SGEIRS -Chapter 76 Reporting to Him

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned. The next instant, she realized what Gu Xiuming’s words meant. Her expression turned slightly strange as she glanced at him. Gu Xiuwen’s respect and filial behavior toward her was clearly that of a junior toward a senior, with no hint of overstepping—so how had this man read anything unusual into it?

She let out a light laugh and teased, “Son, isn’t the one bringing shame to your father and family… yourself?”

The young girl’s beautiful eyes sparkled, her smile radiant and bold, with flawless teeth and bright eyes that made it impossible to look away.

But Gu Xiuming felt infuriated, like a villainous stepmother gaining satisfaction from mocking him. Humiliated and angry, he snapped, “Isn’t that because of you? Wan’er and I were perfectly compatible. If it weren’t for you standing in my way, how could I have run away from the marriage?”

Meng Jinyao retorted, “The engagement was arranged by the elders. What does that have to do with me? If you didn’t want to marry, why not dissolve the engagement?”

Seeing Gu Xiuming’s face stiffen, she continued, “In the end, you were afraid. This engagement was arranged by your grandfather, and you feared angering your grandmother and father. But when the moment came, you regretted it. Now, you’ll probably regret it even more. After all, you’ve realized that the person you are to marry isn’t indispensable to you. Had you said so earlier, none of this scandal would have happened.”

Her words struck exactly at Gu Xiuming’s thoughts. Indeed, he feared angering his father and grandmother, but he had also considered just going along and marrying Meng Jinyao.

Meng Jinyao spoke again, “Admit it. You’re cowardly and irresponsible. When you mess up, you just pass the blame. Looks like a month of house arrest hasn’t done any good, or else you wouldn’t have done something to shame your father and family again.”

“You…”

Gu Xiuming was both ashamed and angry. That feeling of his excuses being mercilessly stripped away made him burn with humiliation. Seeing the mocking smile at the corner of Meng Jinyao’s lips, he lost his temper, “What nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever brought shame to my father and family again?”

Meng Jinyao’s lips twitched slightly as she gave him a look that spoke volumes. Probably the dumbest man in the Gu family was right in front of her. Luckily, she hadn’t married him when she was clear-headed, otherwise, a whole nest of fools would’ve been born—what a disaster that would have been.

Though she didn’t say a word, Gu Xiuming felt insulted and demanded, “Wicked woman, tell me, what did I do?”

Meng Jinyao curled her lips into a faint smile and replied, “Son, before the legitimate wife even entered the home, you already took a concubine. Which noble son would dare to do what you did? Didn’t that bring shame to your father and family?”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuming’s boldness clearly waned. He was from a noble family; of course he understood that.

But in his life, he only wanted Wan’er. Even without a legitimate child, a son by a concubine could still inherit the title. As long as the child was well-raised, no one would look down on them.

He said irritably, “I will marry no one else but Wan’er, and my father agreed as well.”

Meng Jinyao’s tone turned cool, “Yes, you were stubborn, and your father reluctantly agreed. But have you noticed what others say about our Gu family?”

Gu Xiuming’s expression froze. Why would he care about what they said?

Meng Jinyao’s gaze swept over him, then continued, “Even your cousins suffered because of this, making people feel that if you’re not careful, you’ll favor concubines and neglect wives in the future.”

She didn’t exaggerate. It was the truth. Although Gu Xiuming hadn’t formally brought Li Wan’er into the household yet, the news of him finding a matchmaker had leaked. Plus, he had been openly decorating the courtyard for her. The household had no order to keep quiet, and with many servants, news naturally spread.

That morning, she had chatted with her sisters-in-laws, Madam Zhang and Madam Chen. Both had complained that Gu Xiuming’s foolishness had caused trouble not just for himself but also for his brothers. Xiuhong and Xiuwen hadn’t even fixed their engagements yet, and now such a scandal had erupted. Families with daughters couldn’t help but overthink.

Gu Xiuming’s lips moved, but he had no reply. He hadn’t expected it to come to this.

Meng Jinyao pressed her lips into a smile and said, “Son, next time before doing something foolish, think thrice. Don’t act like the fool of a landlord’s household. Neither your father nor I can afford to lose face because of you.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming felt as if his tail had been stepped on and grew furious, “Who’s your son?”

Meng Jinyao blinked innocently and asked with a smile, “Son? Isn’t that you?”

Gu Xiuming grew even angrier, his face twisted with rage, “You shameless woman! If it weren’t for your shameless persistence in marrying my father, would I ever have gotten tangled up in such absurdity?”

“Son, why are you so angry?” Meng Jinyao looked at his flustered state, a smile growing wider. “Wasn’t it you who gave me the chance to become your mother? I should thank you. Because of you, I can experience the joy of being a mother right after getting married.”

Gu Xiuming was rendered speechless, pointing at her, “Meng Jinyao, you—”

Meng Jinyao asked, “Me? Who points a finger at their elder? Like an unfilial son.”

Gu Xiuming: “You—”

Meanwhile, not far away on the corridor bridge, a man in a crimson official robe stood with his hands behind his back, calmly observing everything. His view was partly blocked by the lush greenery but still clear enough to see the mother-and-son pair.

Zhou Yun, standing nearby, whispered, “My lord, the lady and the heir are like this—won’t you intervene?”

Gu Jingxi replied calmly, “Two children arguing—why should I meddle?”

Two children?

Zhou Yun glanced at his lord, a mature and composed man, then at the lady, a lively young girl. With a thirteen-year age gap, and the lady two months younger than the heir, Gu Jingxi seemed almost like a father to her despite no blood relation.

So, although the lady was technically the heir’s senior, in Gu Jingxi’s eyes, both were just children.

Zhou Yun asked again, “My lord, shall we continue watching the show?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Looks like they’ve quarreled enough. Let’s go.” With that, he stepped off the corridor bridge.

Seeing his figure, Meng Jinyao swallowed the words on her lips, forcing a maternal smile and speaking softly, “Son, mother is teaching you for your own good. When you grow up, you’ll understand mother’s intentions.”

Gu Xiuming: ?

What nonsense is this?

Just a moment ago, she called him an unfilial son, now she’s playing the doting mother?

He frowned in disgust, “Meng Jinyao, stop pretending. Don’t think that marrying my father makes you my mother. One day, I’ll have my father divorce you, you wicked woman.”

Exactly what Meng Jinyao wanted. She smirked with glee, then toned down her expression and pitifully looked at the man behind Gu Xiuming, reporting, “Husband, your son is bullying me.”

Gu Xiuming: ?

He froze, gritting his teeth in fury.

Wicked woman!

Meng Jinyao truly was a wicked woman!

Only her father had been deceived by her fake appearance!