drawn as paintings and a complexion as flawless as jade. He is the most striking-looking person in the Gu family. It's said that his former fiancée was also the first beauty of the capital city. Unfor...It is morning.

Meng Jinyao had finished breakfast and was about to go with Gu Jingxi to pay respects to Old Madam Gu at Shou'an Hall.

Just as she was about to get up, Gu Jingxi handed her a crutch.

Upon seeing this, she put on a disgusted expression. She had been using crutches for days and was tired of it. She refused in her heart and also verbally: "Going to greet the elders with crutches What kind of appearance would that make"

Gu Jingxi saw her resistance, and recalling how she usually disliked using crutches but had to rely on them, he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. He softened his voice and persuaded, "Madam, your foot injury hasn't fully healed, it's best to use crutches."

Meng Jinyao hesitated for a moment, but finally firmly refused: "It's alright, my foot injury is almost healed. I can walk slowly. Let me walk a few steps first. If it doesn't work, I'll use the crutch again."

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi didn't force her. He softly said, "Alright then, as my wife says. Just hand over the walking stick to the maidservant by your side."

Meng Jinyao stood up gracefully, took a few steps, and felt no discomfort. Then she slowly walked towards the door.

However, as soon as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she regretted it.

At first, she didn't feel anything wrong as she took those initial few steps. But as she walked more, that discomfort set in. She still felt it was better to use a cane; walking without one was a bit harder. Currently, her main force was on her right foot, and her gait seemed a little limping.

Gu Jingxi saw that her face was subtle, and he paused slightly before asking, "Madam, what's wrong"

"It's okay, let's go."

Meng Jinyo was stubborn and refused to admit that she couldn't walk without her cane. She took a step and continued walking at a slow pace.

Gu Jingxi didn't expose her pretense, striding beside her with his long legs, keeping pace with her snail-like steps.

But, the little girl walked really slowly, dawdling. She took two or three steps before he took one.

He lowered his gaze, and what met his eyes was the young girl's small face slightly tensed, her brow furrowed. Though her legs were clearly uncomfortable, she still pretended to be nonchalant as she walked forward at a leisurely pace.

She is a stubborn girl who refuses to give up.

Suddenly, he caught sight of the little girl repeatedly glancing at his legs from the corner of his eye. He wasn't sure if she was envious or jealous of his uninjured legs and ability to move freely.

He smirked, extending his arm and teasingly said, "My dear, I'm a much more appealing walking stick than that wooden one. Since you disliked the wood, how about trying this one instead"

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao's steps faltered. She glanced at him sideways, seeing the smile on his lips as he looked at her. His eyes seemed to say: Come on, don't pretend. With your speed, you won't even make it to Shouantang by noon.

A wise man does not suffer losses in front of him.

Meng Jin Yao said with a bit of complaint, “Although you’re not exactly handsome, you’re passable enough.” Then she reached out and took his arm.

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly: “To be able to barely enter Madam's eyes is an honor for me.”

Qing Qiu and Ning Dong followed behind them, seeing that they got along very well. But the Marquis seemed to have a sweetheart, which was really puzzling. How could the Marquis be so gentle and considerate to their mistress when he already had someone he liked

Peace and tranquility hall.

Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi walked hand-in-hand.

Madam Gu looked at them, then her gaze fell on their hands, watching their affectionate movements. The corner of her mouth couldn't help but rise, and she felt immensely pleased in her heart. Her son and daughter-in-law had been married for some time now, and seeing their relationship getting better and better, if nothing unexpected happened, they would be able to live a good life together.

Other people's gazes also fell on their hands, slightly surprised. They knew Gu Jingxi's temperament; seemingly gentle, but in reality, cold and aloof, making it difficult to get close. He had never been so intimate with a woman in public before. It seemed Meng Jin Yao was no ordinary person, able to subdue Gu Jingxi.

Meng Jinyo noticed the meaningful glances from everyone. Her face flushed, and she belatedly realized she was still holding onto the humanoid cane. She silently put her hand down, acted nonchalantly, and walked forward to greet Madam Gu with a respectful bow: "Daughter-in-law pays respects to Mother."

Gu Jingxi also bowed to Madam Gu: "Son greets Mother."

Mrs. Gu smiled kindly: "Good children, please come and sit down so we can talk."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Jingxi reached out and helped the little girl to a chair nearby. The movement was very familiar, as if he had done it countless times before. This surprised everyone present.

Even the seasoned matriarch, Mrs. Gu, was taken aback. Her son and daughter-in-law had visited for a courtesy call last time, but it hadn't been this... intimate. What was going on today

Zhang shi couldn't help but tease, "Before, some people said that the third brother was not close to women and lived a cold and lonely life. They thought he wouldn't know how to treat his wife well. Now it seems they were mistaken."

Chen also laughed and said, "Isn't that right Look at the third brother how considerate he is to his sister-in-law. This coyness, even my husband and second master weren't like this back then.

Meng Jiny Yao chuckled nervously, then glared at Gu Jingxi with a hint of resentment. If it weren't for this scoundrel scaring her that night, she wouldn't have tripped and sprained her ankle, and today she wouldn't be being teased in front of others.

Gu Jingxi was puzzled, he didn't understand how he had offended her again. He glanced at everyone present and explained in a soft voice: "Ayao sprained her foot and it's not fully healed yet."

When Old Madam Gu heard this, she was taken aback and asked with concern, "Yao'er sprained her ankle How serious is it"

Meng Jin Yao shook her head slightly: "It's a minor issue, nothing to worry about. It's almost healed now, mother needn't fret."

"You, child, have sprained your foot and shouldn't be walking around much. It's perfectly fine to not come over for greetings," said Madam Gu, looking at her son with a stern gaze. "Third son, you too! Ai Yao has a limp, how could you let her come over"

Gu Jingxi met his mother's accusing eyes and innocently touched his nose, saying, "It was my son's lack of consideration."

Meng Jinyao intervened, defending him: “Mother, this isn’t your husband’s fault. It was I who missed you and came to see you.”

No matter if her words were true or not, when Old Madam Gu heard them, she felt a warmth in her heart and a smile grew even more affectionate on her face: "Good child, you have a kind heart."

A family was chatting amiably, the atmosphere was warm and pleasant.

Suddenly, Madam Gu said, "Since everyone is here today, I have something to say."

As soon as he said this, the room fell silent. Everyone looked at Mrs. Gu, but her face remained calm and gentle. They all secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that it probably wasn't anything important.

Zhang said in a soft voice, "Mother, if you have any orders, please just say them. We juniors will do our best to fulfill them."

Chen also agreed: "Yes, Mother, just tell us what to do."

Elder Mrs. Gu nodded slightly, her gaze swept across the people present, lingering on Zhang and Chen for a moment before finally settling on Meng Jin Yao, and said in an unhurried tone: "Yao'er has been married here for some time now. These days, I see that she is a steady child. She married the third son, becoming the mistress of the Hou Mansion. According to etiquette, the household affairs should also be handed over to her.of Justice."Hearing this, Gu Jingxi chuckled softly: "Madam knows books and reason, she's not the kind of person who would make unreasonable demands. Moreover, Madam is an elder, she definitely wouldn...