SGEIRS -Chapter 518 That Old Fox

The next day.

By the time the sun was well up, Meng Jinyao finally woke. She slowly opened her eyes and, seeing the room bathed in light, realized it was already quite late. She propped herself up to get out of bed but immediately felt soreness in her waist—the aftermath of a night of tossing and turning.

Rubbing her waist, she regretted having taken the initiative to go at it once more last night.

For matters like this, she truly couldn’t understand: when she wasn’t in charge, she was the one exhausted; when she was in charge, she was still the one exhausted. Her husband, meanwhile, always seemed refreshed.

Why was this the case?

Qingqiu came in to see if she had woken. As soon as she entered, she saw Meng Jinyao sitting on the bed, her brows slightly furrowed, as if mulling over something troubling. Qingqiu hurried over and asked with concern, “Madam, are you all right?”

Hearing her, Meng Jinyao realized she had come in and gently shook her head. “I’m fine. Just a bit groggy from waking up.”

Qingqiu, only half-convinced, immediately called Ningdong and the others to help their mistress wash up, get dressed, and prepare herself.

With the lingering worries resolved, Meng Jinyao’s spirits returned, and she spent the day smiling brightly, free from overthinking. After tiring herself out playing with her child, she took the little one to Shou’an Hall to chat with Old Madam Gu.

Seeing this, Qingqiu and the others relaxed, knowing their mistress had been placated by the marquis.

In the afternoon, Gu Jingxi returned from outside. Not seeing Meng Jinyao in Weirui Pavilion, he asked the maids and then headed to Shou’an Hall, where he found his wife and mother playing chess. His wife looked gentle and lively, his mother kind and gracious, with a tiny, delicate baby nearby—a scene full of warmth.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi suddenly understood why most men longed to marry and have children. Such a warm, happy life—no normal man could possibly refuse it.

Old Madam Gu noticed her son and smiled kindly. “Yaoling is back! Come, you play chess with A-Yao; I’ll play with the little one for a while.” With that, she stood and picked up the baby beside her.

Meng Jinyao turned and saw Gu Jingxi standing not far off. A smile immediately lit her face, her eyes sparkling with delight. She called softly, “Husband.”

Gu Jingxi smiled and nodded, stepping forward to sit across from her, taking over his mother’s spot.

Old Madam Gu watched the exchanged glances and subtle expressions between them, seeing the deep affection in their eyes. As a mother, she found it amusing and quietly sat aside, observing. The more she watched, the more she realized that Yaoling’s temperament was unlike her late husband’s. The old man never had this awareness or tact; no matter how gentle a wife or concubine tried to be, he always remained serious. A concubine’s attempt to flirt with him was just wasted effort—after sleeping, he would get dressed and leave the next morning.

Watching them, Old Madam Gu felt a sense of accomplishment, thinking her son had inherited more of her qualities. She herself had always known how to express feelings tactfully. The late husband, though well-meaning, hadn’t responded; she would have to speak plainly to get attention. For example, when he was out on business, she would say directly upon his return, “Husband, I missed you these past few days.” And while he said little, he stayed in the courtyard with her, doing nothing but being present.

Now, thinking back, the old man had been good enough, just not up to par as a husband. He never helped with mother-in-law matters or the household, and she often suffered grievances.

But that was all past. The old man had long passed away, so why dwell on it?

Back to Meng Jinyao: a long while later, she realized she had nearly won at chess, but her husband—the crafty old fox—had taken over her mother-in-law’s seat and bested her without fail. She wasn’t satisfied. “Old fox, one more game!”

Gu Jingxi feigned innocence. “All’s fair in war. You told me not to go easy on you.”

Meng Jinyao glared at him in frustration, and they started another round. This time, she narrowly won, her spirits immediately lifted. Her brows relaxed, and she smiled at Gu Jingxi. “Husband, I claim victory.”

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly. “Little fox, you learn fast—putting your lessons to use right away.”

Meng Jinyao demurely replied, “Not at all, it’s all thanks to your teaching, Husband.”

Gu Jingxi countered, “But it still takes your cleverness, A-Yao.”

Meng Jinyao said, “Just a trivial trick, copying what I see—nothing compared to your wit, Husband.” Indeed, she had used his trust to outmaneuver him and claim victory by a slight margin.

Old Madam Gu, having watched them closely, felt joy hearing their exchange. She also sensed that her son seemed somewhat familiar—like a younger version of someone she knew—but more mature and composed than that youth.

After a moment, Old Madam Gu said gently, “It’s getting late. Why don’t you stay and have dinner with this old woman?”

Her words reminded Meng Jinyao that her mother-in-law was still present. She suddenly felt her face flush, embarrassed at flirting with her husband in front of an elder.

Gu Jingxi, however, remained unfazed and calmly replied, “All right, we’ll continue to trouble you, Mother.”

Old Madam Gu smiled. “It’s fine, play as you like. I was just with Wanwan and almost forgot about you. I’m a bit hungry myself, which is why I remembered.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao relaxed.

After dinner, the couple returned to Weirui Pavilion with their child.

Gu Jingxi held their sleeping son and sighed. “This kid really knows how to sleep—either eating or sleeping, just like a little piglet in a pen.”

Meng Jinyao twitched at his words. “You really are his father. What kind of description is that? He’s so small; what else can he do besides these? And haven’t you noticed he’s awake more than before he was a month old?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “A bit more, but it doesn’t matter; he just plays a while and then falls asleep.”

Meng Jinyao smiled wryly. “Be grateful. Xuanyi said Wanwan is easy to handle, doesn’t fuss much. If it were a baby who cries all the time, you’d be wishing he’d just eat and sleep, so your ears could rest.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at their son and nodded in agreement. “True, this is fine. Doesn’t interfere with time with his mother, which pleases me greatly.”

At this, Meng Jinyao instinctively glanced at the maids and wet nurse behind her. Seeing their tacit understanding, she slightly lowered her head and glared at Gu Jingxi. “Mind your words.”

Gu Jingxi looked innocent. “How have I not minded my words?”

Seeing her glare again, he obediently said, “All right, all done as A-Yao says. Whatever A-Yao wants, goes.”

Meng Jinyao shot him another glance, this time saying nothing, but the slight upward curve of her lips and the playful look in her eyes betrayed her enjoyment—she loved hearing such words.

Gu Jingxi smiled gently, holding the child in one arm and her small hand in the other.

Meng Jinyao didn’t pull away. They intertwined fingers freely, as if no one else existed.

The maids and wet nurse behind them watched, quietly remarking: The marquis and madam are really in love, just like newlyweds, always clinging to each other all day.