SGEIRS -Chapter 184 Willing to Indulge Her

Gu Jingxi was momentarily speechless.

Actually… she didn’t have to put it so bluntly.

He asked gently, “Did Xiuming upset you again?”

Meng Jinyao answered honestly, “Not really. He’s just too good at acting. He’s been putting on an act for so long and isn’t even tired. I have to act along with him too.”

Gu Jingxi thought she was fed up and didn’t want to see Xiuming anymore. Being considerate, he said, “Then I’ll tell him not to come and pay his respects to you anymore. That way, you’ll have some peace and quiet.”

Unexpectedly, Meng Jinyao refused at once. She hurriedly shook her head and lowered her voice.

“No, don’t. As they say, know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never lose. I have to keep an eye on him to know if he’s going to change. What if I let my guard down and he stabs me in the back? Don’t be fooled by how respectful he looks now. I don’t believe he truly treats me like an elder.”

After speaking, she secretly glanced at Gu Jingxi.

When she met his overly calm gaze, she felt a little uneasy. In the past, she wouldn’t have dared say such blunt things to him, afraid he might think she was trying to sow discord between father and son.

Now she dared to say it only because Gu Jingxi had already seen through Gu Xiuming’s intentions and had just spoken to her so earnestly.

If she was timid, she admitted it.

Ever since her grandfather passed away, she had known she was different from other girls. She had no parents to dote on her, and no confidence to act recklessly.

Even after marrying into a good family, if she caused trouble, her natal family would immediately cut ties with her. Her second younger brother, Chengzhang, treated her very well, but he was still young and couldn’t support her.

Her current peaceful life had not come easily. She didn’t want to ruin it and end up living poorly in her husband’s family. So she was far more cautious than others, careful with every step she took.

Gu Jingxi had been in officialdom for many years and was now the Minister of Justice. Often, he could see something amiss with just one look. How could he not understand what the young woman was worried about?

He let out a barely audible sigh.

About this girl—bold most of the time, yet timid at certain moments—he had already figured it out. It was because she lacked a sense of security. In the end, it all stemmed from her upbringing, so she became extra cautious when it came to important matters.

In fact, he had seen her when she was very young.

Back then, Old Marquis Yongchang was still alive and had brought her to the marquis’s residence. She had been a lively, adorable child—bright, fearless, and full of spirit.

After the old marquis’s death, the Meng family had raised her into this state.

Although he saw the root of the problem, Gu Jingxi didn’t point it out. There was no use doing so. He could only guide her slowly, letting her truly feel at ease. When she felt secure, she would naturally get better.

So he said gently, “For now, he doesn’t dare play any tricks. Madam, don’t worry.”

Meng Jinyao pursed her lips noncommittally. Then she leaned closer and asked softly, choosing her words carefully, “Husband, if you had your own child in the future, would you make him the heir?”

Gu Jingxi replied without hesitation, “Not necessarily.”

She was startled. “Why?”

He said slowly, “The capable should take the position. If an incompetent person inherits the title, the family’s foundation will collapse sooner or later. If he’s useless and immoral, even if he’s my own son, I won’t let him inherit.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao was shaken.

She looked at him in disbelief. Seeing that he wasn’t joking, she thought of Gu Xiuming.

If even a biological son who was incompetent and immoral wouldn’t be allowed to inherit, then what about Gu Xiuming, who wasn’t even his own and was also incompetent and immoral?

It seemed Gu Jingxi already had the intention of removing Gu Xiuming as heir. As for why he hadn’t acted yet, there must be his own reasons.

After a while, she asked again, “What if Gu Xiuming is both virtuous and capable, and later you also have a biological son who is just as virtuous and capable? Would you then let your own son inherit?”

Gu Jingxi answered calmly, “If both the adopted and biological sons are equally virtuous and capable, the adopted one will still inherit. When I had no children and adopted him, he became the eldest son and should rightfully inherit the family estate. A biological child would be an unexpected blessing. If he’s talented, he can still have a good future. The family can support him.”

Meng Jinyao felt another storm rise in her heart.

She also thought Gu Xiuming was incredibly foolish.

If he had behaved himself, avoided bringing shame to the marquis’s household, and fulfilled his duties as heir, becoming the pride of the family, then even if Gu Jingxi later recovered and had his own children, Gu Xiuming’s position would not have been shaken.

Looking at the upright man before her, she sighed sincerely, “Men like you are really rare. Many men adopt a son only to continue the family line. But once they have a biological child, the adopted one is pushed aside so the biological son can inherit.”

Gu Jingxi smiled indifferently. “If a child is filial and sensible, adopted or not doesn’t matter. He can be better than a biological one. And biological children aren’t necessarily good either. There are too many unfilial descendants. Sometimes they’re not even as good as a neighbor’s child.”

From this, Meng Jinyao could tell how much Gu Jingxi had once valued Gu Xiuming. Unfortunately, Gu Xiuming had grown crooked.

Seeing her eyes roll slightly, with a sly glint in them, Gu Jingxi helplessly rubbed his forehead.

Just now, he thought she was timid. Now it seemed she was brewing some bold plan again. Could it be that learning about his attitude toward Xiuming had made her bolder?

He couldn’t help laughing. “Bullying the weak and fearing the strong?”

Meng Jinyao was confused. “Huh?”

He added, “Behave yourself. Don’t argue with him. If anything happens, I’ll deal with him.”

She found it baffling and rolled her eyes at him. “I never said I’d pick on him. Just because you’re worried your son will be bullied doesn’t mean you can speculate about me like that.”

Seeing her dare to give him attitude again, Gu Jingxi wasn’t angry. Instead, the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

He was willing to indulge her.

Though he felt she was still young and childish, she was his proper wife—the person who would accompany him for life.

He didn’t want her to be cautious and restrained in front of him. If the Meng family hadn’t given her confidence, then he, as her husband, would.

Slowly, over time, she would become more open, live more freely, and trust him more.

Suddenly, he felt like raising a wife was much like raising a daughter.

Seeing that he didn’t speak, Meng Jinyao thought he didn’t believe her. Feeling a little upset, she added, “I’m not trying to pick a fight with him. I’m just… taking pleasure in his misfortune.”

Gu Jingxi was stunned. “Taking pleasure in his misfortune?”

Meng Jinyao blinked. “He’s unlucky, I’m happy about it. Is that not allowed?”