eace returned to the house, Gu Jingxi noticed Meng Jin Yao looking at him with a curious expression. "My lady, why are you looking at me like that"Meng Jin Yao shook her head slightly: "It's nothing,...Meng Jinyao had also heard about this, but she wasn't surprised. The Yongchangbo Mansion was already rotten to the core. Since they dared to use her mother's dowry, how could they not dare to use Sun Shi's So it was perfectly normal for them to force Sun Shi to use her dowry to fill the hole.

Sun Shi wants to contribute everything, how much more is needed, Yongchang Bo Fu will make up the rest.

However, the lady did remind her that today was the deadline, but she had left early and didn't know if Lord Yongchang's mansion had sent the money over.

She put down the teacup in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips. She replied calmly, "It's probably true, but after all, paying back debts is only natural. It's normal for someone with insufficient funds to pawn their dowry to repay me."

Listening to her tone was indifferent, though what she said made sense, but her matter-of-fact manner revealed a coldness. It seemed she was a heartless person.

Everyone looked at each other in astonishment. Which daughter would treat her own in-laws like this

This heart is too cruel. No matter how bad one's family of origin is, they are still the ones who gave birth to you. What benefit is there in letting your relatives lose face and have to confront you

The madam asked again, "Madam Gu, they are your elders after all, your parents. Is it not inappropriate for you to treat them this way"

Another woman present disagreed and said, “That’s right, Mrs. Gu. It's not right to force your mother-in-law to pawn her dowry to pay for your silver. Mrs. Meng has also been kind to you, even if it cost you some money, it shouldn't be this extreme.”

Meng Jin Yao countered, "Both ladies think I've done something wrong"

As soon as these words were uttered, both ladies were taken aback.

"Well, we didn't mean it that way. Mrs. Gu is still young and might not understand the intricacies of this. As a woman, it's best not to create too much tension with your family. If something happens and you don't have your family's support, you'll be at a disadvantage."

"Really" Meng Jin Yao covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then calmly said, "Those two ladies' families are truly wonderful. It's a pity that I'm not so fortunate to have such a good family."

That lady stammered, "Perhaps Madam Gu has some misunderstandings about her family."

Meng Jin Yao's face turned cold, her tone indifferent: "Misunderstanding What do you think doesn't count as a misunderstanding Don't be afraid to tell me, after all, you probably already heard about this kind of thing. I was refused at the door when I went back to my parents' house three times. Only when they knew my husband was accompanying me did they open the door to welcome me. Do you think even my own family would support me in this"

She spoke, her gaze sweeping lightly over the assembled crowd, then continued, "The Imperial Law clearly states that a woman's dowry is private property. Her in-laws are not allowed to claim it as their own. It can only be inherited by legitimate daughters. If there are no legitimate daughters, then it passes to the family of the bride. My mother has me, her legitimate daughter. The Sun family encroaching on my mother's dowry is a violation of the law. I didn't report them and send them to jail, that was already showing mercy. Since she dared to do it, she should bear the consequences."

Upon hearing this, the lady was speechless and her face turned a shade of embarrassment.

Meng Jinyo glanced at them, but she wasn't about to let them off the hook. Since they were picking a fight, don't blame her for being harsh. Her voice was low and menacing as she asked: "Could it be that the two ladies are good friends with my stepmother, and have come here specifically to criticize me, hoping I would back down and stop pursuing this"

Upon hearing this, the two ladies shook their heads hastily and explained, "Madam Gu, this is a misunderstanding."

"Yes, Madam Gu, we are not familiar with Mrs. Meng."

Meng Jin Yao said with a mix of disbelief and suspicion, "I thought you were all close friends with her and wouldn't want me to seek justice for myself. I never expected it to be a misunderstanding."

Both ladies' faces flushed, and the others in attendance exchanged glances, taken aback by Meng Jin Yao's lack of decorum. After all, these two ladies were older than she.

Lady Rongguo hastily smoothed things over: "Madam Gu, since it was all a misunderstanding, let's just forget about it. The flowers in our back garden are blooming beautifully. Why don't we all go take a look together"

The other ladies also showed interest, and the group left the flower hall, preparing to move to the back garden.

Just as Meng Jinyang stepped out of the Flower Hall, she saw Chunliu quickly approaching her and whispering something in her ear. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to Rongguogong's wife and said, "Madam Rongguo, I have something to attend to at home, so I must take my leave."

"Since Madam Gu has something to attend to at home, then please go back first. We can get together again another time."

Meng Jinyao lightly nodded, then bid farewell to the other ladies before leaving with Qingqiu, Ningdong, and Chunliu.

After the four ladies left, the other wives couldn't help but whisper and discuss among themselves.

"I thought she wouldn't come today, but I was surprised to see her here."

"Who said otherwise Marrying her fiancé's father was already shocking enough, pushing her family to the brink of ruin. Someone like her, I'm afraid, is probably one of a kind in the whole city."

She spoke to Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Wang impolitely just now, being aggressive and demanding.

That is why the Yongchangbo Manor was forced to this point, even his stepmother had to pawn her dowry. It is truly unfilial.

Hearing these criticisms of Meng Jiny Yao, someone spoke up in her defense: "You shouldn't say things like that. How can a junior be filial if their elders are not kind She was probably just driven to desperation. It's not her fault that the Yongchang Marquis Estate lost so much face. Isn't the real problem the Yongchang Marquis and his wife"

Although she said that, she was still a junior after all. How could she speak to her elders like that

I said you guys are like knives that haven't cut into the flesh, so you don't feel the pain and can talk freely.

The Madam of Duke Rong saw that the two sides were each adamant in their opinions, and feared they would soon start arguing. She hurriedly stepped in to stop them: "Alright, let's not discuss other people's affairs. The husband has his reason, and the wife has hers. Since we are not involved, how can we possibly know who is right"

As soon as she finished speaking, someone immediately chimed in: "The Duchess is right.

Others tactfully steered the conversation away, no longer discussing Meng Jin Yao. The Duke of Rongguo's garden was beautiful, with flowers in full bloom during this spring season. This caught the attention of the ladies, who had already forgotten about Meng Jin Yao.

Over there, after getting into the carriage, Ning Dong couldn't hold back her emotions anymore. Her face immediately darkened, and she became angry on behalf of her mistress: "Madam, those two ladies were intentional. They deliberately found trouble and ridiculed you."

Meng Jin Yao didn't get angry instead, she softly comforted, "Alright, don't be upset. They won't gain anything in the end, it'll be them who end up embarrassed."

Chunliu has just arrived to report, but she doesn't know what happened just now. However, from their conversation, it can be guessed that someone must have spoken disrespectfully to the Madam, and then boldly said: "Madam, if anyone is disrespectful to you, you might as well tell the Lord."

Meng Jin Yao shook her head with a smile and said softly, "It's not necessary. In fact, they can't bully me either. The Marquis is so busy every day that he wouldn't bother with such trivial matters."

Ning Dong nodded in agreement: "Chun Liu, you don't need to worry about this. Madam has a sharp tongue, and they can't argue with her. I think they're just trying to find amusement by bringing up her old wounds."

Chun Liu hesitated for a moment before nodding. Since her master had said so, she wouldn't worry about it any further. he bowed to his father in respect before departing.While Meng Jinyu and Meng Chenxing had never seen such a scene before.The siblings were momentarily dazed. After hearing their father's voice, they...