SGEIRS -Chapter 133 A Loyal Lapdog

Leaning against the window, Meng Jinyao watched as Li Cheng limped out of the teahouse. A meaningful smile curved her lips.

Ningdong stepped closer and glanced down at Li Cheng on the street. “Madam, earlier you seemed rather uninterested in Steward Li. I thought you were going to abandon him as a chess piece.”

Meng Jinyao shook her head slightly. She had spent so much time, money, and effort setting a trap to secure this piece—how could she give him up so easily?

Smiling, she said, “If you’re going to put on a show, you must act it through. Nanny Qiao is a clever person.”

Ningdong asked doubtfully, “But will Nanny Qiao betray Madam Sun for Steward Li’s sake?”

Half-closing her eyes, Meng Jinyao replied softly, “A master is important, but one’s only son is just as important. There are many who betray their masters for their own flesh and blood. Nanny Qiao might become one of them.”

Ningdong nodded. “That’s true. Madam Sun once showed her kindness, but Nanny Qiao also saved her before. That debt has already been repaid.”

Watching Li Cheng disappear around the corner—heading in the direction of Marquis Yongchang’s residence—Meng Jinyao withdrew her gaze and said calmly, “Lin Rui should be back by now. Let’s go to the Zhou residence.”

The mistress and her two maids left the teahouse and headed for the Zhou family home.

The Zhou family’s only daughter had died in childbirth, leaving no sons or nephews. After Old Master Zhou passed away, the residence was often closed, with few visitors. Apart from the occasional visit from his only granddaughter, Meng Jinyao, it was largely deserted.

Ningdong stepped forward and knocked.

Before long, an elderly servant in plain clothes, with graying hair and kind features, opened the door.

He was Lin Rui’s grandfather, Elder Lin, who had served the Zhou family for decades.

Seeing Meng Jinyao, his face immediately lit up. “Young Miss, you’re back! Please, come in.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly and greeted him, “Uncle Lin,” before entering.

He asked warmly, “Young Miss, have you had lunch yet?”

“Yes, I have,” she replied.

In truth, she hadn’t. They had only eaten some pastries on the way. With so few servants left in the Zhou residence and strict limits on daily provisions, an unexpected visit meant extra trouble. Rather than inconvenience them, she planned to finish her business and eat at a restaurant later.

After a moment, she asked, “Uncle Lin, has Lin Rui returned?”

“He just came back not long ago,” Elder Lin replied. “Do you need him for something?”

“Yes, I have a small matter for him,” she said.

Elder Lin asked no further questions. He led her to the reception hall and went to fetch his grandson.

Soon, Lin Rui arrived with his grandfather. He respectfully bowed to Meng Jinyao. Elder Lin then excused himself, knowing he couldn’t help with serious matters.

Lin Rui asked, “What instructions does Young Miss have?”

“You did very well today,” Meng Jinyao said first, affirming him. Then she added, “Lin Dashan was badly injured while helping a friend divert the gambling house’s enforcers. He needs time to recover and won’t be able to appear in public for a while.”

Lin Rui paused, then nodded. “Please rest assured, Young Miss. Unless you instruct me otherwise, I won’t appear before Li Cheng again. When I do, it will be as the ‘fully recovered Lin Dashan.’”

Satisfied, Meng Jinyao smiled. “Can you read?”

“I know a few characters,” he answered modestly.

“Can you do accounts?”

“Yes. My grandfather taught me.”

After thinking for a moment, she asked, “I need a new steward for my estate outside the capital. Would you be willing to go?”

Over time, she had found Lin Rui capable. One of her mother’s dowry estates needed a new manager, and he was a perfect fit.

First, he was competent.

Second, he was trustworthy. The estate had excellent profits, and she didn’t worry about him falsifying accounts.

For years, Madam Sun had controlled her mother’s properties. The original stewards had long been replaced by Madam Sun’s people—either those she trained herself or those who had betrayed their loyalty.

Now that Meng Jinyao had reclaimed control, those people naturally had to be removed. But replacing them all at once was difficult. For now, she could only dismiss the most troublesome ones and slowly evaluate the rest.

Lin Rui was stunned by this sudden opportunity. Being promoted directly to estate steward meant she truly valued him. Compared with struggling outside, working under his mistress was far better.

He accepted without hesitation. “I won’t disappoint you. I’ll manage the estate well.”

“Rest and recover first,” Meng Jinyao said. “Go after you’re healed.”

“Yes,” he replied respectfully.

He understood that showing himself now would be dangerous. Moreover, she still needed time to remove the old steward.

“I’ll be going now,” she added. “Ningdong will inform you when it’s time.”

Lin Rui saw them off at the gate.

After leaving the Zhou residence, Meng Jinyao, Qingqiu, and Ningdong found a nearby restaurant, ate lunch, and returned home.

Back at the Marquis of Changxing’s residence, she wrote a letter and summoned a servant. She instructed him to deliver the summer clothes, stationery, and snacks she had bought for Meng Chengzhang to Lingshan Academy. One set of stationery was for Gu Xiuwen as well—since he looked after her brother, it was only proper to show appreciation.

After finishing all this, she finally felt tired. Just as she was about to take a nap, Madam Zhang came to chat.

Since Gu Xiuwen had entered Lingshan Academy through Gu Jingxi’s connections, Madam Zhang had misunderstood, thinking her son might be adopted into the Third Branch. As a result, she had become especially friendly toward Meng Jinyao and often visited her.

Meng Jinyao patiently chatted with her and learned various bits of gossip about different families. By the time Madam Zhang left, it was already evening.

Gu Jingxi had returned from work. Entering the room, he saw his young wife looking tired, yet smiling like a crafty little fox.

Amused, he asked, “Madam seems very happy today?”

Meng Jinyao looked up at him. The man in his crimson official robes was walking toward her.

“I’ve been casting bait for so long,” she replied. “Now the fish has taken it. You could also say I’ve lured in a dog. Of course I’m happy.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Which dog?”

She didn’t hide it. “My stepmother Madam Sun’s loyal lapdog.”

Gu Jingxi looked at her in surprise and warned, “Then be careful. Dogs bite. They can turn on their masters—and on you.”

She froze for a moment, then smiled. “Don’t worry, husband. I’ve already seized his weakness. He won’t dare rebel.”