Chapter 570 Selfishness and Cold-Heartedness
The Changxing Marquis's Residence.
Meng Jinyao lay on the chaise lounge, Yingyue read storybooks to her, Chunliu massaged her sore waist, and she rested her chin on her hands, squinting her eyes, thoroughly enjoying this pleasant time. If only her waist didn't ache, it would be even better. It's all because someone didn't know how to control himself last night.
"Madam! Madam!"
Before seeing her, I heard her voice; it was Ningdong, that girl.
Meng Jinyao opened her eyes and looked up. She saw Ning Dong running in with a big smile and a joyful expression. Ning Dong curtsied to her and said, "Madam, the Second Young Master has been named the Heir Apparent, and the Third Young Master was punished with thirty strokes of the cane for being unfilial!"
As expected, Meng Jinyao wasn't surprised, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly. But it was good, to avoid any unforeseen complications. She nodded slightly: "Yes, I understand."
Ning Dong was taken aback: "Madam, why aren't you surprised at all?"
Meng Jinyao replied, "After my third brother did such a thing, when I saw Father last time, he seemed to be considering changing the heir apparent."
Ningdong looked enlightened upon hearing this. Seeing Yingyue and Chunliu, one reading a story to their master and the other massaging their master's back, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Chunliu, let me do it. You rest for a while."
Chunliu immediately stepped down, feeling that this girl was not only a glutton but also a jealous fool who always thought she would steal the madam's favor. She didn't even consider that the bond between her and the madam, who had grown up together since childhood, was something that she herself could not compare to. She herself had only won the madam's favor because she did her job well.
Meng Jinyao shook her head helplessly, pointed to the embroidered stool in front of her, and said to Chunliu, "Sit down and talk to me. Yingyue will read the storybook again tomorrow. You've been reading for so long, your throat can't take it if you keep reading."
Then, Yingyue and Chunliu accompanied Meng Jinyao, telling her about the interesting things that had happened in each family recently, while Ningdong was massaging Meng Jinyao's waist.
Ningdong stared blankly at Chunliu, which made Chunliu burst out laughing. She looked at her teasingly, her eyes seeming to say: Don't you like to compete with me for work? Do a good job, I have faith in you.
Winter's chill instantly vanished.
Meng Jinyao noticed their little interaction, but it was harmless, so she pretended not to see it. That's just how Ningdong is; she can't stay still. If she has nothing to do, she feels like she's fallen out of favor. As soon as Chunliu gives her something good to eat, she turns around and starts praising Chunliu in front of her. Chunliu has been teasing her all along.
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Meng Chengzhang visited Madam Meng at Rongfu Hall, and then went to see Meng Chengxing, who was suffering from a high fever and unconscious due to his injuries. After that, he had his servants prepare a carriage and went to the Changxing Marquis's residence.
The siblings hadn't seen each other for a while, and after catching up on each other's lives, they started talking about what had happened at home.
Meng Chengzhang asked, "Elder sister, what exactly happened at home? Is it really that our third brother made our grandmother sick?"
Meng Jinyao smiled and asked in return, "Second brother, do you think it will be your third brother?"
Meng Chengzhang shook his head: "Grandmother loves my third brother so much. These things are nothing but trivial matters in Grandmother's eyes. Why would she be angry with my third brother? At most, she would just blame others for leading my third brother astray."
Meng Jinyao replied, "The Dong family has found a good family for Aunt Dong, and Aunt Dong is engaged."
"This is a good thing. That scoundrel Father is no good for her. It's a good thing that she has found a good husband." Meng Chengzhang was happy for his former stepmother, but then he felt strange. Why did his elder sister suddenly bring up two unrelated things?
Meng Chengzhang pondered for a moment, and in a flash, he suddenly realized something. His eyes widened in surprise, and he said, "Father still can't forget Aunt Dong. If Father finds out that Aunt Dong is engaged to someone else, wouldn't he be even more angry with Grandmother and Third Brother? Could it be that Grandmother was made sick by Father, and Third Brother is just a scapegoat?"
After listening, Meng Jinyao nodded with satisfaction. Her younger brother had grown up and understood things very quickly.
The autumn wind blew in through the window, and although it was pleasantly comfortable, Meng Chengzhang suddenly felt a chill. No matter how outrageous his third brother was, he was still his own son. His father could frame his third brother without any remorse. It is said that only those who wrong others know how wronged they are. His father clearly knew how wronged his third brother was, yet he spoke righteously when reprimanding him. Such a selfish and cold-hearted person was even more terrifying than Madam Sun. At least Madam Sun loved her two children until her death.
After a moment, he said again, "Elder sister, my third brother has developed a high fever due to his injuries. The fever won't go down and he's unconscious. The doctor said that if this continues, his life may be in danger."
Meng Jinyao remained silent. It was truly a pity that a boy who was only a teenager died like this, but he deserved it. He showed no mercy when he caused people to lose their children. This was probably a case of the wicked being punished by the wicked.
After a long pause, Meng Jinyao said earnestly, "Second brother, we will not interfere in this matter. Whatever Father says goes. Now that you are the heir of the Marquis's mansion, you bear the family's mission. The responsibility of revitalizing the Meng family falls on your shoulders."
Meng Chengzhang nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, elder sister."
Meng Jinyao changed the subject: "Wanwan should be awake now, would you like to see her?"
Meng Chengzhang hadn't seen his nephew for a while, and nodded with a smile.
Before long, the wet nurse brought the child over and handed him to Meng Chengzhang.
The little guy can't speak yet, he just babbles and doesn't know what he's trying to express. He laughs heartily when his uncle teases him, which is very endearing.
Meng Chengzhang doted on his little nephew and turned to his elder sister, saying, "Big sister, Wanwan is so cute."
Seeing how much he liked children, Meng Jinyao teased, "In a couple of years, when you're of marriageable age, I'll find you a nice girl, and then we'll have adorable cousins every night."
Upon hearing this, Meng Chengzhang blushed instantly, feeling as if the baby in his arms had become unusually hot to the touch. He stammered, "Big sister, I... I'm still young, I still have to study, there's no rush."
"Alright, alright, no rush, no rush. Once you have this idea, I'll find someone for you."
Looking at her younger brother, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, Meng Jinyao smiled indulgently. The difference between people is really great. The second brother is a year older than the third brother. He only focuses on studying the classics and blushes when talking about marriage, acting as shy as a little girl. The third brother, on the other hand, not only has a maidservant, but also spends the night in a brothel.
Meng Chengzhang nodded haphazardly, feeling his face burning, and quickly changed the subject: "Big sister, I want to try for the imperial examination next year."
Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "Then give it a try, go all out. It doesn't matter if you fail the exam. You're still young, and you'll have plenty of opportunities in the future. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Meng Chengzhang added, "There is one more thing. If Grandmother's condition does not worsen, I will go on a study tour with my teacher after returning to the academy. I probably won't be able to come back for the New Year. I estimate that I will not be able to return until the autumn examination."
Meng Jinyao said gently, "Reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles, going out more will give you a deeper understanding. This is a good thing. You can go with the teacher with peace of mind. I don't have anything to do here. If anything happens, your brother-in-law will handle it."
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