who hadn't gossiped were stunned. These two were the second-class maids in the courtyard. Was the madam saying that if she sent them away, she would send them away Suddenly, she was incredibly gratef...Gu Jingxi saw that she didn't speak, and he couldn't tell if she liked it or not. His heart was inexplicably a little uneasy. He once again silently sighed in his heart, raising a small girl is indeed not easy, there are many things to worry about.

He broke the silence, "If Madam doesn't like it, next time I'll buy sweets from another bakery"

The man's voice was gentle and soft, with a hint of coaxing.

Meng Jin Yao came back to her senses, glanced at the snack in her hand, then looked up at Gu Jing Xi. The man was still as gentle and peaceful as before. She stared straight into his eyes, but she didn't see the kind of deep affection described in the storybook, nor did she feel that obsessive feeling.

She silently withdrew her gaze, feeling that she was being too sentimental, thinking too much. There was a strange sense of loss again.

Gu Jingxi saw her face change several times, but she didn't speak to him. He asked again, "Madam, don't you like it"

Meng Jinyao shook her head gently: "No, I quite like the lotus flower pastry from Yipin Zhai. Among so many dessert shops in Beijing, I think theirs is the tastiest."

Then Gu Jingxi asked, "Why are you still looking downcast"

Meng Jinyao casually came up with a reason to brush it off: "It's nothing, I just thought of my grandfather. When my grandfather was alive, he would sometimes buy snacks from Yipin Zhai for me during his leisure time."

It was clearly just an excuse, yet when she mentioned it, her mind couldn't help but drift back to her grandfather, remembering him buying her treats and rushing back after spending them to play with her.

She got red-eyed and her eyes became wet with no reason at all.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi was slightly stunned. He didn't have much experience coaxing people, and for a moment, he didn't know what to do.

He was the only legitimate son in the family, growing up showered with love from his parents. As a young man, he had been proud and arrogant, but even then, there were times when things didn't go his way. The little girl lost her mother right after birth, so she was only loved by her grandfather. But good times don't last forever, her grandfather also passed away when she was young. Without elders to protect her, it's hard to imagine how many hardships the little girl faced during her growth.

Seeing her eyes glistening with tears, his heart ached. He carefully chose his words and soothed her in a gentle voice, "Don't cry, my dear. I'll buy it for you later, okay"

Meng Jinyao sniffled and choked out, "Why are you so good to me"

Gu Jingxi smiled and said, "You are my wife, shouldn't I be good to you"

Meng Jin Yao looked at him, whispering: "Is it just out of a husband's responsibility to his wife"

Gu Jingxi was slightly stunned, not understanding what she meant by this question. However, he still thought about it carefully and then replied: "It's not entirely..."

At first, he did it out of a sense of responsibility. Later on, he realized that the little girl had a hard time and her experiences were heartbreaking. He unconsciously wanted to be kind to this unfortunate child.

Of course, a husband should be good to his wife; it's only natural. He is much older than her and should take good care of her.

——It's not entirely so.

In just five short words, Meng Jinyao couldn't help but overthink. It was mainly because Ningsong had brought up this issue, and afterward, she couldn't help but combine Gu Jingxi's words and actions to think about whether it was true or not. She was probably too idle, which is why she thought about all these nonsensical things.

But she couldn't directly ask, unless the other party made a more explicit statement. Now that ambiguous feeling wouldn't allow it. If she asked and found out it wasn't what she thought, she would be too self-indulgent.

Gu Jingxi said softly, "Alright, stop crying. I'll buy you whatever you want from now on. As long as I have time, I'll go to the store before their snacks sell out and buy some back for you every day after work, alright"

Meng Jinyao listened, a warm feeling flowing through her heart. She lowered her head slightly and responded softly: "There's no need to buy it every day. If I did that, I would get tired of it in less than a month. It's better to buy it occasionally."

Gu Jingxi warmly replied, "Good. Let me listen to my wife's words." After thinking for a moment, he said, "While it's fresh, madam, why don't you try some first"

Meng Jin Yao nodded in agreement.

Gu Jingxi had a maid bring in a clean plate and put the snacks on it.

Meng Jiny Yao picked up a piece from the plate and tasted it. It was soft and fragrant, just like the taste in her memory. After so many years, every bite was still the same. Yi Pin Zhai, although not large or small, has been open for many years, with business as good as ever. This is inseparable from its consistent flavor for over a decade. It also proves that the pastry chef's skill level has remained excellent.

Perhaps because it had been a long time since she last ate, Meng Jin Yao ate five or six pieces in succession.

Gu Jingxi said, "Madam, don't eat too much, or you won't be able to eat dinner later."

Meng Jin Yao's hand reached halfway, but upon hearing this, she retracted it and picked up the wet handkerchief that a maidservant had already prepared beside her, wiping her hand.

Gu Jingxi said again: "Later, come with me to Shou'antang and have dinner with mother."

Meng Jinyáo readily agreed with a "Yes," and then asked, “Are the other members of your family going”

"Bu going to Gu Jingxi, she glanced at him, "Xiuming is not going either, just the two of us

"

Without any bothersome people around, Meng Jinyao's mood lifted again.

This is a test.

Shou'an Tang.

Meng Jin Yao got married into the Gu family several months ago, but this was her first time having dinner with Old Madam Gu and Gu Jing Xi together. Because Old Madam Gu preferred peace and quiet and disliked being bothered by younger generations, she didn't usually eat meals with them.

Mrs. Gu not only had a kind and gentle appearance but also a warm and loving personality. Meng Jin Yao felt no pressure when interacting with her, and their relationship as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was always harmonious.

Mrs. Gu glanced at her son, who was quietly dining, and couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Not speaking was one thing, but he didn't even offer to pass food to his wife! He was truly becoming more and more taciturn with age. What would happen in a few years Which young woman would want to be married to such a closed-off man

She looked at her daughter-in-law and asked softly, "A Yao, Yao Ling is not very talkative and doesn't know how to get along with young ladies. Is it more tiring for you to be around him"

As soon as these words left his mouth, Gu Jingxi instinctively turned his head to look at the little girl sitting beside him.

Meng Jin Yao paused her act of taking vegetables and replied truthfully, "Mother, my husband will also take the initiative to start conversations, and he talks a lot. I haven't felt tired at all getting along with him."

"Is that so" Old Madam Gu seemed a little unconvinced, then smiled. "If you have something to say, just speak up. I was afraid this tight-lipped fellow didn't understand how to get along with young ladies and might make our A Yao feel wronged."

Meng Jin Yao's heart warmed: "Mother, rest assured, my husband treats me very well and has never wronged me. To prove to her mother-in-law that she wasn't wronged, she added, "After my husband finished his duty today, he even bought me lotus flower pastry.

Grandmother Gu stared at her son in astonishment, a hint of disbelief on her face. Soon after, a smile of relief spread across her features. She never expected her son to understand this, it was truly remarkable.

After a moment, Old Madam Gu said gently, "Since you get along well, Mother is relieved."on hearing this, Qiao Grandma felt a chill run down her spine and her face paled. She said in a low voice, "In the future, stay away from such bad friends. If not for him, you wouldn't have gotten int...