e window, a bamboo plant sat on the shelf beside it.A pearwood desk stood five steps away from the windowsill. Gu Jingxi was seated in the armchair behind the desk, her fingers lightly tapping a purpl...It was nearly dusk when Meng Jinyao parted ways with Princess Jingning, and they each returned home.

On the carriage.

Meng Jin Yao closed her eyes to meditate.

At this moment, Ningdong suddenly said with emotion, "Madam, you were right before when you said that one shouldn't judge people too superficially."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao opened her eyes and glared at her: "What else"

Ning Dong thought that Jingning County Princess had been humiliated several times in front of Madam today, and said: "Last time I met Jingning County Princess at the theater, she bullied you with the second young lady. The servant girl found her very annoying and arrogant, but today I suddenly found that the County Princess is quite likeable.

Meng Jinyao smiled knowingly and nodded in agreement: "She is quite likable, with a personality that draws people to her. She's just too naive, no wonder Meng Jin Yu could deceive her."

Ning Dong's mouth also curled up, giggling, "The second young lady is probably going to be furious. I guess she wanted to upset you today, which is why she invited you to have lunch with them, hoping that the county princess would come to her aid and make things difficult for you. Unexpectedly, you directly exposed her true colors, and the county princess believes you this time."

Meng Jin yao raised an eyebrow, chuckled softly.

As for Meng Jinyu's methods, she could deceive her family because they were unconditionally biased towards her. When it came to deceiving outsiders, she could only fool the naive ones. But if someone wasn't too foolish, when they heard another version of the story, they would think calmly about it.

And Princess Jingning was the kind of person who was simple-minded, but not too foolish. With a little thought, she could see that something was wrong and wouldn't continue to be deceived.

Ning Dong's smile deepened, and there was a hint of schadenfreude in his tone: "Second Miss, you're really bold. You even dare to deceive Princess Jingning. With the princess's temperament, she will definitely give her a good dressing down later."

Meng Jinyao said nonchalantly, "That's her own doing. She resembles the Sun family but is not as composed as them. Even when the Sun family was young..."

Changxing Hou Mansion.

Meng Jinyao returned to WeiRuiXuan, her spirits a little fatigued.

She and her maids went out this morning, and in the afternoon they accompanied Princess Jingning for a walk. They didn't return until dusk, and with the hot weather, they were even more likely to feel tired.

As Meng Jin Yao reached the doorway, she saw Gu Jing Xi had returned earlier than her. He was sitting on a chair with a chessboard in front of him, playing against himself with his left and right hands. Remembering what she wanted to tell him, she immediately perked up and quickly walked towards him.

Hearing the footsteps, Gu Jingxi raised his eyes and saw her. He asked softly, "Is there anything, Madam"

Meng Jinyao was stunned: "How did my husband know"

Gu Jingxi let out a low chuckle: "When you look at me, your eyes light up, like you've seen something delicious."

Meng Jin Yao: "..."

Her eyes weren't that obvious either, were they

Gu Jingxi said softly, "Madam, please sit down first. If you're not in a hurry, let me finish this game of chess before we talk."

Meng Jinyao nodded and instructed Qingqiu to put away the things they had bought today. Then, she sat down opposite him without disturbing his game of chess.

Meng Jin Yao lowered her head, looking at the crisscrossing chessboard. The game had just begun. Seeing him place a black chess piece on the board, she felt a twinge of competitive spirit and picked up a white chess piece from the jar, placing it on the board as well.

Upon seeing this, Gu Jingxi looked at the position where Bai Qi had placed her piece and raised his head to look at her in surprise: "I didn't expect Madam to be so good at chess."

Taken aback by the praise, Meng Jinyao blushed slightly. She quickly replied modestly: "When I was in my boudoir with nothing to do, I just idly pondered things in the house."

Gu Jingxi dropped another black chess piece and smiled at her: "My lady, your turn."

Meng Jinyao nodded, concentrating solely on playing chess with him. After all, she wasn't in a hurry about her own affairs.

As the saying goes, "Chess mirrors a person." A person's character is reflected in their game of chess.

When Gu Jingxi plays chess, his advances are interlocking, and his retreats are orderly. When he attacks, his moves are brilliant, and when he defends, he is airtight. This perfectly reflects his calm and collected personality.

While Meng Jinyao was cautious and prudent, her strategy always favored a defensive approach. She rarely launched an offensive, even when presented with opportunities. Even if the enemy had weaknesses, she would carefully position her troops within her camp, never acting recklessly without absolute certainty. Her slow and deliberate actions often left others feeling anxious and frustrated.

Luckily, Gu Jingxi had a calm and collected personality. He slowly and patiently wore her down without rushing at all.

Even though Meng Jinyao was extremely careful, she still lost in the end.

Gu Jingxi said warmly: "Madam, you're too kind."

Meng Jinyao looked at the chessboard, feeling a little frustrated, but she conceded with admiration: "My husband's chess skills are superior. I admit defeat."

Gu Jingxi replied, "Actually, Madam's chess skills are not bad either. She is just too cautious and misses many opportunities."

He finished speaking and glanced at the young girl. Seeing her crescent eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if she was annoyed by losing, he added, “Madam, life is like chess. When opportunities arise, you must seize them well. The saying goes, ‘Opportunities lost will never come again.’ Missing a good opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean there will be another one next time. While being cautious is a good thing, being overly cautious and constantly looking ahead and behind can lead to mistakes.”

Meng Jinyao was stunned. She did indeed act with excessive caution, a habit ingrained from childhood. After her grandfather's death, she had no one to protect her. For every matter, she endured in silence, daring not to act rashly unless she had absolute certainty.

At that moment, Meng Jinyáo said, "My husband speaks the truth.

Gu Jingxi didn't continue the topic and asked, "Madam, what did you want to say earlier"

Meng Jinyao was not in a hurry. She replied, "Husband, it's nothing urgent. It's not too early now. We can talk after dinner."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi glanced around. It was already dark outside, and the lamps in the room were brightly lit. It was past dinner time. They had just been playing chess for too long and had delayed their meal.

He nodded and said, "That's good."

Meng Jinyáo immediately ordered the maid to set the table.

After dinner, Meng Jinyao dismissed her maidservant and then spoke of her own business, asking Gu Jingxi, "Husband, is there a martial arts girl by your side I want to borrow a martial arts girl from you."

Gu Jingxi's face changed, his eyes fixed on her strangely as he retorted, "Do I have a woman Doesn't Madam know"

Meng Jinyao was stunned, and then realized that the question she had asked was ambiguous and easily misunderstood. She smiled awkwardly and immediately changed her words: "Lord husband, are there any female subordinates who are skilled in martial arts under your command I've heard that officials usually have many capable people under them, both male and female."

Gu Jingxi readily agreed: "Yes, I'll send someone to you tomorrow."

Meng Jinyu was astonished: "Husband, aren't you curious about why I came"

Gu Jingxi gently asked back, "Didn't you tell your husband yesterday that you caught a big fish Rest assured and do as you please."

Hearing this, Meng Jiny Yao's mouth curved upwards, and she asked again: "Can I make a request"

Gu Jingxi asked, "What requirements"

Meng Jinyao thought for a moment and replied, "Just that, can I have a girl with an oval face and a gentle appearance"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi couldn't help but chuckle wryly. He asked with a hint of amusement, "My wife, are you looking for an employee or a daughter-in-law Do you still require her to be gentle Why not just say you want a virtuous and capable wife"

Meng Jin Yao giggled and said, “It’s easier to fool people when you have similar qualities.”

Gu Jingxi replied, "Good, I'll send the person to Madam tomorrow."n."Listening to their conversation, everyone was bewildered, but it seemed that the Marquis was siding with his wifeGu Xiumin looked at Yu Chuan. Although he didn't know what Yu Chuan had given Meng J...