SGEIRS -Chapter 103 Such a Fool

Meanwhile, in the Shou’an Hall.

Gu Jingxi’s expression was calm, as if the matter with the younger generation hadn’t affected his mood at all. He lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said in a gentle voice, “Mother, the tea here is quite good—leaves a lingering fragrance and a mellow aftertaste.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Gu felt a surge of anger in her chest. She glared at him and scolded, “After such an incident, you still have the heart to drink tea?”

Gu Jingxi smiled lightly. “I couldn’t possibly waste your fine tea, Mother.”

Seeing his completely unconcerned demeanor, Old Madam Gu couldn’t quite gauge what he was thinking. She sighed softly, feeling a pang of worry. “Yaoling, Xiuming has been increasingly reckless lately. He never used to behave this way.”

Gu Jingxi paused mid-sip, silent for a moment, then spoke quietly, “Perhaps that is his true nature: showing his best side in times of ease, but revealing his flaws when challenged. Or maybe he’s had it too easy all these years—being my only son and the heir to the title has made him unrestrained.”

Old Madam Gu felt a deep sorrow. This was the grandson she had chosen herself, the one she had cherished for years, her most satisfying grandson—and now he was so undisciplined, seemingly unfit for any great responsibility.

Mother and son exchanged a long, silent look. Old Madam Gu sighed again. “Yaoling, official duties never end. Take some time to properly teach him, and help him correct his nature.”

“If he could take instruction, would he keep making mistakes over and over?” Gu Jingxi lowered his gaze to the pale green tea, gently swirling the cup so that ripples formed on the surface. His gaze grew deep, and he smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly.

Old Madam Gu was stunned and hesitated before asking, “Yaoling… are you simply letting him be?” She shook her head in disapproval. “If a son is not taught, it is the father’s fault. How can a father raise a child without guidance?”

Gu Jingxi shook his head, a touch of guilt in his expression. “Mother, your son is powerless. Over these years, in both virtue and learning, I’ve done my utmost to teach him, but one cannot carve a rotten log, nor patch a wall of filth.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu fell silent again. Her right hand idly moved the prayer beads, and countless thoughts raced through her mind.

In her heart, she didn’t want to give up on this grandson she had loved for so long. And how could the heir of the Marquis residence be someone who didn’t know proper restraint? With Xiuming behaving like this, if she didn’t keep him in check after she was gone, and he messed up, the title itself might be at risk.

She looked at her son and advised, “Xiuming is only sixteen this year. He’s still young—his temper can still be corrected.”

Gu Jingxi said nothing, merely tracing the outside of his teacup with his fingers, his expression unreadable.

Seeing his stubborn demeanor, Old Madam Gu grew anxious and struck hard: “If you do nothing, and the Marquis residence later falls into his hands, what if he ruins it? The centuries-long foundation of our ancestors would be lost. How would you face them?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “If Mother is concerned about this, then the matter is simple.”

Old Madam Gu looked confused.

He smiled faintly. “If Xiuming, as heir, would ruin our ancestral foundation, then the solution is to change the heir.”

These words struck Old Madam Gu like a bolt. Shocked, she stared at her son, an image flashing through her mind. She lowered her voice hesitantly. “Yaoling… are you favoring Xiuwen?”

Gu Jingxi’s expression momentarily faltered, then he smiled. “Mother, the capable one should take the position. It doesn’t have to be Xiuwen.”

Old Madam Gu’s disappointment remained, yet she still pleaded for her once-beloved grandson. “Xiuming is clearly unfit for the position. Give him one more chance, and if he doesn’t cherish it, choose someone truly capable as heir.”

Gu Jingxi nodded. “Don’t worry, Mother. I will handle it properly.”

“Enough, enough, I won’t bother with this anymore,” Old Madam Gu sighed, unwilling to continue such a frustrating topic. “Since you’re here, come walk with me. It’s been a long time since we’ve taken a stroll together, just the two of us.”

“Very well.”

Gu Jingxi set down his cup, took a few steps forward, and reached out to support her.

Old Madam Gu mockingly glared at him. “I know your heart is filial, but I’m not so old and feeble that I need someone to help me walk.”

Gu Jingxi smiled apologetically. “Mother is right.”

Earlier that morning, the fight between Gu Xiuming and the others was known throughout the residence.

But Old Madam Gu had issued an order to keep it quiet, so none of the servants dared spread the news. No one knew what had caused the fight.

The second branch of the family didn’t know either. Gu Jingsong wasn’t interested in children’s quarrels, and Gu Xiuhong was not one to gossip—he didn’t even think to send someone to inquire. He remained in the study, focused entirely on the classics.

However, the second madam, Madam Chen, was curious. That afternoon, she went to Weirui Hall to casually chat with Meng Jinyao and also try to gather information.

After exchanging pleasantries, she brought up the matter. “Third sister-in-law, I heard that this morning Xiuming, Xiuwen, and Second Master Meng got into a fight?”

Meng Jinyao had already anticipated this and nodded honestly. “Yes, that’s true.”

Madam Chen pressed further. “Why did the children suddenly fight so violently?”

Meng Jinyao sighed. “You know Xiuming’s temper. Lately, he’s been reckless. This morning, he falsely accused someone. Xiuwen and my second brother couldn’t stand it and confronted him. Xiuming, embarrassed and angry, struck Xiuwen, and it escalated into all three fighting each other.”

Madam Chen was intrigued. She sighed along with Meng Jinyao. “Xiuming is impulsive. How could he strike his own brothers? I heard Xiuwen was beaten badly—so pitiful.” She paused, then asked, “But who did Xiuming accuse? To anger both Xiuwen and Second Master Meng?”

Meng Jinyao glanced at her lightly, indulging her curiosity. “My second brother earned his place at Lingshan Academy on his own merit. Xiuming, seeing that Xiuwen was admitted thanks to my husband’s connections, assumed my second brother also relied on connections—and he slandered me in the process. That’s why the dispute escalated into a fight.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Chen immediately understood.

So that was it. She had previously suspected that the younger uncle might want to adopt Xiuwen into the third branch to replace Xiuming as heir.

Now, with Xiuming repeatedly disappointing both his younger uncle and grandmother, it was possible that Xiuwen might actually be adopted as heir, leaving Xiuming with only the title of eldest son of the third branch.

What a fool!

After fleeing an arranged marriage and being punished so severely, he should have kept a low profile. Instead, he kept making reckless mistakes, as if afraid the position of heir wouldn’t change hands quickly enough.

Look at how clever Xiuwen is.

When his elder brother slandered the third madam and the two siblings, Xiuwen immediately stood up, confronted him, and though he was injured, he left a good impression on the elders and paved a bright path for his own future. No wonder Madam Zhang’s tail was practically wagging when she saw him earlier.

After a moment, Madam Chen said meaningfully, “Third sister-in-law, it seems Xiuwen is quite filial.”

Meng Jinyao understood the implication and didn’t bother explaining, simply nodding with a smile. “Indeed, he is filial.” She then picked up the small teapot and refilled Madam Chen’s cup.