Chapter 421 My Wife’s Kiss

Meng Jinyao took the letter and saw the words "To My Wife" on the envelope. Her lips unconsciously curled up. She opened the envelope and took out the letter, which was just a thin sheet of paper.

Though the letter is short, the sentiment is deep; though the letter is thin, the affection is profound.

The text above reads:

Azuma Fangjian:

A few idle leaves, just beginning to turn a raven-yellow, feel the slight chill of the rippling water and the coolness of the west wind, and are already fluttering and about to fall away. Seeing this in broad daylight evokes thoughts of parting; the cool moon in the sky cannot replace my dream of returning home. Moreover, laughter and chatter drift from the houses across the river, and the waterfront tavern plays "Yangguan." Unable to sleep all night, I rise and sit by the window. Evening clouds hang low over the mountains, and the distant road is shrouded in mist; my hometown has long been out of sight.

She feared that her beloved was in her arms, so she leaned against the tall bamboo, gazing at the departing boat in the mist, unaware that the night was getting colder and the dew was dampening her hair.

So I lit a candle, took up my brush, filled my sheepskin skirt with ink, and entrusted it to a wild goose, expecting it to arrive soon. My only hope is that upon seeing this calligraphy, it will be as if we were face to face, thus offering some small solace to my longing!

Autumn peace.

Yao Ling's handwritten note.

As Meng Jinyao read the letter, her smile deepened, and a sweet feeling welled up in her heart. This was the first time in her life that she had received a letter from home, and one so full of affection.

She muttered to herself, "Gu Jingxi, I never knew you had this side to you."

He misses her, and his writing is not only elegant but also strangely cloying. If it weren't for the familiar handwriting, she would have mistaken it for someone else's.

She also said that because she was afraid she would miss her husband, leaning on the bamboo and looking at the place where her husband had left, hoping for his return, and that she was afraid she would catch a cold, she sent a letter back so that when she read the letter, it would be like looking at her husband, so that she wouldn't miss him too much.

That's utter nonsense!

She wouldn't be foolish enough to go to the dock and wait for his return just because she misses him.

Suddenly, she remembered what Aning had told her before about the difference between ordinary people and intellectuals.

If an ordinary person likes a girl and wants to express their feelings, they will simply say "I love you". But it's different for a scholar. A scholar will write poems and lyrics for you, using classical allusions to subtly express their love.

Her husband was the latter; even his letters were written in a very literary style.

Seeing the slight blush on her cheeks, her sweet smile, and her eyes sparkling with laughter, Qingqiu asked curiously, "Madam, what did the Marquis write?"

Meng Jinyao smiled and shook her head, folded the letter and put it back in the envelope, and said to Qingqiu, "Go to the study and prepare pen, ink, paper and inkstone. I need to reply to the Marquis."

Qingqiu responded, "Yes, this servant will go and prepare it right away."

Meng Jinyao put the letter away and went to her study to reply. Since there were some things she didn't want her maid to see, she simply asked Qingqiu to stay away before she picked up her pen to reply.

After a long while, a heartfelt reply was written. Once the ink was dry, the letter was folded, placed in an envelope, and sealed with wax.

Meng Jinyao handed the letter to Qingqiu and instructed her, "Tomorrow, go and ask the old lady if she wants to reply to the Marquis. If she does, send her letter along with mine to the Marquis. If she doesn't reply, then find a messenger to mail this letter."

Qingqiu took the letter: "This servant understands."

Meng Jinyao added, "I want to eat fish tonight. Have someone tell the kitchen later."

Qingqiu replied again, "Yes, Madam."

Afterwards, Meng Jinyao sent her away and went to the study alone to read a book and pass the time.

-

Shou'an Hall.

When Madam Gu received the letter from her son, she was somewhat bewildered. According to the timeline, her son had only just arrived in Hangzhou. Even if he wrote back to let her know he was safe, it would take half a month for the letter to arrive.

Unless something happens along the way, they will write a letter and send it back halfway.

She took the letter, feeling the thickness of the envelope, and was immediately flattered. When had her son ever written her such a thick letter before?

In the past, family letters contained only a thin sheet of paper in the envelope, and only a few words on the letter.

My dearest mother:

Seeing this letter is like seeing you in person; opening it brings a smile to my face.

How is Mother doing lately? I have arrived safely and am doing well, so please don't worry.

Long-term peace.

Yao Ling's handwritten note.

Each letter sent home was more or less the same, but this letter was certainly much longer than just a few words.

Madam Gu asked curiously, "Yao Ling always writes concise letters home, as if she's too poor to write more than a few words. But this letter is at least three pages long. Has she changed her ways this time?"

Granny Feng replied, "Perhaps the Marquis has something important to tell you, which is why he wrote a little more."

Madam Gu nodded gently: "Let me take a look first."

After she finished speaking, she opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, and found that there were indeed three sheets of paper inside, all of which were filled with writing.

After reading the letter, I found that it contained a lot of information and was addressed to her, but it wasn't for her. Only the greetings at the beginning were related to her; the rest was about her daughter-in-law.

Madam Gu handed the letter to Granny Feng, and smiled helplessly: "Look at him, he's only been gone a few days and he's already worried that his wife isn't eating or dressing well. Even with so many maids serving her, he's still not at ease. He even told me how to help him take care of his wife, what kind of things she likes, and asked me to help prepare them."

Granny Feng took the letter and glanced at it. It was all about the lady, such as which brand of clothes she liked, which brand of jewelry she liked, and which brand of pastries she liked. The Marquis really doted on the lady. Looking around the capital, it would be hard to find a man who doted on his wife like the Marquis.

Granny Feng handed the letter back and said, "Since the Marquis and Madam got married, they have never been separated from Madam for so long. In addition, Madam is pregnant, so the Marquis will inevitably be worried about them. He can only ask you to take good care of them for him."

Madam Gu laughed and scolded, "He really has forgotten his mother now that he has a wife. I've never seen him worry about his mother like this before when he was away from her, and I've never seen him write a letter asking anyone to help take care of her."

Granny Feng replied gently, "Madam, the Marquis is very filial to you, though he doesn't express it in words. But he does everything he should do very well, and he always brings you gifts when he goes on long trips."

Madam Gu smiled and said, "I was just saying that. This child is indeed very filial when it comes to being filial."

A moment later, she instructed Granny Feng: "Tomorrow, go to Jinxiufang and invite the manager to the mansion to take Ayao's measurements and make her clothes. Jinxiufang is all pre-ordered, and the clothes for late autumn should be ordered in advance. Just make the waist area a little larger. The clothes at Jinxiufang are not cheap, so just take the money from me. There's no need for the company to pay."

Granny Feng replied, "Yes, Madam."

After thinking for a moment, Madam Gu said, "You should invite her in Yaoling's name to avoid the eldest and second wives getting jealous. Yaoling will be happy to know that Yaoling cares about her so much. A pregnant woman's good mood is more conducive to a healthy pregnancy."

Granny Feng nodded and said, "The old lady is very thoughtful. From now on, everything will be in the Marquis's name?"

Madam Gu nodded: "Yes, all in his name."