Chapter 412 Farewell
Seeing that she remained silent, Ningdong asked in confusion, "Madam, what's wrong?"
Meng Jinyao gently shook her head and said softly, "It's nothing, I just think it's great. Whether it's his appearance or family background, Prince Shen is a good match for Ayan."
She paused for a moment, then added, "The Duchess of Shen is so ill. Their early marriage might bring her some good fortune. It's said that when there's a happy event in the family, or when there's a sick person in the family, many of them will recover."
Ning Dong whispered, "Madam, I've heard rumors that the Duchess of Shen has made herself sick by taking too much medicine. Ever since the unfortunate passing of the Second Young Master Shen, the Duchess of Shen has been trying every means to have a son. I guess she really has taken too much medicine from quack doctors."
Meng Jinyao was taken aback, not expecting that others really thought so, and said, "That's probably true. Medicine has some toxicity, and taking too much medicine will harm your health, especially some quack doctors' folk remedies."
Ning Dong sighed softly, saying with great regret, "She's already in her early thirties. I heard that she damaged her health when she gave birth to the second young master and has difficulty conceiving again. Why is she still going through all this trouble? Now she has stepsons from her first wife, as well as illegitimate children who are filial to her. The Duke also dotes on her. She should just be a Duchess in peace. Now she's made herself sick. When she passes away, the Duke will only be under forty years old and may remarry."
Meng Jinyao said, "Everyone has different ideas. Maybe she just wanted a biological child, but she didn't expect it would make her sick."
Ningdong sighed again: "That's true."
Meng Jinyao asked, "By the way, has there been any movement from the Meng family?"
Ningdong replied, "The second young lady's mourning period is about to end, and the Lord is still looking for a husband for her. The second young lady even had a fight with the Lord over this, which happened just a few days ago."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao asked in surprise, "How do you know they had a fight?"
Ningdong truthfully replied, "I met the maidservant of the Madam on the street the day before yesterday. I heard from the maidservant that the Lord complained to the Madam that the Second Miss was being unreasonable and that her personality was just like that of Madam Sun. He also said that it was fortunate that he divorced Madam Sun, otherwise Madam Sun would have committed suicide and the Second Miss would have had to observe three years of mourning. After divorcing Madam Sun, Madam Sun was like a divorced mother. She only needed to observe mourning for one year before she could be married off, so that she wouldn't have to stay at home and cause him so much heartache."
Meng Jinyao remained silent after hearing this. Her father used to dote on Meng Jinyu, but now he had reached the point where he was disgusted by her. His ugly face of being so eager to marry off his daughter whom he disliked in order to gain benefits was no better than that of Madam Sun. They were all cut from the same cloth.
A moment later, Meng Jinyao asked again, "Have you found her a husband yet?"
Ningdong replied, "The Lord has taken a fancy to a wealthy merchant from Yangzhou, but the Second Miss dislikes him, saying that merchants are lowly and she is unwilling to marry him, which angered the Lord."
Meng Jinyao fell silent again. Previously, her father had found Meng Jinyu a widowed minister who was older than her father. Now, he had found her a wealthy merchant, which meant he was after the merchant's money.
Given the current state of the Meng family, their wealth is no longer sufficient to maintain their former prestige. Furthermore, Meng Jinyu's reputation has been ruined because of Sun Shi, making it impossible for her to marry well. To her father, Meng Jinyu's only value lies in marrying into the Meng family to gain benefits.
The merchant was interested in the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion. Even if the Meng family was in decline, they were still nobles, and her husband was related to the Marquis of Changxing by marriage. Even if the two families did not have any dealings, this relationship would still make them look better and bring them some benefits.
Meng Jinyao asked again, "So, you're engaged to that wealthy businessman now?"
Ningdong shook her head: "It hasn't been decided yet, but judging from the Lord's attitude, it's a done deal."
After hearing this, Meng Jinyao gave a faint "hmm" and didn't inquire about the matter any further. In any case, she wouldn't actively scheme to see who Meng Jinyu would marry, nor would she help Meng Jinyu.
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In the evening, Gu Jingxi returned from the palace.
When Meng Jinyao saw him return, she quickly instructed the maid to prepare dinner.
After dinner, Gu Jingxi told her something: "Ayao, have the maid pack my bags tomorrow. It's autumn now, so pack my autumn clothes. I'm leaving the capital the day after tomorrow on business."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao was completely stunned and looked at him blankly: "Husband, we just returned to the capital today, why is the Emperor sending you out again? There are other officials in the Court of Judicial Review, such as Lord Qi, who is quite good."
Gu Jingxi explained, "I took over this case, and I should also handle the follow-up. I originally thought it was just Lord Wei's problem, but now it involves too much and we need to investigate further. This time, we're not going to Huzhou Prefecture, but Hangzhou Prefecture."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao understood. It is said that heroes emerge in chaotic times, while corrupt officials emerge in prosperous times. If a fourth-rank prefect like Lord Wei can embezzle so much wealth, then Lord Han is a high-ranking official in charge of a region. If he were to embezzle and accept bribes, the amount he would obtain would be an astonishing sum. If the governor is like this, there must be many corrupt officials under him. If a thorough investigation is conducted, many officials will suffer.
Meng Jinyao was also very worried. Just because of those account books and letters, Lord Han had sent people to hunt them down. If they were to investigate the case further, wouldn't the danger be even greater?
Her face fell, and she asked softly, "Husband, will the Emperor send you alone this time?"
Knowing her worries, Gu Jingxi pulled her into his arms and gently patted her back to comfort her. He then said, "We were attacked on our way back. We have informed the Emperor, who has sent highly skilled guards to accompany us and escort Lord Han and Lord Wei to the capital for trial. As a result, Lord Han will no longer dare to openly send assassins."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao felt much relieved. Since the Emperor had given the order, Lord Han had no choice but to obey and be escorted back to the capital. Disobeying the order would be a capital offense and would also implicate his family, which Lord Han would never dare to do.
If they want to remain safe and sound, the Han family would have to succeed in a rebellion, but it is clear that the Han family does not have such ability. Although the current Duke of Zhenguo is Lord Han's nephew, the Duke of Zhenguo has no military power, and his official position in the court is not as high as Lord Han's.
Moreover, even assassinating her husband wouldn't help. Even without him, other officials would investigate and send them to the capital. Lord Han, having risen to the rank of a second-grade official, is a shrewd man. A shrewd man wouldn't do something that would only worsen his crime at such a time.
She asked again, "Husband, how long will the journey take?"
Gu Jingxi replied, "It will probably take two or three months. If things don't go smoothly, it will take even longer. I should be able to come back before the Lunar New Year."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao felt quite down. They had never been separated for so long before, but she also understood that men should have important things to do, so how could they spend all their time cuddling with women in the inner quarters? Only an incompetent man like her father would spend his time cuddling with women in the inner quarters, aside from meaningless social engagements.
She smiled and looked up at Gu Jingxi: "Husband, I'm waiting for you to come home."
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