Chapter 248: We've Met Before

t wrongdoing. Those nascent thoughts they had dared to harbor were quickly suppressed for the time being.After the twenty-five lashes were complete, the executioner withdrew his hand. Gu Xiuming, who...On this day, it was the birthday of Lady Meng, the wife of Lord Yongchang Bo. The Meng family hosted guests and invited a theater troupe to perform for Lady Meng's birthday.

As a granddaughter, Meng Jinyao naturally had to return to her natal home to celebrate her grandmother's birthday. Gu Jingxi, her son-in-law, accompanied his young wife back to her parents' home.

As for Gu Xiuming, although he held a grudge against Gu Jingxi because of failing the autumn examinations and mistakenly believed that Gu Jingxi had hidden his knowledge when teaching him, he didn't slack off when it came to surface appearances. He followed Meng Jin Yao and Gu Jingxi to Yongchang Bo's mansion.

Gu Jingxi saw the smile on her lips, seeming a little excited. His voice hesitated: "Ayao misses home"

Upon hearing this, Meng Jin Yao glared at him and said, "You know what my relationship with my family is like. Why would I ever think about them If I were to think of anyone, it would be my second brother. I don't care about the others."

Gu Jingxi was slightly taken aback, then asked again, "What's got you so happy"

Meng Jin Yao countered, "Didn't I tell you on my father's birthday about the next steps Do you remember Today, I didn't bring Ning Dong, but Qing Qiu and Chan'er. Chan'er is still someone you lent me, didn't you recognize her"

Gu Jingxi honestly replied, "I didn't pay attention to the other girls."

As soon as these words left his mouth, Meng Jin yao's lips unconsciously curled upward.

Gu Jingxi asked again, "Do you plan to carry out that plan at the birthday banquet, Ayao"

Meng Jin Yao nodded lightly, thinking of her grandmother. She let out a light sneer and mocked, "Although it's not right to disrupt the elders' birthday banquet, if the elders are uncaring, how can the younger generations be filial There are many people at the banquet, which is just right to help me complete my plan."

Gu Jingxi first affirmed her approach, then asked: "What are you planning to do, A Yao"

Meng Jin Yao mischievously blinked her eyes and smiled, "That's it..." Seeing the man looking at her, waiting for an answer, she giggled, "I won't tell you now, you'll just have to wait and see."

Gu Jingxi helplessly chuckled, gently scraped her nose, his voice laced with doting: "Mischievous"

He didn't press further, seeing the confident look on his wife's face, he figured things were set in stone. With a smile, he said: "Since Ayao has already laid out her plan, then I shall just wait and see."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao suddenly felt a little nervous and apprehensive. She said in a hesitant tone, "Husband, to be honest, I'm not even sure if we can really succeed. What if something goes wrong"

Gu Jingxi said, "She may have escaped this time, but she won't escape the next."

Meng Jin Yao slightly narrowed her eyes, a fierce hatred burning in her gaze. She gritted her teeth and hissed, "But I still don't want to fail. I want her to be ruined, worse than dead. Only then can I appease my mother and Cheng Yu's spirits in the afterlife."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Jingxi anticipated her next move and immediately reached out to grab both of her hands, stopping her from instinctively clenching her fists and digging her nails into her own flesh.

Meng Jin Yao slowly raised her head to look at him, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion.

“Ai Yao, I told you before, don't hurt yourself because of other people's mistakes. You forgot again” Gu Jingxi spoke, pulling her into his arms. “I know you hate Sun Shi. Since you hate her, then torment her. If you're unhappy, you should find trouble with her, not make yourself miserable.”

His voice was gentle and soothing, with a soft and caring tone.

Meng Jinyao heard his words, like a child who had fallen and been held up by an elder and comforted, someone's heart ache made her more vulnerable. Her eyes became moist, and her voice choked with sobs as she said in a grievance, "Husband, my heart hurts.

Gu Jingxi coaxed her softly, "Ay Yao don't cry, we'll go find trouble with Sun later. Our Ay Yao is a brave girl, do whatever you want bravely, husband will support you."

A warmth flowed through Meng Jin Yao's heart, but after a moment, she looked up at him, puzzled and said, "But didn't you say I was overthinking things, always considering too much Where is the bravery"

Gu Jingxi said softly, "You only lost the real Xiao Yao because of their relationship."

Upon hearing this, Meng Jinyao was slightly taken aback. She pondered the words carefully and quickly understood. It was referring to her past self.

Gu Jingxi smiled and said, "Little Ayao is still very brave, fearless of heaven and earth."

Meng Jinyao looked confused: "How did you know, husband"

Gu Jingxi glanced at her and smiled, saying, "Actually, we met when you were little, but you were so young then, you probably forgot about me already."

Meng Jin Yao was stunned. After such a long time, her memories were hazy. What kind of person she had been in the past, and what people she had met, were all becoming unclear.

Only when she was with her grandfather and Chengyu and Chengzhang, did some deeply impressive scenes remain etched in her memory. Because she cherished them, she would relive them over and over again.

The more I recalled, the last thing I seemed to remember was happy times with my grandfather, Chengyu, and Chengzhang. And Sun's murder of Chengyu. All other memories gradually faded.

She bowed her head and whispered, "Husband, I truly have forgotten. I don't remember anything now.

Gu Jingxi said in a warm voice: "It's okay, we will have more memories in the future. Just, from now on, don't forget any of the memories."

Meng Jin Yao looked up and saw the man's gentle smile. A smile slowly appeared on her face as well, and she nodded heavily at the man, replying in a crisp voice: "Okay"

-

Everlasting Prosperity Marquis' Mansion.

Although the Meng family has fallen from grace, there are still many guests who sympathize with them and come to celebrate Mrs. Meng's birthday. There are already a dozen carriages parked at the gate of the Meng residence.

All of them had fallen on hard times, so no one dared to mock each other. The upper-class families wouldn't let them in, and the lower-class families looked down upon them. They could only associate with those who shared their misfortune, finding comfort in each other's company.

After they got out of the carriage, just as they were about to enter the mansion, a male voice suddenly came from the left: "Ayao cousin"

Meng Jin Yao followed the sound and saw a young man, about twenty years old, dressed in brocade, holding a two or three-year-old boy, looking at her with joy. There was also a beautiful woman standing beside the man.

That was her cousin, Lo Wing-on. As for the lady, it goes without saying that she was his sister-in-law. When her cousin got married, she was sick and couldn't travel, so she didn't go to the wedding banquet. This was the first time she had met her sister-in-law.

Just as she was about to step forward, she saw a middle-aged couple and a young man around her age. It was her uncle Luo and his wife, Luo Madam. She had never seen the young man before, but it wasn't hard to guess; he must be her uncle's son with his second wife.

She and her cousin had only met seven years ago. At that time, her uncle went to the capital to serve his duty. He thought that her cousin and grandmother hadn't seen each other in many years, so he brought him back to Beijing as well. Back then, her cousin stayed at the Meng family for a short while. They spent some time together and he was a courteous and upright gentleman. When Meng Jinyu falsely accused her, her cousin even helped her.

Meng Jinyao led Gu Jingxi and Gu Xiuming forward to greet them. After some polite greetings, they found that the eldest cousin and stepmother had a good relationship, with filial piety from the mother and respectful obedience from the son, brotherhood among siblings, and a harmonious family atmosphere in the Luo family.

Lo Wing-an whispered, "Ayao, cousin, they're first time in the capital and don't know anyone. I'd like to ask you to look after them for a while. They are with the womenfolk over there; I can't manage it myself."

Meng Jin Yao smiled and replied: "Don't worry, brother. I will take good care of Mrs. Luo and your sister-in-law."ly: "I'm fine, they can't do anything to me.She paused, looked at Meng Chengzhang who was deep in thought for a moment, and then said: "Second brother, you go back to your courtyard and tidy up a bit,...