Chapter Sixty-Four: Wild Ideas
Meanwhile, after leaving Shou'an Hall, Zhang was in a daze, and the smile on her face never faded.
She walked as fast as the wind, returning to her courtyard as quickly as possible. Upon learning that her husband had gone to his concubine's place, her smile instantly faded. How long had she been at her mother-in-law's? How could she have gotten to the concubine's paradise so quickly?
But thinking of her son's studies, she smiled again and instructed her maid to invite Gu Jingsheng back.
Gu Jingsheng was immersed in the tender embrace of his beautiful concubine. They were already lying on the bed, ready to get down to business, when suddenly the maid interrupted his good time. He was furious and lost interest. He then asked his concubine to help him get dressed and leave.
When the maid saw the door open, the master came out with a dark face and asked her impatiently, "What is it?"
The maid shrank back in fright and hurriedly replied, "Master, the First Madam says she has something urgent to tell you about the Fourth Young Master and asks you to go there first."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingsheng's expression softened slightly. He glanced at his beautiful concubine beside him, feeling reluctant, but since it concerned the child, he immediately went to Zhang's courtyard.
Seeing Gu Jingsheng leave like that, the concubine was unwilling and stomped her feet in anger. Who knew if the First Madam really had something to do or was just pretending? It wasn't the first time that she had been suddenly interrupted like this. The First Madam was really going too far. It was bad enough that she wouldn't allow them to have children, but she even tried to stop the Master from coming to their room.
As soon as Gu Jingsheng entered the door, he saw his wife's happy face and was puzzled. She had been uneasy when she went to Shou'an Hall, so why did she change her expression when she came back? So he asked, "Madam, what happened to Xiuwen? Why did you call me over in such a hurry?"
Mrs. Zhang was overjoyed: "What a wonderful thing! What a wonderful thing!"
Gu Jingsheng rarely saw her so excited. He hadn't seen her this excited when his eldest daughter-in-law got married, so he couldn't help but find it amusing: "What good news? Could it be that Xiuwen is getting married? Xiuhong and Xiuyuan haven't gotten married yet, why is he in such a hurry?"
"..."
Zhang was speechless, and her joy faded somewhat. Her husband was such a spoilsport. Did he have nothing else to be happy about except for their children's marriages?
Gu Jingsheng asked, puzzled, "Madam, why are you silent again?"
After nearly twenty years of marriage, Zhang knew her husband's temperament and was too lazy to argue with him. She told her mother-in-law about her mother's desire to help Xiuwen get into Lingshan Academy.
What kind of place is Lingshan Academy?
Even Gu Jingsheng, however mediocre and incompetent, understood that this was an academy that students flocked to. Lingshan Academy was renowned throughout the world, having produced many famous scholars. The academy had numerous renowned teachers, outstanding students, and a high chance of passing the imperial examinations.
If Xiuwen goes to Lingshan Academy to study, he might be able to pass the imperial examination. Even if he doesn't pass, it would be great to develop connections at Lingshan Academy.
Gu Jingsheng smiled broadly: "I knew Mother still takes care of us. Look, she's already planning to ask my third brother to help Xiuwen go to Lingshan Academy to study."
Zhang: "..."
This time, their eldest son's family was the beneficiary. She had no way to refute her husband's words. Among the grandchildren, only Xiuwen from their family received such treatment. Even Xiuming, the heir apparent, did not enter Lingshan Academy.
But why is the mother-in-law so good to Xiuwen from their family?
Seeing her deep in thought, Gu Jingsheng asked, "Madam, what are you thinking about?"
Madam Zhang waved her hand, signaling the maids to leave, and asked in bewilderment, "Husband, Mother has four grandsons, why is she so good to Xiuwen? None of Xiuwen's older brothers went to Lingshan Academy to study."
Hearing this, Gu Jingsheng sighed helplessly. Women are such a hassle. They think about so many things, even the smallest things. Isn't it enough to just get the benefits? What's the point of thinking about all this nonsense?
He said with some impatience, "This time they are recruiting people aged ten to fifteen. Xiu Yuan and the others are over the age limit. We can only say that Xiu Wen is lucky."
Madam Zhang shook her head slightly: "I don't think so. Xiu Ming is the heir apparent. If even the heir apparent has never received such benefits, why would he give them to Xiu Wen?"
After she finished speaking, she frowned and fell into deep thought.
Soon, a shocking idea flashed through her mind, and she suddenly opened her eyes. After the initial shock came ecstasy, and the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
She asked mysteriously, "Husband, do you think Mother wants to give our Xiuwen to our third brother for adoption?"
Gu Jingsheng was taken aback upon hearing this, thinking his wife was being far-fetched. He replied, "Don't think such nonsense. My third brother's family already has Xiuming, so why would they want Xiuwen?"
Zhang glanced at him, her eyes showing a hint of disdain, as if she thought he was dim-witted. Her tone was still relatively gentle: "Xiu Ming caused such a huge scandal, and my third brother punished him severely. He is still reflecting on his mistakes in the ancestral hall. Even Mother has not pleaded for him. Do you think Mother and my third brother are disappointed in Xiu Ming and have given up on him?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingsheng was instantly struck by a sudden realization, both shocked and astonished: "Could it be...could it be that Mother intends to..."
He didn't dare say what he was going to say next. After a moment of silence, he was very reluctant: "But Xiuwen is already so grown up. We've raised him for fifteen years. Are we just going to give him away like this, and have him call someone else his parents in the future?"
"You're so short-sighted!"
Zhang spat out a resentful remark, but seeing her husband's displeasure, she quickly softened her tone and said gently, "Husband, if he is adopted by our third brother, he will be the heir to the Marquis's mansion and will inherit the title in the future. No matter how reluctant we are to part with our child, we should be happy for him if he has a better future. Don't you think so?"
Gu Jingsheng remained silent. He only had two sons, and he certainly hoped they would be successful. He was not capable enough to become a high-ranking official, but he hoped his sons could. He was adopted by his third brother, who could provide his sons with a bright future. As the biological father of his sons, he would also feel proud if his sons were successful.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu Jingsheng said again, "But Mother didn't say it explicitly. Are we overthinking things? Xiuyuan is the eldest grandson. Even if the third brother wants to establish another heir, he can choose Xiuyuan. There's no need to adopt Xiuwen."
Zhang glared at him and analyzed, "If we adopt him, he'll be their son. He'll take care of them in their old age and see them off when they die. It's definitely more worthwhile to adopt him. If you ask me, how can a cousin be better than a biological nephew? With Xiu Ming's example, I doubt my third brother will consider adopting a child from a collateral branch again. My second brother only has one son, so our family is the most likely candidate."
Gu Jingsheng nodded knowingly. It's just that such a good thing wouldn't have been available to their eldest branch of the family ten years ago. How could it be their eldest branch's turn this year?
He felt the matter was highly unlikely and there was no need to have any expectations. It would be a great thing if Xiuwen could go to Lingshan Academy to study. So he said, "This is all just a rumor. Don't go around spreading it. Otherwise, if it gets to Mother's ears, I don't know what she will think of us."
Zhang was also extremely cautious about this, replying, "I'm just telling you this, how dare I tell everyone? It's not settled yet, what if it turns out to be wrong? Wouldn't I be incredibly embarrassed? I won't even mention it to Xiuyuan and Xiuwen."
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