Chapter 88 Call him Uncle
The next day.
Meng Jinyao tended to her potted plants. After marrying into the Changxing Marquis's mansion, she was not in charge of the household affairs and had a lot of free time every day. Besides managing the estate and shops left by her mother, she also managed Gu Jingxi's private property.
When I have nothing to do, I read books, tend to flowers and plants to pass the time, or I go out to browse jewelry shops, cosmetic shops, and clothing shops, or I choose some banquets that interest me from the invitations sent by others.
At this moment, Xia Zhu walked up to her, curtsied, and said respectfully, "Madam, Young Master Meng has arrived."
Is my second brother here?
Meng Jinyao paused, surprised. She had been married into the Changxing Marquis's mansion for so long, and her second brother had never come to see her. He must have come for something important this time. She quickly ordered, "Go and bring him to Weirui Pavilion." Then she instructed Qingqiu to prepare tea.
Not long after, Meng Chengzhang arrived.
The thirteen-year-old boy was handsome with delicate features, fair skin and red lips. He was gentle and refined, and his every move exuded a scholarly air. Having experienced setbacks since childhood, he was much more mature than his peers.
In fact, compared to Meng Chengxing, who was the heir apparent, his half-brother was more like the heir apparent. He was talented, steady, and a gentle and polite young man. Therefore, Madam Sun disliked him in every way and suppressed him behind his back, just because she was afraid that his brilliance would overshadow her own son, Meng Chengxing.
When Meng Chengzhang saw her, he smiled and said, "Big sister."
Meng Jinyao said gently, "Second brother, sit down and talk." After he sat down, she asked, "Second brother, did you come to see me today because of something?"
Meng Chengzhang nodded slightly: "I have something to tell you, elder sister. Don't worry, elder sister, it's good news. I passed the entrance exam for Lingshan Academy and was admitted. I will be enrolling in Lingshan Academy in a few days. I came to tell you this."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao was overjoyed and smiled broadly: "That's wonderful! You must study hard and pass the imperial examinations in the future."
Meng Chengzhang nodded again: "I will, don't worry, big sister."
After chatting for a while, Meng Chengzhang suddenly asked, "Elder sister, how does your husband treat you?"
Meng Jinyao replied, "It's all good. My mother-in-law is also kind. No one in the Marquis's mansion bullies me. Even Gu Xiuming can't bully me."
Meng Chengzhang was skeptical, but he kept glancing at his elder sister. He noticed that she looked much better than before she got married, so she must be living a more comfortable life. Perhaps the Gu family felt guilty because of what Gu Xiuming had done.
But how long can this guilt last?
He must establish himself quickly so that he can support his elder sister and prevent the Gu family from mistreating her.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Meng Jinyao thought he didn't believe her, so she said again, "I'm really fine. I'm doing very well in the Gu family, much better than in the Meng family. Your brother-in-law respects me, and I haven't suffered any grievances since I married him."
Meng Chengzhang smiled and said, "That's good. If you need anything, please send someone to Lingshan Academy to find me."
"Okay, I will."
Meng Jinyao smiled and agreed. Then, remembering the silver notes she had prepared earlier, she quickly took out ten one-hundred-tael silver notes from her sleeve and handed them to him, saying gently, "Second brother, take this silver first. Buy whatever you need, but don't skimp on yourself."
Meng Chengzhang had never seen such a huge sum of money before.
When she saw about ten silver notes worth one hundred taels each, she was immediately stunned. She quickly came to her senses and hurriedly said, "Big sister, I can't accept this silver. Actually, I have no worries about food and clothing."
Meng Jinyao glanced at him and said earnestly, "When Madam Sun cuts your monthly allowance, you don't have to worry about food or clothing at home. You're provided with writing materials, which saves you money. But what about when you go to the academy? Do you think she'll prepare everything for you? You'll have to buy everything yourself, and there will be occasional social engagements with your classmates."
The Sun family will give you money, but it certainly won't be enough. Even if you're hungry and want an extra meal, you'll be strapped for cash. Do you really want to earn money by copying books for the study? I don't mean to discourage you, but I want you to focus on your studies and not worry about anything else, so you can succeed in the future.”
Meng Chengzhang hesitated for a moment, but still firmly refused to accept it, replying, "Elder sister, I appreciate your kindness, but I really can't accept it. Although I am not a woman, I know the hardships women face. Even though you have married into the Gu family and are now a daughter-in-law, if the Gu family knew that you were using your husband's money to subsidize your own family, they would definitely have a lot of complaints about you."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao's eyes welled up with tears. Without saying a word, she stuffed the silver notes into his hand and said gently, "Don't worry, second brother. This isn't the Gu family's money; it's mine. Didn't I get my mother's dowry back a while ago? Now that I have some money, you can take it without worry."
After she finished speaking, seeing that her younger brother still didn't want to accept it, she added, "Second brother, if it's from your older sister, don't refuse it, okay? I just want you to focus on your studies and make something of yourself in the future. If you don't, unless they're all buried, you won't be able to escape their control. Even when you get married and are mistreated by Madam Sun, you won't be able to fight back for her. They won't dare to act recklessly when they need to rely on you. Besides, if you become successful, you can also support me, right?"
After hearing these heartfelt words, Meng Chengzhang fell silent. He knew all too well what kind of person his stepmother was. His own father and grandmother didn't value him either, because he was born out of wedlock. Unless he became successful and showed them the benefits, he could only be tormented by others and had no power to resist.
Meng Chengzhang did not refuse again and said, "Thank you, elder sister."
Meng Jinyao smiled again: "That's right. Don't wrong yourself. Eat well, dress well, and use the best things. I may not be very capable, but I can still afford to support my younger brother."
Meng Chengzhang was deeply moved, and his eyes reddened.
The siblings chatted for a while longer, and Meng Jinyao invited him to stay for lunch. Meng Chengzhang readily agreed and then said, "Elder sister, is the old lady at home? I need to go and pay my respects to her first."
As a junior visiting his elder sister, he should have paid his respects to Madam Gu, even though he came to see her. Otherwise, he would have been too impolite and embarrassed his elder sister.
Meng Jinyao nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."
The siblings went to Shou'an Hall to pay their respects to Madam Gu, and then chatted with her for a while before leaving.
On the way back to Wei Rui Xuan, they ran into Gu Xiuwen again.
Gu Xiuwen bowed to Meng Jinyao, then turned to Meng Chengzhang. Although he was not familiar with Meng Chengzhang, he knew him, so he addressed him according to seniority: "Xiuwen greets Second Uncle."
Although Meng Chengxing wasn't his biological uncle, his third aunt was married to his third uncle, making her the mother of his third brother, Gu Xiuming. Since his third brother had to call Meng Chengzhang "Second Uncle," it was perfectly reasonable for him to follow suit and call him "Second Uncle."
Unexpectedly, Meng Chengzhang was completely stunned by the title "Second Uncle." The Fourth Young Master Gu was older than him, yet he called him "Uncle."
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