Chapter 114 The One I Love
It was the hour of You (5-7 PM) in the afternoon.
When Gu Jingxi returned from his shift, he was greeted by the young girl and asked to sit down as soon as he entered the room.
The young girl was unusually enthusiastic today; she even poured him a cup of tea and pushed her own plate of snacks in front of him.
As the saying goes, "Those who offer unsolicited favors are either treacherous or thieves."
Gu Jingxi agreed wholeheartedly. He smiled faintly, picked up the teacup, and took a sip of tea. The tea was fragrant and sweet, and the taste was familiar. It seemed to be tea brewed by the young girl herself.
He leisurely finished his cup of tea before putting it down and asking, "Madam, is there something you want to tell me?"
Meng Jinyao nodded with a smile: "There is something I need to tell my husband."
Gu Jingxi smiled even more upon hearing this, realizing that his guess had been correct. He said gently, "Please speak freely, Madam."
Meng Jinyao replied, "It's like this. In a while, it will be the birthday of Madam Song of the Imperial Academy. I selected a jade ornament with a child celebrating a birthday from the storeroom as a birthday gift."
Gu Jingxi was taken aback, then smiled and said, "I already said that you can use whatever you want in the storeroom, Madam. You don't need to tell me about such trivial matters. You can make your own decisions." He paused for a moment and then added, "However, some of the calligraphy and paintings in the storeroom are ones that I have specially collected. If you want to give them away, Madam should ask me first. Those that I didn't specially collect can be given away, but I will decide on the ones that I specially collected depending on the circumstances."
"I understand."
Meng Jinyao nodded repeatedly. She had seen those paintings and calligraphy before. Many of them were by famous masters, priceless and well-preserved. It was clear that Gu Jingxi cherished them. She dared not touch these things lightly.
After a moment, she added, "Oh, right, my husband, there's one more thing."
Gu Jingxi said, "Please speak, Madam."
Meng Jinyao got up and took out the set of white jade jewelry she had found in the storeroom earlier. She said gently, "I found a set of jewelry in the storeroom today, but it wasn't recorded."
Gu Jingxi glanced at the rosewood box, but had no recollection of it.
“It’s a plum blossom pattern set, made of mutton-fat white jade. I think it’s quite beautiful, elegant and unique.” Meng Jinyao said, opening the wooden box to reveal the white jade headdress set, her eyes filled with joy. “Husband, may I wear this headdress set?”
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi's gaze fell on the headdress, lingered for a few moments, and then looked away. He asked gently, "Does Madam like the plum blossom pattern, made of mutton-fat jade?"
Meng Jinyao gently shook her head: "It's not that I simply like the plum blossom pattern of the mutton fat jade headdress, but I think this headdress is quite beautiful. It's a real pity that it's gathering dust in the storeroom. What do you think, my husband?"
Gu Jingxi said indifferently, "It's just a set of jade jewelry, what's there to regret?"
After saying that, he glanced at the headdress again, his gaze falling on the bright and beautiful face in front of him. He continued, "Although this headdress is beautiful, it is a bit too plain. Madam's appearance is more radiant. Although plain headdresses look good on her, they are not as good as bright colors. Why don't you choose something else?"
Meng Jinyao wasn't stupid; she could tell that Gu Jingxi was politely refusing her. She had a striking appearance, but she could also dress simply. After all, she occasionally dressed in a gentle and elegant style. However, Gu Jingxi didn't want her to use that set of headdresses.
She could use any of the treasures in the storeroom as she pleased, even as gifts, but this set of long-forgotten jewelry was different. Her girlish intuition told her that something fishy was going on.
Some things are better left unsaid, because if you do, she'll lose face.
Without changing her expression, she readily agreed with Gu Jingxi, saying, "Now that you mention it, my husband, this set of jewelry really doesn't seem to suit me. I'll choose something else."
Gu Jingxi nodded: "Mm."
Meng Jinyao stopped dwelling on the issue, closed the box, changed the subject, and chatted casually.
-
The next morning.
After having breakfast, Meng Jinyao went into the inner room to retrieve the key to the storeroom, and took with her the mahogany box containing the mutton-fat jade face powder.
Seeing this, Qingqiu asked in confusion, "Madam, where are you taking this set of jewelry?"
Meng Jinyao replied calmly, "Put it back in the storeroom."
Ning Dong looked in the direction of the sound and saw her mistress holding a set of jewelry that she had taken out of the storeroom yesterday. She asked in confusion, "Madam, this set of jewelry is quite beautiful. Didn't you want to use it? Why are you putting it back in the storeroom?"
Qingqiu was equally puzzled. Madam Ming seemed to like it quite a bit yesterday, so why did she suddenly want to put it back?
Seeing the two of them looking at her with puzzled expressions, Meng Jinyao smiled and replied, "I suddenly feel that this set of headdress is too plain and doesn't suit me, so I won't use it."
Upon hearing this, the two maids exchanged bewildered glances.
Ningdong asked in bewilderment, "But when I helped you try it on yesterday, it looked quite nice with a light-colored dress, and you liked it very much."
Qingqiu nodded in agreement: "Yes, Madam looks quite good in this headdress. It makes you look dignified and gentle. It would be perfect for wearing to a banquet."
Meng Jinyao put down the box and smiled faintly: "I originally thought it was quite beautiful, but yesterday afternoon I asked the Marquis and he said that this set of headdresses was not suitable for me and that I should change to another set. He was obviously refusing to let me use this set of headdresses."
Upon hearing this, Qingqiu and Ningdong sensed something unusual. Although they didn't have anyone they liked, young ladies were very sensitive to such matters. The Marquis could let his wife use all the things in the storeroom, so why couldn't this set of long-dusted jewelry be used?
Moreover, this set of headdresses was not recorded in any register, which is an exception, the only exception.
Ning Dong glanced at the mahogany box on the table and asked hesitantly, "Madam, could it be that this set of jewelry was made by the Marquis to give to his beloved, but he never managed to give it to her, so it's been gathering dust in the storeroom and hasn't been recorded?"
Meng Jinyao nodded slightly: "I guess so. I didn't ask yesterday."
Qingqiu and Ningdong fell silent. This set of mutton-fat white jade headdresses was quite valuable, made of excellent jade, with exquisite workmanship and a simple, elegant, and graceful style. The young lady that the Marquis wanted to give it to must be a dignified and gentle lady, and she preferred a simple and elegant style.
The Marquis was a gentle and refined man, quite a good match for the dignified and graceful young lady. As for the fact that this set of jewelry had never been given away, it was probably because he had a hidden illness and could not give the young lady happiness, so he dared not give it away and preferred to let it gather dust in the storeroom.
This set of jewelry lay gathering dust in a corner, and the young lady was also hidden in the Marquis's heart, becoming the only white moonlight in his heart.
Then what about their master?
Their mistress is Madam Gu, but that's all she is, nothing more.
Seeing their expressions of utter despair, Meng Jinyao laughed and asked, "Why are you both reacting like this? He's twenty-nine years old this year, isn't it normal for him to have a girl he likes? Gu Xiuming is only sixteen years old, and he also has a girl he loves to the point of obsession, willing to give up his reputation to elope with him."
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