ding this to be a destined encounter. Thinking that her nearly thirty-year-old son had finally found a wife, she couldn't even bring herself to mind the disappointment of not having grandchildren yet....The morning sunlight is very gentle, suitable for a walk.

Gu Xiwen was warm and hospitable, taking Meng Chengzhang on a tour of the mansion to familiarize him with the surroundings. He was called away halfway through, leaving Meng Chengzhang to continue exploring on his own for a while.

Meng Chengzhang, seeing the beautiful scenery, was momentarily captivated by it. He didn't realize he had lost his way while wandering around. Now he found himself at a crossroads, unsure which path to take back.

When Gu Xiujian went back, he couldn't find anyone and knew he must have gotten lost. He immediately went to look for him. On the way, he met Gu Xiuming and Li Wan'er walking towards him. The two were strolling leisurely, talking and laughing, with affection in their eyes. They were a handsome couple, and at first glance, they seemed very well-matched.

He stepped forward and greeted, "Third Brother, Sister-in-law Li,"

Li Wan'er has recently learned the rules and understands that she must bow to any master in the house. Seeing Gu Xiwen approaching, she hurriedly bowed: "Fourth Young Master"

Gu Xiuming saw that he was looking around anxiously, his face showing a hint of urgency. He questioned, "Seeing the fourth brother so anxious, is he looking for something"

Gu Xiwen nodded and said, "I'm looking for my second uncle. Did your third brother just see my second uncle"

Gu Xiuming was taken aback. He remembered that his fourth brother only had one uncle, which was his aunt's elder brother. Who was this suddenly appearing second uncle

The next moment, when Meng Chengzhang's figure came into view, Gu Xiuming was slightly surprised. He knew Meng Chengzhang, but he couldn't understand why Meng Chengzhang was at Changxing Houfu: "Young Master Meng Er, how are you here too"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiwen followed his gaze and turned his head. He let out a sigh of relief: "Second Uncle, there you are!"

The person who should have called him "Second Uncle" actually called him "Master Meng Er." However, Gu Xiuwen from the next room called out "Second Uncle." This made Gu Xiuming seem disrespectful, and the atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Gu Xiwen slightly frowned, disapprovingly glanced at his third brother. If his third brother hadn't run away from marriage and married their third aunt back then, he could be calling him "second brother" now. Now he was unhappy with the other party's seniority and directly called him "Master Meng Er".

Gu Xiuming also realized the problem, his face stiffened.

Li Wan'er could also roughly guess Meng Chengzhang's identity. Meng Er Gongzi was probably Meng Jin Yao's brother. Perhaps because of her elopement with Gu Xiuming in the past, she now saw someone from the Meng family and felt uneasy, unconsciously taking a step back and nervously grabbing Gu Xiuming's sleeve.

Meng Chengzhang hurried over to them and said in a soft voice, "Fourth brother, I'm really sorry for worrying you. I got lost just now and met a maidservant who directed me out."

Gu Xiwen said: "No problem, there are several paths here. It's normal that you would get lost if you're not familiar with them.

"

Gu Xiuming saw the two of them talking, seeming to get along well. He was surprised. He wasn't willing to call Meng Chengzhang "Second Uncle," so he didn't change his address. He asked in a calm voice: "Master Meng Er came over so early, is there something the matter"

Meng Chengzhang nodded slightly to him and replied softly: "The day after tomorrow, my younger brother and I will be setting off for Lingshan Academy. We'll stay here for two days to accompany our elder sister."

He stopped talking, his gaze falling on the girl beside Gu Xiuming. If he wasn't mistaken, this was Li Yiniang who had eloped with Gu Xiuming. At first glance, she seemed quite gentle, but her timidly hiding behind Gu Xiuming for protection resembled a fragile vine, unable to stand on its own.

He couldn't help but frown. Gu Xiuming wasn't blind, was he To abandon his elder sister for such a girl and cause such a huge scandal. Now the Changxing Hou Mansion had become the laughingstock of the capital's noble families.

However, Meng Chengzhang's gaze did not catch Gu Xiuming's attention, because Gu Xiuming was completely occupied by the four characters 'Ling Shan Academy'. Fourth brother could go to Ling Shan Academy thanks to father's help, so what about Meng Chengzhang

Since the father loves Meng Jingyao so much, it's possible that Meng Jingyao whispered sweet nothings in his ear and persuaded him to send Meng Chengzhang to Ling Shan Academy as well.

Spirit Mountain Academy, he, the son at this moment couldn't get in, but his father let others in, and sent two at a time. He felt indignant, swept his eyes over Meng Chengzhang up and down, and sneered: "As expected, when one person attains enlightenment, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. My elder sister has climbed high branches, and the younger brother also benefits."

Although this statement doesn't explicitly state it, the meaning is clear. This is a satire of Meng Chengzhang relying on his sister's connections to get his brother-in-law to send him to Ling Shan Academy.

Meng Chengzhang's face darkened.

Gu Xiwen's face wasn't looking good either. While the third brother was unaware of the situation, he knew it very well. This younger brother of his aunt, although younger, was a truly talented person. The third brother hadn't even bothered to understand the situation, and based on his own assumptions, he had misunderstood him as someone with connections. He frowned and said in an unpleasant tone, "Third Brother, what nonsense are you talking about"

Gu Xiuming said with a sarcastic tone, "Did I say something wrong Isn't he just climbing the ladder by following his sister"

Seeing his once gentle and courteous older brother now with a hateful countenance and behaving unreasonably, Gu Xiuwen also became annoyed and warned, "Third Brother, if you continue to disrespect elders like this, I'll have to tell Third Uncle."

Gu Xiuming scoffed, "I wonder if the fourth brother still enjoys tattletaling. What kind of elder is he It's just that his sister was shameless and insisted on marrying my father."

Gu Xiwen refused to yield: "I didn't know that Third Brother was such a disrespectful person, he really shames our Third Uncle!"

"Young Master Gu, why did my elder sister end up marrying my current brother-in-law It was all thanks to you!" Meng Chengzhang's face darkened as his gaze flitted between Gu Xiuming and Li Wan'er. He sneered, "A man of such poor character, on his wedding day, abandons his fiancée to elope with another woman of equally dubious morals. And now he blames the victim How dare you speak such despicable and shameless words!"

As soon as these words left his mouth, Li Wan'er's face turned as white as paper, her eyes brimming with tears. Yet, she stubbornly bit her lip and held back the sobs. Her slender, fair hand clutched Gu Xiuming's sleeve tightly, her frail body swaying in the spring breeze, on the verge of collapsing like a wilting flower.

In this matter, Gu Xiumin was in the wrong first and couldn't refute for a moment. He glared at Meng Chengzhang with gloomy eyes, thinking to himself, "As expected, they are siblings. Just as insufferable."

Gus Xiuwen was spoiled by his parents since he was a child. Now that he was angry, he didn't care so much. He took a step forward to block his elder brother's gaze and chimed in: "That's right, you and Li's concubine are both immoral. How dare you blame Third Aunt If it weren't for the two of you being shameless and eloping, our Changxing Houfu wouldn't be ridiculed whenever we go out."

Gu Xiuming clenched his fists, furious: "Gu Xiuming, repeat that!"

Gu Xiwen glared at him, her voice laced with anger: “I told you, you and Li's concubine are shameless! You've brought shame upon the entire family. Now whenever I go out, people ask me if I'll be a doting husband to my concubines and neglect my wife. They say that since I have an older brother who hasn't married but has already taken a concubine and even let her live in the main room, will I do the same How can any woman agree to marry us with this going on We haven't even finalized engagements with anyone yet!”ont of him."Thinking of this, Meng Jinyao's smile deepened. She said softly, "My husband has a vast knowledge and with your personal guidance, it won't be long before you top the imperial examinations...