Chapter 565 No Other Ambitions
After leaving Rongfutang, Meng Dongyuan couldn't contain himself and immediately called his eldest daughter to his study, saying he had something to discuss. He was determined to keep his sleepless night until he figured out what his eldest daughter was after.
Gu Jingxi was worried and wanted to go with them.
Meng Jinyao gave him a reassuring look and said gently, "Husband, why don't you take a walk in the courtyard first? I'll go to the study with my father and come find you later."
Gu Jingxi stared at her for a moment, and when she nodded slightly, he glanced at Meng Dongyuan.
Meng Dongyuan was annoyed. They had something on him now, and his son-in-law was worried that he would harm his eldest daughter? Regardless of whether they had something on him, he wouldn't rashly do anything to his eldest daughter. This worry was completely unnecessary.
Upon entering the study, Meng Dongyuan cut to the chase and asked, "Ayao, what do you want?"
Meng Jinyao was taken aback: "Why do you say that, Father?"
Meng Dongyuan snorted inwardly, cursing her for being a hypocrite, but on the surface he remained amiable: "Ayao, we are father and daughter, why beat around the bush? As long as it's something I can give you, I will agree to it."
Meng Jinyao gently shook her head: "Father, please forgive your ignorance, I don't understand what you mean."
Meng Dongyuan stared at her with a deep gaze, his tone no longer as gentle as before: "Don't think that I don't know that Zhao Shi has told you everything. After you found out the truth, not only did you not expose me, but you also put on this show with me. I don't believe that you have no other intentions besides disliking your grandmother and third brother."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao chuckled, "Oh, so that's what Father meant."
Meng Dongyuan said, "Just tell me what you want."
Meng Jinyao replied, "I don't want anything, Father, please don't overthink it."
Meng Dongyuan was stunned, wondering if he was getting old and his hearing was failing him. Was his daughter really that kind? He still didn't believe it and continued to ask, "Then why did you put on this show with your father?"
Meng Jinyao said calmly, "Father, you are my biological father. If I were to report you to the authorities for being unfilial, then my actions would also be unfilial, and unfilial children would be punished and imprisoned."
Upon hearing this, Meng Dongyuan suddenly recalled the laws of the current dynasty: if a son or grandson sues his or his grandparents or parents, or if a wife or concubine sues her husband or his or his grandparents or parents, even if all the accusations are true, he or she will be sentenced to twenty strokes of the cane and three years of penal servitude. If the accusation is false, he or she will be hanged.
Therefore, grandparents and parents who conceal crimes committed by their children or grandchildren, and wives who conceal crimes committed by their husbands, can all be exempted from punishment.
However, the reverse is also true. Elders can sue younger generations, and husbands can sue wives. As long as the evidence is true, the younger generation and the wife will be dealt with according to the law, while the elders and husbands who sue them will not be punished.
After figuring out the reasons, Meng Dongyuan finally believed that his eldest daughter really had no intentions. At the same time, he was glad that he was an elder, otherwise this rebellious daughter would definitely do anything to make him suffer. She was only going along with him now because she didn't want to suffer with him. But this was a wise move. Only a fool would give up his good position as the wife of a marquis and risk everything to sue him.
Meng Jinyao stood up and said gently, "Father, let's forget what we just said once we leave this study. I have to go back; Wanwan is too young to be without me."
Meng Dongyuan nodded and left the study with her. Then, together with Zhao Shi, they escorted the couple to the gate of the mansion.
Meng Jinyao was also worried that if she didn't make any requests, her worthless father would make things difficult for Zhao Shi, so she said, "Mother, the pastries you brought last time tasted quite good. May I ask which shop you bought them from?"
Zhao paused for a moment. When had she ever brought pastries to Meng Jinyao? But she reacted quickly, knowing that Meng Jinyao was putting on an act for Meng Dongyuan to see, to make Meng Dongyuan wary, and to help her avoid some unnecessary trouble. She hurriedly said, "I made them all myself. If Ayao likes them, Mother will make more next time and have someone send them to you."
Meng Jinyao: "I see. Thank you very much, Mother."
After the couple left, Meng Dongyuan said irritably, "You know how to keep things a secret. Yesterday I asked you what she wanted, but you wouldn't tell me. Today I pressed you again and again, and I found out she doesn't want anything."
Not wanting anything?
Zhao looked at him sideways and suddenly smiled. She felt that her husband was really stupid and wicked. He was the kind of person who would help others count the money even if he was sold out. Meng Jinyao had already gotten what she wanted without his knowledge. How could he have no other intentions?
Today she finally understood that Meng Jinyao was at odds with the old lady and disliked the equally stupid and wicked Meng Chengxing. She only liked the well-behaved and academically excellent Meng Chengzhang. She probably had been secretly plotting how to make Meng Chengzhang inherit the Marquis's mansion. Now that Meng Dongyuan had eliminated two people at once, it was exactly what Meng Jinyao wanted. So, although Meng Jinyao seemed to want nothing, she had achieved all her goals.
Meng Dongyuan found her smile irritating and asked with displeasure, "What are you laughing at?"
"It's nothing, just some funny thoughts." Zhao Shi suppressed her laughter, then continued, "Chengxing is still in the ancestral hall. When will he be released?"
"Why let that wretched child out? To let him continue to anger Mother? Just give him some food so he doesn't starve to death, and let him repent properly inside." After saying this, Meng Dongyuan snorted coldly, left Zhao Shi behind, and strode back to Rongfu Hall to continue playing the role of a dutiful son. There was still a show to be performed later.
Zhao chuckled lightly. Let this fool do whatever he wants, she'll just treat it as a show and add some amusement to her life, otherwise, life would be too unbearable.
On the carriage.
Gu Jingxi asked curiously, "Ayao, what did your father-in-law say to you?"
Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "He asked me what I wanted. He's lived for decades and doesn't even consider what benefits he can offer me now."
After saying that, Meng Jinyao's smile froze, and she shook her head almost imperceptibly. In all the years they had been father and daughter, this was the first time her father had asked her what she wanted, and under such circumstances no less. It was truly ridiculous.
Gu Jingxi noticed the subtle change in her expression, reached out and pulled her into his arms, looking at her with doting eyes. He affectionately pinched her cheek and asked softly, "If he can't give it to you, your husband can. Tell me, is there anything you want now?"
Meng Jinyao now has a loving husband, adorable children, and a kind mother-in-law, living a life of luxury. She doesn't particularly want anything. Looking up at him, she suddenly had the urge to tease him: "What I want, it seems my husband can't give me."
Gu Jingxi didn't believe him: "Ayao, tell me. Apart from things as unattainable as the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, I should be able to satisfy your every need."
Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "Wear a dress and dance for me tonight."
Gu Jingxi nodded subconsciously, but the next moment she realized what she was hearing and couldn't believe it. She said incredulously, "No, you, what did you say? You want me to wear a skirt and dance for you tonight?"
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