SGEIRS -Chapter 586 Too Outrageous

The autumn imperial examinations were just nine days away. Madam Zhang hoped for her youngest son’s success and spent every day in the family’s Buddhist hall praying to the Buddha for his protection. She had originally helped Madam Chen manage household affairs, but now that she was always in the Buddhist hall, Madam Chen was left to handle everything alone.

Meng Jinyao, along with Wanwan and Xiuyuan’s little Yunxin, had a close bond despite the uncle-nephew generational gap. They insisted on sleeping together at night.

Madam Zhang was very pleased about this. Wanwan was the eldest legitimate grandson of the third brother and would inherit the marquisate. The third brother would certainly pave the way for Wanwan in the future, and her own little grandson, being close to Wanwan, might also benefit from this relationship.

As for Gu Xiuyuan and his wife Madam Jiang, hearing Wanwan call Yunxin “brother” made them uneasy—they felt their child had overstepped boundaries. Fortunately, the third uncle and aunt didn’t mind and, seeing the children play so well together, they could relax.

At this moment, the autumn wind blew gently.

Meng Jinyao sat in the pavilion, her eyes falling on Yunxin and Wanwan outside. The two little ones were circling a birdcage, teasing a parrot with chatter. The parrot seemed unsure whose voice to respond to, or perhaps it found them too noisy, remaining silent, which left the children frustrated.

Seeing this, she shook her head and smiled.

Madam Chen followed her gaze and also saw the scene, laughing, “Wanwan and Yunxin really get along well.”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Yunxin is lively—he can play with anyone.” Then she asked, “Where’s sister-in-law these past few days? What’s kept her so busy?”

Madam Chen looked at her in surprise and asked in return, “You don’t know?”

Meng Jinyao looked puzzled and shook her head. She had been busy with the children and hadn’t been aware of outside matters—how could she know?

Madam Chen said, “Isn’t Xiuwen taking part in this autumn examination? Sister-in-law is worried, so she’s in the Buddhist hall praying for Xiuwen to succeed.” She shook her head repeatedly. “If you ask me, since this is about the imperial exams, she should be worshipping Wenchang Dijun, asking him to bless Xiuwen’s success this year.”

Meng Jinyao understood and smiled. “Don’t say that in front of her, second sister-in-law. If she realized she’d prayed to the wrong deity, she might worry herself sick tonight.”

“I’m only saying it in front of you,” Madam Chen sighed. “Our eldest brother has become more and more outrageous. No wonder sister-in-law focuses all her attention on the child. That little Xuanyi hides whenever she sees her, like a mouse encountering a cat.”

Meng Jinyao let out a barely perceptible sigh. Their eldest brother really was outrageous. Ever since falling out with his wife, he hadn’t set foot in her quarters and spent his days lingering in the rooms of his young concubines. She had heard that one night he even spent the night with three concubines, and due to his excesses, he slept past sunrise the next day, missing the time to register at the official office.

Suddenly, Madam Chen’s gaze fell on the nearby corridor. “Look, speak of the devil.”

Meng Jinyao followed her gaze and saw a young woman, enchanting and full of charm. She was none other than Gu Jingsheng’s favorite concubine, Madam Ming. Gu Jingsheng was speaking to her gently, and whatever he said had Madam Ming laughing so heartily her gestures were animated.

Madam Chen said, “They say a person’s name suits them, but Madam Ming is nothing like the moon.”

Her surname was Ming, and her given name was simply “Yue”—Moon. In most people’s eyes, the moon should be pure, clear, and elegant. Madam Ming, however, was excessively alluring, with a hint of worldliness.

Meng Jinyao didn’t comment.

Madam Chen continued muttering, “She is indeed beautiful, but too flashy. Still, men probably like that—having a dignified, virtuous wife to uphold appearances and a beautiful concubine to please them.” She paused, then said in surprise, “Third sister-in-law, it looks like we’re about to witness some drama.”

Meng Jinyao also saw Madam Zhang hurrying with her maids and attendants toward Gu Jingsheng and Madam Ming. Gu Jingsheng, still holding Madam Ming, walked toward Madam Zhang with a provocative grin, seemingly intending to block her way and cause trouble.

Meng Jinyao frowned. Their eldest brother was truly reckless—right in the corridor during the day, with people passing by, yet he wasn’t afraid of maids gossiping about him. Could it reach the censor for showing favoritism to a concubine while neglecting his wife?

Gu Jingsheng, seeing Madam Zhang’s formidable presence, assumed she was jealous and wanted to create a scene. He wanted to trouble her with his concubine and perhaps mock her a bit to amuse Madam Ming.

Unexpectedly, Madam Zhang ignored them completely. She walked past without glancing at them, her attendants following suit. Only the maids gave a slight bow as they passed him.

Being ignored made Gu Jingsheng angry. He shouted at her retreating figure, “Zhang, stop! At least acknowledge your husband! Which lady behaves so rudely?”

Madam Zhang paused, turning her head with a cool glare. She warned, “My son Xiuwen is taking part in the autumn exams. He studies under a renowned teacher at Lingshan Academy, and if he succeeds, he may continue in the spring exams next year, leading to an official career and marriage prospects. Reputation is crucial—don’t make a scene and drag my son down.”

At these words, Gu Jingsheng immediately fell silent. No matter how angry he was, hearing about his son’s future made him sober. Even if the third brother didn’t help him in his career, his own success depended on his son’s merits.

Seeing her husband fall silent, Madam Zhang said no more and walked away. She had long been completely disappointed in him. She didn’t care which concubine he favored, but she would not tolerate him fathering illegitimate children to vex her. The “avoidance soup” was always ready—wherever he went, it followed.

Meng Jinyao and Madam Chen had clearly heard Gu Jingsheng’s angry shout. Though they didn’t catch all of Madam Zhang’s words, seeing her calm demeanor and Gu Jingsheng humbled, it was clear she had easily reined him in.

Madam Chen rarely showed admiration for Madam Zhang. “Seeing her like this today, she’s much more pleasing to the eye. But unfortunately, she won’t maintain this for long. The next moment, she could say or do something irritating.”

Just as Meng Jinyao was about to respond, her skirt was tugged. Looking down, she saw it was Wanwan and Yunxin. The two little ones seemed frightened by Gu Jingsheng’s earlier outburst—especially Yunxin, who looked in his direction with a hint of fear.

She quickly reached out, rubbing Yunxin’s head gently. “Don’t be afraid, Yunxin. Grandfather and grandmother are just playing.”

Confused, Gu Yunxin asked, “Were they playing like that a few days ago too?”

At this, both Meng Jinyao and Madam Chen were momentarily stunned. They hadn’t expected the eldest brother to quarrel with his wife in front of the children—truly outrageous, showing no sense of being a grandfather.

Meng Jinyao smiled warmly. “Of course. You’ve been playing with your fourth uncle for so long, you must be hungry. The little kitchen has prepared your favorite pastries. Shall we go back and eat?”

Before Yunxin could reply, Wanwan nodded eagerly. “Yes, let’s eat!”

Meng Jinyao chuckled softly. “You little glutton.”

Madam Chen said gently, “Then second sister-in-law, take these two little gluttons back for some pastries. I just remembered something I need to attend to.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and led the two children away.

The incident in the corridor eventually reached Old Madam Gu, who immediately summoned Gu Jingsheng for a scolding.

Although he had dared to be arrogant in front of Madam Zhang, he still feared his stepmother. After being reprimanded, he became far more restrained, at least no longer daring to quarrel with Madam Zhang in front of servants, concubines, or juniors.