SGEIRS -Chapter 526 Stepmother Zhao

“The bride has arrived.”

Suddenly, the atmosphere ahead became lively. The guests all gathered toward the front, preparing for the ceremony.

Meng Jinyao followed the guests to the front hall to watch.

Soon, the couple appeared, each holding an end of a red silk ribbon, walking slowly forward. The bride wore a red veil, obscuring her face. The groom, however, could see her clearly. On this joyous day, the groom’s face showed little happiness, and the guests had varying thoughts about this.

Old Madam Meng sat in the high hall. Seeing her son’s expressionless face, she felt irritated. At a time like this, was he still thinking about Madam Dong? She shot him a warning glance.

Meng Dongyuan lowered his eyes and forced a faint smile.

The matchmaker didn’t care about the groom’s expression. Once the auspicious hour arrived, the ritual had to proceed. She called out loudly, “Bow to Heaven and Earth!”

Meng Dongyuan mechanically performed the wedding ritual with Madam Zhao.

Meng Jinyao whispered to her husband, “He doesn’t want to marry but dares not resist. Now that he’s married anyway, who is he putting on that face for? In the end, it still embarrasses the Meng family.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Because he’s unwilling. He can’t face it with a smile. This is his way of showing dissatisfaction with a marriage arranged by his elders.”

Meng Jinyao said, “He really is pathetic.”

After the ceremony, the newlyweds were led to the bridal chamber. Many female relatives followed to see the bride, curious about how Meng Dongyuan’s new wife looked. Meng Jinyao and Meng Jinyu also went along.

Meng Dongyuan picked up the ceremonial scale and lifted the bride’s red veil. All eyes fell on her. When the veil was lifted, everyone scrutinized the bride’s face.

Meng Jinyao studied Madam Zhao carefully. She wore a red wedding gown and was reasonably attractive. Although over thirty, she was still well-preserved. Her oval face retained charm. At first glance, she appeared meek and gentle. But when she lifted her eyes, Meng Jinyao noticed the slight upward tilt at the corners, revealing a sharpness—she seemed clever and not easy to provoke. That was good; a pushover in the Meng family would not last long.

It was also Meng Dongyuan’s first time seeing her. Seeing her face, he, who had already been dissatisfied with this marriage, became even more displeased. She was indeed older, with fine lines around her eyes. In terms of looks and temperament, she couldn’t compare to Madam Dong.

Madam Zhao had some expectations for this marriage. Although the Meng family had declined in fortunes, they still had a title. By marrying in, she would become a countess, with a Marquis as her stepson. But her husband’s stern face showed clear dissatisfaction, and her heart sank.

After drinking the wedding wine, Meng Dongyuan left the bridal chamber to greet the guests, not even saying a kind word to his new wife.

The other female relatives noticed the groom’s lack of interest and didn’t converse with the bride much either. They gradually left.

Meng Jinyao and Meng Jinyu, as stepdaughters, approached to pay respects to their elder, calling out, “Mother.”

Since they weren’t very close, they exchanged a few polite words before leaving.

Meng Jinyu left in a fairly good mood. Seeing her father’s attitude, she realized this stepmother posed no threat. Her foolish younger brother also didn’t need to worry. Compared to the late Madam Dong, this Madam Zhao was far inferior.

Some gossipy guests couldn’t help whispering: “It’s obvious that Lord Meng isn’t very satisfied with the bride.”

Someone replied, “Honestly, Madam Zhao is far behind the previous Madam Dong, Madam Sun, and Madam Zhou. It’s natural that Lord Meng is dissatisfied. Madam Zhou and Madam Dong were the most beautiful among his wives, and both came from scholarly families, radiating refinement. Madam Sun wasn’t as good-looking but was young when she married Lord Meng. Madam Zhao is older.”

Another person said, “I heard Madam Zhao is thirty-one this year.”

Someone interjected, “Isn’t that around the same age as the Marquis?”

The first person added, “Yes. How can a son-in-law call his mother-in-law ‘mother’ if they are the same age?”

Another dismissed the concern: “Why not? Madam Dong was younger, yet he called her ‘mother.’ When the eldest Miss Meng was younger than Gu Xiuming, he still had to call her mother.”

Hearing this, the group nodded, “That’s true.”

…

Nearby, Meng Jinyu walked beside Meng Jinyao and asked with a smile, “Elder sister, what do you think of Madam Zhao?”

Meng Jinyao smiled gently: “She seems gentle. Father is fortunate to have a good wife by his side. They’ll surely live happily together.”

Meng Jinyu rolled her eyes and laughed lightly: “Elder sister, you really know how to speak nonsense. Any clear-eyed person can see that Madam Zhao has already lost favor. Father is dissatisfied with her.”

Meng Jinyao replied calmly: “Second sister, some things shouldn’t be spoken carelessly. If Father were truly dissatisfied, would he have married her? Today is a happy day for Father. If you gossip behind his back, people might think you’re unhappy with his remarriage.”

Meng Jinyu was taken aback. She had just wanted to retort but swallowed her words, lowering her head softly: “Elder sister, you’re right. I overthought. I am not unhappy with Father remarrying. I’m happy he has a gentle and virtuous companion.”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily speechless. Meng Jinyu had often argued with her before, and now her quiet behavior felt unusual.

Meng Jinyu, feeling the weight of her sister’s casual gaze, grew uneasy and said, aggrieved: “If you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave. I only spoke because I missed my family. Back home, I often saw relatives and felt nothing, but after marrying far away, I miss them more.”

Meng Jinyao twitched her mouth and replied, “If you’re possessed by some filthy spirit, go see a Taoist, don’t wander in front of me. It’s creepy. I guess the spirit possessing you used to be a troupe actor—quite dramatic.” Saying this, she strode away.

Meng Jinyu’s face twisted in frustration. She had already tried to be friendly, but Meng Jinyao shamelessly dismissed her. She felt an impulse to rush up and argue, but thought better of it. Arguing here would be inappropriate. With her in-laws present, she had to maintain her role as a good sister—she didn’t believe Meng Jinyao could deliberately snub her in front of others.