ounded. He called out weakly, "Father,"Gu Jingxi glanced at his restless wife and then at his unrepentant son. These two, mother and son, were a match made in hell; both restless individuals. However...The Estate of Yongchangbo.

Since the incident at Mrs. Meng's birthday banquet, Meng Jinyu had not left her home. She avoided going outside even her courtyard gate as much as possible.

Those outside were whispering about her, saying that with a mother like Mrs. Sun, she couldn't be any better. Even the servants in the house looked at her with strange eyes, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

Looking at her own brother, who was born from the same mother but as a male, she received far less gossip and slander. This filled her with anger; they were both children of the same mother, so why was he favored simply because he was male

Because Cheng Xing spent more time learning from her teacher at the academy than she did being taught by her mother at home, she felt that she didn't understand the teachings of the sages and would be greatly influenced by her mother

At this moment, Meng Jin Yu was shutting herself inside her room, refusing to listen to anything outside. She didn't want to hear any negative comments about her and get upset again.

The maidservant, Qing'er, came in to report: "Second Miss, the young master is here."

Meng Jin Yu was furious with her younger brother, and at this moment she didn't want to see him because he, as a man, was living better than herself. She immediately said: "Tell him to get lost! I don't want to see anyone!"

Qinger knew her mistress was in a bad mood and didn't even want to see her own younger brother. She advised, "Second Miss, no matter how hard it is for you, you can't turn your back on the Crown Prince. He is your closest brother, and in the future, you will rely on each other."

Meng Jinyu is not listening to advice now, and impatiently said: "I said I wouldn't see him, so don't come. Just let him get lost, does he have problems, so I don't I am not his mother, he can't find solace in me."

Qing'er saw her stubborn expression and shook her head helplessly. She didn't dare to persuade her any further, lest the second young lady take her anger out on her later.

Meng Chengxing, learning that his sister didn't want to see anyone, didn't hesitate. He pushed away Qing'er with one hand and barged into the room.

Meng Jinyu saw him barge in like that and frowned displeasurely. "Qinger didn't tell you, I'm in a bad mood and don't want to see anyone"

Meng Chengxing didn't notice her anger. He went straight to sit beside her and said, "Second Sister, I know you're in a bad mood. After this happened, I'm not in a good mood either. The reason I came to bother you is that I have something to tell you.

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yu lifted her eyelids and glanced at him, asking with little interest, "What is it Is it that your homework failed again and you were scolded by the teacher, so you came to me for comfort"

Meng Chengxing's face turned pale. He did indeed fail his homework yesterday, but the teacher, taking pity on his misfortune, didn't scold him. Instead, he comforted him, telling him not to worry too much and to study hard.

He shook his head. "It's not that, it's that Father wants to find us a stepmother."

Meng Jin's heart skipped a beat, and she exclaimed urgently, "What do you mean"

Meng Chengxing glanced at his elder sister, knowing that she had been keeping herself secluded in the courtyard these past few days, oblivious to everything outside. He then said: "Father has found a matchmaker and is looking for an unmarried girl who is both beautiful and suitable for marriage. He's planning to take another wife. I heard this news from some of my classmates."

Meng Jinyu's heart tightened: "Could the news be wrong"

Meng Chengxing said firmly: “I think it’s true. Young Master Yin spoke with conviction, and the matchmaker also inadvertently revealed the information. The Yin family learned about this news first. Since the news came from the Yin family, they wouldn't openly spread rumors.”

The message confirmed that Meng Jinyu was instantly panicked. She felt that her father might remarry, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly. Her mother had only passed away last month, and her father was already looking for a new wife. Did he really have no feelings for her mother With a stepmother, would she still be able to live a good life

Seeing Meng Jinyu's flustered expression, her younger brother Meng Chengxing, who was two years younger than her, was even more panicked. He asked, "Second sister, what should we do If Father brings a stepmother back, we'll probably be tormented by her. How many stepmothers are good people who will treat their husband's former wife's children well"

When he said this, he had already forgotten that his own mother had once been someone else's stepmother, and only thought of the hardships he would face in the future with a stepmother.

Meng JinYu was feeling agitated and unhappy. She didn't even look at him as she snapped, "Who am I supposed to ask You're the Crown Prince, you'll inherit the title in the future. How could your stepmother possibly do anything to harm you But me My marriage hasn't been settled yet. Who knows what kind of husband they'll find for me in the end"

Meng Chengxing only then realized the anger directed at him from his elder sister. Feeling a bit wronged, his spirits low, he said: "Second Sister, your marriage isn't settled, and neither is mine. Compared to you, where could I possibly be better off She can find you a useless husband, and she can also find me a bad wife.

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyu stared at her younger brother for a long time, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck her mind. "Third brother," she said, "I have a plan. Would you be willing to give it a try"

Meng Chengxing asked, "What plan"

Meng Jin's complexion eased slightly, and she whispered, "Father has always valued you, and Grandmother doted on you. Among all our siblings, Grandmother loved you the most. Why not go before Grandmother and refuse Father's remarriage Grandmother loves you dearly and will certainly persuade Father to put off the marriage for now."

Meng Chenxing was stunned: "Postponed for now How long are we going to delay"

Meng Jin'yu pondered for a moment before replying, "At least two more years. Mother passed away, and originally we were supposed to observe filial piety for three years. But since mother was abandoned, being cast out as an 'out-mother', her children only need to observe filial piety for one year. Next year I will come of age, and grandmother will also arrange my marriage. After two years, I will be married, and then I can help you. Otherwise, my marriage will be calculated by my stepmother, and if I live poorly, how can I help you"

As she spoke, she observed her younger brother's changing expressions. Seeing that he seemed to agree with her, she continued, "Besides, in two more years, you can also get married. Once our marriages are settled, your stepmother coming in won't affect ours at all. What do you think"

Meng Chengxing felt this was reasonable, nodding in agreement and hesitatingly said: "Second sister, should I tell grandmother like this"

Meng Jin's face tightened. If the fool behaved like this and told their grandmother, she might guess it was her instigating him. She hurriedly said, "That definitely can't be said. If you say that, your grandmother will think you're overthinking things. Just tell her you haven't recovered from the pain of losing your mother and can't accept your father remarrying. Anyway, if you argue with her, just say you disagree. She feels sorry for you and will naturally persuade your father to put this aside.

Meng Chengxing nodded. "Then I'll go to Rongfutang now and tell Grandmother." He finished speaking and stood up.

Meng Jin nodded: "Go, I'll wait for good news."

Looking at Meng Chenxing's departing figure, Meng Jinyu's eyes grew even deeper. She didn't want to do this either, but in her grandmother's eyes, she was far less important than Chenxing.

Besides, Cheng Xing is the Crown Prince. Even if the grandmother gets angry, she wouldn't do anything to him. In her heart, Cheng Xing is her beloved grandson.

She was different because she looked like her mother. Her grandmother wasn't as close to her as before, but she remained the same towards Chengxing. That's the difference.

If she angered her grandmother, she might lose her grandmother's favor. If a daughter loses the heart of an elder in their family, wouldn't the outcome be like Meng Jin Yao's

It's just that Meng Jinyao was lucky and married a marquis with overwhelming imperial favor. That's why she's living a good life now.the tension, Zhang realized she had been too strict with her eldest son and seemingly negligent towards her youngest, even indulging him excessively. This resulted in the eldest son being disciplined...