SGEIRS -Chapter 467 Only a Loyal Subject

Second Prince’s Consort?

Meng Jinyao was taken aback in her heart, but her expression remained calm, composed, neither humble nor arrogant. She bowed and greeted politely: “Your servant-wife pays respects to the Second Prince’s Consort.”

Seeing this, the Second Prince’s Consort stepped forward a couple of paces, pretending to support her lightly with her hand: “Madam Gu, there’s no need for so much formality.”

Meng Jinyao rose, unsure of the other’s intentions, and did not initiate further conversation. She simply maintained a proper smile and waited for the next words from her.

The Second Prince’s Consort spoke softly, praising her: “Earlier, at the Grand Empress Dowager’s place, I heard Sister A-Yan mention Madam Gu. Today, seeing you in person, you truly are a striking lady—one who instantly makes people like you.”

Meng Jinyao responded graciously: “The Second Prince’s Consort is flattering me.”

Afterward, the Second Prince’s Consort chatted with Meng Jinyao for quite some time. Although she was approachable, gentle, and soft-spoken, Meng Jinyao remained cautious throughout. During their conversation, other female relatives from the royal clan joined in, and the group seemed to converse happily.

When it was time for the banquet to begin and everyone was seated at their respective tables, Meng Jinyao finally excused herself.

After the banquet, Meng Jinyao returned home with Gu Jingxi without lingering any longer.

Seeing her looking slightly tired, Gu Jingxi asked with concern: “A-Yao, are you tired?”

Meng Jinyao nodded slightly: “Dealing with them is indeed exhausting. Previous banquets weren’t so difficult to handle, but this one had many royal family members, so I had to be careful. Oh, and I also met the Second Prince’s Consort—she initiated conversation with me.”

Gu Jingxi’s expression froze momentarily: “The Second Prince’s Consort?”

Meng Jinyao nodded again: “She talked to me for quite a while. There were also other female relatives of the royal clan. I had never met the Second Prince’s Consort before and didn’t know her temperament, but she seemed easy to get along with today, even somewhat warm.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi appeared thoughtful before asking: “And how did you handle it?”

Meng Jinyao replied: “Just as you said before—only act as a loyal subject, never involve myself in the princes’ struggles, and never take sides. So I was very careful today. Whether the Second Prince’s Consort was trying to win me over or not, I treated her politely without giving her any chance to go further.”

Gu Jingxi smiled gently and reminded her: “You did very well, A-Yao. Don’t get too close to the prince’s consorts. Not just the Second Prince’s Consort—if you attend palace banquets in the future, the same goes for consorts who have borne princes. When princes vie for the throne, if one loses, his supporting ministers also won’t have a good end. Our Gu family must avoid all of that.”

Meng Jinyao said: “I understand.” She then changed the subject: “Husband, it’s not too late yet. How about we don’t rush home and stroll around the streets for a bit?”

Gu Jingxi asked in return: “Aren’t you tired?”

Meng Jinyao smiled: “Dealing with them is tiring, yes, but it’s rare for us to go out. We might as well take a little walk before heading back.”

Gu Jingxi never opposed her. Once they reached the bustling street, they got down and walked.

It was the cold winter of the twelfth lunar month. There were fewer pedestrians in the capital than before, likely because of the chill; people usually didn’t go out for leisure unless necessary. Street vendors, however, still set up their stalls on time daily to earn a living, except during heavy snow.

At that moment, two small beggars came into view—a boy and a girl. The boy was about ten years old, the girl around seven or eight. Both were in tattered clothes, their skin chapped by the cold, their lips dry and peeling, shivering in the bitter winter. They held bowls with both hands, begging passersby. Their little hands were red and swollen from frostbite.

Seeing this, Meng Jinyao’s heart clenched. She asked the man beside her: “Husband, did you bring any silver with you?”

Gu Jingxi understood her intentions and said quietly: “For little beggars like these, even if you give them silver, they can’t keep it. Do you see the two older beggars in the street corner? They’re probably the leaders. Giving the kids silver is less effective than giving them a few warm buns—they can at least eat something.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned, then looked toward the street corner. Sure enough, two older beggars were sitting there, keeping an eye on the children. Their clothing was slightly better. She immediately understood: the younger beggars, small and pitiful, easily drew sympathy from passersby. Any money given to them would likely be taken by the older beggars to make a profit.

She instructed her attendant trailing behind: “Qingqiu, go buy a few meat buns from over there.”

Qingqiu immediately went to the bun shop across the street.

By then, the two little beggars had come closer, looking up at them with pleading eyes: “Sir, Madam, please show us mercy. We haven’t eaten for two days.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at their broken bowls, which contained only a few copper coins, and spoke warmly: “Wait a moment.”

The two children looked at her blankly, hesitated for a moment, and didn’t leave.

Soon, Qingqiu returned with the meat buns.

Meng Jinyao took them and placed them directly in their bowls: “Eat.”

The children were surprised and quickly thanked her, then greedily began eating the buns. Each bun was large, but they quickly finished one each. Four remained. They swallowed nervously, unsure whether to continue.

Seeing this, Meng Jinyao left them alone and walked on with Gu Jingxi. Once they were at a distance, she said: “Husband, you were right. Giving them a few buns means they can each have one to eat. If we gave them silver, I doubt even one coin would survive.”

Gu Jingxi said: “Survival of the fittest. In any environment, it’s the same. Beggars as young as these, without protection, are destined to be controlled by older ones.”

Probably because she was soon to be a mother, Meng Jinyao couldn’t bear to see children suffer. Thinking of the many beggars in the city, she said: “Husband, I’ve heard that every year, many beggars starve or freeze to death. What if I arranged for porridge distribution in the city? Of course, I wouldn’t go personally—just have the servants handle it. And the silver spent wouldn’t come from the household, only from our own.”

Gu Jingxi fully supported charitable deeds and replied without hesitation: “That works. You just instruct people to do it. Once you start, other families will follow—some out of sincerity, some for reputation—but in the end, the result is good.”

A smile spread across Meng Jinyao’s face: “Then I’ll have it arranged once we get home.”

Seeing her radiant smile, Gu Jingxi smiled in return. His A-Yao had a kind heart.

Meng Jinyao added: “I did think about taking the two little beggars home, but then I realized there are many more unfortunate children in the world. I can’t take every one I see, and I don’t know their character—bringing them home rashly could cause trouble. Arranging porridge distribution is better; it helps more people. Those two children can also line up for the porridge.”

Gu Jingxi praised generously: “Our A-Yao is not only kind-hearted but also clever.”

Meng Jinyao snorted lightly: “I was never foolish to begin with.”

Gu Jingxi smiled: “Yes, our A-Yao is the smartest.”