r Madam saw the eldest daughter-in-law with reddened eyes and a dejected expression, Elder Mrs. Gu also froze. She seemed to have never seen her eldest daughter-in-law show such an expression; she cou...In the hot afternoon of summer, when the sun is at its strongest, it bakes the earth.

Meng Jinyao was bored staying in the house. She poured a cup of tea outside, but saw that it evaporated in a short while. In this sweltering weather, if you set up an iron pot in the sunlight, without even lighting a fire, you could probably fry an egg.

She suddenly had a whim and wanted to have the maid bring an iron pot over to test it out. She mentioned this to Qingqiu.

Qing Qiu advised, "Madam, this will definitely cook the eggs. I think it's unnecessary to experiment. As the mistress of the Marquis's Mansion, it would be unbecoming to go through such trouble.

Meng Jinyáo found reason in his words and dispelled her thoughts. After a moment of silence, she suddenly said, “My father’s birthday seems to be coming soon.”

Qing Qiu remembered this matter. She was still hesitating whether or not to tell Madam, but now that Madam had mentioned it, she asked: “Uncle’s birthday is in three days. Are you going to celebrate Uncle’s birthday”

Meng Jin Yao raised a knowing smile. "It's my father's birthday, and as his daughter, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to celebrate, even though I'm not living with them. Although things haven't always been good between me and my family, we haven't completely severed ties. Not going would just invite gossip."

Qing Qiu saw her smile with malicious intent and asked, “Madam, aren’t you just giving Master a birthday present”

Meng Jiny Yao's smile didn't diminish: "Besides celebrating his birthday, I also want to see my good stepmother. Isn't she supposed to have seen a ghost I wonder how she's doing now."

Upon hearing this, Qingqiu understood her intentions. She wanted to see how the Sun family would be tormented.

Meng Jinyo spoke softly, "Qingqiu, go pick out a birthday present for him."

Qing Qiu asked, "Madam, what kind of birthday gift do you want"

Meng Jin Yao waved her hand dismissively: "It doesn't matter, you don't have to choose carefully, just something decent."

Such a father, she doesn't deserve to put her heart into preparing a birthday gift for him. Just sending something that looks decent is just giving face.

This is the English translation of the content within the tags.

The next day.

During the autumn, Qing Qiu did not disappoint her master. She went to a clothing shop and bought a set of clothes suitable for a middle-aged man.

This is a set of teal clothes embroidered with auspicious clouds. The fabric is Shu brocade, which doesn't look cheap. However, in the eyes of officials and nobles, it's just an ordinary outfit.

Meng Jinyao saw the clothes she handed over and was instantly dumbfounded. She didn't understand why she gave herself a set of men's clothing, which seemed a bit old-fashioned and wouldn't even fit Gu Jingxi. She asked in bewilderment, "Qingqiu, what does this mean"

Qīngqiū smiled and said, "Madam, in two days it will be Lord's birthday. You have always been filial, sending a birthday gift made by yourself, like clothes. I think Lord would be very happy."

Meng Jin Yao, upon hearing this, instantly understood and smiled, nodding in agreement: "Yes, father's birthday. As a daughter, making him clothes by myself is not an issue at all. However, is the size correct"

Qīng Qiū replied, "Don't worry about this, I asked Jiāo māmā, and Jiāo māmā knows. She follows Sun shi around, and the master's clothes are all prepared by her. Jiāo māmā definitely knows his measurements."

"That's good, this birthday gift is not bad. Qingqiu, you did a great job with this matter." Meng Jinyao's smile deepened. Looking at the clothes, she was more and more satisfied. "Hmm, not bad, my embroidery work is pretty good, and these clothes are well-made."

Qing Qiu smiled and replied, "Madam has finished making them after a few days of hard work. Her filial piety is evident."

That is

Meng Jin Yao nodded repeatedly, showing no sign of guilt. She thought sending gold and jade ornaments or ancient paintings as a birthday gift was too extravagant for her father, who was a scoundrel. A set of clothes would be perfect, embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns. The clouds symbolize good fortune, making it an impeccable birthday gift for elders.

At this time, Gu Jingxi returned with his belongings scattered.

Qing Qiu heard the footsteps behind her, turned around and saw Gu Jingxi. She hurriedly bowed: "My lord, are you well"

Gu Jingxi nodded, seeing the young girl holding a set of clothes. Without looking closely, he could tell it was menswear. This outfit looked new. In his memory, he didn't have such a set of clothes. The suit of menswear in the little girl's hands, he estimated, was for him

Thinking about this, Gu Jingxi was slightly stunned. It was the first time his wife had personally prepared clothes for him. Looking at the set of clothes, a subtle feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

He took a few steps forward, taking the clothes from the little girl's hands and looking them over. Looking at the color and style, he was taken aback again. This aesthetic didn't quite match the little girl, though it was a bit old-fashioned, it was still a gesture of kindness from the little girl, and he didn't disdain it.

Meng Jinyao smiled and asked, "Husband, how do you think this outfit looks on me"

Gu Jingxi looked at her, only to see the little girl smiling brightly. Her bright almond eyes were sparkling, and she stared at him expectantly, her gaze so bright it was startling, like a child seeking praise from an elder. He cleared his throat and politely reminded her, "Very good, but this dress makes you look too mature."

Although he is almost twenty, he has never worn such old-fashioned clothes. In his view, this kind of clothing should be worn by people in their forties. Even those in their thirties would find it too mature. If someone looked older than their years, then there would be no sense of incongruity.

Meng Jinyao shook her head dismissively: "At our age, we should dress like this. If we dress like young lads, it's just trying too hard to look youthful."

How old are you

Upon hearing these four words, Gu Jingxi was struck like lightning. His usual composure and serenity cracked, replaced by a hint of disbelief as he questioned himself: could it be that he was truly old

Looking at the young girl's tender and slightly childishly pretty face, he suddenly felt downcast. Compared to a girl of ten or so years old, he was indeed old. Everyone who knew about them said they were an old husband and a young wife.

Even though he was almost thirty, he shouldn't dress like someone in their forties or fifties. After all, Qi Yunwen, who was a year older than him, didn't dress like that.

It was a young girl's gesture of kindness, and he didn't want to disappoint her. But there were still some things he needed to say: "Madam, actually wearing something younger would make you look younger too, don't you think"

Meng Jinyao listened thoughtfully, feeling that his words made sense. She nodded lightly in agreement and added, "A person about to turn thirty-five wearing it does seem a bit old. However, rounding up, let's just say he's forty years old. It would still work."

Gu Jingxi was stunned: "Thirty-five years old"

Meng Jinyo nodded with a smile and said, "That's right. My father, your future father-in-law, will be thirty-five years old in two days. I don't get along well with him, so just send him an ordinary gift to get by. No need to put too much thought into it." She glanced at Gu Jingxi and joked, "Why are you so much older than me My father is only a few years older than you."

Gu Jingxi's face stiffened: "This set of clothes is a birthday gift for my father-in-law"

What then

Meng Jin Yao looked at Gu Jing Xi with a strange gaze. Seeing the man's unusual expression, she thought of a possibility in the next instant and hesitantly asked: "Husband, you wouldn't think this set of clothes is for you, would you"

Gu Jingxi: "..." to come and take a look at you, so we can adjust your health properly. Once you're adjusted, this won't happen again."Meng Jinyáo's heart immediately rejected the idea. She was afraid of seeing a doc...