SGEIRS -Chapter 593 Yielding to Her Wishes

Seeing the smile spreading across her father’s face, growing ever deeper, joy practically overflowing from his eyes, Meng Jinyao immediately composed her expression. She didn’t even need to guess—her father was savoring the thought of throwing in his lot with the Fourth Prince, hoping to gain glory by riding on someone else’s success.

She asked coldly, “Father, do you intend to side with the Fourth Prince, to support him?”

Meng Dongyuan was in high spirits and didn’t mind his eldest daughter’s current tone. He had always known that his talent would eventually be recognized. His past failures in office were only because no one had appreciated him before—yet now, the Fourth Prince had discerned his abilities. He smiled and said, “The Fourth Prince values my talent. How could I ever betray his favor?”

Meng Jinyao was momentarily stunned by his words, speechless. How could a person be so shameless—always claiming credit for themselves!

After a moment of silence, she snorted. “If the Fourth Prince truly valued your talent, he would have supported you long ago. Why wait until my second brother becomes the top scholar of this autumn examination before acknowledging your abilities? The Meng family has long fallen from prominence. If my second brother doesn’t achieve something remarkable this time, he’s just a scholar. Would the Huang family willingly marry their daughter to him?”

“Only now that my second brother shows promise does the Huang family consider him a suitable match. First, he is talented and likely to pass the imperial examinations. Second, he is the heir apparent, with the potential to inherit a title. And let’s not forget—his brother-in-law is the Marquis of Changxing.”

She paused, lifted her eyes to Meng Dongyuan, and said with a half-smile, half-remark: “So, father, do you still believe that the Fourth Prince values your talent so much that he would arrange for his daughter to be betrothed to my second brother? My second brother may be promising, but once he enters officialdom, climbing to a high post won’t happen in a few years, and it won’t add much leverage. His brother-in-law, however, is a different story. His brother-in-law is a favored minister of the emperor—if the Fourth Prince could pull him into his faction, that would be a tremendous advantage.”

The truth was laid bare, like a basin of icy winter water poured over Meng Dongyuan’s head. The joy that had just sprung in his heart was extinguished, leaving him chilled to the bone. The fantasy of a bright future, being appreciated for his talents, shattered in an instant.

Meng Jinyao said, “Father, don’t let yourself be sold out while counting someone else’s money.”

Being scolded in this way by his daughter, Meng Dongyuan felt his face burn with shame. His expression soured, but he still tried to save face, saying, “The Fourth Prince values Yaoling and Chengzhang—wouldn’t that be a good thing? The Fourth Prince is now in his prime; who knows, he may truly become the future ruler. Yaoling and Chengzhang would also gain glory alongside him.”

Meng Jinyao’s voice turned cold. “Wasn’t the Second Prince also at his peak once? Now he’s been demoted to commoner. In a succession struggle, no one knows who will be the final victor until the very end. One wrong move, and it’s an abyss. The Gu family won’t participate in the succession struggle, and my second brother cannot get involved either.”

Meng Dongyuan, determined to ally with the Huang family, unwilling to give up this golden opportunity, was unmoved by his eldest daughter’s warnings. “You’re just a woman—you wouldn’t understand political matters! Don’t speak such words again.”

Seeing his stubbornness, Meng Jinyao smiled coldly, her eyes warning him. “The Gu family will not interfere—that is my husband’s decision. My second brother will not get involved—that is my decision. My second brother is discerning; he will not be dragged in. If you insist on marrying him to a Huang daughter, don’t blame your daughter for being ruthless.”

Meng Dongyuan’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at her warily. “What do you intend?”

Meng Jinyao’s voice was calm but firm. “If the emperor finds out that you are a hypocritical son—pretending to be filial while actually causing grandmother’s illness and shifting the blame to the third brother—what do you think your fate will be?”

Meng Dongyuan turned pale. “Meng Jinyao! Have you gone mad? If the emperor knew, how would it benefit the Meng family? He might even take away our title! You love Chengzhang so much—can you bear to see him lose his inheritance?”

Meng Jinyao replied without haste, “Better for him to have no inheritance than to be dragged into a pitfall where one misstep leads to endless disaster. At least this way, his life is protected. Besides, Chengzhang is talented; with his brother-in-law’s support, he won’t fare too poorly. But father, you’re different. You’re unfilial and still shift the blame to the third brother. How do you think the emperor will deal with you?”

Meng Dongyuan trembled with anger, pointing at her and growling, “You’ve gone mad! Truly mad!”

Meng Jinyao said, “If I go mad, father, it is because you forced me to. It’s not too late—all the decision is in your hands.”

Knowing she was capable of such actions, Meng Dongyuan dared not defy her. He drew a deep breath, swallowing all resentment and anger. “Very well. As you say, we will not ally with the Huang family.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in satisfaction and added, “There is one more thing, father—you must agree to it.”

Meng Dongyuan’s face darkened. “What now? Don’t overreach!”

Meng Jinyao said, “My second brother’s marriage must be decided by me. Any match you and mother choose must have my approval first.”

Although displeased, Meng Dongyuan realized she would not harm Chengzhang and that he had no choice but to consent. “Fine. As you wish—even if you want to personally find a bride for Chengzhang, that is acceptable.”

Meng Jinyao smiled with satisfaction. The tension in the room eased, and her tone softened. “Father, I act for the good of the Meng family. Whoever ascends the throne, we will be loyal to the emperor. If Minister Huang asks again, just say that you respect the children’s wishes and wrote to ask my second brother, who is still young and focused only on his studies, with no thought for marriage. So, there is no delay for Miss Huang.”

Meng Dongyuan’s expression darkened. “I know that—I don’t need you to teach me.”

Without further words, Meng Jinyao stood. “Father, you have business to attend to, don’t let me keep you. Today I am visiting my maternal home—I haven’t yet paid respects to mother and grandmother. I must go to them first.”

After this matter, Meng Dongyuan no longer felt like going out. He waved her off. “Alright, go ahead.”

As Meng Jinyao left the study, Meng Dongyuan’s anger surged once more. This rare chance for advancement, so carefully awaited, had been ruined by his defiant daughter. Who knew when another opportunity would come? Perhaps he would spend the rest of his life in a trivial post, leading an insignificant existence.

Unable to contain his temper, he grabbed a book from the desk and hurled it to the floor. One book wasn’t enough—he swept the entire desk, sending the scholar’s tools and papers crashing down, gritting his teeth. “Such a cursed child! A cursed child!”