SGEIRS -Chapter 455 The Results Are Evident

The next day.

Xiazhu, who had attempted to climb into bed the previous night and failed, was chased out of the study and given twenty lashes. Early this morning, she was handed over to the matron, who had the wet nurse spread the news of Xiazhu being “sold.” Within half a day, the whole Marquis residence knew.

This incident served as a wake-up call for the maids who harbored secret ambitions. The Marquis had no intention of taking concubines. For a beautiful maid like Xiazhu to offer herself willingly was futile; the others didn’t even dare think of it.

Hence, the maids of the residence no longer dared to glance at Gu Jingxi, fearing that even a single look might be interpreted as ill intent, which could land them being “sold” themselves.

Their master had great abilities, judged matters like a god, was highly favored by the emperor, and held a prestigious position. Serving in the Marquis residence was already dignified—getting “sold” would strip them of that respect.

Over in the main household, Madam Zhang caught a whiff of her husband’s scent, realizing he had just come from the chambers of one of the newly taken concubines. Furious, she vented her anger: “Look at my third brother, and look at you! Always indulging in pleasures and lustful, hiding away in the rooms of those seductive women whenever you have time. At your age, you should know better—take care of your health!”

Gu Jingsheng had just returned from the concubine’s quarters in high spirits. Hearing his wife’s tirade made him irritated, and he retorted, “If I weren’t lustful, would I have married you in the first place?”

Madam Zhang was flabbergasted. “You…”

Indeed, her husband had initially been attracted to her looks. Otherwise, her father, who only became a Hanlin scholar when she was eleven, had no strong family foundation, and she could never have become a Gu daughter-in-law.

They had a few good years after marriage, but as she aged, this lustful man gradually preferred young and beautiful concubines. At night, he would sometimes sleep in her room during the lunar calendar’s new and full moons, but mostly only to sleep; he rarely touched her, especially in recent years. If she took the initiative, he would claim to be tired and resting—or simply cast her a flirtatious glance like it was a game.

The more she thought about it, the angrier Madam Zhang became. Her eyes reddened, and she grabbed her husband’s arm hard. “Gu, has your conscience been eaten by dogs? I bore your children, supported you, raised them, gave you two sons—one a juren, the other a xiucai. Years of contributions, if not achievements, and you say such heartless things! Are you worthy of me?”

Hearing this, Gu Jingsheng realized he had spoken out of turn. “What I said just now was in anger, don’t take it to heart. You’re the one looking for trouble, otherwise why would I get angry?”

Madam Zhang pointed at herself. “Me, looking for trouble? Look at what you’ve done! Among your three brothers, you’re the most outrageous. Your second brother only ever had Xuanling’s birth mother as a concubine; after her passing, he never took another. He gets along with second sister-in-law. Your third brother is even more virtuous, never taking any maids as concubines.”

Gu Jingsheng frowned. “That’s their shortcoming, not mine. How can you compare people’s bodies? Men taking concubines is perfectly normal. You used to be reasonable, now you’ve become so jealous—I think you’ve lost your mind.”

Madam Zhang snorted. “I think you’re the one who’s lost your mind. Your newly taken concubine is even younger than your daughter—are you rushing to become a father?”

Gu Jingsheng’s face darkened. Not tolerating her, he snapped back, “A concubine should be young, not an old wife like you!” With that, he threw on his sleeve and left for the side where his gentle concubine awaited.

“Old wife?”

Madam Zhang’s face froze. Instinctively touching her own face, she felt deeply hurt. At thirty-five, she thought she still looked decent—yet her husband called her an “old wife”?

An older man than her calling her an “old wife”?

Her eyes reddened in grievance. Who hadn’t been young? Time was cruel—thirty-five and already despised like this. In a few more years, it would only get worse; he might refuse even to glance at her. Luckily, she had two sensible sons, or life would be unbearable.

The main household couple had their quarrel, but Meng Jinyao was unaware. However, she had witnessed the maids avoiding Gu Jingxi like the plague. Once a sought-after figure, Gu Jingxi had become, after this episode, someone ignored by everyone but her.

Indeed, the results were evident!

As Meng Jinyao helped him grind materials, she said, “Husband, I didn’t expect Xiazhu’s matter to have such an impact on them. The maids don’t dare even glance at you.”

Gu Jingxi was very pleased. “I think it’s great—it eliminated the thoughts they shouldn’t have. There won’t be any more trouble in the future, which saves both of us a lot of worry. I told you last year—I won’t take concubines. If they had ulterior motives, it would just be a nuisance to me.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao smiled. In the past, she hadn’t felt much when others said she had “snagged a bargain.” Now, she truly understood the feeling—she had indeed “snagged” the perfect husband.

After writing a letter to a distant friend, Gu Jingxi put down his brush and picked up a painting scroll nearby. Unrolling it, he smiled and asked, “A-Yao, last night I noticed a new poem on this painting, Spring Splendor. When did you write it?”

Meng Jinyao was stunned, momentarily forgetting. She looked down at the spring scene painting and then remembered.

On the right side of the scroll, in small, delicate characters, she had written:

East wind chills, green moss mottled, apricot blossoms fade.
Melancholy amidst the light spring drizzle, swallows return.

Long idle combing clouds and chasing the moon, silent, leaning on the railing alone.
When will the returning boat appear over the waves? Beyond the blue smoke.

Looking at her humble work, Meng Jinyao blushed, coughing lightly. “Husband, I… I was inspired by the painting and wrote this poem. If you feel it ruins the artwork, I can paint you another as an apology.”

She wouldn’t admit that she had felt melancholy seeing the painting after her husband left for Hangzhou, missing him every day, and imagined that if he hadn’t finished his business by year-end, she might not see him in spring. So she wrote the poem in that mood.

Gu Jingxi thought of her painting skills—truly, sprinkling rice on paper for chicks to step on would look better. He hurriedly said, “No, A-Yao, your poem is excellent, and your handwriting too.”

Meng Jinyao asked, “Then why did you bring out the painting for me to see?”

“I’m happy,” Gu Jingxi said, running his hand over the poem, picturing her writing it. “I knew you missed me, but now I see you miss me even more than I imagined.”

Meng Jinyao scolded him with a glance, embarrassed. “You didn’t have to say it—quickly put the painting away.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Why put it away? This painting should be hung.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned. “Hung… here in the study?”

Gu Jingxi asked, “Otherwise?”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

This was the study in the front courtyard. Whenever he had guests or colleagues, they would come here. Clearly, he wanted others to see it, to know how affectionate they were. The poem even had a date—anyone who knew the context would understand.

Gu Jingxi said, “A-Yao, don’t overthink. I just think your writing pairs perfectly with my painting.”

Meng Jinyao closed her eyes briefly, then opened them, deciding to go along with him. After all, embarrassment would be shared—if the Marquis wasn’t afraid, why should she be?

She replied, “If you think it’s good, then that’s enough.”