SGEIRS -Chapter 3 Becoming His Mother

Everyone followed the direction Meng Jinyao pointed and looked toward Gu Jingxi. The moment their eyes fell on him, they all sucked in a sharp breath.

Had Meng Jinyao gone mad?

Gu Jingxi was originally her prospective father-in-law. Now, the would-be daughter-in-law wanted to become the would-be wife instead?

If Gu Jingxi and Gu Xiuming were of the same generation, it wouldn’t be a problem. But Gu Jingxi was Gu Xiuming’s father—an elder. How could an elder marry someone who was supposed to belong to the younger generation?

It went against all ethical norms.

Gu Jingxi was someone who could remain calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. Yet upon hearing his prospective daughter-in-law’s shocking words, his expression cracked. He narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Meng Jinyao.

Meeting his indifferent gaze, Meng Jinyao’s heart trembled. It was impossible to say she wasn’t nervous or afraid. But she couldn’t choose between the two grandsons of the Gu family, and Gu Jingxi was her best option.

She had no way out.

Returning to the Meng family would not put her in a better position than staying with the Gu family.

Gu Xiuming had wronged her. On her wedding day, he had turned her into a laughingstock. Since she couldn’t become Gu Xiuming’s bride, then she would become Gu Xiuming’s new mother instead—his elder—and deal with him properly in the future.

The only downside was that Gu Jingxi was impotent. Years ago, he had been injured while saving the emperor, leaving him with a hidden illness. Otherwise, he wouldn’t still be unmarried at twenty-nine, nor would he have adopted a child from a collateral branch to continue the family line.

But that didn’t matter.

If a man was incapable, he wouldn’t take in a bunch of concubines to trouble her.

The members of the Gu family stared at each other in shock, all thinking that Meng Jinyao had gone crazy. Even Old Madam Gu, who had lived most of her life and seen countless storms, was rendered speechless. The guests whispered among themselves.

After a moment, Gu Jingxi frowned and said, “Miss Meng, do you know what you’re saying?”

Meng Jinyao forced herself to remain calm, keeping her voice steady as she replied slowly,
“Marquis Gu, people say that a son pays for his father’s debts. Likewise, a father should pay for his son’s debts. You failed in teaching your son. On our wedding day, he ran away with another woman and made me a laughingstock. As his father, you are responsible for repaying this debt.”

At first glance, her words sounded reasonable, and the guests were stunned. But the more they thought about it, the more something felt off.

Gu Jingxi, however, said apologetically, “It is indeed my fault for failing to discipline my son. I apologize to you for that. My two nephews are still unmarried. Since they have stepped forward, they are willing to marry you. You may choose between them.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “I’m not interested in either of them. Instead, I find Marquis Gu quite suitable. You are not only talented, but also of excellent character. You will surely be a responsible and good husband in the future.”

As she spoke, she turned to Old Madam Gu.

“Old Madam, you said earlier that any unmarried young man in the Gu family without a betrothal could be chosen by me. Now that I’ve chosen Marquis Gu, does your word still count?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu couldn’t help letting her gaze wander between her son and Meng Jinyao.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman—they actually looked quite well-matched.

Suddenly, she realized that taking advantage of this opportunity to push things along and have her son marry wouldn’t be bad at all. His hidden illness and lifelong bachelorhood had long been a source of worry for her. Now there was a ready-made bride—at least he would have someone by his side to care for him and keep him company, instead of growing old alone.

Since the Gu family had already become the butt of jokes, what was there to fear about even more outrageous gossip?

Seizing the moment, Old Madam Gu replied, “Miss Meng, of course my words still stand.”

She turned to her legitimate son and continued, “Our Gu family has always valued credibility. We are not the kind of people who go back on our word.”

Gu Jingxi lightly tapped his fingers on the table. No emotion showed on his face. He looked at Meng Jinyao again, studying her for a long while, before asking calmly, “Miss Meng, have you truly thought this through?”

Meng Jinyao answered firmly, “I have.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi stood up, walked to her side, took hold of the other end of the red silk ribbon, and said to the matchmaker, “Don’t miss the auspicious time.”