SGEIRS -Chapter 167 Not as Good as Xiuhong

At Shou’an Hall.

The younger generation had come to pay their respects to Old Madam Gu.

Seeing that Gu Xiuming—who had once fallen out of favor with Old Madam Gu—was now once again loved and favored by her, everyone present had different thoughts.

The most disappointed among them was Madam Zhang.

She had originally thought that her brother-in-law helping her younger son get into Lingshan Academy meant he valued her child. Because she had been disappointed in Gu Xiuming’s willful and reckless behavior, she had even considered having her younger son adopted into the Third Branch.

Who would have thought that after such a short time, Gu Xiuming would suddenly repent, become diligent and studious, and regain Old Madam Gu’s favor? Now, he enjoyed a harmonious father-son relationship with his father again. It seemed her son had no chance of being adopted into the Third Branch and becoming the heir.

For Madam Chen, this was actually good news.

As long as Madam Zhang’s son had no hope, and no chance to show off in front of her, she would be happy. In any case, whoever became the heir had nothing to do with the Second Branch. It would never be her son, Xiuhong.

Madam Chen’s calm gaze fell on Madam Zhang. Catching the unwillingness in her eyes, she curled her lips slightly. Then she turned to Meng Jinyao and saw that she was wearing a proper, composed smile, revealing no unusual emotions.

Madam Chen became somewhat curious.

With Gu Xiuming now wiser, could he really compete with Meng Jinyao?

Old Madam Gu suddenly asked her three grandsons: “Have you three thought about trying the Autumn Examination this year?”

All three held the rank of xiucai and were qualified to take the exam. However, they were still young: Xiuyuan was eighteen, Xiuhong seventeen, and Xiuming sixteen.

Old Madam Gu did not have high expectations. Taking part would be good experience. If any of them passed and became a juren, it would be an unexpected delight and bring honor to the family.

Gu Xiuhong answered first: “Grandmother, this grandson plans to give it a try.”

Seeing that his second brother would participate, Gu Xiuyuan, as the eldest, could not back down. Moreover, he was already eighteen and about to become a father. If he missed this chance, the next one would be three years later, when he would be twenty-one.

So he quickly said: “Grandmother, I plan to try as well. I don’t have much confidence, but I’d like to gain some experience.”

Gu Xiuming was the youngest. Even if he didn’t participate, no one would blame him. But seeing both brothers stepping forward, he was stunned for a moment. After Gu Xiuyuan finished speaking, he followed unwilling to fall behind: “Grandmother, I also plan to try, just to gain experience.”

Old Madam Gu was a little surprised that all three would participate. She said gently: “Since you all have this intention, then go and try. You are still young and will have many chances in the future. Don’t put too much pressure on yourselves. Treat it calmly, as if it were just another test at the academy.”

The three brothers replied in unison: “Yes, Grandmother.”

Since all three would take part in this year’s Autumn Examination, their mothers had different thoughts.

Madam Zhang felt enormous pressure—more than Gu Xiuyuan himself. She and Madam Chen were at odds. If Madam Chen’s son made the list while hers failed, wouldn’t she be ridiculed?

Madam Chen, however, didn’t think too much. She only hoped that if her son passed, he would be willing to marry. Then she could find him a good bride, have him wed next year, hold a chubby grandson the year after, and enjoy her days doting on her grandchildren.

Meng Jinyao was simply curious about the outcome.

Gu Jingxi was highly learned. Gu Xiuming had always been praised for his talent, and recently he had been especially diligent, often seeking guidance from Gu Jingxi. With such instruction, she wondered whether he could make the list.

After leaving Shou’an Hall, Madam Zhang—who was usually indulgent and lenient—unexpectedly put on a strict-mother attitude and urged her son to study hard.

But even without her urging, Gu Xiuyuan had already made up his mind. He had to work hard before the exam. If his two younger brothers passed while he failed, where would he put his face as the eldest?

After perfunctorily responding to his mother, he returned to his study to work diligently.

Gu Xiuming also hurried back to Qingyu Pavilion to read. If he passed this time, his father and grandmother would value him even more, and his position as heir would be secure.

Gu Xiuhong watched their retreating figures thoughtfully, then returned to his own courtyard.

As the members of the Third Branch went their separate ways, Meng Jinyao glanced faintly in the direction Gu Xiuming had left, lost in thought.

Gu Jingxi walked beside her. Seeing her frowning in contemplation, he asked softly: “What is my wife thinking about?”

She relaxed her brows and smiled.

“I’m thinking about which of the three brothers will pass, and who has the best chance.”

He asked, “Then who do you think has the greatest chance?”

She stopped, turned to look at him, and smiled slyly.

“Husband, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Naturally, the truth.”

“I think Second Sister-in-law’s Xiuhong has the best chance,” she replied without hesitation.

Gu Jingxi looked at her in surprise. “Why do you think so?”

She said slowly, “I don’t know Xiuhong very well, but Second Sister-in-law says he often forgets to eat and sleep while studying. Someone so diligent is sure to pass.”

As for Gu Xiuming, with Gu Jingxi’s guidance, he would probably do well too.

But she disliked Gu Xiuming and was biased against him, so her inner scale naturally tilted toward Xiuhong.

Of course, she didn’t say that aloud.

Gu Jingxi merely gave a soft “Mm.”

She glanced at him curiously. “What about you? Who do you think has the best chance?”

He replied calmly, “I also think Xiuhong has the greatest chance. Among the four brothers, his studies are the best. He has always worked hard. He has good hope this time.”

Meng Jinyao was surprised. She hadn’t expected him to rate Gu Xiuhong so highly. She grew curious about Gu Xiuming’s standing in his eyes.

“What about our ‘precious eldest son’?” she asked playfully.

Gu Jingxi replied, “Not as good as Xiuhong.”

She was stunned. She thought he said this because he was disappointed by Gu Xiuming’s past misconduct. After all, he had once held high hopes for him, and she had often heard that Gu Xiuming was very talented.

So she asked again, “What about before?” Then she added, “I mean, before he ran away from the marriage.”

Gu Jingxi paused slightly, understanding her meaning, and still said: “Not as good as Xiuhong.”

She was even more shocked.

“But people always say the heir of Marquis Changxing is very learned. We rarely hear such praise for the others. Isn’t Gu Xiuming the best?”

Gu Jingxi looked at her with an unreadable expression and replied flatly: “That’s because his father is me.”