SGEIRS -Chapter 75 A Red Apricot Leans Over the Wall

Qingyu Pavilion.

Having set the date to formally bring his beloved maiden into the residence, Gu Xiuming was nearly overwhelmed with joy. Yet when he thought that the girl he loved would have to suffer the indignity of becoming a concubine, he was filled with self-reproach. If it hadn’t been for him eloping with Wan’er and thereby ruining her reputation, Wan’er could have rightfully become his primary wife.

To make it up to his beloved, Gu Xiuming personally instructed the maids to carefully arrange the courtyard in a style that Li Wan’er would like. He also ordered them to purchase some items suitable for a young lady’s personal use.

The maids of Qingyu Pavilion, seeing how much importance he placed on this concubine—treating her with the same care as a wife—quietly weighed in their minds how they should serve her once she entered the residence.

“The Young Master really does care about Concubine Li,” one whispered.

“He does, but the Young Master hasn’t married his principal wife yet. Once the official bride enters the household, Concubine Li will still rank below her,” another replied.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Since the Young Master allowed the concubine to enter first, it shows that even in his heart, the principal wife cannot surpass her. After all, this is a girl for whom the Young Master was willing to elope—disregarding family honor—to spend his life with. She’s extraordinary.”

Upon hearing this, the whispering maids immediately fell silent, thinking which noble lady could be so unlucky—to marry a Young Master who already has a favored concubine, and still be overshadowed by her.

Some people are simply born under fortunate stars. The incoming Concubine Li, though an orphan, had won the Young Master’s wholehearted affection. If she bore his eldest illegitimate son before the principal wife arrived, her status in the Young Master’s heart would be  unshakable.

Gu Xiuming stepped out of the room and walked toward the courtyard, oblivious to the maids’ previous whispers.

Passing through the artificial rockery and crossing the corridor bridge, he caught sight of a familiar figure: the second legitimate son of the main branch, his cousin Gu Xiuwen, one year younger than him, now walking in the direction to his right. Gu Xiuming paused, deep in thought.

That direction led to Weirui Pavilion. Puzzled, he quickened his pace and intercepted Gu Xiuwen, greeting him: “Fourth Brother.”

Gu Xiuwen had been in a hurry earlier and hadn’t noticed him. Seeing him now, he quickly stopped and smiled, greeting: “Third Brother, are you going to visit Third Aunt too?”

“Also?”

What did he mean by “also”?

Why would he want to visit that venomous woman, Meng Jinyao, with her honeyed words and hidden dagger?

Well… she was now his nominal mother, so it was normal for him to pay his respects. But why would his cousin also go?

Furrowing his brow, Gu Xiuming asked the question on his mind: “Fourth Brother, what are you going to see her for?”

Gu Xiuwen answered honestly: “Yesterday, Third Aunt was looking for a book but couldn’t find it. Today, I happened to see it in the library, so I brought it over for her.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming shot his cousin a peculiar glance. He knew the story: when he had fled his marriage, the plan had been to choose a bride between his second and fourth brothers. But Jinyao shamelessly chose his father instead, stubbornly insisting on marrying him.

That venomous woman still had some charm, and now Fourth Brother was showing her attentiveness. Could it be…

It wasn’t unreasonable to worry. His father had a hidden illness, the woman would be left a widow if married into the family, and Fourth Brother was young, at the age most susceptible to being tempted by a beautiful girl.

One restless woman leaning out over the wall, one young man just opening his heart to temptation—it wasn’t surprising that something improper could happen.

Gu Xiuming said meaningfully, “Fourth Brother sure is attentive to her.”

However, Gu Xiuwen didn’t catch his cousin’s implied meaning. Scratching the back of his head, he smiled: “Father and Mother told me to always honor Third Uncle and Third Aunt. Actually, even if they hadn’t said it, I would have anyway. Third Uncle helped me greatly; what I’m doing now is just a trivial favor.”

Gu Xiuming remembered then that his cousin was about to study at Lingshan Academy. Among the four brothers, only this cousin had such an opportunity. Even he, the heir, had never had his father personally petition the head of Lingshan Academy for a place.

He was not a biological son, and his father’s care for him was limited. Compared with him, a transferred nephew, Fourth Brother was a blood nephew, and naturally closer to their father.

A pang of bitterness rose in his heart, yet he forced a smile and congratulated his cousin: “Fourth Brother, I heard you’re going to study at Lingshan Academy. Congratulations.”

Gu Xiuwen readily responded: “And congratulations to Third Brother for winning the beauty’s heart.”

But as soon as he said this, he remembered what his father and mother had said—that Third Brother had taken a concubine before marrying a wife, which was absurd. Realizing his congratulations might have been awkward, he quickly redirected the conversation: “Actually, my chance to attend Lingshan Academy is thanks to Third Uncle as well.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming’s expression stiffened slightly. He couldn’t help feeling that his cousin was subtly showing off.

Before Gu Xiuming could respond, Gu Xiuwen’s gaze fell on the young mother not far away. His eyes lit up, and he called out: “Third Aunt!”

Meng Jinyao, who had already seen the two cousins, now nodded slightly at Gu Xiuwen upon hearing him.

As she walked closer, Gu Xiuwen cupped his hands in greeting: “Xiuwen pays respects to Third Aunt.”

Gu Xiuming had no choice but to follow suit, calling out: “Mother.”

Meng Jinyao did not miss the fleeting look of disgust that crossed her stepson’s face. She enjoyed how he disliked her yet had to respectfully greet her. A gentle smile curved her lips as she asked softly: “What are you two brothers doing here?”

“Nothing much. I just happened to meet Third Brother and chatted a bit,” Gu Xiuwen replied, handing her a book bound in blue. “Third Aunt, this is the book you wanted earlier. I saw it in the library and brought it to you.”

Meng Jinyao paused briefly, then accepted the book with a warm smile: “Xiuwen is so thoughtful. A mere mention from a senior and you remembered it. Elders are truly blessed to have such a filial child.”

Gu Xiuwen blushed slightly, embarrassed by the praise. “Third Brother is also filial. Third Aunt and Third Uncle are truly fortunate.”

Her gaze then fell on Gu Xiuming, and her smile deepened: “Yes, Xiuming is also a filial son. Third Uncle and I are indeed fortunate.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “son,” and sure enough, Gu Xiuming’s expression stiffened. He shot her a venomous glance, which made her heart secretly pleased.

She thought to herself that perhaps she really was a little wicked—seeing someone uncomfortable brought her joy.

After a few polite words, Gu Xiuwen had other matters and went ahead, leaving only Meng Jinyao, her maid Ningdong, and Gu Xiuming.

Once Gu Xiuwen had walked some distance, Gu Xiuming’s expression darkened. With eyes full of disdain, he glared at Meng Jinyao and said with a mocking edge: “Fourth Brother is indeed very filial to Mother. But please always remember your own status. You chose this path yourself, so don’t do anything that would bring shame to Father or the family.”