SGEIRS -Chapter 506 Progress in the Marriage

“You’re just bullying Wanwan because he’s still little.”

Meng Jinyao shot him a playful glare, pursing her lips into a smile. After a moment, she remembered something, glanced at him, and carefully said, “Husband, how about we sleep in separate rooms for now?”

At her words, Gu Jingxi furrowed his brows. “A-Yao, now that we have a son, you don’t want me anymore?”

Meng Jinyao quickly replied, “No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what do you mean?” Gu Jingxi looked at her with a hint of grievance in his eyes. Then he continued, “A-Yao, you have to understand, a son is unreliable. Once he gets married, he’ll be glued to his wife all day long—how could he still think of you, his old mother? In the end, the one who’ll be by your side will still be me.”

Meng Jinyao chuckled at that. “Husband, don’t forget—you’re also your mother’s son.”

“I’m different from that little brat,” Gu Jingxi said, then asked again, “Why do you want to sleep in a separate room? Did someone persuade you to neglect me?”

Meng Jinyao lowered her head, hesitating. “Husband… I haven’t bathed for over half a month, and I haven’t washed my hair either.”

She had never gone so long without bathing or washing her hair. So far, she had only wiped herself down. She hadn’t thought much of it at first, but she had overheard a conversation among some older women, saying men dislike wives during confinement who haven’t bathed or washed their hair for too long, and that it makes them smell. Hearing this, she became a little self-conscious.

Gu Jingxi understood her thought immediately and said softly, “So what? A-Yao, you don’t stink. Just endure it a little longer and wash after a few days.”

Meng Jinyao asked, “Husband, really don’t stink?”

Gu Jingxi shook his head gently. “Stop overthinking. A-Yao doesn’t stink. Otherwise, Wanwan probably wouldn’t want to stay by your side. Look at how soundly Wanwan is sleeping next to you.”

Meng Jinyao sniffed herself doubtfully. Her clothes had been scented and carried a light fragrance. She didn’t detect any odor, though perhaps she was just used to it and didn’t notice.

Gu Jingxi reached out to pinch her cheek. “Smell carefully. Did I lie to you?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly and changed her mind. “Husband, then let’s not sleep in separate rooms for now.”

Gu Jingxi said, “For now? No, we won’t separate at all.” Saying this, he pulled her into his arms. “I’m not used to it when you’re not by my side.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly startled but then wrapped her arms around his waist. She would also feel uneasy if they were apart.

Gu Jingxi said gently, “A-Yao, once you’re out of confinement, we’ll go boating on the lake, enjoy the flowers, and visit the villa.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao hesitated. “But Wanwan is still so small. It’s hard to take him out. Let’s wait until he’s a little older.”

Gu Jingxi frowned at once, feeling a little jealous. Before this little brat came along, they could go out whenever they wanted. Now, even if they had the time, A-Yao didn’t want to go out without thinking about him.

He said frankly, “A-Yao, my plans do not include Gu Xiuheng.”

Meng Jinyao: “…?”

Suddenly calling out their son’s full name—what did that mean?

Gu Jingxi asked quietly, “Now you spend every day with Gu Xiuheng. Once you’re out of confinement, won’t you be able to spend some time alone with your husband?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head repeatedly. “No, I also want to spend time with you, husband. But if we go out, what about Wanwan?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “He has two wet nurses taking care of him, and plenty of maids and older women watching over him. If you still worry, just send him to your mother’s place. Let her help watch him. With her helping, you’ll finally be at ease, right?”

Meng Jinyao said, “Isn’t that troubling mother?”

Gu Jingxi waved it off. “Grandparent love is different. Mother will definitely like helping out.”

Meng Jinyao looked up at him and saw the grievance in his eyes as he gazed at their son. She was momentarily stunned. Then, after a moment of realization, she understood that she had been unintentionally neglecting her husband because of their son. She quickly said, “You’re right, husband. I’ll let mother take care of Wanwan. I should accompany my husband to go boating on the lake and visit the villa.”

Gu Jingxi was easy to coax. In an instant, he was soothed, feeling even more fondness for their son.

Yongchang Marquis’s Residence

Earlier, Old Madam Meng had hired a matchmaker to find suitable girls for her son. Now that the marriage had some prospects, the matchmaker returned to inform her.

Upon hearing that the matchmaker had arrived, Old Madam Meng immediately had her brought to the Rongfu Hall and asked, “Matchmaker Zhang, previously you were tasked with finding a suitable girl. Are there any prospects now?”

The matchmaker smiled brightly. “Madam, I have found many daughters from respectable families according to your requirements. After multiple screenings, two girls meet your criteria well.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Meng smiled faintly. “Do tell me about them.”

The matchmaker replied, “One is Miss Jin, the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Honglu Temple. The other is Miss Zhao, daughter of a registrar at the Imperial Academy.”

Old Madam Meng was not particularly satisfied with either, but her son’s marriage was somewhat difficult. After the matchmaker’s long search, this was the best news she could get, so she compared the Jin and Zhao families in her mind. The Vice Minister of Honglu Temple was a sixth-rank official, while the Imperial Academy registrar was ninth-rank. Jin’s family was far superior. She asked, “How old is Miss Jin now?”

The matchmaker replied honestly, “She is twenty-two this year, very beautiful and gentle. She was married once, but after her husband passed away, she returned to her parents’ home with her son to seek a new match. She plans to bring her son if she remarries.”

Old Madam Meng asked in confusion, “The son belongs to her previous husband’s family. How can she take him away?”

The matchmaker explained, “Madam, you may not know. Her husband was an adopted son. His parents had no children initially and adopted him. Ten years ago, they had a biological son. Her husband’s son is not their blood grandson, so they don’t care for him.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Meng immediately thought about her own son’s inheritance. The Jin family allowed Miss Jin to take her child because they didn’t want a non-blood relative dividing the inheritance. How could the Meng family be foolish enough to do that? Raising a child that isn’t theirs and then losing a share of inheritance? Impossible.

She nodded slightly. “I see. How old is Miss Zhao then?”

The matchmaker replied, “Miss Zhao is thirty-one this year. She was also married once, and her husband has passed away.”

Having learned from the previous example, Old Madam Meng frowned even before the matchmaker finished. “Will she take her son if she remarries?”

The matchmaker quickly shook her head. “No, she doesn’t have a son.”

Madam Meng breathed a sigh of relief. If she isn’t bringing a son, that’s manageable. She asked further, “What does she require?”

The matchmaker answered, “Miss Zhao wishes to remarry and bring her daughter with her.”

Madam Meng froze. “…?”

What kind of people has this matchmaker been finding for her son? Either they want to bring a son or a daughter into the marriage. Do they think her future son-in-law is running a charitable hall and willing to be a fool raising someone else’s child?