Chapter 102: Xiu Ming's Punishment

walked towards her with a grave expression. She bowed respectfully and then said, "Madam, the steward from Yongchang Marquis's Mansion has arrived."Meng Jinyáo, upon hearing this, furrowed her brows a...Gu Xiumin's face turned ashen, his father's words struck him dumb with shock. He never expected his father to say such things to him.

He was punished by his father to copy the Analects of filial piety, which was equivalent to being convicted of unfilial conduct. For a man to be unfilial, if it spread, his reputation would be tarnished even further.

— An unfilial son.

Gu Jingxi asked in a deep voice, "Xiuming, do you admit your guilt"

Gu Xiuming was unwilling, but he dared not resist. This good father was merciless and impartial. If he didn't accept the punishment, there would certainly be a heavier one waiting for him. He nodded in response: "Son accepts the punishment."

Gu Jingxi didn't want to say much to him either, and said in a soft voice: "Then go back to your courtyard, you are forbidden to step outside the courtyard during this confinement period."

Gu Xiuming responded with a nod, bowed to the elders, then dejectedly left Shou'an Hall, like a bereaved dog. Li Wan'er followed closely behind, wanting to say something but afraid to further dampen his spirits at this time.

Zhang and Gu Jing Sheng were satisfied with this punishment, but they worried that Lao San, after just punishing his son, might take a dislike to their family of three.

Zhang looked at her son with his bruised face and swollen nose, inwardly cursing Gu Xiuming's brutality. However, she maintained a polite smile on her face and said to her mother-in-law: "Mother, Xiuwen looks quite injured. Let's take him back first for the doctor to examine him. Otherwise, if something happens, it would delay his enrollment at the academy."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Gu's gaze fell on her grandson's face. Seeing the grandson writhing in pain, his handsome face bruised and purple, with one side swollen up, she couldn't help but feel heartache at seeing such a fine child beaten like this.

She nodded softly and said, “Okay, you guys should take Xiwen back first. He did well today, so don’t blame him for fighting. However, for matters like this, it's best to avoid physical altercations with your siblings in the future. If possible, try not to resort to violence. Otherwise, if news spreads, it won't be a good reflection on you. And just like today, if you can’t win, you’ll only end up bruised and battered, which isn't worth it.”

When Zhang heard her mother-in-law praise her son, she felt happy in her heart. Her mother-in-law used to love Gu Xiuming the most, but now it wouldn't be like that anymore. Perhaps it would be their Xiuwen instead. She smiled and replied, "Well, I'll educate him well when I go back, so that he won't act recklessly in the future."

Gu Xiwen suddenly felt guilty. In fact, he wasn't incapable of winning, and when he fought his third brother with his second uncle, he had been careful to hit only places covered by clothes. This made it seem like him and his second uncle were badly injured, but he wouldn't be foolish enough to say anything about it.

After the three members of the eldest family left, Old Mrs. Gu let out a light sigh. Early in the morning, the younger generation started fighting and made the house filled with smoke and haze. She also felt heartache. When her children were young, there wasn't much arguing. Now that they have grown up, this time it was a fight between sisters, next time it might be brothers fighting.

For a moment, she looked at Meng Chengzhang, who was also injured, and felt guilty. The child had come to their home as a guest, but had been beaten like this by her younger generation. She apologized: “Chengzhang, Xiuming is ignorant and caused you distress.”

Meng Chengzhang shook his head gently, glanced in the direction of his elder sister, and said with heartache, "Grandmother, I don't feel wronged, but I feel sorry for my elder sister."

Lady Gu's face changed.

Meng Chengzhang took a deep breath and mustered his courage to continue, "Elder sister marrying her brother-in-law was because of Gu Shizi's elopement. Now he accuses Elder sister of shamelessness. I can't even imagine how someone who made such a big mistake could have the audacity to blame the victim. If Elder sister had truly married him as the Gu family wished, he would definitely have favored concubines over his wife. Fortunately, Elder sister didn't end up marrying him."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao stared blankly at the young man. Though his frame was slender, he stood tall and straight. Despite clenching his fists in evident nervousness, his voice remained calm as he articulated her grievances. The little boy who used to scamper after her had grown up without her noticing, transforming into a man capable of protecting her.

When Lady Gu heard this, she was taken aback once more. She hadn't expected this young man to have such courage, daring to speak these words before them. Looking at the young man, she seemed to see Ayao on her wedding day. There were still similarities between siblings. She spoke softly, "Chengzhang, please rest assured, Ayao is an elder, and Xiu Ming wouldn't dare to mistreat her. If Xiu Ming disrespects her, he will be punished by the family law. You saw it today as well, your brother-in-law is not a partial person."

Then it's settled.

Meng Chengzhang nodded slightly in response. He originally thought that Gu Xiuming, having done such a thing and feeling guilty towards his elder sister, would definitely not make things difficult for her. Unexpectedly, Gu Xiuming, after becoming the mother of his fiancee's child, became furious with shame and directly pushed the blame onto his elder sister.

Later, Old Madam Gu was afraid that he would overthink things, so she gently comforted him a few words before letting her siblings leave first. She said she would have the family doctor examine them later and then asked her son to stay behind because she had something to ask him.

After leaving Shou'an Hall, Meng Chengzhang asked nervously, "Elder sister, did I cause you any trouble today"

Meng Jiny Yao was stunned for a moment, then shook her head gently: "Second brother, how could you think that I'm very happy. The little guy who followed me has grown up and become my sister's hero, protecting me."

Upon hearing this, Meng Chengzhang's footsteps faltered. Seeing his elder sister with red-rimmed eyes, tears welling up, he hurriedly said, "Elder Sister, don't cry.

Meng Jinyao sniffed her nose and a smile curved her lips: "I didn't cry

"

Meng Chengzhang looked up at the clear sky and vowed, “Big sister, I will take the imperial examination, become an official, and be a high-ranking minister in court. Then Gu Xiuming will never dare to bully you again.”

Meng Jin Yao tilted her head to look at him, a smile blooming even brighter on her face: "I believe Second Brother will be able to do it."

Although this sounds a bit naive, becoming a high-ranking official in the court is also quite difficult. But she has an inexplicable confidence in Chengzhang and feels that he will succeed in the future.

Meng Chengzhang glanced at his elder sister and once again felt ashamed of his own incompetence. If he had the ability, even if Gu Xiuming eloped, his sister could still cancel the engagement and return to the Meng family, with him standing by her side to find another good marriage.

After a long pause, he suddenly asked: "Older sister, does he often bother you"

Meng Jinyao knew he was talking about Gu Xiuming and shook her head slightly: "When your brother-in-law was around, he was still respectful, but only found trouble in private. However, his tricks are useless against me. Second brother, rest assured, I'm doing well at the Gu family."

"That's good." Meng Chengzhang felt a little relieved, then brought up another matter: "I saw his concubine today. She is a delicate and helpless woman, like a vine that can't survive without clinging to something else. She's nowhere near as capable as elder sister. He must be blind!"

Meng Jin Yao was stunned, then she smiled and said: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have to thank him for leaving me. Otherwise, he would have forced himself to marry me, and then take Li as his concubine. He would have favored concubines over his wife, and my life would have been miserable."

Meng Chengzhang's face tightened: "What elder sister said ise. Sometimes, it's not that the teacher is serious in teaching or the student is serious in learning that makes one learn well.The weather in February has become much warmer, and the snow has stopped,...