she was slightly taken aback. She had only met Madam Shen once before her marriage, and at that time, Madam Shen was radiant and full of life, not showing even a hint of her being close to forty years...When they were half a mile away from the ancestral grave, the carriage stopped. Meng Jin Yao and Gu Jing Xi got off the carriage.

There were quite a few relatives who came with them. The most successful person in their clan and his wife were here as well. If they could seize an opportunity, it would be something to dream about! So anyone from the lake region, regardless of age or health, came along. The youngest was only two or three years old and being held by an adult.

Apart from Meng Jin Yao, there were other clan wives. According to Zhao Guo's customs, as long as a woman was formally married into the family as a main wife, she had the qualification to participate in sacrificial rites. However, concubines did not. Concubines were not even qualified to attend banquets, let alone participate in such solemn and sacred events as sacrifices.

When some of the wives saw Meng Jin Yao, they wanted to go up and chat. But at a solemn occasion like this ancestral worship, it wouldn't be appropriate to engage in casual conversation, would it Everyone remained reverent and followed the proper procedures to pay respects to their ancestors.

Liu the steward was very attentive to the preparations for the ancestral rites. He had even set up an altar and invited monks from the temple to come and chant scriptures, showing his respect for their ancestors.

Gu Jingxi saw the altar and nodded lightly, expressing his approval of Liu's housekeeper: "Well done."

Liu Guanjia, upon hearing this, was delighted in his heart to be recognized by his master. However, he did not show it on the surface and hurriedly said: "Master Hou, this is what a servant should do.

The sacrificial ceremony begins.

Clan members, ranked according to seniority, gathered in front of the ancestral altar. They performed the ritual worship step by step: burning incense, offering wine, presenting sacrificial gifts, bowing three times, kneeling and paying homage to their ancestors, and finally making a prayer, hoping for their blessings.

Finally, the monk chanted sutras. After the monk finished chanting, the family members knelt down to pay their respects to their ancestors once again.

After the sacrifice was complete, the group returned home.

Tonight, a banquet was held, and relatives who participated in the ancestral rites and their families went to the mansion for the feast.

The Gu residence suddenly became a flurry of activity. The servants, who were usually quite idle, were thrilled to have something to do. They had been used to just cleaning and maintaining the house while their master was away. This sudden bustle was a welcome change.

Meng Jinyao, as the hostess, greeted the female relatives of the clan. Among them were those of her own generation, elders, and juniors. Previously, when she was in the capital, she learned by the side of her two elder sisters-in-law during family gatherings. Now, greeting guests is also effortless for her.

These relatives, Meng Jinyu usually wouldn't see on a regular basis. None of them were familiar to her; she got to know them slowly through introductions. They were quite different from the wealthy ladies in Beijing, and they were much more easygoing to be around.

Her status was evident, even elders wouldn't dare to challenge her. Moreover, those people wanted to curry favor with her, so they always spoke flatteringly and only said nice things, never expressing any dissenting opinions. They coddled and praised her, making it easier to get along with her.

Suddenly, someone brought up Gu Xiuming's biological father out of the blue: "Cousin Jingze is an official in Tongxiang County, Jiaxing Prefecture, next door. Tongxiang County is not far from Huzhou City. Despite our ancestors'忌辰 (a day for commemorating deceased ancestors), he didn't come back to pay respects. If he had wanted to pay respects, he could have returned a day early. It would only take him two or three days of leave in total."

Someone whispered, “Auntie, why did you suddenly bring him up Gu Xiuming made such a thing happen. Not only is Jing Xi’s uncle disgraced, but even his own father is ashamed to face Jing Xi’s uncle.”

As soon as her words fell, another older woman chimed in, "Today is our ancestor's death anniversary. We shouldn't even mention someone like Gu Xiu Ming, who has been expelled from the clan, lest we bring bad luck to our ancestors."

Although their voices were soft, Meng Jinyao still heard them. But she pretended not to, unwilling to bring up that unpleasant thing. Her gaze fell on a woman a few years older than her, who held a boy in her arms. The boy was about two or three years old, delicately sculpted and handsome, nestled obediently in the woman's embrace. His clear, bright eyes looked curiously at her.

Meng Jiny Yao looked at the little boy, a fondness blooming in her heart. Her husband was an exceptionally handsome man. If she had a son who looked like him, he would certainly be very good-looking as well. But they say sons resemble their mothers, and daughters resemble their fathers. Even if her daughter looked like her husband, she would definitely be beautiful.

At this moment, a middle-aged woman saw her granddaughter looking at her own grandson with longing. She seemed to be thinking deeply, then she took the baby from her daughter-in-law's arms and handed it to her granddaughter, saying softly, "Niece-in-law, this is my second son, Xiu Yuan."

Meng Jinyao liked children, and this child was so beautiful and well-behaved that she liked her even more. So when the middle-aged woman handed the child over, she subconsciously reached out to take her and hold her.

The little boy suddenly ended up in Meng Jinyao's arms, a little at a loss, but he didn't make a fuss.

A middle-aged woman reminded, "Xiuyuan, quickly call Auntie."

Upon hearing this, the little boy politely called out to Meng Jinyáo: “Auntie,”

Meng Jin Yao heard the milky, sweet voice and her heart melted. She gently replied, "Xiu Yuan is so good." Then she stroked the child's head.

The boy's mother, seeing this, glanced at her child and then at Meng Jin Yao, whose smile was gentle. Her mind raced quickly before she said with a hint of meaning: "Sister-in-law, if you like him, take him to play for a few days."

Upon hearing this, the crowd's thoughts diverged. They all knew Gu Jingxi had a hidden illness and couldn't have a child of her own, which was why she had adopted Gu Xiuming ten years ago. Now that Gu Xiuming had been exiled to Yaizhou and disowned by the clan, the Hou Mansion was without an heir. They were certain another child would be adopted.

Master Gu Xiwen, the third son of Hou's family, is indeed a suitable candidate. But how old is Gu Xiwen A child that old is already difficult to raise. Even if Gu Xiwen is not too old, his biological parents are always by his side, seeing each other every day. How could he truly be raised as one's own Even if such a child were adopted, his heart would still lean towards his biological parents.

It's better to adopt a young child whose biological parents are absent, so you can raise them from a young age. Without the influence of their biological parents, the child can grow closer to their adoptive parents.

Households with children of the right age have definitely considered this, but they don't bring it up easily. If they were to mention it rashly, it would be like Sima Zhao's intentions were known to everyone - everyone would know that they were after wealth and status.

But the situation is different now. It's Meng Jinyao who likes this child. The child's mother has hinted at it subtly. If Meng Jinyao catches the implication and follows what the child's mother is suggesting, then the adoption would be half successful. Then, after spending a few days together, Meng Jinyao likes the child even more, wouldn't that make the adoption practically certain

For a moment, everyone was filled with envy. Even though it would be painful to give one's own flesh and blood to another, seeing their child have a better future could bring joy to parents. The son of the Marquis, if capable, could even secure a position in court without relying on the imperial examinations, thanks to his father's connections. He could then inherit his title. If he could achieve this through his own abilities and without using connections, by passing the imperial examinations, that would be even more remarkable.

Meng Jin Yao naturally heard the subtext in her cousin's words. She lowered her head to look at the child in her arms. If she didn't know her husband's illness had fully recovered a few days ago, she would have considered it, after all, she felt good about the child from the first glance. But now, she didn't want to adopt him; she just wanted to give birth to one of her own.

She sighed wistfully and said softly, “This child is so delicate and lovely, with a pleasant disposition. I quite like him. However, my husband and I are leaving for Deqing County to visit my uncle the day after tomorrow. After visiting him, we will return to Beijing. This back-and-forth journey wouldn't be suitable for bringing a child along. If we weren't going anywhere else in Huzhou City, we could certainly spend a few days playing with him.”

She refused delicately, but the child's mother was a smart woman and understood her meaning. She had no intention of adopting the child. Otherwise, if she truly did, why would she care about the distance between Huizhou City and Deqing County The journey from Huizhou to Beijing is even farther.

The child's mother replied, "I see. Coming back and forth isn't suitable for bringing a child. In the future when your sister-in-law returns to her hometown, she can play with this child."

Meng Jinyao enjoys interacting with intelligent people. She simply nodded, "Next time I go back home, it also depends on the Lord's schedule. The Lord said that more than ten years have passed since the last time he went back home. By the next time he returns, maybe my husband and I will already have a son named Xiuyuan."

Listening to the conversation between the two of them, everyone secretly let out a sigh of relief. This kid Xiu Yuan didn't have a chance, so does that mean their own child has a chance

But, Xiu Yuan is a great kid both in appearance and personality. Such a likable child didn't catch Meng Jin Yao's eye, so would she even consider her own child

Enough is enough, some things just can't be forced. What is destined to happen will happen, what isn't meant to be won't come about no matter how hard you try.re to look closely at the face that resembled Zhou Shi so much. She only glanced quickly before withdrawing her gaze.Meng Jin Yu and Meng Cheng Xing, siblings, saw that Meng Jin Yao was silent. One he...