using up all her courage, and said in a loud voice: "It's your Gu family who is to blame for me first. Since you welcomed me into the house with a grand procession, there is no reason for me to go ba...The gossip from Qingyuxuan, the heads of each courtyard, just listen for fun and amusement.

In a blink of an eye, it's New Year's Eve.

A large family enjoyed a sumptuous reunion dinner. Men, women, and children gathered together to chat and laugh. They stayed up all night together, waiting for the arrival of the new year.

Gu Jingxi and his three brothers chatted together, while Meng Jin Yao and her two sisters-in-law sat beside Old Madam Gu, keeping her company by talking about recent interesting events in the capital.

When both Miss Gu Xuyan and Miss Gu Xuanying got married, Madam Jiang would play with her two younger sisters-in-law. It's always a bit restrained to accompany the elders, and she wouldn't be able to relax as much.

Gu Xiuyan's four brothers also gathered together, but subtle changes occurred between them. Since Gu Xiuming and Gu Xiuwen had a fight with Meng Chengzhang last time, even though Gu Xiuming apologized later, Gu Xiuwen still couldn't return to how things were before.

Prior to Gu Xiaming's repeated actions that caused disapproval, Gu Xiuhong, who had the best relationship with him, distanced himself from him. Even though Gu Xiaming had already apologized to their elders, Gu Xiuhong still kept his distance and was not as kind to him as before. After all, they were no longer on the same path.

As for Gu Xiuyuan, as the eldest brother, he definitely wouldn't take the lead in isolating anyone. He would try his best to maintain a good brotherhood and find topics that involve all the younger brothers, so as not to isolate or neglect anyone.

Gu Xiuming naturally noticed the changes in his brothers. He was furious inside. The girl he liked had become a stumbling block at a critical moment, giving him a child and preventing him from marrying a proper wife to turn the situation around. No, he had to find a way.

When midnight arrived, everyone returned to their own courtyards to prepare for rest.

Meng Jiny Yao yawned and urged, "Husband, I'm so sleepy, hurry up!"

Gu Jingxi smiled and asked, "Are you that tired"

What do you think

Meng Jin Yao glared at him, then couldn't help but yawn. Tears welled up in her eyes. This drowsy look, as if she could fall asleep standing up, clearly showed how tired she was.

Seeing this, Gu Jingxi squatted down in front of her.

Meng Jin Yao was at a loss, until after a while, she heard him say, "Come up."

Meng Jin Yao finally understood what he meant, and she didn't bother being polite. She climbed onto his back, reaching out to hold his neck, asking him to carry her back.

Before she had walked a few steps, Meng Jinyao had already fallen asleep.

-

The second day of the Lunar New Year is the day when married daughters return to their parents' home.

Even though Meng Jiny Yao has a strained relationship with her family, when it's time to go back, she still needs to prepare gifts for her natal family, after all, there is still a younger brother at home.

Gu Jingxi accompanied her back, as for Gu Xiuming, probably because he was feeling irritable lately, and couldn't even pretend to be the filial son accompanying his mother back home. He didn't go back with them.

Meng Dongyuan didn't make a mistake this time. Thinking that after the Sun family (his eldest daughter's mother) was gone, his eldest daughter should have calmed down, their Meng family would still need the Gu family's support in the future.

So, he had the kitchen prepare a feast early on and, having learned about the daughter's favorite snacks, sent someone to buy them back, preparing for his daughter and son-in-law's visit home.

After learning of this, Meng Jinyu raged in her own room. Before, she was the jewel in her parents' eyes, and all their food preferences catered to hers. Now, her father went to great lengths to find out what Meng Jin Yao liked and focused on her instead.

For this, Meng Chengxing also suffered the consequences. He was scolded by his sister for being useless out of the blue.

After his mother's death, Meng Chengxing relied on this elder sister who shared the same mother. Now, for the first time, he felt resentment towards her and left in a huff.

Meng Jinyu also came to her senses. She thought that even if she got married in the future, she would still need a younger brother at home to support her. She hurriedly grabbed his sleeve and said softly, something rare for her: "Third Brother, don't be angry with me. I was just feeling down. We are siblings born of the same mother, you wouldn't be angry with me because of my momentary outburst, would you"

Meng Chengxing's anger subsided: "Next time, Second Sister, please don't vent on me."

Meng Jinyu nodded and said, "Brother-in-law and elder sister should be here soon. Let's go take a look."

Meng Chengxing glanced at her and asked, "Second Sister, you don't like her, do you She's back, so she's back. Why are we making a fuss"

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin'yu felt a sharp pain in her temples. She sensed that her younger brother was still stuck in the past. If it hadn't been for Meng Jin'yao marrying into Changxing Houfu, they wouldn't have had to bother with her at all. But now things were different. She gave him a cold look and said, "Father is currently trying to please those two, so we have to act accordingly and not create conflict with them. If we lose Father's favor, who benefits then"

Meng Chengxing suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Not long after, Meng Jiny Yao and Gu Jing Xi returned to Yongchang Bo's mansion, finding their father and grandmother smiling warmly at them. As for Cheng Zhang, his kindness towards her went without saying; what was rare was that Meng Cheng Xing and Meng Jin Yu were also very well-behaved.

After the midday meal, Meng Jin Yu found Meng Jin Yao and bluntly asked, “Elder sister, Father is looking for a stepmother for us. You must have heard about it, right”

Meng Jinyu nodded. "I heard, what's wrong"

Meng Jin jade said earnestly: "Sister, I was ignorant before and often made you unhappy. Here's my apology."

Meng Jinyao pursed her lips and smiled: "It's all in the past, why does Second Sister still bring it up"

"I know elder sister doesn't like me, and I don't expect elder sister to forgive my childishness when I was young. Meng Jin Yu slumped her head, sighed softly, then after a while, she lifted her head again, and continued, "But we are sisters connected by blood, through thick and thin. We are sisters who stand on the same side through everything, what do you think, elder sister"

Meng Jin Yao gave her a faint glance: "Yes, we are half-sisters. I don't deny that, but what is it that Second Sister wants to say"

Meng Jinyuan looked around, seeing no one was there, she lowered her voice and said: “I don’t think elder sister wants a stepmother to marry in, right The future stepmother is our common enemy. Our father wants to remarry, and my younger brother and I can’t persuade him. But if elder sister and brother-in-law put pressure on father, maybe he will give up.”

Hearing this, Meng Jin Yao's eyes narrowed strangely as she looked at her sister, feeling that this younger sibling was treating her like a fool. She smiled playfully: "So, Second Sister wants me and the Marquis to stop Father from taking another wife"

Meng Jinyu said: "Only elder sister and brother-in-law have this ability."

Meng Jinyao let out a low chuckle, feigning confusion and asking, "Second sister, you are truly strange. Didn't you tell me before that your stepmother is also a mother, and you should treat her like your biological mother Now how come you say your stepmother is an enemy"

Meng Jinyu was speechless at her words.

Seeing her speechless, Meng Jinyao sneered and continued, "Father is only in his thirties, and the grandmother is getting older. The household needs a young mistress to take charge of things, and remarriage is also reasonable. Could Second Sister want Father to have no one around him who understands his warmth and coolness"

Meng Jinyu, hearing her say this, knew she couldn't possibly oppose her father's remarriage. So, she stopped pretending and said in a deep voice, "Elder sister, you are a married woman, you don't worry about being bullied by your stepmother, but do you not worry about the second younger brother You have the best relationship with the second younger brother. You don't even care about me and the third younger brother, but could you bear to see the second younger brother bullied by his stepmother"

Meng Jinyáo said calmly, "Second brother is now under my mother's name. He is the legitimate son of the original wife and has me, his older sister, protecting him. Even if his stepmother wants to belittle him, she has to think twice."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyu's face changed drastically.

Meng Jin Yao's smile deepened: "However, Second Sister and Third Brother are different. Second Sister, you better pray we meet a kind stepmother."

Meng Jinyu's voice choked, "You..."

Meng Jin Yao said with a playful tone: "If the second sister doesn't want to be disliked by our father, it's best not to talk nonsense. Otherwise, my past will be your future. The second sister should know very well what kind of life someone lives who doesn't please their elders in the Meng family, right"

Without another word, Meng Jiny Yao ignored her and left.

Meng Jinyu's plan fell through. Watching her gradually disappearing figure, he was so angry that he stomped his feet. appointment"Meng Jin yao smiled playfully and said, "Go ahead! Since the Duke and his wife have invited me, how could I possibly refuse"But...The willow branches swayed, as if wanting to speak but he...