Chapter 89 He is the only one
Meng Jinyao noticed her younger brother's stunned expression, glanced at him thoughtfully, and figured he must be unaware of his sudden promotion in seniority. She then spoke up to ease the awkwardness: "Xiuwen, are you going to Lingshan Academy in a few days?"
Mentioning this, Gu Xiuwen became a little excited and quickly nodded in reply, "Yes, I'll be going to the academy in three days."
Meng Jinyao asked softly, "Your second uncle is also going to Lingshan Academy to study. Why don't you go together as companions?"
After she finished speaking, she turned to look at her younger brother beside her. Her brother was very sensible, but there were students from all over the country in the academy, and some of them were of noble status. She was afraid that her brother would be bullied. Xiuwen was the fourth young master of the Gu family. If the two of them could get to know each other, they could help each other if anything happened in the future.
Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuwen's eyes lit up, and he looked at Meng Chengzhang in surprise: "Second Uncle is also going to Lingshan Academy?" Seeing Meng Chengzhang nod, he quickly said, "Third Aunt, I just happen to need a companion. Going with Second Uncle will give me some company."
Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "Okay, you can all go together then."
"Okay, when the time comes, I'll go to the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion to find my second uncle."
Gu Xiuwen responded. He was a warm-hearted person and was also interested in his second uncle, who was younger than him and had entered Lingshan Academy on his own merit. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Meng Jinyao, he kept talking to Meng Chengzhang.
Meng Chengzhang was introverted and not used to people being so enthusiastic from the start, but since they were all around ten years old and not much different in age, it was easy for them to find topics to talk about and they became familiar with each other as they chatted.
Around noon, Gu Xiuwen and Meng Chengzhang stayed at Weirui Pavilion to have lunch with Meng Jinyao.
After the three of them had lunch, Meng Chengzhang originally wanted to return to the Yongchang Marquis's residence, but Gu Xiuwen kept talking to him, so he stayed and spent more time with his elder sister.
Around 3:45 PM, when Gu Jingxi returned from his shift, he saw his nephew and brother-in-law playing cards with a young girl at Wei Rui Xuan. Since there weren't enough players, Ning Dong joined in to make up the numbers. He was taken aback.
Ning Dong was the first to notice the room. She suddenly stood up and respectfully greeted, "My Lord."
Gu Xiuwen and Meng Chengzhang also turned their heads, and a man dressed in a scarlet official robe with a dignified bearing came into view. When they saw Gu Jingxi, the two of them were a little reserved. The former was because he had always been in awe of this third uncle since childhood, and the latter was unsure of what to do because of the sudden visit and the fact that they had not exchanged more than a few words with him.
The next moment, Meng Chengzhang spoke first, calling out, "Brother-in-law."
Immediately afterwards, Gu Xiuwen's voice rang out: "Third Uncle, you're back."
Gu Jingxi nodded slightly: "You guys continue, don't worry about me."
With him around, who could concentrate on playing cards?
So the game ended, and everyone stopped playing.
Ningdong went out to do some work.
Gu Xiuwen was probably momentarily confused and started talking to Gu Jingxi about academic matters. In the end, he was seriously tested by his elder and was often left speechless. Meng Chengzhang, on the other hand, was able to give a few stammering answers.
Although Meng Chengzhang was two years younger, he was more outstanding and had better academic achievements. Gu Xiuwen was somewhat frustrated, but not jealous. Instead, he was inspired to study harder and became even more enthusiastic towards Meng Chengzhang.
That evening, Meng Chengzhang and Gu Xiuwen stayed for dinner before heading home.
After they left, Meng Jinyao suddenly said, "Xiuwen is a very good-natured child, unlike his parents at all."
"It doesn't look like him, but he does resemble my father, his grandfather." Gu Jingxi nodded, thinking of her relationship with the Meng family, but her relationship with Meng Chengzhang was clearly different, like that of siblings from the same mother. She then asked, "You seem to have a good relationship with your second brother?"
Meng Jinyao smiled and said, "Yes, he is my only family."
only?
These two words stunned Gu Jingxi. Now, including the little girl in front of him, there are seven people in the Meng family. But the little girl said that Meng Chengzhang is the only relative. The implication is that the other people in the Meng family are just familiar strangers.
Meng Jinyao didn't see his expression and continued, "He's doing well in his studies and has passed the Lingshan Academy's entrance exam. He'll be enrolling at Lingshan Academy soon. Xiuwen is also going to Lingshan Academy, so they can keep each other company."
Gu Jingxi gave a soft "hmm". When she mentioned her younger brother, her lips curled into a smile and her eyes crinkled. She looked proud of her brother and it was clear that she liked him very much.
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The next day, the weather was fine and sunny.
An uninvited guest arrived at the Changxing Marquis's residence.
As usual, Meng Jinyao stayed in her courtyard, entertaining herself. There was nothing she could do; her two sisters-in-law were old enough to be her mothers, so they really had nothing to talk about.
The two girls, Gu Xuanyi and Gu Xuanling, were about the same age as her.
But because of what happened last time, Gu Xuanyi reacted as if she were a mouse seeing a cat whenever she saw her.
Gu Xuanling was timid, obedient, gentle, and answered every question. In addition, Meng Jinyao was an elder, so she was even more obedient in front of the elder, afraid of displeasing the elder.
Because of this, although Meng Jinyao was about the same age as the two of them, they didn't have much to say to each other.
Qingqiu walked towards her with a solemn expression, curtsied, and said, "Madam, the steward of the Yongchang Marquis's mansion has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao frowned and asked suspiciously, "Why did they send their butler to find me?"
Qingqiu shook her head: "This servant doesn't know either, but the steward is in a hurry to see you, saying that there is something urgent."
Meng Jinyao frowned even more. She and Meng Dongyuan had a falling out over her mother's dowry. Their relationship was so strained that they were practically enemies. Why would the Meng family come to her about their business?
Qingqiu asked, "Madam, do you want to see him? If not, this servant will go and send him away right away."
"Of course I'll see them, why wouldn't I?" Meng Jinyao smiled, a hint of interest in her eyes. "I want to see what they have to do."
Qingqiu thought for a moment and hesitated, then said, "Madam, they're definitely up to no good. They might even try to take advantage of you. Maybe we shouldn't see them?"
Meng Jinyao said confidently, "It's alright, they wouldn't dare."
However, Meng Jinyao did not go to see him immediately. She leisurely finished reading the few pages of the book, drank a cup of flower tea, and then stood up gracefully and walked slowly to the living room in the front yard to see the housekeeper.
The butler waited anxiously, unsure whether the young lady would even see him.
When he saw that familiar figure appear, the butler felt as if he had seen a savior. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. He stepped forward with a fawning smile and greeted her, "Young Miss."
Meng Jinyao glanced at him and said calmly, "Tell me, what happened at the Yongchang Marquis's residence? Tell me so I can have a good laugh."
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