Chapter 186 She's got guts
Mrs. Sun dealt with the guests, and it took her a long time to spare a moment.
Taking advantage of her free time, Madam Yang approached her and exchanged a few intimate words, getting straight to the point: "Sister, your eldest daughter has now married into a good family and become the wife of a marquis. I've heard that she is quite favored by Marquis Gu. Why don't you ask her to help your husband get a real position in the court?"
Madam Sun frowned slightly. She had thought about this too. Her husband only had a sinecure with a low rank, which was practically meaningless. If her husband could get a real post and slowly climb the ranks, it would pave the way for their son.
Seeing that she remained silent, Madam Yang continued, "Sister, is there something you're having trouble telling me? Just tell me, and I'll give you some advice."
How could Madam Sun not know what her sister-in-law was up to? She simply wanted to sound out Meng Jinyao and then try to get some benefits from her. So she stopped pretending and said bluntly, "She hates her family to the core now. There is absolutely no way she will help them."
"Because of her birth mother's dowry?" Madam Yang glanced at her sister-in-law, frowned and scolded her, "Sister, I really have to say, why did you withhold her birth mother's dowry? You not only made a fool of yourself, but you also alienated her from her family. It's not worth it."
Upon hearing this, Sun was immediately displeased. If Zhou's dowry hadn't been approved by her in-laws, who were subtly suggesting she misappropriate it and not return it to that little slut Meng Jinyao, would she have dared to touch it? Now, her in-laws have reaped all the benefits, while she's the one being scorned by everyone.
Seeing her displeased expression, Yang said, "No matter what, you are still her elder. It's wrong of her to argue with her elder. You and your brother-in-law are her parents. Say a few nice words to her and her anger will subside. Then talk to her properly about the pros and cons and don't let her be willful."
Sun's face was gloomy, and she scoffed, "It's easy for my sister-in-law to say. If she really cared about her family, she wouldn't have refused to help Chengxing go to Lingshan Academy."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang was shocked and said in disbelief, "Chengxing is her younger brother, and he will inherit the title in the future. If Chengxing is not good, who will support her in the future? Lord Gu has a hidden illness, so she cannot have her own children. When Lord Gu grows old and the heir inherits the title, she will not have her maternal family to support her. Does she think she can live well? A married woman's husband's family's respect depends on her maternal family."
Madam Sun snorted and gritted her teeth, saying hatefully, "Now that she's climbed the social ladder, she's become arrogant. She looks down on her impoverished family and won't help them. A while ago, Ayu became friends with Princess Jingning, and she actually tried to steal her away, slandering Ayu and making Princess Jingning her friend."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang was both shocked and astonished. She had met Meng Jinyao before when she visited the Yongchang Marquis's residence. Although the girl was occasionally sarcastic, she was generally well-behaved and had not caused any trouble. Now that she was married, how dare she treat her family like this?
Thinking of this, Madam Yang carefully examined her sister-in-law again. Her sister-in-law had indeed become much more haggard, and even makeup could not hide her haggardness. She had also lost a lot of weight and looked older than her. She wondered if it was because of the dowry incident or because of the recent rumors that the Yongchang Marquis's mansion was haunted. Perhaps both were true.
Madam Yang pursed her lips: "I never expected her to do something like this. It seems she's really climbed the social ladder; she's become quite bold."
Sun said angrily, "That's right, they don't even respect their own family anymore."
Madam Yang's eyes flickered, and she asked again, "Sister, is the Earl's mansion really haunted? Did you really see a ghost?"
Sun's face stiffened as the chilling scene flashed through her mind, and a sudden wave of panic washed over her. However, she was unwilling to say more and answered evasively, "There was a commotion a while ago, but it's all over now. Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry."
Madam Yang nodded and comforted her, "That's good. Don't think too much about it, sister. No matter how arrogant she is, she's just a married woman without any backing. She'll eventually have to ask her family for help."
Sun agreed wholeheartedly. That little slut wouldn't be arrogant for long. She was young and beautiful now and could win the favor of Marquis Changxing, but in ten or eight years, when her youth was gone and she had no children, things might change. By then, Chengxing would have grown up and become successful, and that little slut would have to ask them for help. The humiliation she suffered now could be repaid in the future.
The two women, sister-in-law and aunt, talked for a while before returning to the flower hall.
As the sun grew stronger, the other women who had been admiring the flowers in the garden gradually returned to the flower hall.
Just then, a maid came running over to report: "Madam, the eldest young lady and her husband have arrived, and Young Master Gu has come along as well."
As soon as the maid finished speaking, all the women present were taken aback.
Is this a family of three visiting the wife's parents' home?
Lord Gu married the fiancée of the young master Gu, and now the family of three is so harmonious? Doesn't the young master Gu feel uncomfortable?
Madam Sun was also quite surprised. She hadn't expected Meng Jinyao to come back today. It was one thing for Marquis Gu to come back with her, but why did the young master Gu also come along?
Soon, Madam Sun composed herself and calmly instructed, "Quickly prepare tea."
In the front yard, Meng Dongyuan was flattered to learn that his daughter and her family of three had come. He hadn't expected his rebellious daughter to return today. Actually, it was good that his daughter was back; she could scold him if she had any complaints. He didn't really want to see his son-in-law; he felt pressured by him.
At this moment, a guest flattered, "Your eldest son-in-law and eldest daughter are so filial. Today is not a day off, yet your eldest son-in-law has come to celebrate your birthday. He must have taken a special day off to come."
Another guest said, "Indeed! Even Young Master Gu has come."
"Brother Meng is truly blessed."
Flattered by the guests, Meng Dongyuan, though unaware of the rebellious woman's intentions, felt elated and said with a smile, "Excuse me, everyone, I'll go take a look first."
The other guests who came today were basically betting on whether Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao would return. If they did, they might be able to build a relationship with them. They all followed him out to greet them.
It wouldn't be a loss of face for them to go along to greet the man, after all, Marquis Changxing was enjoying the emperor's favor and was ranked among the Nine Ministers. These people either held low-ranking official positions or couldn't even get an official position and were living off their parents' savings at home. It was only right for them to go out to greet him, and it would be an honor for them to be able to say a few words to Marquis Changxing, since they usually didn't have the opportunity to see him.
Meng Dongyuan had just stepped out of the front hall and hadn't gone far when he saw them. Meeting his son-in-law's indifferent gaze, his heart tightened, and he felt a little uneasy. The joy of being flattered earlier vanished instantly. If his son-in-law didn't give him face in front of the guests, he would lose face big time today.
Seeing her father and the guests behind him walking towards them, Meng Jinyao glanced at the man beside her and teased in a low voice, "My husband has quite the influence. I'm only here today because of him."
She was telling the truth. If she had come back alone, why would her father and stepmother have come to greet her personally? If she had to go to pay her respects herself, her father and stepmother would most likely have made things difficult for her in their conversation.
Gu Jingxi raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.
Meng Dongyuan braced himself and stepped forward, saying in a friendly tone, "Ayao, son-in-law, you've arrived."
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