Chapter 158 Quite Shocking
Gu Xiuming seemed to have really changed. He became gentle, humble, and eager to learn. He also went to Weirui Pavilion every day to pay his respects to Meng Jinyao. When Gu Jingxi returned from his shift, he would come to Weirui Pavilion to ask Gu Jingxi for advice.
This sudden change shocked both the first and second wives. They had thought Gu Xiuming was a complete failure after his series of shameful acts, but now he was back on his feet.
Meng Jinyao found it strange that her unfilial son had suddenly become so filial. Now that the days were long and the nights short, she also got up early. Every day after washing up, she would see her unfilial son come to pay his respects. Every time, he was respectful and filial, without the slightest perfunctoriness.
Whether Gu Xiuming was sincere or not, she had to play the role of a loving mother well. So every time the mother and son met, there was no longer the previous confrontation, only a harmonious scene of motherly love and filial piety, which stunned all the maids in Weirui Pavilion.
This day was a day off.
Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi had just finished breakfast when Gu Xiuming arrived and respectfully greeted them: "Your son greets your father and mother."
Seeing that he was so respectful, with no fault in his tone or attitude, Meng Jinyao said gently, "My son has become more and more filial lately, coming to pay his respects every day."
Gu Xiuming said without changing his expression, "It was because I was ignorant before that I caused my father and mother distress."
Meng Jinyao smiled gently: "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. My son, just don't repeat them in the future."
"Mother, don't worry." Gu Xiuming said, then turned to Gu Jingxi, "Father, I have a few questions about my studies that I don't understand. I wonder if you have time to give me some pointers?"
Gu Jingxi looked at him calmly, and seeing his expectant gaze, nodded and said, "Come with me to the study."
Gu Xiuming responded and followed him out of the house to the study.
Ning Dong watched as the father and son disappeared from sight and asked in confusion, "Madam, has the young master really changed for the better? He has come to pay his respects to you for several days in a row, rain or shine. It was raining yesterday morning, but he still came on time."
Meng Jinyao lowered her eyes slightly and said slowly, "I don't know if he has changed for the better, but I am sure that he has become smarter. If he had continued to offend me as before, it would have done him no good and would have only displeased the elders. Now that he is respectful and filial to me, he will not give others any reason to criticize him and will be praised as a good child who is filial to his elders."
Qingqiu frowned, a deep worry rising in her heart. She said in a low voice, "Madam, if the young master is an imposter, he is quite cunning and not easy to deal with."
“What is false can never become true, and what is true can never become false. Let’s see how long he can hold out.” Meng Jinyao smiled nonchalantly. “I have an appointment with Ayan and Aning to go boating on the lake today. Let’s go, or we’ll be late and keep them waiting.”
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Princess Jingning rented a luxurious and exquisite painted boat and invited Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning to visit and enjoy a boat trip on the lake together.
Originally, she only invited Meng Jinyao, but considering that Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning were good friends, she invited Song Xinning as well so that everyone could have fun together.
As soon as Song Xinning got off the carriage, she saw Meng Jinyao, who had also just arrived, and a smile immediately appeared on her face. She waved to her and said, "Ayao, what a coincidence, we arrived at the same time."
Meng Jinyao responded with a smile: "A-Ning."
Song Xinning walked towards her and asked curiously, "Ayao, when did you become friends with Princess Jingning? I remember Princess Jingning used to help your sister bully you, how come you're playing with her now? You have no idea how surprised I was when I received the princess's invitation saying that you would be coming too."
Meng Jinyao was stunned for a moment, realizing that she hadn't seen A Ning for quite some time. She hadn't told A Ning about Princess Jingning yet, and felt a little guilty. She quickly said, "I forgot to tell you, I've become friends with the princess now, and the princess knows Meng Jinyu's true colors and no longer talks to Meng Jinyu."
Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Song Xinning's eyes. She felt that Ayao had made a new friend and was neglecting her. She stammered, "Ayao, are you fickle?"
Meng Jinyao glared at her, then reached out and took her hand, saying softly, "No way, it's just that you've been too busy lately, that's why I haven't made plans with you. If we were to meet, I would definitely tell you that in my heart, Aning is one of a kind."
Upon hearing this, Song Xinning's eyes lit up, the melancholy between her brows vanished, and a smile returned to her face: "I knew Ayao was a loyal person who wouldn't be fickle. She still loves me the most."
Meng Jinyao chuckled and said reproachfully, "You make me sound like a heartless man."
With a smile on her lips, Song Xinning happily took her arm and said, "Ayao, let's board the painted boat first, so as not to keep the princess waiting."
The two, accompanied by their maid, boarded the painted boat.
Princess Jingning, the hostess, was already waiting on the painted boat. When she saw them arrive, she hurriedly invited them to sit down and had her maid serve them fresh fruits, snacks, and flower tea that had been prepared beforehand.
Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning are sixteen years old this year, and Princess Jingning is fifteen. The three girls of similar age get along very well. Princess Jingning is a little proud, but she is not pretentious. The three of them get along very well.
As they spoke, Princess Jingning pushed the peeled and pitted lychees on the plate toward Meng Jinyao, saying, "Ayao, eat more. These are your favorite lychees. I specially went to my uncle's place yesterday to get them. It's the last pound."
The lychee flesh is crystal clear, and each lychee is pierced with a small, rounded bamboo skewer. You can eat it by simply holding the bamboo skewer.
Song Xinning was surprised, not expecting that the princess had gone to the palace to ask the emperor for these lychees for A Yao. She couldn't help but sigh, "The princess is so good to A Yao."
“I’ve always been very kind to my friends, and you’ll be no exception.” Princess Jingning blinked and smiled. “From now on, you can call me Ayan, just like Ayao.”
Song Xinning was taken aback. She glanced at Meng Jinyao and saw her nod with a smile. So she readily called out, "Ayan, I'm Aning."
Princess Jingning called out "A-Ning" and chuckled softly, "We're quite destined to meet. My title has the character 'Ning' in it, and yours is called A-Ning."
Meng Jinyao sat by the window and glanced out the window. She saw a familiar figure. It was Gu Xuanyi from the eldest son's family. Beside her stood a handsome young man. The two were chatting and laughing, their eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
Seeing this, Meng Jinyao was quite shocked and stunned. Wasn't Gu Xuanyi arranging a marriage? How come she was already seeing a man?
A short while later, Gu Xuanyi went into the cabin, leaving the man alone on the deck.
Princess Jingning noticed that she was staring blankly in one direction and asked in surprise, "Ayao, what are you looking at so intently?"
Meng Jinyao pointed to the opposite side and asked, "Ayan, do you know the man on the pleasure boat across the way?"
Princess Jingning looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a familiar young man. She replied, "That's the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion. What's wrong?"
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