SGEIRS -Chapter 193 Resentment Takes Root

Meng Jinyu was truly curious and asked cautiously, “Mother, what kind of fierce ghost is it that’s so powerful, haunting you every night?”

Madam Sun seemed to feel guilty. Every time she heard such questions, her heart would start racing. A trace of anger flashed in her eyes as she shot her daughter a look and scolded in a low voice, “You’re still a young girl—why are you asking about things like this? Your mother will handle it herself.”

Seeing her mother’s displeasure and unwillingness to say more, Meng Jinyu didn’t dare continue asking. She had brought it up two or three times before, but her mother had always been evasive. Even when her father asked, Madam Sun only said it was a female ghost and that it was too gloomy and terrifying to talk about.

Madam Sun changed the subject directly. “A-Yu, is there really no way for you to remain friends with Princess Jingning?”

At this, Meng Jinyu felt extremely wronged. “Princess Jingning is friends with Big Sister now. She doesn’t even want to see me anymore. Big Sister is already a marquis’s wife, yet she still has to steal my friend.”

Madam Sun frowned, her resentment toward her stepdaughter deepening. She lowered her eyes and sighed regretfully before advising, “Since the princess doesn’t want to see you, don’t go and annoy her. But when you’re outside, you must speak well of Meng Jinyao. Don’t say a single bad word about her.”

Meng Jinyu frowned in disbelief. “Mother, she doesn’t even give me a kind look. And I still have to praise her?”

Seeing her daughter’s lack of maturity—far inferior to that little wretch Meng Jinyao’s composure—Madam Sun’s headache worsened. She reminded her earnestly, “A-Yu, you’ll come of age next year, and your marriage hasn’t been settled yet. If outsiders see that you sisters get along well, it’ll make your prospects much easier.”

Only then did Meng Jinyu understand. Though unwilling, she nodded. “Mother, I understand.”

Madam Sun continued solemnly, “After you marry well, help support Chengxing. He’s your real brother. If he succeeds, he’ll back you up. When our Yongchang Marquis’s Residence regains its former glory, what will that rebellious girl Meng Jinyao amount to?”

As for the concubine-born Meng Chengzhang, she had never thought much of him. Even if he achieved something, he wouldn’t be of use to them. He and Meng Jinyao were cut from the same cloth.

Still, he could be controlled.

As the legal mother, his marriage would also be arranged by her. Her niece was the same age—thirteen this year. If Chengzhang showed promise, she could marry her niece to him. If not, she’d match him with someone from a minor family—an easy daughter-in-law to manipulate.

Meng Jinyu felt delighted at first, but soon her expression dimmed. She muttered, “But she’s still a marquis’s wife…”

She felt she wasn’t as lucky as Meng Jinyao, who had married a marquis or heir and become a marquis’s wife.

Madam Sun dismissed it casually. “Marquis Gu has a hidden illness and can’t consummate the marriage. She can’t bear children. A woman without children is like a hen that can’t lay eggs—thin-blessed and pitiful. Our A-Yu is fortunate. You’ll surely enjoy wealth and have many descendants.”

Hearing this, the gloom in Meng Jinyu’s heart finally disappeared.

Her future husband definitely wouldn’t be impotent. When she had children, she would flaunt them before Meng Jinyao. Just imagining Meng Jinyao’s sorrow at being childless made her happy.

Madam Sun said, “Alright, you may go back now. I’ll rest for a while.”

Meng Jinyu nodded. “Please rest well, Mother.”

After she left, Madam Sun sighed worriedly. “A-Yu is too simple-minded. Her scheming isn’t even half of Meng Jinyao’s. I don’t know if she’ll suffer after marriage.”

Nanny Qiao comforted her. “Madam, Second Miss is actually quite clever. It’s just that she dislikes the Eldest Miss, so she doesn’t think too deeply.”

Madam Sun thought it over and felt it made sense. She then instructed, “Prepare more calming incense for me. The previous batch didn’t work well—I still wake up in the middle of the night.”

If possible, she wished someone would knock her unconscious every night so she could sleep until dawn and not be awakened by ghosts.

Nanny Qiao’s eyes flickered. “I’ll add some tranquilizing herbs. Even the Old Madam found them effective.”

Madam Sun replied, “Mm.”

Seeing how much her mistress trusted her, Nanny Qiao felt somewhat guilty. But she had already betrayed her—there was no turning back. From now on, she could only be loyal to the Eldest Miss, or else that girl wouldn’t spare her.

On the surface, however, she still appeared devoted. She said worriedly, “Madam, I think Second Miss is right. Why not invite another master? Once that filthy thing is dealt with, you’ll be able to rest easy.”

Madam Sun shook her head. “Concubine Du has been dead for so long. Why would I fear her ghost? I’m fine. In a few days, I’ll go to the temple and get a consecrated talisman.”

Nanny Qiao remained silent.

People say that if you’ve done nothing wrong, you won’t fear ghosts at midnight. If Madam hadn’t plotted against the eldest young master back then, why would she fear Concubine Du’s spirit?

Fortunately, she hadn’t participated. Another maid had done the deed. Later, fearing loose ends, Madam indirectly caused that maid’s death during childbirth—killing both mother and child.

Soon, Meng Dongyuan entered.

Seeing her husband’s grim expression, Madam Sun moved over and sat beside him. He sat there with a dark face, clearly waiting for her to ask.

In the past, she would have shown concern immediately. But lately, she felt his heart had changed. He no longer cared when she looked exhausted. Before, even a sneeze would make him anxious.

The huge contrast bred resentment in her heart, so she simply kept silent.

After sitting for a while without hearing her ask anything, Meng Dongyuan felt something was wrong. Unable to hold back, he spoke first: “Do you know what gift that rebellious girl A-Yao sent me for my birthday? And how Gu Jingxi treated me?”

Madam Sun responded cooperatively, “I didn’t sleep well last night and have been busy all day. My head still hurts, so I haven’t checked the list. What did A-Yao send? And Gu Jingxi is your son-in-law—how could he mistreat you in front of guests?”

She first mentioned her condition, then asked her questions—hoping he would show her some concern. If he said even a few caring words, she was willing to forget their previous quarrel over that concubine she had sold off.

After speaking, she turned her head and looked at him expectantly.