SGEIRS -Chapter 307 Deposing Xiuming

The next day.

Madam Zhang and Madam Chen had personally witnessed yesterday’s drama. Because they still did not know how Gu Xiuming and Li Wan’er would be punished, their curiosity tormented them so much that neither of them slept well.

Early in the morning, just after breakfast, the two of them—once again without prior agreement—came to Weirui Courtyard to ask Meng Jinyao about it and satisfy their curiosity.

As soon as Madam Zhang sat down, she skipped all pleasantries and asked directly:

“Third Sister-in-law, Xiuming and Concubine Li are still locked up in Qingyu Pavilion. How does Third Brother plan to deal with them?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, to be honest, I don’t know either.”

Madam Chen looked surprised. “How could you not know?”

Meng Jinyao explained, “After the Marquis left Qingyu Pavilion yesterday, he went to Mother’s place. After I finished dinner and washed up, I planned to wait for him and ask, but I accidentally fell asleep. When I woke up this morning, he had already gone out.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhang and Madam Chen looked at her doubtfully, as if asking: Could it really be such a coincidence?

Meng Jinyao met their gaze and nodded slightly. She was telling the truth—she really had fallen asleep and had not deliberately hidden anything.

Madam Zhang said, “In the past, whenever Xiuming made mistakes, Third Brother would always discipline him. This time, he committed such a serious offense, yet Third Brother didn’t even scold him once. He was so calm that it’s frightening.”

Meng Jinyao knew that her husband was utterly disappointed in Gu Xiuming and no longer wanted to waste words on him. But since the result had not yet been announced, she did not elaborate and changed the subject.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, such a big thing happened yesterday. How are the people in the residence reacting today?”

Madam Zhang replied honestly, “I ordered them not to gossip, so nothing has surfaced openly. But they must be talking privately. People outside probably know something too. We just don’t know when Third Brother will deal with it.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly. “The Marquis told me last night that he would handle it today. Once he comes back, we’ll know.”

After chatting for a while longer, Meng Jinyao sent them away. Remembering that she had not taken her medicine yet, she told a maid to bring her warm water.

She alternated between pills and herbal decoctions—when she got tired of drinking medicine, she took pills; when she got tired of pills, she drank the decoction.

By afternoon, Gu Jingxi returned from court.

When Meng Jinyao looked up and saw him, her eyes lit up. She opened her mouth to ask something, then swallowed her words and only stared at him eagerly, her eyes full of curiosity.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi walked over and patted her head.

“I know what you want to ask. There should be a result soon. Let’s wait.”

“Soon?”

Meng Jinyao looked stunned.

“Husband, aren’t you the one handling this? It wasn’t too late yesterday, and it’s certainly not late today. Can’t you just go to Qingyu Pavilion and deal with it?”

Gu Jingxi shook his head gently and smiled.

“A-Yao, you’re overestimating your husband. I don’t have that kind of authority.”

Meng Jinyao froze again.

If even a father didn’t have the power to deal with his unfilial son, then who did?

Before she could figure it out, a maid ran in anxiously.

“M-Marquis! Madam! An imperial edict has arrived from the palace!”

An imperial edict?!

Meng Jinyao was stunned.

Why would an edict suddenly arrive?

Could it be…?

She turned to look at her husband. Seeing his calm and composed expression, with no trace of surprise, she almost confirmed her guess.

Gu Jingxi said gently, “A-Yao, let’s go receive the edict.”

She nodded and followed him. The couple hurried to the front courtyard. On the way, they also saw people from the First and Second branches rushing over.

When the three branches met, they exchanged glances.

Gu Jingsheng asked, “Third Brother, why did the palace suddenly send an edict?”

“You’ll know soon,” Gu Jingxi replied calmly.

Seeing how composed he was, everyone felt he must know something. Since he wouldn’t say more, they stopped asking.

After they arrived, Old Madam Gu, who walked slowly due to her age, finally reached the courtyard.

Then they saw Gu Xiuming and Li Wan’er being escorted over by servants.

It was no surprise that Gu Xiuming came—he was the heir. But why had a lowly concubine like Li Wan’er been brought along?

Once everyone had arrived, they knelt according to rank.

The eunuch glanced at them, unfolded the bright yellow decree, and read in a shrill voice:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Gu Xiuming has repeatedly disrespected his elders, slandered and framed his mother, and displayed vile conduct. He is rebellious and unfilial, unfit to inherit the marquisate.

His title as heir is revoked, his xiucai degree is stripped, and he is reduced to a commoner. He is forbidden from taking the imperial examinations for life. He shall receive thirty strokes and be exiled to Yazhou.

Concubine Li, surnamed Li, has offended her superiors, framed her elders, and shown disrespect and unfilial behavior. She shall receive twenty strokes and accompany him into exile in Yazhou.

A son’s faults reflect his father’s failure. Marquis Gu Jingxi has failed in managing his household and educating his son. He is ordered to reflect behind closed doors for half a month and is fined one year’s salary.

So decreed.”

Everyone was stunned into silence, their minds reeling.

They had not expected Gu Jingxi to be so ruthless toward his only son—going as far as petitioning the Emperor.

The dynasty ruled by benevolence and filial piety, and the Emperor himself was famous for valuing filial conduct. How could he tolerate such an unfilial son?

Gu Jingxi was truly impartial and resolute. Not only did he show no mercy to others, he did not spare himself either.

To depose the heir, he had to list Gu Xiuming’s crimes and also confess his own failure as a father. As a result, both father and son were punished.

In history, fathers were held responsible for their children’s misconduct. Especially for officials, poor family discipline often led to salary cuts, demotions, or even dismissal.

The last official punished for this was Former Vice Minister Zhao, whose son had bullied commoners. Zhao was demoted to a remote region.

Now, Gu Jingxi was ordered to reflect and had his salary cut for a year. Financially it meant little to him, but the disgrace was unavoidable—a dignified Minister of Justice who couldn’t even teach his own son.

Gu Xiuming was horrified. His face turned pale.

Thirty strokes and exile to Yazhou—this was worse than death.

Yazhou was barren and harsh, lacking even water resources. Life there was hell.

Li Wan’er was so frightened that she collapsed on the ground. She had enjoyed a wealthy life for less than a year, and now she was being exiled. Her future would be far more miserable than when she had depended on her late grandfather.

At this moment, Gu Jingxi kowtowed.

“This minister receives the decree. Long live His Majesty!”

He raised both hands respectfully and accepted the edict.

Everyone came back to their senses and followed suit.

“Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!”