SGEIRS -Chapter 570 Selfish and Cold-Hearted

Changxing Marquis’ Residence.

Meng Jinyao lay sprawled across a chaise longue. Yingyue was reading a storybook aloud to her, Chunliu was kneading her sore, aching waist, and she herself propped her chin on her hands, eyes half-closed, thoroughly enjoying this leisurely moment. If only her waist didn’t hurt, it would be perfect—she had only someone to blame for his lack of restraint last night.

“Madam! Madam!”

Before the person appeared, her voice arrived first—it was that girl Ningdong.

Meng Jinyao opened her eyes and looked up. Ningdong came trotting in with a beaming smile, joy written all over her face. After giving a quick curtsy, she said excitedly, “Madam, the Second Young Master has been named heir! And the Third Young Master was flogged thirty times for being unfilial!”

It was exactly what Meng Jinyao had expected. She wasn’t surprised—only a little caught off guard that it had happened so quickly. Still, that was just as well; better to avoid complications the longer things dragged on. She nodded lightly. “Mm. I know.”

Ningdong was stunned. “Madam, how are you not surprised at all?”

Meng Jinyao replied calmly, “After what Third Brother did, when I last saw Father, from his tone it was clear he already intended to change the heir.”

Ningdong showed a look of sudden understanding. Then she glanced at Yingyue and Chunliu—one reading to their mistress, the other massaging her waist—and hurried forward. “Chunliu, let me do it. You take a break.”

Chunliu immediately yielded her place. In her heart, she thought this girl was not only a greedy little cat but also a clueless vinegar jar—always worried that someone might steal Madam’s favor. As if she didn’t realize that Ningdong had grown up with Madam since childhood; how could Chunliu ever compare? Chunliu was favored simply because she did her work well.

Meng Jinyao shook her head helplessly. Pointing to the embroidered stool beside her, she said to Chunliu, “Sit down and chat with me. Yingyue can read tomorrow—she’s been reading for so long already, any longer and her throat won’t hold up.”

So Yingyue and Chunliu sat with Meng Jinyao, chatting about the recent amusing happenings in various households, while only Ningdong remained massaging Meng Jinyao’s waist.

Ningdong stared wide-eyed, looking rather dumbfounded at Chunliu, which made Chunliu burst out laughing. She shot Ningdong a teasing look that clearly said: Didn’t you like competing with me for work? Well then, do it properly—I’m watching you.

Ningdong instantly wilted.

Meng Jinyao noticed the little exchange between them, but it was harmless, so she pretended not to see it. Ningdong was just like that—she couldn’t sit idle. If she had nothing to do, she felt she’d fallen out of favor. Give her something tasty later, and she’d immediately turn around and praise Chunliu in front of her again. Chunliu had always enjoyed teasing her like this.

—

Meng Chengzhang first went to Rongfu Hall to see Old Madam Meng, then went to visit Meng Chengxing, who had developed a high fever from his injuries and was lying unconscious. After that, he ordered a carriage and headed to the Changxing Marquis’ Residence.

The siblings hadn’t seen each other for some time. After exchanging updates on their recent lives, they finally spoke of what had happened back home.

Meng Chengzhang asked, “Eldest Sister, what exactly happened in the family? Was Grandmother really angered into illness by Third Brother?”

Meng Jinyao smiled and asked in return, “Second Brother, do you really think it was your Third Brother?”

Meng Chengzhang shook his head. “Grandmother dotes on Third Brother so much. In her eyes, these matters are nothing serious—how could she be angry with him? At most, she’d blame others for leading him astray.”

Meng Jinyao said, “The Dong family has found a good match for Aunt Dong. She’s engaged now.”

“That’s a good thing. Father—that wretch—never deserved her. It’s good that she’s found a worthy husband,” Meng Chengzhang said, feeling genuinely happy for his former stepmother. But the next moment, he felt something was off. These two matters had nothing to do with each other—why would his eldest sister bring this up now?

He pondered for a moment. Then, like a flash of lightning, realization struck. His eyes widened in shock. “Father still can’t let go of Aunt Dong. If he found out she’s engaged to someone else, wouldn’t he be even angrier with Grandmother and Third Brother? Could it be that Grandmother was angered into illness by Father—and Third Brother is just the scapegoat?”

After hearing this, Meng Jinyao nodded with satisfaction. Her younger brother had truly grown up—one hint was all it took.

An autumn breeze swept in through the window. Though it was gentle and pleasant, Meng Chengzhang suddenly felt a chill. No matter how wretched Third Brother was, he was still Father’s own son. Yet Father could pin the blame on him without the slightest guilt. People say that only those who wrong others truly know how wronged the innocent feel—Father knew perfectly well how unjust Third Brother’s situation was, yet when he scolded him, he did so with righteous indignation. Such a selfish, cold-hearted man was even more frightening than Madam Sun. At the very least, Madam Sun had loved her children wholeheartedly until her death.

After a brief pause, he added, “Eldest Sister, because of his injuries, Third Brother has developed a high fever. It hasn’t gone down, and he’s still unconscious. The physician says that if this continues, his life may be in danger.”

Meng Jinyao fell silent. A boy barely in his teens—dying like this was indeed a pity. But it was also deserved. When he caused others to lose their child, he showed no mercy. Perhaps this was simply evil meeting its own reckoning.

After a long while, Meng Jinyao spoke earnestly, “Second Brother, we will not interfere in this matter. Whatever Father says goes. You are now the heir of the Marquis’s residence—the responsibility of reviving the Meng family rests on your shoulders.”

Meng Chengzhang nodded solemnly. “Eldest Sister, rest assured.”

Meng Jinyao then deliberately shifted away from the heavy topic. “Wanwan should be awake by now. Would you like to see him?”

It had been some time since Meng Chengzhang last saw his little nephew. Smiling, he nodded.

Before long, the wet nurse brought the child over and placed him in Meng Chengzhang’s arms.

The little fellow couldn’t speak yet, babbling incomprehensibly. Teased by his uncle, he burst into giggles—utterly adorable.

Meng Chengzhang couldn’t bear to put him down. Turning to his elder sister, he said, “Eldest Sister, Wanwan is really so cute.”

Seeing how much he liked children, Meng Jinyao teased him, “In a couple of years, you’ll be of marriageable age too. I’ll find you a good young lady. By then, Wanwan will have cute little cousins to play with.”

The moment she said that, Meng Chengzhang’s face flushed bright red. Even the baby in his arms suddenly felt unbearably hot. He stammered, “E-Eldest Sister, I—I’m still young. I still need to study. There’s no rush.”

“Alright, alright, no rush,” Meng Jinyao laughed. “When you have such thoughts, I’ll find someone for you then.”

Watching her brother blush furiously, Meng Jinyao smiled indulgently. People really were so different. Second Brother was only a year older than Third Brother, yet he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his studies and blushed like a shy young girl at the mere mention of marriage. Meanwhile, Third Brother already had a concubine maid and even spent nights in brothels.

Meng Chengzhang nodded haphazardly, his face burning, and quickly changed the subject. “Eldest Sister, for next year’s provincial examination, I want to give it a try.”

Meng Jinyao smiled. “Then give it your all. Even if you fail, it’s fine—you’re still young, and there will be plenty of opportunities ahead. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

He continued, “There’s one more thing. If Grandmother’s condition doesn’t worsen, once I return to the academy, I’ll be traveling with my teacher for scholarly excursions. I probably won’t be back for the New Year. By the time I return, it’ll likely be just before the provincial exam.”

Meng Jinyao replied gently, “Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. Going out to see the world will bring deeper insight—it’s a good thing. Go with your teacher without worry. Everything here is fine. If anything comes up, your brother-in-law will handle it.”