SGEIRS -Chapter 186 She’s Become Capable Now

Madam Sun was busy entertaining guests and only after a long while did she manage to free up a little time.

Seizing the opportunity when she finally had a break, Madam Yang went up to her and chatted with her privately for a few words. Getting straight to the point, she said, “Younger sister, now that your eldest daughter has married into a good family and become a marquis’s wife, and I hear she’s quite favored by Marquis Gu, why don’t you let her help brother-in-law secure a real post at court?”

Madam Sun frowned slightly. She had thought about this too. Her husband only held a nominal position now, with low rank and little substance. If he could obtain a real post and slowly climb upward, it would also pave the way for their son’s future.

Seeing that she remained silent, Madam Yang continued, “Younger sister, do you have some difficulty you can’t talk about? Just tell your sister-in-law. Maybe I can help you think of a solution.”

How could Madam Sun not know what her elder sister-in-law was up to? She merely wanted to test the waters and then seek some benefits from Meng Jinyao. Since that was the case, she stopped pretending and said frankly, “She hates her natal family to the core now. It’s absolutely impossible for her to help us.”

“Because of her birth mother’s dowry?” Madam Yang glanced at her and frowned in reproach. “Younger sister, honestly, what were you thinking? Why did you withhold her birth mother’s dowry for no good reason? It’s bad enough that you embarrassed yourself, but you also drove her away from her natal family. That’s really not worth it.”

Hearing this, Madam Sun’s mood immediately soured. If she hadn’t had her in-laws’ tacit approval and constant hints to divert and use Madam Zhou’s dowry, would she have dared to touch it? Now all the benefits had gone to her in-laws, while she alone bore the blame and scorn.

Noticing her displeased expression, Madam Yang added, “No matter what, you’re still her elder. Arguing with elders is her fault. You and your husband are her parents—just say a few kind words to her and her anger will subside. Then explain things to her properly and don’t let her be willful.”

Madam Sun’s face darkened. She snorted softly and said, “Sister-in-law makes it sound easy. If she really cared about her natal family, she wouldn’t have refused to help Chengxing enter Lingshan Academy.”

Madam Yang was greatly shocked. “Chengxing is her younger brother! He’ll inherit the title in the future. If he doesn’t do well, who will support her later? Marquis Gu has a hidden illness and she can’t have children. When Marquis Gu grows old and the heir inherits the title, if she has no natal family to rely on, does she think she’ll live well? For a married woman, whether her husband’s family respects her depends on her natal family!”

Madam Sun snorted coldly and ground her teeth. “Now that she’s climbed a high branch, she’s grown capable. She looks down on her fallen natal family and won’t help us at all. Not long ago, A-Yu had become close to Princess Jingning, but she actually stole her connection, slandered A-Yu, and turned the princess into her own friend.”

Madam Yang was both shocked and stunned. When she had visited the Yongchang Marquis’s Residence before, she had seen Meng Jinyao. Though the girl sometimes spoke sharply, she had been fairly well-behaved and hadn’t caused trouble. Now that she was married, she dared to treat her natal family like this?

Thinking of this, Madam Yang carefully examined her sister-in-law. Madam Sun indeed looked much more haggard now. Even makeup couldn’t hide her weariness, and she had grown thinner too. She looked even older than Madam Yang herself. Who knew whether it was because of the dowry incident or the recent rumors about the residence being haunted—probably both.

Madam Yang pursed her lips. “I never thought she’d do something like this. Looks like after climbing high, her courage has grown.”

Madam Sun said resentfully, “Exactly. She doesn’t put her natal family in her eyes anymore.”

Madam Yang’s gaze flickered. “Younger sister, is it true that the residence is haunted? Did you really see a ghost?”

Madam Sun’s face stiffened. The terrifying scene flashed through her mind, and a wave of fear surged up. But she didn’t want to elaborate and replied vaguely, “There was some trouble before, but it’s fine now. Sister-in-law, don’t worry.”

Madam Yang nodded and comforted her. “That’s good. Don’t think too much. No matter how arrogant she is, she’s still just a married daughter without backing. One day, she’ll have to come begging her natal family.”

Madam Sun strongly agreed. That little bitch wouldn’t be arrogant for long. She was young and beautiful now and could please Marquis Changxing, but in ten or eight years, when her youth faded and she still had no children, things would be different. By then, Chengxing would have grown up and achieved something. She would have to rely on them. The humiliation she suffered now could be repaid later.

The sisters-in-law chatted as they returned to the main hall.

By then, the sunlight had grown stronger, and the other ladies who had been admiring flowers in the garden also returned one after another.

At that moment, a maid ran over to report, “Madam, the eldest young lady and eldest son-in-law have arrived. The Heir Gu has come with them as well.”

As soon as her voice fell, the ladies present were all stunned.

A family of three returning to the natal home?

Marquis Gu had married the heir’s fiancée—could the three of them still be so harmonious now? Didn’t the heir feel awkward at all?

Madam Sun was also surprised. She hadn’t expected Meng Jinyao to come back today. It was one thing for Marquis Gu to accompany her, but why did the heir come too?

She quickly collected herself and calmly instructed, “Go prepare tea.”

At the front courtyard, when Meng Dongyuan learned that his daughter’s family of three had arrived, he felt both flattered and surprised. He had never expected that rebellious daughter to return today. Actually, it was good enough that she came back—he could scold her however he liked. What he didn’t really want to see was his son-in-law. Facing such a son-in-law made him feel pressured.

At this time, a guest flattered him, “Your eldest son-in-law and daughter are truly filial. Today isn’t a rest day, yet he still came to celebrate your birthday. He must have taken leave specially.”

Another guest said, “Exactly. Even Heir Gu came.”

“Brother Meng is truly blessed.”

Being praised by the guests, Meng Dongyuan didn’t know what that rebellious daughter was up to, but he felt elated. Smiling, he said, “Everyone, please excuse me for a moment. I’ll go take a look.”

Most of the guests who came today were actually betting on whether Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao would return. If they did, perhaps they could build some connections. So now they all followed him out to greet them.

There was no loss of face in doing so. Marquis Changxing was in high imperial favor and ranked among the Nine Ministers. These people either held low posts or none at all and lived off their savings. Going out to greet him was only proper. Being able to exchange a few words with him was already an honor—they rarely even had the chance to see him.

Meng Dongyuan had just left the front hall and hadn’t gone far when he saw them. Meeting his son-in-law’s calm gaze, his heart tightened and unease rose. The joy from the earlier flattery vanished instantly. If his son-in-law embarrassed him in front of the guests, he would lose face badly today.

Seeing her father and the guests behind him walking toward them, Meng Jinyao glanced lightly at the man beside her and teased softly, “Husband, you really have great prestige. I’m benefiting from your light today.”

She was telling the truth. If she had returned alone, they wouldn’t have come out to greet her personally. At most, she would have gone in to pay her respects, and her father and stepmother would probably have made things difficult for her.

Gu Jingxi raised his brows slightly and neither confirmed nor denied it.

Meng Dongyuan braced himself and stepped forward, putting on a genial smile. “A-Yao, worthy son-in-law, you’re here.”