SGEIRS -Chapter 267 Reminding Xiuming

Madam Kong opened the door and saw Gu Xiuming standing outside. She immediately cast a wary glance behind him. Seeing that no one else was there, she finally nodded slightly and said gently, “Xiuming, you’re here. Come in quickly.”

After Gu Xiuming entered, Madam Kong promptly closed the private room door.

Gu Jingze also smiled and greeted him. “Xiuming, come sit and talk.”

Gu Xiuming bowed respectfully. “Xiuming greets Uncle and Aunt.”

As soon as he said this, the smiles on Madam Kong’s and Gu Jingze’s faces stiffened, their expressions changing slightly. Clearly, he was their biological son, yet now he had to address them as uncle and aunt, unable even to call them father and mother.

Madam Kong felt disappointed and was dissatisfied with the form of address. She scolded him lightly, “Xiuming, this isn’t the Gu residence. Why are you still calling us that?”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming immediately corrected himself. “Father. Mother.”

Only then did Madam Kong and Gu Jingze feel satisfied and respond with smiles.

Gu Xiuming sat down. Despite not seeing his biological parents often, he still had feelings for them. In a gentle voice, he asked, “Father, Mother, why did you ask me to come out today?”

Madam Kong temporarily set aside the main matter and first inquired about his situation. “Xiuming, how are you doing at the Marquis’s residence? How do they treat you? I heard that after you ran away from the marriage, you were punished several times.”

Gu Xiuming’s face darkened, and he said gloomily, “Mother, I’m afraid my position as heir is no longer secure. Gu Jingxi wants to ruin me and cultivate Fourth Brother instead. He probably plans to adopt Fourth Brother over.”

Hearing this, the couple were both shocked and stared at him in disbelief.

“How is that possible?” they said in unison.

Clenching his teeth, Gu Xiuming said resentfully, “Wasn’t my failure in the provincial exam all thanks to Gu Jingxi? He never truly put effort into teaching me. Now that I’ve failed, his attitude toward me has grown much colder.”

Gu Jingze was stunned and asked in confusion, “Didn’t he treat you quite well before? You’re his only son. If you passed, it would bring him honor too. Why would he treat you like this?”

Gu Xiuming lowered his eyes slightly, a dark glint flashing within. “He used to treat me fairly well. But after Meng Jinyao married him, he changed. That wretched woman didn’t waste her fox-like looks—she bewitched him completely. Just a few words in his ear, and he grew more and more dissatisfied with me.”

Madam Kong exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t he physically… incapable?”

“You women don’t understand anything,” Gu Jingze said, glancing at her with a frown.

As a man, he understood clearly. If a man wanted to indulge himself, there were many ways—it didn’t necessarily require physical ability. Otherwise, how could palace eunuchs, who lacked roots, still form “paired relationships” with maids? Being influenced by pillow talk meant that Meng Jinyao was able to satisfy Gu Jingxi. She looked gentle and harmless, yet turned out to be quite skilled.

A sense of crisis rose in Madam Kong’s heart. Their family still relied on their son to inherit the title in the future and help support the eldest branch. If he could not inherit, wouldn’t their son have been given away for nothing?

She said gravely, “Xiuming, once you were adopted by him, you became the heir and future marquis. It’s been so many years. We cannot let the second son of the main branch cut in now. What are your plans?”

Gu Xiuming answered honestly, “Grandmother values affection. We’ve been close for many years, so she still has feelings for me. At her age, she especially loves children. I plan to have a great-grandson for her with Wan’er and win her over. Then, even if Gu Jingxi wants to replace me, he’ll have to get past her first.”

Gu Jingze nodded approvingly. “That’s a good plan.”

Madam Kong, however, was confused. “Wan’er? Which Wan’er?” Before he could answer, she remembered. “You mean that low-status concubine of yours?”

Gu Xiuming said unhappily, “Mother, how can you talk about Wan’er like that?”

Madam Kong did not want to alienate her son. Since he liked Concubine Li, she avoided mentioning her directly. But she could not let him continue making mistakes.

She said earnestly, “Xiuming, even if Concubine Li bears you a child, it will only be a concubine-born son. The difference between legitimate and illegitimate children is vast. You said yourself that your foster father has grown cold because of Meng Jinyao, and even your heirship is shaky. At this time, you should marry a well-matched wife to support you and stabilize your position. In the future, when you inherit the title, social relations and household management all require a proper wife.”

Gu Xiuming wavered for a moment. But thinking of gentle and delicate Wan’er, he shook his head. “No. If I take a legal wife, won’t Wan’er suffer?”

Gu Jingze hadn’t expected his son to be so sentimental. Frustrated, he scolded him, “Young men in love think that so-called love is more important than anything. When you reach my age, you’ll know nothing matters more than power and status. In your heart, is your heirship really less important than a concubine?”

Gu Xiuming froze.

He loved Wan’er and had even fled marriage for her. But giving up the heirship for her—he could not do that.

Seeing his hesitation, Madam Kong continued, “Xiuming, you can keep liking Concubine Li. It doesn’t stop you from marrying. If you’re afraid she’ll be mistreated, then marry a gentle and tolerant wife. After you have children with your main wife, you can also let Concubine Li have children to rely on. But before the legal wife enters, you must not have an eldest illegitimate son or daughter. You already damaged your reputation by taking a concubine before marriage. If you also have illegitimate eldest children, good families will be even less willing to marry their daughters to you.”

Gu Xiuming hesitated. “But…”

Gu Jingze cut him off sternly. “But what? Your mother and I had you adopted out so you could have a better future. Now you’re ruining it for a woman. Even if you don’t regret it now, you will later.”

Gu Xiuming fell silent.

Madam Kong softened her tone. “Xiuming, we are your biological parents. Would we harm you? The best course now is to marry a well-matched young lady. I’m certain that if you bring home a proper noblewoman as your main wife, the old madam will be pleased. Then study hard and pass the exam in three years, bringing honor to the family. She will like you even more, and even your foster father will probably value you again.”

Gu Xiuming remained silent, his head slightly lowered, clearly thinking it over.

Seeing him still hesitating, Gu Jingze wanted to continue, but Madam Kong tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to stop, lest he provoke his son’s rebelliousness.

After a long while, Gu Xiuming raised his head and looked at them, his gaze firm.

“Sons knows what to do now.”

Madam Kong let out a sigh of relief and smiled with satisfaction. “Xiuming, parents only wish the best for their children. Your father and I would never harm you.”

Gu Xiuming nodded. “I understand.”