SGEIRS -Chapter 554 He Kept His Word

After court was dismissed, the officials gradually left the Court of Judicial Review.

Lord Zhang drew closer to Qi Yunwen and asked in a low voice, “Lord Qi, what do you think is going on with the Chief Judge today? He’s always so meticulously put together—his appearance has never been sloppy before.”

Qi Yunwen looked thoughtful. “Looks like you all really guessed it right.”

Suddenly, a voice sounded coldly from behind them: “Guessed what?”

Qi Yunwen slowly turned around to look at him and smiled. “Yaoling, there’s really no need for you to deliberately ruin yourself like this. Not every young lady is going to fancy you, you know.”

Gu Jingxi frowned and looked at him as if he were an idiot, letting out a light snort. “I think you’re just too idle, which is why your mind is wandering. But that’s fine—you won’t have time to think nonsense much longer.”

Qi Yunwen: “……?”

Gu Jingxi didn’t look at him again and simply strode away.

Lord Zhang lowered his voice and asked, “Lord Qi, what does the Chief Judge mean by that?”

Qi Yunwen replied, “Probably because we hit the nail on the head, so he’s gotten anxious.”

Lord Zhang said, “The Chief Judge really does look young. If no one mentioned it, who among those unfamiliar with him would guess he’s already thirty-two? With a face like that, it’s only natural that young ladies like him. It wouldn’t be strange for the Seventh Princess of An State to take a liking to him.”

Qi Yunwen laughed. “You still dare mention the Seventh Princess? Careful—he’ll really lose his temper with you.”

Lord Zhang immediately fell silent.

—

Changxing Marquis Manor

After returning home, Gu Jingxi first went to Shou’an Hall to pay his respects to Old Madam Gu, and only then returned to Weirui Pavilion.

As soon as he entered the room and glanced around, he saw A-Yao lying on the couch by the window, leaning against a soft cushion with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Gu Jingxi lightened his steps and walked over quietly, sitting down beside her. He studied the face he had been thinking about day and night, and noticing that she seemed a little thinner, he knew her appetite hadn’t been very good lately.

Meng Jinyao seemed to sense someone watching her. She slowly opened her eyes, and when she saw who it was, she widened them in shock, all drowsiness vanishing at once. “Husband, you… how did you end up like this?”

Gu Jingxi smiled and asked, “Didn’t A-Yao say I should listen to Mother and grow a beard from now on?”

In truth, it wasn’t intentional. Over the past half month, he had been so busy that his feet barely touched the ground—there was simply no time to tidy himself up, nor did it even cross his mind. Before leaving home, he had told A-Yao that he would return in ten days or half a month. Today happened to be exactly half a month later. He had not gone back on his word.

Meng Jinyao stared at his stubbly face and couldn’t help shaking her head. “Husband, I still think there are some things you don’t need to listen to Mother about.” She paused, then added, “I’m not saying you look bad now. You actually look quite rugged—but you’re a civil official, not a military general. There’s no need for this.”

Gu Jingxi nodded with a smile. “Mm, I’ll listen to A-Yao.”

Meng Jinyao looked him over again. Seeing the fatigue between his brows, she asked with concern, “Husband, do you still need to keep busy?”

“No. Everything’s done. His Majesty even granted me three days off.” Gu Jingxi reached out and pulled her into his arms, whispering by her ear, “A-Yao, it’s exactly half a month. Your husband didn’t break his promise.”

Meng Jinyao froze slightly, then belatedly realized that it had indeed been half a month since he left home.

Gu Jingxi added softly, “A-Yao, I missed you.”

Meng Jinyao curved her lips into a smile. “Wanwan missed you too.”

Gu Jingxi asked, “What about Wanwan’s mother? Didn’t she miss me?”

“I did too.”

As she spoke, Meng Jinyao leaned over and kissed his cheek. That kiss would have been fine—but the moment she did it, she couldn’t help frowning. The reason was simple: his stubble pricked.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi asked, “What’s wrong?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head. “Nothing. Do you want to see Wanwan? You’ve been away for half a month. Children forget quickly—I wonder if he still remembers you.”

Gu Jingxi answered with a sound of agreement, then raised his voice to call a maid in, instructing her to fetch the wet nurse and bring the child over.

Before long, the wet nurse arrived carrying Wanwan.

Not having seen his son for half a month, Gu Jingxi missed him dearly. He took the delicate little bundle from the wet nurse’s arms, looked at that chubby little face, and suddenly felt his fatherly love surge. He couldn’t resist lowering his head to kiss him.

Meng Jinyao, seeing this, was just about to stop him—but it was already too late. Her husband had already kissed the child, twice in a row. Immediately after, she heard her son’s loud wailing.

Gu Jingxi was stunned. In the past, whenever he held his son, the child would beam and interact with him happily. Now, the moment he saw him, he cried. Gu Jingxi looked at his young wife, utterly dejected. “It’s only been half a month, and this little rascal has already forgotten me.”

Meng Jinyao couldn’t very well tell him that it was because his beard had pricked the child. A baby’s skin was delicate—one poke would hurt all the more. She only said, “Husband, it’s probably because you have a beard now. Wanwan didn’t recognize you.”

Gu Jingxi fell silent. He handed the wailing child back to her and said, “I’ll go to the washroom and take a bath while I’m at it.”

After he left, the wet nurse said, “Madam, the young lord still recognizes the Marquis. When the Marquis first held him, he was smiling. He only started crying after being kissed—most likely because the Marquis’s beard pricked him and hurt.”

Meng Jinyao smiled, coaxing the child as she replied, “I know. I didn’t tell him the truth because I was afraid he’d feel distressed and guilty. Once he shaves his beard, it’ll be fine.”

The wet nurse nodded in understanding.

Half an hour later, Gu Jingxi emerged from the washroom.

Seeing him with his beard shaved and his handsome looks restored, Meng Jinyao found him extremely pleasing to the eye. “Husband, you really suit this look better.”

Gu Jingxi smiled. “That beard really wasn’t something I deliberately kept.”

Meng Jinyao nodded repeatedly. “I know—you were following Mother’s advice.”

Gu Jingxi paused, then gently shook his head. Forget it. If he said he had simply been too busy to tidy himself up, A-Yao would probably feel heartache for him.

With that thought, he changed the subject. “It’s time for dinner. Are you hungry, A-Yao?”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly. “A little. You must be hungry too. I’ll have them set the meal.” As she spoke, she turned and went out to instruct the maids.

During the meal, Gu Jingxi saw that the table was filled with dishes he liked. He knew that after learning of his return that afternoon, A-Yao had specially instructed the kitchen. Warmth rose in his heart. The exhaustion from these days of busyness was soothed, and even his physical fatigue seemed to lessen.

He picked up a piece of fish for Meng Jinyao and asked gently, “Has A-Yao’s appetite been poor lately?”

Meng Jinyao shook her head. “No, it’s been quite good.”

“Little liar—you can’t fool me.” Gu Jingxi looked at her face. “You’ve gotten thinner.”

Meng Jinyao paused mid-bite. Her appetite really hadn’t been great lately, but she hadn’t noticed herself getting thinner.

Gu Jingxi pondered for a moment and could guess why her appetite was poor—it was because of him. She must have been worried, not knowing why he had suddenly left the capital. He said softly, “Now that I’m back in the capital, I’ll keep a close eye on you eating properly and help you put all that lost weight back on.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “Alright then. Husband, you’d better keep a close watch.”