Chapter 278: Concern for My Cousin

love based on appearance that faded with time, causing their affections to wane."Compared to the former, Song Xining was more willing to believe the latter. She nodded taciturnly: "It's probably that...Wen Taiyi's medicine really worked. It took effect very quickly. After just one dose, Meng Jinyao's abdominal pain was relieved, though there was still a slight ache, it was bearable. She felt much more energetic and could walk around freely without hunching over in pain.

The next day, seeing that she was fine, Gu Jingxi felt at ease and went to the Dali Temple for duty. There was a pile of work from yesterday, so he would be very busy today. He also told her not to wait for him for dinner in the evening.

After a few more days, Meng Jin Yao's period ended and she felt much better. She had wanted to visit An Ning at the Song residence, but An Ning was confined by Lady Song in preparation for her wedding and couldn't leave easily. So Meng Jin Yao decided to visit the Song residence herself. Tomorrow, she would go to Liang Wangfu to see An Yan. With no household affairs to attend to, she had plenty of free time and could use it to spend time with her close friends.

But unexpectedly, just as I was about to leave, a maidservant came to report that the young mistress of the Luo family had arrived.

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Luo family

Meng Jinyao was stunned for a moment, then immediately remembered the only child of her deceased aunt, her cousin Luo Yong'an. The wife of the eldest son of the Luo family was her sister-in-law. A few days ago, her father had been transferred to Beijing and they had met during their grandmother's birthday celebration. She just didn't know why he suddenly came to visit.

She ordered, "Quickly invite the guests in." Then, turning to Xia Zhu closest to her, she said, "Xia Zhu, you go prepare tea."

Xu was a gentle woman. Last time they met, she had a good impression of her husband's cousin. Seeing Meng Jin Yao, the gentle smile at the corner of her mouth deepened, and she asked in a soft voice, "Cousin, I came suddenly, didn't I disturb you"

"How could it be a bother I don't have much to do on a regular day, and with my sister-in-law here, I can finally have someone to talk to and keep me company. Meng Jin Yao gestured for Xu Shi to sit down and then asked, "Sister-in-law, what brings you here today"

Xu is not one to beat around the bush. She got straight to the point: “Cousin, about that unpleasant incident at our grandmother’s birthday banquet last time, your husband was worried that if you knew the cause of death of your aunt and cousin, you would be disheartened. He couldn't come himself as it wouldn't be proper for a man, so he sent me to check on you. Seeing that you are still in good spirits, we can rest assured.”

Meng Jinyáo was taken aback. She hadn't expected it to be because of this. A warmth flowed through her heart, and she softly responded: "Uncle, aunt, don't worry about me. At first, I was filled with anger and resentment, but seeing that the Sun family had met such retribution, my mood improved a lot. Since all the enemies are dead, I won't dwell on this matter anymore. Rest assured

Xu gently nodded. "It's good that my cousin can let it go. Originally, a few days ago when the second Miss Gu got married and came to drink wedding wine, she saw my cousin. But by chance, both her child and mother-in-law caught a cold and fell ill, young and old needed care, I couldn't get away that day, so I didn't come to the wedding feast."

Meng Jinyao knew about this. Her sister-in-law had sent a message through someone the day before, saying that her and her uncle's stepmother were both unable to attend. Only men from the Luo family came to the banquet. At that time, she was too busy to see her cousin, so she asked: "Sister-in-law, are Zhege and Mrs. Luo doing well"

Mrs. Xu replied, "Don't worry, cousin, they are all safe."

Xu was gentle and talkative, the two hit it off well. At noon, she even stayed to have lunch with Meng Jinyao.

Before leaving, Xu suddenly remembered something and said, "Cousin, will you be free in two days Here's the thing, the Luo family came to the capital this time but didn't host a banquet for anyone. I was thinking of holding a tea party in two days to invite the new friends I've made, as well as relatives and acquaintances to get together."

Meng Jin Yao readily agreed, "Sister-in-law, then let's see each other in two days. I happen to be free the day after tomorrow."

Xu smiled and replied, "Then I'll be waiting for my cousin to visit in a couple of days."

After sending off the Xus, Ning Dong whispered, "Madam, did Lady Luo come to see you or to invite you to a banquet in two days"

Meng Jinyao replied softly, "Both. Don't overthink it. Your cousin treated me very well when he visited Grandma in the capital before. He is also a discerning person. Although your uncle is now an official at the Ministry of Officials, he is only a fifth-rank Langzhong, but Lord Hou said that your uncle is an upright man with good work ethic. He might even be promoted in the future. A person like this wouldn't need to be fawned over by juniors like me."

Ning Dong said with shame, "It's my fault for thinking too much."

Meng Jinyao said: "It's not your fault, there are just too many people with ulterior motives. It's good to be cautious. Don't even get me started, sometimes I feel like a startled bird, always feeling that others have ill intentions towards me."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "My cousin and his wife are both kind."

Ning Dong suddenly said, "Madam, on the day you went to Luo's house for the banquet, the second young lady shouldn't go, right"

Meng Jin Yao shook her head. "Mrs. Sun passed away recently, and as Mrs. Sun's child, even though Mrs. Sun has been abandoned, she still needs to observe filial piety for Mrs. Sun. For an abandoned mother, her children need to observe filial piety for a year."

Ning Dong slapped her forehead: “Oh, how could I forget!

Luo's family.

Luo Yong'an was holding his child and playing with him. When he saw his wife come back, he handed the child to the wet nurse and told her to take the child away. He then asked his wife about his cousin: "My lady, how is your cousin"

As soon as Xu settled down, she heard her husband's question. She smiled and replied softly, "Don't worry, my husband. My cousin has a clear mind and is open-minded. That incident didn't bother her at all. Now she seems to be in good spirits, not depressed, and can even laugh with me."

"It's alright to let go," Luo Yong'an sighed softly, his tone tinged with the compassion of an elder brother towards his younger sister. "Your cousin has a hard life. She was tormented by Mrs. Sun, her uncle didn't care for her, and even her grandmother held biases against her. Mistaking your mother and cousin as responsible for her misfortune, she hasn't had it easy these years."

Xu knew her husband cared about his cousin, but she wasn't jealous. Her husband's feelings for his cousin were like those of an elder brother towards a younger sister, while his feelings for her were romantic love. To win her heart and make her agree to marry him, her husband had put in a lot of effort. After they married, he never took concubines or other mistresses during her pregnancy.

She comforted him, "Husband, now that Grandmother knows the truth, those prejudices should be gone."

Luo Yong'an fell silent after hearing this. A few days ago, he had visited his grandmother, and his grandmother's dislike for his cousin was not a recent development; it had been years in the making. Even if she knew the truth, her attitude towards her cousin wouldn't change overnight. Just from the expression on her face when he mentioned his cousin, Luo Yong'an could tell that his grandmother still disliked her very much.

Xu then said: “Oh, by the way, there will be a banquet at our house in two days and your cousin will also be coming.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yong'an immediately thought of another cousin and asked: "Madam, did you invite Cousin Yu"

Xus looked at him with a glance and rebuked, "Do you not trust your wife to handle this I wouldn't make such a foolish mistake. Sister A-Yu is mourning her mother and needs to observe filial piety, so I didn't give Meng family any dowries."

Luo Yong'an hurriedly said, "I'm not afraid that my wife will forget"

"Xu Shi couldn't help but smile wryly, "Although I've been busy lately and my head is a bit muddled, there's no way I would forget about this."e doesn't want any fuss and finds the presence of juniors too noisy, disrupting her meal. She simply dismisses us to wait in the hall.To have such a considerate mother-in-law is a blessing for the dau...