Chapter 268: A Man's Change of Heart

tion, "She just got married, and her mother already gave her the heirloom bracelet. Even her third younger brother helped her establish authority! You have to know that her third younger brother neve...Changxing Houfu.

When Gu Xiuming returned, it was evening. Back at Qingyu Xuan, he saw Li Wan'er waiting expectantly under the eaves. The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up instantly, a smile blossomed on her face, and she walked gracefully towards him.

He suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. Wan'er was filled with him, both in her heart and eyes. He had also thought about spending his life with Wan'er, the two of them together forever. Though she was a concubine, he would never marry another woman for the rest of his life.

Reality dealt him a harsh blow. His father and mother were right; he did need a wife from an equally prominent family to support him, to secure his position as the crown prince. He also needed an heir to please his grandmother. The illegitimate son born to Wan'er weighed far less in his grandmother's heart than a legitimate heir.

Li Wan'er affectionately grasped his arm and gently said, "Brother Xiu Ming, are you hungry I'll have them set up a meal right away. There's steamed perch tonight, your favorite."

Gu Xiuming was still thinking about the matter of getting married and didn't hear her words.

Li Wan'er called out again: "Xiu Ming gege"

Gu Xiuming only then came to his senses and asked blankly, "Wan'er, what's wrong"

Looking at his absentminded expression, Li Wan'er was puzzled and asked, "What are you thinking about You seem so absorbed that you didn't even hear me."

Gu Xiuming shook his head. "Nothing, I'm hungry. Let someone set up the meal."

He was unwilling to say, and Li Wan'er didn't want to press him further, lest she make him unhappy. She nodded in response, "Alright," and went to instruct the maidservant to set the table.

Gu Xiuming looked at his beloved Na'na's figure, becoming increasingly guilty, with a touch of uneasiness as well. But he still knew what was more important. If he wasn't the Crown Prince, unable to inherit the title, Wan'er would have to suffer with him too. This was a last resort, all for their future.

Such a simple girl like Wan'er, he would find a gentle and tolerant wife so that Wan'er wouldn't be worn down. Afterwards, he wouldn't have any other women. One wife and one concubine would be enough. His wife was a necessity, but his heart belonged to Wan'er.

After dinner, Gu Xiuming suddenly asked: "Wan'er, how would you feel if you had another sister"

Li Wan'er trusted him quite a bit and didn't think the worst of it. She thought he was talking about a normal sister, so she smiled and replied: "I think that's great. If I have more sisters, I can chat with them and relieve my boredom."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuming secretly let out a sigh of relief. The anxiety and guilt he felt towards betraying his beloved also subsided. He thought to himself, "Well then, he can just marry a gentle and virtuous wife. This way, Wan'er would surely accept it as well. With harmony between wives and concubines, he could also save himself a lot of trouble."

As for how to get married

He had a bit of a headache. Marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers, not something he chose. He had once told Gu Jingxi that if Wan'er became his concubine, he would never marry another woman in his life; he only wanted Wan'er. Now, if he went back on his word and told Gu Jingxi he wanted to marry someone else, Gu Jingxi probably wouldn't agree. After all, Gu Jingxi had always been grooming the fourth brother to be the heir apparent.

While Meng Jinyao might be his nominal mother, she certainly wouldn't want him to do well and couldn't possibly arrange a marriage for him.

Though his grandmother felt affection for him, telling her about this would only lead to trouble. She'd surely inform Gu Jingxi and his wife, who would then offer to arrange his marriage. Even if they verbally agreed, they wouldn't put in any real effort. Who knows what kind of woman they'd find for him In the end, he might be completely betrayed.

So, it's better for him to choose his own bride and plan carefully step by step. When the time is ripe and the woman is determined to marry him, he will succeed.

-

As night fell, Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi also returned to the Hou Mansion.

As the couple was about to step through the archway, they heard Zhou Yun's voice from behind. They stopped in their tracks and turned around to see him striding towards them, seemingly with something urgent to report.

Zhou Yunchao bowed to them in greeting, then reported, "Master Hou, Yu Chuan has something to report. He is currently waiting in the study."

Yu Chuan

Gu Jingxi furrowed his brows and nodded, "Alright, I understand."

He said this, and was about to head to the front yard study to meet Yu Chuan. He glanced at his young wife, pondering something. He felt that there were some things she should know, so he spoke softly: "Ai Yao, come with me."

Meng Jin Yao, upon hearing this, was taken aback. She looked up at him with a puzzled expression: "My husband, you are here to attend official business. Shouldn't I stay away so as not to interfere Perhaps I should return to Weiruixuan and wait for you there."

Gu Jingxi shook her head slightly: "It won't hinder anything, I think there are some things you should know too."

Meng Jinyáo looked at him with an unreadable expression, honestly unable to figure out what she could possibly do. She knew nothing about criminal investigations, but since he said so, she might as well go and take a look.

As soon as she reached the front yard study, Meng Jinyáo saw a young man in dark blue robes standing at the entrance. The boy looked even younger than Zhou Yun, seemingly around her age. He must be the Yu Chuan that Zhou Yun had mentioned.

Yu Chuan saw them as a couple, and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects: "Greetings to the Lord Marquis and Lady."

Gu Jingxi waved his hand, signaling that he didn't need to be so polite, then led his young wife into the study.

Yu Chuan followed closely behind and casually closed the study door.

Gu Jingxi pulled his little wife down and looked at Yu Chuan, asking in a faint voice, "What's wrong"

Yu Chuan replied, “Master Hou, the young master saw his biological parents today.”

Meng Jin Yao was slightly surprised, but quickly felt it was normal. Gu Xiu Ming, that disobedient son, never considered Gu Jing Xi as his father, otherwise, how could he be repeatedly unrepentant Now that his biological parents had come to Beijing, they must have a good reunion.

Gu Jingxi didn't care, casually asking: "Then what"

Yu Chuan advised Gu Xiuming to marry a well-matched daughter of a prominent family, urging him to secure his position as the heir apparent by finding a wife from a reputable background. He stressed the importance of producing an legitimate heir to appease the elderly mistress. Gu Xiuming was persuaded by Yu Chuan's words and agreed to follow his advice.

Gu Jingxi fell silent for a moment before instructing, "Continue watching the young master. If he attempts to harm innocent girls to achieve his goals, do not consult me. Directly stop him and don't be afraid of exposing your identity."

Yu Chuan nodded and replied, "Yes, Lord."

Gu Jingxi said again, "If there's nothing else, you may retire first."

Yuchuan stepped back in response.

In the spacious study, only Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao, the couple, were left.

Meng Jin Yao suddenly learned a big piece of news, her mind was digesting it for a moment, she was quite surprised and said: "Husband, didn't he say that out of three thousand weak waters, he only takes one scoop Even if Li Shi couldn't be his wife, he would take her as a concubine, wouldn't he marry a wife Now it hasn't been long, has he already changed his mind"

Gu Jingxi was twirling the incense pouch at his waist, and said slowly, "Perhaps it's because he used to think that the heir had to be him, so he acted recklessly and did whatever he wanted. Now that he feels a sense of crisis, he knows how to weigh the pros and cons."

Meng Jinyao let out a mocking laugh and sneered, "I thought he loved Li Yiniang so much that he would disregard his family's reputation for her, even eloping. In the end, it was all for nothing. The promises he made were broken so easily."

Gu Jingxi shook her head and smiled: "The love from the past was real, but people's hearts change easily. It's hard to keep their original intentions. Driven by desire, they can become unrecognizable. Even the once beloved will gradually turn into frost on the ground, and in the end, they might even blame each other."

As he spoke, his eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in them. He said in a low voice, "Let him toss and turn."d at the four people kneeling on the ground. Her voice was both kind and authoritative: “Since both of your parents are here, you should first tell us why you came to blows so that we elders can under...