Shen probably didn't have much time left. If Madam Shen passed away, Young Master Shen would have to observe filial piety for three years, so the wedding date would need to be delayed by three years....After leaving Rongfutang, Meng Jinyao took a deep breath and didn't linger for a moment. She left with brisk steps, passing through the moonlit gate, and encountered a young man hurrying by. The young man saw her and hurried forward to ask, "Elder sister, did they give you any trouble"

Meng Jinyao shook her head gently: "I'm fine, they can't do anything to me.

She paused, looked at Meng Chengzhang who was deep in thought for a moment, and then said: "Second brother, you go back to your courtyard and tidy up a bit, and come with me back to Changxing Hou's Mansion."

Meng Chengzhang was puzzled and looked at her blankly.

Meng Jinyu looked around and saw that there was no one around. She whispered, "Meng Chenxing didn't get into Ling Shan Academy. They put on a play today to lure me back, all for Meng Chenxing's studies. Just in case, you'd better come back to Changxing Houfu with me first."

If there hadn't been this incident today, she wouldn't have worried. But after what happened earlier, she had to be more cautious. Sun Shi's own son couldn't go to Ling Shan Academy, but her second brother passed the academy's examination. Who knew if Sun Shi would secretly do something behind the scenes to prevent her second brother from attending as well Two days could accomplish a lot; she had to be prepared.

Meng Chengzhang understood her meaning, he just nodded and then shook his head, hesitatingly said: "But if I go to Changxing Houfu rashly, will it cause trouble for my elder sister"

Meng Jinyao said softly, "You're going to study at Ling Shan Academy. The next time we meet will be during the academy's holiday. You can only come back to Beijing to see me then. Why not stay at my house for two days Is there anything troublesome about that Besides, you get along well with Xiuwen, right You could play with him too. He'll definitely welcome you."

Upon hearing this, Meng Chengzhang did not hesitate and nodded. “I’ll listen to my elder sister,” he said. “Actually, I had already packed my bags and been waiting to leave. I can just get them now. Elder sister, please wait.”

Meng Jin Yao nodded gently: "Okay, I'll wait for you at the screen wall."

Meng Chengzhang returned to his own courtyard, had the already packed belongings carried by the book boy, and then, with the book boy in tow, went to the screen wall to rendezvous.

The young boy was a beggar they had picked up on the street with his elder sister. He wasn't someone arranged by Madam Sun, so he was trustworthy. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare bring him along.

It's also thanks to Lady Sun, who initially thought that a little beggar who didn't understand etiquette was just right to serve as her son's attendant, agreeing to his request and letting the beggar wait on him as his book boy. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have a confidant.

As the siblings were preparing to return to Changxing Hou's Mansion, they encountered the steward.

The steward, upon seeing the second young master and the bookboy carrying a bag, was taken aback. He recalled that the second young master wasn't supposed to depart today, so he stepped forward and asked: "Miss, Second Young Master, what is this"

Meng Jinyao explained softly, “My younger brother is going to Ling Shan Academy soon, so I want him to stay at Changxing Houfu with me for two days.”

The housekeeper didn't doubt it. The eldest daughter had several brothers and sisters, but she got along best with the second young master. After the second young master went to the academy, the siblings could only meet when the academy was on holiday. It was normal for them to want to see each other at Changxing Hou Mansion for a couple of days. Besides, being able to let the second young master stay at Changxing Hou Mansion showed that the eldest daughter was favored by Changxing Hou.

"Then, the steward respectfully said, “I shall escort the young lady and the second master.”

The housekeeper saw the siblings off at the front door and watched as they got into the carriage before returning.

The pageboy sat in the carriage with the coachman. Qingqiu, being a young lady, got into the carriage with her siblings.

In a carriage.

Meng Chengzhang saw that his elder sister looked lost and distraught. He knew that she must have been made difficult for by them when she was at Rongfutang.

He whispered, "Big sister, what happened at Rongfutang"

Meng Jinyao shook her head. "It's nothing, I just remembered some things and wanted to continue asking him, so I changed the subject. Second brother, it's still early now, is there anything you need Let's go buy

Meng Chengzhang thought for a moment: "Big sister, I don't lack anything."

Meng Jin Yao smiled and nodded: "Well, if you're missing anything, you can buy it later. Or if you think of anything else you need, we can go shopping again tomorrow."

Meng Chengzhang responded and looked at her, hesitating several times before speaking. Finally, seeing Qingqiu gently shake her head at him, he gave up asking.

Not long after, Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan also learned that Meng Jinyao had taken Meng Chengzhang away. However, upon hearing the steward's account, both Old Madam Meng and Meng Dongyuan did not think much of it. After all, this was the only illegitimate child in the Meng family who could speak to Meng Jinyao. They were siblings with a good relationship, and in the future, they might even be able to gain some benefits through Chengzhang.

But Mrs. Sun pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a sinister gleam. If she wasn't mistaken, that little slut was trying to guard against her.

-

Changxing Houfu.

Gu Xiwen saw his siblings return and learned that Meng Chengzhang would be staying for two days. Before Meng Jin Yao could arrange guest rooms, he directly invited Meng Chengzhang to stay in the same courtyard with him, so there was no need to tidy up the guest rooms.

He saw that Meng Jinyang's complexion was not very good and she didn't seem to have much energy. She seemed a bit tired, so he said, "Third Aunt, I think you seem a little tired. Let me take my second uncle to my yard to put away our luggage first. Later, I'll take him to greet Grandmother. You should go back and rest for a while."

Meng Jin Yao didn't bother with formalities either, smiling and replying: "Alright, then trouble Xiuwen. Aunt San seems a bit tired today."

Meng Chengzhang was not at ease. He could sense that his elder sister had something on her mind, but he didn't know what had happened at Rongfutang to disturb her so much. He said softly, "Elder Sister, let me send you back first. I'll go with Sīlang later."

Meng Jinyao replied, "I'm fine. You go with Xiuwen first to put away your luggage, and then we'll go to pay our respects to the old lady later."

Seeing her persistence, Meng Chengzhang had no choice but to leave with Gu Xiwen first.

After they left, Qingqiu only observed her master's state silently. When the second young master was present, she didn't dare to ask, but now that only the two of them remained, seeing her master's expressionless countenance, she inquired with concern, "Madam, are you alright"

Meng Jinyáo lightly shook her head: "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired. Let's go back first."

Qing Qiu opened her mouth, but seeing that she didn't want to say any more, she eventually stopped asking.

Back at Weiruixuan, Meng Jinyao sent the maidservant away under the pretense of needing to rest.

Ning Dong did not follow to Yong Chang Bo's residence, but she had grown up with her master, so she naturally saw something was wrong. She privately asked Qing Qiu, "Qing Qiu, what is wrong with Madam"

Qīngqiū replied, “When I was at Yǒngchāng Bó’s residence, the old mistress mentioned the eldest son and even scolded Madam for being a widow star.”

Ning Dong listened and understood. This was the madam's knot in her heart. She glanced at the room. From this position, she couldn't actually see anyone inside. Because of this, she was even more worried and asked, "What should we do now Shall we go in and comfort the madam"

Qing Qiu shook her head: "Madam seems to want to be left alone, so let's just leave Madam be for now."

Ning Dong let out a soft sigh. So many years had passed, but Madam still hadn't truly moved on.ll her wrist, he wouldn't even glance at her with disgust.Just now, Mr. Zhang stepped back a few steps and whispered to Qi Yunwen: "Sir Qi, this time we believe what you said. Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu have...