SGEIRS -Chapter 194 A Stingy Family

However, Madam Sun was ultimately disappointed.

Meng Dongyuan subconsciously ignored the first part of what she had said and only focused on her question. He began rambling and complaining, his words full of resentment: “Originally, I wanted to have a proper talk with that son-in-law today. Who knew he would go off discussing academic matters with the younger generation right in front of the other guests? He even said he didn’t want to disturb us elders while we were chatting. At his age, what kind of learning can he discuss with a bunch of ten-year-old boys? I think he did it on purpose to avoid me.”

“And that unfilial daughter of mine—she only gave me one set of summer clothes and even claimed she made it herself. The fabric is passable, but the color is so dull. It’s something a man in his forties or fifties would wear. I even suspect she just bought it casually from a clothing shop to brush me off. There’s no sincerity at all. She couldn’t even bother to buy something suitable for my age.”

“Oh, and Gu Jingxi gave me a tea set. I thought it would be something valuable, but it turned out to be just an ordinary set—only a bit delicate-looking. Gu Xiuming was no better. He only gave me a longevity painting he wrote himself. Their birthday gifts weren’t even as good as what other guests gave. A dignified marquis’ household sending such things—how could they even bring themselves to do it? It’s like giving alms to a beggar. Luckily, I had the foresight not to show them to my relatives and friends.”

“Tell me, don’t they just not take me seriously at all? Is that why they’re humiliating me like this?”

After listening, Madam Sun’s expression grew complicated, and her heart felt stifled. She hadn’t expected her husband to care only about whether he was happy, without any concern for her health.

Still, she wasn’t surprised that Meng Jinyao’s family was so stingy. They didn’t give expensive gifts because they didn’t want to let her family profit from them. These three birthday presents were faultless on the surface—no one could really criticize them. If she and her husband complained outside, others would only mock them for being greedy.

Meng Dongyuan cursed in a low voice, “What an unfilial daughter. I raised her for so many years, and now that she’s married into a good family, she doesn’t even know how to honor her father. The three of them are all stingy. They’re deliberately slighting me. Truly, birds of a feather flock together!”

Madam Sun actually agreed with him in her heart. But since he was being so indifferent to her now, she didn’t want to please him. Instead of echoing him, she said: “Husband, don’t be angry. It’s the thought that counts. It’s still the child’s sincerity. How can we, as parents, be picky? As for our son-in-law, he’s right too. He’s a junior and should stay with people of his own generation.”

As soon as she said this, Meng Dongyuan was choked up. At first glance, her words sounded reasonable, but they grated on his ears.

Annoyed, he asked, “Madam, are you speaking for me, or for them?”

Madam Sun replied gently, “Husband, of course I’m on your side. Why argue with them? They’re juniors. As elders, we should be more broad-minded and not fuss over everything. A-Yao is still young—she’ll become sensible in the future.”

Hearing this, Meng Dongyuan felt as though his breath was stuck in his chest.

He looked at Madam Sun’s face, which had aged considerably. Fine wrinkles had appeared at the corners of her eyes. Her eye sockets were slightly sunken and tinged dark. Her complexion was pale, and even powder couldn’t hide her exhaustion. It was as if her vitality had been drained by some ghost.

Feeling unlucky, he thought to himself that he didn’t know what she had done to attract such haunting.

He said coolly, “You look very tired. Get some rest. I still have matters to attend to.”

Without waiting for her reply, he turned and left.

Watching him go just like that, Madam Sun felt extremely aggrieved. She couldn’t help complaining to Nanny Qiao: “Why did I fall for him back then? I even… for his sake…”

She stopped midway. The truth about Madam Zhou’s death was better known by as few people as possible. Although she trusted Nanny Qiao, she wouldn’t take the initiative to say it.

She only continued, “If I’d known it would turn out like this, I should have listened to my father. Back then, I thought marrying him was good enough. Who knew I’d still end up like this—beauty fading and love cooling.”

Before she married, her father had said Meng Dongyuan was mediocre and unlikely to achieve much in life. Apart from his hereditary title, he had nothing outstanding.

The man her father had chosen for her was the second-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, second only to the top scorer. He had already entered officialdom and had a bright future ahead.

But she only had eyes for Meng Dongyuan.

After Madam Zhou’s death, she married him as his second wife. More than ten years had passed since then. That former second-ranked scholar was now a fourth-rank official, while Meng Dongyuan only held an insignificant idle post. Indeed, his title was the only thing he could boast about.

She guessed that Madam Zhou’s father had chosen such a marriage for Madam Zhou for similar reasons. Without siblings to support her, marrying into an overly powerful family might have led to her being bullied. So he picked a relatively ordinary son-in-law who still had a title. Even if the family declined, they would remain nobility. Coupled with the generous dowry the Zhou family gave her, Madam Zhou’s life would at least be secure.

Hearing the regret in her tone, Nanny Qiao didn’t know how to judge. She could only comfort her: “Madam, the Second Miss and the heir are already grown. You should look forward. When the Second Miss marries well and the heir becomes successful in the future, everything will improve. No matter how favored a concubine is, she’s still beneath notice. If you don’t want them to bear children and trouble you, just have them drink contraceptive soup.”

Madam Sun knew she was right, but she still couldn’t quite accept it.

Ever since she started seeing ghosts, her husband’s attitude toward her had clearly changed. Before, everything had been fine.

Thinking carefully, she wasn’t even sure if it was her imagination. It seemed that not long after she lost her dowry, he stopped being as attentive to her.

Nanny Qiao changed the subject: “Madam, you mentioned earlier about going to a temple to seek an exorcism talisman. This servant thinks Lingyun Temple is quite good. When do you plan to go?”

After thinking for a moment, Madam Sun decided, “In two days. It’ll be the fifteenth, perfect for burning incense. We’ll stay there for two days as well. I don’t believe Concubine Du’s spirit would dare cause trouble in a temple.”

Nanny Qiao’s eyes flickered slightly. She replied respectfully, “Then this servant will make arrangements later. You’ve been tired all day. Why not take a nap first? I’ll wake you when it’s time for dinner.”

“No need. Let me sleep properly.”

After saying that, Madam Sun stood up, went into the inner room, and lay down without changing clothes. She was utterly exhausted and fell asleep soon after.

Seeing her asleep, Nanny Qiao left the room.

Night fell completely. The lamps burned brightly. By late night, the servants had all gone to rest. Madam Sun still hadn’t woken and was sleeping deeply, with no sign of waking soon.

Nanny Qiao stayed in the room on watch.

When she saw the young woman in white, with disheveled hair and a deathly pale face, standing there expressionlessly, she felt a chill down her spine. Swallowing nervously, she hurried over and whispered: “Miss Chan’er.”

Chan’er asked, “What is it, Nanny Qiao?”

Lowering her voice, Nanny Qiao replied, “Miss Chan’er, Madam will go to Lingyun Temple in two days and stay there for two days. Please inform the Eldest Miss and see if she has any other plans during this time, so I can cooperate.”

Chan’er nodded. “I’ll inform our Madam tomorrow. You may leave now.”