ey were said to be bought as playmates for Meng Jinyao, with their contracts in Meng Jinyao's possession, which she couldn't touch.How could Meng Jingyao have a dowry list that describes everything so...Shouantang.

Madam Gu, holding a pair of scissors, was meticulously pruning the potted plant she had cultivated. Hearing footsteps approaching, she merely glanced up and said, "Yao Ling is here," before returning her attention to her work.

Gu Jingxi did not disturb his mother's leisure, bowed to her, and then sat aside waiting.

After a while, Madam Gu finished pruning the potted plant and put down her shears. She sat down in her eldest son's seat and saw that he looked tired, clearly from lack of sleep lately. She asked with concern, "Yao Ling, you look haggard. Have you been very busy recently"

Gu Jingxi evaded the question and replied lightly, "I encountered a rather troublesome case, so I've been busy. But it's finished now. Mother called me over, is there something you need"

Elder Madam Gu didn't beat around the bush like him. She went straight to the point: "Yao Ling, I remember that the headmaster of Ling Shan Academy is a bosom friend of yours."

“My friendship with Xu Shan is indeed a case of friends from different generations,” Gu Jingxi nodded gently. “Mother, why did you suddenly bring this up”

Grandmother Gu replied, “Ling Shan Academy is recruiting students these days. I've looked into it a bit, and this time they're accepting children between the ages of ten and fifteen. Isn't our Xiu Wen exactly fifteen”

She said, glancing at her son, knowing that he wasn't the kind of person who liked to give others special treatment. She went on, "Yao Ling, this Xiuwen can't continue living with your elder sister-in-law, or else she'll spoil him rotten. This child is intelligent and has potential for studying, but your elder sister-in-law is too pampering. She spoils him so much that he only knows how to enjoy himself, cannot endure hardship, and is lazy about his studies."

Gu Jingxi remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Mother, I've been busy these past few days and haven't paid attention to the affairs of the house. Has something happened"

Lady Gu told her son about what happened this morning and sighed with regret, "You see, Xuanyi is a good child, but she's been raised by your elder sister-in-law to be like this. If things continue like this, Xiuwen might be corrupted too. It's best if he goes to Ling Shan Academy, it's far from home so he can't come back often. Let him study quietly there. The fellow students around him are all outstanding people, and under their influence, he will slowly make progress."

Gu Jingxi was surprised. She didn't expect that her usually well-behaved and sensible niece would be so temperamental. Every time the niece saw her, she was very obedient.

Seeing her son seemed a bit incredulous, Old Madam Gu said, "Matters between young ladies, I never mentioned them to you before, and you're usually busy with official duties and don't pay much attention to the younger generation. It's normal that you wouldn't know about Xuanyi, since you only occasionally test Xiu Ming on his studies."

She continued earnestly, "Yao Ling, the rise and fall of our Hou Mansion's next generation depends on these children. If we don't cultivate them well, when you grow old, our family will decline again. Xiu Wen is only a little lazy, but he is quick-witted. The teacher once praised his writing to me, saying that I rewarded him with a set of writing instruments. If this child is misguided and ends up mediocre, it would be such a pity."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement: "Mother, Elder Xu is currently in the capital. In two days, I will have a day off and take Xiuwen to visit Elder Xu."

Upon hearing this, Madam Gu's face broke into a smile. She nodded repeatedly: "Good, then I'll trouble Yao Ling with this."

Gu Jingxi said softly, "Mother, you don't have to be polite. It's just a small matter. I can help him get into Ling Shan Academy, but if he doesn't study hard once he gets there and fails the assessment, he will still be advised to leave."

As for this, Old Madam Gu was not worried at all. She replied: "The environment can change a person. He has only been spoiled into laziness. Seeing his classmates studying hard will also have a subliminal influence on him. Besides, smart children learn twice as fast."

Gu Jingxi was astonished: "Mother seems to have confidence in him."

Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "This child grew up under my watch. I know his character well."

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi also had a few points of expectation for this nephew's performance. If he could really make progress, it would be worth finding connections to open the back door for him. If he went in to shirk his duties, that would really shame the Gu family.

Mrs. Gu glanced at the sky outside. The sun was setting in the west, and it wouldn't be long before dusk settled. Turning to look at her son, she asked softly, "Yao Ling, dinner will be ready soon. Why don't you stay for a meal I told the kitchen to prepare some of your favorite dishes."

"I apologize, but I won't be able to fulfill my mother's wishes this time."

Grandmother Gu was stunned. Her son had never refused her before, so why did he refuse so resolutely this time Thinking that he was too busy with work and neglecting his rest, she immediately frowned and said in a stern voice, “Do you still have something to do No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat. You’re not made of iron. Don’t neglect your health as you get older. When you get old, you’ll have all sorts of ailments, and when you’re plagued by these illnesses, you’ll wish you hadn’t ignored your health.”

Gu Jingxi shook her head slightly and smiled, "No, I promised my daughter-in-law that I would go back to have dinner with her later, so I can only disappoint your kindness."

As soon as these words were uttered, Mrs. Gu was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face. This was indeed good news! The fact that the daughter-in-law took the initiative to invite them and the son readily agreed showed that the two young people had developed some feelings for each other after all these days together.

Old Mrs. Gu looked at her nearly thirty-year-old son and couldn't help but tear up. She nodded repeatedly, choked up and said: "Good, that's really good. Seeing you two husband and wife getting along well, with someone to accompany you for the rest of your life, even if my mother leaves now, she can leave peacefully."

Gu Jingxi said softly, "Mother, you mustn't talk nonsense. You will live a long and healthy life."

"Whether I live a long life or not isn't important to me. What matters is that my descendants are successful, our family is harmonious, and you have someone by your side. " The old lady wiped away the tears from her eyes, a warm and loving smile on her face as she gently instructed, "Ayao is still young, at this age girls are just beginning to fall in love and need men to be understanding and pampering. You should indulge her, coax her into happiness, and spend more time with her. That's how you build a strong marriage."

Gu Jingxi was silent. He didn't think the little girl needed him to comfort her. The little girl was clear-headed and independent, not the kind who liked sweet talk.

Besides, he couldn't utter those saccharine words. They didn't have any feelings for each other in the first place. Saying sweet nothings to a young lady is no different from a rogue seducing a virtuous woman.

Seeing that he wouldn't speak, Mrs. Gu knew he certainly didn't agree with her words. She glared at him: "Don't disbelieve me, you haven't interacted with young ladies before, so you don't understand a girl's mind. But your mother was once a young lady herself and understands a girl's mind best."

Gu Jingxi didn't want to argue with his mother, so he smiled and said: "Son trustsease her a little. She hadn't expected to be held accountable for it. She hurriedly followed after her.After leaving the Jinyu Pavilion, she said softly, "My lady, don't be angry. If you get sick fro...