The morning sunlight was gentle, perfect for a stroll.

Gu Xiuwen, ever hospitable, was giving Meng Chengzhang a tour of the residence so he could familiarize himself with the layout. Partway through, he was called away, leaving Meng Chengzhang to continue exploring on his own.

Meng Chengzhang was so captivated by the scenic views that he didn’t notice he had lost his way. With several paths ahead, he wasn’t sure which one led back.

When Gu Xiuwen returned and couldn’t find him, he immediately realized he must have gotten lost and went searching. On the way, he ran into Gu Xiuming and Li Wan’er, strolling together casually, laughing and chatting. Their expressions were full of affection, and they looked strikingly compatible at first glance.

He stepped forward to greet them. “Third Brother, Concubine Li.”

Li Wan’er had recently learned proper etiquette and knew she had to bow when meeting any of the household masters. Seeing Gu Xiuwen approach, she quickly bent slightly and said, “Fourth Master.”

Gu Xiuming noticed Gu Xiuwen glancing around anxiously and asked, puzzled, “You look so worried, Fourth Brother. Are you looking for something?”

Gu Xiuwen nodded. “I’m looking for Second Uncle. Did you see him just now?”

Gu Xiuming froze. He knew Fourth Brother only had one uncle—the elder brother of his eldest aunt. Who was this suddenly appearing “Second Uncle”?

The next moment, when Meng Chengzhang came into view, Gu Xiuming was slightly surprised. He recognized Meng Chengzhang but couldn’t understand why he was at the Changxing Marquis residence. “Second Young Master Meng, you’re here too?”

Following his gaze, Gu Xiuwen turned and exhaled in relief. “Second Uncle, finally found you!”

The person who should have called him “Second Uncle” called him “Second Young Master Meng” instead. Gu Xiuwen, in the adjoining room, called him “Second Uncle,” making Gu Xiuming appear ignorant of etiquette, instantly creating an awkward atmosphere.

Gu Xiuwen frowned slightly and disapproved, glancing at Third Brother. If Third Brother hadn’t run away from the arranged marriage and had married Third Aunt, he could now call him “Second Brother.” Now, dissatisfied with someone senior in generation, he directly called him “Second Young Master Meng.”

Gu Xiuming realized the problem and stiffened.

Li Wan’er also seemed to guess Meng Chengzhang’s identity. The Second Young Master Meng was probably Meng Jinyao’s younger brother. Perhaps because of the past elopement with Gu Xiuming, she instinctively took a step back, nervously clutching Gu Xiuming’s sleeve for protection.

Meng Chengzhang quickly approached and said in a gentle tone, “Fourth Young Master, I’m sorry to have worried you. I got lost earlier, but a maid guided me out.”

Gu Xiuwen said, “It’s no problem. There are a few paths here. It’s normal to get lost if you’re unfamiliar.”

Seeing the two talking amicably, Gu Xiuming felt surprised. Refusing to call Meng Chengzhang “Second Uncle,” he didn’t change his tone and asked lightly, “Second Young Master Meng, what brings you here so early?”

Meng Chengzhang slightly nodded and answered gently, “The day after tomorrow, Fourth Young Master and I will depart for Lingshan Academy. I came to stay a couple of days and accompany my elder sister.”

He then glanced at the girl next to Gu Xiuming. If he guessed correctly, she was the Concubine Li who eloped with Gu Xiuming. At first glance, she appeared gentle, but hiding timidly behind Gu Xiuming for protection, she looked like a delicate vine flower, weak and helpless.

He frowned. Gu Xiuming must be blind to abandon his elder sister for such a girl and create such a scandal. The Changxing Marquis residence had now become a joke among the capital’s prominent families.

However, Meng Chengzhang’s gaze didn’t catch Gu Xiuming’s attention, who was fully focused on the words “Lingshan Academy.” If Fourth Brother could go to Lingshan Academy with Father’s help, then what about Meng Chengzhang?

Their father doted on Meng Jinyao. Maybe she had whispered in his ear, and Father, while helping her, also sent Meng Chengzhang to Lingshan Academy.

Lingshan Academy! Even as a son, he couldn’t get in, yet his father sent two outsiders in at once. He looked at Meng Chengzhang with resentment and scoffed lightly, “So it’s true: when one person rises, everyone around benefits. The elder sister climbs high, and the younger brother reaps the rewards.”

Though not explicitly stated, the implication was clear: Meng Chengzhang owed his position at Lingshan Academy to his sister’s influence and her husband’s favor.

Meng Chengzhang’s expression darkened.

Gu Xiuwen’s face also hardened. Third Brother was ignorant of the situation, but he understood clearly: Third Aunt’s younger brother, though young, was truly talented. Third Brother, without understanding this, assumed he was benefiting from family connections. Frowning, he said in displeasure, “Third Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Gu Xiuming sneered mockingly. “Am I wrong? Isn’t he riding his sister’s coattails?”

Seeing his once-courteous elder brother become so obnoxious and unreasonable, Gu Xiuwen was angered. He warned, “Third Brother, if you continue disrespecting your elders, I’ll tell Third Uncle.”

Gu Xiuming scoffed, “I didn’t know Fourth Brother liked tattling. What makes him an elder? It’s just that his sister shamelessly insisted on marrying my father.”

Gu Xiuwen retorted, “I didn’t know Third Brother could be so disrespectful. Truly a disgrace to Third Uncle!”

Meng Chengzhang’s face darkened with displeasure. “Fourth Young Master Gu, why did my elder sister marry my current brother-in-law if not because of your actions? A man with no virtue abandons his fiancée on his wedding day to elope with a girl of equally poor character, and now you dare blame the victim? How dare you speak such despicable, shameless words?”

At these words, Li Wan’er’s face turned pale, tears welling in her eyes, but she bit her lip to hold back her sobs, her delicate, fair hands clutching Gu Xiuming’s sleeve tightly. Her frail body swayed in the spring breeze, as if even the slightest wind could knock her down.

On this matter, Gu Xiuming had no moral ground and couldn’t retort. His gaze darkened as he glared at Meng Chengzhang, thinking: siblings are indeed equally annoying.

Gu Xiuwen, spoiled by his parents and now in a temper, didn’t hold back. He stepped forward, blocking his elder brother’s view, and said, “Exactly! You and Concubine Li have no virtue, yet you blame Third Aunt? If it weren’t for your shameless elopement, our Changxing Marquis residence wouldn’t be laughed at every time we go out.”

Gu Xiuming clenched his fists, ashamed and enraged. “Gu Xiuwen, did you just say that?”

Gu Xiuwen glared at him, annoyed. “I said you and Concubine Li are shameless, bringing shame to the entire family. When I go out, people ask if I’ll follow your example—taking concubines before marrying, letting a concubine live in the main house. Now, before Second Brother and I are even betrothed, which young lady would dare to engage with us?”

If you want, I can continue and do a smooth, readable English version of the dialogue that keeps all the social nuances and family hierarchy tensions intact—so it reads like a polished novel instead of a literal translation.

Do you want me to do that?

Here’s a complete translation of Chapter 98: “He’s Just Shameless”:

Chapter 98: He’s Just Shameless