Chapter 64: Imagination Runs Wild

lose feels bone-chilling."Gu Jingxi glanced casually at the food box in his hand and replied, "I'm going to meet the Emperor at noon. The emperor gifted lychees, which can be kept fresh with ice."Upon...On the other side, Zhang shi walked out of Shou'an Hall, her whole person seemed a little dazed, and the smile on her face never faded.

She walked like the wind, rushing back to her own courtyard. When she learned that her husband had gone to his concubine's place, her smile vanished instantly. She had only been away from her mother-in-law for such a short time So quickly, he was already in the warmth of his concubine's embrace.

But thinking of her son's studies, she smiled again and ordered the maid to call Gu Jing Sheng back.

While Gu Jing Sheng was immersed in the gentle embrace of his beautiful concubine, lying on the bed ready to consummate their affair, he was suddenly interrupted by a maid. He was furious and lost interest, so he let the concubine help him dress and leave.

The maidservant saw the door open, and her master came out with a dark face. He asked her angrily, "What's the matter"

The maidservant was frightened and shrank her neck, hurriedly replying: "Master, Madam said there's something urgent she needs to tell you, it's about the Fourth Master. She asks you to go over there first."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jing Sheng's face softened slightly. He glanced at the beautiful concubine beside him, feeling a pang of reluctance. However, it was a matter concerning his child, so he immediately went to Zhang Shi's courtyard.

The concubine saw that Gu Jingxi had just left, and she was unwilling. She stomped her feet in anger. Who knew if Madam was truly unwell or faking it This wasn't the first time things were suddenly interrupted like this. Madam was really too much; not only did she forbid them from conceiving children, but she even tried to stop the master from coming to their quarters.

As soon as Gu Jingheng stepped through the door, he saw his wife's face beaming with joy. He was puzzled. He had been to Shouantang just before and felt apprehensive. How could she have such a changed expression when she returned So he asked, "Madam, what happened to Xiuwen Why did you rush me over"

Zhang was overjoyed: "This is wonderful news, great news!"

Gu Jing Sheng rarely saw her so excited, even when his eldest son got married, she wasn't this excited. He couldn't help but chuckle: "What good news is it Could it be that Xiu Wen is getting married Xiu Hong and Xiu Yuan haven't gotten married yet, what's the rush"

"... "

"

Zhang shi remained silent, her heart's joy fading somewhat. Her husband always knew how to dampen the mood. Could it be that besides their children getting married, there were no other things worth celebrating

Gu Jing Sheng was puzzled: "Madam, why are you silent now"

After nearly twenty years of marriage, Zhang shi knew her husband's temperament well. She was too lazy to argue with him and simply told her mother-in-law about wanting to send her son to Ling Shan Academy.

What is Ling Shan Academy

Even though Gu Jing Sheng understood that Zhongyong was mediocre and ineffective, he knew that this was the academy that students flocked to. Ling Shan Academy was renowned throughout the land, having produced numerous distinguished scholars. The academy boasted many eminent teachers and outstanding students, with a high probability of students passing the imperial examinations and becoming officials.

If Xiuwen went to Ling Shan Academy to study, he might be able to pass the imperial examinations and become a jinshi. Even if he didn't pass the jinshi examination, developing his network of contacts at Ling Shan Academy would also be very good.

Gu Jingheng smiled broadly: "I told you Mother still takes care of us, look, she's preparing to have the third brother help out, and let Xiuwen go to Lingshan Academy to study!"

Chang shi…

This time, their eldest son was the beneficiary. She couldn't refute her husband's words. Among the grandchildren, only their Xiuwen received such treatment. Even Xiuming, as the crown prince, didn't enter Ling Shan Academy.

But why is the mother-in-law so good to their Xiuwen

Gu Jing Sheng saw her deep in thought and questioned, "Madam, what are you thinking about"

Zhang Shi waved her hand, signaling the maid to retreat. She said in confusion, "Husband, my mother has four grandsons. Why is she only so fond of Xiuwen None of Xiuwen's older brothers went to Ling Shan Academy to study."

Hearing this, Gu Jing Sheng was helpless. Women are just troublesome; they overthink even the smallest things. Just be happy to have the benefits! What's the point of worrying about all these unnecessary things

He said impatiently, “This time we’re looking for kids between ten and fifteen years old. Xiu Yuan is too old, they can only say that we're lucky to have Xiu Wen.”

Zhang shook her head slightly: "I don't think so, Xiuming is the prince, how could the prince give any benefits to Xiumin"

She paused, her brow furrowed in thought.

Suddenly, a shocking idea flashed through her mind. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and after the shock came overwhelming joy. The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed to her.

She asked mysteriously, "Husband, do you think Mother wants to give our family's Xiu Wen to our third brother"

After hearing this, Gu Jing Sheng was taken aback. He thought his wife was being fanciful and replied, "Don't be so imaginative, your brother-in-law already has Xiu Ming, why would he want to adopt Xiu Wen"

Zhang glanced at him, her eyes filled with disdain. She thought he wasn't very smart. Though she spoke gently, "Xiu Ming caused such a big scandal. The third brother punished him severely and now he's still reflecting in the ancestral hall. Even Mother hasn't pleaded for him. Do you think Mother and the third brother are disappointed in Xiu Ming Have they already given up on him"

Upon hearing this, Gu Jing Sheng felt a jolt of understanding, his eyes widening in both astonishment and disbelief: "Could it be... Could Mother have wanted..."

He didn't dare to say the following words, after a moment of silence, he said with reluctance: "But Xiuwen is so grown up now. We've raised him for fifteen years, just to give him away and have him call other people his parents"

"You're being too sensitive!"

Zhang shi spat out a spiteful remark, but seeing her husband's displeased expression, she hastily softened her tone and spoke in a gentle voice: "My husband, being adopted by the third brother means becoming the heir apparent of the Hou Mansion. He will inherit the title in the future. We may be reluctant to part with our child, but he has a brighter future ahead. Shouldn't we rejoice for him Don't you think so"

Gu Jing Sheng fell silent. He had two sons, and he definitely hoped that they would have a promising future. He was limited in his abilities and couldn't become a high-ranking official, but he hoped that his sons could be adopted by his third younger brother. His third younger brother could give his sons a better future. After all, he was their biological father, and if his sons were successful, he would also gain face.

After a moment of thought, Gu Jing Sheng said again, “But Mother didn't explicitly say so. Are we overthinking things Xiu Yuan is the eldest grandson. Even if the third brother wants to establish another heir apparent, he could still choose Xiu Yuan. He doesn't need to adopt Xiu Wen.”

Zhang glared at him and analyzed, "If he's adopted, then he'll be his son. In the future, they will take care of each other until old age. Since it's possible to adopt, it must be more beneficial than adopting from a distant relative. To me, my nephew is not as good as my own biological nephew. With Xiu Ming's experience as a precedent, Third Brother probably won't consider adopting a child from a side branch again. Second Brother only has one son, so our family is most likely"

Gu Jingsheng nodded knowingly, but he couldn't help but wonder if such a good thing could have possibly happened to their eldest house after ten years.

He felt that this matter was very uncertain and there was no need to have any expectations. It would be great if Xiu Wen could go to Ling Shan Academy to study, so he said: "There's no sign of this happening at all. Please don't spread rumors everywhere, otherwise, if it reaches Mother's ears, who knows what she will think of us."

Zhang replied cautiously, “I’m only telling you this. I wouldn’t dare to spread it around. Since it hasn't been decided yet, if it doesn’t work out, wouldn’t I be humiliated Even Xiu Yuan and Xiu Wen, I wouldn’t tell them.”nd Níngdōng heard the sound, recovering from their shock.The middle-aged woman was taken aback by this, only then did she notice that there were two maidservants from wealthy households walking toward...