Chapter 83 Jingxi's Anger
Meng Jinyao chuckled, speechless: "Why would you think that?"
Chunliu was in low spirits and sounded a little aggrieved: "You've already assigned me to Aunt Li's side."
What are you thinking?
Meng Jinyao gently shook her head and said softly, "You are so clever and capable, how could I bear to transfer you away? I just feel that you are more suitable for this task than others. After you finish teaching Aunt Li the rules, you will still have to come back to Weirui Pavilion to work."
Upon hearing this, Chunliu's eyes lit up: "Madam means that after I teach Concubine Li the rules, I can return to serve you?"
Meng Jinyao smiled and retorted, "Otherwise what?"
Chunliu asked her again to confirm, "As long as Aunt Li learns the rules, I can come back?"
Meng Jinyao nodded gently: "Of course."
Upon receiving a positive answer, Chunliu beamed with joy. She was the head maid of Weirui Pavilion, and had only just managed to curry favor with the madam. Before she could even warm her grip on the madam's coattails, she was sent to the side of a concubine. She must have felt wronged. Now that she knew it was just a task assigned to her by the madam, she finally felt relieved. The madam must have thought she was capable, which was why she sent her there.
After a moment, Chunliu asked hesitantly, "Madam, should I pack my things to go to Qingyuxuan?"
Meng Jinyao nodded and said, "Yes, you should follow her and guide her in etiquette and manners at all times. Start by teaching her daily habits and make sure to teach her well as soon as possible so that she won't be impolite in front of others again."
She had actually thought about this issue. If Chunliu went to Qingyuxuan to teach her every day, the effect would probably not be as good as being by Li Wan'er's side all the time. Being by Li Wan'er's side would allow her to observe Li Wan'er's behavior and habits, and then provide more detailed instruction.
Otherwise, if Li Wan'er doesn't learn the etiquette and rules that a wealthy family should follow, and makes a fool of herself next time, she will also be laughed at, since she was the one who chose to teach her.
Chunliu had no objection to this. She also hoped to finish the mission as soon as possible, and then continue to serve the lady, follow her side and teach her step by step, and help her correct her mistakes. She was sure she would learn quickly and well, unless that Aunt Li was stupid.
Not long after, Ningdong, who was always well-mannered, rushed in, forgetting even to bow, and asked, "Madam, why did you send Chunliu to Aunt Li's side? Although she likes to flatter, she is reliable and meticulous in her work."
Meng Jinyao was slightly taken aback, then continued with a smile, "Don't you often get jealous of her, saying she steals your affection? Why are you speaking well of her now?"
Ning Dong was taken aback, then shook her head, thinking that her mistress had transferred Chun Liu away because she was jealous. She immediately felt guilty and pleaded, "I was just saying that. Chun Liu is actually quite good. Even I have to admire her abilities. If she stays at Wei Rui Xuan to work for you, you will have another capable assistant. Madam, please keep her. I won't be jealous of her anymore."
A warm feeling washed over Meng Jinyao. Ningdong knew that she didn't have any useful people in the Marquis's mansion. If Chunliu was sent out, the only people she could use were Ningdong and Qingqiu. So she absolutely couldn't send Chunliu elsewhere. She said gently, "Don't worry, she's just going to teach Aunt Li manners. She'll come back once Aunt Li has learned the manners."
Upon hearing this, Ning Dong was stunned again. She opened her mouth, but it took her a long time to find her voice. She said angrily, "She actually dared to lie to me! She said she was sent to work for Concubine Li and told me not to miss her too much. If I really missed her, I should go to Qingyuxuan to find her."
Meng Jinyao chuckled, surprised by this turn of events, and said with a giggle, "I really didn't expect her to be so mischievous, teasing you like this."
Ning Dong said angrily, "Madam, she went too far. She actually deceived my feelings and made me feel deeply guilty for a while."
Meng Jinyao laughed and said, "Who told you to be jealous of her all the time?"
Ningdong winked playfully, then quickly coaxed her master to change the subject, not wanting to mention that liar Chunliu at all.
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study.
Gu Xiuming followed his father to the study with trepidation. When he saw his father sit down and look at him expressionlessly, his heart tightened and he dared not breathe.
Gu Jingxi frowned slightly. He used to think his son was alright. Although he wasn't outstanding in any particular area, he was decent in all aspects and passable. But now, seeing his son gave him a headache.
The father and son stared at each other in silence, and the short moment felt like an eternity.
Gu Xiuming felt an invisible pressure that made him increasingly flustered. He broke out in a cold sweat but dared not wipe it away. If he were to ask who he feared most in the entire Gu family, it would definitely be his father.
Gu Jingxi asked in a deep voice, "Xiu Ming, do you know your mistake?"
"The son knows he was wrong."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Gu Xiuming's voice rang out, admitting his mistake with remarkable speed.
Gu Jingxi then asked, "Then tell me, what did you do wrong?"
Gu Xiuming paused, and after a moment of consideration, replied, "Today, I was careless and failed to explain the rules of the Marquis's mansion to Wan'er. I made a fool of myself today, causing my father and mother to lose face as well." He deeply regretted this, as Wan'er had been subjected to cold looks and suffered injustice.
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi's face darkened, and he stared at him with a heavy gaze, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. Even his voice carried a hint of rage: "The fact that you can say such a thing proves that you don't know you're wrong. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so unaware of where you went wrong."
Gu Xiuming froze, his face blank.
Seeing his unawareness of his mistake, Gu Jingxi pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling slightly annoyed, but still patiently said, "Your concubine made a fool of herself today, but the fault does not lie with her. It is your oversight that she does not understand these rules and did not have someone teach her."
As Gu Jingxi spoke, his tone grew colder: "However, that's secondary. Your real mistake is that you have repeatedly acted willfully and recklessly, disgracing the family."
Gu Xiuming was taken aback and retorted, "Father, you personally approved taking Wan'er as a concubine."
Gu Jingxi asked in a deep voice, "You insist on taking a concubine and are unwilling to marry a wife, and I have given your permission. But have I given you permission to allow a concubine who is not worthy of being married to a wife to have the same treatment as a wife?"
Gu Xiuming was stunned and somewhat confused.
Seeing this, Gu Jingxi felt a surge of anger and continued, "Qingyuxuan is the courtyard of the successive heirs. Only the heir and his wife can live in the main house. But you let your concubine live there. This is an act of favoring the concubine and neglecting the wife. Even if you want to get married, if this kind of news gets out, which girl would dare to marry you?"
"That's true. You're not planning to marry, so it doesn't matter whether a lady from a respectable family is willing to marry you. But have you thought about your brothers? If you, as the heir of a marquis, do this, their reputation will also be affected."
Gu Xiuming was speechless: "Father, I..."
Gu Jingxi's face was cold and his gaze sharp as he asked in a cold voice, "Do you think that because I only have one son, and you are the only one who can inherit the title, you feel that you have the right to act recklessly?"
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