Chapter 563 Killing Two Birds with One Stone
Meanwhile, Zhao's trusted maid, having overheard the news, rushed back to the courtyard to report to Zhao: "Madam, I heard that the men sent by the Earl caught the young master at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, tied him up, and brought him back. After returning, the Earl punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall to repent."
Zhao frowned, inwardly sighing that Meng Dongyuan was truly a ruthless person. By going to Baihualou to kidnap someone in such a high-profile manner, Meng Chengxing's reputation was completely ruined. He was seen as an uneducated and incompetent man who frequented brothels, and was even forced to take the blame for Meng Dongyuan without knowing the truth, thus becoming an unfilial descendant.
For a moment, she didn't know whether choosing to marry Meng Dongyuan was the right or wrong decision.
At first, she thought that although the Meng family had fallen from grace, they still had a title and an eldest daughter who would become the wife of the Marquis of Changxing. If she married into the family, she would become the wife of the Marquis, which would make it much easier to find a husband for her daughter.
How long has it been? So many terrible things have happened. The Meng family is trying to scheme against her daughter's marriage for their own benefit. Meng Dongyuan has no respect for her, his lawfully wedded wife, and he is heartless towards his own mother and son. Who knows what kind of trouble such a despicable person will cause in the future? How is the Meng family any different from a den of wolves?
The trusted maid didn't know what she was thinking, only assuming that she was worried that the old lady was seriously ill and had no one to support her, and that the Earl would treat her badly. So she comforted her, saying, "Madam, I've heard that the Earl will give face to the eldest young lady. As long as you get along well with the eldest young lady and have her look after you, the Earl should not do anything to you because of her."
Madam Zhao gave a soft "hmm," thinking that Meng Dongyuan would probably come over tomorrow morning to warn her to speak properly with Meng Jinyao. She didn't want her daughter to see this scene, so she changed her mind and said, "Go to the Third Miss's courtyard and tell her that she doesn't need to come over to have breakfast with me tomorrow morning."
The third daughter she mentioned was Qiao Yunying, the daughter she brought with her. The two daughters from the Meng family were older than her daughter, so her daughter was the third child.
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The Changxing Marquis's Residence.
When Meng Jinyao received the letter sent by the Zhao family, she was surprised but also found it quite normal, as this was indeed something her father would do.
Because of his divorce from Aunt Dong, the father harbored resentment towards his third brother. He blamed his third brother for his grandmother's illness, which was partly revenge, but more so for his own benefit and to clear himself of any wrongdoing. In this way, he could kill two birds with one stone.
This father of hers loves no one but himself, and he's even willing to push his own son to take the blame for him.
As for Aunt Dong, it's true that my father liked her, but it's impossible to say that he loved her. The reason he can't forget her now is simply because Aunt Dong left when he liked her the most, and his current wife doesn't meet his expectations.
Gu Jingxi asked, "Ayao, what did the letter say?"
Meng Jinyao handed him the letter and smiled, "Great thing, a great thing that kills two birds with one stone."
Gu Jingxi took the letter, glanced at it briefly, and then nodded: "It is indeed a good thing. Father-in-law has done so many things, and finally there is one thing that is satisfactory. Although it is not honorable, at least we don't have to dirty our hands. Let them fight like dogs is also very good."
"That's right."
Meng Jinyao's smile deepened. Her father, drunk, had spoken recklessly, making her troublesome grandmother sick. She would no longer have the chance to harm innocent younger generations. He had also ruined her third brother because of his own selfishness, but it was only a matter of time. Her father had long intended to ruin her third brother. Now it was just a coincidence that her grandmother fell ill, and her third brother had taken the blame.
The next morning, Meng Jinyao returned to her parents' home to visit the seriously ill Old Madam Meng. Gu Jingxi happened to be on leave and accompanied her back.
Meanwhile, Meng Dongyuan had just warned Zhao Shi to be careful when speaking to her eldest daughter today when a servant came to report that the eldest daughter and son-in-law had returned. His heart tightened; his eldest daughter was already difficult to deal with, and with his son-in-law on top of that, he had no idea what the couple wanted to extort from him today, which was why they were both on the same side.
Meng Dongyuan took a deep breath, steadied himself, and pretended to be a harmonious couple with Zhao Shi before going to see his eldest daughter and son-in-law.
He was prepared for his eldest daughter and son-in-law, who had caught him red-handed, to be arrogant and domineering today, and for him to cover up the truth that his mother had been driven to a serious illness, he had no choice but to back down.
To his surprise, when he saw the couple, they were not at all as he had imagined.
The son-in-law bowed to him and Zhao, saying, "Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
Chang'e looked worried, stepped forward and gave him and Zhao a junior's bow, then asked, "Father, I heard from Mother that Grandmother was ill. I wonder if Grandmother is well now?"
Meng Dongyuan was flattered. This couple had never given him a kind look before. Could it be that he had upset his mother and made his eldest daughter happy, so they were giving him a kind look?
Thinking this, Meng Dongyuan felt a sense of relief. Since her eldest daughter didn't say anything, she continued the act, sighing with great sorrow, "The Ling family doctor said that your grandmother suffered a stroke and is paralyzed, unable to speak. It is estimated that she will never be able to stand up again and will have to spend her life in bed."
As he spoke, he discreetly observed the expressions of his eldest daughter and son-in-law. Seeing that they looked even more worried after hearing his words, he cursed the hypocritical couple in his heart, saying that they were better actors than him. Then he carefully added, "Your grandmother is like this because of that wretched Chengxing!"
Meng Jinyao asked in surprise, "Father, what does this have to do with my third brother?"
Seeing that his eldest daughter's shocked expression seemed genuine, Meng Dongyuan glanced at Zhao Shi beside him. It seemed that Zhao Shi had not yet informed his eldest daughter. However, he had come this far and could not back down. He had to continue. He would agree to whatever his eldest daughter asked for, since it was all about interests after all.
He continued, “As you know, your grandmother loved Chengxing the most and had high hopes for him. But Chengxing deceived your grandmother, telling her that he was studying hard while associating with good-for-nothing friends and even skipping school to stay overnight at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. When your grandmother found out about this, she was so angry that she lost her balance and fell. After she woke up, she was paralyzed.”
"Third brother actually did such a thing?" Meng Jinyao was shocked, then turned to Meng Dongyuan, "Then how does Father plan to deal with third brother?"
When Meng Dongyuan met his eldest daughter's all-knowing, slightly mocking gaze, he probably felt guilty and subconsciously looked away, not daring to meet her eyes.
The eldest daughter knew he was lying, but she pretended to know nothing and played along. He pondered her words for a moment and immediately understood her intention: she wanted him to punish Chengxing properly.
Yes, Chengxing was born to the Sun family. The eldest daughter hates the Sun family, so she would never like her younger brother Chengxing. Now, his actions have caused their mother to fall and also punished Chengxing. For the eldest daughter, this is a win-win situation. No wonder the eldest daughter is acting with him.
However, if the eldest daughter harbors resentment towards her mother and Chengxing, and can just stand by and watch him do such a thing to her mother and Chengxing, then will he, who is also resented by his eldest daughter, also suffer a bad end in the future?
In an instant, a chill ran up from the soles of his feet. When he met his eldest daughter's gaze again, Meng Dongyuan couldn't help but shiver.
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