Chapter 160 Zhang's Shock
After a moment, Song Xinning said, "Indeed, my husband's family is rich, but I am rich myself."
As she spoke, she chuckled lightly and said with schadenfreude, "Just like my Aunt Shen, she's rich and therefore has a strong personality. She doesn't rely on my Uncle Shen to live. On the contrary, Uncle Shen has fallen out with her and his life has become much more difficult. As the saying goes, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. Now he's shamelessly apologizing to my Aunt Shen and begging for forgiveness, but Aunt Shen is unmoved."
Meng Jinyao paused for a moment, then said, "Not all mistakes can be forgiven."
Like Madam Shen, who was deeply in love in her youth and whose love remained as strong as ever after many years of marriage, how could she forgive Lord Shen's betrayal if she suddenly suffered a great blow and her old illness flared up, almost costing her her life?
To Madam Shen, Lord Shen is now nothing more than the father of her child. She no longer sees him as her husband; she only sees him because of his official position, which can pave the way for her child's future. By occupying Madam Shen's position, she prevents Lord Shen from remarrying, thus ensuring her son has no stepmother and her future daughter-in-law won't have a stepmother to oppress and torment her.
Princess Jingning asked, "A-Ning, are the Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen you mentioned the Vice Minister Shen of the Ministry of Works and his wife?"
Song Xinning nodded: "That's right, that's my future husband's family."
Princess Jingning said, "A few days ago, my mother said that Minister Shen and Madam Shen had been a loving couple for many years and did not even have a maidservant, which was enviable. But now they have suddenly taken a concubine. It feels like all men in the world are the same. So she was sad for a long time."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning were stunned. They had heard that Prince Liang and Princess Liang were childhood sweethearts who loved each other and eventually married. However, Prince Liang had several concubines and several illegitimate children. They imagined that Princess Liang, despite her glamorous appearance, was suffering in her heart, loving her husband but having concubines.
For the sake of her children, Princess Liang must have endured for a long time. She never mistreated her concubines, was kind to the children born to them, and tried her best to maintain harmony between husband and wife so that she would not be disliked and that her own children would be loved by her husband.
Princess Liang truly lived up to her reputation. Although the King of Liang had concubines, he treated Princess Liang with the same dignity and respect that a principal wife should have. He doted on the two daughters born to Princess Liang, valued the children born to Princess Liang the most, and even praised Princess Liang for her gentleness and virtue.
It was common knowledge in the capital that Princess Liang was deeply in love with Prince Liang. However, what outsiders did not know was that she herself was also suffering. Compared to the good reputation she gained from being gentle and magnanimous, Princess Liang probably hoped to gain a reputation for being jealous and having Prince Liang all to herself.
Princess Jingning, oblivious to their unease, continued, "My mother has been choosing a husband for me recently. She's even more worried than I am. If she chooses an outstanding one, she's afraid I won't be able to handle him; if she chooses a weak one, she feels he's not good enough for me; if she chooses someone who's neither outstanding nor bad, she's afraid he's using me to climb to the top."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao and Song Xinning were taken aback once again.
Meng Jinyao asked, "Ayan, you know so many young men from prominent families, don't you have any you like?"
Princess Jingning shook her head: "I feel they are all about the same, and I don't particularly like any of them, so the marriage is entirely up to my father and mother. Once they find someone and I have no objections after meeting them, the marriage is arranged."
Meng Jinyao said softly, "Then let the Princess Consort choose for you at your leisure. The Princess Consort will definitely choose the most suitable gentleman for you."
Princess Jingning nodded: "Oh, let's not talk about that anymore. Let's play some cards to pass the time, and then have lunch at noon. I specially booked a private room at the restaurant in advance."
The two responded and instructed the maid to bring the leaf cards.
-
The Changxing Marquis's Residence.
After returning to the manor, Meng Jinyao immediately went to Zhang's courtyard.
She felt it necessary to mention what she had witnessed during her boat trip on the lake to Zhang Shi. If Zhang Shi was aware of the situation, then she could consider it meddling.
If Zhang had been unaware, knowing in advance would have allowed her to prepare and prevent Gu Xuanyi from falling into the fire. Otherwise, by the time she learned of it from Gu Xuanyi, it might have been too late, and she would have been sinking deeper into trouble.
Ningdong asked, "Madam, why do you meddle so much in the affairs of the eldest son's family?"
Meng Jinyao replied, "I am also a young lady. Now that I know about this, I will naturally not stand by and watch her jump into the fire pit. The old lady does not look favorably on the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion."
Ning Dong was stunned, then nodded.
When Zhang learned that Meng Jinyao had come to see her, she was suddenly flattered. She knew that she was always the one who went to Wei Rui Xuan to chat with Meng Jinyao, and Meng Jinyao had never come to see her. She hurriedly ordered her maid to prepare tea and fresh fruit.
Madam Zhang asked gently, "Third sister-in-law, what brings you here today?"
"Sister-in-law, I've come here to tell you something," Meng Jinyao said, her gaze sweeping lightly over the maids serving in the room.
Seeing this, Madam Zhang immediately understood, waved her hand to signal the maid to leave, and asked suspiciously, "Third sister-in-law, what's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?"
Meng Jinyao asked, "Sister-in-law, do you prefer the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an as your son-in-law?"
As she spoke, she subtly observed the changes in Zhang's expression. She saw Zhang first pause in surprise, and then shake her head repeatedly, which showed that Zhang was unaware of the matter and that it was Gu Xuanyi who was secretly communicating with the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an.
Madam Zhang frowned: "Third sister-in-law, why do you ask that? Mother said that the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an is not suitable, and I also think it is not suitable, but I have already made an appointment with the Marquis of Wu'an's wife to meet, and I can't break my promise, so I met him."
Meng Jinyao then asked, "So, it was after that meeting that sister-in-law rejected Lady Wu'an?"
Madam Zhang shook her head and replied truthfully, "Lady Wu'an didn't mention the marriage again. I guess the young master didn't like Xuanyi, so he simply pretended it never happened. There's no question of who rejected whom. Why did you suddenly bring this up, Third Sister-in-law?"
Meng Jinyao replied, "Today I went boating on the lake with my friends and saw Xuanyi and the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an boating on the lake together. They got along very well, so I thought that my sister-in-law preferred the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an to be her son-in-law."
Zhang's voice suddenly rose: "What?!"
She stared at Meng Jinyao in shock and disbelief, feeling as if the sky were about to fall. She asked urgently, "Third sister-in-law, are you sure you're not mistaken? It really is Xuanyi and the heir of the Marquis of Wu'an?"
Meng Jinyao said with certainty, "I didn't see wrong, it really is them. If you don't believe me, you can ask Xuanyi first."
“No, I believe my third sister-in-law. There’s no need for her to lie to me about something like this.” As Zhang said this, a surge of anger welled up in her heart. “I told Xuanyi long ago that the Wu’an Marquis’s residence is quite complicated. This child actually went behind my back to have a secret relationship with the Wu’an Marquis’s heir.”
Meng Jinyao said gently, "Sister-in-law, don't be angry. Young girls are prone to going astray when they first fall in love. Parents should guide them properly."
Zhang frowned deeply, looking anxious: "Third sister-in-law, I apologize for not being hospitable enough today. Let's talk another day. I'll go see if Xuanyi has returned yet."
Meng Jinyao nodded: "Okay."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com