Chapter 150 The Wicked Stepmother and the Poor Child (43)
Gu Hongjian was sweating profusely, as if facing a formidable enemy.
In this court, anyone could give him a warning, but his position was still too low. No one would take him seriously. Even the eunuchs who had some influence in the palace had to be treated with respect and dared not offend him.
The once-glorious top scholar, after his glory faded, ended up as a low-ranking official in the capital, someone anyone could criticize.
Gu Hongjian then learned that Zhou Jingxuan had actually run back to her parents' home! After finishing his shift, he hurriedly returned to the manor to inquire, and sure enough, she still hadn't returned. The old lady had known about it last night, but hadn't sent anyone to bring her back!
For the sake of his career, he dared not be negligent and had no choice but to bite the bullet, prepare gifts, and personally go to the Zhou residence to pick up the person.
When Madam Gu learned that he was going in person, she was extremely unwilling. She secretly cursed Zhou Jingxuan for making a mountain out of a molehill and for not knowing etiquette by going back to her parents' home without informing them.
But considering that her son's future depended on the Zhou family, she could only suppress her dissatisfaction and tacitly allow Gu Hongjian to go and pick up the person.
This incident only deepened her dislike for Zhou Jingxuan. She felt that this concubine was not as well-behaved as the former Shen Ci and was always causing trouble.
Now, neither of her two daughters-in-law meets her standards; neither of them satisfies her.
After returning home, Gu Hongjian quickly prepared some gifts. Although they were not very generous, they were still acceptable. He was filled with trepidation as he prepared to go to the Zhou residence to pick up the person.
Just before leaving, he ran into his two children, Gu Mingzhang and Gu Mingzhu, playing at the door.
He suddenly realized that he had been so busy with state affairs that he hadn't had a proper look at his son and daughter in a long time, and now he suddenly saw that his children and his memories of them had changed.
Now the two children are much stronger, with rosy cheeks, and they look taller, unlike before when they were always very thin and small.
Seeing him stop at the door, Gu Mingzhang ran up to him and looked up to ask.
"Father, where are you going?"
Gu Hongjian stopped and answered patiently, as if he hadn't spoken to his child in a long time.
"Go to the Zhou family and bring your Aunt Zhou back."
Hearing this, Gu Mingzhu pouted and said innocently.
"Since Aunt Zhou came to our house, Father has rarely come to see us."
"If Aunt Zhou has a baby brother or sister in the future, will Father still be our Father?"
These words stung Gu Hongjian like a needle. He, too, had lost his father at a young age, and hearing them filled him with a mixture of annoyance and surprise.
How come his child is just like him when he was a child?
Before he could think it through, Gu Hongjian suddenly realized that the children must have been instigated by Shen Ci to use them to win back his heart!
He was furious and reprimanded her with a stern face.
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
Instead of learning good things, they only learn the gossipy skills of women.
Children should stay out of adults' business.
The change of expression was so sudden that it caught everyone off guard, leaving the two children stunned with fright.
The little face, which had been so bright and cheerful just moments before, instantly turned gloomy. Why did she suddenly yell at them when she was just talking? Her mother would never yell at them like that.
The brother and sister pursed their lips and lowered their heads in sullen silence. Gu Hongjian had no time to care about them at the moment. He turned around and got into the carriage, leaving the two children alone and disappointed.
Upon arriving at the Zhou family's residence, Gu Hongjian adopted a completely different demeanor. He lowered his stance to an extremely humble level, speaking earnestly and with a respectful attitude, even more so than towards his own mother.
He made a series of promises to Lord Zhou, assuring her that he would never let Zhou Jingxuan suffer any more grievances. Although Madam Zhou did not like him, she knew that her niece was carrying his child and there was no other way.
After giving him a warning and some pointers, Lord Zhou saw that he remained humble and finally relented, allowing him to see Zhou Jingxuan, since it was ultimately a matter between the two of them.
In Zhou Jingxuan's courtyard, Gu Hongjian dismissed everyone around him and looked at Zhou Jingxuan, who was leaning against the window, looking haggard and resentful.
He took a few steps forward, but stopped a few steps away from her, and said in a low voice.
"Jingxuan, I'm here."
You have suffered.
This call, tinged with just the right amount of emotion, shows how a professional gigolo knows exactly how to win a woman's heart.
Sure enough, seeing that her eyes were slightly red and she turned her head away, Gu Hongjian slowly approached and carefully took her hand.
Zhou Jingxuan struggled for a moment, but he gripped her even tighter, with a force that was so strong that she couldn't refuse.
"Don't hide from me, Jingxuan."
That night, that night I was a bastard! I deserve to die!
He raised his hand as if to hit himself, but he stopped before Zhou Jingxuan could stop him.
"I was overjoyed after being promoted, and I drank a few more cups of cheap wine. I became so confused that I lost my senses!"
Seeing your allure, I was overcome with lust, yet because I cherish you so much and fear harming you and the child, I was anxious and acted recklessly, using such a foolish thing!
He blamed all the stupid things he had done on the alcohol. After all, the alcohol couldn't talk, so the most important thing right now was to appease the person, no matter what he said.
Seeing that Zhou Jingxuan's expression softened, he pressed his advantage and continued speaking in an even gentler and more tender tone.
"Looking at my remorseful state now, don't you understand my heart?"
You are the only one in my heart! If I didn't love you so deeply, why would I be so anxious and act so incoherently?
Jingxuan, you can hit me, you can scold me, just please don't ignore me, don't look at me with such cold eyes, my heart...
It hurts terribly.
As he spoke, he actually grabbed Zhou Jingxuan's hand and punched his chest twice. This action, coupled with his pained expression, made Zhou Jingxuan's resentment dissipate a bit.
As expected of a professional, a quick combo followed by a deeply affectionate gaze—who could resist?
He gently pulled her into his arms, and after sensing that Zhou Jingxuan did not resist, Gu Hongjian continued to make grand promises in her ear.
"Good Jingxuan, please forgive me this time."
I swear that I will cherish you even more from now on and will never let you suffer any injustice again.
Once you safely give birth to the child, whether it's a boy or a girl, I will make sure you are a glorious second wife!
Let everyone know how much you, Zhou Jingxuan, mean to me, Gu Hongjian!
"Wait until Madam Shen can't hold on any longer, then who else but you can take the position of mistress of the Gu family?"
Yes, Hongjian does have feelings for her, but he drank that night and was too concerned about her and the child, which is why he acted that way. Now that he has come to pick her up in person and has lowered his stance so much, it would be unseemly if she were to act coy again.
Zhou Jingxuan convinced herself and finally nestled into his arms, her voice trembling with tears, half aggrieved and half coquettish.
"Do you know how hard I've been these past few days? The old lady scolded me like that, and you didn't even say a word for me."
Gu Hongjian sneered inwardly, but on the surface he showed even more affection, gently patting her back to comfort her.
"It's me, it's me, it's all my fault."
I will explain things to my mother myself.
"With me here, I'll never let anyone bully you again. Let's go home, okay?"
She nodded slightly, which was considered tacit approval. It was Gu Hongjian who gave in first; she didn't give in first!
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