SGEIRS -Chapter 610 The Grand Finale (Part 2)

Meng Chengzhang glanced at his eldest sister, thought for a moment, and then told her about Meng Jinyu’s latest news: “Big sister, second brother-in-law sent a letter back saying that second sister has given birth to a son.”

At this, Meng Jinyao paused in her steps. She hadn’t heard anything about Meng Jinyu for a long time. If it weren’t for her second brother bringing it up, she might have completely forgotten about her. The last time she saw Meng Jinyu was when their stepmother Zhao married into the family. At that time, Meng Jinyu was five months pregnant and had grown a bit wiser.

But there was one thing she could never forgive: Meng Jinyu had forged letters in her name to flaunt herself in front of her in-laws. Meng Jinyao had mercilessly exposed this to Deng Yuanqing. Later, when Meng Jinyu returned to Yangzhou with Deng Yuanqing, Meng Jinyao never saw her again.

Later, she heard that Meng Jinyu had a daughter, and Deng Yuanqing had taken several concubines. Meng Jinyu had to struggle with them, and in the past few years, she hadn’t borne any more children. Deng Yuanqing had once considered recording the sons of favored concubines under her name, but she refused, and he didn’t force her—after all, she was still the second daughter of the Yongchang Marquis’s household, while the Deng family was merely a merchant family.

Now, with Meng Jinyu having a son, as long as she didn’t make trouble and raised the child properly, that son could secure her position. Coming from the Yongchang Marquis’s household, with her brother as the current Marquis, and having her own legitimate eldest daughter and son, the majority of her husband’s estate would eventually belong to her child.

After a moment, Meng Jinyao smiled and said, “That’s good. Since a letter was sent to share the news, have someone prepare a gift for the child and send it over. We mustn’t be discourteous.” She paused briefly, then added, “Tomorrow I’ll pick a gift to send to the Marquis’s residence as well. Let’s send both gifts together.”

Meng Chengzhang was surprised: “Big sister, you’re sending a gift for her child too?”

Meng Jinyao smiled: “It’s just a gift. In the capital, whenever someone sends an invitation, you send a congratulatory gift, right? She’s my blood sister; it wouldn’t be right not to. Besides, every year for Wanwan’s birthday, the Deng family sends a gift, representing their thoughtfulness as Wanwan’s uncle and aunt.”

Meng Chengzhang understood. Regardless of whether Deng Yuanqing’s annual gifts to Wanwan were to curry favor with the Gu family, the gifts were legitimate and thoughtful, always things the child would like. Etiquette demands a return of courtesy, and his eldest sister was right to reciprocate.

Meng Jinyao didn’t want to continue the topic and said, “Alright, let’s leave that. We should go to visit the old madam first.”

Meng Chengzhang agreed, and the couple followed Meng Jinyao to pay their respects to Old Madam Gu. After some greetings, Guo Miaoyun stayed behind with the other women, while he went to the front courtyard to join the male guests.

Now that Meng Chengzhang was the Yongchang Marquis, well-regarded at the Hanlin Academy, and also Gu Jingxi’s brother-in-law, he attracted many admirers. As soon as he arrived, several peers began chatting with him.

Suddenly, someone patted Meng Chengzhang on the shoulder and laughed: “Second uncle, long time no see. All well?”

Meng Chengzhang turned and saw Gu Xiuwen smiling at him. Though two years older than him, Gu Xiuwen had never seemed as composed. Having served as a local official for a few years, his youthful exuberance had faded, and he now looked considerably more mature.

Gu Xiuwen blinked for a moment and asked, “Why are you staring at me like that, second uncle?”

Meng Chengzhang replied, “You’ve grown a lot. Can’t help taking a longer look.”

Gu Xiuwen chuckled: “What are you talking about? You’re two years younger than me, yet you say I’ve grown a lot?”

Meng Chengzhang shook his head gently: “It’s different. Before, it was just age. Now, you’ve matured as a person.”

Gu Xiuwen was momentarily stunned. Maturity? He hadn’t really felt it, but hearing this from someone else, he realized he hadn’t been that clueless teenager who worried his elders in years. He laughed and said, “I’m twenty-four now; I can’t still be a naïve teenager.”

Curious, Meng Chengzhang asked, “At your age, you should be married. There are plenty of women who like you. Why are you still delaying marriage?”

Gu Xiuwen said resolutely: “No rush. My third uncle married at twenty-nine; I’m only twenty-four. What’s the hurry? I want to make a mark in that barren region first, improve the lives of the people there, and then think about marriage.” He added confidently, “Don’t worry. In a few years, my wish will come true. Things are already starting to improve.”

Meng Chengzhang’s eyes showed admiration. Two years ago, Xiuwen could have been promoted, but he chose to serve in a remote, poor region. His accomplishments had even drawn the Emperor’s attention. Unlike most, who were exiled, Xiuwen had requested the assignment himself.

Many enter the civil service aiming for fame and wealth, yet Xiuwen served purely for the people. A young man from such a prestigious family acting selflessly commanded respect.

Meng Chengzhang had once asked why, despite being eligible for promotion, Xiuwen requested to serve in a poor region. Xiuwen had replied: “My teacher said everyone has their own path. I was once lost, not knowing mine. But after passing the imperial exam, I finally saw my path: to serve the people, let them live well. That’s my path. I was born into wealth and privilege; money won’t be a problem. High office and riches don’t matter. Following my path is what matters most.”

He continued: “If an official without backing went there, it would be hard to implement reforms; they’d be suppressed by superiors and have to contend with local powers. But I’m different. My third uncle holds high office, my second uncle has been promoted, my older brothers serve in the capital. With their support, no one can stop me. I can work freely to achieve what I want.”

Before his eldest sister married into the Gu family, he had seen Xiuwen; now, he seemed a completely different person. The boy once pampered and lazy, only thinking of indulgence, had grown into a pillar of the state, advocating for the people as a responsible official.

Gu Xiuwen sighed lightly: “Ah, let’s not talk about marriage. Thinking about it gives me a headache. I came back for grandmother’s birthday yesterday, and my mother has nagged me five or six times already—it’s exhausting.”

He changed the topic: “Look at my third uncle; he’s thirty-eight but looks no older than thirty. Tell a stranger he’s my elder brother, and they’d believe it. At this rate, in a few years, if we go out together, will people think I’m the older one?”