SGEIRS -Chapter 349 Being a Rogue with Him

That day was the day the palace exam results were announced.

Gu Xiuhong performed admirably—he ranked twenty-fifth in the second division, passing the jinshi examination. This was a tremendous source of pride for the family, a joyous occasion that also dispelled the gloom that had hung over the Marquis Residence in recent days.

Everyone in the Gu family was overjoyed. For a young man of only eighteen, ranking twenty-fifth in the second division was already exceptional. He had previously ranked forty-eighth in the provincial exam, and now, with this performance at the palace exam, his progress was impressive. With continued effort and some careful planning, a bright future awaited him. As long as he avoided mistakes and relied on his own abilities, his prospects would be promising.

Under the guidance of Old Madam Gu, the family held a ceremony at the ancestral hall to pay respects to their forebears, give thanks for their protection, and share the good news with the ancestors.

That evening, the Marquis Residence hosted a family banquet in celebration.

Old Madam Gu was in high spirits, having a few light drinks, her smile never fading. With promising younger generations, the Marquis Residence’s glory could continue, and the ancestors in the afterlife could rest in peace.

It wasn’t only Old Madam Gu—Madam Zhang also felt genuinely happy. Her own son had a good relationship with Xiuhong from the second branch, and in the future, if her son also passed the jinshi exams, the two sons could support each other. After all, it was much easier to advance with talented brothers helping one another than to fight alone.

The happiest of all was Madam Chen. She had insisted that her son only consider marriage after passing the jinshi exam; otherwise, he would have devoted himself entirely to scholarly pursuits. Now that he had passed with a respectable ranking, she could immediately start looking for a suitable bride, hoping to hold her grandchild soon and no longer feel envious of Madam Zhang’s grandchildren.

After the banquet ended, everyone returned to their respective quarters.

Meng Jinyao had drunk as well and was already quite tipsy—about seventy percent drunk. She could barely walk steadily and nearly fell.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi didn’t care about the presence of his older brother, sister-in-law, or other elders. He scooped her up, preparing to carry her back, and listened to her still shouting, “Second Sister-in-law, another cup!” He couldn’t help but laugh, then turned to his mother and elder brother and sister-in-law: “A-Yao is drunk. I apologize for the scene. I’ll take her back first.”

Old Madam Gu nodded, watching her adorable little daughter-in-law nestled in her son’s arms, and her heart swelled with joy. She said gently, “A-Yao seems quite drunk. Take her back to rest.”

Gu Jingxi nodded to his mother and siblings, carrying Meng Jinyao away while softly coaxing her to behave and stay calm, his tenderness uncharacteristic of the usual Gu Jingxi.

Gu Jingsheng and Gu Jingsong looked at their third brother and couldn’t help but feel bewildered. He had never been interested in women before, but now, with a wife, he seemed like a completely different person.

Madams Zhang and Chen also noticed this and couldn’t hide their envy. Though the youngest brother had a hidden ailment, he doted on third sister-in-law and even lowered himself to coax her. In contrast, looking at their own husbands, they felt frustrated. Why could the difference between two men be so stark, even toward women?

Old Madam Gu noticed the reactions of her sons and daughters-in-law and gently said, “Eldest, second, your wives drank quite a bit tonight. Take them back to rest first.”

Gu Jingsheng was about to argue that his wife wasn’t drunk, but then saw his second brother respond and gently support his not-so-drunk wife: “Mother, we’ll head back first. You should rest early.”

Gu Jingsheng: “?”

What’s going on? She’s not even drunk yet.

Madam Zhang, seeing him still standing like a blockhead, pinched his waist in frustration.

Gu Jingsheng looked at his wife, who glared at him, and instinctively reached to support her. At the same time, he belatedly understood the subtle meaning in Old Madam’s words. He said goodbye to the elders and then helped his wife, who hadn’t drunk much, leave.

Old Madam Gu watched the eldest couple’s retreating figures and shook her head slightly. When he was young, the eldest had been quite good to Madam Zhang and had even pleaded for her to enter the household. But over time, those early feelings had faded. Meanwhile, the second couple, though lacking a foundation of love, had maintained harmony after marriage, largely because the second son had always treated Madam Chen with respect, leaving no friction between them.

She turned to her two grandsons and said earnestly: “Xiuyuan, Xiuhong, a man, whether successful or not, must be good to his wife. Only when a couple is harmonious and united can a family be truly happy. Family happiness is more important than anything else.”

Gu Xiuyuan and Gu Xiuhong responded in unison: “Grandsons will follow grandmother’s teaching.”

Everyone returned to their respective quarters. Old Madam Gu and Gu Xuanyi walked last. Seeing her eldest granddaughter, head bowed and seemingly lost in thought, she gently said, “Xuanyi, life will not always be smooth. You will face setbacks. Don’t be pessimistic. Leaving those who hurt you is to let you meet someone better suited for you.”

Gu Xuanyi looked up in surprise and asked hesitantly, “Grandmother, what if I don’t meet him?”

Old Madam Gu said firmly, “You will. Perhaps he will be late, but he will come to you. You must observe with your heart to truly see him.”

Gu Xuanyi pondered, then nodded: “Grandmother, I understand.”

—

Back at Weirui Pavilion, Gu Jingxi handed her to the maid, who bathed her and fed her some sobering soup. She still hadn’t fully regained consciousness.

Yet, her drunken state benefited Gu Jingxi.

He had originally planned to sleep early, needing to attend the morning court, but his little wife was unusually proactive. She flung herself at him, cupped his face, and kissed him.

Teased like this, Gu Jingxi felt a pleasant itch and played along, also indulging himself a little.

Eventually, his little wife tugged at his clothes, eyes misty and seemingly dazed yet determined, looking straight at him. She said, “Husband, show me.”

Gu Jingxi: “?”

Meng Jinyao blinked at him sleepily and repeated, “Husband, show me.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. Faced with his charming little wife, he felt both indulgent and helpless: “You’re supposed to be a young lady, and yet you act like a little rogue.”

Meng Jinyao pouted and corrected him, dissatisfied: “I’m not a young lady—I’m your wife.”

Gu Jingxi gently rubbed her head, soothingly coaxing, “Yes, little wife. It’s late. Let’s go to sleep.”

“Just show me first, then sleep.”

Stubborn, Meng Jinyao yanked open his clothes, revealing his fair, defined chest, staring eagerly, even touching it.

Gu Jingxi felt thoroughly teased, a tingling sensation spreading wherever her hands roamed. Flustered, he quickly held her small hands to stop her from wandering.

Unexpectedly, unable to act with her hands, Meng Jinyao used her mouth, leaning down to nibble his chest.

As she nibbled, Gu Jingxi felt a tingling shiver sweep through his body. Soon, he reversed roles, stopping her mischief while beginning to tease her in return.