other who had been confined to the ancestral hall had found her, everyone else in the house outside must have known about it too.She turned her head, and Gu Xiuming's thin and haggard face came into v...As soon as he uttered these words, the room fell silent.

To expel Xiuming from the clan

This is a serious matter. Under normal circumstances, family members would not be easily removed from the clan unless they committed a grave offense, were ostracized by their kinsmen, and became a pariah.

However, Xiuming committed an unforgivable sin. He was to be expelled from the clan, and the reasons were more than sufficient. Such a rotten apple would shame the entire family. When people talked about the Gu family, they would inevitably mention this wicked son who had become infamous in Kyoto for plotting against his mother. The story was spreading throughout the capital, and Changxing Houfu truly endured a year of ridicule due to this rebellious son. Occasionally, even the branch family members would be mocked because of him.

Since Elder Gu the Second was already very old, he immediately agreed. He settled it with a single word: “I agree with Yao Ling's suggestion. As members of the Gu family, we have been taught since childhood to know the family rules. Loyalty and filial piety are paramount. This disobedient and unfilial wretch is unworthy of being a member of the Gu family. He should be expelled.”

After he finished speaking, he looked at the several nephews who had come with him: "What do you guys think"

"Second Uncle was saying"

This unfilial son, even the Emperor issued an edict to punish him, truly shaming our family!

“That’s right, this good-for-nothing has been reading the classics of saints and sages for years but it's all gone into his dog's belly. It's time to expel him from the family directly.”

Even the highest-ranking, Elder Gu Er Taoyao, agreed. The other elders naturally had no objections, nodding in agreement while also criticizing Gu Xiuming's actions.

Gu Jingxi spent so many years raising his son, only to end up with loneliness. His son was a disobedient child, sentenced to exile and now expelled from the family clan. From now on, there will be no Xiu Ming in the Gu family.

For this, the elders appeased him again.

Master Gu's gaze fell on Gu Jingxi. He was old and his eyesight wasn't good, so he could barely make out the other's features clearly. However, from his outline, he could tell that Gu Jingxi was well-proportioned and handsome. He felt a pang of regret in his heart. Young Yao Ling had been intelligent and talented since childhood, knowledgeable and versatile. If not for that issue, he would have already had children by now.

The old man sighed with regret, but then he thought about the fact that he was now without a son. He said to Yao Ling, "Yao Ling, there are many excellent children in our clan. If you're willing, you can choose another child from the clan. Besides, your wife is still young and has the energy to raise a child.

As soon as the words left her mouth, several people's minds lit up. They looked at Jing Xi with a newfound eagerness because they too had younger generations in their families. If they could be adopted by Yao Ling, then they would become the heir of the Marquisate.

It wasn't just them; even Gu Jing Sheng had some thoughts. His two sons, the eldest, Xiu Yuan, was definitely not suitable for succession. As for his second son, Xiu Wen, he could be adopted. He and his third brother were biological brothers, and his son was his third brother's nephew. He had raised his nephew himself, so he was closer to him than a cousin.

Gu Jingxi replied softly, "Second Uncle, I'm not ready to think about having children for now. Let's discuss this later."

Lord Gu Er thought he might have psychological trauma and was unwilling to have another child for now. So, he didn't press the issue further and said, "When you're ready to have a child again, you can discuss it with everyone and choose one you like."

Gu Jingxi nodded and said, "Good"

When Gu Xiuming was expelled from the clan, it had already been decided. Everyone went to the ancestral hall to settle this matter. Afterwards, letters were sent to Gu family members who were serving in other places or living in their ancestral home, informing them of this.

From then on, the Changxing Hou Mansion no longer had Gu Xiuming as the third young master. After that, there was no more Gu Xiuming in the Gu family. Gu Xiuwen advanced one rank among the grandchildren of the Hou Mansion, from the fourth young master to the new third young master. He was originally the fourth brother of his two younger sisters, but now he was the third brother.

In the afternoon, some elders stayed for lunch. The three Gu Jingxi brothers accompanied them. After the meal, they chatted for a while before the elders left to return home.

Gu Jing Sheng patted Gu Jing Xi's shoulder, comforting him: "Third brother, don't think too much about Xiu Ming's matter. He was originally your cousin, and cousins are already one layer removed in terms of relationship. Since the relationship has grown distant, it's normal for them to not be close."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Jing Song suddenly turned his gaze to him. What he said was essentially stating that only a nephew could be raised like this, and the third brother had only three nephews. Among these three nephews, only Xiu Wen had a chance. The eldest son wouldn't inherit, Xiu Yuan being the legitimate eldest son couldn't be adopted, and Xiu Hong, the legitimate eldest son and only child, also couldn't be adopted.

For a moment, Gu Jing Song envied his elder brother's many children. He had one legitimate eldest son followed by a pair of dragon and phoenix twins, while he only had one son and one daughter. If he had more sons, there would be some chance. But forget it, fate is what it is. He and his wife were both in their thirties, so they shouldn't think about having more children anymore.

Gu Jingxi also caught the subtext in his elder brother's words and responded softly, "Big brother need not worry, I can take it in stride. Today's incident has indeed delayed both of your brothers' important matters, I apologize."

Gu Jing Song replied, "Third brother, it's good that you can come and look. In fact, we haven't wasted any time."

After some friendly greetings, the three brothers parted ways and returned to their respective courtyards.

Meng Jin Yao knew this morning that her husband had invited the elder members of their clan to discuss expelling Gu Xiumin from the family. When she saw Gu Jingxi return, she immediately asked, "Husband, how did it go"

Gu Jingxi said, "Now we have no sons or daughters under our knees."

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao knew that the elders of her family had agreed to the decision. There was a question she hadn't gotten around to asking earlier, and now she asked: "Husband, Xiu Ming has been exiled to Ya Prefecture, and he will never be able to return for the rest of his life. Why did you think of removing him from the family"

Gu Jingxi truthfully said: "Firstly, his actions are already unworthy of being a member of the Gu family; secondly, we cannot let this unfilial son take up our eldest son's position; lastly, I don't want to be a father to such a rebellious son."

Meng Jin Yao's eyes lit up, her voice laced with a smile: "I don't want to be the mother of a disobedient child." She said, looking at him expectantly and asking, "Husband, when are we going to have a child I don't have much to do now, and I have time to take care of a child."

Gu Jingxi smiled and asked, "Does Ayao like children so much"

Meng Jin Yao nodded repeatedly: "I like it, having a child can add more fun. I'm usually idle anyway, having a child to experience the feeling of being a wife and mother is pretty good too."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi's eyes flashed with a hint of guilt. Ayo loved children so much, but he...

Is that Dr. Wen any good

He pulled her into his embrace, and in a soft, gentle voice, said, "Ayao, let's wait a little longer, okay"

Meng Jin Yao didn't think much of it, she just thought he was shadowed by Gu Xiu Ming's previous experience and wasn't interested in adopting a child for the time being. She figured it would take some time before he changed his mind. She raised her head, smiled brightly at him, and quickly changed the subject: "Okay, let's wait a few more years. Actually, I was just saying casually. Besides, I'm still young, I shouldn't be revolving my life around children all day."

Gu Jingxi lowered his head and rubbed his forehead against hers. His voice was gentle, his tone firm: "Ayao, we will have children, children that belong to us."

Meng Jiny Yao let out a low chuckle: "Our child, that definitely belongs to us. Could it possibly belong to someone else"

Gu Jingxi didn't explain. Looking at the little wife in his arms, whose smile was as bright as a flower, her eyes were increasingly gentle, and her expression increasingly kind.

For his and Ah Yao's future, he decided to continue believing in the quack doctor's skills; even if the quack doctor's skills were ineffective, they had to work! boating with the Crown Prince of Wuan, and now she was told that her daughter had an accident and was involved with a man. What else could be goodShe trembled and asked, "What happened to Xuanyi"The...