Chapter 37: Ulterior Motive
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Meng Yao looked at Madam Sun, Madam Lin, and the others with satisfaction. Although the original Meng Yao's personality was fierce, her mouth wasn't sharp enough, and she couldn't speak her mind, so she always suppressed anger.
However, Madam Sun and Madam Lin were the ones holding back their anger this time. One could say the current Meng Yao helped her predecessor vent her frustrations.
"All right, I know you're angry, so don't force yourselves. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be an eyesore to you guys. Don't look for me for help anymore," Meng Yao hurriedly said, "I'm leaving."
Meng Yao knew her family called her over for a reason. 'If they have a problem with me, they should just say it.'
As expected, Meng Yao only took two steps when Madam Sun spoke. "Come back."
"Do you find joy in troubling yourself? It's apparent you don't like me, yet you insist I stay," Meng Yao sighed helplessly.
"Zhao ting has been dead for a few years now, so you should start planning for yourself." Madam Sun suppressed the anger in her heart and tried to speak calmly.
'Is she intending on telling me to marry again?'
If the original Meng Yao had a good relationship with the Meng family, Madam Sun must have said this for the good of the original Meng Yao.'
However, as everyone knew, the relationship between the original Meng Yao and the Meng family was awful. How could Madam Sun plan things for the original Meng Yao?
Meng Yao was alarmed. "What do you mean?"
Madam Sun probably also realized it was useless to beat around the bush, so she simply went straight to the point. "You should get remarried. The man comes from a wealthy family."
Of course, it was the same excuse Madam Sun used many years ago.
"Oh? How wealthy is he?" Meng Yao asked.
Meng Yao's question gave Madam Sun and Madam Lin the wrong impression that she was interested in this marriage.
"His family has a hundred acres of fertile land, a shop, and servants at home. You will have everything you need to live an easy life if you marry him," Madam Sun said, "He doesn't mind that you've already given birth to several children and is even willing to let you bring your daughter along."
"What about my sons?" Meng Yao asked.
"Dajiang already has a family and doesn't need you to look after him. As for Dahe, his family won't ignore him because he is studying. The man's family won't lack food for Xiaoshu either. Anyway, I'll help you care for him so you can get married in peace." Madam Sun said.
'She's kind enough to care for my sons? Why do I have a bad feeling about this?'
"Wow, that's a significant promise. That wealthy man must've promised a lot of benefits, huh?" Meng Yao hit the nail on the head. "Is it because you couldn't exchange me for a betrothal gift back then? Do you think I'm an object?"
"What makes you think you can do whatever you want? I thought you learned from your mistakes. You failed in the past, so why do you think I'll listen to you? Keep dreaming." Meng Yao vividly displayed mockery and disdain.
"Okay, I see how it is!" Madam Sun's lips trembled, and her voice was sharp. "What are you standing around for, idi*t? Tie your sister up! Madam Lin, go and deliver the letter to the Wangs and tell them we agree to their marriage proposal."
'Is she intending on kidnapping and forcing me into marrying that man?'
Meng Cheng didn't move. "Mother, if we send Meng Yao over with her uncouth appearance, will we form a marriage alliance or become enemies with the Wangs? If Meng Yao offended them, wouldn't we be implicated? I think we should forget it."
To Meng Yao's surprise, Madam Lin echoed Meng Cheng's words. "Mother, it's fine if Meng Yao isn't willing, but why force her? I know you're doing this for me, but Meng Yao must be willing!"
"You guys are speaking up for her?" Madam Sun was in disbelief.
"No, we're just speaking the truth." Meng Cheng denied it.
Madam Lin also said she would judge the matter as it was.
"Forget it. I don't care anymore, okay?" Madam Sun was heartbroken.
'What's happening? She was so aggressive just now but immediately became discouraged? That can't be right. Madam Sun's behavior doesn't match the one in my predecessor's memories,' Meng Yao thought.
Meng Yao couldn't understand Meng Cheng and his wife's reactions.
"The past is the past, Yao. We're family, and we're living in the same village. You should come back more often with your children," Meng Qingshan, who had been silent all this while, finally spoke.
The original Meng Yao's memories of Meng Qingshan were neither good nor bad. It was because Madam Sun controlled Meng Qingshan. Madam Sun would have the final say no matter how big or small the matter was.
Therefore, the original Meng Yao didn't hate Meng Qingshan. Of course, she didn't like him either.
The original Meng Yao was born into the Meng family, but she didn't interact with them. She wasn't foolish enough to waste her time with them.
"No, I won't," Meng Yao coldly refused. "I'm leaving."
Although Meng Yao felt Madam Sun hadn't told her the main reason she called her back, it seemed Madam Sun wouldn't tell her either way, so Meng Yao didn't plan on wasting any more time with the Mengs.
The fox would reveal her tail eventually.
Meng Yao left, and Madam Lin followed her.
"Yao, I was wrong about what happened back then," Madam Lin said.
Meng Yao remained silent. It had been more than ten years, but the Lin family had never apologized to the original Meng Yao. The current Meng Yao knew this apology wasn't sincere. Moreover, whether it's the original or current Meng Yao, neither cared about Madam Lin's apology.
"Mother-in-law has also been guilty all these years. If you hadn't forced you back then, you wouldn't have brought Zhao Ting back to resist us and get married in a hurry," Madam Lin said to herself, "That's why you became a widow at such a young age! That's always been a pain in Mother-in-law's heart."
"Mother-in-law always seems like she has bad intentions even though she doesn't," Madam Lin continued, "After Zhao Ting passed away, Mother-in-law's anger had not subsided, so…"
"So, what are you trying to say?" Meng Yao impatiently interrupted Madam Lin.
Madam Lin was embarrassed and forced a smile, "It's just like your father said, you should bring your children to visit more often. We're family, so we should be harmonious. The younger generation should interact more. Ruru and Xiaohua are about the same age and can play together more often.
Meng Yao didn't say yes or no. She gave Madam Lin a thoughtful look and went straight home.
Zhao Dahe impatiently asked Meng Yao, "Why did they ask you to go back there, Mother?"
"Oh, it's nothing important. My family just wants me to remarry." Meng Yao didn't hide it from her children.
The Zhao siblings immediately became nervous and looked at Meng Yao in unison.
Meng Yao said calmly, "Don't worry. I rejected them."
The Zhao siblings heaved a sigh of relief.
"Mother, it's not that we object to you remarrying, but if you want to, you must pick someone who makes you happy. Don't listen to their arrangements! Who knows what kind of trash they found for you? Maybe that man just wants to use you in exchange for a betrothal gift!" Zhao Dahe said earnestly.
"You're not the only one who thought of that," Meng Yao said.
"I know my mother is smart and difficult to manipulate," Zhao Dahe flattered his mother.
Then Meng Yao told him about Meng Cheng and his wife's reactions. Zhao Dahe was sharp, saying, "That's too suspicious."
"Why do you say that?" Meng Yao asked.
"It feels like a lure or trap of some sort," Zhao Dahe said.
He thought Madam Sun gave up too quickly.
"I'm guessing the remarrying part is a Trojan horse, and they have other motives." Zhao Dahe was confident.
-- Gift
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