Chapter 164: Asking for a Crime

ou know this"Sun Shi narrowed her eyes slightly and said calmly: "Lord Changxing has an illness, so Meng Jin Yao will have to remain a widow for her entire life. She will die a virgin and never have c...Mrs. Chen pursed her lips and smiled, looking at her son beside her. The smile froze on her face. The marriage of the illegitimate daughter had been settled, but her own biological son still hadn't found a match. Now that the eldest wife was almost going to have a grandson or granddaughter, Mrs. Zhang would come over and boast about it. That smug look made Mrs. Chen furious.

She sighed helplessly, "It's a pity. Last time, I had my eye on a good girl, but Xiu Ming messed things up. He caused such a commotion that the girl's mother wasn't willing to marry her daughter into our family. She politely said that our family has a bad reputation, spoiling concubines and undermining wives. Now, the girl is already engaged."

As soon as the conversation turned to him, Gu Xiuhong quickly said, "Mother, you should focus on preparing for your second daughter's wedding first. I'm not in a hurry. I want to wait until after I pass the imperial examinations."

Chen glared at him: "Your older brother is a year older than you, and he's almost going to be a father. Aren't you in a hurry"

Gu Xiuhong's voice was soft as he asked, "Mother, Mrs. Liu from next door is the same age as you and has heard that she is pregnant again. Why don't you have another child"

Chen: “”

Gu Xueling couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Chen suddenly turned her head and glared at her, seeing that she immediately pursed her lips and stopped smiling. Only then was she satisfied and continued to scold her son: "What do you mean by that I'm talking about you, what are you dragging me into this for"

Gu Xiuhong wore an innocent expression: "Didn't my mother bring the topic to me first"

"You..."

Mrs. Chen glared at him fiercely for a long time, her voice filled with anger: “Are you trying to drive your mother to death You were so obedient when you were young, listening to everything your mother said. Now that you've grown up, your wings are hardened and you talk back at every turn. I can see that you will definitely forget your mother once you have a wife, becoming like a child born in vain. Just don't get married, it's better than raising you for nothing.”

Gu Xiuhong smiled and replied, "Son obeys. If you say not to marry, then I will not marry. Study hard, take the imperial examination and gain fame, then bring honor to our ancestors."

Chen : “...”

Gu Jing Song couldn't help but chuckle and said, "My wife, I also think there's no need to rush Xiu Hong's marriage. Let him get his official position first, then he'll have even better choices."

Hearing this, the Chen family was slightly taken aback. As a concubine's branch, they were not of the main line. Xiu Hong's status was ultimately inferior. But if he passed the imperial examinations and achieved an official position, his status would improve significantly, giving him more confidence to marry a better woman.

Chen snorted softly: "The person involved isn't in a hurry, and it's not me getting married, so I'm even less so."

-

Three days later.

Lady Wu'an Bo (>

Gu Jing Sheng was very pleased with this marriage, not worrying at all like Zhang Shi that his daughter would be wronged after marrying into the family. Seeing that his daughter had found a good husband's family and was about to become the future Madam of the Prince, he immediately agreed to the marriage.

Zhang feigned a smile, trying her best to appear happy. She put on a show and saw the guests off. Once they were gone, she fell into despair again, wiping away tears secretly.

A mother's natural hope is for her daughter to marry well, in a way that is prosperous and enviable. However, she also worries that her daughter might be wronged or struggle to adjust after marriage. Adding to her anxieties, the fact that Lady Wu An's preferred choice for a daughter-in-law was not her own daughter intensifies her fears. She worries that her daughter will not meet expectations and be criticized by Lady Wu An.

Gu Xuanyi laughed carefree, she couldn't be happier to be betrothed to the man of her dreams.

Meng Jiny Yao encountered Gu Xuanyì in the back garden. Seeing Gu Xuanyì's radiant complexion, in stark contrast to Zhang's despondency, she frowned slightly. This girl, after getting married, must be facing a lot of unpleasant things, it's hard to imagine her smiling.

Gu Xuanyi saw her and hurriedly stepped forward to pay respects: "Xuanyi greets Third Aunt."

Meng Jin yao nodded slightly: "Xuan Yi"

At this moment, Gu Xiuming and Li Wan'er walked over here. Upon seeing them, he strode forward.

Gu Xiuming bowed deeply to Meng Jin Yao with respect: "Son has met Mother." He then nodded slightly towards Gu Xuanyi, saying, "Elder Sister"

Li Wan'er also hurriedly bowed and saluted: "I greet madam, I greet the eldest lady."

Meng Jinyao said softly, "Aunt Li, you don't have to be so polite. Please rise."

Li Wan'er stood up and politely stood beside Gu Xiuming, a faint smile on her lips, her eyes lowered respectfully.

Gu Xiuming's eyes fell on Gu Xuanyi, the corners of his mouth slightly curled up, and he said softly: "Big sister, you're getting engaged. Third brother hasn't had a chance to congratulate you yet, so let me say congratulations."

Meng Jinyao saw Gu Xiuming's smile at the corner of his mouth, her tone was gentle, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. It wasn't a genuine expression of joy. If one wasn't paying close attention, they wouldn't notice. She subtly frowned, muttering in her heart: she knew Gu Xiuming wouldn't really change for the better. Even when he said congratulations to her sister, it was insincere.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanyi's face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Third Brother," she replied sweetly.

Gu Xiuming smiled and said softly, "Big sister, you're getting married soon. You should work on your temper. Don't slap people around so easily."

Gu Xuyan's smile froze: "What do you mean by that, Third Brother"

Gu Xiuming stated calmly: "Last time, Wan'er came back with a slap mark on her face. I heard that it was the elder sister who hit her. If Wan'er has done something wrong, my mother and I will educate her well. There is no need for the elder sister to take action."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao suddenly glanced at Li Wan'er, then her gaze fell on Gu Xiu Ming. Gu Xiu Ming maintained a smile on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. His tone was serious as he questioned them, but also with a hint of depth. This time of confinement had truly caused Gu Xiu Ming to mature greatly. Even when questioning them, he wasn't as prone to shouting and roaring as before.

Gu Xuanyi's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Back then, she was angry and didn't think much of it. Besides, Third Brother had been punished with house arrest and completely fallen out of favor. She lashed out at Li Shi, but who knew that Third Brother had reformed now, regained his favor, and Grandmother doted on him again She awkwardly smiled and said, "Third Brother, back then was a misunderstanding. I thought Li Shi intentionally bumped into me, and in a moment of anger, I acted rashly."

Meng Jin Yao was aware of this incident and even witnessed what happened. However, when she tried to inquire about it, both Gu Xuan Yi and Li Wan Er insisted it was a misunderstanding. Gu Xuan Yi claimed she acted first, while Li Wan Er said she spoke ill of her afterward, therefore insisting that it was a misunderstanding. She also didn't want to get involved and pretended not to know the true situation.

Gu Xuanyi is not likable, and Gu Xuming is even less likable, so this time she chose to help Gu Xuanyi and said in a soft voice, "My child, Xuanyi's temper is a bit hasty, I think she didn't mean it, so let's just forget about it"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuming's expression faltered for a moment before he replied softly, "Since Mother has said so, if I were to persist further, it would be rather petty of me. It would also damage the bond between siblings."

Meng Jinyao looked at him and was a little surprised that he could still remain calm. She said softly, "Well, you two siblings continue chatting. I have something else to take care of so I'll go back first."

Gu Xiuming said, "Good, Mother, slow your walk."he clan wife.”"A few days ago, my mother-in-law said in front of the whole family that she wanted to give me control of the household finances, but I refused. She then rolled up her sleeve, revealing...