Chapter 375: Past and Present

tore a gash in his clothing, leaving a bloody streak on his skin.Then came the second lash, the third, the fourth... The sound of whips cracking against flesh and Gu Xiuming's cries rose and fell in...The next day was the birthday banquet of Prefect Wei's mother.

Meng Jinyáo dressed herself up and, along with Qingqiu and Chan'er, followed Gu Jingxi to the banquet.

When the magistrate's mother celebrated her birthday, officials, merchants, and prominent figures from Huzhou Prefecture all came to celebrate. They arrived very early.

Meng Jinyao and Gu Jingxi arrived at a time that was neither too early nor too late. When they got out of the carriage, they saw that many carriages and sedan chairs had already been parked in front of the house.

At that moment, a carriage pulled up beside them as well. The couple looked up to see who it was. They were a middle-aged couple in their forties, dressed in fine clothes. The man had an elegant yet dignified demeanor, while the woman was graceful and generous, with a gentle smile on her face that made her appear kind. Behind them, a younger couple emerged from the carriage along with their child.

Gu Jingxi and his wife exchanged glances with the middle-aged couple across from them.

Subsequently, Gu Jingxi bowed respectfully: "Sir Han, it's been many years. I hope you are well"

The middle-aged man, seeing this, didn't panic and calmly bowed back in return. "I've been doing well lately. Looking at your esteemed appearance, you must also be doing well. Being married is indeed different."

Gu Jingxi glanced at the people around him, his eyes soft, the corners of his mouth raised, he said in a gentle voice: "This is natural, my wife is gentle and virtuous. If I don't treat her well, it's my problem."

Listening to their conversation, Meng Jinyao also knew who they were. They were the Zhejiang governor, Han, and his wife, Mrs. Han. The people behind them were probably their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

Mrs. Han looked at Meng Jinyang, her eyes flashing with surprise. She smiled gently and said, "Madam Gu is truly beautiful. I wouldn't have known she was a mortal if not for this occasion. She looks like a fairy who serves the Queen Mother of Heaven, so enchanting!"

Meng Jinyao responded with a smile: "Lady Han, you are too kind. I've heard that Lady Han was both beautiful and talented in her youth, setting an example for all the young ladies in the capital. She is also a role model for us younger generations to learn from."

Actually, whether she was truly a role model, she didn't know. Anyway, flattery was just fine. Lady Han came from the Wei family, and the Wei family were prominent figures in the capital. The young ladies of wealthy families, as long as they weren't deformed, were all very excellent. Excellent people were role models.

Whether it's true or not doesn't matter, what matters is that it feels good to hear. So mutual flattery among official wives is common.

After hearing this, Lady Han's smile grew even wider. As she chatted with her, she noticed how the other woman spoke to her as if to an elder. With a pleasant expression, she said: "If we're talking about seniority and our families' ties, I wouldn't be exaggerating to call myself your aunt. If you don't mind, please call me Auntie."

Meng Jin Yao was a bit confused. Her husband had said that he had no dealings with the Wei family, but what about the Han family There must be some connection, otherwise Mrs. Han wouldn't have said such things.

She didn't understand the twists and turns, but Mrs. Han was indeed older. If her mother were still alive, she wouldn't be as old as Mrs. Han, and she could be considered an elder. Since her husband hadn't hinted that it wasn't okay, she called out: "Auntie,"

Mrs. Han smiled and replied, taking off the jade bracelet from her wrist which was of excellent quality. She put it on his wrist without further explanation and said softly, "Auntie didn't bring anything when she went out. This bracelet is a gift from Auntie to you."

Meng Jin Yao glanced at Gu Jing Xi, seeing Gu Jing Xi nod slightly, she did not decline, smiling and thanking: "A Yao thanks Aunt."

On the women's side, they came closer to each other, and naturally, the men also broke the ice. With Gu Jingxi calling him "Uncle Han" and Han Dairen responding with "Yao Ling," their relationship instantly warmed up considerably.

Mr. and Mrs. Han's son and daughter-in-law also stepped forward to greet each other.

A group of people entered Wei's residence laughing and chatting.

Han's wife glanced at Gu Jingxi's retreating figure, then turned to look at Meng Jinyao beside her. The girl was truly beautiful, especially those big eyes, so sparkling and lively. It was a pity that she married Gu Jingxi, but marriage is sometimes something outsiders cannot judge. After all, what outsiders think is just what outsiders think.

Speaking of Gu Jingxi, Madam Han thought of her own sister-in-law, Mei Qingyun. This sister-in-law used to be Gu Jingxi's fiancee. The first handsome man in the capital was talented and the first beauty was also a talented woman. A talented scholar and a beautiful woman made a pair, it was a good story.

To everyone's surprise, Gu Jingxi had an accident. The Mei family broke off the engagement, and her younger brother, who had long admired Mei Qingyun, asked his parents to propose marriage, eventually marrying Mei Qingyun into their family. At first, they were quite affectionate, but now...

Well, let's just not mention it.

The men are in the front yard and the women are in the back yard.

Lady Han was familiar with the Wei Residence, so she brought along Meng Jin Yao, her daughter-in-law, and her grandson to the backyard.

After they arrived, someone came out to greet them.

Meng Jin Yao looked up and saw that the woman appeared to be in her twenties. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her eyes like autumn water, and her face like a lotus flower. Her features were soft but not ordinary, beautiful enough to captivate the heart, but not coquettish or flamboyant.

She dressed simply and elegantly, in a pale blue dress. She wore a jade hairpin on her head and pearl earrings, radiating an elegant and ethereal air. Her steps were light and graceful, and every gesture she made revealed poise and composure.

When she smiled faintly, her gentleness and approachability became even more evident. She was a graceful beauty who possessed a charm that made people feel good about her just by looking at her.

The next moment, she said to Mrs. Han, "Big sister, you're finally here. Mother was just thinking about you."

Meng Jinyao heard the term "elder sister" and immediately guessed the other person's identity. She was her husband's former fiancée and the current county magistrate's wife.

Lady Han and Mei Qingyun exchanged a few pleasantries, then she took the initiative to introduce: "Qingyun, this is Lady Gu, the wife of Marquis Gu." She then said to Meng Jinyao, "Ayao, this is my sister-in-law."

Mei Qingyun had just casually glanced at Meng Jinyao, and was about to ask who she was. Now that she heard her aunt's introduction, she was stunned for a moment and looked at Meng Jinyao again.

At first glance, the woman in front of you is stunning. Even on second look, she remains captivating. Her beauty is bold and eye-catching, bright and radiant, alluring and charming. Her almond-shaped eyes are clear and bright, sparkling like water, as if they could speak. She is a rare beauty indeed.

She had long heard that her former fiancé had gotten married, and she also knew the circumstances under which he got married. Unexpectedly, his new wife was such a beauty. And Gu Xiuming actually abandoned such a beautiful fiancée for an orphan.

Mei Qingyun retracted her sweeping gaze and slightly bowed in a courteous gesture: "Lady Gu,"

Meng Jinyao nodded. "Madam Wei,"

They didn't chat much. Mei Qingyun invited them into the flower hall. As the birthday star and the mother of the magistrate, Old Madam Wei was showered with compliments by the other female guests.

When those women learned of Meng Jin Yao's identity, the faces of those in the know flickered with subtle expressions. The former fiancée and current wife of Lord Gu were meeting, but seeing that both were polite and courteous, not displaying the scene they had hoped for, they couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. However, everyone present was a person of grace, and certainly wouldn't expose any oddity in public.

Mr. Han's official residence was in Hangzhou Prefecture, which wasn't too far from Huzhou Prefecture. Whenever Mrs. Han had free time, she would come to Huzhou to visit her elderly mother. She knew some of the officials' families, merchants' families, and prominent figures' families in Huzhou. When talking with Meng Jinyao, she introduced them to each other.

Although Meng Jinyao didn't know much about this Korean lady, she could sense her kindness and see that she was a kind and gentle person.

At the same time, she also knew that Mrs. Han treated her well, and there was also the reason of her husband. Her husband had ability. In the officialdom, men strive for their careers, and afterwards, wives will also take the initiative to befriend the wives of other officials. At a critical moment, it would be helpful. Just like just now, Mrs. Han drew closer to her, and in a way, their husbands were also brought closer together.

All in all, Han's wife didn't have any ill intentions toward her, but she wouldn't completely let down her guard.

But, just such a gentle and easygoing Mrs. Han, to this person she had just met, seemed more gentle and endearing than even her own sister-in-law, Wei. This is rather strange. I really missed her, I should go to Qingyu Xuan to look for her.”Meng Jin Yao let out a giggle, "Unexpected, wasn't it Keke," she laughed. "I didn't expect her to be so mischievous, teasing you like...