SGEIRS -Chapter 608 Appointed to an Official Post Away from the Capital

Time flew, and summer had arrived.

Meng Chengzhang had already received his official appointment, entering the Hanlin Academy as a compiler.

Gu Xiuyuan and Gu Xiuwen had also been appointed. Gu Xiuyuan went to the Ministry of Rites, while Gu Xiuwen chose to take a post away from the capital. Even though Madam Zhang was reluctant and disagreed with her son’s decision, wanting him to stay in the capital, Gu Xiuwen insisted on following his own plan—to serve as a local magistrate and achieve something in his career.

He had never mentioned before that he planned to leave the capital for an official post, and suddenly he was about to depart. On the day he left for his post, Madam Zhang wept uncontrollably. She had thought that both her sons had passed the imperial examinations and, with the family connections they had, they could certainly remain in the capital as officials. She had imagined that by next year she could arrange a marriage for the younger son, and the whole family would live harmoniously. Who would have thought that her youngest son, relying on connections, would be appointed to an official post away from home, chasing the ambitions in his heart.

Gu Xuanyi comforted her: “Mother, please don’t cry. Third Brother is becoming an official, not running away with someone. He will still come home.”

Madam Zhang wiped her tears and choked out, “Your Third Brother hasn’t even been engaged yet. Now he’s running off—when will he get engaged or marry? You really are a pair of dragon-phoenix twins—both of you never let your parents have a moment of peace. Unlike your eldest brother.”

Gu Xuanyi pouted. “I followed your instructions and got engaged, didn’t I? I’m getting married this autumn. How does that not give you peace of mind?”

Madam Zhang felt slightly comforted but, thinking that her son had gone to another region and they might rarely meet—even for the New Year—her heart remained heavy.

Gu Xuanyi continued to console her: “Three years from now, if Third Brother achieves something in office, he might even be transferred back to the capital. Serving away from the capital is actually an opportunity to prove his abilities. Perhaps he will even be promoted faster than Eldest Brother.”

Madam Zhang said, “But Third daughter-in-law hasn’t been settled yet.”

Gu Xuanyi replied, “Didn’t Third Brother say he would consider marriage in a couple of years?”

Madam Zhang sighed: “Then when will I get to hold a grandson?”

Gu Xuanyi spoke lightly, teasingly: “Mother, aren’t you already holding a grandson? Isn’t Eldest Brother’s eldest son Yunxin your grandson? Now Eldest Brother’s wife is pregnant again; next year you’ll have another grandchild. If you want a maternal grandson, wait a few months until I get married. I’ll have one with that Wang Xuzhi, so you can hold as many as you want.”

Madam Zhang was momentarily speechless, glaring at her with mock annoyance: “You child, is it that you feel uncomfortable if you don’t irritate me every day? I say one thing and you contradict me. Other daughters are like cozy little jackets, but you—your jacket leaks everywhere.”

Gu Xuanyi glanced at her, held back, and did not retort further.

Madam Zhang drew a deep breath: “Enough. Go back to embroider your wedding dress. Don’t loiter in front of me; seeing you annoys me.”

Gu Xuanyi replied, “Mother, it seems you wanted me to come over today to keep you company and talk?”

Madam Zhang: “……”

Gu Xuanyi snorted lightly: “Look at those truly unfilial children—girls running away from home, sons indulging in drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Now look at our three siblings. Mother, you can secretly take pride in them.”

Madam Zhang was once again speechless: “……”

Though she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t help but agree. Compared with other troublesome children, her three were already excellent. Both sons had passed the imperial exams and held official positions; her daughter, though unwilling to marry, had now accepted the marriage she firmly arranged.

Well, not perfect, but better than most—she should be content.

After a while, curiosity got the better of Madam Zhang: “Xuanyi, that day you suddenly ran off—was it to see Wang Xuzhi of the Wang family? What did you talk about? What did he say that made you stop resisting the marriage?”

Gu Xuanyi blushed and looked away, avoiding her mother’s gaze, cheeks turning pink.

She had misjudged that boy before. She had always thought he was gentle and polite, like a docile little lamb. But that day, when she went to ask him to release her from the engagement, he immediately transformed from a little lamb into a fierce wolf cub, strong and domineering, and she was the little lamb caught in his sights.

Seeing this, Madam Zhang’s curiosity intensified: “What exactly did you say to each other?”

Gu Xuanyi replied succinctly: “Nothing much. I only asked him to release me from the engagement. He refused and said he liked me. Seeing his sincerity, I reluctantly gave him a chance. But if he treats me badly after marriage, I will immediately divorce him.”

Madam Zhang’s face changed, and she scolded: “Nonsense! You’re not even married yet, and you’re already talking about divorce?”

Gu Xuanyi, unconcerned, said: “What’s wrong with divorce? It’s not shameful. If things don’t work out, we divorce. Forcing ourselves to stay together is the real suffering. Mother, you’re so worried—do you not trust him to make me happy in the future?”

Madam Zhang replied: “I naturally have confidence in him.”

Gu Xuanyi smiled: “Then that’s settled. If he can make me happy, of course I won’t divorce him.”

Madam Zhang looked at her, opened her mouth, but finally swallowed her words and sighed softly: “It’s my fault for spoiling you too much before, and now you’re spoiled.”

Gu Xuanyi didn’t want to continue the topic and said: “Mother, I’ll go back to embroider my wedding dress now, or else it won’t be finished by the wedding day.”

Madam Zhang glared at her: “How could it possibly not be done? I only let you participate, not make the entire dress. You do a bit, the rest is left to the seamstress.”

“I also need to make a small outfit for my unborn niece.” With that, Gu Xuanyi stood up and left without looking back.

Madam Zhang watched her go, shaking her head and sighing softly.

Soon, Gu Xiuyuan’s wife, Madam Jiang, came to check on her mother-in-law’s mood and casually asked: “Mother, I saw Xuanyi leave in a hurry just now. What happened?”

Madam Zhang snorted lightly: “What could be wrong with her? She’s avoiding me, afraid I’ll call her back, so she ran faster than a rabbit.”

Madam Jiang understood. This mother-in-law had a special talent—speaking to juniors in a way that could push them to the edge. As a daughter-in-law, she had to restrain herself, but Xuanyi was her own daughter. Even if they quarreled, there was no lasting resentment, so Xuanyi dared to leave openly if she didn’t want to listen.

After a moment, Madam Zhang asked again: “Why did you come to see me? Is there something on your mind?”

Madam Jiang replied: “Third Brother has left home. Mother must be reluctant to see him go, so I came to check on you.” Seeing Madam Zhang’s red eyes from crying, she asked with concern: “Mother, are you alright?”

Madam Zhang sighed lightly: “I’m fine. He’s grown up now. His wings are strong. If he wants to fly, let him fly.”