and paintings, as well as antiques. Many of them were imperial gifts, likely bestowed upon Gu Jingxi after he had made meritorious service to the emperor.And those estates and shops, looking at the l...Gu Jingxi, especially considerate, said: "It seems that madam hasn't rested well yet. Have some breakfast and then sleep for a while"

Meng Jinyao, hearing this, felt like the other person was making fun of her. She felt a little indignant in her heart.

After he looked at her last night, he slept soundly. As for her, she just touched him and was caught red-handed. She felt guilty and tossed and turned all night long, unable to sleep.

She said sarcastically, "Honey, did you find me attractive last night"

Gu Jingxi's face stiffened, and he replied with a question, "How does Madam feel about the touch"

Meng Jin Yao gritted her teeth: "Very well.

"

Gu Jingxi smiled and said, "My wife is also very beautiful."

He was misunderstood last night, but this little girl touching his face was genuine.

He originally wanted to sleep, but a pair of eyes were staring straight at him. The eyes held pity, like looking at a poor soul, and it made his scalp crawl. There was no way he could fall asleep.

However, he didn't expect the little girl to suddenly reach out and touch his face. When he discovered this, she confidently said, "You looked at me, I touched you, it evens out."

Meng Jin Yao glared at him angrily without replying, and sat down across from him.

Gu Jingxi rubbed his temples, feeling a little helpless. Even if he explained himself, it would just sound like excuses. This young girl might already think of him as a scoundrel and have been cursing him all night in her heart.

The maidservants, seeing that the atmosphere between their mistress and master was off, served them with even more care.

After breakfast, Gu Jingxi left Weiruixuan and went somewhere unknown. However, this was not something Meng Jin yao needed to worry about. She thought that it wasn't too late, and going to greet her mother-in-law should be acceptable at this hour, so she prepared to go to Shouantang.

When Chunqiao heard her talking with Ningdong and Qingqiu about Shou'an Hall, she hurried forward a few steps and respectfully asked, "Madam, are you going to pay respects to the old Madam"

Meng Jinyáo nodded and said, "Mm" looking at her, "Do you have something to report"

Chunqiao reminded, "The old madam prefers tranquility and stays in the Buddhist hall most days. She dislikes being disturbed by juniors. The first madam, second madam, and other masters all visit the old madam on the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month to pay their respects."

Meng Jinyao pursed her lips and smiled: "As the new daughter-in-law, I can't be like my elder and second sisters-in-law."

He understands the elegance of the sound.

Chunqiao almost understood her meaning the instant she finished speaking. A new daughter-in-law was bound to be given rules by her mother-in-law, and some mothers-in-law wouldn't feel satisfied unless they gave their new daughters-in-law a set of rules to follow for two or three years. But their old matriarch was different. She said, "Madam, the old matriarch never sets rules for new daughters-in-law. I heard that both the eldest and second madam were not given any rules when they first married. As you are the old matriarch's own flesh and blood daughter-in-law, she would definitely not set any rules for you."

Meng Jinyao nodded slightly, believing Chunliu's words without a doubt. She knew Chunliu wouldn't deceive her, and the fact that her mother-in-law had been kind on tea day further confirmed the truth of Chunliu's account.

The differences between people can be so vast. Take this grandmother for example, she's a real handful when it comes to her grandchildren. Even though her stepmother, Sun Shi, rules the household with an iron fist, she still has to behave herself in front of her own mother-in-law. When it's time to please her, she knows exactly how to do it.

She didn't sleep well last night, so she doesn't have to go pay her respects now. It's a good opportunity for her to take a nap.

Half an hour later, Meng Jinyao woke up. Taking advantage of the early hour, with more than half a time before noon, she was about to stroll around the house and familiarize herself with the environment.

At this time, Chunliu diligently stepped forward to report: "Madam, the Marquis has just returned from his study and has gone to the ancestral hall."

An ancestral hall

Meng Jinyáo was stunned for a moment before she quickly reacted. Her cheap good son, Gu Xiuming, was now under house arrest in the ancestral hall. He had been beaten half to death yesterday. Gu Jingxi went to the ancestral hall, it must have been to see her son.

Chunliu slightly raised her head and glanced at her, unable to tell if she was happy. She then said: "I heard that the young master had a high fever last night that didn't subside, which is why the Marquis went to see him."

"High fever" Meng Jin Yao was startled, then asked, "How is my son now Has his fever subsided"

Chun Liu gently shook her head: "This servant doesn't know

Meng Jinyao's eyes rolled, she suddenly changed her mind and didn't want to shop anymore. She looked at Chunliu and smiled, "Chunliu, come with me to the ancestral hall and see how the young master is doing now."

At these words, Chunliu's face turned pale. She hesitated and said, "Husband, Madam, should we go to the ancestral hall now" Did the Marquis not see her and know that she was the one who reported him Isn't this Madam setting her up

Meng Jinyao nodded, her brows furrowed, a look of worry etched on her face. She seemed like a worried mother concerned for her sick son. "My child is ill," she said anxiously, "as a mother, I can't bear to not see him. How could I rest easy" She sighed softly, "Chunliu, you haven't become a mother yet, but when you do, you'll understand how I feel right now.

Chūnliǔ was speechless by this.

She muttered under her breath: "Madam, are you sure you're not wishing the young master were even sicker so you could rush to the ancestral hall and give him a scolding"

However, a good maidservant who knows how to please her mistress naturally says whatever the mistress likes to hear and wouldn't care what the mistress truly thinks.

Chun Liu nodded in agreement, “My lady is right, the Young Master is truly fortunate to have such a good mother.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in agreement. Wasn't she a good mother Her son was sick, and she rushed to visit him, hating to see her son angry enough to have smoke coming out of his seven orifices.

Yes, that's right. She is indeed wicked, petty, and takes pleasure in humiliating her enemies. She loves to see them suffer and find amusement in their misfortune. She even concocts pretentious excuses to justify her actions.

Before, because she wasn't wicked enough, people always used moral blackmail against her. Now that she is wicked enough, she lives much more easily. As for some people, she doesn't need morality at all.

She continued to feign sadness and sighed, "That child was beaten yesterday, perhaps she's still harboring resentment towards me."

Chunliu comforted her, "Madam, the young master is still young. When he grows up, he will naturally understand your kindness. Your education of him is for his own good."

...

Qingqiu: …

He's not even that young! The Crown Prince is only two months older than his wife!

They suddenly realized that this Chunliu was truly a clever person. Knowing the mistress's true intentions, she could still praise her to the skies. These flatterers couldn't compare to her skills.

"It seems like it's almost ready," Meng Jinyao sighed lightly, "Let's hope for the best. Time waits for no one, let's go now." She glanced at Qingqiu and Ningdong, then stepped out of the house with light strides.

Winter was about to catch up, but Qingqiu pulled her sleeve and signaled her not to follow. Just now, the mistress had given them a look, meaning they didn't need to follow. She only brought Chunliu, perhaps also testing Chunliu.

When Chunliu saw the two of them standing there motionless, he had no choice but to follow them, gritting his teeth. He couldn't help but raise his hand and lightly slap himself on the mouth, thinking to himself: "Look at your mouth, you're so clueless, you're just asking for trouble."er cousin brother would be born soon, which meant her mother's wedding date was also approaching.Lord Du gently stroked the pregnant woman in the painting, his expression soft. “This is your aunt’s on...