Chapter 189: Seeking Justice by Raising Troops

no choice but to do this," Mrs. Sun said, tears streaming down her face. "Ayao, please rest assured, your father and I will make up for this in other ways. Please forgive your mother this time, and i...Meng Jin Yao saw that the Sun family dared to be angry but not speak. She was clearly very angry, her eyes filled with anger, yet she still forcibly endured it, maintaining a proper smile. She admired this, and at the same time, she felt a sense of relief.

Once upon a time, she treated Lady Sun as her own mother. But Lady Sun never saw her as a daughter and always plotted against her, even plotting to harm Chongyu. She even killed her biological mother.

As Meng Jin'yu, the younger daughter, saw her mother's embarrassment, she couldn't argue back. After all, what others said were kind words, but her mother had truly done something wrong. Everyone knew about her taking away the dowry of Meng Jin'yao's birth mother. These kind words when used on her mother felt ironic.

Meng Jin's jade brow furrowed slightly, and she glared resentfully at Meng Jin Yao, who was watching the play.

Meng Jin Yao and Meng Jin Yu's eyes met. She playfully curled the corner of her mouth, watching as Sun Shi was tormented by the 'ghost', suffering from sleepless nights and fright every evening. She found joy in this, but it wasn't enough.

If it weren't for the imperial law that dictates, children who sue their parents must be imprisoned regardless of truth or falsehood, she really would have accused Sun Shi of murdering Cheng Yu. As for her biological mother's death, there is no evidence to be found now. There are witnesses, but based solely on that woman's one-sided account, it is difficult to establish guilt.

One day, she will make the Sun family admit it themselves.

When one's mental state is hazy and under immense pressure, their willpower will gradually crumble. She awaited that day's arrival; whether the Sun family lived or died was inconsequential, because many times living was more terrifying than dying. Existing in such a state, worse than death itself, was preferable to actual death.

Yang, the elder sister-in-law of the Sun family, saw the undercurrent between her sisters-in-law and secretly thought to herself that it was true that they had climbed high branches and become powerful. Since Meng Jinyang considered her younger sister-in-law an enemy, she, as a member of the Sun family, would not receive any favors from Meng Jinyang.

Since that's the case, it might as well help her younger sister. If her younger sister is happy, she can get some favors from her. Her eldest son is also getting married soon. If her younger sister can lend a hand, their family could save some money. Even though Yongchangbo Mansion has fallen from its former glory, it was once a wealthy and influential family. They still have assets. Just look at the fresh fruit and snacks served today – they are all from Pinji Restaurant, and the tea is also good quality. This shows that the mansion is doing well now.

And the younger sister-in-law is in charge of the ceremony, which makes it convenient for both sides to help each other.

Thinking this way, Yang shi changed the subject: "Ayao, I heard that you and Ayu have recently had a conflict over making friends"

Upon hearing her sister-in-law's words, Mrs. Sun let out a sigh of relief.

Meng Jinyao listened and immediately knew it was because of Jingning County Princess's matter. Her eyes swept lightly over Meng JinYu, and she asked in a faint voice: "Did Aunt misunderstand something"

"Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding," Yang sighed lightly, her voice filled with earnestness. "You two are sisters, the only ones you have. You should treat each other well. As the elder sister, you should be more considerate of your younger sister. Ah Yu even cried about this for a long time."

This is simply putting the label of "unfriendly sister" on her head without considering the context or fairness.

Meng Jinyu's face remained unchanged, and she replied calmly, "Has the second sister told our aunt why she was crying" Although her words were directed at Yang shi, her gaze lingered on Meng Jin yu, a profound meaning hidden in her eyes.

Meng Jinyu met her gaze, his face tightened. Previously, when Princess Jingning was present, he had suffered a loss at Meng Jinyao's hands. This time, he dared not gamble. At this moment, he could only admit defeat, otherwise, he would lose face in front of the guests, and his reputation would be ruined. He hurriedly said: "That day was actually my fault. I blame myself for not explaining clearly and letting the princess misunderstand my elder sister. After returning home, I felt very remorseful and cried a lot. Fortunately, my elder sister did not blame me."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Sun immediately knew that her daughter must have made a mistake. That day, her daughter hadn't explained clearly when she returned home, only saying that Meng Jin Yao had slandered her in front of Princess Jingning. She hadn't expected there to be another hidden truth. She glanced at her daughter and said softly, "Child, you need to be careful about what you say in the future. Did the princess misunderstand anything If the princess misunderstood, you should go apologize to her personally and clarify the situation."

Meng Jin Yu replied, "Mother, I have already explained it clearly."

Mrs. Sun nodded lightly: "Then let's just say it. She stood up gracefully and said to Meng Jinyao, "Ayao, Ayu, you two help mother greet the guests first. Mother will go to the kitchen and see how the lunch is prepared."

Meng Jiny Yao and Meng Jinyu responded.

Now, they had hit the mark with other ladies who were also hoping to chat with Meng Jinyao.

After Sun left, Meng Jinyu took the unmarried girls away from the flower hall to play leaf cards in a small pavilion next door.

Meng Jinyao effortlessly dealt with those ladies. Her attitude was nonchalant, with a sense of aloofness that kept people at bay. Those ladies wanted to flatter her but couldn't find the right words, and even finding ways to please her was difficult. Even Meng Lao Fu (the eldest mistress) 's niece-in-law, relying on her family connections, had trouble getting closer to Meng Jinyao.

Soon, the noon meal began, with men and women seated separately.

The men were drinking merrily, toasting each other and having a lively time.

The women here are much quieter. I'll just talk about interesting things from the capital to keep the atmosphere from getting too stilted.

Meng Jinyao looked at the feast on the table. The dishes tasted familiar, similar to those she and Anning had eaten at a certain restaurant before. She guessed that it was her father, who loved to show off and valued appearances, who had invited the head chef from the restaurant to cook. Even the snacks and fresh fruit she ate this morning and the tea were all of good quality. This small banquet today must have cost quite a bit of money.

She smirked, a mocking smile playing on her lips. The Yongchangbo mansion hadn't fallen yet, even without the support of her mother's dowry. They were still trying to put on a facade, pretending to be wealthy. This must be what it's like to go from luxury to frugality—it's difficult indeed.

After the luncheon, Yang found an opportunity when no one was around Meng Jinyao and approached her side. She whispered sarcastically: "Has Ayao climbed high branches and forgotten her own surname"

As for Yang daring to confront her, demanding an explanation, Meng Jinyao didn't find it surprising at all. She had an opinion of the Sun family, and she certainly wouldn't have a good face for the Sun family's relatives. Yang understood this, so she hadn't tried to fawn over her before. Fwning over her was less worthwhile than fawning over Sun herself. She responded calmly, "What do you mean by that, aunt"

Yang, taking advantage of his seniority, looked at her with a hint of accusation in his voice. He sternly reprimanded her: "No matter what your mother has done, she is still your mother. What happened with the dowry is in the past. Even if you are still angry, you should have let it go. Money and possessions are external things. Can anything be more important than your mother But just now, you deliberately embarrassed her in front of our guests. Is this what a child should do To behave so unfilial as a daughter is shameful. Your in-laws must be aware of this."

Meng Jinyao said nonchalantly, "Aunt, you're joking. I care about my mother, how could I make her embarrassed"

As she spoke, a light smile played on her lips, and her eyes glinted coldly at Yang. With a hint of mockery in her voice, she said, "It's your mother-in-law, you are the daughter-in-law of the Sun family, while I am the daughter of the Meng family, and the daughter-in-law of the Gu family. Even if I truly act improperly one day, my parents and grandmother are still alive, so it wouldn't be your place to discipline me. Could it be that you wish to step over my parents and grandmother The reason I call you aunt is because of your relationship to my stepmother. If there were no stepmother, my mother has no brothers, so what kind of aunt would you be"cious grasses flourish again)." The male protagonist has a hidden illness and it is difficult to have children. Taking the meaning of luxuriant branches and leaves, the female protagonist is like a ne...