Chapter Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Cold Shoulder

he wooden plank, had long since lost consciousness. He lay motionless, his white tunic torn apart by the whips, revealing a back covered in bloody flesh.When Gu Jing Sheng heard the sound of whipping...A mistress sized up Meng Jinyu with a glance. Seeing her sweet smile and amiable demeanor, she couldn't quite gauge the real feelings Gu Fu had for this younger sister. Thus, she smiled and said, "Mrs. Gu, your younger sister is truly beautiful."

Another person chimed in, "Yes, he seems likeable."

Meng Jinyu blushed and smiled shyly: "The two ladies are overpraising me."

Meng Jin Yao gave Meng Jin Yu a faint glance, her smile undiminished: "Mother was also a beauty in her youth. My second sister looks like our mother, even our father said that the second sister is carved from the same mold as our mother. I think my second sister is very similar to our mother, especially these past two years, she has grown more and more like her."

Who among those present is not a shrewd person

Hearing Meng Jinyao mention her stepmother, Sun shi, I could probably guess how Meng Jinyao truly felt about this sister of hers. A sister who looks like an unpleasant stepmother—she couldn't possibly like her.

Several ladies had a good understanding of the situation and knew how to treat Meng Jin'yu. They complimented Meng Jin'yu's appearance briefly, then subtly steered the conversation elsewhere, discussing other matters with Meng Jin'yao. No one brought the topic back to Meng Jin'yu.

The topics they discussed, Meng Jin Yu, an unmarried girl, couldn't get a word in. She was like an invisible person, just standing beside Meng Jin Yao.

The other ladies saw Meng Jiny Yao speaking and laughing with them amiably. They didn't bring up her sister being ignored, knowing that they had done the right thing. They understood that the two sisters were truly not close.

While Meng Jin Yu stayed by Meng Jin Yao's side, she didn't know whether to leave or stay, feeling awkward. She tried several times to interject but couldn't find a way in. Watching Meng Jin Yao converse happily with the other ladies, completely ignoring her presence, made her feel resentful. However, she dared not show any displeasure in front of these ladies, so she could only sit there like a decorative vase.

Meng Jinyáo spoke softly: "Looking at the time, the bridal procession will be here soon. My sister-in-law is now busy and can't leave, so I have to go and see how the bride is preparing."

The considerate guest said, "Then Mrs. Gu should go busy herself first."

Meng Jin Yao stood up and nodded slightly to the ladies: "Ladies, I'll take my leave now." She then said to Meng Jin Yu, "Second sister, elder sister has to go busy first. You go keep mother company."

Meng Jinyu let out a sigh of relief inwardly and smiled in response, "Elder sister, go busy first. I'll go find mother." She also got up from her seat and went to look for Sun Shi.

On the other hand, Mrs. Sun was being deliberately ignored by the other guests. She didn't have the energy to put on a facade and chat with them anyway.

Since she went to the Lingyun Temple's Hall of Rebirth and offered incense to that woman, she has been sleeping better. She hasn't seen any ghosts in recent days. But the poor rest from before has taken a toll on her health. She doesn't have much energy now. She came here today to drink wedding wine for her children and to let them take advantage of this opportunity to meet some influential people.

At this moment, she saw her daughter walking listlessly toward her and softly asked, "Ayue, what's wrong"

Meng Jinyu's face was filled with both grievance and anger: "Mother, those ladies didn't take me seriously at all. They didn't even speak to me, and Meng Jiayao didn't introduce me to them either. I just sat there like a transparent person the whole time."

The abacus of good fortune fell short, and Sun shi's brows furrowed: "You smiled and greeted her, but she deliberately ignored you That doesn't seem like her personality."

Meng Jin Yu replied truthfully, “She only allowed me to pay respects to the other ladies. At first, they said I was pretty, and then she said I looked like you. After that, there were no more awkward comments. I couldn't get a word in edgewise anyway.”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Sun was stunned for a moment before quickly understanding. Her face darkened, and she cursed inwardly: "This little vixen is becoming more cunning."

Meng Jinyu looked at the lively scene around her, but she and her mother seemed out of place. She pursed her lips in frustration: "Mother, where are we having a wedding celebration This feels more like coming to be bullied. She deliberately ignores us relatives."

Sun shi remained calm and said in a gentle voice, "Since that's the case, we won't force it. Your father and Chengxing should be able to meet some people during the banquet. Even if they don't make any connections, our Yongchang Marquis Mansion has fulfilled its proper etiquette today, and we can salvage some reputation."

Meng Jinyu felt indignant: "Mother, you are the elder, she is the younger. To treat you this way is disrespectful and unfilial. Only because of your kindness have you endured it."

Sun shi narrowed her eyes and said in a grave voice, "A-Yu, be careful with your words. Your mother told you before that if you were to get engaged, your reputation must be impeccable. You are sisters, no matter what happens, outside, you should only speak well of her. Put on a good show, so that others cannot criticize you. Even if they want to say something, it will be about her, saying she is not affectionate towards her sister, while you, the sister, defend her."

Meng Jin Yu did not dare to disobey her mother, and hurriedly nodded: "Mother, rest assured, I have always done as you said. I have never said a bad word about her outside."

Soon, the sounds of joyful and lively celebrations came from outside, it was the wedding procession.

Over thirty men from the Marquis Wu'an's residence came to welcome the bride. Several young masters of the Gu family stopped the groom at the door, asking the son of Marquis Wu'an to compose a poem to urge the makeup artist to finish. The poem impressed everyone with its brilliance and they were then allowed to enter to receive the bride. Many guests came to watch the lively event.

Today is a joyful day. It's considerate of the groom to make things difficult for himself, only letting Marquis Wu'an's son write three poems to urge his bride to be ready before he can enter and take her away.

Gu Xuanyi was carried out by her elder brother Gu Xiuyuan and sent to Huabiao Bridge. The second master, Gu Jingsong, as the bride's escort, also went with them to see her off.

The welcoming procession set off, with the blowing of horns and drums, a thunderous symphony echoing through the streets as they made their grand return to Marquis Wuan's mansion.

At the banquet, glasses clinked and guests raised their voices in congratulations. One after another, guests toasted the host, and after three rounds of drinks and five courses, the clamor gradually subsided.

After the feast, the guests were well-fed and drunk. Many were so drunk that they had to be helped away by servants. The men of the house saw off male guests, while the women saw off female guests. For guests who lived far away, rooms were arranged for them to stay overnight. Everyone was busy as a bee.

Meng Jinyao was exhausted, dealing with a throng of female guests. She had also had some wine at the banquet, and her head felt heavy now, but she still needed to stay sharp and see off the guests.

After seeing off the guests, Meng Jinyao asked Zhang Shi if there was anything she needed help with.

Zhang was also quite tired. Hearing her ask this, she too wanted to be a hands-off boss, returning home to rest herself and letting her manage the servants. She had someone inquire about what the overnight guests needed and then sent someone to deliver it.

But seeing her weary face, Zhang shi didn't want to really ask her to help. This girl was her younger brother's favorite, so she softly said, "It's nothing major, Third Sister-in-law. You've worked hard today, go back and rest first."

Meng Jiny Yao, hearing her say this, went back first.

On the way, Meng Jinyao saw Gu Jingxi talking to someone. The other person was a man in his thirties, who looked gentle and polite, and somewhat resembled Gu Jingxi.key to the storeroom. She then carried a red sandalwood box containing a jade head ornament.Qing Qiu saw this and asked in surprise, "Madam, where are you taking this headdress"Meng Jinyao replied sof...