odded in agreement: "That's right, there's no such thing as a man who isn't good-looking. The only ones who probably aren't are monks."Meng Jingyao said, "Anning, let's not talk about men anymore. Let...It was a sunny day, with pleasant spring sunshine.

Gu Jingxi's honeymoon was over, and he left home at the fourth hour of the morning. He returned just before dinner time, when it was getting dark.

Meng Jinyang only saw him when the lamp was lit. Sometimes, even at lamplight she couldn't see him. After she fell asleep, Gu Jingxi would return home under the stars and moon, but she didn't mind much; she just did her own thing.

At this moment, Meng Jin Yao was reviewing Gu Jing Xi's private property ledgers, figuring out how much he earned each year so she could properly manage his finances as a wife.

Chunliu came in holding a notice and respectfully presented it to Meng Jiny Yao: "Madam, this is an invitation from the Rongguogong's Mansion."

Meng Jinyao's hand paused as she flipped through the account book. Having been married into Changxing Houfu for half a month, this was her first time receiving an invitation from someone else. It seemed those people had been observing the situation, and once they learned that Changxing Houfu treated her well, they extended invitations for her to visit.

She took the posting and glanced at it. It was an invitation to a tea party hosted by Madam Rongguogong, inviting her to attend tomorrow. She put down the posting and looked up at Chunliu: "What is the relationship between the Rongguo Mansion and the Changxing Hou Mansion"

Chun Liu replied frankly, "We are not very close, just acquaintances."

Meng Jinyáo nodded lightly: "Um, I understand."

Chun Liu couldn't quite figure out what she meant and couldn't help but ask, "Madam, are you going to keep the appointment"

Meng Jin yao smiled playfully and said, "Go ahead! Since the Duke and his wife have invited me, how could I possibly refuse"

But...

The willow branches swayed, as if wanting to speak but held back. It cast a worried glance at her.

Meng Jin Yao let out a light chuckle and asked with a smile, "But are they truly inviting me Or just wanting to see me make a fool of myself Not only would they watch my embarrassment, perhaps they'd even find ways to humiliate me"

Chun Liu remained silent, only nodding slightly. Indeed, that was the case. Those wives definitely wanted to see a joke at their own husbands' wives' expense. Every single thing that had happened to their mistress recently was something that someone else would never have expected to encounter in their lifetime, and each incident was shockingly scandalous. People outside had never stopped gossiping about her. Everyone had their own theories, some sympathizing with her and others looking down on her.

Meng Jin Yao said nonchalantly, "What are you laughing at I'm doing well, aren't I My mother's dowry has been returned to me, my husband is in a high position of power, and he doesn't have any concubines. My mother-in-law is kind and loving. The only drawback is that there's an ignorant son."

Chunliu was speechless.

To onlookers, it's embarrassing, but in your heart, you think it's a good thing

Meng Jinyo glanced at her and smiled, "I thought you were quite clever before, but now it seems some things are still not smart enough. It's better to open your mind and look at the problem from a different angle It's easy to blind yourself by getting stuck in details."

Spring Willow pondered for a moment, her eyes widening as comprehension dawned. She quickly nodded and replied, "My lady is right. I was being overly cautious, focusing only on the negatives while ignoring the positives."

Meng Jinyao waved her hand, signaling for her to leave, and continued looking at the account book.

Chun Liu retreats in good health.

Nóngdōng, who was attending to her, asked, "Madam, you can look at the ledger another day. Why don't I help you choose your clothes and jewelry for tomorrow's banquet first You can just use them directly tomorrow, no need to choose again.

Meng Jinyáo thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "That's a good idea."

Ning Dong smiled and said, "I will definitely dress you up to look like a fairy. Tomorrow, you will outshine all the others."

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The next day, it was almost noon.

Meng Jin Yao brought Qing Qiu and Ning Dong to Rong Guo Gong Fu for a banquet.

She thought she arrived not too late, but when she got there, she realized she was actually quite late. The flower hall was already filled with numerous noblewomen and ladies of high standing.

Everyone originally thought she wouldn't dare to go out, so they didn't expect her to come. When they saw her appear, almost everyone's gaze was fixed on her, their expressions showing a mix of astonishment and surprise, and then they began to scrutinize her.

She was dressed in a sky-blue pleated Ruyi moon skirt, her black hair styled in a single snail bun. A pearl and jade step pendant was slanted on her head, and she wore pearl earrings. Her makeup wasn't complicated, but her face was beautiful, cute and bright, elegant and graceful.

When she smiled, her lips curled up in a charming way, her beauty was radiant and dazzling, eclipsing all flowers. She was indeed a rare and exquisite beauty.

It's no wonder that Changxing Hou, who has always valued rules and etiquette, would marry her. With such a charming wife by his side, even if he were ridiculed by the world, so what Originally, Changxing Hou had a hidden ailment, and no noblewoman was willing to marry him. Now that his son eloped, it was a stroke of good fortune to snag a bargain. Water doesn't flow into outsiders' fields.

Meng Jinyao ignored their scrutinizing gazes, smiled gracefully, and apologized: "Ladies, I'm so sorry for being late."

Everyone politely said, "It's not late, it's not late, we came early."

Lady Rong Guogong is the same generation as Gu Jingxi. If the two families were close, Gu Jingxi would have to call her sister-in-law. But their families are only superficially acquainted. She smiled politely and said: "Mrs. Gu, please take a seat."

A maidservant immediately led Meng Jinyáo to her seat.

The seating arrangement is not first-come, first-served. It's based on the status and rank of each lady. Otherwise, if those of higher status arrived late and had to sit in the corners, it would make the host seem disrespectful to esteemed guests, wouldn't it

Changxing Hou Gu Jingxi held a high position of power and was deeply favored by the emperor, so Meng Jinyao's seat was always near the front.

The Yongchang marquis mansion had fallen into disrepair, becoming a laughingstock in the eyes of others. They received no invitations from wealthy or influential families and had sunk to associating only with the wives and daughters of lower-ranking officials. Moreover, Meng Jiny Yao disliked fawning over others, so many of the ladies present were unfamiliar to her.

When it comes to knowing people, Meng Jinyu actually knows more than her. After all, although Meng Jinyu is two years younger than her, she is very ambitious, likes to fawn over others, and acts as someone's follower in order to get into the upper class circle, and by the way, marry a good family.

As the wife of Rongguo Gong, she showed her hospitality and introduced her to several other wives. She greeted them warmly without being overly enthusiastic or deliberately distant. This impressed many of the women who saw her as a well-bred daughter despite coming from a fallen family. She was graceful and polite.

Suddenly, a woman said, "Madame Gu, I heard that your natal Yongchang Marquis's Mansion has been raising funds like smashing pots and selling iron. Even Madam Meng is said to be selling her dowry for cash. Is this true"

As soon as those words left his mouth, all eyes turned back to Meng Jin Yao. This time, they looked at her with the glint of spectators eager for a show.

The story of Meng Jinyao's stepmother, Sun Shi, taking over her mother's dowry had already spread throughout the capital. It was said that Zhou Shi's dowry was returned to her by Meng Jinyao using Zhou Shi's dowry list. However, Sun Shi hadn't expected Zhou Shi's dowry list to have two copies, and in the end, she failed to get her way and lost what little she had.

In recent days, Sun Shi's dowry was pawned for silver. It is feared that she used the dowry of Meng Jin Yao's biological mother, Zhou Shi. Now, she needs to return the silver and has no choice but to do so.o drunk tonight, seven points intoxicated, she couldn't walk steadily and almost fell.Gu Jingxi, seeing this, didn't even bother that his siblings and elders were present. He picked her up first, prep...