SGEIRS -Chapter 156 Grandmother’s Contentment

Gu Xiuming quickly responded, “Grandson will carefully follow Grandmother’s teachings.”

Old Madam Gu (the old matriarch) slightly nodded, then had him sit down to continue talking. The grandfather-grandson atmosphere seemed to return to the old days—they talked and laughed together, their interaction very harmonious.

At this time, Nanny Feng brought over some medicine and instructed the maid to bring a basin of clean water. She cleaned Gu Xiuming’s wound and then applied the medicine. Just by looking at the injury, one could tell how hard he had pressed his head to the ground when kowtowing—there was not an ounce of half-heartedness.

After the medicine was applied, Gu Xiuming didn’t leave Shou’an Hall; instead, he accompanied Old Madam Gu to the Buddhist hall. While she recited scriptures, he copied Buddhist texts, claiming he wanted to offer merit to her through his transcription.

By noon, Gu Xiuming still hadn’t left and remained in Shou’an Hall to have lunch with Old Madam Gu.

Since Madam Old Gu was a devout Buddhist, she often ate vegetarian meals and practiced moderation in food. Today’s lunch had not a shred of meat—only vegetarian dishes. Concerned that her grandson might not be accustomed to it, she instructed the maid, “Go have the kitchen prepare two meat dishes as well.”

Gu Xiuming hurriedly said, “Grandmother, there’s no need to trouble yourself. The vegetarian dishes are excellent, and I do not wish to eat meat. To be honest, I know I’ve done wrong, and I was planning to observe a vegetarian diet for a month, abstaining from meat to cultivate myself and refine my character.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu looked at him in surprise, but inwardly, she felt quite pleased. Doing this showed that her grandson was genuinely remorseful. Recognizing one’s mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. With such a mindset, even if the Marquisate were entrusted to him, though he might not achieve even greater heights, it wouldn’t fall apart either.

Old Madam Gu said, “Good child, it seems you’ve grown a lot during this period.”

Gu Xiuming, filled with guilt, said, “Grandmother, it was my ignorance before. I will not behave that way again. During these past days, you must have worried about me. I’ve caused you grief, and that is truly my fault. I have been unfilial.”

“My dear, I’m no longer angry with you. Let’s not speak of past matters; we’ll focus on the future,” Old Madam Gu said kindly, her smile full of affection. “Xiuming, you study well. Grandmother hopes you will continue to work hard and achieve top honors in the future.”

Gu Xiuming replied, “Grandmother, I will return to the academy tomorrow. Please rest assured, I will study diligently.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu smiled in satisfaction.

After lunch, Gu Xiuming stayed to chat a while longer. Knowing she had a habit of taking a nap, he didn’t linger too long. When the time was right, he bid farewell and returned to his own Qingyu Hall.

Watching her grandson’s tall and upright figure leave, Old Madam Gu felt deeply content. He already had the bearing of an heir. Previously, she had worried that her grandson, as the heir, was capricious and irresponsible, and that one day the Marquisate might be ruined under his hand. Now, he had become sensible, would grow gradually, and could one day uphold the entire Changxing Marquisate.

Nanny Feng also sighed, “Madam, it seems people really can change. I used to think the heir was beyond redemption, but I didn’t expect he would come to regret his actions.”

Old Madam Gu smiled and said, “People always have a time to grow up. Seeing Xiuming like this now, I feel relieved.”

Nanny Feng pondered and softly asked, “Madam, now that the heir has become sensible, should we start looking for a suitable wife for him? That concubine, Concubine Li, is not suitable to act as the official mistress. When the heir inherits the title, the Marquisate will need a proper lady of the house to attend banquets and perform social duties.”

“That won’t do.”

Old Madam Gu immediately rejected the idea. Seeing Nanny Feng’s puzzled look, she explained, “Xiuming only recently did such a thing. Even if we arranged a marriage for him now, no refined young lady would be willing to marry him. Moreover, Concubine Li currently has his favor. The two are inseparable now; forcing him to marry someone else would only be a punishment.”

Nanny Feng was stunned. “But the heir can’t go without a proper wife, can he?”

Old Madam Gu lightly sighed. “Once Xiuming’s passion for Concubine Li fades and he gradually understands the importance of a legitimate wife, he may naturally want one. If we, as elders, force him now, he will not consent willingly. That could result in both an innocent girl being wronged and a mismatched couple. Meanwhile, he would love Concubine Li all the more. The best course is to not interfere.”

Nanny Feng froze, realizing she had overlooked Concubine Li. The heir once dared to escape his wedding for her. If forced into marriage now, who knows—he might run away again. A scandal like that could tarnish the Marquisate’s reputation permanently.

Old Madam Gu had also accepted this. As long as her grandson was sensible, he would gradually understand the elders’ good intentions. She said, “Love in one’s first flush of youth is the most intense. As one grows older, it becomes much calmer. Now he spends every day with Concubine Li; over time, he will gradually notice her shortcomings and appreciate the virtues of a proper young lady. At that point, Concubine Li may no longer hold his heart.”

Nanny Feng nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Once the novelty fades, feelings may wane. Even if he still likes her, without the thrill, part of his affection may naturally go to someone else.”

Ah, men—especially those born into wealth—how many can truly love only one person for a lifetime?

Many men who married a proper wife, even if their elders didn’t arrange concubines while she was pregnant, would still be unable to resist taking a second, if he liked a concubine. They could love both the obedient concubine and the wife simultaneously.

After a while, Nanny Feng suddenly remembered something and said, “Madam, even if the heir’s passion for Concubine Li fades, the way they are now… it won’t be long before there’s news in her belly. If the eldest illegitimate son arrives before the legitimate wife enters the household, no refined young lady would be willing to marry the heir.”

Old Madam Gu’s expression darkened. If Concubine Li were made to drink an abortive potion, it would surely provoke Xiuming’s rebellious nature. He had just begun to repent. She said, “If Concubine Li can bear a child, let her. The child will still be illegitimate. If a girl of suitable status refuses, then a lower-ranked, well-mannered young lady will suffice. She doesn’t have to be from a noble family.”

After speaking, Old Madam Gu sighed with a tinge of melancholy. Without Concubine Li, there would have been far fewer complications. Yet her grandson cherished Concubine Li deeply; to her knowledge, Xiuming personally oversaw her meals, fearing she might be harmed.

As for whom he feared—likely it was A-Yao. Xiuming worried A-Yao might envy Concubine Li and try to harm her.

In this, Xiuming was worrying unnecessarily. A-Yao wouldn’t even bother with Concubine Li.