SGEIRS -Chapter 99 Slandering a Good Reputation

As the words fell, the atmosphere around them grew tense.

Gu Xiuming and Gu Xiuwen had been brothers for so many years, always respectful and friendly with each other, never even raising their voices. Yet today, they ignored decorum and started quarreling openly.

They glared at each other furiously. In the end, Gu Xiuming, who was clearly in the wrong, fell to the lower position. His actions had indeed damaged the reputation of the brothers in the household. Previously, their father had summoned him to the study for a scolding, but now that he had forced Wan’er to move out of the main room she deserved, what more could be done to him?

Meng Chengzhang froze, staring at the two brothers about to come to blows. He hadn’t expected the matter to escalate to a fight between them.

Li Wan’er, her tears barely restrained until now, could hold them back no longer. They spilled down her face in a flood as she sobbed softly.

Seeing her crying so pitifully, her face streaked with tears, Gu Xiuwen was reminded of his father’s concubines and felt an even stronger sense of disgust. He mercilessly added, “Third Brother is the heir of the Marquis residence. Please be careful with your words in the future. Don’t tarnish the reputation of the Changxing Marquis household just over a concubine unfit for public view.”

Gu Xiuming was furious, gritting his teeth. “Gu Xiuwen, who are you saying is unfit for public view?”

Gu Xiuwen pointed at Li Wan’er beside him and sneered, “I’m saying that your little concubine is unfit for public view. Is that wrong? Do you dare claim your concubine is presentable? Don’t you know how outsiders laugh at you for this? Treating a worthless thing as a treasure in your hand—it’s laughable. Look across the whole capital; I doubt anyone else would do such a thing.”

“You’re asking for death!”

These words utterly enraged Gu Xiuming. The young woman he held in his hands was being defamed like this. He stepped forward, grabbed Gu Xiuwen by the collar with one hand, and swung his other fist at Gu Xiuwen’s face.

Gu Xiuwen, caught off guard, took the punch to his face. But he quickly recovered and fought back without mercy, swinging a punch in return.

The brothers exchanged blows, rolling and grappling. They were only a year apart in age—one fifteen, the other sixteen—and their strength was nearly equal, so neither could gain the upper hand.

Meng Chengzhang, witnessing this, froze, then quickly tried to intervene. But as a slender thirteen-year-old, he had no ability to separate the two older boys. During his attempt, he was hit in the face twice by Gu Xiuming and even kicked once.

Li Wan’er was terrified, her face pale as she cowered to the side, tears flowing more fiercely. Choking back her sobs, she cried, “Brother Xiuming, stop… please stop fighting.”

The two brothers didn’t relent; instead, their fight became even more intense.

Gu Xiuwen was clever—he avoided hitting the face and aimed only at areas covered by clothing.

At first glance, it seemed he was the one getting hurt more severely.

Gu Xiuming gritted his teeth in pain, his face red with anger. When he saw an opportunity to pin Gu Xiuwen, he twisted both of Gu Xiuwen’s arms behind his back, forcing him to the ground, kneeling one leg on his back, and mocked, “Earlier, I noticed you behaving oddly around Meng Jinyao, fawning over her. Today, you’re defending those siblings? Seems like you two really have something going on.”

“Meng Jinyao is indeed somewhat pretty, but I advise Fourth Brother to stay clear-headed. She is now my father’s wife. Don’t let her charm you into doing anything improper.”

These words left Gu Xiuwen stunned for a moment. Then, realizing what Gu Xiuming implied, he immediately flew into a rage. “Third Brother, what nonsense are you talking? I and Third Aunt are completely innocent! Don’t slander her good reputation!”

“Innocent?” Gu Xiuming scoffed. “Back when I ran away from the marriage, she nearly married you. If not for the fact that my father hadn’t married yet, you would have had a fifty percent chance of being her husband.”

Just as he finished speaking, Meng Chengzhang delivered a fierce kick to him, catching him off guard and sending him to the ground, giving Gu Xiuwen a chance to regain the upper hand.

Originally, Meng Chengzhang had not planned to get involved, but hearing Gu Xiuming slander their elder sister’s purity, he couldn’t restrain himself. Together with Gu Xiuwen, they turned it into a two-on-one fight, and the previously dominant Gu Xiuming lost his advantage.

Meng Chengzhang and Gu Xiuwen were clever, hitting only areas covered by clothing.

A passing maid witnessed the scene, was frightened, and ran straight to Shou’an Hall to inform Old Madam Gu.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Gu immediately sent her confidante, Nanny Feng, to intervene and brought all of them back to Shou’an Hall. She also sent another maid to notify the parents of Gu Xiuming and Gu Xiuwen.

Their fight ended with Nanny Feng’s arrival.

Nanny Feng looked at them and spoke warmly, “Everyone, follow the old servant to Shou’an Hall.”

Gu Xiuming and Gu Xiuwen exchanged a glance, snorted coldly, and followed Nanny Feng.

Meng Chengzhang also followed, though his heart was uneasy. He regretted acting impulsively, thinking that if he had held back, the brothers wouldn’t have quarreled and fought. Now, he worried it might cause trouble for their eldest sister. He had come as a guest to the Marquis residence but had ended up hitting the heir.

Compared to Meng Chengzhang, Li Wan’er was even more anxious. Last time at Shou’an Hall, she had embarrassed herself in front of the entire Gu family. Old Madam Gu had been displeased with her, and now going back to the hall, she feared being blamed again, accused of being a femme fatale.

When the four of them arrived at Shou’an Hall and entered the main hall, Old Madam Gu was not yet there. Still, Gu Xiuwen immediately knelt, followed by Gu Xiuming, and then Meng Chengzhang and Li Wan’er.

Gu Xiuming nervously asked, “Nanny Feng, where is Grandmother?”

Nanny Feng replied, “Young Master, Old Madam is occupied elsewhere. She will be here soon. She has also notified the Marquis and Madam, as well as the Eldest Master and his wife.”

Hearing this, Gu Xiuwen was untroubled. His parents loved him; at most, they would scold him, but even grounding him would be avoided, since he was leaving in two days with his Second Uncle for Lingshan Academy.

His Third Brother, however, was in a different situation. Recently, he had embarrassed the Marquis residence several times. Today, he had spoken disrespectfully, defaming an elder’s good reputation.

Gu Xiuwen looked at him and, seeing his anxious expression, said with a touch of gloating, “Don’t worry, Third Brother. When the elders arrive, we’ll tell the truth as it is.”

Gu Xiuming’s heart tightened, his face darkening as he remained silent.

Seeing him at a disadvantage, Gu Xiuwen felt secretly pleased. He wanted to laugh but recoiled at the cut on his mouth. He hissed softly, “Ouch… Third Brother, we are brothers. Why did you hit so hard? Even if you were angry, it didn’t need to be this severe.”

Gu Xiuming, though guilty and angry, dared not speak out of turn in front of Nanny Feng. He could only stay silent.

Nanny Feng, hearing Gu Xiuwen’s words, understood the situation and who had been at fault. She then went to inform Old Madam Gu, reporting her preliminary understanding of the matter.