SGEIRS -Chapter 429 Schadenfreude

The news that Mei Qingyun—once known as the most beautiful woman in the capital, gifted in both talent and appearance—had been divorced and cast aside spread through the capital within just a few days.

Although she had returned quietly and never gone out after coming back, rumors still circulated. Once people began whispering in private, the news quickly spread throughout the city.

Back then, Mei Qingyun had been regarded as the model of a noble young lady in the capital. She was stunningly beautiful, gentle in temperament, and extraordinarily talented. She was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even the Empress Dowager had praised her zither skills.

Countless sons of noble families admired her, while many young ladies envied and resented her.

When she had become engaged to Gu Jingxi—hailed as the capital’s most handsome man—people were both envious and heartbroken. Many young men and women had their hearts shattered.

Yet seeing two people so perfectly matched in talent and appearance, most accepted it. After all, no one could deny that they were made for each other.

Later, Gu Jingxi met with misfortune, and the Mei family broke off the engagement.

At that time, no respectable young lady was willing to marry Gu Jingxi anymore.

But Mei Qingyun still had countless suitors. Matchmakers nearly wore down the threshold of the Mei residence.

In the end, however, she married Wei Heng.

Many young noblemen were unwilling to accept this.

“What right does Wei Heng have? Just because he’s a bit handsome? Can he compare to Gu Jingxi?”

Not long after, Wei Heng passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi.

Everyone fell silent.

At only nineteen, he had already achieved jinshi status. Though he couldn’t compare to Gu Jingxi, who had topped the exam at fifteen or sixteen, he was still an outstanding young man.

Old Master Mei had truly shown discernment in choosing a talented husband for his daughter.

Soon after marriage, Mei Qingyun followed her husband to his post. Gradually, people stopped paying attention to her.

The next time she became the focus of attention was now.

After more than ten years of marriage without children, she had been divorced and sent away by her husband’s family. She returned from Huzhou in disgrace, too ashamed to even step outside.

The young ladies who had once been overshadowed by her now learned of her downfall and secretly spread malicious gossip, full of schadenfreude.

Some people said privately:

“What’s the use of being beautiful? What’s the use of being talented? If a woman can’t bear children and continue her husband’s lineage, she’s no different from a hen that can’t lay eggs.”

Others said:

“Back then, the Mei family looked down on Marquis Gu because he was injured. Now their own daughter can’t have children and gets divorced. More than ten years later, Marquis Gu has been cured by Physician Wen, while she is cast aside. If she had married him back then, she wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

The men who had once admired her felt secretly relieved.

They were glad the Mei family had rejected their proposals. Otherwise, marrying a woman who couldn’t bear children would have been troublesome.

Some men, however, saw this as an opportunity.

The girl they had admired in their youth was now divorced, nearing thirty, and unable to conceive. Remarrying would be difficult for her.

If she still retained some charm, why not take her as a concubine?

Just imagining that the woman they had once longed to cherish for life—who had never spared them a glance—was now abandoned and might become their concubine gave them an indescribable thrill, as if they had finally avenged past humiliation.

Indeed, some men from families far more powerful than the current Mei family seriously considered sending matchmakers to propose taking Mei Qingyun as a concubine.

Meng Jinyao rarely went out. That day, she decided to stroll around.

While resting in a teahouse, she heard people discussing Mei Qingyun’s divorce. Some felt pity for her, others slandered her, and many mocked her misfortune.

Meng Jinyao took a sip of tea and shook her head slightly.

If they knew the truth, they would understand that Mei Qingyun had not been abandoned. Rather, it was because Lord Wei loved her that he used a letter of divorce to protect her.

The noisy gossip annoyed her. Before even finishing a cup of tea, she left the teahouse.

Her maids and matrons followed closely. Ningdong stayed behind to settle the bill.

In the past, when Meng Jinyao went out, she kept a low profile—usually just with a driver and a maid. The Gu family carriage alone was enough to deter troublemakers.

But now it was different.

She was pregnant, and the child had come with difficulty. Her family would never allow her to go out without heavy protection.

Chan’er, skilled in martial arts, followed half a step behind her. Qingqiu and Ningdong walked beside her.

Behind them were two second-class maids, two matrons, and six guards trained in combat. No one could easily approach her.

A young, beautiful married woman going out with over a dozen attendants naturally attracted attention.

Even Meng Jinyao felt uncomfortable.

She whispered to Qingqiu, “I think I should go out less in the future. With such a display, I don’t feel at ease.”

Qingqiu replied, “Madam, when the Marquis returns and accompanies you, there won’t be a need for this.”

Meng Jinyao sighed. “I wonder if he’ll be back by winter.”

Qingqiu couldn’t answer for sure. “He’ll definitely be back before the New Year.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Before the New Year should be possible. He said it would take at least two or three months, at most nearly half a year. We’ve walked enough—let’s go home.”

She walked toward the carriage of the Changxing Marquis’ residence.

A lady who had just come out of a cosmetics shop whispered to her companion, “Whose daughter-in-law is that? Such a grand entourage.”

The other woman glanced at the carriage emblem.

“It’s from the Changxing Marquis’ residence. That should be the Marquis’ wife. The eldest branch’s daughter-in-law wouldn’t have such pomp.”

The first woman frowned. “So ostentatious. She brought so many people just to go out, yet no one is even carrying purchases.”

Her companion smiled. “Madam Gu is carrying the grandson that Old Madam Gu has long awaited. Of course she needs attendants and guards. What if something happens?”

Suddenly, the first woman thought of Mei Qingyun.

She laughed. “The Mei family broke off the engagement back then. Now Mei Qingyun is divorced for being childless, while the Marquis has a wife and child. What do you think she feels now?”

“Regret. What else could it be?”

The other woman shook her head.

“Still, the Mei family’s decision was understandable. Who would marry a man who couldn’t perform? Back then, their family was well-off, and Mei Qingyun was outstanding. How could she marry such a man? Who knew things would turn out like this?”

The first woman chuckled maliciously.

“She was so proud back then. Now, at her age, she’s despised for being infertile and sent home with one letter. I wonder if she can still be arrogant.”

“She probably can’t,” the other replied. “She’s too ashamed to go out or receive guests.”

The first woman smiled even wider. “In a while, I’ll host a banquet and send her an invitation. Let’s see if she dares to come.”

Her companion sighed. “You still hold a grudge after all these years?”

Her smile stiffened.

Though she had married her cousin as she wished, his favored concubine resembled Mei Qingyun and was talented as well.

That proved he had never truly forgotten Mei Qingyun.

How could she not hate her?