Chapter 123 The Power of Central Administration

It was early morning that day.

After having breakfast, Meng Jinyao was preparing to go with Gu Jingxi to Shou'an Hall to pay their respects to Old Madam Gu.

Just as she was about to get up, Gu Jingxi handed her a cane.

Seeing this, she looked disgusted. She had been using a cane for several days and was tired of it. She was unwilling in her heart and also refused aloud: "What kind of image is it to go and pay respects to the elders while using a cane?"

Seeing her resistance, Gu Jingxi recalled how she usually disliked using crutches but had no choice but to use them. He subtly curled the corners of his mouth and gently advised, "Madam's foot injury hasn't fully healed yet, so it's better to use crutches."

Meng Jinyao hesitated for a moment, but finally firmly refused: "It's alright, my foot injury is almost healed. I'll just walk slowly. I'll take a few steps later, and if I can't walk anymore, I'll use my crutches."

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi did not force her and said gently, "Very well, then so be it, Madam." After saying that, he handed the cane in his hand to the maid beside him.

Meng Jinyao stood up gracefully, took a couple of steps, and feeling that she was fine, she slowly walked outside.

However, she regretted it as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard gate.

At first, she didn't feel any problem taking those few steps, but after a few more, the discomfort started to set in. She still felt that it was better to have crutches; it was more difficult to walk without them. Now, she was putting most of her weight on her right foot, and she was walking with a slight limp.

Seeing her subtle expression, Gu Jingxi paused slightly and asked, "Madam, what's wrong?"

"It's alright, let's go."

Meng Jinyao was very stubborn and refused to admit that she couldn't do without her crutches. She picked up her feet and continued to walk slowly forward.

Gu Jingxi didn't expose her bravado, and followed beside her with his long legs, matching her snail-like pace.

However, the little girl walked very slowly, dawdling along. She took two or three steps, while he only took one.

He looked down and saw the little girl's face was slightly tense, her eyebrows were furrowed, and she was pretending to be nonchalant as she walked slowly forward, even though her legs were not very comfortable.

She's a stubborn girl who refuses to admit defeat.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the little girl glancing at his legs several times, whether out of envy or jealousy that his legs were unharmed and he could move freely.

He smiled, stretched out his arm, and teased, "Madam, my human-shaped cane is prettier than that wooden one. Since you don't like that cane, why not get a different one?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao paused, glancing at him sideways. She saw him looking at her with a smile, his eyes seeming to say: Come on, don't push yourself. At your speed, you won't even get to Shou'an Hall by noon.

A wise man doesn't suffer a loss he can avoid.

Meng Jinyao said one thing but meant another: "Although you're not exactly good-looking either, you're still passable." With that, she reached out and took his arm.

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly, "It is my honor to be able to barely catch your eye, Madam."

Qingqiu and Ningdong followed behind them. They saw that the Marquis got along quite well, but it was very likely that the Marquis had someone he liked. They found it hard to understand how the Marquis could be so gentle and considerate to their master when he had someone he liked.

Shou'an Hall.

Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi walked hand in hand, side by side.

Madam Gu looked at them, then her gaze fell on their hands. Seeing their affectionate gesture, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up. She felt extremely gratified. Her son and daughter-in-law had been married for some time now, and their relationship seemed to be getting better and better. If nothing unexpected happened, they would be able to live a good life together.

The others' gazes also fell on their hands, slightly surprised. They knew what kind of person Gu Jingxi was; he seemed gentle, but was actually cold and aloof, making him difficult to approach. When had he ever been so intimate with a woman in public? It seemed that Meng Jinyao was no ordinary person; she had actually managed to subdue Gu Jingxi.

Meng Jinyao noticed the meaningful looks from everyone. Her expression froze, and she belatedly realized that she was still using a human cane. She silently put her hand down and stepped forward to greet Old Madam Gu as if nothing had happened: "Daughter-in-law greets Mother."

Gu Jingxi also bowed to Madam Gu, saying, "Your son greets Mother."

Madam Gu said gently, "Good children, sit down and talk."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Jingxi reached out and helped the little girl to a chair to sit down. His movements were so practiced, as if he had done it countless times, that everyone present was astonished.

Even the usually composed Madam Gu was somewhat taken aback. The last time her son and daughter-in-law came to pay their respects, they weren't this affectionate. What was going on today?

Zhang couldn't help but tease, "People used to say that my third brother was indifferent to women and cold-hearted, so he probably wouldn't know how to cherish his wife. Now it seems they were wrong."

Madam Chen also laughed and said, "Isn't that right? Look how considerate Third Brother is to Third Sister-in-law. This kind of affection is something that even Second Master and I couldn't match back then."

Meng Jinyao gave an awkward laugh, then glared resentfully at Gu Jingxi. If it weren't for this guy scaring her that night, she wouldn't have tripped and sprained her ankle, and now she's being teased in front of others.

Gu Jingxi was confused and didn't understand how she had upset her again. She glanced at the people present and explained in a low voice, "Ayao sprained her ankle and it's not fully healed yet."

Upon hearing this, Madam Gu was taken aback and asked with concern, "Did A-Yao sprain her ankle? Is it serious?"

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly: "It's a minor issue, nothing to worry about. It'll be fine soon, so Mother doesn't need to worry."

"You silly child, you shouldn't be walking around too much with a sprained ankle. It would have been fine if you hadn't come to pay your respects," said Old Madam Gu, glaring at her son and scolding, "Third son, you too! Ayao has trouble walking, why did you make her come?"

Gu Jingxi met his mother's reproachful gaze, innocently touched his nose, and said, "It was my oversight."

Meng Jinyao came to his rescue: "Mother, this is not my fault. I missed you, so I came over."

Whether she was telling the truth or not, Old Madam Gu felt very comforted upon hearing this, and her smile became even more loving: "Good child, you are so thoughtful."

The family chatted casually, enjoying a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Suddenly, Madam Gu said, "Since everyone is here today, I also have something to say."

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent, and everyone looked at Madam Gu. Seeing that her expression remained gentle, they all breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that it probably wasn't anything serious.

Zhang said softly, "Mother, please tell us what you need. We, as your juniors, will do our best to fulfill your request."

Madam Chen echoed, "Yes, Mother, just give the order."

Madam Gu nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. It lingered on Madam Zhang and Madam Chen for a moment before finally settling on Meng Jinyao. She said calmly, "Ayao has been married into the family for some time now, and I've noticed she's a very steady and reliable person. Since she married the third son, she's now the matriarch of the Marquis's household. According to the rules, the household's management should be handed over to her."