SGEIRS -Chapter 77 A Little Indulgent

Just now, she had been so arrogant, but the moment she saw his father arrive, she immediately changed her expression, taking on the posture of a victim to complain to him. Clearly, he was the one who had been furious almost to death—but who was bullying whom here?

Zhou Yun was also a bit stunned. “Did Madam change her expression too quickly? But… the Young Master really is slow to react. When Madam softened her tone, he should have been on alert, acted obedient and filial in front of his mother, and waited until the Marquis passed by to continue the quarrel.”

Gu Jingxi, however, felt helpless. He had assumed that the quarrel between these two children would be over by now, but he didn’t expect the little lady to pull this stunt. Now, whether he wanted to intervene or not, he had to.

The atmosphere fell silent for a few breaths. Gu Xiuming shot Meng Jinyao an annoyed glare, as if his eyes were saying: Wicked woman, you did it on purpose!

Meng Jinyao read his expression and blinked at him, silently replying: Exactly on purpose!

But she really hadn’t expected Gu Xiuming to be so unobservant. When she suddenly changed her attitude, he should have noticed someone had arrived. Who could have predicted that the person would scold her, so she just deliberately acted mischievous.

She had been mischievous, yes, but she didn’t feel guilty—after all, Gu Xiuming had provoked her first. He had mocked her and warned her not to sulk in silence or bring shame to the Gu family with an affair—clearly defaming her chastity.

Gu Xiuming, fuming, took a deep breath and slowly turned to face his father, whose expression was hard to read. Nervously, he called out in a weak voice: “Father.”

Gu Jingxi glanced at his restless little wife, then at his unrepentant son. These two—mother and son—were equally mischievous. Overall, though, his son’s behavior was worse; recently, this son had really refreshed his understanding of him.

Frowning, he spoke in a low, stern voice: “Xiuming, no matter how young she is, she is still your elder, your mother. A son should treat his mother with respect and filial piety, not respond with harsh words.”

After enduring family punishment, being confined to reflect, and copying the family rules a hundred times, Gu Xiuming had made progress. He understood the principle of not suffering a loss blindly. If he called Meng Jinyao malicious now, he would certainly be criticized. So before being reprimanded, he immediately admitted his fault with a good attitude: “Father, I know my mistake. I shouldn’t have spoken rudely to my mother.”

“Since you know it’s wrong, why do it?” Gu Jingxi asked, raising his eyes to the little lady behind him, then continuing, “Your father never considered divorcing her before, and never will.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming’s face went pale. His father was responding to his earlier suggestion to divorce Meng Jinyao. Now that his father had clearly said he would not, he quickly added: “Father, please calm your anger. What I said to my mother just now was in the heat of the moment.”

Meng Jinyao also spoke up at the right moment: “Husband, since Xiuming knows his mistake, let’s just let this matter go.”

She perfectly embodied the gentle, caring mother demeanor. Gu Xiuming was furious but dared not act up in front of his father, only cursing in his heart: Hypocritical! So fake!

Gu Jingxi said: “Since your mother has spoken this way, I won’t pursue your mistake this time. Copy the family rules ten times as a punishment.” Then he shifted the topic: “Your studies have been neglected for over a month. Since your confinement is lifted, go back to the academy and focus on your studies. Don’t loaf around at home all day.”

Hearing that he only had to copy the rules ten times, Gu Xiuming secretly relaxed and quickly replied: “Father, I will return to the academy to study tomorrow.”

Gu Jingxi nodded, “Hmm,” then asked: “Anything else?”

“Nothing for now. I will go copy the family rules and present them to Father when done,” Gu Xiuming said, then bowed to Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao before leaving.

After he left, Gu Jingxi stepped toward Meng Jinyao and called softly: “Madam.”

Meng Jinyao managed a smile and chirped: “Husband.”

“What just happened?” Gu Jingxi asked knowingly.

Meng Jinyao blinked innocently: “Husband, didn’t you see? Your son bullied me.” She sighed lightly, feigning sorrow, pressing her hand to her chest in a classical beauty pose: “Ah, I am not his biological mother. I don’t expect him to treat me like his own mother, but at least give me some respect. Yet he spoke harshly to me.”

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi’s lips twitched slightly as he asked directly: “Who won your argument just now?”

Meng Jinyao lied without hesitation: “Of course your son won! He was fierce, as you saw. How could I possibly win?”

The little lady was acting adorably mischievous. Even though her words carried no credibility, she somehow spoke them with such audacity.

Gu Jingxi chuckled lightly. “Little liar.”

Meng Jinyao looked extremely innocent. “Husband, don’t you believe me?”

Behind her, Ningdong couldn’t see her expression clearly, but Zhou Yun did. He helplessly rubbed his forehead and thought: Madam, who loses a quarrel and can still remain so calm? You are clearly in the victorious position, hence your so-called “forgiveness.”

Gu Jingxi locked his gaze on her, staring for a moment, and slowly said: “I had the pleasure of watching Madam quarrel with Xiuming just now. Your skill with words is impressive. He didn’t gain a single advantage and was left speechless by you.”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

If he already saw it, why ask her who won?

After a long pause, she straightened her neck and defiantly said: “So what? He provoked me first. He accused me of infidelity, saying I would bring shame to you and the Gu family. But who brought shame to you and the Gu family? Wasn’t it him himself?”

Gu Jingxi pressed his lips and smiled. “Otherwise, Madam, why do you think I punished him to copy the family rules?”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao understood. He punished Gu Xiuming because he knew he had been disrespectful to his elders first.

She raised her eyes, glanced at Gu Jingxi, and hesitantly asked: “I lied… Husband, you won’t punish me too, right?”

Gu Jingxi arched an eyebrow and said calmly: “Do you think this little trick could fool me? It might fool a three-year-old, but in all these years, I’ve examined countless criminals and have never seen someone lie so clumsily.”

Meng Jinyao: “……”

What? She felt like she wouldn’t be punished, yet she was a bit frustrated. Was her lying technique really that clumsy? Clumsy enough to be seen through immediately?

Gu Jingxi didn’t press the matter and added: “I still have other things to attend to. I won’t return for dinner tonight.”

The sudden topic shift left Meng Jinyao a little stunned. She nodded awkwardly: “Then you go ahead, Husband.”

Gu Jingxi nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Zhou Yun followed the Marquis, a step behind, quietly looking up at his lord. The Marquis’s expression was cold and indifferent, neither pleased nor angry, seemingly unaffected by the previous events.

Perhaps it was his imagination, but he felt the Marquis was fair and just with the Young Master but gentle and indulgent toward Madam, even a little doting.