SGEIRS -Chapter 575 Arrogant and Disdainful

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, court officials and titled ladies were required to enter the palace. The officials went to pay their respects to the Emperor, while the titled ladies paid their respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager. In the Gu family, only Gu Jingxi and his wife, along with Old Madam Gu, were qualified to enter the palace. Gu Jingsheng and Gu Jingsong did not hold ranks high enough, and neither Madam Zhang nor Madam Chen possessed imperial titles.

Early that morning, the three of them set out to enter the palace and pay their respects.

By the time they finished greeting the palace nobility and exited the palace, it was already close to noon.

Old Madam Gu usually lived a reclusive life and rarely went out. Today, however, she was suddenly in the mood to dine outside and suggested finding a restaurant for lunch. Gu Jingxi and Meng Jinyao naturally accompanied her gladly.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, Old Madam Gu suddenly sighed with emotion. “The last time I ate at a restaurant outside was when your father was still alive. He was rarely thoughtful, but that time he booked a private room in advance and said he wanted to take me to try a newly opened restaurant in the capital. I found the food quite good and liked it very much. I wanted to go again with him, but by then your father was already bedridden and couldn’t go anymore.”

Gu Jingxi paused mid-motion with his chopsticks and said gently, “If Mother likes it, A-Yao and I will accompany you out more often in the future.”

Old Madam Gu shook her head lightly. “I’m old now, my energy isn’t what it used to be, and I’ve grown lazy about going out. Today was just a moment of whim. You young people have good energy—go out more, enjoy the present, and don’t wait until you’re old and full of regrets.”

Gu Jingxi responded softly. Seeing that his mother looked somewhat downcast, he knew she was thinking of his father.

His father had been a dignified and upright gentleman—a good son to his own mother, a good father to the brothers, a loyal minister of the court, and a respected teacher and friend to others. Only as a husband had he failed. He had paid no attention to the affairs of the inner household, and his mother had suffered greatly under his grandmother’s harsh treatment. Near the end of his life, it seemed that his father finally realized how much he owed his wife and wanted to make amends—but by then, he was powerless to do so.

Perhaps his father had never truly loved his mother, nor had he loved the other two concubines—the birth mothers of his two elder brothers. Toward everyone, he had been indifferent. Compared to the concubines, he had only shown his mother an extra measure of respect due to her status as the principal wife.

For a moment, Gu Jingxi did not know how to comfort her. He softly called out, “Mother.”

Old Madam Gu suppressed the trace of unhappiness in her heart. Thinking too much about the past only brought more sorrow. She looked at her son and daughter-in-law with a smile in her eyes and said gently, “Mother is fine. As long as you and A-Yao are doing well, Mother will be happy.”

Gu Jingxi took hold of the little wife beside him, interlacing his fingers with hers, and replied with a smile, “Mother, please don’t worry.”

Meng Jinyao flushed slightly and tried to pull her hand back, but the man held it firmly. Her face instantly felt warm.

Seeing this, Old Madam Gu’s mood immediately brightened, as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun. With a light, cheerful tone, she said, “Your grandmother used to say that I was inferior to her in every way and always found faults with me. In many things, perhaps I truly wasn’t as good as she was—but there’s one thing where she couldn’t compare to me.”

Meng Jinyao asked curiously, “Mother, which thing is that?”

Old Madam Gu’s gaze fell on their interlocked hands, her tone filled with pride. “The son-in-law she raised for my father was not as outstanding as the son-in-law I raised for my in-laws.” Then she turned to her daughter-in-law and added, “A-Yao, you must learn this well from me—raise a good son-in-law for our future in-laws. Our Wanwan must not end up being disliked by others like his grandfather was.”

Meng Jinyao didn’t quite understand, but she still nodded and answered, “Alright.”

The next day, the second day of the Lunar New Year, was the day for married daughters to return to their natal homes with their husbands.

Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi brought gifts and returned to the Meng family home. As for Wanwan, he was still very young and not suitable to go out, so he was left in the care of his wet nurse.

Knowing that her stepdaughter would be coming back today, Madam Zhao started preparing the family banquet early in the morning. Whether it was tea snacks or dishes, everything was arranged according to the preferences of the couple, and the kitchen maids were instructed accordingly.

When she heard the servants report that the couple had arrived, she brought her own daughter, Qiao Yunying, out to greet them. Meng Dongyuan also went along.

After exchanging a few polite greetings, they followed Madam Zhao into the main hall.

Not seeing Meng Chengxing, Meng Jinyao casually asked, “Father, why haven’t I seen Third Brother?”

Meng Dongyuan replied, “Your third brother committed such an act that I’ve confined him to his courtyard to make him reflect properly.”

Meng Jinyao cast a meaningful glance at Meng Dongyuan. She knew exactly why her father had confined Third Brother—his presence would constantly remind her father of framing his own biological son. Feeling guilty, her father didn’t want to face him.

Rarely, she spoke up for Meng Chengxing. “Father, I miss Third Brother as well. I don’t come back often. Let him come out today—one day less of confinement won’t make a difference.”

Hearing this, Meng Dongyuan frowned, knowing that his eldest daughter was about to stir up trouble again. What sisterly affection did she and Chengxing ever have? Still, in front of his son-in-law, it wouldn’t be appropriate to reject her outright. He ordered someone to release Meng Chengxing to come and meet the guests.

After quite some time, Meng Chengxing was finally brought over by a servant, clearly unwilling.

Meng Jinyao hadn’t seen this third brother for quite a while, and upon seeing him now, she couldn’t help but be stunned.

The young man’s face was pale and haggard, his eyes bloodshot, dark circles heavy beneath them—clearly someone who hadn’t rested well. His entire body exuded a dispirited, decadent air, as if his vitality had been drained by some demon.

Looking more closely, there were red marks on his neck, extremely suggestive. It was immediately clear why he looked like this—he had indulged excessively. Since he was confined, it must have been with the maids in his courtyard, without any restraint.

His gaze swept across everyone in the hall, finally settling on Meng Dongyuan. A sinister edge appeared between his brows, and the hatred in his eyes was impossible to conceal.

Meng Jinyao took in his change of expression, her brows knitting slightly. A moment later, she softened her expression and said gently, “Third Brother, you don’t look well. Are you ill?”

Meng Chengxing ignored her, casually took a seat at an empty spot, and acted as though he didn’t put anyone present in his eyes.

Seeing this, Meng Dongyuan’s anger flared. Pointing at him, he scolded furiously, “You wretched thing! Your elder sister is speaking to you—who are you putting on a face for?”

Meng Chengxing sneered, utterly indifferent. “Whoever sees it—that’s who it’s for.”

Meng Dongyuan felt as if his punch had landed on cotton, his anger rising even higher. “I see you still haven’t repented! Get back to your own courtyard and reflect properly. You won’t come out until your grandmother recovers!”

As soon as the words fell, Meng Chengxing stood up and turned to leave.

How long he was confined no longer mattered to him. His reputation was gone. His position as heir was gone. His grandmother was ill—no longer able to support him. He had become a rat crossing the street, despised by everyone. What else could he do?

His father was truly ruthless—he had completely destroyed him.

Second Sister was born of the same mother as him. He had wanted her to send someone to take him to Yangzhou. If he went to Yangzhou, at least he could rely on her and live a decent life. After all, his brother-in-law was a wealthy merchant—food and clothing would never be a problem. He had even had servants send letters out for him, but there had been no reply at all. His heart was filled with anxiety.

Meng Dongyuan looked at his arrogant, disrespectful son, feeling both furious and resentful, and instructed the servants to keep a close watch on him.