SGEIRS -Chapter 228 Being Ignored

One of the ladies cast a glance at Meng Jinyu. Seeing her sweet smile and charming demeanor, she couldn’t quite tell how Madam Gu truly felt about this younger sister, so she smiled and said, “Madam Gu, your younger sister is truly lovely.”

Another lady chimed in, “Yes, she’s so pleasant to look at.”

Meng Jinyu shyly smiled in response. “You ladies flatter me.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at Meng Jinyu lightly, her smile unchanging. “Mother was a beauty in her youth. My second younger sister resembles her so much that even Father says she’s like Mother carved from the same mold. I think she’s extremely like Mother, especially these past two years—she’s grown even more so.”

Who present wasn’t perceptive?

Hearing Meng Jinyao bring up the stepmother Sun, they could roughly guess her true feelings toward this younger sister. A sister who resembled a disliked stepmother? Of course she wouldn’t be fond of her.

The ladies, having measured the situation, now knew how to treat Meng Jinyu. After complimenting her appearance a couple of times, they subtly changed the subject and spoke to Meng Jinyao about other matters. No one brought the conversation back to Meng Jinyu.

As for the topics they discussed, Meng Jinyu, a young unmarried girl, had no way to join in. She sat by Meng Jinyao like an invisible presence.

Seeing Meng Jinyao laughing and conversing with them without dragging the topic to her, the other ladies realized they had acted correctly—these two sisters were truly not on good terms.

Meng Jinyu stayed by Meng Jinyao’s side, unable to leave but feeling awkward staying. She wanted to speak several times but couldn’t find the opening. Watching Meng Jinyao talk happily with the ladies, completely ignoring her existence, she felt frustrated. Yet she didn’t dare show any dissatisfaction in front of the ladies and could only sit prettily, like a decorative flower.

Meng Jinyao spoke warmly, “Judging by the time, the wedding procession should be arriving soon. My eldest sister-in-law is busy now and can’t step away, so I should go check on the bride and see how preparations are going.”

The guests, understanding, said, “Then Madam Gu should attend to your matters first.”

Meng Jinyao stood and nodded lightly to the ladies. “Ladies, I’ll take my leave first.” She then turned to Meng Jinyu. “Second younger sister, I have matters to attend to. You go accompany Mother.”

Meng Jinyu quietly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Eldest sister, you go first. I’ll find Mother.” Saying so, she rose from her seat to go find Madam Sun.

Over there, Madam Sun was being subtly isolated by the other guests. She didn’t have the energy to flatter them in conversation.

Ever since she had visited the Hall of Rebirth at Lingyun Temple and offered incense to that woman, her sleep had improved, and she hadn’t seen ghosts recently. But her previous lack of rest had damaged her health, leaving her weak. Coming to this wedding banquet was primarily for the children—to let them meet some influential people.

Seeing her daughter approach listlessly, she gently asked, “A-Yu, what’s the matter?”

Meng Jinyu’s face was full of grievance and resentment. “Mother, those ladies didn’t even look at me, nor did they speak to me. Meng Jinyao didn’t introduce them to me at all. I sat there the whole time like an invisible person.”

Her hopes dashed, Madam Sun furrowed her brow. “You smiled and greeted them, and yet she deliberately ignored you? That’s not like her.”

Meng Jinyu explained truthfully, “She only let me pay respects to the ladies. They initially said I was pretty, and then she added that I resemble you. After that, there was nothing more. I couldn’t join their conversation.”

Hearing this, Madam Sun paused but quickly understood. Her face darkened as she cursed inwardly: This little schemer is becoming even more calculating.

Meng Jinyu looked around at the lively scene, feeling out of place with her mother. She pouted in frustration. “Mother, this isn’t a wedding banquet—it’s a place to be scorned. She deliberately left our family aside.”

Madam Sun, however, remained calm and said gently, “If that’s the case, we won’t force it. Your father and Chengxing can also use the banquet to meet some people. Even if they don’t meet anyone influential, the protocol at the Yongchang Bo residence has been properly observed today, which salvages some of our reputation.”

Meng Jinyu, still indignant, said, “Mother, you are the elder, and she is the younger. Treating you like this is unfilial. Only your kindness allows her to get away with it.”

Madam Sun straightened her face and spoke firmly, “A-Yu, be careful with your words. I’ve told you before, when you marry, your reputation must be flawless. You are sisters. No matter how she acts, outside you should only speak well of her. Maintain appearances fully. That way, no one can say anything against you. If anyone does, it will only be about her—claiming she is unkind to her sister, while the younger sister defends her publicly.”

Meng Jinyu dared not contradict her mother and nodded quickly. “Don’t worry, Mother. I have always followed what you said. I’ve never spoken ill of her outside.”

Not long after, the sounds of fanfare and drums announced the arrival of the wedding procession.

Several dozen people from the Wu’an Bo residence came to escort the bride. The Gu sons stopped the groom outside the gate, requiring the Wu’an Bo heir to compose a “makeup-poem” to celebrate. The poem had to receive applause before the groom could enter to fetch the bride. Many guests went to watch the spectacle.

It was a joyous day. Making it difficult for the groom was only for fun—they allowed the heir to create three such poems before letting him enter to take the bride.

Gu Xuanyi was carried out by her eldest brother, Gu Xiuyuan, to the floral bridge, while Second Master Gu Jingsong, as the elder escort, followed to see her off.

The wedding procession departed amid the fanfare, drums, and cymbals, returning in a grand parade to the Wu’an Bo residence.

At the banquet, cups clinked and toasts were exchanged. Guests congratulated the hosts in turns. After several rounds of wine and numerous dishes, the celebration gradually quieted.

When the banquet ended, many guests, already drunk, were assisted out by servants. The men of the household escorted male guests; the women escorted female guests. For guests coming from afar, rooms were arranged for overnight stays. Everyone was busy.

Meng Jinyao was exhausted, having attended to numerous female guests and even had a little wine. Her head felt heavy, but she still had to stay alert to see guests off.

After seeing off the last guest, Meng Jinyao asked Madam Zhang if she needed any assistance.

Madam Zhang, equally tired, thought to delegate and rest herself—letting Meng Jinyao direct the servants to tidy up and send items to staying guests.

But seeing Meng Jinyao’s weary face, Madam Zhang couldn’t really ask her to help. This girl was her younger brother-in-law’s beloved, after all. So she gently said, “There’s nothing more. Third Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard today. Go rest first.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao left to rest.

On the way, she saw Gu Jingxi speaking with a man who looked about thirty. He appeared gentle and refined, with features somewhat resembling Gu Jingxi.