SGEIRS -Chapter 589 This Prodigal Son

Yongchang Marquis’s Residence

The Meng family was also waiting for the young servant who had gone to check the results to return. Old Madam Meng lay paralyzed in bed, and Meng Chengxing was under house arrest in his own courtyard, unable to leave. So, the only ones waiting for news were Meng Dongyuan, Madam Zhao, Meng Chengzhang, and Madam Zhao’s daughter Qiao Yunying.

Meng Dongyuan and Madam Zhao were a couple in name only, mutually irritated by each other. Yet today, with a common goal, they were surprisingly harmonious. Meng Dongyuan hoped his son would achieve success, and Madam Zhao likewise hoped her stepson would shine, so that she could benefit from it as well. A successful stepson would give her daughter better prospects when choosing a husband in the future.

Qiao Yunying was astonished to see her mother and stepfather interacting so harmoniously, even laughing together. She had never expected such a moment of peace between them. However, she didn’t particularly care whether her stepfather loved her mother—her mother didn’t love him either. She only sought a stable life. With her mother running the household efficiently, both of them were doing well, and her stepfather could only fume helplessly when dealing with her mother, gaining nothing.

In this household, the stepfather and step-grandmother were not easy to deal with, but her other stepbrother, Meng Chengzhang, was decent. As for the other stepbrother, Meng Chengxing… better not mention him—a useless man. Of her two married stepsisters, she had only seen the eldest and knew she was good. As for the second sister, who married far away, she had heard some things, and it seemed she was much like Meng Chengxing.

At that moment, a maid came running in: “Young Master, Madam, Fuguo, who went to check the results, has returned.”

Meng Dongyuan hurriedly said, “Quick, let him in!”

The young servant Fuguo came in, beads of sweat on his forehead, clearly having run back to report the results. Seeing his joyful expression, it was obviously good news. He bowed, then smiled and congratulated: “Congratulations, Young Master, congratulations, Madam! The heir has passed!”

At these words, everyone’s faces lit up with joy.

Meng Dongyuan quickly asked, “What rank did the heir achieve?”

Fuguo replied, “The Young Master is the top scorer, the Jieyuan of this autumn exam.”

Everyone was shocked, even Meng Chengzhang himself, clearly not expecting to top the autumn exams.

Meng Dongyuan was even more thrilled. His youngest son had been spoiled and useless, so all his hopes had been pinned on his second son. And now the second son had truly shone—first, top of the preliminary exams, and now top of the autumn exam. Next spring’s imperial exam, even if not first, would surely yield a high rank. His future was limitless.

Compared to Chengzhang, Chengxing was utterly useless, unable even to pass the xiucai level. Only his mother, blinded by love, stubbornly thought Chengxing was clever and would achieve great things. Fortunately, Meng Dongyuan had seen the truth early—Chengxing was lazy and malicious. By appointing Chengzhang as the heir, the Meng household would surely prosper under him.

Madam Zhao was equally delighted. She had not expected her stepson to achieve such a high rank. She gave a signal to a maid nearby: “Good, reward him!”

The maid immediately handed Fuguo the red envelope containing the reward that had been prepared for him.

Fuguo received the silver, thanked his masters, and withdrew.

Madam Zhao’s gaze softened. She looked at Meng Chengzhang, then at her husband, and said warmly: “Husband, Chengzhang has truly brought honor to our family today. Why not hold a family banquet to celebrate?”

Meng Dongyuan nodded repeatedly, face beaming: “Our son has such promise, of course we must celebrate! Not just a family banquet—send invitations to relatives and friends, hire a troupe to perform, and host a three-day feast for all our guests!”

Hearing this, Madam Zhao subtly frowned. The child’s achievement was indeed worth celebrating, but such extravagance was excessive and wasteful. This prodigal son had no sense of managing a household. How could the Meng family afford such luxury?

By next spring, when Chengzhang became a Jinshi, it would be time to arrange a marriage. A son so successful, with a brother-in-law like the Marquis of Changxing, might attract the attention of high-ranking officials, marrying into a prominent family. A wedding would require a large dowry and an impressive ceremony—an expensive affair. Spending money inviting idle friends for frivolous fun was far worse than saving it for the child’s future marriage.

Thinking this, Madam Zhao wanted to refuse, but in front of the children, she had to give her husband some face. So she said gently: “Husband, it’s wonderful that Chengzhang topped the exam, but holding such a grand banquet seems a bit excessive. I know you’re simply happy and want to share the news, but others might think the Meng family is showing off. I suggest we celebrate quietly at home. When the eldest son-in-law is free, we can have the eldest daughter and him return, and then celebrate together. What do you think?”

Upon hearing this, Meng Dongyuan frowned, dissatisfied with her suggestion. With a son so accomplished, he wanted to show off to friends, to regain the face lost from past family embarrassments. He shot Madam Zhao a look of disapproval: “Wife, you worry too much. When the family has good news, holding a feast is perfectly normal. How is that showing off?”

Meng Chengzhang spoke up: “Father, I think Mother is right. A family celebration at home is sufficient; there’s no need for a grand feast.”

Madam Zhao was slightly surprised, glancing at Meng Chengzhang, unsure if he truly agreed with her.

Meng Chengzhang smiled. Though he did not manage the household, he understood its situation. His stepmother ran things wisely, ensuring money was always put to practical use, never squandered. In this, she was similar to the previous stepmother, Madam Dong, but far stronger in personality, keeping his father firmly in check.

Meng Dongyuan hadn’t expected his son to agree with Madam Zhao, and his frown deepened: “Chengzhang—”

Meng Chengzhang cut him off: “Father, it’s just passing the provincial exam, not the top imperial rank. Staying low-key is wise. I was merely lucky to get the top spot this time. If I fail next spring, or rank poorly, wouldn’t it make us look foolish for celebrating too early?”

Meng Dongyuan pondered, and though reluctant, he finally nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Madam Zhao. His son already had a rift with him; if he opposed him openly, the gap would only widen. To bridge it, sometimes he had to follow the son’s wishes.

Listening to her stepson, Madam Zhao looked at him with approval. So young and already achieving so much, yet humble and calm—truly rare. He was destined for great things.

Not wanting to linger with her husband, she stood and said: “Husband, I’ll go instruct the kitchen to prepare tonight’s family banquet.”

Though she couldn’t know the autumn exam results in advance, she had prepared just in case. Yesterday, she had instructed the servants to purchase the ingredients needed for today’s banquet. Now that her stepson had passed, she only needed to provide the menu and give the kitchen their instructions.