e maid. Even if the maid had done something wrong, there were other ways to discipline her. It wouldn't do for him to embarrass the two maids in front of everyone, so he asked, "Madam, what happened"T...Although Gu Xiwen scolded his sister for being foolish and willful, he still felt sorry for her. Although his sister didn't say anything, he could tell that she must have been wronged by her in-laws.

He let out a soft sigh and told Gu Xiuran, "Big brother, I think Xuan Yi isn't very happy in her husband's family."

Gu Xiuyuan frowned and shook his head helplessly: "Even if things aren't going well, as relatives, we can't interfere in other people's family affairs unless they do something outrageous. Then we could go to their door to seek justice. The Wuanbo Mansion has a complicated family environment, so it's expected that girls without some skills would suffer grievances after marrying there. Let her learn from this experience."

At this moment, Gu Xiuming's voice chimed in: "Big brother, fourth brother, why are you saying that" He smiled at the two brothers and nonchalantly said, "I think your brother-in-law is very good to your sister. He always speaks to her softly, afraid of scaring her with a loud voice. How could they be unhappy"

Upon hearing this, both brothers simultaneously turned their heads to look at him.

Gu Xiwen saw the smile on his face, and he didn't know if he was judging him with a villainous heart. He always felt that the other person was gloating in misfortune. Anyone could see that Xu Yi's complexion was a bit haggard. A genuinely happy new bride would have rosy cheeks and a beaming smile. That's how his sister-in-law was, wasn't it Did Third Brother truly not notice or was he pretending not to

Gu Xiuran replied, "Just because your brother-in-law is good to her doesn't mean she hasn't suffered grievances. The Wuan Marquis's mansion has many people, and there are bound to be conflicts."

Gu Xiuming shook his head helplessly and said with a smile: "You guys are always worrying too much. Big sister came from the Changxing Houfu, my father is currently in the emperor's favor, and Xuanyi is my father's niece, how could the Wuan Marquis's mansion mistreat her"

Gu Xiwen frowned and asked in a low voice, "Third brother seems to trust the Marquis of Wuan's mansion very much"

“I don't think there's anything wrong with the Wuan Prince's Mansion. Gu Shuming glanced at them and continued, "Is our eldest sister the kind of person who would suffer in silence If she had been wronged, she would definitely complain to us when she returned home. Since she said everything is fine today and that she's getting along well with her brother-in-law, it proves that nothing happened.”

Gu Xiwen pursed her lips slightly, momentarily at a loss for words. She decided to simply avoid arguing with him about this issue.

Gu Xiuming's Qingyu Pavilion wasn't on the same path as the two brothers' courtyards. After parting ways with Gu Xiuming, Gu Xuw en turned to his elder brother and said, "Big brother, after I went to Lingshan Academy to study, I haven't been very clear about what's happening at home. You often meet with our third brother, what do you think of his recent performance"

"How do you ask such a question"

Gu Xiuyan gave him a strange look and then said, "Third brother has been reflecting seriously since he was confined after fighting with you and your second uncle. After that, he reformed himself, became filial to his elders, and was very kind to his brothers and sisters at home. He is no different from before."

Then Gu Xiwen asked: "What about his feelings towards Aunt Three"

Gu Xiuyan replied, "My third brother is also very filial to his third aunt. He goes to see her every few days. Now it's a picture of maternal love and filial piety."

Gu Xiwen, combining past events, was dubious: "His fiancée became a mother, and people outside were making fun of him, saying that his bride had become a new mother. He used to hate his aunt terribly, could he really treat his aunt like his own mother"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuran shook his head slightly: “That’s a matter for the Third House. Our First House has nothing to do with it. As for you, what do you want to do about it”

"But, brother," Gu Xiwen said, "You can't say it like that. Third Aunt has always been kind to me. When she gave gifts to Second Uncle, she also gave me one. Without Third Uncle, I wouldn't have been able to go to Lingshan Academy. If Third Brother gets into trouble, I will definitely remind Third Uncle and Third Aunt, so they can watch out."

Gu Xiuyuan remained silent for a moment before replying, "Third Uncle, as the Minister of Dali Temple, faces so many criminals every day, he has long since honed his keen eyesight. If Third Brother has any problems, wouldn't he be able to see them Where does it need you to bother with this Just study hard and don't think about these things.

Gu Xiuwen said unconcernedly: "Family ties can blind people. Treating criminals and treating family is different."

He paused, looking around to make sure no one was listening. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Brother, don't think this doesn't concern you. If something bad happens to the Third House, our First House will suffer too. We're only benefiting from the Third House's success right now."

Gu Xiuyan was stunned, for the first time looking at his younger brother with a serious and astonished gaze. He felt that after his brother went to Ling Shan Academy, he had changed, becoming much more steady and mature, having made considerable progress. Back then, this kind of talk would be unheard of from his brother. His brother used to only know how to eat, drink, play, and even engage in cockfighting, cricket fighting, or taking parrots out for walks. When playing, he was incredibly patient, but when it came to studying, he couldn't sit still.

Gu Xiwen glanced at him and reminded, "Big brother, if you're going to pursue a career in politics, can father pave the way for you In the end, it's still up to Uncle Three. Uncle Three is not bad, so we shouldn't think poorly of him either. There are officials from the Gu family's collateral branches, who can help each other, but those people don't have the closeness of Uncle Three."

Gu Xiuyuan looked at his younger brother for a long time, and said, "Younger brother has grown up."

“I’m fifteen years old, I’ve grown up, many people have become fathers at my age,” Gu Xiuwen let out a soft hum, his expression still carrying a hint of pride. Seeing his elder brother smile, he continued, “Grandmother often said that a family must work together. If hearts are not united, the glory of the Gu family will sooner or later cease to exist.”

Gu Xiuyan glared at him: "Now everyone knows how to discipline their elders"

Gu Xiuwen chuckled and said, “I wouldn’t dare. Big brother, I suddenly remembered that I have something to find my third uncle. Let’s talk later.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuyuan was taken aback: "Fourth brother, you've always been afraid of Third Uncle. What brings you to seek him out"

Gu Xiuwen let out a light sigh and said, "Since Xuan Yi is getting married, although the academy gave me a holiday to come back and drink at her wedding, I still have homework to finish. Although my uncle is strict and frightening, if I don't do well on my homework, the teacher will be even more terrifying. The teachers at Ling Shan Academy are much stricter than other academies. I was fortunate enough to be punished twice and dare not slack off again. Big brother, I won't talk to you anymore, I have to go ask my uncle for advice.

Gu Xiuyuan, upon hearing this, looked at him with sympathy in his eyes and said, "Is there anything you don't understand I'll explain it to you later."

Gu Xiuwen rolled his eyes at his elder brother: "What do you know about what Third Uncle said You probably don't understand either. I followed your instructions and did my homework, but in the end, I didn't do well. I went back and got criticized by the teacher again, and he gave me a failing grade. What am I supposed to do then"

As he spoke, his tone grew increasingly despondent: “The academy will be holding its annual assessment at the end of the year. My performance this time is just average. If the assessment results aren't good, even though my usual performance has been satisfactory, Master might still consider giving me a passing grade. Otherwise, I estimate that I'll have to pack up and leave. It doesn't matter if I lose face, but it will implicate my Uncle Three as well, because he was the one who pulled strings for me back then.”

“……”

Gu Xiuyuan was speechless, choked with emotion. This feeling of being looked down upon by his own younger brother made him doubt his life. Was he not working hard enough Was he truly not academically gifted Did he still have a chance in this year's autumn examinationyu saw her elder sister and was slightly taken aback. Then, she smiled and greeted her: "Big sister, what a coincidence, running into you here."Meng Jin Yao called out with a fake smile, "Second Siste...