s eyes were closed and he was still asleep.Gu Jingxi is truly handsome, with features as delicately drawn as paintings and a complexion as flawless as jade. He is the most striking-looking person in t...The atmosphere fell silent.

Seeing her mistress silent, Ning Dong thought she was heartbroken. She stammered comfortingly, "Madam, you...you don't have to be sad."

Meng Jinyao softly responded with an "Hmm"

Ning Dong steadied his mind and his voice grew even more firm: "Madam, you are the legitimate wife. That woman can never surpass you. Besides, there's a high possibility she has already married someone else."

Meng Jinyao smiled faintly and chuckled softly, "What are you thinking about I'm not sad."

Seeing that they didn't seem to believe her, she added: "Really, I wasn't sad."

That said, it sounds like you're trying to cover something up.

Two maids looked at each other, both thinking the master's words were insincere. The lord had taken the things meant for Bai Yueguang from the storage room and placed them in his study.

Apart from writing brushes, ink, paper, and some books, the study also contained rather valuable items. The head-covering that the Marquis cherished so much, how could the wife, as his wife, possibly remain unmoved

Meng Jinyao saw that the two maidservants were so nervous and frankly said, "I admit, I wasn't entirely unmoved when I heard this, but so what"

She spoke, nonchalantly shrugging her shoulders with a playful smile. "She's in front, and I'm behind. She's the past, and I'm the present. What do I have to gain by holding a grudge against her The Marquis treats me well and has given me a foothold in the Marquisate. That's all that matters to me. Besides, I never sought his love from the beginning. Who he gives his heart to is none of my concern."

Qingqiu and Ningdong listened in silence. Their mistress was very perceptive, but also pitiable. At just sixteen years old, her heart had bloomed for the first time, and before entering marriage, she still had beautiful expectations for it. Now, she didn't even dare to wish for a single sincere heart. Gushimings's despicable actions had a great impact on their mistress.

Meng Jinyao said again, "Well, let's not bring this up again. Compared to matters of love between men and women, I have more important things to do."

Ning Dong felt heartache for her master. Her heart ached, but she managed to squeeze out a faint smile and replied, "Madam, Brother Lin said everything is progressing as we expected. In a few days, we should be able to wrap things up.

Meng Jin yao nodded: "Very well, you all go out first, I'll rest for a while."

Hearing this, Qing Qiu and Ning Dong glanced at each other, both shaking their heads imperceptibly, before responding with a sound and retreating.

Stepping out of the house, Ning Dong lowered his voice and asked Qing Qiu, "Qing Qiu, is it really alright for Madam to be like this"

Qingqiu replied, "I can't say for sure about that."

After a long while, Qing Qiu quietly entered the room and glanced at the soft couch by the window. She saw her master soundly asleep, seemingly oblivious to their worries. It seemed they had overthought things; her master wasn't troubled by it at all. She secretly let out a sigh of relief.

As twilight descended, it was dinner time.

Ning Dong served Gu Jingxi his meal. When she placed it in front of him, there was a hint of anger in her expression, and her movements were somewhat rough. The noise was rather loud as the rice bowl landed on the table with a resounding "thud."

Gu Jingxi was stunned and looked at Ning Dong in disbelief. Seeing a faint anger brewing between her brows, as if she were giving him the cold shoulder, he was taken aback again, somewhat puzzled. Was his status in the house so low now Even a maidservant dared to give him the cold shoulder

Qīng qiū shùn shí wéi níng dōng de suǒ zuò suǒ wéi niē le yī bàn lěng hàn.

Let me know if you'd like any other phrases translated!

Ning Dong froze, it was an instinctive action, she didn't think much about it when doing it.

Meng Jin Yao quickly smoothed things over, her mind racing. "Husband, Ning Dong is just feeling sad because she's thinking about her deceased relatives. Please don't hold it against her."

Gu Jingxi, having heard this, no longer pursued the matter.

Meng Jinyo looked at Ning Dong and said softly, "Ning Dong, you don't need to attend to me here. The night in the mansion is pleasant. Why not take a stroll in the courtyard and clear your mind"

Ning Dong hurriedly responded and then bowed deeply before retreating.

Qing Qiu glanced at her back and let out a sigh of relief. Originally, the madam had said that Ning Dong was more composed, but now it seemed she was still not calm enough, with emotions easily showing on her face.

Afterward, Meng Jin Yao also called Ning Dong to her side and gave her a good scolding, with a stern face she said in a low voice: "Ning Dong, have I been too indulgent towards you Your courage has grown increasingly bold, daring to be disrespectful in front of your mistress. Have you forgotten all the rules you've learned"

Ning Dong blushed and choked back tears, "Madam, it's just that I was filled with anger..."

Meng Jin Yao's expression was cold. "I'm not even angry, why are you"

She took a deep breath and said in a low voice, “Don’t forget how this marriage came about. My master was forced into it. He had no interest in me before the marriage. Isn’t it normal for a girl who is sought after but unwanted to feel resentful Of course, he himself didn't object to marrying me since it was his duty as a father.”

Nong Dong met the mistress's angry eyes, her heart trembled, and tears streamed down her face like broken beads. She knelt down with a thud, sobbing: "Madam, please don't be angry, I was wrong, I dare not do it again.

Meng Jin Yao softened her expression and said earnestly, "Nong Dong, you have to understand that our peaceful life now is hard-won and shouldn't be jeopardized. Some things are best left unknown. Your master and I are not the type to wallow in sorrow over minor setbacks. This little incident won't bother me in the slightest."

Nigdong nodded seriously: "Madam, I understand."

Meng Jinyao said: "That's enough, you go out now. Remember this is the last time, or I will find you a husband and give you a dowry to marry him off."

Ning Dong's heart clenched, he opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing, bowing and retreating.

When winter's chill retreats, clear autumn softly said to her, "My lady, please calm your anger. After this, I'm sure Winterfrost will never dare again."

Meng Jin Yao let out a soft sigh: "It's also my fault for indulging her too much these days, that's why she's become so bold."wn and lifted her skirt to examine her wounds.Meng Jinyao's face turned pale, she just wanted to speak up and stop it, but then she thought about it, they were a married couple sleeping in the same be...