Chapter 428: The Joy of Raising a Child

rn, leaving only two options: returning the dowry or going to court. Either way would be detrimental to the family's reputation. Their Yongchang Bo Fu would forever be ridiculed whenever they went out...A gentle breeze rustles the leaves, carrying with it a chilling mist.

Time unknowingly slipped into deep autumn. Last night, there was a autumn rain, and this morning the chill was heavy. After leaving the warm bed, I could clearly feel the cold air invading.

Meng Jinyáo put on the deep autumn dress she had custom-made at Jinxiu Fang earlier, and after putting on the newly bought jewelry, she ate breakfast and then went to Shou'an Tang to pay her respects to Mrs. Gu. As soon as she entered the room, everyone present was taken aback. Looking at her exquisite and luxurious attire, it seemed like she was going to attend a banquet.

She was dressed in a crimson gown embroidered with golden thread and floral patterns, wearing a golden headdress adorned with red rubies and silk tassels. Her ears were adorned with moon-shaped pearl earrings. She walked gracefully towards them, her skirt fluttering like a flower blossom, exuding an air of elegance and extravagance, her beauty was captivatingly radiant.

After Meng Jinyao paid her respects to Madam Gu, she sat down in the seat below Madam Gu.

Zhang curiously asked, "Third younger sister, you seem to have dressed up carefully today, and you're wearing such festive clothes. Are you going to a banquet"

Meng Jinyao was slightly startled, then smiled: "No, I just think the dress is beautiful, so I made a little effort to dress up. Otherwise, I always feel that I don't match this dress."

Chen glanced at her and interjected, "Judging by the style of the dress, it wasn't made by the embroidery women in the household, was it"

Meng Jin Yao truthfully said: "The skirt is from the Jinxiu Fang."

Upon hearing this, both Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Zhang understood. Since it came from Jinxiu Pavilion, it must have been prepared by their younger brother-in-law. Even though he was away on business, he had made sure everything his wife needed for eating, wearing, and using was taken care of at home.

Elder Gu's gaze also fell on the younger daughter-in-law. Looking at her, she was dressed in a luxurious and generous manner. Her small face seemed to have gained some flesh, and she sat there with a smile on her lips, like a prosperous flower.

Although the things were prepared in her son's name for his wife, it was actually she who had them arranged. After many years, she experienced the joy of raising a child and raised him very well. There was a strange sense of accomplishment. The feeling of raising a daughter is different from raising a son.

Zhang admired, "Third sister-in-law, your third brother is so considerate, unlike his elder brother, who's like a block of wood."

Meng Jin Yao lowered her head slightly, feigning shyness. After all, it was embarrassing to answer directly, so she acted like a bashful young wife, lowering her head. Others understood the implication immediately.

Mrs. Gu said softly, "Eldest daughter-in-law, your eldest son is always so straightforward and rough around the edges. If you want something, you have to tell him directly. Otherwise, he won't know what you want, and if you keep it bottled up inside, you'll only end up hurting yourself."

"Mother said,"

Zhang quickly nodded in agreement, but inwardly she was annoyed. Her husband could be so clueless sometimes, it drove her crazy. When she was angry, he never seemed to notice, and even on the full moon night, when she had specially worn a thin, gossamer nightgown and made eye contact with him, he acted as if she were flirting with a blind man. He even asked her what was wrong with her eyes! It left her speechless in an instant.

Elder Madam Gu then said, "Their several brothers' father was like this back then. Without explicit instructions, they wouldn't realize this aspect. The eldest brother followed his father in this regard."

She was telling the truth. The old Marquis wasn't a very considerate husband back then, neither to his wife nor his concubines. He never cared much about what went on in the inner house. However, besides being a poor husband, the old Marquis was a good son, a good father, a good friend, a good teacher, and a good official.

Later on, she reached her limit and directly expressed her grievances, clearly stating her demands to her husband. Her husband was unhappy about it, finding her demanding, but as long as it wasn't related to his mother-in-law and there were no conflicts, he would reluctantly fulfill some of her requests to ease her discomfort.

Upon hearing this, Zhang thought of her father-in-law. Her father-in-law was indeed not the kind of attentive husband. However, he also treated his mother-in-law with respect. When her husband was young, he was perhaps better than her father-in-law. When he was young, at least he would coax her. Her father-in-law, that stern man, probably wouldn't stoop to coaxing a woman.

Upon comparison, Zhang found that while lacking in some areas, she excelled in others. This brought her comfort, and she smiled as she responded, "Thank you for your guidance, Mother."

Mrs. Gu announced another matter: "I made an agreement with several elder sisters to stay at the temple for a few days tomorrow. The eldest and second daughters-in-law will take care of things at home, and the third daughter-in-law should not overwork herself as she is pregnant."

As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Xuanyi immediately chimed in, “Grandmother, I’ll accompany you to pray for blessings.”

Mrs. Gu was surprised. This granddaughter usually wanted to stay as far away from incense as possible, so what happened today

Gu Xuanyi probably also realized that her reaction was unusual, so she said: "My granddaughter has recently had some insights, but my thoughts are still somewhat vague. I feel like I need to be closer to Buddha before I can fully understand."

Mrs. Gu nodded, "It's rare for you to have time to calmly contemplate the truth. Afterwards, pack your belongings and come with me to Lingyun Temple tomorrow morning."

Gu Xuan yi smiled sweetly and replied, “Yes, Grandmother.”

Zhang's heart was heavy with gloom. She knew what her daughter was trying to do; she wanted to avoid her, even preferring to live in a temple, fasting and chanting, rather than face her.

But this is also for the daughter's good, after all, a married girl, even if she's pure, men who have never been married still care about it. If she gets older, they will care even more. It's best to find a husband now while she is young.

Take her out to many social events and give her opportunities to meet new people. You never know, she might just meet someone wonderful. However, the daughter didn't understand her mother's good intentions and resisted them.

Left Shou'an Tang.

Gu Xuanyi returned to her own courtyard as quickly as possible, afraid of being nagged by her mother.

Zhang was both angry and helpless. Her husband wasn't ambitious or considerate, and her daughter didn't understand her efforts. Thankfully, her two sons were bright. Her eldest son had passed the imperial examination, and her youngest had become a Xiucai (a successful scholar). Otherwise, life would have been unbearable.

Zhang looked at Meng Jingyao and pleaded, "Third sister-in-law, since Xuanyì is close to you now, could you persuade her A young lady shouldn't remain unmarried."

Meng Jin Yao said softly, "Elder sister-in-law, sometimes the more you pressure her, the more she resists. Wait another year or so, and she'll probably figure it out."

Zhang sighed: “Another year and a half, she’ll be seventeen next year. I’m only doing this for her own good.”

"What's wrong with being seventeen"

Mrs. Chen shook her head dismissively, looking down on Mrs. Zhang's actions. She said softly, "Our family's daughters are not worried about getting married. Big sister-in-law is so eager to take Xuanyi to see potential suitors, afraid that no one will want her. This makes it seem like Xuanyi is desperate to marry, wouldn't that belittle her in the eyes of others"

Zhang was speechless.

Chen glanced at her and continued, “Your mother has also told you that there’s no need to rush Xiuyi's marriage. Last time, your aunt overdid it and harmed Xiuyi. Although Xiuyi was disobedient and willful when she married into the Duke of Wu’an’s manor, without your aunt's matchmaking, would Xiuyi have met her former husband”

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhang's face turned sour, and she said with displeasure: "Second sister-in-law, you're stirring up trouble where there is none. Why bring up such an unpleasant thing"

Chen replied, “I was only reminding my sister-in-law not to repeat the same mistakes and harm the child again.”

With that, Chen shi did not bother to argue with her, and strode away.

Meng Jinyao didn't want to get involved either, only saying: "Sister-in-law, let's take things slow regarding Xuanyi. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll go back first."heard this, feeling like the sky was about to collapse. He cried and continued drinking his medicine, every mouthful causing his two small eyebrows to furrow, pouting his little mouth, and tears strea...