SGEIRS -Chapter 609 The Grand Finale (Part 1)

The day was warm, with the sun shining brightly across the endless blue sky.

It was Old Madam Gu’s birthday, and prominent families from the capital had come to offer their congratulations. The Changxing Marquis Manor was filled with guests.

Previously, Gu Jingxi had enjoyed the emperor’s favor, and many had tried to curry favor with him. Since his promotion last year, even more people sought to win his favor.

Last year, Emperor Jingwen had exceptionally promoted Gu Jingxi to Minister of Personnel. The position of Minister of Justice, meanwhile, was to be chosen from the two junior ministers. Emperor Jingwen favored Qi Yunwen and appointed him as the new Minister of Justice.

As for the previous Minister of Personnel, he had been executed along with his entire family for corruption, bribery, favoritism, factionalism, and plotting to harm the imperial heir. His eldest legitimate granddaughter—who was also the fourth prince’s wife—had her title stripped and was demoted to commoner status, granted only a plain white silk robe.

Ever since the frail fourth prince had been cured by a divine doctor and married the Minister’s eldest granddaughter, he should have been one of the princes closest to the throne, capable of contending with the sixth prince. The sixth prince, as the second legitimate son, held the advantage of being born of the main line, but the fourth prince’s backing was also formidable. Moreover, the fourth prince was even more intelligent and strategic than the sixth prince, giving him a greater chance of success.

However, Emperor Jingwen clearly favored the sixth prince. The fourth prince had followed the same path as the second prince: the second prince successfully plotted against Crown Prince Huizhao, but was later demoted to commoner status and imprisoned for life.

This time, the fourth prince’s attempt to harm the sixth prince almost succeeded. Though the sixth prince was severely injured, he survived thanks to the imperial doctors.

Furious, Emperor Jingwen harshly punished the fourth prince, demoting him to commoner status and placing him under lifelong confinement. He later discovered that the Wen family had been involved, so after further investigation, the other crimes of Minister Wen were uncovered. He was executed along with his entire family.

Other implicated officials were either dismissed or exiled, and the most serious were beheaded publicly.

Because of this incident, the civil and military officials assumed Emperor Jingwen intended to make the sixth prince the heir. They dared not act rashly and all submitted memorials urging the emperor to appoint the sixth prince as crown prince.

In the end, Emperor Jingwen did appoint an heir, but he bypassed all his sons and named the son of Crown Prince Huizhao and the crown prince’s consort—Prince Jin—as the imperial heir.

The officials were stunned, realizing that the emperor’s true choice was his eldest legitimate grandson. Crown Prince Huizhao, being the emperor’s eldest legitimate son with the empress, had long been favored and entrusted with great expectations. Had the second prince not plotted against him, he would have been the next emperor. Now, bypassing his own sons, the emperor had established his eldest grandson as the imperial heir.

Initially, ministers who supported the sixth prince had thought that the young heir could still be challenged by the sixth prince and perhaps the sixth prince could emerge victorious. But unexpectedly, the sixth prince supported his nephew and had no interest in the throne himself.

The third prince had married a foreign princess, cutting himself off from the succession. The fifth prince had little backing due to his mother’s weak family ties. The seventh prince was indulgent, living for pleasure, and was already almost a ball of fat—clearly unsuitable for important matters.

Thus, the position of imperial heir was firmly secured.

Old Madam Gu was delighted by the attention of her younger relatives and never stopped smiling. Not seeing her beloved grandson, she turned to Meng Jinyao:

“A-Yao, where’s Wanwan? Why don’t I see him?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “There are many children of the same age here today. Wanwan has gone to play with them. If you want, Mother, I can bring him over.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Gu looked understanding and said, “Since he has so many playmates, let him enjoy himself.”

Meng Jinyao replied softly, “Alright,” and sighed inwardly. Her son had once been very obedient and easy to manage as a baby, but as he grew, he became livelier and naughtier. At seven, she already felt she could barely control this little rascal. Her mother-in-law had said Wanwan resembled her, explaining his earlier obedience. Now, she joked that Wanwan resembled his father, hence his mischief.

Yet, despite his liveliness, Wanwan was clever like his father, with a photographic memory and natural talent in learning. Whatever his teacher taught him, he could infer further on his own, earning the teacher’s favor. Only his procrastination was a problem; he rarely did homework until the last moment and often had to be prompted by the teacher.

Meng Jinyao had once considered giving Wanwan a new nickname: “Zaozao” (“Early”) to encourage him to be prompt.

Gu Jingxi replied, “It’s not about the nickname. That’s just his nature. Even if you’d called him Zaozao from the start, he’d still procrastinate.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao abandoned the idea of changing her son’s nickname.

Before long, a young maid reported that the Yongchang Marquis and his wife had arrived.

Meng Jinyao hurried to greet her family and soon saw the affectionate couple walking toward her. She quickened her pace, smiling as she greeted them:

“Second brother, Second sister-in-law, you’ve finally arrived. By the way, where’s Mother?”

Meng Chengzhang replied, “Mother caught a chill last night and ran a high fever. Miaoyun and I stayed to care for her and give her medicine, which delayed us a bit.”

Meng Jinyao asked anxiously, “Is it serious?”

Guo Miaoyun said, “Don’t worry, eldest sister. Mother’s fever has subsided, she’s out of danger.”

Meng Jinyao nodded in relief. “That’s good. Let’s go in; Mother was talking about you two not long ago, especially Second Sister-in-law.”

The couple smiled and followed her in to pay respects to Old Madam Gu.

Watching her second brother and sister-in-law walking together—such a perfect couple—Meng Jinyao felt immense joy. After several years, her brother had finally married the woman he loved.

Initially, Meng Chengzhang had been rejected by Guo Miaoyun. Boldly, he sought to become her student. Guo Miaoyun, a formidable woman, disciplined him strictly, thinking this would discourage him. Unexpectedly, Meng Chengzhang persisted and became capable both in civil and military matters.

Over time, Guo Miaoyun grew fond of him, and they developed mutual affection. Just as their marriage was being arranged, the Meng family experienced tragedy.

Meng Chengxing, who had been under confinement for a long time, secretly climbed out of his courtyard on a dark, windy night and murdered their father, stabbing Meng Dongyuan twice. Servants caught him, and Madam Zhao had him sent to the authorities. Doctors tried to save Meng Dongyuan, but he died from the fatal wounds.

Meng Chengxing was executed publicly for patricide.

Meng Chengzhang inherited the title, becoming the new Yongchang Marquis.

When Old Madam Meng learned of her son’s death, she was not overly grieved. But upon learning that her most beloved grandson had been sentenced to public execution, her emotions overwhelmed her, and she fell into a coma. Her condition worsened, and she passed away within half a month.

With the deaths of two elders within a month, Meng Chengzhang and Guo Miaoyun’s marriage was delayed. Thankfully, Guo Miaoyun was willing to wait. After Meng Chengzhang’s mourning period ended, Madam Zhao began arranging their wedding.

Once Guo Miaoyun married into the family, Madam Zhao entrusted her with managing the household affairs, allowing her to finally enjoy the quiet, leisurely life she had long dreamed of.