, apparently not expecting her husband to do this. She already had injuries on her hands, and now she was being grabbed and beaten, the injured area sending a sharp pain through her. She quickly came...Though Mrs. Gu was trying her best to control her emotions, the disappointment in her heart was still hard to conceal.

All the junior attendees present saw her displeasure etched on her face, a look of disappointment revealing how much she disapproved of Gu Xiuming's actions and felt let down.

However, everyone isn't surprised by this. After all, before Gu Xiuming ran away from his wedding, Old Madam Gu doted on him the most among her four grandsons, she had the highest expectations for him. Now that Gu Xiuming is acting recklessly, it's no wonder they are disappointed.

When Zhang saw this, a secret joy blossomed in her heart. The corners of her lips curled upwards slightly. She felt even more strongly that it was good for Xiuwen to be adopted into the third branch. Gu Xiuming, that fool, probably thought since his young nephew couldn't have children, and he was the only son, the title would eventually be his. That's why he acted so recklessly and without fear.

Chen glanced at the faint smile on her lips, pursed her own, and felt a disdain welling up. The old woman hadn't even said she was going to pass Xiuwen over to the third house, yet she was already daydreaming so vividly, showing off for no reason What if it all turned out to be empty joy in the end

Finally, Meng Jin Yao broke the silence: "Mother, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you go back and rest first"

After those words were spoken, who else would dare to bring up Gu Xiumin causing trouble for the old lady again

Chen also chimed in, "Third sister-in-law is right. Let's first send Mother back to rest. We can discuss anything else tomorrow."

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu no longer dwelled on her grandson's affairs and nodded lightly: "That's good, I'm tired too."

The juniors escorted Old Madam back to Shou'an Hall. Seeing that she was preparing to take a nap and rest, they all bid farewell.

Once they left Shouxian Hall, Chen shi began chatting with Meng Jiny Yao: "Third sister-in-law, I heard that Xiu Ming let Li shi live in the main house of Qingyuxuan with him. Even though she's a concubine, she's treated like a legitimate wife. Do you know anything about this"

Qingyuxuan, that was Gushimings' courtyard. As the son of the Marquis, this place was only a little worse than Weiruixuan and Shouantang.

And the names of the courtyards were all symbolic. Qingyu symbolized a prosperous and enduring lineage. As the crown prince was the heir to the Hou Mansion, this name for his courtyard clearly showed how much hope they had for him. It also served as a reminder to the crown prince to strive for excellence and not ruin the ancestral foundation after inheriting the title.

And the Lord lived in Weiruixuan, Weiruixuan has the meaning of luxuriant branches and leaves, which is to hope that after succeeding to the title, the ancestral foundation will continue to thrive and prosper in his hands.

But the main house in the courtyard, that was only eligible for the legitimate wife to live in. Gu Xiuming let Li Wan'er live with him in the main house, which was against the rules.

Since it’s common knowledge, Meng Jinyao naturally heard about it too. But as the father, Gu Jingxi didn't care at all. What does she, a nominal mother, have to do with other people's affairs

She softly said, “Second Sister-in-law, I also know about this.”

Mrs. Chen said earnestly to her, "Third sister-in-law, you and your third brother must discipline him well. Don't let his temper run wild. Otherwise, if word gets out, who would dare to marry their daughters to Xiu Ming"

Meng Jiny Yao understood, although this was said to her, it was actually a way of telling Gu Jingxi through her, asking Gu Jingxi to take care of it. But Gu Xiumin had already made it clear that even if he couldn't marry Li Wan'er as his wife, he would take her as his concubine and wouldn't marry any other woman. Gu Jingxi was disappointed and simply didn't want to bother anymore.

But she couldn't tell Chen the truth, so she could only sigh helplessly: "Xiuming is stubborn, my husband and I can't control him, we can only follow him."

Chen heard this and was deeply upset, even feeling annoyed. Gu Xiumin's actions tarnished his reputation and disrupted the family's good standing, causing her son's name to be affected as well.

Her son is seventeen this year and is being spoken to for marriage. With Gu Xiuming like this, anyone with a daughter thinks he will be a man who spoils his concubines and treats his wife poorly. Her son is brothers with Gu Xiuming, so there's a chance he might become the same way too.

Looking at Meng Jingyao like this, she felt even more anxious and said, "Third younger sister, you are young. Xiu Ming might take advantage of your inexperience and not listen to you. But Third brother has always been authoritative in the house, his words Xiu Ming would dare not disobey"

Meng Jinyao sighed again: "My husband has been busy with official duties recently, leaving early and returning late. Before I even wake up in the morning, he's already gone out, and when he returns late at night under the stars, I'm already asleep. I don't even know when he comes back. When my husband is free, I'll remind him again."

Then Chen was satisfied and nodded lightly: "That's right, he can't act recklessly. Otherwise, which honorable young lady would dare to marry him" She paused, then turned directly to her mother-in-law, "Mother just returned today. Xiu Ming's outrageous deeds, she doesn't know yet. When she finds out, I estimate she will be furious. If she gets angry and falls ill, what shall we do"

Meng Jinyao nodded and said, "Second sister-in-law, please rest assured. Tomorrow is a holiday, and her husband should be free. I will talk to him again then."

Zhang Shi stood beside them, listening to their conversation. To be honest, Gu Xiuming's actions had somewhat affected her son's reputation. Her youngest son, Xiuwen, hadn't even been betrothed yet.

But, she also hoped more than anyone that Gu Xiuming would continue to be outrageous. As long as Gu Xiuming was thoroughly abandoned by his mother-in-law and younger brother, his younger brother would naturally report to the Emperor and abolish Gu Xiuming's title of Prince.

By then, her literary talent could greatly increase her chances of being adopted into the third branch. The children of the collateral branches are only cousins, and how can a cousin compare to a nephew With Gu Xiumin as an example, next time they would definitely choose Xiuwen as their nephew, after all, he's a child they grew up watching.

The Orchid Pavilion

Today Gu Jingxi came back early, and the couple could have dinner together. It had been several days since they last had a meal together.

Although Meng Jinyao didn't want to get involved, she had promised Chen shi, and she always kept her word. After dinner, she dismissed the maidservants and told Gu Jingxi about Gu Xiuming.

At the end, she added: "My sister-in-law's Xiuwen and my second sister-in-law's Xiuhong are not yet betrothed. Those families with daughters who see Xiuming behave like this will probably think that men from the Gu family spoil their concubines and mistreat their wives, so they won't dare to marry their daughters off."

Gu Jingxi listened, his face calm. After a moment of silence, he lightly opened his thin lips and said in a low voice, "Madam, you should take care of this matter."

Meng Jiny Yao was stunned: "You don't want to take care of your son anymore, so you just throw him to me"

"That's your son Gu Jingxi smirking, "Didn't Madam say she would educate Xiu Ming well Well, the opportunity has arrived."

Meng Jinyu gave him a withering look. Who wouldn't want such an opportunity!

Although she disliked Shuiming and wanted to discipline him, she didn't want to interfere in his romantic affairs. If she did, it would make her appear as a spiteful person seeking revenge. It would also lead people to believe that she was jealous of Li Wan'er receiving Shuiming's love.

Let's not dwell on the unpleasantries. Gu Shuming is a rare, devoted man. He would do anything for his beloved girl. If Gu Shuming hadn't eloped but had explained himself and called off the engagement, she would have admired this deep affection and agreed to the annulment, finding another suitable match. But Gu Shuming had to go and act so disgustingly towards her.

Gu Jingxi smiled and asked, "You're turning down the opportunity to be served on a platter"

Meng Jinyáo glanced at him, her voice soft and lingering as she asked, “Wouldn’t your husband want to avoid being gossiped about”

Gu Jingxi asked with interest, "What kind of idle talk"

Meng Jin Yao, in a tone of exaggerated regret, said: "Chang Xing Hou finally married a wife, but this woman, although she married him, still has her heart set on his son."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi's face stiffened. He said in a low voice, "My wife, you don't need to worry about this matter. I will educate him myself tomorrow."Yao smiled and replied, "Okay.The quiet Princess immediately wouldn't agree, pouted her lips, and grumbled unhappily: "You two are becoming in-laws, what about me Are you excluding me"Song Xining smil...