ven if he wasn't his biological son, he'd raised him for so long, he must have some feelings for him. Let alone a human beingGu Jing Sheng hesitated, "Third brother, isn't this punishment too severe"W...Meng Jin Yao didn't want to explain, she just wanted to argue. She pulled up a smile and countered, "If I said I never said those words, would my husband believe me"

Gu Jingxi said meaningfully, "Madam, are you touching your own conscience and telling me that you have never spoken such words"

“That’s definitely not true. Why would I say such things about my husband in front of my friends” Meng Jinyao responded without hesitation, sticking to a firm denial and putting aside any sense of guilt.

Looking at the young girl's innocent smile, Gu Jingxi knew she wouldn't admit it. He nodded and said, "If madam says there isn't, then there isn't. I believe madam"

Meng Jinyao was not at all flustered, her voice firm: “I never said that.

Gu Jingxi nodded and said with a smile, "My wife is a gentle and virtuous woman. She wouldn't be the kind of person who speaks ill of her husband behind his back."

Meng Jin Yao choked. "..."

If you don't believe it, just say so, why are you beating around the bush and insulting people

Gu Jingxi didn't dwell on the topic any further. He lifted the car window curtain and looked out, then lowered it again and said to Meng Jin Yao, "It's almost noon. There's He Zhai Lou ahead. Would you like to have lunch there before heading back"

Meng Jin Yao was used to poverty at her family home. Her stepmother, Sun Shi, said that the family wasn't as well-off as it once was and needed to tighten their belts, so she couldn't give the children too much silver. It's enough for the children to have food and clothing, and cultivating thrifty habits is also a good thing.

Of course, the scope of this open-source throttling is limited to her and her second younger brother Meng Chengzhang. The Sun family's children are not included in the range. It's just that on the surface they appear equal, but privately, the Sun family will make up for it.

So hearing that a meal at places like the Zhai Lou cost more than her monthly salary, she instinctively shook her head and replied, "There's no need to waste money. This place isn't far from home, I'll just go back for lunch."

Gu Jingxi glanced at her, thoughtfully, and then smiled: "Madam, there is no need to be so frugal. Though I may not have much ability, providing for you is more than enough."

Meng Jinyao, upon hearing this, realized that there was someone beside her who could settle the bill.

She is very poor, but Gu Jingxi is not poor at all.

Upon hearing this, she immediately changed her mind and smiled, saying: "Since that's the case, I won't spare my husband money. Let's have lunch at Hean Dine Hall today."

She said this, then loudly ordered the coachman: “Zhang Shu, stop in front of that restaurant.”

-

After lunch at the Zhai Lou, Gu Jingxi encountered a colleague with something urgent to attend to. Meng Jinyao then returned to Changxing Houfu with her maidservant.

On the way back home, Qingqiu suddenly said: "Madam, according to my observation these past few days, the Marquis is still quite good to you. You really married the right person."

Meng Jin Yao was slightly taken aback, then smiled and nodded. "At the time, I didn't choose between the Second Young Master and the Fourth Young Master, but chose him because I heard that he was upright and responsible. If we could continue to treat each other with respect like this, and live peacefully for a lifetime, that wouldn't be bad either."

Ning Dong interjected, "The Marquis seems to have a good temper and will definitely live a happy life." She said, then with a hint of regret, "The only drawback is that the Marquis has a hidden illness, so his wife cannot have children of her own. And the heir is such a person, he probably won't be filial to his mother in the future."

Qingqiu was also worried about her master's future. A trace of melancholy hung between her brows as she suggested, "Madam, why don't you discuss with the Marquis about adopting another child A child raised from a young age would certainly be closer to you and will be filial in the future."

Meng Jin Yao fell silent. Although she hadn't thought about this issue, she knew that Gu Xiu Ming's illegitimate son would definitely not treat her well. If one day Gu Jing Xi was gone, her good days would probably come to an end.

Her cheap son Gu Xiuming will have children and grandchildren, a full house of them, but he will have little to no relationship with her. Besides, Gu Xiuming doesn't get along with her well. In the future, when Gu Xiuming's whole family turns against her, an elderly woman like her, she will be outnumbered and truly face a miserable old age.

Upon careful consideration, Qingqiu's suggestion was excellent. She nodded and said, "For now, I don't want to have children. I'll discuss it with the Marquis in a couple of years."

Ning Dong, upon hearing this, immediately broke into a smile. Her voice was laced with excitement as she whispered, "Madam, the young master lacks responsibility and virtue. With him in charge of the Hou Mansion, it's likely to decline. If you were to adopt a young son and nurture him into an outstanding individual, perhaps the young master could also find someone else to take his place."

Hearing this, Meng Jingyao's face darkened, and she sternly rebuked: "Ningdong, be careful with your words!"

She suddenly changed her expression, startling Nóngdōng. She stammered, "Madam, I think if you were to adopt a child and raise him by your side, it would be worth fighting for."

Qing Qiu saw that she still didn't understand the mistress's meaning, so she spoke up and advised: "Ning Dong, some words can be thought about in your heart, or you can secretly take action, but it's not advisable to say them out loud, because walls have ears, and if others hear them, there might be disaster. We are confidantes beside the mistress, if we say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing, not only will we be punished, but the mistress will also be implicated."

After hearing this, Ning Dong immediately understood and hurriedly said, "Madam, I was wrong.

Meng Jin Yao knew that Ning Dong and Qing Qiu were both maids who were loyal to her, but their personalities were completely different. Qing Qiu was calm and collected, while Ning Dong was more impulsive. Therefore, Meng Jin Yao would entrust important and delicate matters to Qing Qiu.

She said earnestly, “Ningdong, Changxing Houfu has a large population and many families with hidden agendas. It's even more complex than Yongchang Bo Fu. Every word and action must be carefully considered, otherwise, you might inadvertently give others an advantage.”

Ning Dong nodded in agreement and said, "Madam, I will definitely be more careful next time."

Meng Jin Yao softened her expression and instructed in a gentle voice, "Next time, be more careful. Try to make sure there's never another incident like this. Being cautious with your words isn't just about being around me; even after you get married, you should still be this way. Some things are best thought about in your heart but not spoken aloud. Otherwise, speaking your mind too freely can easily offend your father-in-law and mother-in-law, and you might even end up arguing with your husband. In short, it's always right to think things through carefully before acting."

Upon hearing this, Ning Dong's cheeks flushed faintly. She shook her head and said, "Madam, I don't want to marry. I want to stay by your side for the rest of my life."

Meng Jin Yao pursed her lips and smiled: "That's because you don't have a sweetheart right now. When you meet a man you like, I bet you'll ask me to release your soul contract."

Ning Dong shook her head again and again, like a rattle. "I wouldn't have anyone I liked," she said. "A wife has to serve her husband, her father-in-law, and her mother-in-law. And who knows what other busybodies might show up: younger sisters-in-law or older sisters-in-law! How could I ever be free like I am now"

Meng Jiny Yao looked at Ning Dong with gentle eyes and smiled without speaking.

The future is uncertain, who knows what will happen next

Perhaps fate arrives unexpectedly, changing one's initial thoughts.r, she considered passing her youngest son to the third branch.Unexpectedly, after just a short while, Gu Xiuming suddenly felt remorse and became studious and diligent. He regained his favor and trea...