SGEIRS -Chapter 473 He’s Three Years Old in Gu’s Eyes

The first day of the Lunar New Year.

Early in the morning, all the younger generations went to Shou’an Hall to pay respects to Old Madam Gu.

Old Madam Gu handed out the red envelopes she had prepared for the younger ones. According to tradition, red envelopes ward off evil spirits, and receiving them ensures a safe and peaceful year. They symbolize the elder’s blessings for the younger generation.

Noticing that her great-grandson was absent, Old Madam Gu asked Madam Jiang, “Xiuyuan’s wife, why isn’t Yunxin here?”

Madam Jiang replied truthfully, “Yunxin caught a chill and isn’t feeling well, so we didn’t bring him over. We didn’t want the wind to make his condition worse.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu pressed further, “It’s not serious, is it?”

Madam Jiang reassured her, “Don’t worry, Grandmother. It’s nothing serious; he should recover in a couple of days.”

Old Madam Gu relaxed and said, “That’s good. Children have weak constitutions, and it’s cold these days. They must be kept warm. A fever is no joke.”

Madam Jiang nodded respectfully. “Granddaughter-in-law understands.”

Her gaze then shifted to Madam Zhang, her tone carrying a hint of admonishment: “I heard that last night, after you all went home, Eldest Daughter-in-law, you got into a quarrel with Xuanyi. Is that true?”

At these words, everyone turned to look at Madam Zhang and her daughter. The commotion the night before had been considerable—the mother and daughter had argued fiercely, and it only calmed down after Madam Chen intervened.

The quarrel had started because Madam Zhang scolded her daughter for leaving home without a word and staying away for so long, learning only later from others that she had returned.

Gu Xuanyi, unable to take her mother’s criticism, lost her temper and snapped back, accusing her mother of caring only for Ying’er’s yet-to-be husband and completely ignoring her as a daughter.

In the end, the argument escalated into a full-blown fight.

Gu Xuanyi admitted her fault with a proper attitude: “This granddaughter was being inconsiderate and shouldn’t have contradicted her elders.”

Madam Zhang stammered: “Mother… it’s… it’s just the child being difficult. I lost my temper for a moment and scolded her. I didn’t mean to ruin such an important festival for everyone.”

Old Madam Gu gave Madam Zhang a warning look and said sternly, “Children grow up with their own thoughts. As a parent, you must respect them. You cannot always demand blind obedience. Let this be a lesson. If this incident gets out, it could not only harm the child’s reputation but also make other families laugh at us.”

Madam Zhang nodded repeatedly. “Yes, daughter-in-law understands.”

Old Madam Gu withdrew her gaze and said lightly, “Alright, everyone may go back. We all slept late last night, and I am tired.”

Madam Zhang quickly responded, “Then Mother, please rest well.”

Outside Shou’an Hall, Gu Xuanyi ignored her mother entirely, walking alongside Meng Jinyao, sharing amusing stories about her visits to her maternal and cousin’s homes.

Meng Jinyao used to genuinely dislike Gu Xuanyi because of her spoiled and arrogant demeanor. But now, Xuanyi had changed a lot and was quite likable. Jinyao enjoyed interacting with her; although a younger generation, they were close in age and had much to talk about.

Listening to their conversation, Madam Zhang felt a pang in her heart. Her once-close daughter seemed to drift further and further away.

Madam Chen quietly said, “Sister-in-law, I told you yesterday: don’t say things that shouldn’t be said. I didn’t expect you to lose your temper in the end. But fortunately, you didn’t say it at the family feast, or Mother would have been even angrier.”

Madam Zhang: “…”

She hadn’t intended for it to escalate this way. She was upset only because Xuanyi had ignored her and left home without notice for so long. She hadn’t raised her voice much at the time, but Xuanyi reacted like a lunatic, arguing loudly without fear of being overheard, causing a scene.

Back in the main house, Gu Jingsheng also scolded his wife: “What were you thinking last night? It’s the festival, yet you caused such trouble. If you need to educate your daughter, close the door and do it. Why in the back garden? What kind of example is that?”

Madam Zhang felt wronged: “You only know to blame me. You’re the father—why didn’t you educate her?”

Gu Jingsheng said, “Xuanyi has become this way because you spoiled her. She dares to argue with you now—who knows if she’ll even fight you in the future?”

Madam Zhang: “I…”

Before she could finish, her husband turned and left, showing no intention of arguing further. She felt angry and wronged but powerless.

Meanwhile, Gu Xuanyi followed Meng Jinyao back to Weirui Pavilion, clinging to her and chatting.

Gu Jingxi was left standing aside. He couldn’t join the conversation and watched as his niece monopolized his wife’s attention, chatting animatedly. He felt annoyed. When his wife glanced at him, he immediately shot her a look of quiet grievance.

Meng Jinyao saw him staring at them like a scorned woman and felt inexplicably amused. She asked, “Husband, why are you looking at us like that?”

Gu Xuanyi, hearing this, immediately looked toward her Third Uncle.

Gu Jingxi’s expression changed faster than flipping a page. He abandoned the scornful, complaining look and looked gentle and kind: “Xuanyi, Third Uncle sees that you’ve made a lot of progress lately. Let’s take this opportunity to test your knowledge.”

Gu Xuanyi: “?”

She didn’t have to take the imperial exams like her brothers, so why would she be tested on her knowledge?

Seeing that Third Uncle was serious, she panicked and quickly came up with an excuse: “Third Uncle, I suddenly remembered that I argued with my mother last night and haven’t apologized yet. I’ll go apologize to her first. Can we do the knowledge test another time?”

Gu Jingxi nodded: “Go ahead then.”

Xuanyi felt as if a great pardon had been granted. She stood up and said goodbye: “I’ll go to my mother first. Third Aunt, I’ll visit you another day.”

Meng Jinyao smiled and replied, “Alright.”

Xuanyi vanished before her Third Uncle at breakneck speed. What a joke—Third Uncle was testing knowledge, and even her brothers feared being unable to answer. She would definitely be stumped.

Meng Jinyao watched Xuanyi flee and gave Gu Jingxi a reproachful glance: “Husband, why scare a child like that? Look how terrified Xuanyi is.”

Gu Jingxi looked innocent: “A-Yao, you’re blaming me unfairly. I wasn’t scaring her—just testing her progress.”

Meng Jinyao shot him a ‘do you think I believe that?’ look and said with a smile: “She’s not taking exams. What knowledge test are you giving her?”

Gu Jingxi didn’t care: “Gu girls study too. Why can’t they be tested?”

“I think you’re not thirty-one this year, but three years old,” Meng Jinyao said with a helpless laugh. “You’re jealous of your niece—she just hasn’t seen me for a while, and today she talks a bit more than usual.”