SGEIRS -Chapter 449 First Movements of the Fetus

Evening.

Meng Jinyao had just laid down when she recalled what her second sister-in-law had said. Thinking that her husband was already thirty this year and that his title would need an heir, her mind suddenly became sensitive. She blurted out, “Husband, if I give birth to a daughter, would you and Mother dislike her?”

Gu Jingxi was momentarily puzzled by the question and looked at her in mild confusion. “Why would having a daughter be bad? Girls are gentle and obedient; sons can be too mischievous and hard to manage.”

Meng Jinyao spoke softly, “But your title needs an heir.”

Gu Jingxi was more relaxed about this matter. “Even if there really isn’t a son, that’s fate. If I’m fated to have no son, so be it. As for the heir, the Gu clan has plenty of men—we can always choose a suitable successor.”

After saying this, he realized why Jinyao might have asked such a question—it was probably something she had overheard from her second sister-in-law. He added, “Jinyao, what other families do is their business. Our family isn’t like that. Whether you bear a boy or a girl, Mother and I will love them equally.”

The worry that had briefly welled up in Meng Jinyao’s heart dissipated instantly, and a smile returned to her face. After a moment, she asked, “Husband, why do most people prefer boys? I actually think girls aren’t any worse. I’ve heard my mother was very talented, far surpassing my father in knowledge. If women could take the imperial exams, perhaps Mother would have earned a title—if not a jinshi, then at least a xiucai or juren.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “When I was young, I also discussed this issue with my teacher. Without women, there would be no men; without men, there would be no women. Why should one be considered heavier or lighter than the other?”

When he was young?

Meng Jinyao’s expression stiffened. She instinctively glanced at his face, still youthful-looking, and didn’t press further. Instead, she asked, “And what did your teacher say?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “He said it’s a matter of the times. Most people consider continuing the family line a top priority. If you cannot change that, you have no choice but to accept it while adhering to your own principles.”

He reached out and gently stroked Meng Jinyao’s belly, speaking softly, “Xuanying, your father still holds to his principles today.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. “Xuanying?”

Gu Jingxi nodded with a smile. “Xuanying—our daughter.”

As soon as he spoke, he suddenly felt something lightly brush against his palm. He froze, lowering his gaze to Meng Jinyao’s belly, his expression a mix of astonishment and delight. A wave of indescribable joy rose in his heart.

Meng Jinyao felt it too—the little one inside was moving. The baby seemed to be in a good mood, moving for a while before settling down again.

A subtle warmth spread through her heart. She placed her hand over Gu Jingxi’s and shyly asked, “Husband, did you feel that? Or was it just my imagination? I think the baby moved.”

Gu Jingxi looked at her, smiling warmly. “Jinyao, I just called her name, and she responded. Looks like our daughter likes this name. Her full name will be Gu Xuanying.”

Meng Jinyao’s lips curved in agreement. “Yes, she’s truly a girl. She likes her name; she moves whenever she hears it.” She gently moved Gu Jingxi’s hand aside and touched her own belly, speaking softly, “Xuanying, can you move again?”

However, after waiting for some time and calling three times, the baby didn’t respond at all.

Feeling a little disappointed, she said, “Husband, she’s ignoring me.”

Gu Jingxi pulled her into his embrace, soothing her softly, “She’s not doing it on purpose. It’s late at night; she’s probably sleepy. Talk to her tomorrow, and she’ll play with you then.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao’s mood lifted immediately, and her smile returned. “Husband, they say daughters often resemble their fathers. I always thought your appearance would be wasted if we didn’t have a daughter. Now, our wish has finally come true.”

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly. “Not all daughters resemble their fathers. Look at you—you look like your mother.”

Meng Jinyao was silent for a moment. “It’s fine if she looks like me too; I’m quite pretty.”

“Jinyao, you are already pretty,” Gu Jingxi said, kissing her cheek. “Sleep now. You didn’t nap earlier at the Meng household’s wedding. Go to bed early tonight.”

Meng Jinyao nodded, then asked, “By the way, my father didn’t say anything troublesome to you, did he?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “He didn’t get the chance. I was discussing scholarly matters with peers, without disturbing the elders.”

Meng Jinyao laughed softly. “Using that tactic again?”

Gu Jingxi said, “Old methods don’t matter; what counts is that they work. Their fathers seemed quite happy with me discussing academics with their sons, and I got along well with them. In this way, I indirectly helped my two younger brothers-in-law entertain peers of their own age.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao nodded in agreement. “No need to worry about my father. My grandfather’s connections have long faded after his death, and my father is hopeless anyway. The old friends of my grandfather won’t waste themselves helping him; they’d only soil their own hands. Let him struggle on his own—after all, he has no influence, and other families look down on him. He won’t be able to pull off anything remarkable.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “I understand.”

The Next Morning.

Gu Xuanyi had packed her belongings the night before. This morning, she went to pay respects to Old Madam Gu, explaining that she intended to stay at her maternal home for a while. She took her maid and household servants and headed to the Zhang family home.

Madam Zhang was still busy listening to the steward report various trivial matters. After handling them, she found out her daughter had already left the Gu household and gone to the Zhang household. She was livid, feeling her child was growing more rebellious with age.

She immediately went to complain to her two sisters-in-law, saying her daughter was disobedient and often ran away, leaving without a word.

Meng Jinyao, being young herself, just listened without commenting.

Madam Chen, who had been Madam Zhang’s sister-in-law for nearly twenty years, understood her temperament and didn’t indulge her. “Sister-in-law, speaking of which, I have to say something to you. What have you done to Xuanyi to make her like this? She ran away first thing this morning like she was fleeing for her life. Maybe you should reflect on how you treat her rather than blaming the child for being ignorant.”

“What do I need to reflect on?” Madam Zhang retorted, flustered. “I’ve loved her especially since she’s my only daughter, while the other two are sons. I’ve spoiled her, and she still isn’t satisfied?”

Madam Chen frowned. “Think carefully. What did you say to her that made her run away?”

Madam Zhang replied, “I…I didn’t say anything.”

In truth, she had only tried to reason with her daughter last night, urging her not to act stubbornly. She was already sixteen, soon to be seventeen, and if she waited another two years, she’d be an ‘old girl’—marriage would be difficult.

Madam Chen glared at her, having long despised such behavior, and bluntly said, “Do you think just because you are Xuanyi’s mother, she should marry and have children? I think you’re pushing the child to death! The Gu household can afford her. When the family separates, if you don’t want to raise her, hand her to me and Second Brother—we’ll take care of her. But then she’ll call me Mother, and you Big Aunt.”

Madam Zhang had never expected such a retort. She was dumbfounded, staring at Madam Chen as if to say: You can just take my child like that?

After a moment, Madam Zhang came to her senses, feeling aggrieved. “I was only trying to do what’s best for her. How is that pushing her to death?”

“Words fail with people of incompatible minds. I’m leaving,” Madam Chen said, tossing the words over her shoulder and walking off without looking back.

Meng Jinyao looked at Madam Zhang and comforted her, “Sister-in-law, look, Xiuhong hasn’t been betrothed yet. Xuanyi is younger than him, there’s no rush. She’s just being childish. In a few days, she’ll come back on her own.”

Madam Zhang felt somewhat relieved and planned to properly educate her daughter in a couple of days.

However, she was overthinking. Xuanyi didn’t return in a few days; not only that, she went to visit her maternal cousin’s home and didn’t come back for over two months, only returning near the New Year.