SGEIRS -Chapter 96 Teasing A-Yao

After a while, Meng Jinyao lifted her eyes and stared at Gu Jingxi without blinking. Her gaze was startlingly bright, as if she had suddenly spotted a life-saving straw in the middle of adversity. Excitedly, she asked, “Husband, what do you think about the frustration of having to look for someone else?”

Seeing the young lady so full of fighting spirit so quickly, Gu Jingxi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that she had the energy to keep going; her previous half-dead appearance had really made him worry that she might do something rash. She was only a little over ten years old—her life had just begun. Losing her now would have been truly regrettable.

He spoke thoughtfully, “Since you’ve carried that blame for so long, someone has to return that burden to the one it belongs to.”

Meng Jinyao frowned, instantly deflating. “It’s been eleven years. The slightest traces from back then have long been erased by time. Without evidence, returning this blame won’t be easy.”

Gu Jingxi asked, “Besides you, who else knows about it?”

Meng Jinyao answered truthfully, “Grandfather knew, but he passed away the very day he found out. Second Brother doesn’t know either—he’s too young to be troubled by such things; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to focus on his studies.”

Gu Jingxi continued, “And beyond your family?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Nanny Qiao, one of Madam Sun’s trusted attendants, knows. But Madam Sun saved Nanny Qiao’s life, and Nanny Qiao is devoted to her. It would be very difficult to pry anything from her.”

After saying this, she hung her head in frustration.

There had been a time when Madam Sun was almost struck by a suddenly broken tree branch. Nanny Qiao, quick-eyed and decisive, pushed Madam Sun out of harm’s way, but the branch hit Nanny Qiao in the back, causing internal injuries that took a long time to heal.

Someone willing to risk their life to save Madam Sun would never betray her.

Gu Jingxi, however, was unconcerned. “Everyone has weaknesses. Once you find the weak point, even a mother-daughter or master-servant relationship can crumble under pressure.”

“Do you really have a way, Husband?”

Meng Jinyao suddenly lifted her head and stared at him, her gaze burning.

Gu Jingxi nodded. “I do.”

At this, Meng Jinyao’s face broke into a long-missed smile. “What way?” she asked eagerly.

The young lady’s smile was radiant, her eyes bright and pure.

Gu Jingxi clicked his tongue softly and smiled. “I won’t teach a child anything bad.”

Meng Jinyao grew impatient, glaring at him with her eyes. Her heart was frustrated. “I’m not a child! If you don’t tell me, how am I supposed to investigate? How am I supposed to rid myself of the blame for my brother’s death? I’ve carried this enormous burden for eleven years, while the true culprit still roams free.”

Gu Jingxi countered, “Do you have anyone to investigate for you?”

Meng Jinyao fell silent. She didn’t. She only had her two maids, Qingqiu and Ningdong. But she had money, and money could make ghosts turn the grindstone—she could hire people to do the work.

Seeing the wheels turning in her eyes, Gu Jingxi sighed softly. “You’ve already endured all these years. No need to rush. I’ll first help you probe their background. Know yourself, know your enemy, and you’ll never lose a battle.”

Meng Jinyao’s face brightened, nodding repeatedly. “That sounds perfect! Thank you, Husband.”

Gu Jingxi said warmly, “No need to thank me. I have official matters to attend to, so I’ll go to the study first.”

Meng Jinyao nodded again and waved him off. “Husband, go on and work.”

Watching her two bandaged palms waving before him, Gu Jingxi couldn’t help but find it amusing. He chuckled and teased, “Alright, but you mustn’t do foolish things again. Otherwise, getting yourself injured like this might make people think I abuse my wife. Who knows? A complaint about my misconduct could reach the Emperor’s study tomorrow.”

Meng Jinyao’s face froze. Thinking of her half-dead appearance earlier, she felt embarrassed. She sheepishly lowered her hands and said, “Well, everyone has moments of irrationality. Having heard your advice, I probably won’t do it again.”

Turning her head, her eyes reddened, and she quickly blinked to force back tears, speaking in a calm tone, “Even though Chengyu was only two, he doted on me. When I tripped over a stone as a child, he was heartbroken for me. That little guy scolded that stone for a full half-hour, calling it bad. If he saw me hurt, he would definitely be heartbroken.”

Gu Jingxi listened quietly. Though he had grown up in a relatively harmonious family, he didn’t understand this kind of sibling affection. He had no deep bond with his brothers; his elder brothers, though technically his superiors, were somewhat afraid of him—respectful but not intimate.

He said warmly, “Then, Madam, remember: don’t let those close to you suffer while letting your enemies rejoice.”

Meng Jinyao nodded gently.

Gu Jingxi watched her for two breaths, then stood and stepped out of the room.

After he left, Meng Jinyao looked down at her two paws—her palms wrapped in white gauze. Though the injuries weren’t severe, they appeared quite serious.

She had done foolish things like this several times before. Only when she felt pain could she feel somewhat better, and it also reminded her to make the true culprit confess.

But after Gu Jingxi’s words today, she probably wouldn’t do that again. When she felt frustrated, she would find ways to tease Madam Sun for fun instead.

After a long while, Qingqiu and Ningdong came in. Seeing Meng Jinyao sitting blankly with her hands wrapped in gauze, they were immediately shocked.

They hurried over and asked in unison, “Madam, what happened to your hands?”

Meng Jinyao came back to her senses, glanced at her hands, and shook her head lightly. “It’s nothing. I accidentally injured them. When the Marquis returned, he already treated the wounds.”

Ningdong asked, puzzled, “Madam, you were fine. How did you hurt your hands?”

Meng Jinyao replied gently, “It was an accident. It’s nothing serious. It doesn’t even affect eating. Don’t worry.”

Ningdong was about to continue asking when Qingqiu pinched the soft flesh at her waist.

The pain made her frown, but her mind instantly cleared. Memories surged in—how in the past, when Madam was upset over the eldest young master, she had self-harmed, injuring her hands or locking herself up without food or water.

Aside from matters involving the eldest young master, Madam was usually normal and lucid.

They dared not mention the eldest young master in front of her. The second young master wouldn’t bring it up either. Otherwise, Madam would be provoked again, go down another rabbit hole, and have nightmares.

Qingqiu changed the subject. “Madam, the peonies in the garden should have bloomed today. Why don’t we go see them? We can also take a walk and come back in time for dinner.”

Meng Jinyao had no interest and shook her head gently. “I’m too tired today. Let’s go tomorrow.”

Qingqiu nodded, then asked, “Shall I let you rest first, Madam? I’ll wake you for dinner.”

This time, Meng Jinyao did not refuse. She nodded. “That’s fine.”