Chapter 166 Trust Him More
Dinner was very quiet.
Gu Jingxi always ate in silence, never uttering a single word.
Meng Jinyao and Gu Xiuming didn't have much to say to each other, and they weren't good at talking. If Gu Xiuming wasn't around, she would sometimes exchange a few words with Gu Jingxi when she was in the mood.
The family of three ate quietly, the scene was harmonious, and at first glance they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Wait a minute."
Suddenly, Gu Jingxi, who had been silent all along, spoke up. Gu Xiuming, who was about to pick up some food, stopped and looked at him blankly. Meng Jinyao was also puzzled and subconsciously stopped eating.
Gu Xiuming asked, "Father, what's wrong?"
"This is what your mother likes to eat."
After speaking calmly, Gu Jingxi picked up the chicken wing that Gu Xiuming had originally wanted to pick up and put it in Meng Jinyao's bowl.
He remembered that the little girl's favorite part of the whole chicken was the chicken wing. Once, he ate some, and the little girl kept giving him resentful looks. Only then did he belatedly realize that he had probably upset her by eating what she liked. After that, he wisely stopped eating chicken wings whenever he saw them.
Gu Xiuming was dumbfounded as he watched his father's movements flow smoothly and his expression remain calm, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. When had his father ever been so kind to anyone? He probably hadn't even been this considerate to his grandmother.
Meng Jinyao stared blankly at the chicken wings in the bowl, wondering what was going on.
Seeing that she was stunned and motionless, Gu Jingxi asked gently, "What's wrong? Don't you want to eat anymore?"
Meng Jinyao quickly shook her head: "No, I still like it, and I probably won't change in the future."
Gu Jingxi: "Okay, let's eat then."
Meng Jinyao responded, but didn't say much more. She picked up the chicken wing and stuffed it into her mouth. Of course, she didn't stuff the whole thing in her mouth; her eating manners were still quite refined and elegant.
Seeing her enjoying her meal, Gu Jingxi smiled and continued eating.
Gu Xiuming observed everything without showing any emotion, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. He knew his father doted on Meng Jinyao; after all, they were an older man and a younger woman, and Meng Jinyao was quite beautiful, so it was normal for his father to like her. But seeing them together made him realize that his father doted on Meng Jinyao even more than he had imagined, and they were clearly a loving couple.
After dinner, Gu Xiuming left Wei Rui Xuan and returned to his own courtyard.
Meng Jinyao watched his figure disappear from sight, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, but her tone remained calm: "Husband, our son has made great progress recently. If he continues to be so diligent and studious, he will surely pass the imperial examination with flying colors one day."
Gu Jingxi paused, narrowed his eyes, and said calmly, "If one's mind is not so distracted and one focuses only on studying, then achieving top honors in the imperial examinations is perhaps possible."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao turned her head to look at the man beside her, leaving the meaning unsaid.
Her words just now were tinged with a probing tone. These past few days, Gu Xiuming had come to ask for his advice, and Gu Jingxi would patiently teach him whenever she had time. She thought Gu Jingxi completely trusted Gu Xiuming, but her reply just now clearly showed that she didn't have much trust in Gu Xiuming's changes.
However, it's normal that there isn't much trust. Who is Gu Jingxi? He's the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. What kind of cunning criminals hasn't he encountered? Gu Xiuming's tricks certainly can't hide from Gu Jingxi, so there's no need for her to gossip in front of him.
Thinking of this, Meng Jinyao smiled even more and said gently, "My husband is very knowledgeable. With my husband's personal guidance, it's only a matter of time before I pass the imperial examination." She sighed softly as she spoke, "There is a difference between fathers. My husband is a responsible father, unlike my father, who didn't teach my two younger brothers much."
Gu Jingxi glanced at her, his gaze meaningful, and asked with a half-smile, "Little fox, you're quite the smooth talker. What are you trying to get out of me, hmm?"
"What do you mean by that, my husband? I don't understand."
Meng Jinyao pretended to be stupid, looking at him with innocent eyes, and refused to admit that she had just been subtly asking him why he still taught Gu Xiuming if he knew that Gu Xiuming was not sincerely repenting.
Gu Jingxi chuckled: "Still pretending to be stupid for your husband?"
Meng Jinyao felt even more innocent, and just watched him quietly without saying a word.
Gu Jingxi looked at her, her almond-shaped eyes were clear and bright, she just stared at him without saying a word, she looked very innocent.
Gu Jingxi felt that she hadn't said anything, but it was as if she had said everything. After staring at her for a while, he said gently, "I am a father, and it is a father's duty to teach his son. There are other ways to solve other problems."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao immediately understood.
Her husband is truly responsible, not only towards his wife but also towards his son. Although Gu Xiuming is not his biological son, he was adopted and Gu Jingxi has been diligently educating him, not just treating him as a tool to continue the family line.
Although he sensed that his son was not truly repentant, Gu Jingxi would still teach him earnestly when he asked for his knowledge, fulfilling his responsibilities as a father. As for the other troublesome things his son did, there would be another way to deal with them. Teaching and disciplining his son were separate, and the two did not conflict with each other.
Gu Jingxi looked at her and smiled helplessly: "Madam, you can ask directly next time, there's no need to beat around the bush."
Meng Jinyao resolutely denied it, pretending to be clueless: "Husband, what are you saying? I was just saying it casually, why are you beating around the bush?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi lowered his gaze and saw the girl's clasped hands. He subtly curled the corners of his lips. The girl would do this when she was nervous or guilty, but since she wouldn't admit it, he didn't need to dwell on this small matter. He simply said gently, "Madam, I will help you. You can try to trust your husband a little more."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao's pupils dilated visibly. She lowered her eyes to hide the surprise in them. How much more should she trust Gu Jingxi? She actually trusted Gu Jingxi, but there were some things she dared not gamble on, which was why she cautiously tested him.
Gu Jingxi stared at her intently. Seeing the girl lower her eyes and remain silent, he sighed almost imperceptibly. He felt once again that raising a girl was not easy. Girls' minds are sensitive and hard to fathom, especially this girl in front of him. Sometimes he felt that she was quite brave, and sometimes he felt that she was very timid. Her personality was very contradictory.
After a moment, Gu Jingxi changed the subject: "I'm going for a walk in the garden to digest my food. Would you like to come, Madam?"
Meng Jinyao smiled faintly, "I won't go, my husband, you go."
Gu Jingxi nodded, stood up, and stepped out of the house.
After he left, Ningdong whispered, "Madam, it seems the Marquis knows the situation very well."
Meng Jinyao paused slightly, then nodded: "Yes, that's why there's no need to gossip about Gu Xiuming in front of him. If I can see the problem, he will naturally notice it too."
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