SGEIRS -Chapter 64 Wild Speculation

Over there, Madam Zhang walked out of Shou’an Hall, feeling light-headed, with a smile that never left her face.

She walked as if carried by the wind, hurrying back to her own courtyard. When she learned that her husband had gone to his concubine’s quarters, her smile immediately faded. How long had she been at her mother-in-law’s? And he had already reached the warm embrace of the concubine so quickly?

But thinking of her son’s studies, she brightened again and instructed her maid to summon Gu Jingsheng back.

Meanwhile, Gu Jingsheng was immersed in the warm embrace of a beautiful concubine. They were already on the bed, ready for intimacy, when suddenly a maid interrupted their private moment. He was furious and instantly lost interest, instructing the concubine to help him dress so he could go out.

The maid, seeing the door open and her master coming out with a dark expression, asked nervously, “What is it this time?”

The maid shrank back and hurriedly replied, “Master, Madam says there’s an urgent matter she wants to discuss with you—it concerns Fourth Young Master, and she asked you to come over immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingsheng’s expression softened slightly. He glanced at the beautiful concubine beside him, feeling reluctant, but since it concerned the child, he went straight to Madam Zhang’s courtyard.

The concubine was displeased to see Gu Jingsheng leave and stomped her feet in frustration. How was she to know whether Madam’s “urgent matter” was real or fabricated? Being interrupted like this wasn’t the first time, and it angered her. Madam had not only prevented them from bearing children but even tried to block Gu Jingsheng from visiting them.

As Gu Jingsheng entered the courtyard, he saw his wife beaming with joy and felt puzzled. Before going to Shou’an Hall, she had been anxious and uneasy—why did her expression change upon his return? He asked, “Wife, what’s the matter with Xiuwen that made you call me in such a hurry?”

Madam Zhang was excited beyond words: “Good news! Very good news!”

Gu Jingsheng, rarely seeing her so animated—she had not even been this excited at their eldest daughter-in-law’s wedding—couldn’t help but smile: “What good news? Could it be that Xiuwen is getting married? Xiuhong and Xiuyuan haven’t married yet; why the rush?”

“…“

Madam Zhang was speechless. Her joy dimmed slightly; her husband always knew how to spoil the mood. Was it that, besides the children’s marriages, there was no other reason to be happy?

Gu Jingsheng, still puzzled, asked, “Wife, why have you gone quiet again?”

Having been married nearly twenty years, Madam Zhang knew her husband’s temper and was too tired to argue. She explained what her mother-in-law had intended—to help Xiuwen enroll in Lingshan Academy.

What kind of place was Lingshan Academy?

Even the most mediocre Gu Jingsheng knew it was a prestigious school coveted by scholars. Lingshan Academy was renowned across the land, producing many prominent figures, filled with distinguished teachers, outstanding students, and offering a high chance of passing the imperial examinations.

If Xiuwen studied there, he might even pass the imperial exams. Even if not, the connections and opportunities at Lingshan Academy would be invaluable.

Gu Jingsheng beamed: “See, Mother really looks after us. She’s arranging for Third Brother to help Xiuwen attend Lingshan Academy.”

Madam Zhang: “…“

This time, their eldest branch was the beneficiary. She couldn’t argue with her husband. Among all the grandchildren, only Xiuwen in their family received such treatment; even Xiuming, the heir, had not been sent to Lingshan Academy.

But why was her mother-in-law so kind to Xiuwen?

Seeing her lost in thought, Gu Jingsheng asked, “Wife, what are you thinking?”

Madam Zhang waved her hand, dismissing the maids, and asked curiously, “Husband, Mother has four grandsons. Why is she only so good to Xiuwen? His older brothers didn’t attend Lingshan Academy.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingsheng was exasperated. Women were troublesome—they overthink everything. Isn’t receiving a benefit enough? What’s the use of speculating?

He said impatiently, “This time, the academy is recruiting ten- to fifteen-year-olds. Xiuyuan and the others are too old. Xiuwen is simply lucky.”

Madam Zhang shook her head slightly: “I don’t think so. Xiuming is the heir, and even he didn’t get this benefit. How could Xiuwen?”

She frowned and pondered.

Soon, a shocking thought flashed in her mind. Her eyes widened, then, after the initial shock, joy overwhelmed her. The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

She asked mysteriously, “Husband, do you think Mother wants to adopt Xiuwen into Third Brother’s household?”

Gu Jingsheng was stunned, thinking his wife’s idea was far-fetched. He replied, “Don’t overthink it. Third Brother already has Xiuming. Why would he want Xiuwen?”

Madam Zhang shot him a glance, a hint of disdain in her eyes, thinking him slow-witted. Still, she spoke gently: “Xiuming caused such a scandal, Third Brother punished him severely. He’s still reflecting in the ancestral hall, and Mother didn’t even plead for him. Don’t you think Mother and Third Brother are disappointed with Xiuming and have given up on him?”

Gu Jingsheng suddenly felt enlightened, shocked: “Could it be… Mother wants to…”

He didn’t dare finish the thought and fell silent for a moment, feeling reluctant: “But Xiuwen is already so old. We’ve raised him for fifteen years. To just adopt him out, to have him call someone else ‘parents’…”

“You’re so short-sighted!”

Madam Zhang dismissed him with a huff, then softened her tone seeing his expression: “Husband, if he’s adopted into Third Brother’s household, he’ll be the heir of the marquisate. Though it’s hard to part with our child, if it gives him a better future, shouldn’t we be happy for him?”

Gu Jingsheng remained silent. He had two sons and naturally wanted them to succeed. Though he lacked the ability to become a high official, he wanted his sons to have a bright future. Being adopted by Third Brother could give Xiuwen opportunities, and as his biological father, it would bring him prestige.

After pondering, Gu Jingsheng added, “But Mother never explicitly said it. Perhaps we’re overthinking? Xiuyuan is the eldest grandson; even if Third Brother wanted a new heir, he could choose Xiuyuan. There’s no need to adopt Xiuwen.”

Madam Zhang gave him a reproachful glance and analyzed: “If he’s adopted, he’ll become their son and support them in old age. Adoption would be more advantageous. In my opinion, a cousin is no match for a biological son. Considering what happened with Xiuming, Third Brother probably won’t adopt from a distant branch again. The second brother only has one son—our Xiuwen is the most likely candidate.”

Gu Jingsheng nodded in understanding. Yet, a benefit like this hadn’t come to their branch in ten years. Could it really come to them now?

He thought it was risky to expect too much. For now, just being able to study at Lingshan Academy was excellent. He said: “This is all uncertain. Don’t spread it around, or Mother might misunderstand us.”

Madam Zhang was equally cautious, replying: “I’m only telling you. Who dares spread the word? If it’s not true, it would be embarrassing. Even Xiuyuan and Xiuwen won’t be told.”