Chapter 476 Praise in name only, rejection in reality
When facing Madam Meng again, Meng Jinyao did not show the slightest displeasure. Seeing that Madam Meng seemed to have doubts, she said gently, "Grandmother, I just asked my second brother why he talked back to you, but he didn't say. My second brother is young and sometimes impulsive. Please don't be angry with him, lest you hurt your health."
Hearing this, Old Madam Meng was quite surprised. She did not expect that Chengzhang would not complain during such a good opportunity. It seems that Chengzhang still has her as his grandmother in his heart and knows to protect her at critical moments. It seems that Chengzhang still knows that he is surnamed Meng and has not been completely corrupted by this brat.
Meng Jinyao observed her grandmother's changing expressions. She smiled faintly, deciding to pretend she knew nothing for the sake of her second brother. If she blamed her grandmother today, it would only be a momentary pleasure, but her grandmother would find other ways to get revenge on her second brother later.
Madam Meng was in a good mood and smiled gently, saying, "As an elder, how could I hold a grudge against a junior? I was just angry at the time, which is why I punished Chengzhang."
Meng Jinyao smiled, turned to look at Madam Dong, and immediately changed the subject: "I heard from my second brother that Mother is pregnant. Congratulations to Mother, and congratulations to myself, as I will soon have a younger brother or sister."
Seeing that her smile was sincere and that she was genuinely congratulating her, Madam Dong smiled and said, "Thank you, Ayao."
Afterwards, Meng Jinyao chatted enthusiastically with Madam Dong, mostly about pregnancy-related matters, completely ignoring Old Madam Meng.
Madam Meng originally thought that her eldest granddaughter was unaware of what had happened on New Year's Eve, and that she would find an opportunity to mention it to her later. But now, she had no chance to speak at all.
Meng Dongyuan found an opportunity. The women were talking, and it wasn't lunchtime yet, so he took his youngest son and son-in-law to the study to talk.
Gu Jingxi couldn't avoid it this time. He could only avoid it in the past when other guests came to the Meng family. He would talk to people of his own generation and exclude his father-in-law.
Upon entering the study, Meng Dongyuan glanced at his youngest son and noticed his son's restraint and even fear in front of Gu Jingxi. This further fueled his dislike for his son. His son was already less capable than Chengzhang, and now he couldn't even maintain a graceful demeanor—he was so petty! How could Madam Sun have so blatantly lied, claiming his youngest son was excellent and Chengzhang was useless? She not only deceived him but also strained his relationship with Chengzhang and his father.
He resented Madam Sun and was also disappointed in his youngest son, but after all, he was his own son, and he still wanted to fight for some benefits for him. After chatting for a while to improve the relationship between father-in-law and son-in-law, he carefully said, "Yaoling, I heard that Lingshan Academy is preparing to recruit students again."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingxi knew what his father-in-law was planning and asked in a calm voice, "I've heard that my third brother is going to take the entrance exam for Lingshan Academy?"
Meng Dongyuan nodded slightly: "He does have this idea, but the Lingshan Academy's assessment is quite difficult, and I'm afraid it will be hard for him to pass."
Gu Jingxi turned to look at Meng Chengxing and, unusually, praised his brother-in-law without reservation: "Father-in-law, you are mistaken. I heard from A Yao that my third brother is intelligent and quick-witted, and studies hard. He is highly praised by the elders. My third brother will definitely pass the test. Father-in-law, you don't need to worry about this."
Meng Dongyuan: "?"
Meng Chengxing: "?"
This compliment left both father and son stunned.
Meng Chengxing never expected his elder sister to praise him. He always thought that his brother-in-law was making things up, and that he was only saying this because he was afraid that his father would ask for help.
Meng Dongyuan was extremely frustrated. He was just about to ask his son-in-law to help pull some strings when his son-in-law started praising his son. This made him too embarrassed to bring it up. At the same time, he knew that his son-in-law was not genuinely praising his son. He probably guessed what he was going to say and blocked him from saying anything more. He was praising his son on the surface but rejecting him on the surface. If he asked his son-in-law to pull some strings, he would be embarrassing himself.
After a moment, Meng Dongyuan sighed softly, "Chengxing is just a little clever, but he is careless. He failed the assessment the year before last and also failed the academy exam last year. I always tell him to be more serious, but he promised but failed to keep his word."
Gu Jingxi responded, "Father-in-law, it was because my third brother was still young before. Now that he's grown up, he's definitely more mature than before. You should have confidence in him."
After saying that, he subtly changed the subject: "By the way, father-in-law, I heard from A-Yao that you have excellent handwriting. I wonder if you would allow me to appreciate your calligraphy?"
Meng Dongyuan was taken aback and somewhat flattered. His rebellious daughter actually had a moment to praise him.
He humbly replied, "That girl Ayao is exaggerating; my calligraphy is just ordinary."
As they were talking, Meng Dongyuan stood up and went to find his calligraphy to show his son-in-law.
It must be said that although Meng Dongyuan is morally and morally deficient, and mediocre and incompetent, he does have quite good handwriting. Perhaps God can't let a person be without any merits.
However, Meng Dongyuan's only talent was his decent handwriting. Because he didn't put in the effort to practice diligently, his handwriting wasn't outstanding; it was merely good, a waste of his talent.
Gu Jingxi had seen his calligraphy and praised his writing, making him feel quite flattered, completely forgetting that he had just been worrying about his youngest son going to Lingshan Academy.
Meng Chengxing stood aside, unable to get a word in edgewise. He felt pressured even when his eldest brother-in-law was smiling, but he felt no pressure at all when facing his second brother-in-law.
However, although Meng Chengxing could not get a word in edgewise, he had given his father several hints with his eyes, suggesting that his father mention the Lingshan Academy to his brother-in-law. Unfortunately, his father ignored him, which annoyed him greatly, as he felt that his father had completely given up on him.
My second brother went to study at Lingshan Academy and was the top scholar in the imperial examination last year, which made my father proud. My father's heart has turned away from him. Now that my stepmother is pregnant again, my father keeps saying that this baby is a son.
It's fine if the stepmother gives birth to a daughter, but if she gives birth to a son, will he still have a place in this family?
At that time, not only would he have no status in the family, but his father would probably also try to petition the emperor to abolish his position as heir apparent and make the child in his stepmother's womb the heir apparent instead. As for his second brother, although he was excellent and had been adopted by his father's first wife, Zhou, making him the legitimate son of the first wife, his father loved his stepmother. If his stepmother were to whisper in his ear, his father would definitely favor the son born to his stepmother.
He used to scoff at the idea that having a stepmother meant having a stepfather, but after he got a stepmother, he came to agree with the idea. He would agree with whatever his stepmother said, even if it meant reducing his monthly allowance and expenses.
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