SGEIRS -Chapter 603 Kidnapped

Time: Afternoon, You hour (5–7 PM)

A light snowfall had just passed. A thin layer of white coated the stone steps, and as the wind blew, fragments of snow fell from the plum trees. Gu Jingxi had just returned from outside. As he walked under the plum tree, the snow drifted down onto his official hat and robe, then silently rolled off the crimson fabric onto the ground.

Meng Jinyao, seeing him, hurried forward and brushed the falling snow off his shoulders, her tone tinged with surprise: “Husband, why did you come back so early today?”

Gu Jingxi was taken aback. “It’s around three-quarters into You hour. Early?”

Meng Jinyao shot him a playful glare. “You’ve been coming home under the stars recently. Sometimes I’m already asleep before you return. Today, you came home before it’s even dark—doesn’t that count as early?”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi’s expression froze briefly, then he smiled and asked, “Are you upset that I came back late?”

Meng Jinyao denied it. “Not at all. Don’t say such things.”

Gu Jingxi said warmly, “The case has been resolved. If there’s nothing particularly tricky ahead, I can come home earlier from now on to spend time with you and Wanwan.” Saying this, he took her hand and led her inside, walking while asking again, “Where’s Wanwan? He usually sticks close to you around this time.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “He was just kidnapped by the little girl not long ago because you came back late.”

Gu Jingxi frowned in confusion. “Kidnapped? What do you mean?”

Meng Jinyao explained, “The spring examination has started, right? Young Heir Shen is participating this year. A-Yan suddenly got nervous and came over today with Nuonuo to chat with me. When they left, your son didn’t want to part with Nuonuo, so he insisted on going along with her.”

Gu Jingxi was surprised. “He just ran off with her like that?”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly, her tone tinged with helplessness. “Yes. I told him he needed to bring a change of clothes before going. He trotted back into the room with his little short legs, holding a small shirt in his left hand and pants in his right, ready to follow the little girl without a hint of hesitation. I couldn’t stop him, so I had the maid pack his little bundle and had the wet nurse and Chunliu go with him to the Duke Shen residence to take care of him.”

Gu Jingxi secretly felt relieved that Nuonuo wasn’t a boy and Wanwan wasn’t a daughter. If a young daughter had wandered off with someone, he, as a father, wouldn’t have slept tonight. Thinking this, he said, “Fine, let him go. The princess will take good care of him.”

After a moment, he asked, “Jinyao, you just said Young Heir Shen is participating in this spring examination?”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Yes. Why?”

Gu Jingxi said, “That’s good. He was a prodigy back then—became a scholar at fourteen. If he had participated in the next year’s spring exam, he would have become a jinshi at fifteen. But he didn’t continue back then, because of some troublesome matters in the back palace, he went to his maternal family.”

Meng Jinyao pursed her lips, smiling. “A-Yan is still nervous, worried he might fail.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “The princess’ worry is unnecessary. Second brother is also taking part in this exam. Are you nervous?”

“No.” Meng Jinyao shook her head gently, smiling. “Being nervous won’t help. But I have faith in second brother—if nothing goes wrong, there’s no doubt he’ll be on the list.”

Gu Jingxi said, “With second brother’s talent, it should be guaranteed.”

Meng Jinyao added, “Second brother is also at the age for marriage proposals. If he passes this exam, we should start looking for a match for him. Only when the elder brother is engaged can the younger siblings have their matches. Third brother’s marriage is likely impossible now, but third sister is also at the age for proposals. Mother has been quietly arranging a match for her.”

She paused, then continued, “A few days ago, she asked me about the legitimate youngest son of Su Shaoqing from the Honglu Temple—whether he had any hidden troubles. She said Madam Su intends a marriage alliance, and she thinks it’s a good match but worries about hidden issues. I told her the Su family’s rear courtyard had no scandals and the youngest son hasn’t had any rumors. The Su family is loyal officials, so I told her the truth.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “The youngest son of the Su family? No big issues, but his talent is average, not much prospect. He’ll just be a leisurely gentleman. Mother-in-law wants to marry her daughter to him?”

Meng Jinyao said, “Mother said third sister is simple-minded. Being a wife of an official might be too much for her. Marrying into a wealthy family, with an elder sister-in-law managing the household, she won’t need to worry about anything and can live a stable, prosperous life.”

Gu Jingxi was momentarily stunned. He had to admit, Madam Zhao was very perceptive. Qiao Yunying really didn’t need an outstanding or promising husband to live well. The Su family was a good choice—officials, wealthy, no hidden troubles. With Jinyao and Chengzhang around, the Su family wouldn’t dare bully her.

Seeing that it was getting late, Meng Jinyao asked, “Husband, are you hungry? Shall we have dinner now?”

Gu Jingxi nodded.

Meng Jinyao instructed the maid to set the table. After dinner, the couple strolled in the garden. Perhaps because the child was not at home, she seemed a bit worried he might be unsettled and her mind wandered.

Gu Jingxi saw this and, without guessing, knew why. He smiled, “Jinyao, it’s not that Wanwan isn’t used to it. It’s that you, as a mother, aren’t used to the child not being by your side. The princess and you are close friends and she adores Wanwan. She won’t mistreat him, so you can rest assured.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “A-Yan definitely won’t mistreat him. I’m just worried he won’t adjust and will seek us at night.”

Gu Jingxi waved it off. “You’re overthinking. He’s slept over at Yunxin’s mother’s before, but never demanded his parents. He enjoys playing with Nuonuo, so he went along to their home and won’t think of us.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent. Indeed, it seemed that it was she who couldn’t leave the child, not the other way around.

Gu Jingxi said, “His nature is good. A boy should be independent. Over-reliance on parents will hinder his future.”

Meng Jinyao shot him a playful glare. “Fine, fine, you’re always right.”

As she said this, she noticed Gu Xiuhong and his wife nearby. Gu Xiuhong had just placed a flower in Song Yuan’s hair, and after praising her, Song Yuan blushed fully.

Following her gaze, Gu Jingxi saw the scene and instinctively looked down at the flowers in the garden, picked the most vibrant one, and tucked it into Meng Jinyao’s hair.

Startled by his sudden action, Meng Jinyao instinctively glanced at Gu Xiuhong and his wife, seeing they hadn’t noticed them. She whispered in mock reproach, “What are you doing? If the younger ones see, they’ll tease us.”

Gu Jingxi said, “Elders should set a good example. When elder couples are loving, the younger ones follow suit.” He then moved his gaze from the flower in her hair to her face. “Jinyao, flowers are beautiful, but you surpass them in beauty.”

Meng Jinyao’s cheeks flushed as she shot him a playful glare.