ine.Meng Jin Yao showed a knowing expression: "I see. Then I'll accompany you in choosing rouge."Song Xining questioned, "Ayo, what conflict did you just have with Meng Jinyu"Meng Jinyao was slightly...Qingqiu and Ningdong remained silent, feeling saddened for their mistress. Their mistress was a good girl, yet why was her life so full of misfortune

There was a very good marriage arranged, and they all hoped that the mistress would endure until her wedding day so that she could finally enjoy the sweet fruits of her labor. However, on the wedding day, the groom-to-be dealt them a blow right at the start.

— Ran away from the wedding.

The mistress instantly became the laughingstock of the whole audience. Everyone in the capital city was making jokes about the mistress. On her wedding day, she was abandoned by the groom. Such a disgraceful event had never happened in the capital for decades, yet it befell their mistress.

Fortunately, the Marquis married them, and he treated their mistress well. But unexpectedly, the Marquis turned out to have a sweetheart

Ning Dong choked back tears and said, "Madam, you have been wronged."

Meng Jinyao also saw it openly, and replied softly: "When I chose to marry him, I didn't choose between Gu Xiuhong and Gu Xiwen. Wasn't it just to find my place back, to get the title of Houfu's wife, to be Gu Xiuming's elder, so that Gu Xiuming couldn't bully me either Now that my goal has been achieved, there's nothing to be wronged about."

Ning Dong felt deeply pained: “But I feel sorry for the mistress, they shouldn't have treated her this way. If they didn't want to marry her, they should have broken the engagement earlier. To run away on their wedding day is simply unacceptable!”

She spoke, tears streaming down her face, anger and sorrow mixing together: "You, a pure and innocent girl, married someone so much older, with hidden ailments. I never thought he'd have another woman in his heart. It was their family that ruined you! Even if you married a poor scholar who only had you in his heart, it would be better than marrying a man whose heart belongs to someone else."

Meng Jinyao was also a little uncomfortable in her heart. Was she wronged

That must have been upsetting, but it's all in the past. The situation is settled, what's the point of dwelling on it anymore

She is now a Marchioness, the highest-ranking woman in the Gu family after the matriarch. She has inexhaustible silver, maids and servants attending to her, fine clothes and delicious food, and no concubines to cause her trouble. It's quite good.

Meng Jin Yao said in a soft voice: "Alright alright, don't cry anymore. I'm fine, I didn't want his true feelings anyway. I wanted status and power, and now I have it. He's been pretty good to me too."

Ning Dong listened to her speak with a light and carefree tone, but felt a sense of oppression and worry. She said anxiously, "Madam, things seem good now, but once that woman appears, the Marquis will likely not give you another glance. Your happiness in this Hou Mansion depends entirely on the Marquis's attitude."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao's expression faltered for a moment before she nonchalantly replied, "No matter how much he fancies that woman, as long as I don't violate the seven prohibitions, he has no right to divorce me. Only I can be his wife, and always will be."

She chuckled softly, shrugged nonchalantly, and said, "Besides, he's twenty-nine years old. The girl he likes must have already gotten married. He wouldn't pose a threat to me. Would he go after a married woman I believe his upbringing prevents him from doing such things, and he wouldn't deliberately mistreat me just because he has feelings for someone else.

Ning Dong was stunned.

Qing Qiu also was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Madam is right. No matter how much the Lord likes her, Gu Fu can only be Madam. Judging by the Lord's temperament, he wouldn't mistreat his wife. Right now, the Lord may not have any intentions towards Madam, but everything a Houfu should have, the Lord has given her."

Meng Jinyao curled her lips into a smile: “Alright, let’s not bring this up again. What does it matter if he had a crush before He used to have a fiancée too, a truly exceptional young lady. She excelled in everything – music, chess, calligraphy, painting – and was even considered the first beauty of the capital.”

Upon hearing this, Qing Qiu and Ning Dong looked at each other, then nodded silently.

Ning Dong hesitated and said, "Madam, are you saying that the man Lord Hou has in his heart is his former fiancée"

Meng Jin Yao froze immediately, pondering over Ning Dong's words for a moment. She felt it was possible. If it were her ex-fiancée, she wouldn't have to worry at all. Gu Jing Xi's ex-fiancée had already gotten married and moved out of the capital with her husband.

Ning Dong sighed with regret, "The Lord's heartfelt affection can only be buried in his heart. It's a pity."

Meng Jiny Yao's lips twitched. She couldn't help but feel that this girl was gloating over her misfortune.

For a moment, she glared at Ningdong reproachfully and ordered, "Alright, let's just forget about this. No one is to mention it again, especially not in front of the Marquis. Ningdong, please put this headdress back in the storage room, right back where you found it."

Ning Dong was very embarrassed and said: "Madam, I don't know where this place is."

Meng Jin Yao turned her eyes to see the autumn leaves: "If Qing Qiu were here, she should know."

"Madam, this slave knows. That corner is still very conspicuous now. Originally that box was there, blocking it, and there wasn't any dust under the box, so that area looked especially clean."

Qing Qiu finished speaking, then took the box and the key from her master's hand to get things done.

Ning Dong observed her master's face silently, seeing that his expression was as usual, she didn't know if he was truly not sad. She hesitated for a moment before suggesting: "Madam, I heard there's a new play at the theater, why don't we go watch it Since it's still early, we'll definitely get seats. It will likely be full later."

Meng Jinyu readily agreed: "Alright, after watching the play, let's take a stroll outside."

Seeing that she could still be in the mood to go out, even in winter, proved that things weren't too bad. A smile appeared on his face: "Then I will order a carriage."

After more than half an hour, the three master and servant arrived at the largest opera house in the capital.

They arrived neither too early nor too late. The inner chamber was gone, but there was still a space separated by screens outside the inner chamber.

Meng Jinyáo chose a second-floor seat by the railing where she could see the stage. She also ordered tea and snacks, which are essential for watching opera, as well as a pot of West Lake Longjing tea.

It hadn't been long before the ground floor audience was packed with people. It was clear that this play was very popular, and even more so because it was performed by a famous actress.

The performer took the stage, and the show began. On stage, the actors sang a new play in a melodious and charming way.

Meng Jin Yao supported her chin with one hand, listlessly watching the performance. She wasn't really fond of watching plays, though the actors on stage were singing quite well and the story was about patriotism. However, she found herself drifting off as she watched, only appearing to be intently focused on the performers in front of her from an outsider's perspective.

As the curtain closed, Ning Dong asked, "Madam, what did you think of the play"

Meng Jin Yao came back to her senses and succinctly replied with two words: "Very good "

Ning Dong asked again, "Which place do you think is better"

Meng Jinyao picked up her teacup, took a sip, and replied: “The tea is good.”

" ... You're spacing out again "

Meng Jin Yao nodded honestly and said, "After reading the beginning, how did it end"

Ning Dong replied: "They were a family of seven men. Six of the men died in battle, and only their father survived."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao unconsciously looked down at the audience in the main hall on the first floor. She saw that many people had raised their sleeves to wipe away tears, including quite a few elderly gentlemen.e but also relief from inside: "My lady, rest in peace. Although our eldest daughter couldn't marry the young master of Changxing Hou, Changxing Hou has treated her very well."Upon hearing this, she i...