SGEIRS -Chapter 520 Growing Younger

Time flew by, and it was already June. In just a few days, Yu Chuan and Chan’er would be married.

Gu Jingxi had entrusted Chan’er to Meng Jinyao. Since Chan’er was Meng Jinyao’s maid, Jinyao handled everything for her wedding just as she would for her personal head maid. Even the dowry was prepared according to the same standard as Qingqiu’s wedding at the end of the month. After all, Chan’er had been by Gu Jingxi’s side for years, through life-and-death situations—her contributions were significant.

Madam Zhang noticed how well Jinyao treated her maid and was somewhat puzzled. “Third sister-in-law, she’s just a maid. Why go to such lengths? Even setting up a couple of tables would be enough of an honor for her.”

Jinyao spoke gently, “Though Chan’er is a maid, she has been by my husband’s side for many years. Besides, a girl only marries once in her life. If we handle it too carelessly, she may have regrets later.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang instinctively glanced at her. If anyone had reason to talk about being careless, it would be this third sister-in-law herself. She had just changed husbands at the last moment during her own wedding, causing such a scandal. That incident had happened a while ago, yet people still occasionally mentioned it.

Feeling this topic was delicate, Madam Zhang asked instead, “At the end of this month, your other maid is getting married too?”

Jinyao nodded lightly. “Yes. Qingqiu and Zhou Yun’s wedding is set for the twenty-eighth. Zhou Yun is well-known to us, so I feel at ease entrusting Qingqiu to him.”

Madam Zhang thought of her own daughter and sighed. “Even the maids are getting married. Our Xuanyi still has no prospects.”

Jinyao comforted her, “Sister-in-law, these things can’t be rushed. Xuanyi’s fate hasn’t arrived yet. When the right person comes along, she might even tell you herself that she wants to marry.”

“It’s difficult. If I don’t push her, she probably won’t think about marrying even by thirty.” Madam Zhang frowned in frustration. “Every young man we’ve found for her has been suitable, but she either deliberately ruins it or refuses to meet them. If this continues, I won’t care anymore. She can remain an old maid her whole life.”

Jinyao replied, “Don’t worry. Give Xuanyi some more time. Even Xiuhong from second sister-in-law’s family hasn’t been betrothed yet. Xuanyi is still young; there’s no need to rush.”

Madam Zhang argued, “That’s not the same. Xiuhong is a boy. She’s a girl. A seventeen-year-old girl is already at the age where a mother worries.”

Jinyao didn’t respond directly, only sighed softly, matching her mood.

Madam Zhang continued, “Luckily your child is not a daughter. If it were a girl, there’d be so much to worry about. With a son, there’s less concern.”

Jinyao disagreed lightly, “A son still requires care. Later, we’ll have to manage his studies, arrange a marriage for him, and even after he’s married, we’ll have to worry whether his household is harmonious.”

Madam Zhang shook her head gently. “A son doesn’t leave. We can see him. But a daughter marries out—once she goes to her husband’s family, we can’t even see if she’s being wronged.”

Jinyao froze—this was indeed a concern. She herself had been lucky to have found a good husband; otherwise, who knew how her life would have turned out?

After a moment, she said softly, “Sister-in-law, if you know how difficult it is for a girl, why rush Xuanyi into marriage? If she marries badly, she’ll suffer. Staying at home, no one will wrong her. And because of her previous marriage, she’s a bit fearful of marrying at all.”

Madam Zhang replied, “The past is the past. Now is now. Having a bad experience before doesn’t mean it will happen again. A girl must marry. Otherwise, rumors will fly, people will point fingers, and when she’s older, it’ll be harder for her to marry well. While she’s still young, she can choose. In a couple of years, others will choose for her.”

Jinyao remained silent. The world was like that; she couldn’t argue. But if it were her own daughter, she would follow her wishes. If the daughter didn’t want to marry, there was no rush. When the day came she wanted to, then they could arrange the marriage.

Madam Zhang sighed, “Enough. I won’t mention it to her anymore. Every time I bring it up, she just humors me or recites Buddhist scriptures to me, just to counter me.”

Jinyao nodded gently.

Madam Zhang said, “Third sister-in-law, have you noticed? Third brother seems to be getting younger.”

Jinyao shook her head slightly, asking in return, “Really?”

Madam Zhang nodded repeatedly. “He always looked young, with no fine lines on his face, but I feel he’s getting even younger. His skin is smoother, more delicate, and seems a little fairer too.”

Really?

Jinyao paused, thinking carefully, but didn’t notice any obvious change. Perhaps it was because she saw him every day, while her sister-in-law, though in the mansion, didn’t see him daily.

Madam Zhang was puzzled. “It’s strange. It’s summer now. Even if he hasn’t tanned, he shouldn’t have gotten fairer, yet he has.”

Jinyao smiled faintly. “Sister-in-law, could it be your imagination?”

Madam Zhang shook her head. “Impossible. Yesterday, second sister-in-law said the same—she thinks third brother is growing younger too.”

“Is that so?” Jinyao was surprised. Then she said, “When he comes back this afternoon, I’ll take a closer look.”

Madam Zhang nodded. “Yes, take a careful look. Maybe it’s because he has a wife and son, his life is fulfilled, his days comfortable, and his mindset changed. That’s why he appears younger.”

Afternoon, around You hour (late afternoon)

Gu Jingxi returned home, planning to see his son, but his young wife pulled him down to sit first. She cupped his face, inspecting it carefully, her hands gently caressing his skin. He looked puzzled. “A-Yao, what are you doing?”

Jinyao commented, “Feels good to the touch.”

Gu Jingxi: “?”

Jinyao lifted his chin, her gaze scanning his entire face. After a moment of inspection, she continued, “Looks like it’s a bit fairer. Your skin is better. Many girls in their teens don’t have skin as good as yours.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi’s eyes lit up. “A-Yao, are you just flattering me?”

Jinyao gave him a reproachful glance. “Who’s flattering you? Both sister-in-law and second sister-in-law feel the same way. They say you’re getting younger. Perhaps having me and our son Wanwan has changed your mindset, and as they say, your appearance reflects your heart. That’s why you’re looking better with age.”

Gu Jingxi touched his face, a satisfied smile on his lips. He wouldn’t tell A-Yao it was thanks to Imperial Physician Wen. Initially, he only mentioned that he had asked for medicine to reduce swelling, but he hadn’t told her he also got a beauty ointment from Wen.

He applied the beauty ointment every day. Looking in the mirror daily, he hadn’t noticed much change himself. Now that elder sister-in-law and second sister-in-law saw a difference, it was surely the ointment’s effect. No wonder this quirky old man in the palace is called a miracle healer—he really is quite skilled.

He said softly, “Perhaps it’s true. When your mind is good, your heart at ease, you look younger.”

The next day, Imperial Physician Wen received thanks from Gu Jingxi, along with high praise for his medical skill.

Physician Wen was overjoyed. For years, people had called him an incompetent doctor. Finally, his patient acknowledged him—his excitement was indescribable.

But the next moment, he heard Gu Jingxi say, “Then give me another jar of that beauty ointment. It works very well.”

Wen: “?”

Ah!

So that’s it! Previously, when you treated a hidden illness, you didn’t praise my skill. When I treated your wife’s cold, you didn’t praise me. Now, just because of this ointment, you’re singing my praises to the sky?

Was my excitement all for nothing?