Chapter 71: Reborn a Child

in their assigned locations, all to express their presence to the Emperor and ensure he wouldn't forget them.Meng Jinyao sneered, "I used to think that even though my father had concubines and mistres...Seeing his silent face, Meng Jinyao asked doubtfully, "Husband, what's wrong"

Gu Jingxi glanced at the young girl with an unfathomable gaze and said faintly, "He is fifty-three this year, and his grandson is about your age."

For a moment, Meng Jingyao felt the atmosphere stiffen. An overwhelming sense of awkwardness washed over her, threatening to engulf her.

It's the same with old friends. Those who are younger than Gu Jingxi are also considered old friends, and those who are older are also old friends. It seems she hasn't given this much thought.

Meng Jin Yao's face was stiff and awkward. She forced a smile and stammered, "Well, my husband is still very social and has many friends. Unlike me, I only have friends around my age."

Gu Jingxi asked in a soft voice, "Is that so"

"Yes!"

Meng Jin Yao nodded vigorously, giving a positive answer.

Gu Jingxi modestly said, “It’s fine. I don't have many friends my own age, only those older than me. As for those younger than me, there isn't one yet.” Yan Bai sighed with regret, as if lamenting that he didn’t have any friends a decade or so younger than him.

Meng Jin Yao choked back a response.

She felt like this man was giving her the cold shoulder, but she had no evidence.

Gu Jingxi said again, "My wife should know some friends of a similar age. Perhaps she could introduce a few like-minded companions to me another day."

Meng Jin Yao was speechless again: "…".

So, this can't just be swept under the rug, right

She wouldn't admit she was wrong, of course. She didn't like Gu Jingxi either. After all, Gu Jingxi was relentless, so she smiled and nodded in agreement: "Alright, I'll introduce you to my husband then."

The little girl's words were a bit irritating, but at this moment, she was smiling brightly, her eyes curved into crescent moons. When she looked straight at someone, there seemed to be a hint of provocation in her gaze. She was both obedient and rebellious, two extremes intertwined. This lively and playful look made it impossible to be angry with her.

Gu Jingxi let out a light "tsk" and said, "In a few days, Xiuming will be released from confinement. Seeing you so sharp-tongued, you won't lose in an argument in the future. I'm relieved."

Meng Jin Yao's smile faltered. She hadn't thought about it until now, but her cheap son's house arrest was almost over. After regaining his freedom, he would be able to pick on her again. She put on a gentle smile like a loving mother: "What are you talking about, husband Why would a mother argue with her son If the son is wrong, just educate him patiently."

Gu Jingxi smiled ambiguously and said, "My lady is right. My lady always speaks with reason, and I believe she definitely wouldn't argue with her junior."

Meng Jin yao :“……”

As for the other juniors, she wouldn't argue with them, but Gu Xiu Ming's cheap son might not. She didn't want to argue, and Gu Xiu Ming would still argue with her.

Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

As evening approached, Ning Dong got word of the news.

Meng Jin Yao only then understood why the Zhang family was so enthusiastic towards her. It turned out that this morning, Gu Jing Xi had taken Gu Xiu Wen out to visit Xu Shan Chang, the headmaster of Ling Shan Academy. Xu Shan Chang tested Gu Xiu Wen's scholarship and was quite satisfied with him, giving Gu Xiu Wen an extra quota so he could study at Ling Shan Academy.

Ning Dong sighed, "My lady, the eldest house has received great favor from the Marquis, so their enthusiasm towards you is perfectly natural. It's Ling Shan Academy after all! A prestigious academy that every scholar in the world yearns to enter. They say that once one enters Ling Shan Academy, becoming a Jinshi (a high-ranking civil official) becomes much easier."

Meng Jin Yao said: "Since Shan Chang agreed to give extra quotas, it also proves that the Fourth Young Master has the potential to be a scholar."

Ning Dong nodded in agreement: "That's true as well."

The next day.

Everyone in the household knew that Gu Xiwen was going to study at Ling Shan Academy, and they all praised the fourth young master for his talent worthy of a top scholar. The eldest house was getting attention, and Zhang Shi's smile never faded. She was much kinder to everyone, especially Meng Jin Yao.

And this enthusiasm doesn't seem to be a passing fancy. Zhang truly seemed to have developed genuine affection for Meng Jinping Yao. Even when chatting privately with her sisters-in-law, she would subtly mention how Gu Xiwen was well-behaved and filial.

Meng Jin Yao was initially a little confused, but gradually figured out the meaning. Of the four young masters of Hou Mansion, only Gu Xiu Wen received such treatment. Gu Xiu Ming had disappointed Gu Jing Xi, could it be that she was about to have another cheap son

However, this might be a good thing for her. Adopting Gu Xiwen and establishing him as the heir apparent is more beneficial to her than having Gu Xuming inherit the title in the future.

These are just guesses, nothing is certain, who knows

Perhaps Gu Jingxi didn't mean anything by it, he was simply being magnanimous, thinking that his nephew was a malleable talent and just the right age, so he decided to help him out.

-

On the other side of the house, Chen Shi was so envious that her face contorted. She felt like she'd swallowed a jar of old vinegar, so sour it made her grimace.

Chen glanced at her outstanding son and couldn't help but complain to her husband: "Our Xiu Hong studies much better than Xiu Wen. It's a pity that he is seventeen this year and overage. If he wasn't overage, Xiu Wen wouldn't have had a chance."

Gu Jing Song also felt sorry, hearing his wife complain like this, helplessly said: "What can we do about it Who made Xiu Hong born two years earlier"

"Xiu Wen is really lucky, you know. As a prince's son, Xiu Ming doesn't even have this kind of treatment.

"

Chen's heart suddenly skipped a beat. She thought of something, her eyes widening in astonishment. She waved away the maidservant attending to her and, in a hushed voice, asked her husband and son, "Do you think Third Brother wants to adopt Xiuwen That's why he's been so kind to him"

Gu Jing Song waved his hand dismissively. "Don't be ridiculous! Doesn't your third brother have Xiu Ming"

Chen smiled meaningfully: "If this had happened before, I definitely wouldn't have thought of it. But now... well, that's not necessarily the case."

Before, Gu Xiuming was his mother's beloved child, the most favored grandchild. This time, with Gu Xiuming being punished so severely, his mother didn't even plead for him, and his younger brother was also merciless.

Now, with this operation again, it's hard not to make people think that their mother and son have already given up on Gu Xiuming.

Gu Jing Song understood what his wife meant. What she said wasn't impossible, but he didn't find it surprising either. He nonchalantly replied, "So what Our family only has one son, while Big Brother's family has two sons. This kind of good fortune was destined to have nothing to do with us a long time ago."

Chen gritted her teeth, feeling a sense of unwillingness: "If that's really the case, wouldn't Zhang's tail be wagging high in the sky"

Gu Xiuhong, who had never spoken up, couldn't help but burst out laughing when he heard his mother's words. He jokingly said, "Mother, if you're not satisfied, why don't you try harder with Father and give birth to another younger brother Then go compete with the fourth brother"

He seemed to enjoy the commotion and continued, "I believe a newborn baby would be more favored than a teenager. After all, someone raised from childhood has a different kind of bond. They can be considered as relatives by blood, and when they grow up, they will be even more filial."

At those words, Chen froze, completely stunned. He just stared blankly and uttered a dumbfounded "ah"

After a long pause, she finally came to her senses and became angry. She glared at her son with displeasure and scolded him, "You rascal! What nonsense are you talking about How old do you think I am Are you trying to make people laugh at your mother for being an old woman who still has pearls inside her"

Gu Xiuhong hurriedly laughed and said, "Mother is not old, Mother is only thirty-three this year, she is still young."

Chen let out a light hum, not wanting to argue with him. But her heart still ached. If her son were just two years younger, he would have the opportunity to enter Ling Mountain Academy. about anything that needed to be addressed.She instructed, "Ningdong, I'm going to take a nap first. If it's noon and I haven't woken up, please wake me. Also, if the Marquis comes back, don't tell h...