SGEIRS -Chapter 268 When a Man’s Heart Changes

Changxing Marquis’s Residence.

When Gu Xiuming returned, it was already evening. As soon as he arrived at Qingyu Pavilion, he saw Li Wan’er standing under the eaves, craning her neck in anticipation. The moment she spotted him, her eyes lit up. Smiling brightly, she walked toward him with graceful steps.

Suddenly, he felt a little guilty.

Wan’er’s whole heart and mind were filled with him. He had once thought about spending his entire life with her, being devoted to her alone. Even though Wan’er was only a concubine, he had planned never to take a wife.

But reality had struck him hard.

His father and mother were right. He truly needed a well-matched wife who could support him, stabilize his position as heir, and bear him a legitimate son to please his grandmother. A concubine’s son, like the one Wan’er would bear, simply could not compare in his grandmother’s heart to a legitimate heir.

Li Wan’er affectionately held his arm and said gently, “Brother Xiuming, you must be hungry. I’ll have them set the table right away. Tonight there’s your favorite steamed perch.”

Gu Xiuming was still thinking about marriage and didn’t hear her.

Li Wan’er called again, “Brother Xiuming?”

Only then did he come back to his senses. “Wan’er, what is it?”

Seeing how absent-minded he was, Li Wan’er asked in confusion, “What are you thinking about? You were so lost in thought that you didn’t even hear me.”

He shook his head. “Nothing. I’m hungry. Have them serve the meal.”

Since he didn’t want to talk, Li Wan’er didn’t press him further. Afraid of upsetting him, she nodded and went to instruct the maids.

Watching her slender, graceful figure, Gu Xiuming felt even more guilty, mixed with a trace of unease.

Still, he knew what mattered most.

If he lost his status as heir and couldn’t inherit the title, Wan’er would have to suffer along with him. He had no choice—he was doing this for their future.

Wan’er was so simple and pure. He would find a gentle and magnanimous wife, someone who wouldn’t make things difficult for her. That way, Wan’er wouldn’t be mistreated. After that, he wouldn’t take any more women.

One wife and one concubine would be enough.

The wife was only out of necessity. His heart would always belong to Wan’er.

After dinner, Gu Xiuming suddenly asked, “Wan’er, what would you think if you had another sister?”

Li Wan’er trusted him deeply and didn’t think in a negative direction. She assumed he meant an ordinary sister and smiled.

“I think that would be nice. If I had another sister, I’d have someone to talk to and keep me company.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The uneasiness in his heart eased a little.

He thought: Then I’ll marry a gentle and virtuous wife. Wan’er will surely accept her. If the wife and concubine live in harmony, I’ll have fewer worries.

But how should he get married?

That gave him a headache.

Marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers. He had once told Gu Jingxi that if Wan’er became his concubine, he would never marry and would only have her.

If he went back on his word now and told Gu Jingxi he wanted to marry, Gu Jingxi probably wouldn’t agree—especially since he was already grooming the fourth brother to become heir.

As for Meng Jinyao, although she was his nominal mother, she certainly didn’t wish him well and wouldn’t help arrange a marriage for him.

His grandmother cared for him, but if he told her, she would surely inform Gu Jingxi and his wife and have them arrange things. Even if they agreed verbally, they wouldn’t take it seriously. Who knew what kind of wife they’d find for him in the end? He might be completely set up.

So it was better to choose a candidate himself.

He would plan carefully, step by step. When the time was right, and the girl was so devoted that she wouldn’t marry anyone else, he would succeed.

Night fell.

Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi also returned to the marquis’s residence.

Just as the couple was about to pass through the moon gate, Zhou Yun’s voice sounded behind them. They stopped and turned around, seeing him walking over quickly, as if he had urgent business.

After bowing, Zhou Yun reported, “My Lord, Yu Chuan has something to report. He’s waiting in the study.”

Yu Chuan?

Gu Jingxi frowned slightly and nodded. “Alright, I understand.”

He was about to head to the front courtyard’s study. After glancing at his wife, he hesitated briefly, then said gently, “A-Yao, come with me.”

Meng Jinyao looked up in surprise. “Husband, aren’t you handling official matters? Wouldn’t I just get in the way? I’ll wait for you at Weirui Pavilion.”

He shook his head. “It won’t interfere. There are some things you should know.”

Though puzzled, she followed him.

At the study, she saw a young man in black standing at the door. He looked even younger than Zhou Yun, about her age. He must be Yu Chuan.

Yu Chuan hurried forward and saluted. “Greetings, Marquis. Greetings, Madam.”

Gu Jingxi waved him off and led his wife inside. Yu Chuan followed and closed the door.

After sitting down, Gu Jingxi asked calmly, “What happened?”

Yu Chuan replied, “My Lord, the heir met his biological parents today.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly surprised, then felt it was only natural. Gu Xiuming had never truly regarded Gu Jingxi as his father. Now that his real parents were in the capital, of course he would meet them.

Gu Jingxi didn’t seem concerned. “And?”

Yu Chuan explained how Gu Jingze and Madam Kong had earnestly persuaded Gu Xiuming to marry a well-matched noblewoman, stabilize his position as heir, and produce a legitimate son to win over the old madam—and how Gu Xiuming had been convinced.

Gu Jingxi fell silent. After a moment, he said, “Keep watching the heir. If he tries to harm an innocent girl to achieve his goal, stop him immediately. No need to ask me first. Don’t worry about exposing yourself.”

“Yes, My Lord,” Yu Chuan replied.

“You may withdraw if there’s nothing else,” Gu Jingxi said.

Yu Chuan left.

Only the couple remained in the spacious study.

Meng Jinyao was still processing the news. She said in surprise, “Husband, didn’t he say he would only love one person and never marry? That even if Concubine Li couldn’t be his wife, he would keep her as a concubine and stay devoted to her? It hasn’t been that long—how could he change his mind so quickly?”

Gu Jingxi toyed with the sachet at his waist and replied unhurriedly, “Before, he thought the inheritance was guaranteed, so he acted recklessly. Now that he feels threatened, he’s learned to weigh gains and losses.”

She snorted. “I thought he loved Concubine Li so deeply. He even ran away from marriage for her and ruined the family’s reputation. In the end, it was nothing special. Promises can change just like that.”

Gu Jingxi smiled faintly and shook his head.

“The love back then was real. But people’s hearts are fickle, and it’s hard to keep one’s original intentions. Driven by desire, people change beyond recognition. Even a white moonlight can turn into frost on the ground. In the end, they may even resent each other.”

As he spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of coldness rising within them.

“Let him do as he pleases.”