SGEIRS -Chapter 34 Sowing Discord

The Changxing Marquis’s residence occupied a much larger area than the Yongchang Marquis’s estate. With carved beams and painted rafters, pavilions and terraces, bridges over flowing streams, it had everything one could imagine. Its prosperity was far beyond what the now-declining Yongchang Marquis’s residence could compare to. The latter could only rely on its ancestral foundations to maintain a superficial sense of dignity.

Meng Jinyao strolled through this grand estate where, barring any accidents, she would likely spend the rest of her life. Aside from the main branch, the second branch, and Old Madam Gu’s Shou’an Hall, she had more or less toured the rest, familiarizing herself with the surroundings.

After coming down from a small bridge, Meng Jinyao saw Madam Zhang approaching from the opposite direction. She paused slightly, then walked toward her and greeted gently, “Sister-in-law.”

Madam Zhang had actually noticed her wandering about with two maids from afar and had deliberately come over. She nodded lightly and asked, “It’s spring now, and the flowers in the courtyard are in full bloom. Third Sister-in-law, are you here to admire them as well?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “I had some free time, so I came to look around and get familiar with the residence. Since I passed by the garden, I stopped to enjoy the flowers.”

“Then I’ll accompany you for a walk,” Madam Zhang said.

As they walked together, Madam Zhang glanced at her and, after a few steps, asked casually, “I heard that Xiuming had a high fever last night that wouldn’t go down. You even went to see him this morning?”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao paused slightly and instantly understood Madam Zhang’s intention in accompanying her. Going along with it, she replied, “When one’s child is ill, how can a mother be at ease? I went to check on his condition. Fortunately, it wasn’t serious.”

Madam Zhang sighed with emotion. “Third Sister-in-law, you truly have the heart of a bodhisattva. Xiuming treated you like that, yet you don’t hold a grudge. That’s really rare.”

Meng Jinyao curved her lips into a faint smile and said softly, “Sister-in-law is also a mother. You should understand—what mother would hold things against her own child?”

Madam Zhang was momentarily speechless. She quietly observed Meng Jinyao and saw her gentle brows, warm smile, and calm expression, with not the slightest hint of abnormality. She truly looked like a kind mother who wouldn’t quarrel with her child.

Her composure was even steadier than expected. Clearly harboring resentment toward Gu Xiuming, and being younger than him, she could still pretend to be a loving mother. But how long could she keep up this act? Given Gu Xiuming’s temperament, no matter how well she pretended, this awkward mother-son pair would eventually clash.

Thinking this, Madam Zhang sighed softly and continued, “That child Xiuming has been spoiled into being willful and stubborn. Once he makes up his mind, it’s hard to change it. You’ve really suffered, Third Sister-in-law.”

Made up his mind?

Was she referring to that Miss Wan’er?

Meng Jinyao pretended not to understand the provocation and replied calmly, “It’s understandable. My husband is busy with official duties and neglected his discipline. After being adopted here, he lacked maternal guidance. Now that he has a mother, I’ll teach him properly.”

Madam Zhang sneered inwardly, finding her hypocritical, but outwardly she went along with it. “With Third Sister-in-law patiently teaching him, Xiuming will surely get better and better. By the way, Third Brother just got married and should be on marital leave. Why didn’t he accompany you to familiarize yourself with the residence?”

“He still had matters to attend to. After lunch, he left the residence,” Meng Jinyao replied honestly, without hiding anything. After all, Madam Zhang managed the household accounts—even her visit to the ancestral hall that morning was known. Gu Jingxi’s departure could easily be found out by asking the gatekeeper.

Hearing this, Madam Zhang frowned slightly and felt indignant on Meng Jinyao’s behalf. “Third Brother is really too much. He…” She stopped halfway, looked at Meng Jinyao’s fairy-like face, sighed regretfully, and changed the topic. “This marriage already wronged you, yet he still throws himself into his work and doesn’t even spend more time with you to make up for it.”

Meng Jinyao said considerately, “My husband is an important official at court and naturally very busy. How could he always stay in the inner quarters to accompany me, a mere woman?”

At these words, Madam Zhang thought of her own useless husband, who only held a sinecure thanks to family connections. After so many years, he had achieved nothing. Though Third Brother enjoyed imperial favor, he never helped his elder brother secure a better future, leaving her husband stuck in a low-ranking post without real authority.

For years, he had been idle, merely showing up at the office and spending the rest of his time either socializing or staying at home. In earlier years, he still kept her company, but now that she was no longer young and beautiful, he spent his time in the rooms of those seductive concubines. Fortunately, she kept a tight rein and never let any illegitimate children appear to disgust her.

After a moment, Madam Zhang forced a smile. “Third Sister-in-law is truly understanding. Third Brother is blessed to have married someone like you.”

Meng Jinyao smiled in return. “Eldest Brother is also fortunate to have married such a virtuous and capable wife. Who in the capital doesn’t know that Sister-in-law manages the household excellently?”

Hearing this, alarm bells rang in Madam Zhang’s heart. She instinctively glanced at Meng Jinyao.

She saw her smiling softly. A spring breeze brushed past, loosening a strand of hair at her temple. She raised her hand to tuck it behind her ear. As she lifted her arm, her sleeve fell back, revealing a smooth, fair wrist. Around it was a jade-green bracelet, its lustrous color making her slender hand appear even whiter.

Madam Zhang’s sense of crisis intensified.

That bracelet was priceless, an heirloom passed down through generations of the Gu family and a symbol of the principal mistress. Were Meng Jinyao’s words and this seemingly casual gesture a subtle reminder that she should hand over control of the household finances?

That would not do.

The second brother was at least a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Rites. Even if his wife didn’t help manage the household, it wouldn’t matter much. But her husband was different—the most incompetent among the three brothers. If the main branch lost control of household affairs, how would they have any standing in the residence?

In a split second, Madam Zhang’s thoughts raced. Finally, she decided to retreat in order to advance.

“Speaking of managing the household,” she said, “it was only because Third Brother hadn’t married before that the household affairs fell into my hands. I managed them on his behalf. Now that Third Brother is married, it’s only right that they be handed over to Third Sister-in-law.”

Meng Jinyao was slightly stunned. Often, the speaker has no such intention, but the listener reads into it.

She hadn’t meant anything else by her words, yet Madam Zhang had overthought them. Smiling, she said, “I’m still young and afraid I can’t handle it well. Sister-in-law has rich experience in managing the household. It’s only right that you continue.”

Madam Zhang saw her bright, sincere smile, without the slightest hint of deceit, and secretly thought: She really knows how to endure. She must clearly want it in her heart, yet pretends to decline, hoping I’ll persuade her again so she can accept it with peace of mind.

But she wouldn’t indulge her.

With apparent reluctance, she said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll continue managing things for you for now. When you’re older, I’ll return it to you.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Then I’ll have to trouble Sister-in-law further.”

Seeing that Meng Jinyao was still smiling, Madam Zhang frowned imperceptibly.

She was even harder to deal with than expected—like a cunning fox, flawless and airtight, leaving no mistakes to seize upon.

She replied gently, “Of course. Why be so polite with your elder sister-in-law?”