tter a falsehood.Gu Jingxi chuckled: "Little liar"Meng Jinyo was utterly innocent: "My husband, wouldn't you believe me"Ning Dong stood behind her, unable to see the expression on her face. Zhou Yun,...When Gu Xuanyi heard this, she felt a warmth spread through her heart. A slight smile curved the corner of her lips as she softly hummed and said, “Fourth Brother, you’re both elder brothers, why don’t you listen to Third Brother’s words and reflect on yourself What kind of madness is it to give your own younger sister trouble on the eve of her wedding, with such cryptic and sarcastic remarks”

Gu Xiwen was speechless, his eyes complex as he looked at Gu Xiuming. Before, he had fought with the third brother alongside his second uncle, their brotherhood had been strained to its breaking point.

Later, he saw in his mother's letter that his third brother seemed to have reformed and was very respectful towards his third aunt. He had doubts then, and now hearing his third brother say this, how could he think his third brother hadn't changed

This sounds like schadenfreude. Third Brother isn't stupid; he knows that the Duke of Wuan's interpersonal relationships are complex and not suitable for Xuanyi

Gu Xiuming noticed his expression had become subtle, and he asked softly, "Fourth brother, why are you looking at me like that"

Gu Xiwen smiled but not reached his eyes, “It’s been a while since we last met, Third Brother. You've changed so much, you even seem a bit unfamiliar.”

Gu Xiuming lowered his eyes, his gaze sinking. He responded smoothly, "In the past, I was ignorant and caused my elders worry. To be honest, I still owe my fourth brother an apology. That day when I fought with my fourth brother and second uncle, I realized my mistakes afterwards. So, let me apologize to my fourth brother here."

Having said that, he bowed to Gu Xiuwen and said: "Fourth brother, what my third brother did before was wrong. I hope you can forgive me."

Gu Xiwen seeing him like this, also did not want to argue with him, only said: "What happened before is over. However, the third brother should apologize to the third sister-in-law."

Gu Xiuming's face stiffened, and he immediately replied: "I have already apologized to my mother, and she is magnanimous. She doesn't hold a grudge against me like I do."

Gu Xiwen listened, glanced at him, remembering how this older brother was always gentle and refined before. But ever since seeing his hideous side, now he seemed genuinely changed. Gu Xiwen still harbored a sliver of doubt, especially after what he just said, increasing his suspicions even further.

At this point, Gu Xuyan said, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, you two continue chatting. I'm leaving first." She got up and took two steps before turning back to glare at her eldest brother angrily.

Gu Xiwen refused to be outdone, glaring back. He wanted to speak but held back, ultimately refraining from scolding his sister for being foolish. At this point, scolding her was useless. All he could do was hope that she would be more clever in the future and not get bullied to death.

Gu Xiuming asked in a soft voice, "How is your life at Ling Shan Academy, Fourth Brother"

Gu Xiuwen replied honestly: "It's going well. Just the classmates around me seem to think that twelve hours a day is too little, wishing there were twenty-four hours in a day, and then they would study hard for twenty hours every day. Seeing how hard they are working, I dare not slack off either."

Gu Xiuming didn't seem surprised, and smiled: "It seems that the fourth brother has been studying hard these days, and he must have made some progress. Why don't I test the fourth brother"

Hearing this, Gu Xiuwen became interested: "That's a good idea. It's also good for Third Brother to check my homework.

This isn't that bad, after the exam, Gu Xiu Ming felt a tightness in his chest, and a strong sense of crisis surged up in his heart again.

He knew very well what his younger brother's level used to be, but after going to Ling Shan Academy for just a few months, he had made rapid progress and improved significantly. It is quite possible that he will pass the imperial examination and become a scholar in the future.

It seems Father sent the fourth brother to Ling Shan Academy for a reason. He must be grooming him carefully. If the fourth brother can live up to his expectations, there's a chance he'll adopt him and try to replace him as the Crown Prince.

Fortunately, fortunately he participated in this year's autumn imperial examination. He also thought he did well and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, when the list is released next month after the autumn imperial examination, his name will be on it. Then his elders will definitely truly change their views of him.

He looked at Gu Xiwen, forcing a smile on his face: "Fourth brother has made a lot of progress recently. Continue to work hard."

The next day, August 25th, was Gu Xuanyi's wedding day.

Changxing Marquis Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, filled with joy. The faces of the people around were also smiling as they shuttled back and forth between the courtyards, busy preparing for the wedding banquet.

Guests flocked to the Hou's mansion, and carriages from various noble families filled the street in front of the gate. Even the alleys were blocked by carriages, forcing many guests to disembark in the alleyways and walk the rest of the way.

All the masters and mistresses of the Hou's Mansion were busy today. The men were entertaining male guests in the front yard, while the women were entertaining female guests who came to drink wedding wine in the back yard.

Many women gathered around Meng Jinyao, chatting animatedly. Now that everyone knew she was favored in the Changxing Houfu, they naturally couldn't wait to curry favor with her.

As for Mistress Sun, although she was the stepmother of Lady Changxing Hou, everyone here knows that Lady Changxing Hou and her stepmother did not get along. Therefore, they all kept their distance from her, disdaining to speak to such a fallen woman.

Sun was isolated unknowingly. She looked at Meng Jinyang, who was adored by everyone, the other's gentle and kind appearance made her momentarily dazed. For a moment, she felt that the woman before her overlapped with the person in her memory.

She frowned, averted her gaze, a flash of malice crossing her eyes. Soon after, seeing her daughter return, she asked in a low voice, "Ayue, wasn't I supposed to go make friends with girls your own age Why are you back so soon"

Meng Jinyu was deeply wronged: "They didn't treat their daughter well, and naturally, the daughter wouldn't want to put up with that."

Sun was astonished and glanced at Meng Jingyao's side. She quickly realized something and told her daughter, "You and your older sister haven't seen each other in a long time. Go chat with your older sister."

Meng Jinyu heard this and looked unwilling.

Mrs. Sun glared at her with the look of someone who wished their child were made of stronger stuff, and whispered, "The ladies around your elder sister are all well-born officials' wives. There must be some with sons, brothers, or nephews who haven't gotten married yet. You should go pay them a visit and make an impression on them."

Meng Jinyu suddenly felt enlightened, raising a sweet smile: "Mother, I understand. I'll go talk to elder sister now." Saying that, she walked towards Meng Jin Yao.

"Older Sister"

Over there, Meng Jiny Yao was discussing flowers with a lady. Suddenly, she heard Meng Jin Yu's voice from behind her. Her smile faltered, and she turned to look. She saw Meng Jin Yu walking towards her, still with a warm smile on her face.

The next moment, Meng Jin Yu arrived before her, acting affectionately as she linked her arm with hers, and sweetly called out, "Big Sister,"

Meng Jin Yao cast a vague glance at Sun Shi in the distance. She could probably guess that Meng Jin Yu had received instructions from Sun Shi, and she also understood Sun Shi's intentions. However, she wouldn't let Sun Shi get her way later on. She wanted to use her as a stepping stone Not a chance.

However, as the saying goes, "Don't make a sour face at someone who's smiling," in front of other guests, she didn't intentionally give him the cold shoulder. She gently patted Meng Jin Yu's hand and softly said, "Second sister, it's time to meet the ladies."

When Meng Jinyu heard this, she immediately released Meng Jinyao and bowed respectfully to the several ladies: "Jinyu greets you all."o the front yard, they also saw people from the eldest and second houses rushing over.Three people met, and they all looked at each other.Gu Jing Sheng asked, "Third brother, why did a imperial decree...