SGEIRS -Chapter 260 A Tragic Death on a Rainy Night

Madam Sun stared at the tightly shut gate, and in that instant, all hope drained from her heart.

She never would have imagined that her elder brother and sister-in-law would treat her this way. That very morning, they had still been kind and considerate, asking after her health and telling her to rest well. Yet by nightfall, they were speaking harshly to her, even threatening to sever all ties with her.

Over the years, she had never treated them poorly. She often supported them financially and helped whenever something happened in her natal family.

Not long ago, her sister-in-law had mentioned that Bojun’s wedding was approaching and that the family was short on money, worried they wouldn’t be able to hold a respectable ceremony. Though Madam Sun herself was struggling, and couldn’t openly take money from the Meng family’s communal funds without raising suspicion, she had secretly sold two sets of jewelry and a bracelet and given the silver to her sister-in-law.

Now that she was in trouble, her brother and sister-in-law had shut her out, tossing her a few dozen copper coins and a tael of broken silver as if giving alms.

After so many years, her sincere devotion had truly been fed to the dogs.

Staring at the scattered silver and copper coins in her hand, Madam Sun felt a sharp pain in her chest. She let out a hollow laugh. As she laughed, tears streamed down her face. She had cried countless times today, yet her heart only hurt more and more.

Humiliating herself in front of the guests had merely made her feel embarrassed. When her misdeeds were exposed, she had even felt somewhat relieved. Being divorced by Meng Dongyuan only made her realize she had misjudged people, filling her with endless regret.

But none of that compared to the pain of being shut out by the brother and sister-in-law she trusted most.

She had once believed her natal family was her final refuge, her safe harbor. Never had she expected that this harbor would refuse her entry and cast her out to face wind and rain alone.

A cold breeze swept over her. Soon, rain began to fall again. Though lighter than the earlier downpour, it carried a biting chill that seeped into her bones.

Slowly, Madam Sun stood up and looked up at the plaque above the gate, staring blankly at the two characters: Sun Residence. At some point, her fingers loosened, and the copper coins and silver tael fell to the ground with soft clinks.

Then, her gaze turned resolute and desperate.

Staring at the closed gate, she suddenly rushed forward, holding nothing but the determination to die. With all her strength, she slammed her temple against the metal door ring.

Her body slowly slid down, collapsing onto the ground. Blood spread across the earth.

Lying on the cold ground before her family’s gate, Madam Sun gazed at the dark sky as autumn rain pattered down. Her consciousness gradually faded.

In her daze, she seemed to see Madam Zhou and Concubine Du again. Their faces were twisted with hatred, their eyes glaring at her.

Suddenly, she felt no fear at all.

She murmured softly, “I’m sorry… please… please spare my chil—chil…”

Before she could finish the word “child,” a cold autumn wind swept by, carrying away her final breath.

The Next Day

What happened at Old Madam Meng’s birthday banquet at the Yongchang Marquis’s Residence spread throughout the capital overnight.

Everyone knew that Madam Sun was a vicious woman. She had admired the Yongchang Marquis, murdered his original wife, schemed her way into marrying him, and later plotted against his eldest son by a concubine.

The “haunting” at the residence months earlier was said to be the return of Madam Zhou and Concubine Du, seeking revenge. Even ritual masters couldn’t drive them away.

After being “entangled by ghosts” for months, Madam Sun had lost her sanity. When she saw Meng Jinyao, who resembled Madam Zhou, she immediately went mad.

Many people sympathized with Meng Jinyao. She had lost her mother at birth, her mother having been murdered by her stepmother. Her dowry had also been embezzled. If she hadn’t married into the Changxing Marquis’s household and gained powerful in-laws, she might never have recovered it.

Another major piece of news was that Madam Sun had been divorced.

A poisonous woman like her deserved it—otherwise she would only bring disaster to future generations.

Yet despite everything, the Yongchang Marquis had not sent her to the authorities, likely out of consideration for their two children. As one of the victims, Meng Jinyao had also refrained from reporting her, probably out of gratitude for years of upbringing.

People sighed: “What a kind-hearted girl. It’s just that her fate is too bitter.”

In the end, Madam Sun reaped what she sowed. After being sent back to the Sun family, she was scolded and disowned by her brother and sister-in-law. Homeless and disgraced, she plunged into despair and smashed her head to death before their gate.

Who dies at their own family’s door?

Many felt it was bad luck for the Sun family, but they had raised such a daughter. Poorly educated in youth, she grew up to harm others—even sparing not a two-year-old child.

As Madam Sun was cursed by the public, her daughter Meng Jinyu was also slandered. People wondered what kind of daughter a woman like that could raise. Who would dare marry such a girl?

Meng Chengxing, being a boy, suffered much less criticism.

Changxing Marquis’s Residence, Weirui Pavilion

Meng Jinyao had gone to bed late and woke up late as well. Though news of Madam Sun had spread everywhere, she still hadn’t heard about it.

When Chan’er learned that she was awake, she immediately reported everything she had observed while following and monitoring Madam Sun. She had not intervened when Madam Sun sought death, since her mistress hadn’t ordered her to save her—and she felt Madam Sun deserved it.

Meng Jinyao was stunned.

“What? Madam Sun committed suicide?”

Chan’er nodded. “Yes. Her brother and sister-in-law shut her out and severed ties with her. In despair, she smashed her head against their door ring and died.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent for a moment, then said calmly, “That’s fine. It saves me the trouble of reporting her. I originally planned to let her relatives torment her first, then hand her over to the authorities. Now it’s all unnecessary.”

Chan’er added, “Madam, do you know what people outside are saying about you?”

Meng Jinyao was slightly startled. “They’re not slandering me, are they?”

Chan’er paused, then laughed. “Of course not. They say you’re kind-hearted and compassionate, that you spared her out of gratitude for raising you. They say evil brings its own punishment, and those who deserve to die eventually will.”

Meng Jinyao was taken aback. Her expression turned subtle.

Kind-hearted?

In truth, she had been cruel.

She had wanted to destroy Madam Sun psychologically—to make her taste disgrace and abandonment—then send her to the authorities and take her life.

After a moment, she grew curious.

“Chan’er, are you like the heroes in storybooks, able to fly over rooftops and walls? Is that how you overheard their quarrel without being discovered?”

Chan’er replied honestly, “Yes, I can. Our marquis is also the Chief Justice. When he investigated cases, I worked as an informant. Rooftop skills were essential.”

Meng Jinyao nodded eagerly and looked at her with bright eyes.

“Then… can you show me later?”

Chan’er: “?”

Meeting her mistress’s expectant gaze, Chan’er nodded.

Alright. Making the mistress happy is also part of the job. And flying over rooftops is easy for me anyway.