Chapter Sixteen: Listen to the Madam

The maid was taken aback and stammered, "Madam, the young master has also returned with the eldest young lady."

These words shocked everyone present. Such a scandalous incident on their wedding day, and the fact that Marquis Changxing accompanied Meng Jinyao on her return visit to her parents' home, was something no one had expected.

Madam Meng was also shocked and said in disbelief, "You mean the Marquis of Changxing has come too?"

The maid replied, "Yes, the young master is still waiting outside the gate."

Madam Meng's face darkened with displeasure, and she scolded, "What kind of work are you doing? The son-in-law has arrived, and you've left him standing outside the door instead of welcoming him into the mansion?"

The maid lowered her head and dared not answer. With such behavior from the mansion, and having heard that the master had said he no longer recognized the eldest daughter as his daughter, and with no preparations made for today, it was clear that they did not welcome the eldest daughter's return home on her third day. How could they dare to let the eldest daughter and her husband in without permission?

Now is not the time to hold the servants accountable, so Madam Sun quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Mother, the servants are blind. Let's not hold it against them. It's the new son-in-law's first visit, so let's go and greet him first."

Meng Dongyuan also showed a long-lost smile and echoed, "Yes, Mother, let's welcome the new son-in-law first. We can't keep him waiting too long."

Someone offered a way out, and Madam Meng naturally followed suit, nodding and saying, "You may go."

As a grandmother, she doesn't need to personally greet her grandson-in-law, otherwise it would seem obsequious. However, as the son and daughter-in-law are the parents-in-law, the son-in-law can go out to greet them when he accompanies his daughter back to her parents' home, as a sign of respect.

Meng Dongyuan responded and went to greet them with Madam Sun and their three children.

-

The gates of the Yongchang Marquis's residence were tightly shut, as if it were closed to visitors. The carriages of the Changxing Marquis's residence were parked outside the gates.

Gu Jingxi lifted the curtain of the carriage window and glanced at the closed gate. On the day his married daughter returned home, the gate was not opened and people were waiting at the door. It was clear that no preparations were made and that he was not welcome. He did not value this daughter at all.

A moment later, Gu Jingxi lowered the curtain and looked at his wife sitting opposite him. He saw that she was sitting calmly and composed as always, without even frowning. She had obviously expected this result and had no expectations, so she was not disappointed.

He suddenly understood why she was more composed than her peers. It turned out that she had a difficult childhood. If she were a pampered girl at home, how could she bear the grievances on her wedding day? Only those who are used to being wronged can remain calm.

Gu Jingxi suddenly said, "Madam, the Gu family would not do such a thing."

"What?" Meng Jinyao was confused.

Gu Jingxi replied, "I won't treat you like the Meng family did."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao's mind wavered. She then looked up at Gu Jingxi and saw his gentle yet earnest expression. She was stunned. This was the first time someone had seen through her situation and promised to treat her well. This was her husband in name only. Whether it was real or not, she was somewhat moved.

For a moment, she didn't know how to respond, only saying, "Thank you, my husband."

Gu Jingxi said matter-of-factly, "That's only right. You are a daughter-in-law of the Gu family, and the Gu family never mistreats its daughters-in-law." He paused, then added, "Madam, since they don't welcome us, why don't we go back?"

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly, smiled, and said, "When your wife, Gu Jingxi's wife, was refused entry by her parents' home upon returning to her parents' house, and couldn't even get a cup of tea before slinking back home in disgrace, wouldn't you also lose face?"

She scoffed lightly, a mocking look on her face, and said with certainty, "Let's wait a little longer. They will definitely come out to greet us personally. Then they will be the ones who get a pretext to criticize us. When a married daughter returns home, they keep their doors tightly shut. But when they find out that the new son-in-law has also come, they will fawn over him and personally greet him."

Gu Jingxi was slightly taken aback, then said with interest, "Alright, I'll listen to you, Madam."