SGEIRS -Chapter 263 Xiuming’s Birth Mother

The sixth day of the tenth month.

Today was the wedding day of Gu Xuanling, the second young lady of the Changxing Marquis’s residence. The entire household was busy, lanterns and decorations filled the mansion, and distinguished guests crowded in. The atmosphere was joyous and festive. The grandeur of the occasion was second only to Gu Xuanyi’s wedding at the end of August.

After the incident involving Madam Sun, Meng Jinyao’s natal family, the Yongchang Marquis’s residence, had claimed illness and withdrawn from social activities, keeping their doors closed to visitors. Today, they did not come to attend the wedding banquet. Instead, they merely sent someone with a congratulatory gift.

When the guests saw that no one from the Yongchang Marquis’s residence was present, they did not need to guess the reason. A few days earlier, the Meng family had completely lost face. The main wife had plotted against the legal wife and even harmed a concubine’s son, yet the Meng family had been kept in the dark and knew nothing. If Madam Sun had not been possessed by “ghosts” and revealed everything in her delirium, the Meng family might never have found out. Having made such a huge fool of themselves, how could they dare attend a banquet now? Wouldn’t that be asking to be mocked? Sending gifts without showing their faces was the wisest choice.

Madam Chen noticed Madam Zhang entertaining another madam. She was slightly startled, then glanced at Meng Jinyao beside her. A subtle expression crossed her face. Feeling it necessary to remind her, she lowered her voice and said, “Third Sister-in-law, do you see that madam talking to Eldest Sister-in-law?”

Meng Jinyao followed her gaze and saw a woman in a blue dress, around her thirties, still graceful and charming. Her face looked somewhat familiar, yet Meng Jinyao was certain she had never met her before.

Curious, she asked, “Second Sister-in-law, that madam looks familiar. Whose wife is she?”

Madam Chen replied, “It’s normal for you to find her familiar. She is Madam Kong, Xiuming’s birth mother. She’s here today for Xuanling’s wedding. When Xuanyi got married last time, her own mother was ill, so she returned home to care for her and couldn’t come.”

Xiuming’s birth mother?

Meng Jinyao was stunned. She looked at Madam Kong again and examined her carefully. She realized that Gu Xiuming did resemble her somewhat. No wonder she had felt a sense of familiarity earlier.

Considering the looks of Gu Xiuming’s biological parents, his appearance resembled both his father and his mother. As for why he looked a little like Gu Jingxi, it was because Gu Jingze and Gu Jingxi were cousins.

At this moment, Madam Zhang and Madam Kong were walking toward them. Some of the other madams also recognized Madam Kong and subconsciously glanced at Meng Jinyao, a hint of anticipation in their eyes.

The birth mother and adoptive mother meeting for the first time—who knew what kind of sparks might fly? If the adoptive mother were ordinary, it would be nothing. The problem was that she had once been the Heir’s fiancée.

However, they were disappointed. No drama unfolded.

On second thought, it was only natural. They were all respectable people. Who would deliberately cause trouble at such a time? It would benefit no one.

Madam Kong smiled warmly and greeted Meng Jinyao as if nothing were amiss. She even praised her: “At your wedding, Third Sister-in-law, I was too far away to see you clearly. Now that I finally can, I can hardly take my eyes off you. You look like a fairy from the heavens—just looking at you makes people feel happy.”

Meng Jinyao could not gauge Madam Kong’s true attitude, but she was skilled at maintaining appearances. Smiling, she replied, “You flatter me, Sister-in-law. When I first saw you, I felt you were very kind and approachable. It makes one want to get close to you.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Meng Jinyao went off to greet other guests, and Madam Kong also turned to speak with others.

Although Madam Kong’s husband was only a county magistrate, she was still a member of the Gu family. Even as a branch member, she was Gu Xiuming’s birth mother. Many madams were still willing to give her some respect and chat with her.

When she was alone with Madam Chen, Meng Jinyao lowered her voice and asked, “Second Sister-in-law, what kind of person is this Madam Kong?”

Madam Chen glanced at Madam Kong in the distance and replied, “She’s very smooth and tactful, able to talk to anyone. Speaking with her feels like a spring breeze.”

Meng Jinyao asked again, “Then how is her relationship with Xiuming?”

Madam Chen withdrew her gaze and looked at Meng Jinyao.

“Third Sister-in-law, that’s not quite right,” she said.

Seeing Meng Jinyao’s confusion, she continued, “You are the one who is Xiuming’s mother.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly startled, then quickly understood and followed her words.

“Second Sister-in-law is right.”

Madam Chen went on, “Madam Kong is only his aunt by clan. Even if he sees her, he would just greet her formally and call her ‘Aunt.’”

From this, Meng Jinyao gained a basic understanding: on the surface, Gu Xiuming and Madam Kong were distant and not close. As for whether they were secretly close, who could really know?

Madam Chen said gently, “Third Sister-in-law, the wedding procession should be arriving soon. I’ll go check on Xuanling’s preparations.”

Meng Jinyao did not really want to keep exchanging empty pleasantries with guests—her face was almost stiff from smiling.

“I think Eldest Sister-in-law can handle things. I’ll go with you. I’d like to see the bride too,” she said.

Madam Chen nodded. “Then let’s go together.”

Meanwhile, Gu Xuanling had already finished her makeup and was sitting in her room, waiting.

As her elder cousin, Gu Xuanyi had to maintain appearances even though she disliked this concubine-born cousin. Together with other female relatives, she came to visit the bride, add to her dowry gifts, and offer a few words of blessing.

When Meng Jinyao and Madam Chen arrived, they saw a group of sisters chatting and laughing, smiles on their faces. Only the bride, teased by them, blushed deeply, lowered her head slightly, and smiled shyly.

When the younger generation saw them enter, they hurriedly stood up and bowed.

“Mother.”

Gu Xuanling also stood up, preparing to salute.

Seeing her in full bridal attire, Madam Chen quickly supported her lightly.

“That’s enough. No need for formalities. Sit down first.”

After sitting down, Madam Chen spoke with Gu Xuanling for a while, mostly advising her to assist her husband, raise her children, and be filial to her parents-in-law. If she ever suffered grievances, she should return home and tell her parents and brothers.

Watching the mother and daughter, Meng Jinyao suddenly felt a twinge of envy.

Although Madam Chen was not Gu Xuanling’s birth mother, it was clear that there was genuine affection between them. From the way Madam Chen had prepared her bridal attire, it was obvious that she treated this concubine-born daughter well. And in her eyes, there was also a trace of reluctance to part.

If her own mother had not been harmed by Madam Sun, she too would have grown up cherished by her mother. On her wedding day, her mother would have gently advised her as well.

Unfortunately, her bond with her mother was shallow. She had never seen her mother, and her mother had never seen her.

When she married, Gu Xiuming had fled from the wedding. The Gu family had sent a rooster in his place, claiming he was ill and unable to come. Yet how could her father and Madam Sun care? As long as the marriage was not canceled or delayed, that was enough.

They treated her as merchandise for exchange, impatiently stuffing her into the bridal sedan.

Before she even boarded it, they reminded her not to forget the Meng family’s “kindness in raising her” and to firmly win over the Gu family for their benefit.

From beginning to end, they never cared about her feelings. They only cared about whether she could bring advantages to her natal family.