Chapter 611 The Grand Finale 3
Following Gu Xiuwen's gaze, Meng Chengzhang saw his brother-in-law talking with several officials. Time seemed to have been particularly kind to his brother-in-law, leaving few traces on his face. He was still incredibly handsome, and with the passage of time, he was more composed and reserved than young people, making him even more attractive. So even at this age, he still had teenage girls who liked him.
However, while other men of this age would have grown beards long ago, my brother-in-law did not, which made him look even younger.
He had previously found it strange and asked his older sister privately. His older sister said that her husband was afraid of looking old when standing next to her and being laughed at by others for being an older man and a younger woman, so he didn't grow a beard and dressed up every day. In addition, her husband also had appearance anxiety, worrying that he would look old and lose his looks and be disliked by his older sister. He usually paid great attention to health and appearance maintenance.
Of course, he wouldn't say these things aloud, only saying, "A youthful mindset makes you look young."
Gu Xiuwen was taken aback after hearing this, and then glanced at his third uncle's clothes and appearance. He nodded in agreement: "That's right. Third Aunt is so much younger than him. Third Uncle is with Third Aunt every day. How can Third Uncle not have a young mindset? Look at the people next to him. They are all about the same age as him, but they are dressed much older than Third Uncle. They don't look like they are from the same generation."
Someone overheard them talking about Gu Jingxi and suddenly interrupted: "Xiuwen, your third uncle does look young. Looking at his appearance, who would guess that he is nearly forty? Look at him standing next to my father. At first glance, you would think that my father is more than ten years older than him. In fact, my father is only a few years older than him. In a few more years, people will probably think that I am the same age as him."
Gu Xiuwen suddenly felt depressed and said, "Don't say anymore. I'm afraid that if I go out with him in the future, people will think I'm his brother. I haven't even gotten married yet. You've already gotten married, you have a wife and children, so it's okay if you look old. Your wife can't divorce you, can she? If I look old, when I'm dating a young girl, she'll despise me."
Upon hearing this, the man couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Who told you not to get married? We're the same age, and I'm already the father of three children. You don't even have a female mosquito by your side. I wonder when I'll be able to drink your wedding wine."
Gu Xiuwen smiled and said, "It'll be soon, it'll be soon."
Upon hearing this, the man asked curiously, "Is it settled? Which family's daughter is it?"
Gu Xiuwen replied, "Not yet, let's talk about it in two years. A few years will pass in the blink of an eye. I'll invite you to my wedding then."
Upon hearing this, the man fell silent. In their circle, Gu Xiuwen was undoubtedly an anomaly. A Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), ranking third in the second class, such an outstanding person didn't stay in the capital but chose to be sent to a remote area. Later, when he was about to be promoted, he requested to go to a barren place. People from aristocratic families like them were all striving for the family's prosperity. The more outstanding the young members, the stronger the family would be. So everyone was working hard to climb the ladder, even if there was no opportunity for promotion, they would create one for themselves. Gu Xiuwen, on the other hand, simply pushed away the opportunities. He was already quite old and still unmarried. It was as if he had become foolish from studying too much.
A little while later, someone came to greet Gu Xiuwen, and they stopped talking about their previous topic and turned to chat with other people.
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Meanwhile, little Gu Xiuheng was making his father look bad in front of a group of children of similar age.
While other people's children talk about how amazing their grandfathers and fathers are, Gu Xiuheng, with just one sentence, made his father's fear of his wife and his mother's fierce image famous far and wide.
"My father is the most powerful! He can wield a big sword and will become an invincible general in the future!"
“What’s so great about wielding a big knife? My father is the real deal. Everyone obeys him at home, including my mother.”
"So what? None of them are as good as my maternal grandfather."
...
Gu Xiuheng listened to their noisy argument and found it somewhat boring. He said, "So what if your father, grandfather, and maternal grandfather are powerful? They are not as good as my mother."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned and turned their gazes to him.
Some people disagreed, saying, "Your mother is just a woman; how can she be more capable than our fathers and grandfathers?"
Someone chimed in, "That's right, how could a woman be more capable than a man? She didn't hold any official positions."
Gu Xiuheng glanced at them and dropped a bombshell: "Just because my father is more powerful than your grandfathers, maternal grandfathers, and fathers, and has a higher official position than them, and even someone as powerful as my father has to listen to my mother. If my mother tells him to go east, he wouldn't dare to go west. She can control someone more powerful than your elders, doesn't that prove that she is the most powerful?"
Some people were skeptical: "Really?"
Seeing that they didn't believe him, Gu Xiuheng gave another recent example: "The night before last, he angered my mother and was kicked out to sleep in the study. He didn't dare to go to sleep. He clung to the door late at night and apologized to my mother, saying 'Ayao, I'm sorry' over and over again. He looked so pitiful that I almost forgave him on behalf of my mother."
Just then, several officials behind them turned to look at Gu Jingxi with intriguing expressions. They had come over to listen to the children's argument out of curiosity, but they never expected to hear such a sensational story.
It's really unexpected that Gu Jingxi, who is usually calm and reserved and holds a high position, is such a henpecked husband. Could it be that he has never taken a concubine all these years because he is afraid of his wife and dares not take one?
Madam Gu looks like a delicate and gentle woman, with a beautiful appearance and a soft voice. I never expected her to be such a shrew, able to control Gu Jingxi so well. You really can't judge a book by its cover.
Gu Jingxi naturally noticed that the people around him were looking at him strangely. He frowned slightly and stared at his brat. If he went up and beat his son now, would others think that he was angry out of embarrassment?
The others noticed Gu Jingxi's subtle expression and quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Children say the darndest things, children say the darndest things."
The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who was Gu Jingxi's subordinate, chimed in, "That's right. Besides, who would believe a child's random fabrications? And how could the Minister be a henpecked husband?"
The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel chimed in, "Yes, that's right. The Minister is not the kind of person who is afraid of his wife."
However, while others tried their best to save face for Gu Jingxi, he himself simply said, "I am."
"ah?"
The group of people were stunned, looking at him with confusion, unsure whether he was admitting that he was afraid of his wife or agreeing with them that he was not.
Gu Jingxi said calmly, "My son is right, I am indeed afraid of my wife." As he spoke, he raised his voice, "Gu Wanwan, don't you think so?"
When Gu Xiuheng suddenly heard his father's voice, he froze. The next moment, he turned around abruptly, glared at his father, and shouted angrily, "Father!"
I've told you so many times, you're not allowed to call him "Wanwan" in front of outsiders, because people will think it's "Wanwan," doesn't he have any pride?
There is no better son than a father.
Gu Jingxi naturally understood what his son meant, and suddenly laughed, a laugh that was so "kind". You little rascal, you're the only one who cares about face. Don't I, your father, care about face too?
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