SGEIRS -Chapter 154 Far Too Unusual

Side Hall

Gu Xiuming sat quietly in a chair, waiting.

Not long after, when Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi arrived, they saw him sitting upright—he hadn’t been seen for a whole month.

Meng Jinyao casually cast a glance at him. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but after a month apart, this wayward son seemed… different. He appeared steadier, and the foolish air that had clung to him before seemed gone.

Seeing them arrive, Gu Xiuming quickly stood and respectfully bowed to them. “Son pays respects to father and mother.”

Seeing this, Meng Jinyao gave him another measured look—he really did seem more composed.

Gu Jingxi said in a calm voice, “No need for formalities. Sit down; let’s talk.”

With that, he and Meng Jinyao took their seats on either side of the main position.

Gu Xiuming picked up the thick stack of papers he had previously left on the small tea table, stepped forward, and handed it to Gu Jingxi. “Father, these are the Classic of Filial Piety copies I transcribed during my period of reflection in Qingyuxuan. I have copied it a hundred times. Please review them.”

Gu Jingxi took the papers, his expression stiffening slightly. “I recall instructing you to copy it fifty times.”

Gu Xiuming looked apologetic, filled with regret. “Father, I felt that fifty times would not bring me peace. I wronged my second uncle and tarnished Mother’s reputation—truly unfilial. After deep reflection, I regret my past actions, so I copied it fifty more times to express my apology to both second uncle and mother.”

He then turned to Meng Jinyao and, with a thump, knelt sincerely. “Mother, I have been unfilial. I offended second uncle and repeatedly disrespected you, even sullying your reputation. These days, whenever I recall my behavior, I am overcome with shame. I feel I have failed as a son. From now on, I will change my ways, dedicate myself to filial duty, and honor you. I beg for your forgiveness, unfilial though I am.”

After speaking, Gu Xiuming kowtowed three times to Meng Jinyao. On the last kowtow, his forehead pressed to the floor, waiting for her response—if she didn’t forgive him, he would not rise.

Such heartfelt repentance and apology left Meng Jinyao utterly shocked. Just a month ago, he had been a rebellious child; now he was sincerely admitting his faults and promising to reform?

Could it be that Gu Xiuming had truly turned over a new leaf and matured?

Impossible. He had hated her so fiercely, wishing her dead. How could he suddenly change so drastically and even apologize to her, show filial respect?

Where there’s such an abnormal change, there must be something amiss!

She couldn’t blame herself for thinking too much. It was a huge transformation. If Gu Xiuming genuinely reflected and improved after being caught trying to escape marriage, punished severely, confined in the ancestral hall for reflection, and required to copy the family rules a hundred times, he should indeed have reformed by now.

Not only Meng Jinyao, but even the usually composed Gu Jingxi was slightly stunned. He looked at his son, forehead still pressed to the ground, and felt touched by this sincere repentance—it was just so sudden.

Hearing no response from the couple, Gu Xiuming kowtowed another three times, genuinely pleading, “Mother, I truly know my wrongs. Please forgive me this once; I promise there will be no next time.”

When a junior sincerely admits fault, elders must respond—otherwise, it would be an unfair denial of justice.

Thus, despite her lingering doubts, Meng Jinyao finally spoke, adopting the demeanor of a kind mother, her voice gentle and warm: “Son, the floor is cold. You needn’t kneel. Rise and speak.”

Gu Xiuming remained kneeling, unwavering. “Mother, I am guilty. If you do not forgive me, I will remain kneeling.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily taken aback, unsure of what he was playing at. She barely furrowed her brows, but whether his repentance was genuine or feigned, she would play along, keeping a gentle, loving smile. “A mother and son have no grudges that last overnight. Since you already know your fault, I forgive you. Let the past be past. Rise now.”

“Thank you, Mother, for your forgiveness. The past was my fault. I shall never repeat it and will dutifully honor Father and Mother,” Gu Xiuming said sincerely. He kowtowed three more times before finally rising.

Seeing his reddened forehead, Meng Jinyao thought inwardly: He’s really hard on himself—kowtowing so hard that his skin is marked with red streaks.

Gu Jingxi’s expression was unreadable as he studied his son deeply. After a long moment, he said, “Xiuming, since you have truly repented, we will not dwell on the past. From now on, respect your elders, be friendly with your brothers, study diligently, and strive to achieve merit for the family’s honor.”

Gu Xiuming respectfully nodded. “Yes, Father.”

Gu Jingxi continued, “Sit down first; don’t just stand there.”

Gu Xiuming returned to his seat. Then, as if recalling something, he spoke again: “Mother, I was wrong to attempt to escape marriage and disgrace you. I was foolish and wrongly blamed you. For that, I owe you an apology.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao narrowed her eyes slightly and cast him a cool glance. “The past is the past. I am your father’s wife now; we had no predestined connection. If there had been, things would not have turned out this way.”

Gu Xiuming nodded. “You are right. It was indeed my fault, bringing shame upon you and Father, and affecting my brothers’ reputations afterward. I truly was at fault. Later, I will go and apologize to my brothers.”

Gu Jingxi’s expression darkened slightly. “Since you know how foolish the past was, think carefully before acting in the future. Do not cause any more embarrassment. A joke at your expense would not only be yours; the whole house would be ridiculed.”

Gu Xiuming hurriedly said, “I will follow Father’s teachings.”

Gu Jingxi then shared some moral advice, quizzed him on his studies—he had been neglecting them recently—and urged him to work diligently.

Gu Xiuming agreed to everything, promising to return to the academy tomorrow and study earnestly to achieve early distinction.

His attitude was flawless, and whether his repentance was genuine or not, Gu Jingxi was at least satisfied for now. He added, “Your grandmother hasn’t seen you in a long time. Go pay your respects and greet her.”

Gu Xiuming immediately responded, “Father, I will go to see Grandmother shortly.”

Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “Go now.”

Gu Xiuming bowed to his elders and left.

Meng Jinyao watched his departing figure, her gaze deep and unreadable. Only when he disappeared from sight did she turn to the man beside her, puzzled. “Husband, do you think our eldest son today… took some wrong medicine or something?”