SGEIRS -Chapter 597 Only Her Will I Marry

Meanwhile, Madam Chen left Madam Zhang’s residence and asked the servants about her son. She learned that he had already returned to the mansion and was in the study, so she immediately went to find him.

Gu Xiuhong saw his mother push the door open. Without a word, he could guess her purpose: she had come to persuade him to marry a girl of proper status as his main wife, and then take A-Yuan as a concubine.

He got straight to the point. “Mother, if this is about that matter, there’s no need to say more.”

Madam Chen had just entered when she heard this, and immediately bristled. Putting on a stern expression, she said, “You want to marry that widow? I won’t allow it. What’s so special about her? She’s older than you and not an innocent girl.”

Gu Xiuhong’s expression darkened. “She’s only two years older than me. And she’s only been married before—how is that not ‘innocent’? By that logic, then all women who have been married are ‘not innocent.’ The Emperor and Empress both support widows remarrying. Look at Third Aunt’s father—his third and fourth wives were widows.”

Hearing this, Madam Chen recalled how Madam Zhang had used Meng Dongyuan as an example, and now her son was doing the same. Anger flared in her chest; she felt as though someone was about to snatch away the fine cabbage she had carefully grown. She snapped, “How can you be compared to Lord Meng? He was married and had children, whereas you have never been married—or even had a private maid!”

Gu Xiuhong furrowed his brows. “Mother, if we follow your logic, then if I had a private maid before, wouldn’t marrying a pure maiden later be unfair to her?”

Without thinking, Madam Chen countered, “Men and women can’t be compared!”

Gu Xiuhong was unconvinced. “Why not? Women come from women’s wombs, don’t men also come from women’s wombs? If both come from women’s wombs, how are they different?”

Madam Chen was stunned, momentarily speechless, and even felt a hint of agreement with her son.

Gu Xiuhong looked at her and continued, “Mother, if you still disagree, then I simply won’t marry.”

Hearing this, Madam Chen paused. She didn’t quite understand why her son had suddenly come to this decision, but it was a good thing. She smiled and said gently, “Son, it’s good that you think this way. Your cousin Lingyi is a fine girl. Spend more time with her.”

Gu Xiuhong replied, “I may not marry A-Yuan, but I won’t marry anyone else either.”

Madam Chen’s smile froze, and her brows knit. “Xiuhong, what nonsense are you talking about? You are the only son of the second branch. If you don’t marry, won’t our branch be cut off?”

“How could we be cut off?” Gu Xiuhong shook his head with a smile. “The Gu family is a prominent family with many descendants. We can adopt a child from the clan. If you want a grandson soon, I can request the head matron’s approval and arrange the adoption so you can have a chubby grandson this year.”

Madam Chen was so furious that her head throbbed. Pointing at him, she scolded, “You—you—unfilial son! You’re truly making me mad!”

Gu Xiuhong lowered his eyes, his expression somber. “Mother, please calm down. There is no perfect solution in the world. If Father and Mother cannot accept A-Yuan as a daughter-in-law, then I won’t marry. But I also cannot betray A-Yuan. Please forgive me for not marrying another girl.”

Madam Chen only became more angry. In her fury, she blurted out everything. “You shameless thing! If I had known, I wouldn’t have married your sister off. I would have had Xuanling find a live-in son-in-law to continue the family line. Thinking back now, Xuanling was better. She was obedient, clever, and filial. Apart from not being my flesh and blood, she is better than you in every way. The one who should have been married off is you, you brat!”

Gu Xiuhong was silent for a moment, then replied in a bold, unflinching tone: “Or… Mother, should we marry me off now? Although A-Yuan’s parents already have a son, with such an outstanding live-in son-in-law as me, I imagine they wouldn’t refuse.”

His shocking words made Madam Chen see black before her eyes. She had to hold onto the antique shelf to steady herself. “What… what did you say? You want to be a live-in son-in-law? You incompetent brat! A fine young master like you, marrying a widow from a small family? People would laugh at this! You’re shameless, and my husband and I still have pride!”

Gu Xiuhong took a few steps forward, helped his mother sit down, and poured her a cup of tea. He spoke gently: “Mother, please calm down. Don’t let your anger harm your health.”

Madam Chen didn’t take the tea. Twisted in anger, she ground her teeth. “My good son! I never expected that you would develop a fondness for widows!”

Gu Xiuhong set the cup on the small tea table. “I don’t have such a fondness. It’s just that the girl I like happens to be a widow.”

Madam Chen tightened her lips and scolded, “What’s so good about her that you refuse to marry anyone else? I’ve seen her. She’s merely delicate in appearance—not stunning—and has been married before. Her family is of low status. Her father spent his life just becoming a scholar; her elder brother has some prospects, passing the imperial exam and gaining a minor post, but still a low-ranking official who can’t help you in your career.”

Gu Xiuhong disagreed. “Mother, does a marriage have to be about interests?”

Madam Chen paused, then shook her head. “Not exactly… it’s just… she’s been married, and she’s a widow. If she had some extraordinary qualities, I could accept a widow of humble origin.”

Gu Xiuhong looked serious. “Mother, being married before is her past, not a blemish. You may think she is ordinary in every way, but to me, she is the best girl.”

Madam Chen drew a deep breath to calm her anger. “I think you’re bewitched!”

Gu Xiuhong remained silent, watching his enraged mother with a calm expression, considering how to gain his parents’ approval for the marriage.

After a long silence, Madam Chen hesitated and asked, “Xiuhong, is it that she clung to you, and you couldn’t tell if your feelings were sympathy or love?”

“Mother, how could you think such a thing?” Gu Xiuhong gave her a strange look. “It was your son clinging to her. If her former husband hadn’t died early, I would have schemed to have them divorce. That way, she wouldn’t have spent three more years mourning that scoundrel.”

Madam Chen’s eyes widened. “What… what did you say? You even thought of taking another man’s wife? If you liked her so much, why didn’t you stop her parents from forcing her to marry?”

“Mother, have you forgotten? At the time, I went with you to Furong City to see your close friend one last time. That trip took some time, and by the time I returned to the capital, several months had passed. She was already married,” Gu Xiuhong said, a trace of pain flashing across his face. Fate had been cruel—there was no one to blame.

Madam Chen fell silent.

When they returned to the capital, her son had seemed off, locking himself in the study and reading day and night. She hadn’t thought much of it—his diligence was good, as long as he balanced work and rest.

Now, hearing her son’s words, she realized he had been upset because the girl he loved had married someone else, and was distracting himself to cope with his sorrow.