Chapter Eighty-Five: The Record Must Be Obtained

f her mouth twitched slightly upwards, and a flash of cunning light quickly swept across her eyes. She finally had some of the vivacity that a young girl should have. Gu Jingxi smiled with interest an...Li Wan'er was as if struck by lightning, her eyes widening suddenly. She stammered, "Xiuming gege, you, didn't you say that even if I were your concubine, I would be your only woman, the only wife in your heart Do you mean to go back on your word and marry another girl"

Gu Xiuming hurriedly shook his head, promising again: "Wan'er, I won't marry a wife. I will only have you as my concubine. It's not proper for you to live in the main house." He then tried to justify himself, "It's the order of elders, I can't disobey it. Wan'er has always been understanding and will understand me, right"

Li Wan'er's face turned pale, her frail body trembling, and she collapsed into Gu Xiuming's arms. She understood this wasn't Gu Xiuming's intention; it was the elders of the Gu family who looked down on her. She nodded gently, two lines of clear tears sliding down her cheeks.

This was the first time she felt the hardship of being a concubine in a wealthy family. At first, when her neighbors learned that she was about to become the concubine of Changxing Hou's son, they all said that she was a lucky one, having finally come to an end of her hardships. They said she would have fine clothes and jade food, enjoying unimaginable wealth and glory, becoming someone on top of society.

Now that she was truly a concubine, she realized that even if Xiu Ming's brother hadn't taken a wife, she wouldn't have had it easy. In front of the Gu family, she was ultimately inferior to others; anyone could trample on her pride.

Gu Xiuming hugged the person tightly, and also saw the grievance in his sweetheart's eyes. He felt heartbroken. At this moment, he deeply understood that as long as he didn't become the Marquis of Changxing for a day, his title wouldn't necessarily fall to him, and his beloved girl would suffer grievances too.

No matter what, he must secure the position of Crown Prince and inherit the title in the future. He is determined to obtain the title of Marquis Longxing.

His eyes were firm and deep, he gently patted Li Wan'er's back and soothed her in a soft voice: "Wan'er, while I wasn't back at the academy, you stayed at Qingyu Pavilion. Don't go out easily, that way no one can make things difficult for you."

Li Wan'er nodded lightly. She didn't need Xiu Ming Ge to explain, she wouldn't leave this courtyard willingly either. Otherwise, if she met someone else from the Gu family, she would inevitably be humiliated.

Soon, a maid came in to report: "Young Master, Madam sent a maid over to instruct Madam Li on proper etiquette."

Gu Xiuming frowned, feeling that Meng Jin Yao was humiliating Wan'er. He just sent an ordinary maid over and didn't even send a nanny. There were maids who understood etiquette like Qing Yu Xuan, but now he couldn't vent his anger, so he could only endure it and say: "Go and bring her in."

The maidservant responded and withdrew.

In a moment, Chunliu entered the room and respectfully bowed to Gu Xiaming: "I greet you, Young Master. Lady Li..."

Gu Xiuming saw that it was Chunliu, and he was taken aback for a moment. He knew Chunliu; she was the head maid in his father's courtyard and quite well-respected in the Hou Mansion. Even he had to show her some deference when he saw her. A smile appeared on his face as he spoke softly: "Miss Chunliu, please take care of Wan'er. I ask you to please take good care of her."

Chunliu smiled faintly and replied, "Your words are kind, young master. These things are what a maidservant should do."

Gu Xiuming saw that Chunliu was still carrying her luggage, so he thought she was going to stay at Qingyuxuan. He hurriedly ordered the maidservant to arrange Chunliu's lodging according to the standard for a first-class maid.

After Chunliu left, Li Wan'er was surprised by Xu Ming's kindness towards her. She questioned him, "Brother Xuming, Chunliu is just a maidservant, but I see that you treat her better than the other maids in the courtyard."

Gu Xiuming instructed, "That's the senior maidservant in my father's courtyard. I usually give her some face when I see her. You must learn proper etiquette from her and never treat her disrespectfully."

As soon as Li Wan'er heard this, she immediately became nervous. If she didn't do well, her elders would definitely be even more dissatisfied with her. This time, she had to perform well no matter what.

-

Luxuriant Pavilion.

Meng Jinyáo heard footsteps and looked up. She saw that tall figure walk in. The man, who usually kept his emotions hidden, now had a cold and stern expression, clearly still angry about something Gu Xiuming had done.

But that's understandable, after all, who could blame a father for being angry with a son like Gu Xiuming

After Gu Jingxi entered the room, a faint aroma of tea wafted in. Raising his eyes, he saw the young girl sitting before the tea table, leisurely sipping her tea, looking quite content.

With a gentle smile, Meng Jin Yao picked up an empty teacup and poured a cup of tea. She said softly to her husband, "My lord, why don't you have a cup of tea to calm your anger"

Then, I shall respectfully decline.

Gu Jingxi moved to sit opposite her, picked up his teacup and sniffed it. The tea liquor had a rich flavor and a strong aroma. He took a sip, the tea was refreshing and sweet on the palate.

Meng Jinyao asked, "How is it"

Gu Jingxi gave a positive evaluation: "Good tea, your husband didn't know that Madam could make such a good tea."

Meng Jin Yao raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly, "My husband doesn't know a lot of things."

The little girl raised her eyebrows and tilted her chin slightly upward, giving off a bit of a tsundere vibe. This lively and spirited look finally matched her actual age.

Gu Jingxi chuckled and said, "It seems I don't know my wife well enough."

Meng Jin Yao put down her teacup, resting her chin on her hand and looking at him with interest. “Husband,” she asked, “I see you’re not in a good mood. Did our eldest son upset you”

Gu Jingxi asked sarcastically, "My wife knows the answer but asks anyway"

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yao was not surprised. She gently comforted him: "Husband, don't worry, Xiu Ming is still young. Educate him slowly. Why would you get angry with a child"

Gu Jingxi glanced at her: "Gu Xiuming is two months older than you."

"What if he's two months older than me That's just my son Meng Jin Yao said with a smile, and then asked, "Husband, how did you educate him when you called him to the study"

"He wasn't really educated or anything, but he didn't dare to make any jokes for a long time. Gu Jingxi gently shook his teacup, watching the pale green tea ripple in the cup, his gaze unclear and obscure."

Meng Jinyao was slightly startled, thoughtful. She estimated that Gu Jingxi must have said something to shock Gu Xiuming. Seeing Gu Jingxi so disappointed in Gu Xiuming, if he had one more child, this position of Crown Prince would probably be out of Gu Xiuming's reach.

After a moment, Gu Jingxi asked, "Madam, your mother asked you to send someone to teach Li shi etiquette and decorum. Have you chosen anyone"

Meng Jinyao replied, "I've already sent Chunliu over. When Li shi learns the proper etiquette, she will return."

Gu Jingxi nodded slightly: “Then it’s settled.”

At this time, Xia Zhu came in to report, "My lord, Zhou Yun is here. He says he has something to report."

Zhou Yun was Gu Jingxi's personal attendant. Anyone who could come to Weiruixuan to find him must have urgent business. He got up and said to Meng Jiny Yao: "Madam, I won't be back for lunch. You can do as you please at noon."

Meng Jinyao also understood him well: "Go busy, my husband."

Gu Jingxi hurried away, and before long it was lunchtime. Meng Jinyao finished her meal alone and rested for a while before going out to meet her friend's invitation.ormer fiancee, so how could he have taken a liking to that girl from the Meng family There must be some misunderstanding behind these rumors about him being lustful.Qi Yunwen hesitated and said, “Coul...