SGEIRS -Chapter 70 She Misunderstood

Because Song Xinning had other matters to attend to, Meng Jinyao parted ways with her after lunch.

Hearing about Madam Shen’s situation, Meng Jinyao felt heavy-hearted and had no desire to wander outside. After parting from Song Xinning, she got straight into her own carriage and headed back home.

Ningdong asked with concern, “Madam, do you think Madam Shen might… pass away just like that?”

Meng Jinyao’s expression grew serious. She shook her head lightly and replied, “I don’t know. But Madam Shen isn’t even forty yet; she’s still young. She should be able to pull through.”

Ningdong sighed softly, her tone low, “Madam Shen is such a gentle and kind person. If she were to pass away like this, it would truly be a pity… and it would be too convenient for Master Shen.”

Meng Jinyao remained silent. She hoped good people lived long lives. If Madam Shen could survive, that would be wonderful; Master Shen wouldn’t remarry, and A-Ning wouldn’t have a stepmother. After all, having a stepmother would surely bring trouble.

Moreover, Ningdong wasn’t wrong—if Madam Shen were to be driven to death by anger, it would be far too easy for Master Shen. Madam Shen, who had loved deeply, would pass away just as she was supposed to enjoy her happiness, while Master Shen, high-ranking and wealthy, could soon marry a young and beautiful woman as his second wife. By then, with a charming wife and a beautiful concubine, it would be infuriating.

Qingqiu muttered, “No wonder there’s a saying about ‘peace after being buried.’”

Meng Jinyao looked puzzled and said, “Hmm?”

Qingqiu explained, “Once a man is in the grave, he’ll finally behave.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in agreement.

Exactly! Most men, as long as they’re alive, will never be satisfied; they’ll always want to enjoy multiple women at once.

Men who truly dedicate themselves to one woman for life are more common among commoners, but even then, only those who can’t afford concubines. Wealthy men will mostly desire concubines; even if they don’t take one, they’ll seek pleasure elsewhere.

In aristocratic families, such men are extremely rare. Even if they don’t take a concubine, they usually have a few beautiful personal maids. However, she believed that A-Ning’s fiancé, Young Master Shen, should be the kind of man who can commit to one woman for life.

Changxing Marquis Residence

From afar, Madam Zhang saw Meng Jinyao and, as they approached, greeted her warmly with a bright smile, asking, “Third Sister-in-law, are you just returning from outside?”

Whether it was just her imagination or not, Meng Jinyao felt that Madam Zhang seemed unusually warm today. She had always smiled when seeing her before, but never as radiantly as today; even her gaze carried amusement, seemingly genuine.

Meng Jinyao felt slightly flustered and nodded in response. “Yes, I just returned. Is there something you need, sister-in-law?”

Madam Zhang shook her head. “Nothing. I just saw you and wanted to greet you.” Noticing her tired expression, she tactfully didn’t say much more and spoke gently, “You seem a little weary. I won’t bother you. Go back and rest well.”

Meng Jinyao nodded again. “Alright, sister-in-law. We’ll talk another time.”

Madam Zhang lightly nodded and said, “Take care, third sister-in-law.”

After bidding farewell, Meng Jinyao felt a bit bewildered. She had been married in for some time now, and each time her sisters-in-law saw her, Madam Zhang was always polite, occasionally even making subtle jabs. Today, however, she seemed like a completely different person.

Ningdong whispered, “Madam, do you think the lady of the house has something to ask of you?”

Meng Jinyao asked back, “Why do you say that?”

Ningdong replied, “As the saying goes, ‘If someone is overly eager without cause, they must have ulterior motives.’ The lady just now was very warm toward you. It feels a bit off.”

Meng Jinyao shook her head dismissively. “I don’t think so. Though I am the Marquis’s wife, I have no real power. The household affairs are managed by her and Second Sister-in-law. How could I help her with anything?”

“Maybe she wants the Marquis to help through you?” Ningdong said, glancing around to see no one nearby before continuing, “I’ve heard that among official families, some ladies cheer up other ladies so they’ll go back and whisper in their husbands’ ears. That’s how things get done.”

Meng Jinyao let out a soft laugh. “If that’s really the case, then she must think highly of me. But I don’t think she has anything to ask. Go find out if there’s anything going on at the residence.”

Ningdong replied, “I’ll go check. You and Qingqiu can head back to Weiru Hall first.”

Meng Jinyao said, “No rush. We just returned from outside. Let’s rest first, then find out.”

Ningdong nodded obediently and followed her back to Weiru Hall.

The three returned to Weiru Hall, and as soon as they entered, Meng Jinyao saw Gu Jingxi and was surprised he had returned earlier than her. She asked, “Husband, weren’t you visiting a friend today? How come you’re back so early?”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “They’re all in the city, not far away. We finished the matters quickly and returned.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding. “I see.” She then moved to sit beside him, poured herself some tea, and took a few sips.

At that moment, Gu Jingxi took a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Meng Jinyao. “Madam, here.”

Meng Jinyao froze upon seeing it. It was a mandarin-duck-themed paired jade pendant, made of high-quality mutton-fat white jade—very valuable.

However, it was only half of the pendant. There should be another half to complete the design. Such pendants are usually worn by lovers, each holding one half. Suddenly being given one half—could it mean the same?

Her heart skipped a beat. This was so sudden; she hadn’t prepared for it.

Seeing her stare at the pendant in confusion, Gu Jingxi explained, “This is a wedding gift from a friend I visited today. The pendant comes in a pair; this half is yours.”

Meng Jinyao was even more stunned. Realizing her earlier misunderstanding, she felt a bit self-indulgent. A faint awkwardness crossed her face as she quickly took it and replied politely, “Your friend is far too generous. When you see him next, please thank him on my behalf.”

Gu Jingxi said warmly, “Next time, it will be his birthday banquet. I’ll bring you along, so you can thank him in person. He wishes to meet you as well.”

“Ah?”

Meng Jinyao was startled. It was fine to thank him personally, but why did he want to meet her?

Gu Jingxi continued, “He is an old friend of mine, and since he hasn’t met you before, he wants to see you.”

Meng Jinyao looked at him, surprised, and remarked, “I didn’t expect you to have such a wide circle of friends and even befriend someone much younger. I thought people your age would find teenagers immature.”

Gu Jingxi: ?