SGEIRS -Chapter 599 He’s Not Quite Up to It

Gu Xiuhong’s marriage had been set—he would marry the little widow he had long had his heart set on. The wedding was scheduled for the end of the year, December 20th. The timing was a bit rushed, but he was eager to marry the woman he loved as soon as possible, and both sets of elders agreed to it.

Everyone in the household was astonished. No one had expected that Gu Jingsong and Madam Chen would allow their son to marry a girl from a modest family, especially a widow.

Madam Zhang curiously asked, “Second sister-in-law, didn’t you say no matter what you wouldn’t agree to this marriage? How did you change your mind later?”

Madam Chen gave her a sharp glance, her face stiff. “It’s nothing. We’re not the ones living with him for a lifetime. He wants to marry whomever he likes, so let him. His father and I tried to persuade him, but he insisted. If he regrets it later, that’s on him.”

Seeing her sour expression, Madam Zhang guessed that she must have reluctantly agreed because she couldn’t go against her child. She tried to reassure her. “Second sister-in-law, take it easy. That little widow is two years older than Xiuhong. A slightly older woman knows how to care for a husband; she’ll surely look after him well. Besides, she’s a high marriage—her family can’t back her up. Once she marries in, she’s under your control. No matter how much Xiuhong likes her, she can’t overturn anything.”

Mentioning the age made Madam Chen furious. On one side was a fifteen-year-old cousin who had just come of age, young and beautiful from a notable family; on the other was a twenty-two-year-old widow. Any fool would choose the younger, prettier, well-born cousin. But her son chose a widow! It made her blood boil.

Madam Chen glared at her. “Eldest sister-in-law, just because you’re silent doesn’t mean you’re mute.”

Madam Zhang was taken aback by her words. She turned to Meng Jinyao, fuming. “Third sister-in-law, look at her! I was trying to comfort her kindly, and she talks to me like that!”

Meng Jinyao didn’t want to take sides and feigned ignorance. Holding the child, she looked at Madam Zhang blankly. “Eldest sister-in-law, what did you just say? I was busy playing with the child and didn’t hear carefully.”

Madam Chen said, “Better that you didn’t hear. Don’t mind her. Nothing she says is pleasant to hear; anyone listening might think she’s deliberately picking a fight with me.”

Madam Zhang’s expression darkened. “Second sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?”

Madam Chen snapped back: “Literally what I said. If you don’t understand, that’s your problem.”

Madam Zhang was speechless.

Madam Chen, though annoyed over her son’s marriage, had agreed out of love for him. But in her heart, she could not accept such a daughter-in-law. Not wanting to quarrel with Madam Zhang now, she snorted twice and quickened her pace to leave.

Madam Zhang, furious at her attitude, pointed at her retreating back and said to Meng Jinyao, “Third sister-in-law, see her? Always throwing me looks. Only because I’m patient do I not take it personally. With such a sister-in-law, she can enjoy it quietly to herself.”

Meng Jinyao spoke gently: “Eldest sister-in-law, Second sister-in-law is in a bad mood; let’s not tempt her luck.”

Madam Zhang sighed. “The child has potential, but he’s stubborn. A disobedient child is always vexing. In a family like ours, Xiuhong is talented; he should marry a woman from a noble family—it would also benefit his career. He’s from a prestigious family; how can he not see this?”

Meng Jinyao disagreed. “No matter how good another girl is, Xiuhong doesn’t like her. Forcing him to marry won’t make him happy. It will only create another pair of resentful spouses, bringing unhappiness to the household. That’s worse, isn’t it?”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang looked at the child in her arms and asked, “What if Wanwan grows up and wants to marry someone unsuitable? How would you feel then, Third sister-in-law?”

Meng Jinyao lowered her eyes to the little one in her arms and smiled. “As long as she isn’t scheming or calculating, I can accept it. After all, she’s marrying Wanwan, not me. What matters is if Wanwan likes her, not whether I do.”

Madam Zhang was momentarily stunned, but inwardly skeptical. “Wanwan is still young; you speak easily now. But when he’s old enough to marry, if he ignores a fine young lady from a good family and insists on marrying someone less suitable, you’ll see how troubling it is. We parents only want the best for our children. But children don’t understand, don’t see the care behind it.”

People have different attitudes toward matters, and Meng Jinyao didn’t argue. She simply smiled faintly.

Madam Zhang’s gaze fell again on Wanwan. The child was adorable, delicate and cute. Except for the phoenix-shaped eyes inherited from Gu Jingxi, mother and child seemed carved from the same mold. She reached out to touch the child’s cheek and then asked, “Wanwan is over a year old. Third sister-in-law, have you thought about giving him a younger brother or sister?”

Meng Jinyao was about to say they wouldn’t try for a second child, but she swallowed the words. “Not at the moment.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang glared at her and said earnestly, “Third sister-in-law, this matter shouldn’t wait. You’re young, so fertility isn’t a problem, but your husband is no longer young. After thirty, a man can’t keep up as easily.”

She looked around, leaned close to Meng Jinyao, and lowered her voice. “Your eldest brother—don’t think that just because he’s still taking fifteen- or sixteen-year-old concubines and spending nights in their rooms, that he’s all right. It’s because he drinks tonic soups and takes herbs to maintain his manhood. Without them, he’d be done. And your third brother, who’s been injured before, it’s even worse. If you want another child later, he may not have the strength.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned, eyes wide, completely surprised. She hadn’t expected Madam Zhang to say such things—this was her eldest brother’s private matter, and yet the sister-in-law had spoken so openly.

Seeing her shocked, Madam Zhang got a hint and mischievously asked, “Third sister-in-law, third brother isn’t quite up to it either, is he?”

Meng Jinyao instinctively shook her head. “Not at all. My husband is fine.”

Unknowingly, her eager denial only confirmed suspicion in Madam Zhang’s eyes. A knowing look crossed her face, and she comforted her: “Third sister-in-law, men decline with age. But don’t worry. You’ve had a son, Wanwan, so there’s no need to worry. As for giving Wanwan a younger sibling, let it happen naturally.”

Meng Jinyao repeated, “Eldest sister-in-law, my husband is truly fine.”

Madam Zhang nodded perfunctorily. “Mm, I understand. I’ve been through it; I know.”

Meng Jinyao: “…”

Madam Zhang stroked Wanwan’s head. The little one grinned, showing a row of tiny teeth. She smiled warmly and continued to reassure Meng Jinyao: “Actually, it’s a good thing. With just Wanwan, your third brother will cherish you both all the more. There won’t be concubines or other children, which means you won’t have to constantly prepare ‘fertility soups’ like I do. Don’t think I’m disparaging him—people’s hearts change. Your eldest brother and I were once as loving as you and your third brother now.”

Meng Jinyao paused slightly at that, but didn’t contradict Madam Zhang—not because she distrusted her husband, but because silence was best at this moment. Arguing could hurt Madam Zhang’s feelings. After all, the eldest brother had truly failed, both as a husband and as a father.