SGEIRS -Chapter 79 Favoring a Concubine While Destroying a Wife

Although Old Madam Gu tried to control her emotions, the disappointment in her heart was difficult to conceal.

All the younger family members present noticed the frown on her brow and the look of dismay on her face, clearly seeing how much she disapproved of Gu Xiuming’s actions—and how disappointed she was.

However, nobody was particularly surprised. After all, before Gu Xiuming tried to escape his marriage, Old Madam Gu had been doting on this grandson the most. Among her four grandsons, she had placed the highest hopes on him. Now that Gu Xiuming was acting recklessly and willfully, it was only natural for her to feel disappointed.

Madam Zhang noticed this and felt a secret delight in her heart. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she thought even more confidently that her youngest son, Xiuwen, could be adopted into the third branch of the family. That foolish Gu Xiuming—surely, he assumed that because his young uncle could not have children, his own son would eventually inherit the title, and therefore felt bold enough to act without restraint.

Madam Chen, however, caught the faint, almost imperceptible smile on her lips and pursed her own. She was disdainful. The old lady had never even said anything about adopting Xiuwen into the third branch; Madam Zhang was just imagining things. Why get so smug? Who knew—it might end up being all for nothing.

Finally, it was Meng Jinyao who broke the silence: “Mother, you must be tired from your journey. Why not go back and rest for a while?”

At these words, who would dare continue mentioning Gu Xiuming’s antics and make Old Madam Gu even more upset?

Madam Chen also spoke in agreement: “Third sister-in-law is right. Let’s take Mother back to rest first. Anything else can wait until tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Old Madam Gu no longer dwelled on her grandson’s behavior and lightly nodded. “Very well. I am also weary.”

The younger generation escorted Old Madam Gu back to Shou’an Hall. Seeing that she was preparing to rest for a while, they all took their leave.

Once outside Shou’an Hall, Madam Chen began to converse with Meng Jinyao. “Third sister-in-law, I heard that Xiuming allowed that Concubine Li to stay with him in the main house of Qingyu Pavilion. Although she is merely a concubine, he treats her as though she were the legitimate wife. Are you aware of this?”

Qingyu Pavilion was Gu Xiuming’s residence. As the heir of the marquisate, this residence was only slightly inferior to Weirui Hall and Shou’an Hall.

The names of these residences were all meaningful. “Qingyu” symbolizes enduring prosperity. As the heir of the household, the expectations placed on him were obvious. It was also meant to remind the heir to strive diligently and not ruin the family’s legacy after inheriting the title.

The marquis lived in Weirui Hall; “Weirui” means flourishing branches and leaves, expressing the hope that, after inheriting the title, the family legacy would continue to thrive under his care.

The main house of a residence was traditionally reserved for the legitimate wife. Gu Xiuming allowing Li Wan’er to live there with him was improper.

Even the second branch of the family knew of this, so Meng Jinyao had heard rumors as well. But since Gu Jingxi, as Xiuming’s father, did nothing, why should she, in name only his mother, interfere with such matters?

She spoke gently: “Second sister-in-law, I am aware of this matter too.”

Madam Chen, with a grave tone, said: “Third sister-in-law, you must control him. You can’t let him act on his whims. Otherwise, if word spreads, who would dare marry their daughter to Xiuming?”

Meng Jinyao understood that while Madam Chen was speaking to her, she actually wanted Meng Jinyao to inform Gu Jingxi, so that he could discipline Xiuming. But Xiuming had already made it clear: if he could not marry Li Wan’er as a wife, he would take her as a concubine and would not marry any other woman. Gu Jingxi, disappointed, had no desire to intervene.

But Meng Jinyao could not reveal the truth to Madam Chen, so she could only sigh helplessly: “Xiuming is stubborn. Neither my husband nor I can control him. We can only let him be.”

Madam Chen was frustrated and even a little angry. Gu Xiuming’s reckless behavior tarnished the family reputation and affected her own son’s prospects.

Her son was seventeen and seeking a bride. Seeing Gu Xiuming behave this way, families with daughters would assume Gu Xiuming would favor a concubine while neglecting his wife. Her own son, being Xiuming’s brother, might be judged in the same light.

Seeing Meng Jinyao’s calm demeanor, she became more anxious. “Third sister-in-law, you are young, and Xiuming might take advantage of your gentleness and not listen. But the third brother has always commanded respect in the household. If he speaks, Xiuming dares not disobey, right?”

Meng Jinyao sighed again: “My husband has been busy with official duties recently, leaving early and returning late. In the mornings, he leaves before I wake, and in the evenings, he comes home long after I have gone to bed. I don’t even know when he returns. When my husband has time, I will bring it up with him.”

Madam Chen was satisfied and nodded gently. “That’s the way. You can’t let him run wild on his whims. Otherwise, which family’s refined young lady would dare marry him?” She paused, then mentioned the matriarch: “Mother just returned today. She has not yet heard of Xiuming’s reckless actions. When she finds out, she will likely be very angry. What if it harms her health?”

Meng Jinyao nodded: “Second sister-in-law, rest assured. Tomorrow, on the day off, my husband should have time. I will speak to him then.”

Madam Zhang, listening on the side, thought frankly that Gu Xiuming’s behavior also affected her own son’s reputation, as her youngest son Xiuwen had not yet been betrothed.

Yet, she secretly hoped Gu Xiuming would continue to act recklessly. If he were thoroughly despised by both the matriarch and his adoptive father, third brother-in-law would naturally petition the emperor to strip Gu Xiuming of his position as heir.

Then, her Xiuwen would have a greater chance of being adopted into the third branch. In the clan, a distant nephew could never replace a direct nephew. After seeing Xiuming’s example, the family would surely favor Xiuwen as the direct nephew—the child they had watched grow up themselves.

Weirui Hall

Today, Gu Jingxi returned early, allowing the couple to have dinner together—a rare occurrence, as it had been several days since they last dined together.

Although Meng Jinyao did not want to meddle in affairs, she had promised Madam Chen to handle this matter. After dinner, she dismissed the maids and spoke to Gu Jingxi about Gu Xiuming’s behavior.

Finally, she added: “Both Xiuwen from the eldest sister-in-law’s family and Xiuhong from the second sister-in-law’s family have yet to be betrothed. Families with daughters seeing Xiuming behave this way would think the Gu men favor concubines over wives and would hesitate to marry their daughters to him.”

Gu Jingxi listened silently, his expression calm. After a moment, he spoke softly: “Leave this matter to you, wife.”

Meng Jinyao was taken aback: “You won’t handle your own son and are leaving it to me?”

“That is still your son,” Gu Jingxi smiled faintly. “You said earlier that you would properly educate Xiuming. Well, here is your chance.”

Meng Jinyao rolled her eyes. If anyone wanted this opportunity, they could take it.

Although she disliked Gu Xiuming and wanted to teach him a lesson, she did not want to interfere in his romantic matters. If she did, she would appear as a villain taking personal revenge and might be misunderstood as jealous that Li Wan’er had Gu Xiuming’s love.

Setting aside everything else, Gu Xiuming was one of the rare deeply passionate men. He cared for the girl he loved, regardless of consequences. Had he not fled the marriage and explained his reasons for breaking the engagement, she might have admired his devotion, agreed to dissolve the engagement, and found a suitable match elsewhere. Yet Gu Xiuming had chosen to disgust her instead.

Gu Jingxi smiled and asked: “A ready-made opportunity, wife—are you going to let it pass?”

Meng Jinyao looked at him and, in a tone filled with regret, asked: “Husband, you wouldn’t want people gossiping about you, would you?”

Gu Jingxi, with interest, countered: “What gossip?”

Meng Jinyao adjusted her tone, speaking with great pity: “The Marquis of Changxing finally marries a wife, yet though she is his bride, her heart still pines for his son.”

At these words, Gu Jingxi’s expression stiffened. He spoke calmly: “Wife, you need not interfere. Tomorrow, I will personally educate him.”