SGEIRS -Chapter 155 There’s Definitely a Trick

Gu Jingxi’s expression flickered slightly, and he asked in return, “What do you think, my lady?”

Meng Jinyao didn’t feel like putting on the act of a doting mother in front of him. She narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice calm yet layered: “I think either he ate the wrong medicine, or he’s possessed. There’s no way he’s genuinely apologizing and planning to reform.”

At her words, Gu Jingxi glanced at her calmly, offering no objection.

Curious, Meng Jinyao asked, “Husband, what do you think he’s planning to do?”

Gu Jingxi was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice: “Whatever he does is none of your concern, my lady. As long as he doesn’t cause trouble, all is well. If he does, I will make sure he’s punished.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. As long as Gu Xiuming didn’t provoke her, she could pretend he didn’t exist. In public, she didn’t mind playing the role of a loving mother to him. Then she asked again, “Husband, do you really believe he’s changed for the better?”

Gu Jingxi didn’t comment, simply saying, “We’ll see.”

Meng Jinyao pursed her lips. A father might have some faith in his son, but she didn’t. Still, she decided not to say too much, lest it seem like she was trying to drive a wedge between father and son. She picked up the copy of the Classic of Filial Piety that Gu Xiuming had transcribed and glanced at it.

She had to admit, although Gu Xiuming was not a good person, his handwriting was quite decent—flowing like clouds, with bold, confident strokes.

Gu Jingxi asked, “Why are you looking at this, my wife?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “I never noticed before, but his handwriting is actually rather good. It even seems to have a bit of your style in it.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi turned to look, replying, “When he was young, he practiced his writing using my copybook.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding. “No wonder. That’s why it has your influence.”

Gu Jingxi let out a soft “hm” and said gently, “Wife, I have something to attend to and need to go out. You don’t need to wait for me for lunch. If I haven’t returned by evening, you don’t need to wait for me then either.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “If you have business, then go ahead. Don’t delay your important matters.”

After Gu Jingxi left, Ningdong could no longer hold back her frustration and spoke bluntly: “My lady, it’s shocking that the Young Master actually apologized to you today. I think either he’s possessed or there’s some trick.”

Meng Jinyao shrugged casually. “Who cares? We’ll handle whatever comes our way.”

Seeing her so indifferent, Ningdong frowned. “My lady, you can’t be careless. They say one shouldn’t have malicious intent, but one must guard against others. Better to be cautious. What if he only appears to have changed, but is secretly plotting against you?”

“It’s necessary to be wary of him, of course. But for now, we don’t know his motives, so we’ll wait and see,” Meng Jinyao said, her expression darkening, eyes growing cold. “If he tries any dirty tricks, I won’t let him get away with it.”

Ningdong nodded, then curiously asked, “My lady, what do you think is going on with him? Last month, he wasn’t like this at all. How could he seem like a completely different person in just one month?”

Meng Jinyao fell silent in thought. After a moment, she replied, “Perhaps repeated punishments and losing the elders’ trust made him realize his mistakes. Now he wants to regain his image in their eyes. As for me, I’ll never believe he’s truly changed—unless he can pretend his whole life.”

Ningdong was stunned, then murmured softly, “I think he was better the old way.”

Meng Jinyao paused, a subtle curve forming on her lips.

Indeed, a reckless and foolish person is easier to deal with. Now that he’s more cunning, it’s harder to handle.

But people grow through hardships; their schemes deepen. Gu Xiuming was probably like this—once spoiled and carefree, now after being caught during his runaway marriage, he faced continuous setbacks that broke his arrogance, taught him patience, and forced him to wear a mask of pretense.

The only question was: how long could Gu Xiuming keep up the act?

Shou’an Hall

When Old Madam Gu learned that Gu Xiuming had arrived, she belatedly remembered that it had been a month since she last saw him, after he had been grounded for fighting with Xiuwen and Chengzhang.

She hadn’t missed him much—probably because she had grown completely disappointed in this grandson.

Seeing her unresponsive, Nanny Feng thought of the fact that Gu Xiuming was still the heir and suggested, “Old Madam, the Young Master has come. Perhaps you should see him?”

Old Madam Gu said in a calm voice, “Let him in.”

Soon, Gu Xiuming entered and performed a formal bow to her.

Old Madam Gu sized him up. After a long absence, this grandson seemed calmer, likely due to past setbacks. When she noticed the bruise on his forehead, she asked in surprise, “Xiuming, what happened to your forehead?”

“My forehead?”

Gu Xiuming touched it, wincing slightly. His brows knit as he replied, “Grandmother, it’s nothing. No need to worry. I just went to pay respects to Father and Mother and apologize to Mother. She was kind and didn’t hold it against me—she forgave me.”

Old Madam Gu was taken aback. “You went to apologize to A-Yang?”

Gu Xiuming lowered his head in shame, regretting his actions. “Over the past month, I’ve been reflecting and realized my mistakes. I disrespected the elders and slandered them. I’m truly ashamed. Now that my grounding period is over, I went to Mother to ask for forgiveness.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu was both surprised and astonished. She hadn’t expected that this incorrigible grandson could ever repent. That bruise on his forehead had to be from kowtowing to A-Yang in apology—someone who could bruise their forehead like that was clearly sincere.

Gu Xiuming looked up at her and then knelt with a thud, full of remorse. “Grandmother, I also owe you an apology. You had high hopes for me, but I acted recklessly and disappointed you. I have failed to live up to your expectations.”

He then kowtowed three times in quick succession.

Seeing this, Old Madam Gu quickly said, “Xiuming, what are you doing? Get up at once.”

Gu Xiuming obeyed and slowly stood.

Old Madam Gu noticed his forehead was bleeding. From the intensity of those three kowtows, he must be feeling dizzy now. Her heart ached. After all, he was her beloved grandson, and she couldn’t bear to see him like this. She turned to Nanny Feng: “Go fetch some medicine and apply it to the Young Master’s forehead.”

Nanny Feng immediately went to do so.

Old Madam Gu looked at her grandson, who now seemed far more composed. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became, a gentle smile spreading across her face. She spoke with feeling: “Xiuming, young people inevitably make mistakes. It’s good that you recognize yours. From now on, think carefully before acting and don’t make foolish mistakes again.”