Chapter 168 Seeing Through Xiu Ming
As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Jinyao felt as if she had been enlightened.
Indeed, Gu Xiuming is the heir of the Marquis's mansion, and his status is higher than that of his three brothers. Moreover, the other three brothers are children of concubines. In addition, the Marquis of Changxing is currently enjoying great favor from the emperor, so the heir will definitely be highly sought after. Even if he is only three points good, he will be praised to be ten points good.
However, as Gu Jingxi's son, is Gu Xiuming's scholarship really that bad?
She asked hesitantly, "Is our eldest son not good at studying?"
Gu Jingxi smiled and shook her head slightly: "It's not that he can't do it, but he's not as good as Xiu Hong. That's an indisputable fact. Xiu Hong has better talent and is more diligent and thoughtful. He is the most learned among the four brothers. Xiu Ming doesn't have outstanding talent. If he wants to excel, he has to keep a steady mindset and make up for his shortcomings with hard work."
Meng Jinyao nodded knowingly. Before Gu Xiuming was disappointed, Gu Jingxi had high hopes for him. Since he could have high hopes for him, he must also be a hard-working student. It was only after he was punished one after another for running away from the marriage that his unstable mentality exposed his true nature, which made Gu Jingxi disappointed.
After a moment, Meng Jinyao asked again, "Husband, do you think he will pass the imperial examination this autumn?"
Gu Jingxi was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "If you don't have the right mindset, are restless, and are eager for quick success, you will find it difficult to succeed in anything."
Meng Jinyao was taken aback. Didn't that mean she didn't think highly of Gu Xiuming's chances in this year's autumn examination?
Qingqiu and Ningdong, who were following behind them, overheard the couple's conversation. Their hearts were filled with shock and disbelief. The Marquis understood everything and saw through everything. Only the young master was being clever and thought he had done a good job, but in fact, the Marquis and his wife had already seen through him.
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It was in the afternoon, just past noon.
Gu Xiuming took a book and went to the study in the front yard to find Gu Jingxi and ask him for teachings.
Gu Jingxi was just about to handle official business when he saw him arrive. Without asking, he knew why he had come. Before he could speak, he asked him, "Xiuming, are you really going to participate in this year's autumn examination?"
Gu Xiuming paused slightly, but seeing his father's indifferent expression, he gave up trying to guess and replied, "Yes, Father, I want to gain some experience."
Gu Jingxi looked at Gu Xiuming with a calm gaze. Over the past few days, he had gained a deeper understanding of his son. He was used to being proud and could not stand setbacks.
I only participated this time because I saw my elder brother participate, and I was also confident that I would pass the imperial examination. If my elder brother passes the examination while I fail, the stark contrast will probably make my mind even more twisted.
He originally didn't want to interfere, but after all, he was his son, and he couldn't raise him without teaching him. He calmly advised, "Xiuming, if you're only participating because both of your older brothers are, then there's no need. You're still young, and your knowledge isn't solid enough. Although participating now can help you accumulate experience, too many failures will affect your mindset. It's better to wait until you've accumulated enough knowledge and experience."
It was clearly a well-intentioned gesture, but Gu Xiuming didn't hear it that way. He felt that his father looked down on him, had no confidence in him, and thought he would definitely fail.
Gu Xiuming's hand holding the book slowly tightened, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. Since they all looked down on him, he would work even harder to pass the imperial examination, participate in the spring examination at the beginning of next year, and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) to prove his father wrong.
Therefore, he replied, "Father, actually I don't have any expectations for this year's autumn examination, so even if I fail, there's nothing to be disappointed about. It's just a matter of gaining some experience."
After listening, Gu Jingxi stared at him for a long time, then stopped trying to persuade him and nodded: "Since you've made up your mind, then participate."
Gu Xiuming responded and then asked him for further instruction.
However, Gu Jingxi did not explain to him as before, but said earnestly, "Xiuming, when it comes to learning, you can't rush it. If you don't integrate what you have learned before, and then try to figure out other knowledge, you will end up not mastering anything. As for the questions you asked me before, I only gave you my understanding. Have you thought about them on your own after you went back? Go back and think carefully about the questions I explained to you before, and then ask other questions."
Gu Xiuming froze, his face stiffening. He felt a sense of crisis, but even more so, resentment and unwillingness. He had been willing to teach him before, but now, because Gu Xiuming was going to participate in the autumn imperial examination, he was unwilling to teach him anymore, and was even making excuses to fob him off. Did he really intend to ruin him and then adopt Gu Xiuwen to replace him as the heir?
After a few breaths, he said with shame, "Father, your son is dull-witted and has not yet figured out his own insights."
Gu Jingxi glanced at Gu Xiuming with an ambiguous expression, taking in the resentment and unwillingness in his eyes. He frowned slightly, feeling that this son was truly hopeless. Without giving him any face, he directly exposed him and admonished him in a deep voice: "Xiuming, your father is not senile yet. Studying is for yourself, not for others to see. If your mind is filled with distractions and your thoughts are occupied by distractions, it will be difficult to think independently, and you will not be able to learn anything."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuming's heart tightened and pounded. His little scheme had been ruthlessly exposed, as if a fig leaf had been torn off, leaving him instantly embarrassed and indignant. He hurriedly lowered his eyes to hide the emotions welling up inside, and humbly defended himself: "Father, you misunderstand. I have simply fallen behind in my studies recently, which is why I have repeatedly asked you for help. It is not to impress anyone. Please understand, Father."
Gu Jingxi stared at him intently until he became tense and almost lost his composure. Then, she slowly and deliberately addressed the questions he had just asked, offering him answers. Finally, she said, "Go back and think carefully about what I just said, so that you can come up with your own unique insights. Only then can you say that you have truly learned something. Once you have truly understood those questions, then come and ask me other questions."
Gu Xiuming tried his best to maintain his composure and replied respectfully, "Your son thanks Father for clearing up my doubts. I will definitely ponder it carefully when I get back."
Gu Jingxi nodded and said calmly, "Yes, you should go back now. I have other things to attend to."
"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer, Father."
Gu Xiuming acknowledged his leave and, after leaving the study, his face darkened completely. He glanced at the closed study door, gripped the book tightly, his knuckles turned white, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged. Resentment and unwillingness filled his thoughts. He took a deep breath to calm himself and then hurried back to Qingyuxuan.
Inside the study, Gu Jingxi's expression was also not very good.
The son suddenly realized that he hadn't completely believed it. Over the past few days, he could see that his son wasn't genuinely eager to learn and improve; he was just putting on a show for him and others. He was too eager to perform, and his restless mind would inadvertently show.
This greatly disappointed him, who had initially felt some relief that his son might have genuinely repented. Old habits die hard; his son had simply changed his way of doing things. Before, he acted recklessly and without considering the consequences; now, he was racking his brains to study and refine his methods.
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