Madam Meng disliked hearing the latter remark most—why should her son repay the debt of gratitude for saving Meng Cimo’s life? No one had begged him to rescue anyone. She didn’t dare voice this thought, but shot a glance at her husband, then lowered her head in distress.
Duke Chengguo quickly interjected, “Father, I wasn’t scowling. We sincerely sought this marriage. Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Xiao refused, so we invited Second Miss Jiang to ask for her opinion. She also declined. Ciyu’s mother asked a second time, and she still refused…”
He relayed Jiang Yixi’s words.
Upon hearing this, Old Duke nodded repeatedly. “I knew it—Jiang Chen’s daughter wouldn’t be so lacking in character. She’s a good child, like Jiang Chen, with breadth of mind and dignity. What a pity we’ve lost such a fine daughter-in-law. It’s Ciyu who lacks the fortune.”
These words infuriated Madam Meng so much she nearly stood up and stormed out, yet she had no choice but to restrain herself.
Old Madam Meng breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she had misjudged the girl earlier.
She said with a smile, “You showed affection, she upheld righteousness—this outcome is best. However, such an incident will inevitably harm the young lady’s reputation. Eldest daughter-in-law, remember to speak up for her on appropriate occasions. Also, we promised to oversee her marriage prospects—you must help find her a worthy young man.”
Madam Meng replied with a smile, “Indeed, my heart aches for that child. She’s lovely and clear-headed. Poor thing, losing both parents at such a tender age…”
Suddenly, Meng Ciyu rushed in, reeking of alcohol, his face flushed crimson.
He ran up to Madam Meng and cried out indignantly, “That girl is the one you sought to marry—not me! Her father saved Eldest Brother’s life, so Eldest Brother should marry her, not me. Let me make this clear: even if you bring her into this household, I will treat her as nothing…”
Duke Chengguo roared, “You scoundrel! Have you learned nothing from your studies? How dare you speak to your elders like this!”
Madam Meng hurriedly said, “What nonsense are you spouting, child? Second Miss Jiang did not agree to the marriage.”
Meng Ciyu thought he had misheard and was still stunned when Old Duke slammed his fist on the nearby tea table, bellowing, “Go! Fetch the Family Law! Today, I’ll teach this little brat how to conduct himself!”
Terrified out of her wits, Madam Meng pulled her son down to kneel with her. “Father-in-law, please calm your anger! Ciyu drank too much—he doesn’t even know what he’s saying.”
Meng Ciyu, jolted back to sobriety by the fright, first thought not of the impending punishment but of Jiang Yixi refusing the marriage. He turned his head and asked, “Mother, is it true that girl didn’t agree to the marriage?”
“Yes,” Madam Meng confirmed.
Instantly, Meng Ciyu regained his usual refined composure. He kowtowed to Old Lord and said, “Grandson spoke recklessly. I beg Grandfather to punish me.”
Old Duke was enraged. Old Madam tugged at his sleeve to placate him, while Duke Chengguo also knelt to plead for mercy.
The servants dared not disobey. Shortly after, they brought in a whip.
Pointing the whip at Meng Ciyu, Old Duke thundered, “Your Eldest Brother followed me to the battlefield at fifteen, slew countless enemies, and narrowly escaped death time and again. He went to war not only to serve the court but to ensure this family’s continued prosperity. If Jiang Chen hadn’t taken that arrow, it would have been your brother who died. Instead of remembering his sacrifice or sharing his burdens, you spout such rubbish! I’ll beat you to death…”
Before he finished speaking, the whip lashed out, tearing through Meng Ciyu’s robe and leaving a bloody gash on his shoulder.
Madam Meng wept, “Father-in-law, please calm your anger. Ciyu spoke nonsense, and he deserves to be beaten to death, but you must not let this upset you. We all know how good Cimo is—filial, well-mannered, accomplished in both literary and martial arts. But heaven is unkind, and he has injured his eye in a fall. I love him with all my heart, and my elder brother wrote to say he has found another skilled physician in the south…”
After much persuasion from the crowd, Meng Ciyu was still given five lashes.
The commotion in the Hall of Blessed Peace was loud enough to reach Meng Cimo, who lived in the front courtyard.
His expression was cold as he stood by the window like a statue, gazing outside. To the right of the courtyard was a patch of greenery—he knew it was camphor trees, shedding old leaves and growing new ones in spring.
But he could no longer make out the leaves.
Looking up at the distant sky, he saw it as a dull gray. He knew the sky should be azure, the sun a dazzling sphere. The vibrant world he once knew would never reappear before his eyes. Gradually, everything would turn forever black.
His left eye was completely blind, and his right eye grew increasingly blurry—he did not know when total blindness would come.
Jiang Yixi’s refusal of the marriage was something Meng Cimo was glad to see. In this household, only he knew that Madam Meng was kind on the surface but cruel at heart. If the young lady had married into this family, she would have suffered greatly.
Meng Cimo’s mind drifted to a memory of a young girl. About ten years old, dressed in a pale red ruqun, her features delicate as a painting, tears glistening in her eyes. Bathed in the faint dawn light, she resembled a freshly bloomed flower emerging from the mist.
She had chased after the gate, clinging to Jiang Chen’s stirrup, unwilling to let go, crying, “Father, you must come back alive. I’ve already lost Mother—I cannot lose you too…”
But her father had died saving him.
Whenever he recalled that scene at the Jiang residence, Meng Cimo’s heart ached as if pierced by needles. General Jiang had fallen in battle, leaving his two young children pitiable. Much like himself—though his own father was still alive, and he had a grandfather and grandmother who loved him, the hardships of his upbringing were known only to him.
Time passed swiftly; in the blink of an eye, the young girl had grown into a woman, now of marriageable age. He believed that General Jiang’s daughter would never do anything dishonorable—pulling someone into the water with her must have been an accident. Whoever had been standing beside her, she would have reached out.
He had intended to help the siblings more, but his eyes were failing him…
He turned to Meng Lianshan, who was waiting nearby, and said, “Tomorrow, go ask Jiang Xun how the Jiang family plans to handle Second Miss Jiang’s situation and if they need any assistance from me. Also, give Jiang Xun five hundred taels in silver notes and remind him not to let Old Madam take them.”
Once certain matters were resolved, he would return to the estate. He did not want to see Madam Meng, who secretly wished for his death while pretending to be a caring stepmother, searching far and wide for famous physicians…
That woman sent servants to inquire about him several times a day, even dozens of times—seemingly concerned, but in reality, constantly reminding him that he was a blind man who could not care for himself. She even dared to meddle in his marriage prospects. How could she entertain such thoughts? Even if he had broken off an engagement, even if he were blind, it was not her place to interfere.
Yet his father praised her as virtuous, concerned for her stepson… It was truly nauseating.
Although his grandfather had been tirelessly seeking renowned physicians in hopes of saving his right eye, Meng Cimo held little hope. But he was determined to hold onto the position of Heir Apparent and not let that woman have her way. He would not allow her to have schemed his mother’s death, taken her place, and now let her son seize what was rightfully his.
Even if I have no son in the future, I will find a way to adopt one of my second uncle’s grandsons. However, the important matter I once promised to help my cousin and aunt with won’t be easy to accomplish…
At that moment, a maid outside the door announced, “Heir apparent, the Top Mountain Steward requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
A young man of about eighteen or nineteen entered and whispered a few words.
Meng Cimo’s face grew even darker. “Can that person never rest? The people she’s looking for! Intercept that person halfway…”