SGEIRS -Chapter 90 Revealing Their Intent

The steward was completely taken aback by her words and could not speak.

What kind of bride would speak like that? Her own family was in trouble, yet she treated it as if it were entertaining, saying such cold and heartless things—probably only the eldest daughter of their family could say such words.

Meng Jinyao stepped forward and sat in the main seat, her gaze indifferent as she looked at the steward, asking impatiently, “You said it was urgent to see me. So why is it that now I’m here, you’ve gone mute?”

At her words, the steward immediately remembered the matter at hand. He let out a light sigh and said, “Eldest Miss, Old Madam is ill. Her condition is serious, so Master sent me to inform you.”

Meng Jinyao paused in surprise. Her grandmother had always been in good health. Especially when scolding her, she had a strong, vigorous voice. Despite her age, she seemed healthier than this young girl herself; living another ten years wouldn’t have been a problem. How could she suddenly be seriously ill?

Sensing something was off, Meng Jinyao did not believe the steward’s words. She fixed him with a penetrating gaze and asked pointedly, “Is she really sick?”

The steward lowered his head slightly, his voice tinged with concern: “Eldest Miss, Old Madam is truly ill. Before I came, the estate doctor had already examined her.”

He didn’t dare meet her eyes, and that gave Meng Jinyao her answer. Since he was uneasy in her presence, her grandmother’s illness was clearly a ruse—meant to lure her back to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion under the pretext of a sickness.

Although all her elders had been involved in the matter of her dowry, on the surface, it was Madam Sun who had taken her mother’s dowry—her father and grandmother were not implicated. With her grandmother “ill,” she, as the granddaughter, would have to return to visit, or it would appear unfilial.

Meng Jinyao let out a slight snort and said calmly, “Alright, I understand. You may leave now.”

The steward, seeing her make no further move, asked nervously, “Eldest Miss, after Old Madam fell ill, she has been thinking of you. Last night she even mentioned you. That’s why Master sent me so early to notify you. You really don’t intend to go see her?”

Meng Jinyao curved her lips slightly in a teasing smile: “Since Old Madam is ill, of course I, as her granddaughter, will go to visit. How could I not?”

The steward saw the faint smile playing on her lips and felt uneasy. He became even more anxious: “Th-then you…”

“Do you expect me to go back with you right now?” Meng Jinyao’s voice was indifferent, yet carried an invisible authority.

The steward hurriedly shook his head: “Of course not. Eldest Miss, you cannot follow me back. Even if you go, it should be I who follows you.”

Meng Jinyao said lightly, “The message has been delivered. You may leave now.”

The steward dared not say more. He bade her farewell and returned to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion to report.

Qingqiu, also suspicious that Old Madam wasn’t really ill, asked anxiously, “Mistress, are you really going to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion? I think they’re just trying to trick you into returning.”

Meng Jinyao replied casually, “Of course I’m going. Why wouldn’t I? On the surface, I’ve only fallen out with Madam Sun, not my grandmother. Besides, if I don’t go, how will I know what tricks they have up their sleeves?”

Qingqiu furrowed her brows tightly, worry almost overflowing from her eyes.

Meng Jinyao spoke gently: “Don’t worry. I am the Lady of the Changxing Marquis; they wouldn’t dare do anything to me. Qingqiu, go buy some tonics and supplements. This afternoon, we’ll make a trip to the Yongchang Marquis Mansion and see what kind of show they put on.”

Qingqiu nodded in acknowledgment.

Back at Weirui Pavilion, Meng Jinyao gave Qingqiu money to buy supplements suitable for a patient.

Yongchang Marquis Mansion

When Meng Jinyao arrived at the mansion, it was late afternoon.

This time, she was not met with coldness. The steward personally came to welcome her. Seeing the maid behind her carrying gifts, he politely took them and escorted her to the Rongfu Hall.

When Meng Jinyao arrived at Rongfu Hall, Old Madam Meng was taking her afternoon nap. The maid, seemingly expecting her eventual return, respectfully led her to the small hall of Rongfu Hall, served her fine tea and snacks, and asked her to wait a moment.

Another maid immediately went to inform Meng Dongyuan and Madam Sun.

Qingqiu stood beside Meng Jinyao, attending to her. Seeing the maid treat her mistress so well, she was genuinely surprised. Their mistress had never received such treatment at Rongfu Hall before.

Qingqiu bent slightly and whispered in Meng Jinyao’s ear, “Mistress, I feel they don’t have good intentions.”

Meng Jinyao remained calm and said, “Don’t worry. You’ll see soon enough.”

Not long after, Meng Dongyuan and Madam Sun arrived.

Meng Jinyao stood and bowed: “Father, Madam Meng.”

Hearing that she didn’t address her as “Mother” but as “Madam Meng,” Madam Sun’s pride was slightly hurt. But it was not the time to quarrel, so she graciously smiled and replied, “A-Yao, please sit, let’s talk.”

Meng Jinyao noticed that although Madam Sun was seething with anger, barely restraining the urge to tear her apart, she could still put on a smiling face. She found it amusing; clearly, they had gone to great lengths to trick her back for some advantage, and that advantage likely involved Madam Sun as well.

After about a cup of tea, Old Madam Meng appeared in the hall, supported by her maid.

Meng Jinyao sized her up but did not think she looked ill. However, the worried expression was convincing. She asked warmly, “I heard from the steward that Old Madam is ill. What caused the illness?”

“It’s just a bit of a headache, nothing serious,” Old Madam Meng said, casting an admonishing look at her son. “You too, all said it’s nothing, yet you still sent someone to bring A-Yao back.”

Meng Dongyuan replied, “Seeing Mother unable to sleep at night, and the medicine not helping, A-Yao is the granddaughter. She should come see Old Madam when she’s ill. Otherwise, if word got out, it would seem she is unfilial.”

Meng Jinyao quietly watched them act. Since she had the time, she played along, portraying the obedient and filial granddaughter. At the appropriate moment, she asked, “Is it that the medicine from the estate doctor didn’t work? The doctors at Miaochuntang are renowned throughout the capital. Shall we ask them to come examine Old Madam?”

Old Madam Meng said warmly, “A-Yao, you are thoughtful. Grandmother is not sick. It’s just that she worries about your third brother and cannot sleep.”

She sighed wistfully, looking at Meng Jinyao, as if remembering something. Then she said, “Grandmother heard that the Marquis of Gu has a close bond with the head of Lingshan Academy. Help your third brother and ask him to secure a spot from Xu Shanzhang. For him, it’s just a matter of a few words. A-Yao, I can see that the Marquis cares for you; your request will surely not be refused.”

So the fox’s tail revealed itself so quickly?

Meng Jinyao’s expression froze briefly, then she sneered. She had thought it was something else, but it turned out they were scheming for this.

Meng Chengxing failed the Lingshan Academy assessment, but her second brother passed. How could they stand to see a bastard outshine the legitimate son?

She said coldly, “I’m afraid your granddaughter cannot help with this. Since Lingshan Academy has an assessment system, it’s based on merit. Using connections is not merit.”

With that, she gave a light laugh, stood up leisurely, and added, “Since Old Madam is well, I shall return now.”

Old Madam Meng shouted angrily, “Stop right there!”