SGEIRS -Chapter 419 Dissatisfaction in the Heart

The next day.

Madam Dong brought along some nourishing supplements suitable for pregnant women and headed to the Changxing Marquis’s residence. On the way, she felt rather uneasy. She knew very well what attitude the eldest young lady had toward her natal family, yet she had no choice but to obey her mother-in-law’s instructions.

After arriving at the residence, Madam Dong first went to pay her respects to Old Madam Gu. Now that she had become the eldest young lady’s stepmother, she was of the same generation as Old Madam Gu—they were in-laws. Naturally, when visiting, she had to greet her first.

Before marrying Meng Dongyuan, someone of Old Madam Gu’s status was not someone she had much chance to meet. Her father had only been an old Hanlin scholar—his title sounded respectable, as he was considered part of the “upright faction,” but his official rank was low. Thus, her social circle had always consisted of families similar to her own. Even her former husband’s family had held no particularly high office. As for her current husband, it was only because of his eldest daughter’s connection—having the Marquis of Changxing as a son-in-law—that she now had opportunities to associate with such a household.

Even so, when she saw Old Madam Gu, Madam Dong did not appear timid. She greeted her calmly and gracefully.

“In-law.”

Old Madam Gu spoke with her warmly and politely. After learning her purpose and exchanging a few pleasantries, she sent her to Weirui Pavilion to see Meng Jinyao.

When Meng Jinyao heard that Madam Dong had arrived, she quickly instructed the maids to invite her in and prepare tea. Her father was her father, and her stepmother was her stepmother. It was her father who had wronged her, not this stepmother. There was no need to make things difficult for her. She would treat her politely for now; if the other party had ulterior motives, that would be another matter.

Meng Jinyao asked gently, “Mother, how did you find time to come today?”

Madam Dong understood that Meng Jinyao was only calling her “Mother” out of courtesy, and she did not dare take herself too seriously. She replied softly, “When we heard you were pregnant, your father, your grandmother, and I were all very happy for you. Your grandmother was worried that you might have severe reactions, so she specially asked me to come and see how you are doing.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao immediately understood the implication. Her grandmother had sent Madam Dong, and there must be other intentions as well. She said, “Thank you for your concern, Mother. The child has been very well-behaved and hasn’t troubled me at all. I don’t even have morning sickness. Did Father and Grandmother ask you to pass on any message?”

Madam Dong replied gently, “Yes. They asked me to tell you to take good care of yourself and focus on nourishing the baby.”

Meng Jinyao glanced at her and said, “I will. Please tell them not to worry.”

Madam Dong smiled and nodded. In truth, before going to bed the night before, her husband had asked her to persuade the eldest daughter properly—to stop being upset with her natal family elders and to interact more with them in the future so both families could support each other. But she was not foolish. Knowing the eldest daughter’s attitude, why would she deliberately offend her?

Having married into this troublesome Meng family, she asked for nothing more than peace—that the flames would not burn her. The second young master was kind-natured, so she treated him well. In the future, when she grew old, he might remember her kindness and be filial to her. As for the heir, he already treated her coldly, so she had no expectations of him ever being filial.

After a while, Madam Dong took the initiative to mention, “By the way, the second young lady’s marriage is almost settled. The future son-in-law’s surname is Deng. He’s from Yangzhou, and his family is in business. The Marquis thinks he’s handsome and talented, and intends to take him in as a live-in son-in-law.”

Meng Jinyao had already heard about this when she first returned to the capital, so she was not surprised.

Smiling faintly, she said, “If Father approves of him, then Young Master Deng must be an excellent person. Father dotes most on Second Sister, so he must have chosen her husband very carefully.”

Madam Dong smiled gently. Indeed, he had chosen carefully—he had chosen someone wealthy to make up for the family’s financial gaps. Young Master Deng likely also valued their status as a noble household. Marrying a legitimate daughter of an earl’s residence brought face, and he would also become connected by marriage to the Changxing Marquis’s family.

They chatted for nearly half an hour. Madam Dong did not say a single inappropriate word, and Meng Jinyao was satisfied with her sense of propriety. As noon approached, she invited her to stay for lunch.

After the meal, Madam Dong did not linger. Using household matters as an excuse, she took her leave.

After she left, Ningdong whispered, “Madam, the Marquis’s wife is quite cultured and well-mannered. I thought she might say something unpleasant.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly. “So far, she seems decent enough. It’s just a pity she married my father. Forget it. Let’s not talk about that. I’ll take a nap.”

Ningdong responded and followed her inside to make the bed.

Yongchang Marquis’s Residence

That evening, when Meng Dongyuan returned home, he asked about his wife’s visit to the Changxing Marquis’s residence.

Madam Dong replied truthfully, “Rest assured, Husband. Old Madam Gu was very kind, and the eldest young lady treated me with courtesy. Nothing like what you were worried about happened.”

Meng Dongyuan was astonished. “I didn’t expect that unfilial girl to know how to respect her elders.”

“Perhaps you’ve misunderstood her,” Madam Dong said. “The eldest young lady is gentle and polite. She didn’t say a single harsh word. Even our in-laws praised her as a good daughter-in-law.”

Not wanting him to pursue the topic further, she changed the subject. “It’s already autumn now. The children’s autumn clothes are ready—two new outfits for each of them.”

Meng Dongyuan laughed. “You don’t need to tell me about such small matters. Just have the servants deliver them.”

Madam Dong, now afraid of Meng Jinyu and Meng Chengxing complaining, explained carefully, “Chengzhang is studying at the academy. Besides two new outfits, we also need to send him an autumn quilt, some stationery, tea, refreshing incense, and some snacks. At first glance, it seems like he gets more than the two children at home, but those things are already supplied at home for them.”

Meng Dongyuan nodded in satisfaction. “You’re very thorough. Chengzhang rarely comes home from the academy. Give him some extra silver as well. It’s easier to handle things when he has money, and socializing with classmates costs money too. The students at Lingshan Academy are all quite talented. One of them might become successful in the future. Making more friends now will give him more paths later.”

Madam Dong agreed. She reflected that her husband used to favor the youngest son more, but after the examination results were released—when the youngest failed and the second son not only passed but ranked first—his favoritism had immediately shifted. Clearly, he favored whoever showed more promise.

However, her mother-in-law still doted most on the youngest grandson. After loving him for over ten years, she could not change overnight. Her affection for him was unaffected by Madam Sun. As for the youngest granddaughter, though influenced by Madam Sun, she still treated her better than the eldest granddaughter, showing more tolerance.

Meng Dongyuan returned to the earlier topic. “Wife, when you saw A-Yao today, did you persuade her properly not to stay angry with her natal family elders?”

Madam Dong’s expression stiffened slightly. Then she improvised an excuse. “Husband, when I visited her, our in-laws were present, so it wasn’t convenient to say such things. I didn’t get the chance to advise her.”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Meng Dongyuan’s eyes. Feeling dissatisfied, he reproached her, “Why didn’t you find an opportunity to speak to her privately? Forget it. We’ll host a family banquet another day and invite her back. I’ll talk to her myself.”

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. “Other people’s daughters stay close to their natal families after marriage. Only she never shares either good or bad things with us. Except when necessary, she doesn’t even step into our gate. What kind of behavior is that? If not for a friend congratulating me that day, I wouldn’t even have known I was about to become a grandfather.”