Chapter Eighty-one: A Sense of Crisis

et the table.After dinner, Meng Jinyao dismissed her maidservant and then spoke of her own business, asking Gu Jingxi, "Husband, is there a martial arts girl by your side I want to borrow a martial ar...At this moment, the others also turned to look at Gu Jingxi. Seeing his usual stoic expression replaced by a cold and stern face, he exuded an aura of power without even raising his voice. Even the faint sound of his fingers gently tapping on the tea table sent shivers down their spines, and they no longer dared to speak or provoke him.

Today's events were unexpected even for Meng Jinyu. She didn't expect that after Gu Xiuming brought his beloved home, he would become arrogant and complacent, wanting to bring Li Wan'er over to meet the elders. He didn't even consider that because of the outrageous things he did for Li Wan'er, Gu family's reputation had been affected. How could the elders possibly welcome Li Wan'er

Since he wants to take Li Wan'er as his concubine, he should also send someone to teach her proper etiquette. A scene like today that causes laughter and makes the elders unhappy is embarrassing for the Third House. It will be ridiculed by the First and Second Houses, and even more so by the old lady who won't favor her precious darling anymore.

An awkward silence fell, and everyone pretended to be looking elsewhere.

Mrs. Gu looked at Meng Jin Yao with a kind smile and said, "A Yao, you are Xiu Ming's mother and also Li's elder. Now that she has just entered the house and doesn't understand the rules of the house, you go back and send someone to teach her the rules so that there won't be another joke next time.

Meng Jin Yao nodded respectfully. "My daughter-in-law understands."

Upon hearing this, Li Wan'er's face paled. She lowered her head and bit her lower lip in humiliation. She hadn't done anything wrong, so why was she the one who was considered out of line and made a laughingstock

Gu Xiumin, seeing this, though pained for his beloved, couldn't openly defy his elders at that moment.

Mrs. Gu glanced at everyone present, her gaze finally landing on Gu Xiuming and Li Wan'er. She frowned slightly and said in a gentle voice, "I'm getting old and useless. I get tired after just a while. You all should go back."

Everyone knew this wasn't physical exhaustion for the old lady, but heartache. Having been put off by Gu Xiuming and Li Wan'er, she lost her mood to speak with them further and gave them the cold shoulder.

Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyang were the last to leave. When everyone else had left the hall, they slowly stood up and prepared to bow to Madam Gu before departing.

Mrs. Gu looked at her son and said in a deep voice, "It's the father's fault if his son is not taught properly. When a child does something wrong, it is the father's duty to educate him and help him correct his mistakes."

Gu Jingxi replied, "Mother said that later, my son will have a talk with Xiuming."

Madam Gu nodded slightly, then addressed her daughter-in-law, "Ayao, Li shi doesn't understand the rules. As the elder, you should remind her of them so she knows her place and doesn't mistake herself for the concubine. We can't have another scandal."

Meng Jin Yao responded softly, "Mother, rest assured. After I return, I will have someone teach Li shi the proper etiquette. I will also promptly correct her if I see her making mistakes."

Madam Gu didn't say any more, and sent the couple away. She then went to the small Buddha hall to prepare for chanting sutras and calming her mind.

Outside the hall, Gu Xiaming knew he had displeased his father and dared not leave. He waited outside, patiently. Li Wan'er did not dare to leave either. Even though she was afraid, she obediently stayed by his side.

Seeing Gu Jingxi and his wife leave the hall, the two felt anxious, especially when Gu Jingxi cast a faint glance their way. Li Wan'er was so frightened she shrank back instinctively and leaned closer to Gu Xiuming, showing her utter dependence on him.

And Gu Xiuming was also considerate, knowing she was afraid, he silently moved his body, sheltering her behind him, blocking his father's gaze.

Gu Jingxi didn't make things difficult for Li Wan'er either. He understood that the main problem stemmed from his son. It was his own son he needed to discipline, so he said in a calm voice: "Xiuming, come with me to my study."

Gu Xiuming didn't dare to disobey, hastily nodding: "Yes, Father."

He said no more, turning his head to look at the girl beside him. The young woman's eyes were red and swollen with tears as she looked at him anxiously. He felt a pang of sympathy for her, mixed with deep guilt. If not for his reckless actions today, Wan'er wouldn't have been wronged.

Gu Jingxi took two steps and, seeing that his son hadn't moved, said with a displeased expression: "Aren't you leaving"

Gu Xiuming replied and then said to Li Wan'er, "Wan'er, you go back to Qingyu Xuan and wait for me."

Li Wan'er forced back her tears, nodding lightly. Watching the two of them walk away, she felt utterly helpless.

Perhaps yesterday and the day before yesterday, she was blinded by wealth and honor. She thought that Brother Xiu Ming wouldn't marry for her sake, so no one would bully her, allowing her to live a happy life with fine clothes and rich food, accompanied by wealth and glory, and spending her life with her beloved young man.

In the near future, she and her brother Xiu Ming will have a happy family with both sons and daughters, life will be complete. Unexpectedly, besides Xiu Ming, no one in the Gu family wants to see her or acknowledge her.

Not only that, but her mother-in-law was also Brother Xiu's ex-fiancée. Brother Xiu eloped with her, making him the laughingstock of everyone and leaving Meng Jin Yao to face humiliation. Who knows how she will be tormented by Meng Jin Yao in the future

Thinking this way, Li Wan'er subconsciously looked up and saw Meng Jingyao coming towards her. Her face stiffened. It had been over a month since she last saw Meng Jingyao. At that time, Meng Jingyao was dressed maturely and simply. Although she could be seen as beautiful, she didn't have the radiant charm she possessed today.

Before his eyes, the beautiful woman stood with a cloud bun, a red coral hairpin adorned her hair, and moon-bright earrings graced her ears. She wore a sea-red silk skirt embroidered with gold thread, her waist was slender, and she moved gracefully with lotus steps, her figure alluring and charming, radiant and lovely, unlike anything he had ever seen. She shone like the scorching sun, making him feel ashamed and a sense of crisis creeping in.

But the next moment, Li Wan'er thought again that no matter how beautiful Meng Jin'yao was, Xiu Ming's brother's heart was on her. He would even abandon Meng Jin'yao on her wedding day for her. And now Meng Jin'yao was married to Xiu Ming's father, and there was no possibility between them and Xiu Ming's brother. Only then did the sense of crisis in her heart disappear.

Meng Jinyang saw her staring at herself blankly, and she didn't know what she was thinking. But she wasn't interested in knowing either. She said softly: "Aunt Li, the old lady enjoys tranquility. Let's not disturb her peace."

Li Wan'er, hearing the sound, slowly came to her senses and hurriedly replied: "Yes, Mother."

Meng Jin Yao thought about how she had embarrassed herself in front of the elders earlier. Calling herself "granddaughter-in-law" and the old lady "grandmother". A concubine wouldn't have the right to call herself "granddaughter-in-law" and address the old lady as "grandmother"

Though a concubine's status is higher than that of common servants, being half a mistress, she isn't officially married in. She can only call herself "this one" and address the main wife respectfully as "Madam".

To prevent her from doing it again, Meng Jin Yao tactfully said, "You don't have to call me mother with Gu Xiuming. Just call me madam along with Sui Ningdong and the others. I'll find someone to teach you the rules of the Hou Mansion when we get back."

Li Wan'er was stunned, looking at Meng Jin Yao in confusion. The next moment, as if she had thought of something, she hesitated and said, "Mother, aren't you still blaming your daughter-in-law for taking away Xiu Ming's brother, making you ridiculed on your wedding day So you refuse to acknowledge me as your daughter-in-law"

She choked back tears, her eyes welling up. She explained in a trembling voice, "Mother, brother Xiu Ming promised that after the marriage he would compensate you, recognize you as his sister-in-law, and find a good match for you. That's why your daughter-in-law agreed to marry him. But I never expected Mother to be so stubborn and impulsive, that she would marry Father in a fit of anger."ess and thoughtfulness left Gu Jingxi stunned. He was a bit surprised, feeling overwhelmed by her kindness. He thought the little girl was especially gentle and virtuous today. Not only did she bring...