she's just a widow, what's the difference between being married to an eunuch" Seeing her daughter's dejected expression, she comforted her, "Ayu, mother will find you a good match. You don't have to...The elegant and ornate pavilion.

Meng Jinyao looked at the increasingly desolate courtyard due to the changing seasons, and suddenly felt a little sad.

When Chunliu saw her, she noticed the smile that had been on her face just a moment ago was gone. Now, she seemed tense and anxious. At this moment, the most precious person in the household was their mistress. Everyone treated her like royalty, taking care of her with utmost care. Even a sneeze would cause them to worry. It was distressing to see her in such a state. A pregnant woman's mood is so important, how could they allow her to feel this way

Chun Liu thought for a moment and suggested, “Madam, if you’re feeling bored, why don’t we invite a troupe of actors to perform a play for you”

Meng Jin Yao immediately shook her head. She didn't dislike listening to opera, but she would feel drowsy while listening. Every time she listened to opera, she wanted to sleep.

Chün-liü then said, "Let me tell you what has been happening in the capital lately"

Meng Jinyao listlessly nodded. "Then tell me," she said, turning to enter the room. "Let's sit down and talk."

Chunliu also followed in, taking a seat on the embroidered cushion behind her. She then launched into a detailed account of what had happened at each household, both good and bad, interesting and otherwise, just to while away the time.

Meng Jinyao had just finished hearing about which families were going to be betrothed, and immediately turned to Chunliu: "Chunliu, do you have someone you have a crush on"

Taken aback, Chunliu was stunned. Seeing her mistress's serious expression, she felt a sense of gratitude as if the mistress was trying to arrange a match for her. She replied sincerely: "Madam, my servant hasn't found someone I like yet.

Meng Jin Yao, upon hearing this, nodded with regret and then said: "If you have someone you have a heart for, just tell me, I'll make the arrangements."

Chunliu smiled and replied, "This servant thanks Madam first. If this servant ever has a sweetheart, I will definitely tell you."

Meng Jin Yao added, "If you want to get married, you can tell me too. I can find a good match for you and arrange for you to meet."

"I thank you for your kindness, Madam. But I am not ready to marry yet." Chunliu then smiled and said, "Perhaps this is a bit silly of me to say, but I've thought about waiting until I'm twenty to get married. Even if that's a little late, I don't want to rush into it. I still want to enjoy a few more years as a young woman."

Meng Jin Yao said: "Remember last year when you said you were sixteen, so this year you are seventeen."

Chunliu nodded and said, "That's right, Madam has a good memory.

Meng Jinyao looked at her with eager eyes and curiously asked, "What kind of husband do you like"

Chunliu's cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered, "I like someone honest and kind, but who also puts me first. I think I'm not stupid, it's enough for one person in a couple to be smart, if both are too clever, I can't handle it, so I want to find someone more down-to-earth."

Meng Jinyao was surprised. She didn't expect that Chunliu, who was usually quick-witted, would actually want to find a simple and honest husband. She reminded him, "Sometimes, honest people can be infuriating too. You still need to see how he behaves in his daily life to see if you can accept it."

Chun Liu lightly nodded: "I understand.

Meng Jinyáo thought about Chán'er and Yúchuān again. Yúchuān liked Chán'er, but whether Chán'er had feelings for Yúchuān, she hadn't asked. After chatting with Chunli for a while, she dismissed Chunli and called Chán'er in.

Chan'er rarely got called by the mistress alone, so when she was suddenly summoned, she was bewildered. After bowing, she asked, “Mistress, what can I do for you”

Meng Jin Yao wasn't one to beat around the bush. She got straight to the point and asked, "Chuan'er, do you have someone you like"

Chan'er was astonished: "Madam, why do you ask this"

Meng Jin Yao answered softly, "I just feel that you have reached a marriageable age, and perhaps there is someone you admire. If both of you are in love, I will take charge and arrange your marriage. If you don't have a sweetheart, now that someone has come to ask the Marquis's face, the Marquis asked me to inquire about your intentions. If you also have intentions, we will make arrangements for you."

Chán'er was stunned and after a long while, she asked: "Madam, who pleaded with the Marquis"

Meng Jinyao replied, "It's Yuchuan.

Upon hearing this, Chan’er was taken aback once more and replied, “Madam, when Yu Chuan returns, please have him come and speak to me personally.”

Now Meng Jin Yao was confused, she couldn't tell if Chan'er had genuine feelings for Yu Chuan or not.

-

Hangzhou Prefecture, Post Station.

After Gu Jingxi arrived at the Hangzhou Prefecture, he stayed at the post station. He had been busy all day and was feeling exhausted, just about to wash up and go to sleep when Yu Chuan rushed over to him.

He frowned and asked, "Yu Chuan, you're not a three-year-old child, why are you still walking so clumsily"

Yuchuan was caught off guard by that sentence and immediately stopped his forward momentum, nearly stumbling. After regaining his balance, he gave his master a resentful look. He used to think his master was quite gentle, but now... he was terrible!

When the mistress was away, her master felt gloomy and couldn't bear to see them happy.

Especially these two days, the master often asked: "Has Madam received any letters"

Every time he answers, "No"

The master silently went to do other things, leaving those officials thoroughly exhausted. Some of those officials weren't clean to begin with and had engaged in bribery and corruption. The master found out about it but didn't tell them anything.

While officials subtly probed, the master merely smiled and praised the other's virtues, showering them with compliments.

The master's smile was extremely terrifying, making people want to be happy but unable to. Even those who were frightened and worried felt like confessing, yet they still clung to a glimmer of hope, struggling on.

Gu Jingxi saw that he was staring at her in a daze, and her face darkened. "What are you looking at me for"

Yu Chuan stepped forward a few steps and presented the letter in his hand: "My Lord, your wife has sent a letter."

As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Jingxi's face immediately changed from gloomy to bright. He reached out and took the letter Yu Chuan handed him, his tone gentle: "Since madam has sent a letter, let her send it. Why are you in such a hurry Running so fast, you're not afraid of falling"

Yuchuan heard this, goosebumps instantly arose all over his body. Was this change of face too quick He was actually starting to care about him. But he was probably just a scoundrel, unable to bear the kindness of others, even if it was feigned. This wasn't unexpected, when the master cared for him with two words, he felt unbearable.

In a moment, Yu Chuan handed the bag hanging from his shoulder to his master and said, "My lord, this was sent with the letter."

Gu Jingxi reached out and took it, saying, "I understand, you go busy with your work."

He finished speaking, took the letter and package in his hand, turned around, and strode briskly into the house.

Yuchuan watched the master's back and knew that the master was in a good mood now. When the master was happy, their days would be better.

Inside.

Gu Jingxi put down the package and looked at the letter in his hand. The envelope was addressed with the recipient's address and name, and in the middle, written in a small script with flowers as decorations, were the four characters "My Husband Writes". He gently stroked these four characters with his finger, a smile blooming on his face.

In a moment, Gu Jingxi opened the envelope with delicate movements, afraid to damage the letter inside.

When he took out the thin piece of paper from inside, Gu Jingxi felt a moment of loss. Just one sheet of paper, it probably wouldn't have many words on it. Could it be that Ayao didn't miss him and had nothing to say to him

Gu Jingxi slowly unfolded the letter paper. When he saw the content, a smile reappeared on his face, and warmth filled his heart. Last time he wrote to Ayao, now Ayao had replied with a poem for him.

"The letter said:"

Man Ting Fang

Upon receiving a letter from my beloved husband, I was overjoyed and composed this verse in reply.

On a sunny afternoon, swallows chirp on the eaves, and incense lingers in the lonely room by the window. A silk letter is laid out, and I believe deeply that our love will last forever. The willow tree in the courtyard has lost its graceful beauty, and the autumn wind chills the air. A few days ago, the frost came early. In the expanse of the autumn sky, a flock of wild geese flies past, arriving at the riverside every day both in the morning and evening.ad, yet she was scolded as an unlucky star for over ten years.Gu Jingxi saw her red eyes, filled with tears. It was the first time he had seen her so vulnerable and fragile. Even when she had hurt her...