SGEIRS -Chapter 577 He Would Be Emotionally Drained

“A-Yao, my worthy son-in-law—take care on your way.”

Meng Dongyuan saw his eldest daughter and son-in-law off at the main gate as though he were sending away a plague god. Heaven knew how unbearable it had been for him—after lunch they still hadn’t left, and he couldn’t very well order them out. He had no choice but to steel himself and keep them company, sitting there for a full hour as if on pins and needles.

Seeing how her husband’s smile now carried a few more traces of sincerity, Madam Zhao sneered inwardly. If he had behaved like a decent human being back then and hadn’t treated the children so harshly, he wouldn’t be acting like a mouse seeing a cat every time he laid eyes on them now.

Meng Dongyuan beamed as he watched his daughter and son-in-law mount their horses. Just then, however, his daughter placed one foot on the mounting stool, then withdrew it again and turned back to look at him. His smile froze, alarm bells ringing wildly in his head—he was afraid she was about to pull some new stunt.

He forced a smile. “A-Yao, is there something else?”

Finding his reaction amusing, Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly. “Nothing. Father, please take care of your health. Your daughter will be heading back now. When I have time, I’ll come see you again.”

The corner of Meng Dongyuan’s mouth twitched. He muttered inwardly: Please don’t come back. It’s downright terrifying. Your father still wants to live a few more years.

Outwardly, he had no choice but to smile and reply, “All right. When you have time, come back for a visit.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly, turned, and boarded the carriage. Once inside, she almost couldn’t hold back her laughter. Only after the carriage started moving did she say, “Husband, think about it—back then he put on such an air of authority in front of me. And now he’s actually afraid of seeing me.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Because seeing you reminds him of his own disgrace.”

Smiling, Meng Jinyao said, “The days ahead are still long. He can just watch.” She then changed the subject. “I checked on Grandmother today—her complexion looked decent. If her condition remains stable and she’s carefully looked after, living a few more years shouldn’t be a problem. She won’t hold Second Brother back.”

Gu Jingxi took her hand and said gently, “A-Yao, Mother-in-law knows what to do. Your second sister is married far away, Third Brother can’t stir up much trouble, and Father-in-law doesn’t dare make a fuss either. Second Brother has grown up now—he can handle many things on his own. You should relax a little and worry less. It’s time to let yourself rest.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao paused, then nodded softly and murmured an “Mm.” Leaning into his arms, she added, “Once Second Brother gets married, I won’t need to worry about these things anymore.”

Gu Jingxi laughed helplessly. “I doubt it. You’re used to worrying— even after Second Brother marries, you’ll find other things to worry about.”

Meng Jinyao lifted her head and shot him a reproachful glance. “What else could I possibly worry about?”

Gu Jingxi answered, “About our Wanwan, of course. You’ll worry about his studies, worry about whether he’s picking up bad habits, and when he’s old enough, you’ll worry about his marriage.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent. Come to think of it, she really would worry about their child. After a moment, she countered, “Wouldn’t you worry about Wanwan too?”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “I would. That’s why you should worry less—I’ll do the worrying.”

She asked again, “If you’re worrying about everything, then what do I do?”

Gu Jingxi cupped her face, lifting her chin so she had to look at him. With a serious, earnest expression, he said, “Be my carefree wife.”

Meng Jinyao froze. Looking at the handsome face so close to hers, meeting those affectionate, indulgent eyes, her heart began to race. They had been married for years and even had a child, yet she could still feel her heart flutter.

After a long gaze, she buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. The curve of her lips refused to settle—this man really did nothing all day but tease her.

Gu Jingxi held his little wife with one arm, the other hand gently stroking her head. His A-Yao had suffered too much in life—losing her mother at birth, being tormented by her family, enduring countless hardships. Only after much struggle had she escaped that cage. He hoped that for the rest of her life, she could live free of worries, not constantly fretting over one thing after another.

After a long while, Meng Jinyao murmured softly, “Husband, you’ll be very tired.”

Gu Jingxi said nonchalantly, “A-Yao, you’re mistaken. This way, I’ll actually be much more relaxed.”

She suddenly lifted her head, looking utterly confused. “What do you mean?”

Pinching her cheek, Gu Jingxi smiled. “Because to me, these things aren’t really that big of a deal. I can handle them. But seeing you worry over them—that’s what tires me out.”

She looked even more baffled. “I’m the one worrying. Why are you tired?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I’d be emotionally drained.”

She was momentarily speechless, then said in confusion, “…No, wait. I worry, and you’re emotionally drained? Did it get in your way somehow?”

“Not exactly,” Gu Jingxi said. “I just hope you can live freely and carefree. When I see you worrying about everything, I end up worrying even more. And that’s how I get emotionally drained.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent again. After quite some time, she finally said, “Fine, fine. From now on, you do all the worrying.”

Gu Jingxi smiled and kissed her cheek. “That’s right. When Wanwan grows up a bit more, you can just accompany him to eat, drink, and have fun—just enjoy yourself. Leave his studies to me.”

She chided him playfully, “You’re really not afraid of spoiling me.”

Gu Jingxi laughed. “I’d love to spoil you rotten, but my A-Yao is just too sensible.”

The corners of Meng Jinyao’s lips lifted as she looped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the hollow of his neck and nuzzling him coquettishly.

Gu Jingxi pushed away the little wife who was rubbing against him, looking very much like a man overwhelmed by beauty. Fixing her with a burning gaze, he said, “A-Yao, save it for tonight.”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

—

The first court session of the year found Emperor Jingwen in a foul mood.

One official made a minor mistake that happened to touch the emperor’s sore spot. Emperor Jingwen flew into a rage and docked the official three months’ salary. The rest of the officials were terrified into silence, thinking that since most matters weren’t urgent, they might as well handle them privately rather than submit a memorial and risk punishment.

After court was dismissed and they had left the Golden Luan Hall, the officials finally began whispering among themselves.

“What’s going on with His Majesty?”

“The Fourth Prince has fallen ill again.”

“He’s been weak and sickly since childhood, living on medicine like it’s food. It’s nothing unusual for him to fall ill.”

“You don’t know the inside story, do you? I heard the Fourth Prince might not make it to summer.”

“This… no wonder His Majesty’s in such a bad mood.”

Within three days, news spread like wildfire: the Fourth Prince had fallen gravely ill, his condition fierce and ominous, and he might not survive the summer. Every household knew, and all sighed in lament.

The Fourth Prince was gifted and intelligent, but his health was poor. Every few days he’d fall ill, a veritable walking medicine jar. Despite surviving countless illnesses over the years, it seemed he ultimately couldn’t escape the fate of dying young.

The emperor had seven sons. The Crown Prince had been assassinated by agents sent by the Second Prince. Though the Second Prince hadn’t died, he had been stripped of his status, reduced to a commoner, and imprisoned for life—no different from dead in the emperor’s eyes. Now, with the Fourth Prince gravely ill and on the brink of death, the emperor was about to face the sorrow of a white-haired man sending off a black-haired one yet again.

For a time, the court officials became even more cautious, afraid of provoking the emperor’s displeasure once more.