Chapter Seventy She Misunderstood
Since Song Xinning had other things to do, Meng Jinyao parted ways with her after lunch.
Hearing about Madam Shen's plight, Meng Jinyao was also heavy-hearted and had no interest in strolling around outside. After parting ways with Song Xinning, she went straight to her own carriage and headed home.
Ningdong asked worriedly, "Madam, do you think Madam Shen might just pass away like this?"
Meng Jinyao's expression was solemn. She shook her head slightly and replied, "I don't know either, but Madam Shen is not yet forty. She is still young and should be able to get through this."
Ning Dong sighed softly, her voice low: "Madam Shen was such a gentle and kind person. It would be such a pity if she were to pass away like this, and it would also benefit Lord Shen."
Meng Jinyao remained silent. She also hoped that good people would live to be a hundred years old. If Madam Shen could pull through, that would be a wonderful thing. That way, Lord Shen would not remarry, and Aning would not have a stepmother-in-law. After all, having a stepmother-in-law would definitely bring a lot of trouble.
Furthermore, Ningdong is right. If Madam Shen is allowed to die of anger like this, it would be too good for Lord Shen. Madam Shen has misplaced her affections and passed away when she should have been enjoying a peaceful life, while Lord Shen will enjoy high office and wealth, and in the near future he will be able to marry a young and beautiful girl as his second wife. At that time, he will be surrounded by beautiful wives and concubines, which is truly infuriating.
Qingqiu muttered to herself, "No wonder there's the saying 'to be buried in peace'."
Meng Jinyao, puzzled, hummed in response and looked at her with a questioning expression.
Qingqiu replied, "Once a man is buried, won't he settle down?"
Meng Jinyao listened and wholeheartedly agreed.
Isn't that right? Most men, as long as they have a breath left, will not be content and will think about having two women on each side and enjoying the blessings of having multiple wives.
Men who can truly commit to one love for life are more common among ordinary people, but this is limited to men who cannot afford concubines. Most men with a little money will still want to take concubines, and even if they don't, they will still seek pleasure in brothels.
In official families, such cases are extremely rare. Even if they don't take concubines, they will have several beautiful maids to serve them. However, she felt that Aning's fiancé, Young Master Shen, should be able to commit to a lifelong monogamous relationship.
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The Changxing Marquis's Residence.
When Zhang saw Meng Jinyao from afar, she greeted her warmly with a smile and asked, "Third sister-in-law, have you come back from outside?"
Whether it was her imagination or not, Meng Jinyao felt that Zhang was unusually enthusiastic today. She would smile when she saw her before, but her smile was never as radiant as it was today. Even her eyes were filled with laughter. This was probably a genuine smile from the heart.
Meng Jinyao was somewhat flattered and nodded in response, "Yes, I just came back from outside. Is there anything I can help you with, sister-in-law?"
Zhang shook her head: "It's nothing, I just saw my third sister-in-law and wanted to say hello." Noticing that she looked a little tired, Zhang wisely didn't chat with her for too long and said gently, "You seem a bit tired, so I won't bother you any longer. You should go back and get some rest."
Meng Jinyao nodded again: "Okay, sister-in-law, we'll talk again next time."
Madam Zhang nodded gently and said, "Take care, Third Sister-in-law."
After saying goodbye to Zhang, Meng Jinyao was a little dazed. She had been married into the family for some time now, and every time she met Zhang, her sister-in-law, Zhang was always very polite to her, and would occasionally make subtle remarks that targeted her. But today, it was as if Zhang had changed her personality.
Ning Dong asked in a low voice, "Madam, do you think the First Madam has something to ask of you?"
Meng Jinyao countered, "How do you know?"
Ningdong replied, "As the saying goes, 'Those who are overly hospitable for no reason are either up to no good or are thieves.' The First Madam was very enthusiastic towards you just now, but I felt something was off."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao shook her head dismissively: "I don't think so. Although I am the wife of the Marquis, I don't have any real power. She and my second sister-in-law manage the household affairs. What can I do to help her?"
“Maybe it’s through you that they want the Marquis to help them?” Ningdong said, glancing around to make sure no one was watching before continuing, “I’ve heard that when officials’ wives are getting along, some wives will flatter other wives and then have the other wives go back and whisper sweet nothings in their husbands’ ears, and that’s how things are done.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao chuckled and said, "If that's the case, then she really thinks highly of me. However, she probably doesn't have anything to ask of me. Go and inquire later to see if there's anything going on at your residence."
Ningdong replied, "This servant will go and inquire right away. You and Qingqiu should return to Weirui Pavilion first."
Meng Jinyao said, "There's no rush. I just got back from outside. Let's go back and rest first before asking around."
Ning Dong didn't refuse her mistress's kindness and obediently agreed, then went back to Wei Rui Xuan with her.
The three of them returned to Wei Rui Xuan. As soon as they entered the room, Meng Jinyao saw Gu Jingxi and was surprised that he had returned earlier than her. She asked, "Husband, didn't you go out to visit friends today? Why are you back so early?"
Gu Jingxi nodded and said, "They're all in the capital, not far away. They came back as soon as they finished their business."
Meng Jinyao nodded knowingly: "I see." She then moved to the seat next to him, poured herself a cup of tea, and took two sips.
At this moment, Gu Jingxi took out a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Meng Jinyao, saying, "Madam, here you go."
Meng Jinyao was stunned when she saw the jade pendant. It was a pair of mandarin ducks and auspicious jade pendants, carved from top-quality mutton fat jade, and was quite valuable.
The jade pendant is only half a piece; there should be another half. The two pieces together form a complete image. These jade pendants are usually paired, and typically a couple in love each wears half. Why would someone suddenly give her half a piece? Could it be that they mean something else?
Thinking of this, her heart skipped a beat. She felt that Gu Jingxi's actions were too sudden and she was not prepared at all.
Seeing her staring at the jade pendant with a puzzled look, Gu Jingxi explained, "This is a wedding gift from a friend I visited today. The jade pendants are a pair, and this one belongs to my wife."
Meng Jinyao was taken aback again. Thinking of her misunderstanding earlier, which was somewhat presumptuous, an unnatural look flashed across her face. She quickly reached out and took the gift, replying smoothly, "My husband's friend is too kind. Please thank him for me next time you see him."
Gu Jingxi said gently, "The next time I see him should be at his birthday banquet. I will bring my wife to the banquet, and she can tell him that he also wants to see her."
"ah?"
Meng Jinyao was taken aback. It was no problem for her to thank him personally, but why did the other party want to see her?
Gu Jingxi added, "The other party is a close friend of mine, despite the age difference. Since I have never met Madam, I would like to meet him."
After hearing this, Meng Jinyao looked at him in surprise and said with emotion, "I didn't expect my husband to have such a wide circle of friends, and to be able to be friends with teenagers. I thought that someone of my husband's age would look down on teenagers for being immature."
Gu Jingxi: ?
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