SGEIRS -Chapter 513 Added Worries

The next morning.

Gu Xuanyi went to Old Madam Gu’s place for breakfast, then ran over to Meng Jinyao’s. The reason was simple: to avoid her mother, Madam Zhang. Her mother had been quiet for a while, but after her cousin—who had married last year—became pregnant, her mother’s thoughts returned to her marriage. She started suggesting which young men were suitable and hinted that the families should arrange a meeting.

Xuanyi glanced at her swaddled little cousin, then at the gentle and easygoing Third Aunt, and sighed lightly: “Third Aunt, I wish you were my mother.”

Meng Jinyao paused, then smiled: “I’m only a year older than you, but I couldn’t have a daughter as big as yours. I can’t be your mother. Even being your aunt is the same—we’re all elders.”

Xuanyi sighed softly again.

Meng Jinyao asked gently, “Did you quarrel with eldest sister-in-law?”

Xuanyi nodded and murmured, “My mother said the young master from the Fang family is good. She said if I’m willing, she’ll meet Madam Fang at the temple so I can meet him. I didn’t want to, so she got upset and has been bringing it up these past couple of days, trying to persuade me.”

Meng Jinyao asked again, “Are you afraid of meeting someone like your ex-husband, or do you simply not want to marry?”

Xuanyi replied, “Both.”

Meng Jinyao said softly, “Then there’s no need to rush. Wait a while. Eldest sister-in-law always fusses for a bit, but she calms down after some time. If it really becomes unbearable, you can go to your grandmother’s place. She can’t follow you into Shou’an Hall.”

Xuanyi nodded slightly and changed the topic: “Fourth Brother is more obedient than Yunxin, hardly cries. Yunxin used to cry easily; sometimes the wet nurse couldn’t handle him—only Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law could calm him.”

Meng Jinyao said, “Probably because he still doesn’t recognize people. Anyone can take care of him for now, but when he’s as big as Yunxin, it might not be so easy.”

Xuanyi replied, “Not necessarily. I think Fourth Brother is just easier to manage; Yunxin was hard to handle even before he turned a month old.”

At that moment, Chunliu came in to report: “Madam, the eldest madam has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Xuanyi’s face stiffened: “My mother actually followed me here?”

Meng Jinyao reassured her: “Xuanyi, don’t panic. If eldest sister-in-law says something unpleasant, I’ll talk to her. Out of respect for me, she won’t go too far.”

Xuanyi shook her head: “I’m not panicking, just a little annoyed. My ears only just got some peace.”

Soon, Madam Zhang entered their sight. Seeing Xuanyi, she wanted to scold her—they often played a cat-and-mouse game that was very frustrating.

Xuanyi had her own way of handling Madam Zhang. She immediately spun the prayer beads she carried and calmly asked, “Amitabha. Why have you come, benefactor? This poor nun won’t disturb you—just going back. You two benefactors can continue your chat.”

Madam Zhang: “……”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

The next moment, they saw Xuanyi leave at top speed.

Madam Zhang looked at her daughter’s fleeing figure, fuming: “Third sister-in-law, look at her! She just followed her grandmother in reciting a few sutras, and now it’s ‘Amitabha’ all day. Does she think she’s a nun? I didn’t even come here specifically for her, so why run?”

Meng Jinyao defended Xuanyi: “Eldest sister-in-law, Xuanyi was just here to see Wanwan and was about to leave when you came.”

Madam Zhang looked doubtful: “Really?”

Meng Jinyao smiled: “Why would I lie to you about something like this?”

Madam Zhang accepted it and sat next to Meng Jinyao.

Meng Jinyao asked, “Eldest sister-in-law, what brings you here?”

“I have a bit of a matter to discuss with you,” Madam Zhang said, glancing at Qingqiu and Ningdong, who were serving nearby.

Meng Jinyao immediately understood, handing Wanwan to Qingqiu and letting them step aside.

Madam Zhang took out a white porcelain box and handed it to Meng Jinyao, speaking mysteriously: “Third sister-in-law, this is for you.”

Meng Jinyao took it, puzzled: “Eldest sister-in-law, what is this?”

Madam Zhang replied: “It’s a good thing. Many women want it. I’ve heard even the palace ladies use it.”

Meng Jinyao opened the lid. Inside was a white ointment with a faint medicinal scent, seemingly for skincare. She asked, “Eldest sister-in-law, is this for the face?”

“No, it’s for…”

Madam Zhang leaned close and whispered something in her ear. Seeing Meng Jinyao blush, she earnestly continued: “Third sister-in-law, most women don’t look the same after giving birth. When I had Xiuyuan, it was okay, but after giving birth to Xiuwen and Xuanyi—the dragon and phoenix twins—I was far from my former self. By the time you think to fix it, it’s too late.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned. After giving birth, she hadn’t even been with her husband yet and hadn’t thought about this.

Madam Zhang continued: “Although Third Brother doesn’t take concubines now, if marital intimacy loses its appeal, who knows later? You need to prepare ahead. For instance, your eldest brother, after I gave birth to Xiuwen and Xuanyi, found me less attractive than a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl—one reason. The other reason was intimate matters, so he spent more time with the concubines. I didn’t understand at the time, only later. Had I known, I would’ve taken care after Xiuyuan’s birth.”

Meng Jinyao felt heavy-hearted. She trusted her husband wouldn’t seek another woman, but if he lost interest in their intimacy, even without him saying anything, she would feel hurt and embarrassed.

Madam Zhang added: “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t care. But Third Sister-in-law, we get along well. I like you, and I hope for a loving marriage between you and Third Brother.”

Indeed, she meant well. Their sister-in-law relationship was good, and she naturally hoped Meng Jinyao and her brother-in-law would have a harmonious marriage. That way, if she needed a favor later, Meng Jinyao would have some influence. Also, giving her this small gift ensured Meng Jinyao would remember her kindness.

After a moment of silence, Meng Jinyao suppressed her worries and feigned nonchalance: “Thank you, eldest sister-in-law. I accept your kindness.”

Madam Zhang said, “We’re sisters-in-law; no need for formality. This must be used consistently. One or two uses won’t work; it takes at least a month to see a noticeable effect.”

Meng Jinyao nodded slightly and thanked her again: “Thank you, eldest sister-in-law.”

Madam Zhang had other matters and didn’t linger. After some small talk, she took her leave.

Once Madam Zhang left, Meng Jinyao looked at the gift and felt a new worry added to her mind.

However, she wouldn’t use the ointment recklessly. Though she knew Madam Zhang meant well, she would first consult medical texts to understand it or, if needed, shamelessly ask her close friend A-Ning—an experienced woman—instead of following Madam Zhang’s instructions blindly. After all, it was medicine, and she didn’t even know what ingredients it contained. What if it wasn’t suitable for her?