SGEIRS -Chapter 197 Something Seems Off

That morning, early at dawn.

It was the fifteenth of the month. All the younger members of the family went to Shou’an Hall to pay their respects to Old Madam Gu. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Old Madam Gu looked at her eldest daughter-in-law and asked gently, “Eldest daughter-in-law, the Wu’an Marquis’s Manor previously proposed several auspicious dates. Have both families discussed and settled on a wedding date?”

Madam Zhang replied, “Mother, the Wu’an Marquis’s Manor has set the wedding after the autumn examinations—on the twenty-fifth of the eighth month. The heir will marry Xuanyi then.”

After speaking, she looked at her smiling daughter, bitterness rising in her heart. The Wu’an Marquis’s household was complicated—this was not a good marriage. Yet her daughter had plunged headfirst into it, refusing to listen to any advice.

The Lady Wu’an had suggested August twenty-fifth. Madam Zhang felt it was too rushed and wanted to delay it until next year, so she could properly guide her daughter and prevent her from suffering in such a complex household. Unexpectedly, her husband held her back and made the final decision, fixing the date directly.

Old Madam Gu nodded. She had no objections and turned to Madam Chen.

“Second daughter-in-law, what about Xuanling’s wedding date?”

Madam Chen replied warmly, “Mother, we’re planning for the sixth day of the tenth month. It hasn’t been finalized yet—we were going to discuss it with you today. What do you think?”

Old Madam Gu pondered briefly and said, “The two sisters’ weddings are more than a month apart. It won’t be too rushed. The sixth day of the tenth month will do.”

Madam Chen answered, “Yes, then I’ll inform the Liu family.”

Looking at her two granddaughters, now graceful young ladies, Old Madam Gu sighed emotionally, “Time passes so quickly. In the blink of an eye, those little girls who once barely knew how to walk are now getting married.”

At these words, Gu Xuanling lowered her head shyly, a faint smile on her lips. Clearly, she was very satisfied with the marriage her stepmother had arranged.

Seeing this, Gu Xuanyi curled her lips in disdain. A concubine-born daughter is still a concubine-born daughter—so shallow.

Liu’s father was merely a minor official at the Imperial Academy, and Master Liu hadn’t even entered officialdom yet. What future could he have? All scholars claimed to be diligent—who didn’t?

Old Madam Gu suddenly remembered her unmarried grandson and asked, “Second daughter-in-law, Xiuhong is already seventeen. Have you looked for a suitable girl for him?”

Madam Chen replied, “Mother, Xiuhong says he wants to marry only after passing the imperial examination.”

Old Madam Gu was slightly surprised, then smiled kindly. “That’s a good ambition. He must be confident about this autumn exam. Perhaps he’ll pass the metropolitan exam next spring.”

Gu Xiuhong hurriedly said, “Grandmother, I’m not that confident. I just want to gain some experience this time.”

Old Madam Gu said gently, “Don’t belittle yourself. Your teacher often praises you. Just do your best—thinking you’re incapable will only affect your performance.”

“Yes, Grandmother,” Gu Xiuhong replied.

Listening nearby, Gu Xiuming thought his grandmother would soon mention him. Unexpectedly, she changed the topic.

He felt slightly disappointed.

He knew he still hadn’t done enough. Only if he ranked in the autumn examination would the family truly value him again as before.

People said Second Brother was talented and Eldest Brother hardworking, but he didn’t think he was inferior to either of them. He was ninety percent confident this time.

When the results were posted, who was better would be clear at a glance.

After leaving Shou’an Hall.

The younger generation followed behind the elders.

Gu Xuanyi walked beside Gu Xuanling. Seeing her faint smile, she sneered, “Second Sister, you’re so happy just marrying the son of a minor official? You’re a young lady from a marquis’s household. You can actually fancy someone like that?”

Gu Xuanling was used to being mocked by this cousin. She usually endured it, but when her fiancé was belittled, she couldn’t help retorting, “Marriage has always been decided by parents and matchmakers. I trust my parents’ judgment. Young Master Liu is learned and will surely have a future. And what about you, Elder Sister? You went against Aunt’s wishes and threw yourself at him—was that really good?”

Gu Xuanyi’s face stiffened, but she snorted, “A concubine-born girl will always be shallow. The Wu’an Marquis’s heir is handsome and distinguished. What’s wrong with him? When I marry him, I’ll be the heir’s wife.”

Gu Xuanling moved her lips but said nothing more.

She had heard her parents say that Grandmother disapproved of this marriage. Even Aunt had changed her mind after being reminded. Yet Elder Sister had insisted on meeting the heir privately and had even fallen into the water and been rescued by him.

She wondered if her cousin would regret her stubbornness someday.

Just then, a voice came from behind them.

“I think both of your fiancés have their own merits. There’s no need to argue.”

Startled, the sisters turned around.

It was their Third Brother, Gu Xiuming. Behind him was their Third Aunt, walking slowly and speaking softly with her maid. She was far enough away that she probably hadn’t heard them.

Seeing them stop, Meng Jinyao quickened her steps and asked gently, “What are you three talking about?”

Gu Xuanyi immediately thought of her strict Third Uncle and the scene of Gu Xiuming being beaten during family punishment. She hurriedly shook her head.

“N-Nothing. Third Aunt, I have something to do. I’ll go first.”

Gu Xuanling followed, “Third Aunt, I also have something to do.”

Watching them leave in haste, Meng Jinyao grew curious.

“What were you talking about? Why did they run when they saw me?”

Gu Xiuming answered honestly, “Mother, they were talking about their fiancés. They both seemed dissatisfied.”

Meng Jinyao asked again, “Then who do you think is better—the Wu’an heir or Young Master Liu?”

Without hesitation, Gu Xiuming replied, “If I had to choose, I’d say the Wu’an heir is better.”

Meng Jinyao looked at him sharply. “Why?”

Gu Xiuming smiled faintly. “The Wu’an heir is handsome, from a noble family, and will inherit a title. Naturally, he’s much better than Young Master Liu.”

Meng Jinyao noticed his smile.

It didn’t reach his eyes.

There was a faint chill in his gaze, even a trace of mockery—so subtle that most wouldn’t notice. But she had learned to read people’s expressions since her maiden days.

She was startled.

Something felt wrong.

As an elder brother, he didn’t approve of the marriage, yet he praised the future brother-in-law. What did that mean?

She studied him carefully. But he had already returned to his harmless, gentle expression, revealing nothing.

In the end, she could only suppress her doubts for now.