly, “Don’t let it happen again. If it happens again, and you remain so forgetful, you’re not suited to serve near the madam.”

Xiazhu hurriedly nodded. “Marquis, please calm your anger. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Gu Jingxi added, “Set the clothes down and leave.”

“Yes.”

Xiazhu stepped forward, placed the clothes down, and then retreated.

After bathing, Gu Jingxi dressed and left the bath chamber, returning to his room to rest. Yet, the space beside him felt empty, and he was unaccustomed to it, tossing and turning in sleeplessness.

Meanwhile, Meng Jinyao slept soundly, falling asleep shortly after lying down.

The Old Madam Gu only oversaw two young women going to bed—once when her son was still a child, and now for her daughter-in-law. Seeing her daughter-in-law sleep peacefully beside her, she truly felt as if she had raised a daughter.

After watching her daughter-in-law for a while, she tucked in the covers. The next moment, she noticed her daughter-in-law shifting closer and wrapping her arms around her own.

Old Madam Gu was surprised but quickly understood: this unconscious gesture revealed how well her son and daughter-in-law got along.

The next day, the second day of October.

Gu Jingxi woke early, washed, dressed neatly, and went to his mother’s room to grab breakfast. Without A-Yao, he found breakfast less appetizing.

Meng Jinyao and Old Madam Gu were about to eat when they saw Gu Jingxi hurrying over.

Old Madam Gu smiled: “Yaoling, why are you here so early? Even if you’re attending the wedding banquet, there’s no need to rush so much.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I was afraid of missing the proper time for breakfast.” Then he cast a look at Meng Jinyao, full of grievance, resembling a wife abandoned by her husband.

Meng Jinyao had slept well last night and now felt refreshed. Seeing him like this, she smiled softly at him.

Old Madam Gu watched their interaction with a smile, her affection growing: “Then sit and eat together. After breakfast, you’ll still need to attend the banquet.”

Gu Jingxi stepped forward and sat down.

A maid immediately set another bowl and pair of chopsticks for him.

After breakfast, Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi left Shou’an Hall together. Today was Meng Jinyu’s wedding; as her elder sister and brother-in-law, they had to attend the celebration.

Old Madam Gu did not go. In her old age, she preferred quiet and did not enjoy banquets. When invited to other families’ events, she instructed the younger generation to attend. Rarely did she go out, and then only to visit a temple and offer prayers.

Gu Jingxi asked, “Did A-Yao sleep well last night?”

Meng Jinyao smiled: “Very well. I slept until dawn.”

Gu Jingxi said, “Your husband didn’t sleep well.” His tone carried grievance. He stopped, looking at Meng Jinyao with a pleading expression, then said, “A-Yao is truly heartless, leaving her husband alone in an empty room.”

Meng Jinyao chuckled softly: “Who told you not to behave?”

Gu Jingxi quickly admitted his fault: “I know I was wrong about the other night.”

Meng Jinyao snorted lightly: “When do you ever not say you’re wrong? But you never change. You’re going to be a father and still refuse to correct your mistakes. You set a bad example; be careful your child doesn’t follow the same path.”

Gu Jingxi hurriedly said, “A-Yao, please don’t be angry. I truly know I was wrong this time. Tonight, I’ll behave.”

Meng Jinyao didn’t bother arguing further. Back at Weirui Pavilion, she had the servants prepare a carriage and then set off, carrying wedding gifts to the residence of the Marquis of Yongchang.

Though the Meng household was decorated for the wedding of the second legitimate daughter, the display was far less extravagant than when the eldest daughter married. Those in the know understood it was due to a lack of funds. Outsiders, unaware of the reason, assumed it was because Jinyu’s mother, Madam Sun, had led the family to neglect the daughter.

This time, the Meng family only invited close relatives and friends.

By the time Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi arrived, many guests had already gathered.

Gu Jingxi chatted with other male guests in the front yard while Meng Jinyao exchanged greetings with Madam Dong, then went to the rear garden to see Meng Jinyu. As the eldest sister, she had to play her part and visit her soon-to-be-married younger sister, offering her gifts.

Since there were many guests, Chan’er and Qingqiu followed Meng Jinyao closely, never straying far from her side.

Meng Jinyu was already fully dressed and seated in her boudoir. She had had many friends in the past, but after the Madam Sun incident, most had gradually drifted away. Today, marrying a merchant, even fewer came.

Only two close female friends had arrived, their elders being friends of the Meng family. They accompanied them to the banquet and took the opportunity to visit Meng Jinyu, bringing bridal gifts.

Qing’er came in to announce: “Second Miss, the eldest miss is here.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyu’s expression darkened.

Soon after, she saw Meng Jinyao, adorned elegantly, walking gracefully. As the marquise, Meng Jinyao was already above her in status. Now, with Gu Jingxi’s health recovered and their child on the way, they were living a blissful life.

And she?

Her father, blinded by money, married her off to a merchant. She had opposed the marriage and pleaded with her grandmother, only to be told: “A-Yu, blame your mother, Madam Sun. With a mother like her raising you, your reputation was ruined. A well-matched family wouldn’t marry you. The previous proposals were decent, but you refused, complaining the men were over forty.”

Hearing this, she felt the irony. Over forty, a widower older than her father—if she married him, she would immediately become a grandmother, her stepsons and stepdaughters older than her. What future could such a marriage hold?

The so-called “good match” was only because the old man could help her father. It completely ignored her life.

Later, her grandmother added: “A family of lower standing, if they aren’t wealthy, you would suffer if you married them. Mr. Deng’s family is prosperous; if you marry him, you’ll live in luxury. Isn’t that good? Just prepare to marry and live well with Mr. Deng. Don’t be willful.”

The words sounded pleasant, but she knew better: this marriage was no different from a transaction. She was like merchandise, sold to the Deng family.

Her father had taken Deng family money; they got a well-born daughter-in-law and a connection to the Marquises of Changxing, which gave them status. This was far better than marrying a merchant’s daughter.

She was to be sent far away to Yangzhou, unfamiliar with the place. Even if mistreated, she had nowhere to turn. No one would answer her cries; she could only swallow her grievances.