Chapter 74: Sounding Out the Opposition

flowers dress, making her whole person even more dazzling.It wasn't just Gu Jingxi who was amazed, even Chunliu and Xiazhu, the maids serving outside, were stunned when they saw her.Nigdong and Qingq...Gu Jingxi saw the little girl first look dazed, then quickly frowned, muttering something to herself in her heart.

He stated plainly: "Madam, if you have any questions in the future, don't keep them to yourself and guess wildly. Just ask me directly. As long as it is something I can speak to you openly and honestly about, I will tell you."

Meng Jin Yao was stunned. She raised her head slightly, her gaze falling once more on his handsome face, and asked curiously, "May I ask, husband, what kind of matter is it that cannot be spoken openly and honestly"

Gu Jingxi replied, "Matters related to official business cannot be discussed."

Meng Jiny Yao looked surprised: "Isn't everything that is not related to official business allowed to be said"

Gu Jingxi's face slightly stiffened, as if lost in thought, and then added a condition: "Depends on the situation."

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yao pursed her lips and responded with a lackluster "oh". There were things that needed to be considered, many things that couldn't be said. For example, what she thought of Gu Xiu Ming, her unintelligent son, was something she couldn't reveal. This was probably also something that couldn't be asked or spoken about.

Seeing the little girl looking so dejected, Gu Jingxi was a bit puzzled. He thought that for such a young girl to marry him was no easy feat, and with some free time now, he decided to ask her a few more questions: "With my busy official duties, I often can't spare much time for you. Has anyone bullied you lately, making you uncomfortable"

Meng Jinyu rolled her eyes at him: “Apart from our own good eldest son, who dares to make me unhappy”

Hearing this, one couldn't help but feel that the young girl harbored deep resentment.

However, Gu Jingxi felt that her own unworthy son didn't have the ability to bully her yet, so she laughed and said: "If Xiuming bullies you or has some kind of conflict with you, just tell me."

Meng Jin Yao regained her interest in talking to him, staring straight at him: "I told you, who will you help then"

Gu Jingxi raised an eyebrow: "I stand for justice, whoever is right, I'll help them."

The answer was as expected, and Meng Jinyo wasn't disappointed. She simply said, "My husband is indeed fair and just, impartial in his dealings. It's no wonder he holds the position of Minister of Justice."

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi chuckled softly: "Madam knows books and reason, she's not the kind of person who would make unreasonable demands. Moreover, Madam is an elder, she definitely wouldn't take the initiative to cause trouble for her juniors, don't you think"

His voice was gentle, and there seemed to be a hint of coaxing in his tone as he soothed her to be good.

Meng Jinyao curled her lips, seeing his kind gaze on her, she squeezed out a smile: "How is it not There aren't many mothers like me who are so kind, you should make your son be filial."

Gu Jingxi retorted, "Isn't Xiu Ming also your son"

Meng Jiny Yao's smile deepened: "Yes, Xiuming is our good eldest son."

The little girl smiled gently and spoke in a soothing tone, just like a true mother who dearly loved her son. Yet Gu Jingxi heard the gritted teeth beneath her words. He sighed helplessly, in a voice barely audible, "I've been very busy with official duties these days, so if there's anything that needs attending to, I might not be able to do it right away. Please bear with me, alright"

Meng Jin Yao still smiled innocently, looking at him with wide eyes: "What do you mean, my husband I'm not the one who causes trouble. What do you mean by 'hold back'"

Gu Jingxi chuckled softly, "Then please continue to maintain this facade, my wife. I have something to attend to and need to leave for a while. I won't be back for lunch, " he said as he stood up, preparing to depart.

Meng Jin Yao smiled and nodded: "Good, husband, walk slowly."

-

On the other side, after Gu Xiuming left Wei Rui Xuan, he went to Shou An Tang to pay respects to Madam Gu. However, Feng Mama informed him that Madam Gu hadn't slept well last night and was now taking a nap.

Gu Xiuming had no choice but to go back first. Thinking that his father had already agreed to his request, he immediately urged someone to find a matchmaker and make a trip to the Li family.

Since she was sent back to her own home a month ago, Li Wan'er was initially happy. But as time went on, Gu Xiuming didn't send anyone to give her a message. She couldn't help but feel anxious and waited nervously for over half a month before finally waiting for the matchmaker.

Her parents both passed away, and she relied on her grandfather. Now that her grandfather has also passed away, a matchmaker found her, and she immediately agreed. After all, she had already given her body to Gu Xiuming, and she was afraid that if she pretended to be reserved and said she needed time to consider, the Gu family would change their minds and refuse to let her in.

Taking a concubine is different from marrying a wife. There are no three books and six rites, no ceremonies required, and no marriage contract. All that's needed is a matchmaker to make the arrangements. If both parties agree, a lucky day is chosen, and a small sedan chair carries the woman to the man's house. The sedan chair cannot enter through the main gate; it must go in through the side gate.

Ten days later would be a auspicious day. Gu Xiuming went to ask his father for permission, and after receiving his approval, he decided to bring Li Wan'er into the mansion ten days later.

Gu Xiuming was to take a concubine in ten days' time, the object of his affection being the girl he had eloped with. This news reached both the first and second wives, leaving them shocked beyond belief. To have a concubine before even marrying a main wife – what sort of order is this

Zhang recently showed interest in getting closer to Meng Jinyao. Upon hearing this news, she went to Wei Rui Xuan herself and subtly probed for information.

At this moment, Zhang's face seemed full of anxiety as she asked, "Third sister-in-law, Xiu Ming is taking a concubine before even getting married. Such a big matter, why didn't you and your third brother stop him"

Meng Jin Yao smiled faintly, calmly poured a cup of tea for Zhang Shi, and brought the teacup to Zhang Shi's face. She said softly, "Big sister-in-law, even our parents tried to stop him, but children grow up and have their own ideas. We can't stop them, we can only go with his flow."

Zhang raised her eyebrows: “If a concubine enters the household before the main wife, who would dare for any noblewoman to marry him”

“He wants to cut off his own path, what can we parents do” Meng Jin Yao said with a sigh, “Children have their own blessings. We can’t control that much. It’s just a pity that this cup of tea from the daughter-in-law, my husband and I won’t be able to drink it.”

Listening to her sighs and lamentations, one would think Gu Xiuming was her own son.

Zhang's mouth twitched slightly, and she thought to herself: If it comes to hypocrisy, Meng Jinyao takes the cake. Even Chen, who had been fighting her for over a decade, was no match.

She continued, following Meng Jin Yao's words: "That third brother should be very angry, right He had high hopes for Xiu Ming, but now Xiu Ming has done such a ridiculous thing.

Meng Jin Yao replied honestly, "How could my husband not be angry But the child is stubborn, and even as elders, we have no way to persuade him."

Upon hearing this useful information, Zhang's eyes lit up. This must be because she was disappointed with Gu Xiuming. She even agreed to such an outrageous thing as Gu Xiuming taking a concubine before marrying a wife. Thinking of her mother-in-law asking her younger brother to help her son improve his writing and enter Lingshan Academy, she felt a thrill in her heart. It seemed that her guess was correct.

Seeing Meng Jinyu's furrowed brows, it seemed like she was genuinely worried about her son's actions. She sighed and said, "Sigh, sometimes when a child becomes stubborn, even ten oxen can't pull them back."

"Yeah, Meng Jinyao didn't want to continue talking about Gu Xiuming either. If she talked for too long, she wouldn't be able to maintain her image as a kind mother. So she changed the subject, "Sister-in-law, try the tea I brewed first. It's just the right temperature. Once it cools down, it will affect the taste."

Zhang nodded lightly, picked up the teacup in front of her, and took a sip. The warm tea entered her mouth, its aroma clear and mellow, swirling around her palate. Even though she wasn't much of a tea connoisseur, she could tell it was good tea, and the person who brewed it had some skill., when they split their family, she would be on her own managing these affairs, and she was afraid she would be flustered.Zhang Shi saw how Gu Jingxi and Old Madam Gu treated Meng Jin Yao, so she didn...