SGEIRS -Chapter 66 Accompanying the Wife

Shou’an Hall.

Old Madam Gu held a pair of scissors and leisurely trimmed the potted plants she had grown herself. Hearing footsteps, she merely looked up and said, “Yaoling is here, huh,” then returned to her trimming.

Gu Jingxi didn’t disturb his mother’s peaceful pastime. He bowed politely, then took a seat to the side and waited.

After a while, Old Madam Gu finished trimming the plants, set down the scissors, and sat at her son’s head. Seeing his tired expression, clearly due to lack of rest in recent days, she asked with concern, “Yaoling, you look haggard. Have you been very busy lately?”

Gu Jingxi gave a light, evasive answer: “I’ve been handling a tricky case, so I was a bit busy, but it’s all done now. Mother, did you call me here for something?”

Old Madam Gu didn’t beat around the bush. She said directly, “Yaoling, I remember that the head of Lingshan Academy, Head Xu, is a lifelong friend of yours.”

“I am indeed lifelong friends with Head Xu,” Gu Jingxi nodded lightly. “Why do you bring this up now?”

Old Madam Gu replied, “Lingshan Academy is recruiting students again. I’ve looked into it roughly. This time, they’re accepting children aged ten to fifteen. Our Xiuwen is fifteen, isn’t he?”

As she spoke, she glanced at her son, knowing he wasn’t the type to give people special treatment. She continued, “Yaoling, Xiuwen can’t continue living under your eldest sister-in-law’s care, or she’ll spoil him. He’s intelligent and has a talent for studying, but your eldest sister-in-law coddles him too much. He’ll grow up indulged, lazy in learning, and unable to endure hardships.”

Gu Jingxi was silent for a moment, then asked, “Mother, I’ve been busy the past few days and haven’t paid attention to the household. Has something happened?”

Old Madam Gu told him what had happened that morning, and at the end she sighed: “Xuanyi is such a good child, yet your eldest sister-in-law has spoiled her into this state. If this continues, Xiuwen might turn out badly as well. Going to Lingshan Academy is good—he’ll be far from home, can’t return often, and can focus on studying. His classmates will all be outstanding, and the environment will gradually influence him to improve.”

Gu Jingxi was surprised. He hadn’t expected that his usually obedient and sensible niece would have such a temperament. Every time she met him, she was always very well-behaved.

Seeing that her son seemed incredulous, Old Madam Gu said, “I haven’t mentioned these things about the young girls before, and you’ve been busy with official duties, rarely paying attention to the younger generation. Only Xiuwen occasionally gets tested on his studies by you, so it’s normal that you don’t know about Xuanyi.”

She spoke earnestly: “Yaoling, the rise and fall of our Gu family’s next generation depends on these children. If they aren’t properly nurtured, the Gu family will decline once you grow old. Xiuwen is just a bit lazy, but he’s intelligent and sharp. His teacher even praised his writing once and said he rewarded him with a set of scholar’s stationery. If he’s spoiled and ends up accomplishing nothing, what a waste that would be.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi pondered briefly and nodded in agreement. “Mother, Head Xu is currently in the capital. On my next day off, I’ll take Xiuwen to visit him.”

Old Madam Gu smiled, nodding repeatedly. “Good, that will be helpful, Yaoling.”

Gu Jingxi said warmly, “Mother, there’s no need to be polite. It’s a small matter. I can help him get into Lingshan Academy, but if he doesn’t work hard once there and fails the assessments, he’ll still be asked to leave.”

Old Madam Gu was not worried. “Environment changes a person. He’s only lazy because he’s been spoiled. Seeing his classmates study diligently will influence him gradually. And a smart child learns more efficiently.”

Gu Jingxi was taken aback. “Mother seems confident in him.”

Old Madam Gu smiled. “I’ve watched him grow up. I know his character.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi began to have some expectations for his nephew. If he could really improve, then even using connections to get him in would be worth it. But if he went in just to waste time, that would really shame the Gu family.

Old Madam Gu glanced outside; the sun had set, and twilight was approaching. She turned to her son and asked gently, “Yaoling, it’s almost dinner time. Why don’t you stay and eat with me? I asked the kitchen to make a few of your favorite dishes.”

Gu Jingxi apologized, “This time I must disappoint you, Mother.”

Old Madam Gu was stunned. Her son never refused before, so why this time so decisively? She thought he must be overworked again. She frowned, her face stern, and scolded, “You still have things to do? No matter how busy, you must eat. You’re not made of iron. If you don’t take care of yourself while young, when you grow older you’ll have all kinds of old illnesses, struggling and miserable. Then you’ll know better.”

Gu Jingxi shook his head slightly and smiled gently. “No, Mother. I promised your daughter-in-law I’d eat with her later, so I have to disappoint you.”

At this, Old Madam Gu froze, then her eyes brightened, a smile spreading across her face. This was good! Her daughter-in-law had taken the initiative to invite him, and her son had responded considerately. It showed these young people had some feelings for each other after all this time.

Looking at her nearly thirty-year-old son, Old Madam Gu couldn’t help tearing up. She nodded repeatedly and choked out, “Good, this is really good. Seeing you two married and harmonious, knowing you’ll have someone by your side for the rest of your life… even if I were to go now, I could leave in peace.”

Gu Jingxi said softly, “Mother, don’t say such things. You’ll live a long life.”

“Whether I live long or not isn’t important to me. What matters is that the younger generation succeeds, the family remains harmonious, and you have someone by your side.” Old Madam Gu wiped her tears and smiled warmly, her voice gentle and loving as she advised, “A-Yao is still young. At this age, young girls are just opening their hearts. She needs a man to indulge and cherish her. You should accommodate her, make her happy, and spend time with her. That’s how a couple’s relationship grows strong.”

Gu Jingxi remained silent. He didn’t think the young lady needed coaxing. She was sharp, independent, and clear-headed—not the type to enjoy sweet words.

Besides, he couldn’t utter those sugary lines himself. They had no real romantic history; speaking sweetly to her would be no different than a flirtatious scoundrel teasing a virtuous lady.

Seeing his silence, Old Madam Gu realized he certainly didn’t agree with her. She glared at him: “Don’t doubt it. You’ve never dealt with a young girl before and don’t understand their thoughts. But I grew up with them—I know young girls’ hearts best.”

Gu Jingxi didn’t want to argue with his mother and smiled gently. “Your son believes you.”