Chapter 251 The tide has turned
At this moment, Madam Sun slowly regained her senses and was helped up by Granny Qiao. She found that the guests had all left, leaving only her mother-in-law and Meng Jinyao's family of three. Meng Jinyao nestled in Gu Jingxi's arms, sobbing softly.
Sun gradually realized what she had done. When she met her mother-in-law's gloomy gaze, her face turned ashen, and she felt that all was lost. It seemed that no matter how she tried to argue, it would be in vain.
She knew what she was about to face and was filled with panic, but then she slowly and surprisingly calmed down.
She was tired of living in fear and sleepless nights. Every day she saw that filthy thing interrogating her about why she did what she did, and every day she was threatened by that filthy thing. If her death could make that filthy thing spare her two children, she would be willing to die.
Zhou and Aunt Du lost; one died in childbirth, the other lost her child, and both died of depression. But she didn't win either. Meng Dongyuan loved her so much back then, but in the end, he changed his heart because she was old and her beauty had faded. He even swindled her out of her dowry.
She truly regretted it; if she had known this would happen, she should have listened to her father's advice and married someone else.
The man her father had chosen for her was the second-highest scorer in the imperial examination, and his future was far better than Meng Dongyuan's. Meng Dongyuan was just a pretty face who inherited the title by relying on the foundation laid by his ancestors.
Now she is filled with remorse, but there is no turning back.
Gu Jingxi wiped away the girl's tears in his arms. Thinking that Xiu Ming was still here, and everyone here was of a higher generation than Xiu Ming, Xiu Ming, as a junior, should not stay when the elders were handling matters. So he turned his head and whispered to Gu Xiu Ming, "Xiu Ming, the elders are handling matters, you should go out first."
Gu Xiuming witnessed this spectacle and, having lost interest in how they would fight like dogs over a bone, nodded in agreement and obediently left the hall. It was perfectly normal for such a filthy Meng family to produce a vicious woman like Meng Jinyao; there wasn't a single good person in that family.
Meng Jinyao glanced at Gu Xiuming's retreating figure, ignoring him. Today's events would be known throughout the capital tomorrow; seeing it now was no different from hearing it tomorrow. She turned and stared intently at Madam Sun, her eyes filled with hatred, and questioned, "Madam Sun, how could you do this to Chengyu, such a young child? And my mother, you murdered my mother and then married my father. Did you covet a married man and murder his first wife to take his place?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun looked over at her. When she saw the face that resembled Madam Zhou's, she was momentarily dazed and mistook the person for someone else. She couldn't help but tremble and instinctively backed away, muttering, "No, don't come any closer. I was wrong. Don't come any closer." Suddenly, she grabbed Granny Qiao's hand and said urgently, "Quick, go find Chengxing and Ayu. That filthy thing wants to kill them."
Seeing this, Granny Qiao quickly reassured her, "Madam, that's the eldest daughter, not a ghost. That's the eldest daughter, please look more closely."
Madam Sun was slightly taken aback: "Is it that slut's daughter?"
Granny Qiao nodded hurriedly, "She really is a young lady."
Sun looked blankly at Granny Qiao, then turned her gaze to Meng Jinyao. When she saw Gu Jingxi beside Meng Jinyao and confirmed that it was indeed Meng Jinyao and not the vengeful spirit Zhou Shi, her fear slowly subsided, but she still dared not look directly at Meng Jinyao's face.
Seeing Sun's state, Madam Meng believed it almost without questioning. She never imagined that Zhou had not died in childbirth, but at Sun's hands. Even her eldest grandson was killed by Sun. How could Sun, who was so gentle and kind, do such a thing?
Madam Meng angrily questioned, "Madam Sun, why did you do this?"
Sun's lips moved slightly, but she did not reply. Why did she do this? Wasn't it all for that heartless man, Meng Dongyuan?
Just then, Meng Dongyuan, Meng Chengzhang, Meng Chengxing, and Meng Jinyu rushed over, having already learned what had happened on the way.
Meng Jinyu and Meng Chengxing were completely unaware of their mother's actions. Upon hearing this, the siblings were shocked and incredulous, unable to believe that their mother could be such a person and do such a thing. They felt that there must be some misunderstanding.
Meng Chengzhang had already learned the cause of his elder brother's death from his elder sister, but he was unaware of her actions today. So when he learned of this, he was stunned, but even more so, he was excited—excited to finally avenge his great enemy. He clenched his fists tightly, trying his best to suppress his inner excitement.
While shocked, Meng Dongyuan also felt guilty. He hadn't expected that the death of his eldest son was caused by Sun Shi. At the same time, he was afraid that Sun Shi would expose him for knowing the cause of Zhou Shi's death but helping Sun Shi cover up the truth. If this matter were exposed, his reputation would be ruined and he would be impeached by the censor.
Therefore, as soon as he entered the door, without mentioning Zhou Shi at all, he quickly walked up to Sun Shi, pointed at her, and questioned her sternly: "Sun Shi, so Chengyu was murdered by you, you poisonous woman? What did a two-year-old child have to do with you that you would do such a thing? You vicious woman with a heart of a snake!"
After saying that, Meng Dongyuan still felt unsatisfied and raised his hand to slap her hard across the face, making a "smack" sound.
Sun was already in poor spirits and very weak. Now, after being slapped so hard, she lost her balance and fell to the ground. She was completely stunned. It took her a long time before she slowly raised her head to look at Meng Dongyuan. Her eyes were full of sadness and disappointment. She said incredulously, "You...you actually hit me?"
Meng Dongyuan said hatefully, "I will not only beat you, but I also want to kill you, you poisonous woman, to avenge my son."
"A poisonous woman?" Madam Sun chuckled, tears welling in her eyes, and said sarcastically, "You call me a poisonous woman? And what about you? Meng Dongyuan, do you think you're anything good?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Dongyuan thought of Zhou Shi's matter. Touched on a sore spot, he immediately became furious and kicked Sun Shi hard.
"Father!"
"Father!"
Meng Jinyu and Meng Chengxing shouted in unison, and then stepped forward to hug their father to stop him from abusing their mother. Regardless of whether their mother had actually done those things, she could not be harmed. If anything happened to their mother, and she was confined or sent to the manor by their father, who would protect them, the siblings?
Meng Dongyuan took a step back, missing Sun Shi, glanced at the two children, and said irritably, "Are you two rebelling?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyu and Meng Chengxing both trembled. Seeing their father's furious expression, they were terrified and slowly released him.
Meng Jinyu looked at her mother, who was covering her face with tears streaming down her face, and felt a pang of pity. She mustered up the courage to say, "Father, no matter what Mother is not good about, she is still your wife of more than ten years. Over the years, she has managed the household affairs and raised us siblings. Even if she has not made any great contributions, she has certainly worked hard. How can you treat her like this?"
Meng Dongyuan scoffed, "That was just her duty as a wife. Does doing her duty justify killing someone? Chengyu is your brother. You're not concerned about the cause of your brother's death, but rather this vicious woman who murdered someone?"
"I……"
Meng Jinyu was speechless after being rebuked by her father, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond. However, in her heart, how could Meng Chengyu compare to her mother? He was just a lowly illegitimate son. He was dead, and so be it. He had been dead for so many years. Why bother about it? Even if her mother hadn't done anything, Meng Chengyu might not have grown up. It was common for children to die young.
Looking at the younger generation present, Madam Meng had a terrible headache. She coughed twice, and her voice, which had a certain elder's authority, rang out: "Alright, stop arguing. Sit down and talk. It's most important to interrogate Madam Sun properly and understand the ins and outs of this matter."
The younger generation responded and sat down first, but Madam Sun was not entitled to sit. She stood unsteadily in front of everyone, and Granny Qiao supported her to prevent her from falling.
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