ness, making people delighted to behold them. Even the rougher maidservants were pretty. This was likely due to Gu Jingxi's hidden illness, and having beautiful maidservants could perhaps pique his in...Over there, in the flower hall.

Gu Jingxi's expression was calm, as if he hadn't been affected by the younger generation's affairs. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, then said softly: "The tea here is quite good, Mother. It leaves a pleasant fragrance in the mouth and has a sweet aftertaste."

Upon hearing this, Granny Gu's heart flared with anger. She glared at him and scolded, "You still have the heart to drink tea when something like this has happened"

Gu Jingxi smiled faintly: “One shouldn't disappoint Mother's good tea here.”

Look at his nonchalant expression. Even Madam Gu is unable to gauge what he's thinking. With a sigh, she expresses her distress: "Yao Ling, Xiu Ming has been acting increasingly out of character lately. He never used to behave this way."

Gu Jingxi paused his tea drinking, remained silent for a moment, then said in a soft voice: "Perhaps that's just his nature. When things are going well, he can show his best side, but when things get tough, his true colors show. Or perhaps he has been too pampered all these years, and being my only son, the heir to the title, makes him so unrestrained."

Grandmother Gu was deeply saddened. The grandson she had personally chosen, the one she had held in her hands for years and considered her most beloved, now appeared so inadequate, as if incapable of shouldering responsibility.

The mother and son stared at each other in silence for a long time. Old Madam Gu sighed again and said, "Yao Ling, your official duties are endless. You should take some time to educate him properly and help him change his temperament."

"If he were willing to listen to my advice, he wouldn't make the same mistakes over and over again. Last time, because of Li's affair, I already warned him, but it hasn't been long and he started making trouble again." Gu Jingxi lowered his eyes to look at the pale green tea, lightly shaking his teacup, causing ripples on the surface. His gaze became increasingly deep and profound, with a barely perceptible curl of his lips.

"Grandmother Gu was stunned and hesitantly asked, "Yao Ling, could it be that you're just going to ignore it" She shook her head in disagreement as she spoke, "A father who doesn't teach his son is a failure. As a father, how can you raise a child without teaching him"

Gu Jingxi shook his head, ashamedly saying: "Mother, son is incompetent. Over the years, whether in morality or scholarship, son believes he has not fallen short of instruction. Alas, rotten wood cannot be carved and earthen walls cannot be built."

Upon hearing this, Madam Gu fell silent once more. Her right hand gently moved her rosary beads, her thoughts racing a thousand miles in an instant.

Deep down, she didn't want to give up her grandson who she had loved for so many years. Besides, how could the heir of the Hou mansion be someone who didn't know what was appropriate With Xiu Ming's way of doing things, after Yao Ling passed away, if he wasn't suppressed, Xiu Ming would probably cause trouble and even risk losing his title.

She looked at her son and advised, "Xiuming is only sixteen years old this year. He's still young, and his temperament can still be changed."

Gu Jingxi didn't respond, his fingers gently stroking the outer wall of the teacup, his expression faint, showing no emotion.

"Look at him, he's so stubborn! Even Lao Fuzi is worried now. She immediately gave him another harsh dose: 'Don't worry about him. If the Hou Mansion falls into his hands in the future and is ruined, the ancestral fortune built up over generations will be destroyed. What face will you have to see your ancestors'"

Gu Jingxi replied, "If mother is worried about this, then it's easy to handle."

Grandma Gu was bewildered, her face full of confusion.

Gu Jingxi smiled faintly: "If he becomes the Prince, he will inherit the title and ruin his ancestors' foundation. Changing to another prince can solve the problem."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Old Madam Gu was shaken to her core. She looked at her son in astonishment and disbelief. A figure flashed through her mind instantly. She lowered her voice and asked hesitantly, "Yaoling, have you set your heart on Xiuwen"

Gu Jingxi's face turned pale, then he smiled and said, "Mother, those who are capable should take on the position. It doesn't necessarily mean that one must be well-versed in literature."

Though Madam Gu was disappointed, she still pleaded for her beloved grandson: "Xiuming is not capable of handling such a responsibility now. Should we give him another chance If he doesn't cherish it, then choose someone competent to be the Crown Prince."

Gu Jingxi nodded and said, "Mother, rest assured, I know what to do."

"Enough, enough. I don't care anymore," sighed Old Madam Gu, unwilling to continue this bothersome topic. "Since you're here, why don't you accompany me for a walk It's been a long time since we mother and son have walked together."

"Good"

Gu Jingxi put down his teacup, got up and took a few steps forward, reaching out to help her.

Elder Mrs. Gu glared at him reproachfully: "Mother knows you're filial, but I'm not yet so frail that I need to be supported when walking."

Gu Jingxi smiled and said, "Mother is right."

-

Everyone in the mansion, from top to bottom, knows about Gu Xiuming and his two companions fighting this morning.

But Old Madam Gu had issued a gag order, and even the maids who knew about it didn't dare spread the word, so no one knew why the fight had broken out.

As for the Second House, no one knew what was going on. Gu Jing Song wasn't interested in children's squabbles, and Gu Xiu Hong wasn't gossipy either; he didn't even consider sending someone to find out more. He remained locked in his study, engrossed in reading the classics of sages.

It was Second Madam Chen who showed interest in the matter. That afternoon, she went to Weiruixuan and chatted with Meng Jinping about daily affairs, casually inquiring about news as well.

Mrs. Chen chatted with her for a while before getting to the point: "Third Sister-in-law, I heard this morning that Xiu Ming and Xiu Wen, as well as Master Meng Er, had a fight"

Meng Jiny Yao had long expected she was here for this, and frankly nodded her head: "That's right."

Chen asked, "Why did these children suddenly start fighting"

Meng Jinyao let out a long sigh: “We all know how Xiu Ming is. He’s been acting recklessly lately, slandering others this morning. Xiu Wen and my second brother couldn't stand it, so they argued with him. Who would have thought he flew into a rage and beat Xiu Wen It ended up with the three of them fighting.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chen became interested and followed Meng Jinyao with a sigh: "This Xiu Ming is too impulsive. How could he attack his own brother I heard that Xiu Wen was beaten until his face was bruised and swollen, it's pitiful." She paused, then asked again, "But who did Xiu Ming slander To have angered both Xiu Wen and Young Master Meng Er"

Meng Jinyao glanced at her faintly, satisfying her curiosity: "My second brother is promising. He passed the assessment of Ling Shan Academy and is about to study there. But Xiu Ming saw that Xiu Wen got into Ling Shan Academy through my husband's connections, so he thought my second brother also got in through my husband's connections, and took the opportunity to slander me. They argued because of this, and finally came to blows.

Upon hearing this, Chen instantly understood.

"I see. It seems she had guessed that her younger brother-in-law might have wanted to adopt Xiuwen into the Third House, replacing Xiuming as heir apparent."

Now, Xiumin keeps disappointing his younger brother and mother-in-law one after another. It's possible he will truly pass Xiwen over to become the heir of the Marquis mansion, making Xiwen the successor, while Xiumin only holds the title of eldest son of the third room.

What a fool!

Having run away from the wedding and been punished so severely, one should learn their lesson and behave themselves from now on. However, they continue to act recklessly as if they're afraid that the position of Prince won't change hands quickly enough.

Look how clever Xiuwen is!

When the child heard their older brother denigrating their aunt and cousins, they immediately stood up for them, arguing with their brother. Although they ended up injured, they left a good impression on the elders and paved the way for a bright future. No wonder Zhang was so proud of her when she saw them.

After a moment, Mrs. Chen said meaningfully, "Third sister-in-law, Xiuwen this child is still filial."

Meng Jinyao understood the subtext behind her words and didn't want to explain. She smiled and nodded, "Indeed, she's filial." Then she picked up the small tea pot and poured more tea for Mrs. Chen.Jingxi didn't miss any corner, examining each floor tile to see if there was anything suspicious. He even checked under the bed carefully but found nothing. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly...