SGEIRS -Chapter 519 Wanwan Misses You

Since Gu Jingxi noticed that Meng Jinyao often felt anxious, he made it a point to return home as early as possible every day. The moment he got back, he would spend time with her. On his days off, he would take her out to play, giving her more attention and care, frequently showering her with words of praise.

However, little Gu Wanwan had recently been somewhat neglected. When his father came home, he would casually hug him and then immediately cling to his mother. And with his mother being monopolized by his father, there was little time left to spend with him.

Gu Jingxi had his reasoning: Wanwan was still very young and didn’t understand much, while Jinyao was no longer a child. After becoming pregnant with Wanwan, her emotions had been somewhat unstable. If she didn’t receive enough attention, she could get overly sensitive and start overthinking. If he spent too much time with Wanwan, she might suspect that he saw his wife merely as a tool for having children, neglecting her after the birth. So, he prioritized being close to Jinyao first.

Seeing that Jinyao’s mood had gradually improved in recent days, Gu Jingxi knew he had guessed correctly. It was simply because he had been too busy before and hadn’t provided enough care and companionship. Now, with more attention, more care, and more words of praise, Jinyao wore a smile every day and no longer overthought unnecessary things.

It was summer—the season of blooming lotuses. In the courtyard, the two large water jars used for cultivating lotuses were in full bloom.

Meng Jinyao held Wanwan in her arms, standing beside the water jars admiring the flowers. The little one was wearing a bellyband embroidered with a pattern of fish playing among lotus leaves and red little pants. She suddenly thought her son looked perfectly suited to the scene. Only, the water jar seemed to be missing something. She instructed, “Ningdong, tomorrow get a few small koi and put them in the jar.”

Ningdong responded promptly, “Yes, Madam.” Just then, she caught sight of Gu Jingxi and hurriedly said, “Madam, the Marquis has returned.”

Meng Jinyao turned her head and saw the man in a crimson official robe, a smile on his lips and a tender gaze fixed on her, walking briskly toward her. Her lips curved upward: “Husband, you’re back! Come and hug your son—he’s missed you so much.” Saying this, she handed the little one to him.

Gu Jingxi walked up to her and asked with a smile, “Does the child’s mother want him?”

Jinyao softly replied, “She does.”

Gu Jingxi’s smile deepened as he took the child. The little one could probably recognize him already, and upon seeing him, he giggled foolishly. Looking at his adorable son in his arms, Gu Jingxi felt his heart melt—this face resembled Jinyao; she must have been just as cute at that age.

However, the next moment, Gu Jingxi no longer found his son cute. Frowning, he lifted a wet little hand with a vexed expression: “Gu Xiuheng really misses me like this?”

Meng Jinyao was a bit stunned by his sudden change in expression, and when she saw his hand, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud: “Isn’t it because he misses you? I held him for so long and he didn’t pee, but the moment you picked him up, he did.”

Gu Jingxi glared at his son: “You little rascal, I’ll remember this debt. You can repay me when you’re older.”

The little one didn’t understand what he meant, still giggling foolishly, making him feel as though he was punching cotton. He handed the child to Ningdong, instructing, “Go help the young master change his clothes.”

Ningdong quickly reached out to take the little heir.

Gu Jingxi glanced down and noticed that his own robe was slightly wet as well. He added, “I should go change my clothes first.”

Meng Jinyao stifled a laugh: “Go ahead.”

After saying this, she followed him inside, had the maid fetch water so he could wash his hands, and then personally helped him change into a clean set of clothes. She then softly cooed to him: “Husband, you’re so magnanimous—you won’t fuss over Wanwan, right?”

Gu Jingxi chuckled lowly: “Then you guessed wrong, Jinyao. Your husband is actually the most petty. I’ve noted this debt—it will be repaid when he grows up.”

Jinyao looked surprised, then asked: “How do you plan to collect it?”

Gu Jingxi smiled meaningfully: “You’ll know when he starts studying.”

Hearing this, Jinyao understood and silently felt for their son, praying that his mind would be like his father’s. Otherwise, if he couldn’t answer questions when studying, he’d be in trouble.

“Let’s not bother with the little brat for now,” Gu Jingxi said, reaching out to hold her hand gently. “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

Jinyao looked confused: “Where are we going?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I’m taking you to Tianxiang Pavilion for dinner, then we’ll go boating on the lake.”

Her eyes lit up. Thinking of their son, she asked again: “And Wanwan?”

Gu Jingxi reassured her: “Don’t worry, Jinyao. The wet nurse won’t let him go hungry.”

And so, Gu Wanwan was once again held by the wet nurse, watching his parents leave for their alone time. Unaware of what was happening, after being fed by the nurse, he soon fell asleep.

Near midnight, the couple returned and checked on their son. Seeing him sleeping soundly, they went to the bathroom to bathe and prepare for bed.

Time passed without notice. By late May, two of the maids around Meng Jinyao were also about to be married.

Qingqiu and Zhou Yun’s wedding was set for June 28, after Yu Chuan and Chan’er’s, which was on June 5.

Previously, Xiazhu had been sold, and her duties were distributed among Chunliu, Qingqiu, and Ningdong. With Qingqiu marrying in June, only Chunliu and Ningdong would be left to handle the work, which might overwhelm them.

Thus, Meng Jinyao planned to promote one of the second-rank maids in the courtyard to take Qingqiu’s place. This didn’t mean Qingqiu was unnecessary—it was just that after marriage, she should not continue attending to Jinyao day and night. Qingqiu needed to be given other tasks to practice managing dowries and household matters. Later, when she oversaw domestic affairs, Qingqiu would be her capable assistant.

Among the four second-rank maids in the courtyard, Jinyao was unsure whom to pick. She asked a few senior maids: “Tell me the strengths and weaknesses of Dujuan, Yingyue, Qiuju, and Hongmei. Chunliu, you’ve interacted with them the longest, so you should know them better than Qingqiu and Ningdong. You go first; Qingqiu and Ningdong can add their thoughts afterward.”

Chunliu immediately understood Jinyao intended to promote one of the four to replace Qingqiu and reported honestly: “Madam, Qiuju is somewhat clever, but she uses it for scheming. Hongmei is meticulous in her work but not very bright. If you were to choose, I guess you’d prefer Dujuan or Yingyue. Both are responsible, though their temperaments differ—Dujuan is quiet and speaks little, while Yingyue is lively and cheerful.”

Jinyao nodded slightly. She had noticed these four maids before and Chunliu’s description matched her observations. She turned to Qingqiu and Ningdong: “Do you have anything to add?”

Ningdong said, “Madam, Dujuan may be quiet, but even when unhappy, she won’t show it. Yingyue is the opposite.”

Qingqiu said, “The maids have already mentioned what I know. I have nothing to add.”

Jinyao had made up her mind. A person who hides their emotions can be seen as a virtue, but for a servant, it can be a drawback. The master fears a servant’s hidden dissatisfaction, which could surface at a critical moment and betray them. Yingyue’s transparency made her ideal—serious, responsible, and straightforward, not inscrutable.

Jinyao spoke: “Qingqiu, when you have free time, help mentor Yingyue.”