The food they make isn't particularly delicious, it's just something to fill your stomach. The same goes for their meals - nothing special. Compared to home-cooked meals, there's no comparison. Even...Cha Ran Ju.

When Meng Jinyao arrived at the study, Song Xining was already waiting inside.

Song Xining immediately poured her a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Ay Yao, you're here! Come sit down. It's been ages since we last saw each other, I've missed you."

At this moment, Song Xining's face was beaming with a joyful smile. Meng Jiny Yao's mouth also curled upwards slightly, and she nodded in response. She sat down beside her and asked, "An Ning, is Madam Shen feeling better"

Song Xining's smile deepened, her tone light and cheerful: "Ayao, your methods still work! I followed your instructions to comfort Madam Shen. After I talked to her a lot, she suddenly perked up and didn't want to die anymore. She takes her medicine on time every day, and her condition has improved."

Meng Jinyao was also happy for her friend. As long as Mrs. Shen could recover, the wedding could be held as scheduled. She said softly, "That's good. People living always need a goal. If they lose their goals and hope, there is only despair left, and their desire to survive disappears."

Song Xining said: "Madam Shen couldn't accept her husband, whom she had been in love with for many years, suddenly having a mistress, and bringing her pregnant mistress back as a concubine. Now she understands. She has lost her husband but still has her son. I told her that if she died, Mr. Shen would marry a new wife who would mistreat her son and future daughter-in-law, scaring them. She just wants to live and doesn't dare to die. But this also proves that in Madam Shen's mind, Brother Shen and I are more important than Mr. Shen."

Meng Jiny Yao chuckled softly. That was natural, after all. After her death, there would be a concubine who would torment her son. The future daughter-in-law wouldn't have an easy time either. She had done so much, yet in the end, she made wedding clothes for others. All the glory went to another woman, and her son even had to call that other woman "mother." Who could bear to die knowing this

For a moment, Song Xining asked, "By the way, Ayao, I heard that Changxing Houfu has been very turbulent recently. Are you alright"

Meng Jinyang shook her head lightly and smiled: "I'm fine. It's just my cheap son who caused such a commotion. The successive scandals of the Changxing Houfu have become the talk of everyone after meals. The elders at home are quite annoyed by him."

Song Xining frowned: "Although Gu Xiuming isn't a good person, he truly loves that young lady."

Meng Jinyao agreed: "Exactly! Otherwise, it wouldn't have caused such a stir."

Song Xining suddenly remembered something, let out a snort, and was very angry, gritting her teeth: "A Yao, I attended a gathering yesterday. Guess what Many people envied that girl and said that you, despite being from an Earl's Mansion, were surpassed by an unknown commoner woman. It's really infuriating! If it were them facing someone like Gu Xiuming, they wouldn't have won either.

"

Meng Jinyáo refilled her tea and pushed the cup forward, saying softly, "An'ning, don't get angry. This tea is quite good. Have a cup to calm down."

Song Xining raised her teacup and took a sip, then disdainfully curled her lip: "What's there to envy about being a concubine You'll always be looked down upon until you die."

Meng Jinyao smiled. "It's understandable that they envy her. The son of a prestigious duke family, giving up everything for an ordinary woman – this kind of love is rare in official households. In official families, reputation and profit are paramount. Even someone like the unruly Hao family wouldn't dare be so reckless."

She paused, her voice softening, before changing the subject. “However, while they might think Gu Xiuming is deeply affectionate and envy Li shi for receiving all of Houfu’s heir’s devoted love, if they were asked to marry Gu Xiuming now, they would turn him down flat.”

Song Xining nodded. "That's true, the unruly Hao family members are also princes, and they are all born to Master Hao. They wouldn't dare act like this. Gu Xiuming is also foolish; he stirred up such a mess. No noblewoman would dare marry him now, right"

Meng Jinyao replied, "I guess no good woman dares to marry him. But he also clearly stated that he doesn't plan to get married and will only stay with Lady Li for the rest of his life."

"Not marrying a wife" Song Xining's eyes widened in disbelief, "The esteemed son of the marquis household isn't marrying a wife, so in the future won't there be no mistress of the house to take care of things Even for social gatherings, there won't be a mistress to attend! What is he thinking"

Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "Let him think what he wants The better for him this way, so he doesn't harm innocent girls."

Song Xining tsked twice: “Then he’d better stick to his current idea. He shouldn't change his mind later, or he'll harm innocent girls.”

Meng Jinyao said: "I don't know about the future, but at present, it seems like he can hold on."

Song Xining glanced at Ayao. She had probably been living comfortably in the Changxing Houfu, without having to constantly be wary of her stepmother's schemes. Ayao now had rosy cheeks and a bit more flesh on her face; she looked energetic and vibrant. It was true that one's environment shapes them. Song Xining reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek, giggling, “You look great! Since the last time we met, you've gained weight this time. It seems Houye has been treating you well.”

Hearing this, Meng Jin yao's face paled, and she instinctively reached out to touch her face: "Have I gained weight"

Song Xin said softly, "I haven't gotten fat, I just gained a little weight. You were too thin before, frail and easily blown away. Now that you've gained some weight, it's just right. You look much healthier."

Meng Jinyu was slightly taken aback. She looked in the mirror every day and felt that she was about the same each day; she hadn't noticed any changes in herself.

Song Xining pondered for a moment, hesitatingly said: "Ayao, I have something to say, I don't know if it's appropriate to say it..."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao glared playfully at her and smiled, "What can't we say to each other An Ning, just speak freely."

Song Xining spoke sincerely: "Ayao, although you're living well now, I suggest you plan for the future. I think you should have a child. A person like Gu Xiuming, if you don't have a child of your own, life will be difficult in your old age. After all, Gu Houye is thirteen years older than you. If he leaves before you, no one will protect you."

Meng Jiny Yao listened, and was startled again. Her heart warmed. Besides her two maidservants by her side, only An Ning would consider these things for her. She replied softly: "I have thought about this matter. In a year or two, I will mention it to Gu Jingxi, and then adopt a child from the clan. If that doesn't work, we can also adopt a child with good affinity from the nursery."

Song Xining nodded. "As long as you have a set procedure, it's fine. Raised from childhood, even if they aren't your own, they are almost like your own. Speaking of which, she curved the corner of her mouth into a smile. "If you raise a boy, and I give birth to a girl in the future, we could arrange a marriage pact between them. With you as my mother-in-law, my daughter definitely won't be wronged."

"Not a chance!"

Meng Jin Yao immediately refused without hesitation.

Song Xining didn't expect her to refuse again. She was stunned for a moment, then asked with a mix of anger and laughter, "You little rascal, are you rejecting my daughter Shen Ge is handsome, and I'm not bad either. My future daughter will definitely be beautiful too. What are you rejecting"

Seeing her angry, Meng Jin Yao let out a giggle. Before she could continue arguing, she quickly explained, "It's not that I dislike it, it's just that I think it's not good. Look at me, I was engaged at such a young age and ended up like this. Marriage should wait until the children are grown up and their opinions are considered."

Song Xining fell silent: “ ... Well, that makes sense, too.”gination, but Gu Jingxi felt that his colleagues' gazes would often flicker towards him. Those meaningful eyes and the teasing smiles made him feel a strange sense of unease.Gu Jingxi was very puzzled...