SGEIRS -Chapter 516 He’s Hinting

Imperial Physician Wen watched Gu Jingxi leave the Imperial Medical Hall, then lowered his eyes to glance at the item in his hand. The item had been left behind, but Gu Jingxi had asked him for something else: a box of beauty-preserving ointment and a box of medicine for reducing swelling.

It was likely that a colleague had really given Gu Jingxi the wrong items, or perhaps hadn’t explained clearly. But it was obvious—Gu Jingxi genuinely cared about his own face. For a grown man to worry about wrinkles and take preventive care in advance…

He truly loved Madam Gu. As they say, a woman adorns herself for the one she loves; the same goes for a man.

Yu, a new physician at the Imperial Medical Hall and Wen’s direct disciple, noticed his master smiling and stepped forward curiously. “Master, what did Marquis Gu come to see you about?”

Wen replied, “Nothing much. He just asked me for some beauty-preserving items.”

Yu didn’t think much of it and said, “Marquis Gu is so considerate toward Madam Gu. He even made the trip for her. But Madam Gu is still young—there’s really no need for her to start beauty care so early.”

“Who told you it was for Madam Gu?” Wen cast him a sidelong glance. Seeing Yu’s puzzled expression, he continued, “It’s for Marquis Gu himself.”

Yu was surprised. “Marquis Gu is a man—he needs these?”

Wen stroked his beard, speaking slowly and deliberately: “You haven’t married yet, so you don’t understand. Who would want to go out with their wife later and be mistaken for her father?”

Yu paused for a moment, then said, “Marquis Gu looks quite young. If he doesn’t mention his age, who would guess he’s over thirty?”

Wen pretended to sound profound: “I told you—you haven’t married, so you don’t get it. Once you have a wife, you might end up caring about your appearance even more than him.” He glanced at Yu again. “Look at you—just turned twenty, yet you still keep a beard. You look older than Marquis Gu, who’s over thirty. Young ladies won’t like that.”

Yu was unconcerned. “Master, a beard makes one look mature and steady. If I have a beard, others immediately think I’m reliable and trust my medical skills. Before, when I didn’t have a beard, people thought I was too young and inexperienced.”

Wen spoke earnestly: “Marquis Gu is over thirty and doesn’t have a beard, yet he looks mature and composed. A beard proves nothing—it only lets you deceive yourself. If you want people to trust your medical skills, you must study more and improve your abilities. Let your skills speak for themselves.”

Yu replied, “Disciple understands.”

Meanwhile, Meng Jinyao had originally planned to put the box of medicine away after breakfast. But after finishing her meal and returning to her inner room, she found the box was already gone from the dressing table. She asked Ningdong, “Ningdong, where did you put that white porcelain box from the dressing table?”

Ningdong replied, “Madam, I didn’t see any white porcelain box when I tidied up just now.”

Meng Jinyao trusted her personal maid. Thinking carefully, if Ningdong hadn’t seen the box, there was only one possibility: her husband had taken it. Her previous attempt to explain herself hadn’t convinced him.

A wave of gloom washed over Meng Jinyao. This kind of embarrassing issue had been left unsaid last night, and now her husband had the medicine in hand and could ask the doctor about it.

Ningdong whispered, “Madam, is it something important? I didn’t see it, but maybe Qingqiu or Chunliu did. Should we ask them?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head. “It’s not really that important. If it’s gone, it’s gone. Maybe Marquis took it, maybe not.”

Hearing this, Ningdong dropped the subject. Then she suddenly remembered something and said, “Madam, I want to go out of the residence tomorrow.”

Meng Jinyao asked, “Why do you want to leave the residence?”

Ningdong giggled, “Tomorrow is the monthly allowance. I want to buy some snacks I like. If you need anything, I can get it for you too.”

Meng Jinyao couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. “You—already eighteen and still so fond of eating. Other maids save their money for their dowries, but you just eat it all.”

Ningdong was unconcerned. “Madam, life is just a few decades. You can’t leave regrets. I have no other ambitions and no thoughts of marriage; I just enjoy food. If I can’t satisfy that desire, I’ll regret it.”

By evening, Gu Jingxi returned. Meng Jinyao, hearing the sounds outside, felt embarrassed to face him. She went to the wet nurse to check on their son. But stepping out the door, she collided with him, and looked up at him, smiling awkwardly: “Husband, you’re back. Wanwan missed me. I need to check on him—do as you please.”

Seeing her avoid his gaze, Gu Jingxi knew she had discovered the missing medicine. Without another word, he picked her up and carried her inside, instructing Chunliu, “Close the door.”

Chunliu froze for a moment, then quickly shut the door, thinking, Is Marquis really in such a hurry? It’s not even night yet. Should I prepare some water?

Meng Jinyao was placed on the soft couch. Meeting his gaze, she felt embarrassed and covered her face with her hands, murmuring, “Husband, did you take the box of medicine from the dressing table?”

Gu Jingxi admitted frankly, “I took it for you.” He reached for her wrists, removing her hands from her face, and looked at her gently. In a soft voice, he asked, “Silly girl, why didn’t you tell me last night?”

Meng Jinyao stammered, “Didn’t I tell you last night? I even asked you about it.”

Gu Jingxi sighed lightly, a mix of tenderness and helplessness. Holding her face, he said softly, “What are you imagining in that little head of yours? Do you think your husband is that kind of man?”

Meng Jinyao remained silent. She wasn’t worried that her husband would look elsewhere; she was anxious that he might lose interest in their intimate moments, which would embarrass her.

Gu Jingxi asked again, “What exactly did eldest sister-in-law say that scared you?”

Startled, Meng Jinyao’s eyes widened. “Husband, how did you know my eldest sister-in-law talked to me?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “When I finished my duties yesterday, I felt something was off with you. I specifically asked Qingqiu and learned that eldest sister-in-law had visited. After she left, you seemed troubled.”

Meng Jinyao pressed her lips together, reached out to hug his waist, and looked up at him. “Husband, what if… that thing… would you dislike me, lose interest in me?”

Gu Jingxi lowered his head and kissed her, lingering on her lips. After a long while, he let her go, his fingers gently tracing her chin. Looking into her misty apricot-shaped eyes, his voice low, husky, and teasing, he hinted, “I’ll tell you later. For now, eat your dinner.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao immediately understood. She knew what he intended tonight, and blushed, lowering her head, avoiding his intense gaze.