Chapter 168: Seeing Through Xiu Ming

Mrs. Chen nodded in satisfaction and added, "Now that you're betrothed, just stay at home peacefully and prepare for your marriage. Don't be like your elder sister, running around everywhere, lest som...As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Jiny Yao felt a sudden sense of clarity.

As for Gu Xiuming, he is the eldest son of the Hou Mansion, with a higher status than his three younger brothers. Moreover, his three younger brothers are from concubines' families. Furthermore, the current Marquis, Changxing, is highly favored by the emperor. Therefore, the eldest son must be showered with attention and praise. Even if he has only three points of charm, people would exaggerate him to have ten.

However, as the son of Gu Jingxi, shouldn't Gu Xiuming's scholarship be better

She asked hesitantly, "Isn't our family's eldest son not very educated"

Gu Jingxi smiled and shook his head slightly: "It's not impossible, it's just that it's not as good as Xiu Hong. This is an undeniable fact. Xiu Hong has a better talent and is diligent and studious. Among their four brothers, he is the best in academics. Xiuming doesn't have extraordinary talent, if he wants to be excellent, he has to keep his mind steady and make up for his shortcomings with diligence."

Meng Jinyao nodded in understanding. Before Gu Xiuming could be disappointed, Gu Jingxi had hope for him. Since he had expectations for him, he should have been diligent in his studies. It's just that after running away from marriage, he was repeatedly punished, and his unstable state of mind exposed his true nature, which led to Gu Jingxi's disappointment.

For a moment, Meng Jinyáo asked again, “My husband, do you think he might pass the autumn examinations this year”

Gu Jingxi fell silent for a moment before softly saying, "If one's mindset is not right, their thoughts are restless, and they are eager to succeed, they will find it difficult to achieve anything."

Meng Jin Yao was stunned. Didn't that mean she didn't think highly of Gu Xiuming's performance in this year's autumn examinations

Qingqiu and Ningdong, who followed behind them, heard the entire conversation between the couple. Their hearts were stirred with waves of shock and astonishment. The marquis understood everything in his heart and saw through it all. Only the young master thought he was being clever and did a good job, but in reality, he had long been seen through by the marquis and his wife.

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

It's afternoon, just past noon.

Gu Xiuming went to the front yard study with a book in hand to find Gu Jingxi and ask him for advice on his studies.

Gu Jingxi was just about to attend to official business when he saw him arrive. He didn't need to ask to know what he was here for. Before the other man could speak, he asked, "Xiuming, are you really going to participate in this year's autumn examination"

Gu Xiuming was slightly taken aback. Seeing his father's expression was bland, he couldn't tell what emotions he was feeling, so he gave up on guessing and replied, "Yes, Father. Son wants to accumulate some experience.

Gu Jingxi's eyes were calm as he looked at Gu Xiuming. After these days, he had a deeper understanding of his son. He was used to being proud and couldn't stand setbacks.

This time, he only participated because his older brother was also competing, wanting to save face. He also went in with the unwavering confidence that he would surely pass the exam. However, if his older brother passed while Xiu Ming failed miserably, the stark contrast would likely twist his mind even further.

He didn't want to get involved at first, but he was still his son. You couldn't raise a child without teaching him. He spoke softly and advised, "Xiuming, if you only joined because your two older brothers are participating, then there's no need. You're still young, and your knowledge isn't solid enough yet. Participating now might allow you to gain experience, but too many failures could affect your mentality. It would be better to wait until you have a strong foundation."

Although it was a kind intention, when it reached Gu Xiuming's ears, it felt different. He only felt that his father didn't look down on him and had no confidence in him, thinking he would definitely fail.

Gu Xiuming slowly tightened his grip on the book scroll, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes. Since everyone looked down on him, he would work even harder to pass the imperial examination. Next year, at the beginning of spring, he would take the imperial examination, become a jinshi (successful candidate), and use his strength to give his father a good lesson.

"As for that, he replied, "Father, actually, my son doesn't have any expectations for this year's autumn examinations. So even if I fail the exam, there's nothing to be disappointed about. It's just a matter of accumulating some experience."

Gu Jingxi listened, looked at him intently for a long time, and stopped persuading him. He nodded: "Since you have made up your mind, then participate."

Gu Xiuming replied and then asked him for further instruction.

However, Gu Jingxi did not explain to him as before, earnestly saying: "Xiu Ming, learning things, haste makes waste. If you don't thoroughly understand what you have learned and go on to study other knowledge, in the end, you will find yourself lacking proficiency in everything. About those questions you asked me earlier, I only shared my insights. Have you pondered them yourself after returning Go back and carefully reflect on the issues I explained to you before, then come ask other questions.

Gu Xiuming was stunned, his face stiff. He felt a sense of crisis, more so than resentment and unwillingness. He had been willing to teach him before, but now that he wanted to participate in the Autumn Examination, he refused to teach him anymore, using excuses to prevaricate. Could it be that he really wanted to raise him as a useless person, and then adopt Gu Xiwen as his heir, replacing the Crown Prince

After a few moments, he sheepishly said, "Father, son is foolish and has yet to formulate his own opinions."

Gu Jingxi looked at Gu Xiuming with a veiled meaning, taking in his unwillingness and resentment. He frowned slightly, feeling that this son was truly stubborn and unyielding, incapable of being shaped. Without giving him any face, he pierced through his facade directly and admonished him in a deep voice: "Xiuming, your father hasn't reached the point of senility. Studying is for oneself, not for showing off to others. When one has distractions and their thoughts are occupied by them, it becomes difficult to think independently, and therefore, one cannot learn anything."

Hearing this, Gu Xiuming's heart tightened, his heart beating wildly. His careful thoughts were mercilessly exposed, as if the fig leaf on his body was torn away, making him both embarrassed and humiliated. He hurriedly lowered his eyelids, concealing the emotions surging in his eyes, and stammered nervously to defend himself: "Father, you misunderstood. My son has just had too much homework lately, which is why I have repeatedly come to ask for your guidance. It's not to show off to anyone, please believe me, Father."

Gu Jingxi looked at him intently, watching him until his expression became tense and he could barely maintain his composure. Only then did she speak calmly, answering the question he had asked earlier and clarifying his doubts. She added, "Go back and think carefully about what I just said, and come to your own conclusions. That's how you truly learn. When you fully understand those issues, come ask me more questions."

Gu Xiuming strained to maintain a faade of calmness, politely replying: "Son, thank you for asking your father for advice. I will carefully ponder it when I return."

Gu Jingxi nodded and said in a soft voice, "Well, you go back first. Your father still has things to do."

Okay, son will not disturb father.

Gu Xiuming replied with a nod and bid farewell. After leaving the study, his face turned completely gloomy. He glanced back at the tightly shut study door, his grip on the book tightened, his knuckles turning white, veins throbbing on the back of his hand. Hatred and unwillingness filled his thoughts. He took a deep breath, calmed himself down, then hurried back to Qingyu Pavilion.

In the study, Gu Jingxi's face was not looking good either.

This son suddenly realized his mistake. He hadn't fully believed it all along, and these past days, he could see that his son wasn't genuinely striving to learn; it was all just for show, for the sake of appearances. Being too eager to impress, a restless mind would inevitably reveal itself in careless moments.

This left him, who had felt a sliver of hope due to his son's possible genuine remorse, utterly disappointed. The saying goes that mountains and rivers can be changed, but human nature is hard to alter. His son has simply changed his methods of action. Before, he acted impulsively without considering the consequences; now, he meticulously plans and strategizes.. As long as they didn't become pregnant, this wouldn't happen. Therefore, when no one was pregnant, there were no murders in the inner house.Now he only has two children left, either his son is gone...