When Gu Jinghui arrived, the crowd had already started talking about other matters.

"Mother, now that Sixth Brother’s wife’s health is not well, I think it would be better to hold the recognition banquet sooner."

Qin Yuan’s words matched perfectly with Gu Jinghui’s intentions.

He said from outside the window, "Madam is absolutely right, it’s best to handle this matter promptly."

Sixth Master Gu lowered his head, followed behind him, and immediately said, "Yes, Mrs. Xu probably won’t last a few days, the Dean says if it can be delayed for a few more days, it’ll be good." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He had made up his mind to counter-sue the Xu family, Mrs. Xu was not expected to live long, and now she has even fewer days.

Old Madam Gu listened to her sons’ words, unable to concern herself with other matters, she hurriedly said to Qin Yuan, "Yuan’er, I’m entrusting all of this to you. This recognition banquet need not be grand; the two children are not under the third rank, nor in the ninth branch. In ordinary times, it wouldn’t matter, but under these circumstances, we must make do."

Just then, Marquis Gu and Sixth Master Gu lifted the door curtain and came in.

Gu Baoshu, with her handsome eyebrows slightly raised, hurriedly asked, "Third Brother, Sixth Brother, have we sued the Xu family?"

Marquis Gu merely looked at Qin Yuan and said, "In my view, why don’t the two families simply have a meal together and treat it as the recognition? It would be better if they moved over early. After all, it’s just a change of house to live in. There’s not much difference from usual, and Brother Cheng and Sister-in-law Cheng like children; they will treat them well."

Qin Yuan hesitated, saying, "Wouldn’t it be overly... when others mention it in the future... Sister-in-law Cheng also suggested inviting the ninth branch and elders to witness?"

Marquis Gu shook his head, "Unnecessary. If we invite them, wouldn’t we need to notify them a few days in advance? Besides, the two children are merely being fostered next door, not being added to the family registry. Why should we involve the clan? If we’re talking about a lively gathering, it would be better to invite a few generals familiar with Pang Hai to witness."

Sixth Master Gu interjected, "Back then, when Third Brother brought their mother and children into the mansion, he didn’t open the ancestral hall to record them in the family registry. Now it’s even less necessary. Just let colleagues and comrades witness it."

He finished and let out a "humph," continuing, "In my opinion, even that isn’t necessary. Third Brother views it as important; others might see it as insignificant."

Sixth Master Gu was in a bad mood, spoke rudely, and didn’t care about Third Brother’s face.

Marquis Gu frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could organizing a recognition banquet be seen as belittling?"

Sixth Master Gu walked a few steps, sat beside Gu Baoshu, and sarcastically said, "If you don’t hold the banquet, your subordinates would still regard them as the Marquis’s adopted children; holding the banquet, wouldn’t they no longer be considered so? Even though they are young children, they can understand. In the future, they might complain about you publicly announcing to abandon them."

Upon hearing this, Gu Baoshu immediately agreed, "Sixth Brother is right, when Third Brother brought them back initially, everyone in the mansion was unclear about their identity, spreading rumors that they might be Third Brother’s children and concubine. Otherwise, Mrs. Zhao wouldn’t have been so domineering."

Those rumors couldn’t just be blamed on her.

Even if she was at fault, there were reasons for it.

Marquis Gu remained silent, face gloomy, and looked at Qin Yuan, only speaking after a long time, "Earlier, I misunderstood. When I recognized these two children at the Northern Border, they were still in mourning, and I overlooked it, only mentioning it to a few familiar people, which led to many issues. Now they have completed their mourning period, just right to handle it."

Sixth Master Gu’s face showed sarcasm, coldly laughing, "Yes, handle it quickly, it’s best to state clearly whose family they belong to."

Gu Baoshu sensibly didn’t react.

Qin Yuan picked up the conversation, "Marquis is right, inviting comrades to drink and eat can also serve as clarifying the children’s names, giving an explanation."

Old Madam Gu nodded, "That’s settled then, we’ll hold this recognition banquet tomorrow, it’s not too late to hold a grand one when they’re added to the family registry later. Make up for what was lacking today."

A definite conclusion.

Gu Baoshu further pursued, "Has Sixth Brother really sued the Xu family?"

Sixth Master Gu responded, "Yes."

Gu Baoshu slammed the table, causing tea to spill from the cup, loudly exclaiming, "That’s how it should be, or else I’d be furious."

Qin Yuan, both amused and vexed, couldn’t reprimand her, only silently shook the round fan in her hand. Beside her, sitting Marquis Gu’s face stayed cold, just slightly lifting his eyelids to glance over.

Sixth Master Gu also looked dismissively at Gu Baoshu, due to her standing up for him, he swallowed the rebukes meant for her, responding, "Isn’t that right? It’s about standing up for dignity rather than winning a small dispute. Does the Xu family think my Gu Family’s reputation is easy to trample on? Not forcing them to return previous gains is all for Mrs. Xu and the children’s sake, yet they’re still unsatisfied. Since that’s the case, everyone will brazenly disregard dignity."

In the final sentence, Sixth Master Gu’s elegantly gentle face was already filled with hostility, his voice chillingly intimidating.

Old Madam Gu sighed, "You do as you see fit, Sixth Master, don’t act on impulse, discuss more with your Third Brother. When Brother Kang and Fuguo’er return, let them reside with the old granny. Such young children losing their mother, it’s a sin."

Sixth Master Gu restrained his hostility, stating, "Mother, your son remembers."

Old Madam Gu advised again, "Even if you are reprimanding the Xu family, regardless of the children’s feelings, don’t go too far, Sixth Master, you still need to marry a wife, don’t ruin your reputation, you won’t marry a good woman as Housekeeper, you’ll spoil the future generations’ fortune. Avoid recklessness."

Upon hearing these words, tears fell from Sixth Master Gu’s eyes, "Mother, at this moment your son can’t think of all this, Mrs. Xu has passed, your son will observe mourning for her and discuss remarrying once the mourning period is over."

The quickly falling tears soaked the collar embroidered with cloud patterns in large patches.

Looking at her haggard and downtrodden youngest son, Old Madam Gu helplessly said, "All according to you, all according to you, stop crying now."

The few of them gravely finished their meal and left the upper room. Gu Jinghui asked Sixth Master Gu, "How long do you plan to observe mourning?"

Sixth Master Gu did not raise his head, hands behind his back, slowly uttered, "Three years."

"?"

Gu Jinghui and Qin Yuan were both shocked.

Gu Jinghui pursued, "Didn’t you dislike Mrs. Xu? Why observe mourning for three years? One year is already considered following the rules."

Common families remarry in less than a year, marrying again after a full year is already considered a good husband, observing mourning for three years no one would fail to commend a deep couple’s sentiment.

If Sixth Brother truly cherished Mrs. Xu, it would be understandable, but evidently not.

Once the mourning word is given, it means three years without intimacy.

If it were me, even ten years would be fine.

Sixth Brother?

Can he manage?

"I’ve thought it through. If I remarry, I must find a good woman, otherwise I’d rather not marry. The children must observe mourning for Mrs. Xu for three years, I will accompany them to study together. In the future, when they pursue titles, I will wholeheartedly engage in poetry and painting, without mingling with those scholars again."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinghui and Qin Yuan were both astonished, their eyes wide open.

After a moment, Gu Jinghui said, "Sixth Brother, a gentleman never goes back on his word, think it over carefully before saying anything further. If you’re set on this decision, Third Brother won’t block you."