SGEIRS -Chapter 48 She Doesn’t Want You

Meng Jinyu had never suffered such humiliation before.

Ever since she was born, she had been the apple of her parents’ eyes. Her grandmother doted on her as well. Aside from Meng Chengxing, she was the most favored child in the family. Yet now, over a mere necklace, she was being humiliated by her elder sister.

Overcome with shame and fury, she tore the necklace from her neck and flung it toward Meng Jinyao’s face, cursing angrily, “Take it back, you ungrateful, heartless wretch!”

Gu Jingxi reacted swiftly. Before the necklace could hit Meng Jinyao, he caught it midair. He cast a cold glance at Meng Jinyu and said calmly, “Second Miss Meng, deliberately injuring someone can result in execution in serious cases, or flogging in lighter ones. Which would you prefer—being beheaded or beaten?”

Having served as an official for many years and now holding a high position, Gu Jingxi carried considerable authority. When he looked at someone with a stern face, an invisible pressure bore down on them.

Meng Jinyu’s face turned deathly pale. With a loud wail, she burst into tears and ran off.

Twelve-year-old Meng Chengxing, the youngest, shrank his neck in fear. After casting a timid glance at Gu Jingxi, he hurried after his sister.

Meng Dongyuan watched his two children flee in such a flustered state. Though embarrassed, he also felt a sense of frustration at their lack of composure. In the end, it was Madam Sun who had spoiled them too much. They had been indulged into recklessness and were far less steady than that “rebellious” girl, A-Yao.

Gu Jingxi curled his lips into a faint smile. “Earlier, Marquis Meng said he cherished A-Yao the most. I was half doubtful then, but seeing it today, it seems it’s true.”

Meng Jinyao: “???”

Meng Dongyuan: “???”

Father and daughter were both stunned. One was confused about what he was trying to pull, while the other was worried about what he might be plotting, afraid he would hold them accountable.

Gu Jingxi said calmly, “Though Marquis Meng may not dote on A-Yao excessively, she is indeed the one you cherish most. At the very least, you taught her proper conduct, discernment between right and wrong, and how to stay calm in adversity. As for Madam Meng’s two children, since they aren’t favored, you couldn’t even be bothered to teach them rules, letting them grow up wild.”

Meng Jinyao lifted her head and glanced at him with a strange look. He seemed proper and upright, yet he was remarkably good at delivering sarcastic remarks.

The forced smile Meng Dongyuan had managed to put on collapsed instantly. Feeling extremely awkward yet unwilling to offend Gu Jingxi, he could only reply sheepishly, “I’ve made a fool of myself before my son-in-law. It’s true that I’ve been lax in disciplining them. I’ll strengthen their education in the future.”

Gu Jingxi nodded slightly and hummed in response. Then he added, “They are, after all, your own flesh and blood. You shouldn’t favor one over another. Treat them the same way you treat A-Yao. What do you think, Marquis Meng?”

His tone was indifferent, betraying no emotion. Yet anyone with sense could hear the reproach hidden in his words.

Meng Dongyuan understood clearly. A chill ran up from his feet. He raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and responded repeatedly, “Yes, yes. You’re right. I should treat all the children equally.”

Gu Jingxi said, “It’s getting late. We should head back now.”

Hearing this, Meng Dongyuan finally let out a sigh of relief. “Then I’ll see you off.”

“No need. Marquis Meng should attend to your family matters first,” Gu Jingxi replied. He then handed the necklace to Meng Dongyuan. “This is one of the dowry items my mother-in-law left for A-Yao. Since Madam Meng is checking the assets, please give this to her as well for inspection, so nothing goes missing and causes misunderstandings.”

Gu Jingxi referred to his deceased first wife, Madam Zhou, as “mother-in-law,” yet addressed Meng Dongyuan and Madam Sun merely as Marquis Meng and Madam Meng. It was clear he did not acknowledge Madam Sun’s status.

Though Meng Dongyuan was the elder and Gu Jingxi the junior, there was not the slightest respect for him as a father-in-law.

Despite his displeasure, he dared not say anything. He answered awkwardly, walked over, took the necklace, and instructed the steward to see the couple off.

Once they left the Yongchang Marquis’s Residence, Meng Jinyao naturally loosened her hold on Gu Jingxi’s arm and walked toward the carriage. Her light, brisk steps showed just how good her mood was.

Gu Jingxi lowered his gaze to his arm and found it amusing. Just moments ago, she had been clinging to him affectionately, acting like a loving couple. Now that she had made use of him, she discarded him without hesitation.

Qingqiu and Ningdong helped their mistress into the carriage. After hesitating briefly, they decided not to follow. Seeing that the Marquis came right after her, they tactfully went to his carriage instead, leaving the couple alone.

Inside the carriage.

Seeing the slight smile at the corner of the girl’s lips, Gu Jingxi couldn’t help admiring her courage. If it were another young woman, she probably wouldn’t dare cause such a scene. She would worry about her natal family losing face and about her own standing in her husband’s family, doing her best to conceal such disgraceful matters. But this girl feared none of that.

He asked softly, “Why didn’t you call me to accompany you back?”

Meng Jinyao replied without hesitation, as if it were only natural, “It’s my own business. Why should I trouble others?”

Others?

Gu Jingxi narrowed his eyes slightly and teased, “Can ‘others’ sleep in the same bed with you?”

Meng Jinyao choked. She glanced at him quickly and, seeing his half-smiling expression, defended herself, “I thought my husband was busy with official duties, so I didn’t want to trouble you. I had enough evidence to handle it myself.”

Gu Jingxi said gently, “You may be capable, but even cornered dogs will jump over walls. Be more careful next time, Madam.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected her father to try to hit her—it had been her oversight. After a moment, she asked, “Why did you suddenly appear at the Yongchang Marquis’s Residence?”

“I heard from Chunliu that you returned to your natal home,” Gu Jingxi replied.

She was startled again and looked at him in confusion. What did her return home have to do with him?

Seeing her confusion, he explained, “When I accompanied you back before, I could tell your relationship with your family wasn’t good. If you went back suddenly, something must have happened, so I went to check.”

In truth, he had matters to attend to that day. But after hearing she had gone home, and recalling his mother’s repeated reminders to look after her more, he hesitated briefly before deciding to make the trip.

Meng Jinyao was quite surprised. To go this far, his sense of responsibility was truly strong. Anyone who married him would live well. Staring at his handsome face, she couldn’t help but sigh sincerely, “With how good you are, her not wanting you is really her loss.”

Her topic shifted too abruptly. Gu Jingxi couldn’t keep up and asked instinctively, “Who?”

“Your former fiancée,” Meng Jinyao replied. “She broke off the engagement and didn’t want you. That’s her loss.”

Gu Jingxi paused slightly. Then he narrowed his eyes and looked at her with a half-smile, his tone ambiguous.

“Is that so?”