Ch 12: The Fifth Prince Returns

“Second Miss, that’s not right. Even brothers need to settle accounts clearly. In what capacity are you asking my Miss to give you something? My Master’s adopted daughter? Or my Miss’s unrelated sister?”

“Second Miss, you’re so skilled at this, I thought you were one of those ill-mannered people from outside.”

“If Second Miss really feels that there are too few clothes in the room, you should ask Madam Jiang for money to buy them, instead of coming here to beg.”

Qin Mama’s words were undoubtedly impolite, leaving Meng Qingjiao no face at all.

Meng Tingyue watched from the side with amusement as Meng Qingjiao blushed and felt ashamed from Qin Mama’s words.

Meng Qingjiao lowered her head, her resentment towards Qin Mama reaching its peak.

This old hag, why didn’t she die earlier? Every extra month is a bonus for her.

As the saying goes, like master, like dog. If the master is short-lived, so is the dog.

Discovering that Meng Tingyue stood by like a fool, not helping her speak up or get out of the predicament, she also grew to hate Meng Tingyue.

“Second Miss, this is the clothing you requested.” Qinglan brought over a silk gauze skirt.

Qingdian kindly spread the clothes out for Meng Qingjiao to see.

Seeing this, Meng Tingyue gave her a reassuring look.

The clothing slowly unfolded with Qinglan’s movements. The fabric shimmered finely, like the sparkling lake surface under the sun, and two pearl tassel strings adorned the waist.

With just one glance, Meng Qingjiao could already imagine how stunning she would look in this clothing.

The Fifth Prince would definitely be amazed by her.

She eagerly snatched the skirt from Qingdian’s hands.

“This pearl gauze is so beautiful.”

“How did Second Miss know this is pearl gauze?” Qinglan curiously asked, “Pearl gauze is a new item from the shop, shipped from Jiangnan. It seems to be rarely used in Jingdu.”

Meng Qingjiao was startled and said nervously, “I guessed… after all, its texture and luster are just like pearls.”

“Elder Sister, this clothing is so beautiful! If I could wear it to see the Fifth Prince, I would surely bring honor to Elder Sister and Father.” Meng Qingjiao held the clothing against her body.

Meng Tingyue played dumb, pretending not to understand her implication.

“Miss, it’s time for your medicine.” Qingdian entered the room with the prepared medicine.

After Meng Tingyue finished drinking, Qin Mama handed her a small bowl of candied fruit, “Miss, have some candied fruit to take away the bitterness.”

Qin Mama held the plate and looked at Meng Qingjiao, “Second Miss, if you think this pearl gauze is beautiful, you can still order two pieces at the shop now. In a couple of days, once this clothing sells out, Second Miss will not be able to buy it for a long time.”

Qin Mama stepped forward to take back the clothing, Meng Qingjiao panicked.

“I’ll just borrow it to wear, I’ll return it after wearing it.”

“It seems that Second Miss has never returned the clothes she borrowed from our Miss.” Qinglan quietly said.

Meng Qingjiao blushed, “I’ll buy it, I’ll buy it, okay?”

Seeing this, Meng Tingyue wiped her fingertips, “Second Sister, are you sure you don’t want to try if it fits first?”

“If Elder Sister can wear it, I must be able to wear it too.”

After speaking, Meng Qingjiao directly called for someone to pay for the silver.

She endured the heartache and eagerly left with the clothing.

Qinglan: “Miss, isn’t the price of this clothing a bit expensive?”

Meng Tingyue withdrew her gaze, raised her eyebrows nonchalantly, “The revenue from this clothing to her is far more than this silver. Besides, how many things has she taken from me? This extra silver is just barely interest.”

“Put the silver away, let’s go out for a walk, and return after dark.”

Hearing this, Qingdian asked, “Then the medicinal herbs…”

“Let’s skip it today, hurry up and pack your things.”

Meng Tingyue urged Qinglan and Qingdian to pack their things.

“Miss, why are you in such a hurry? It’s just a trip out, what needs to be packed?” Qinglan muttered.

“I don’t know.” Qingdian shook her head.

“Qin Mama will also go out with us.” After speaking, Meng Tingyue added another sentence, “Let’s go to the temple to pray for a safety charm.”

Qin Mama nodded.

After everything was packed, Meng Tingyue took her people to tell Mr. Meng about this matter.

After listening, Mr. Meng frowned and disagreed, “Bandits are rampant outside Jingdu. It’s too dangerous for you to go out alone.”

“Father, it only takes half an hour to go from Jingdu to Tianfu Temple, and the Crown Prince has already sent people to deal with the bandits. With such tight security, the bandits would certainly not dare to act against the wind. Father, if you send some people to protect me, nothing will happen.”

Meng Tingyue spoke reasonably and logically.

Mr. Meng looked at her in surprise, “How do you know that His Highness the Crown Prince sent people to deal with the bandits?”

“The Crown Prince told me this when I saw him last time.”

Mr. Meng’s eyebrows moved slightly, a faint frown appeared between his brows, and a serious thought appeared in his eyes.

Meng Tingyue seemed not to notice, and began to fabricate, “Father, I’ve felt uneasy these past two days, as if something bad is about to happen. Just let me go, I’ll be back soon.”

Mr. Meng was stubborn, “No, if you really want to go out, go to the banquet with your sister.”

“You’ve always been weak and unwilling to go out, but in the future you will marry into the royal family and become a princess. You will inevitably have to interact with the wives of various families, so you need to go out more, meet people, and make friends.”

“That’s settled. Go back and change your clothes, and go to the banquet with Jiaojiao later, it will also be a good opportunity to show yourself in front of the Fifth Prince.”

After saying this, Mr. Meng waved his hand and sent Meng Tingyue away.

Meng Tingyue didn’t expect that after all her twists and turns, she wouldn’t be able to go to Tianfu Temple, but would have to go with Meng Qingjiao to see the Fifth Prince.

——

When Meng Qingjiao found out that she had to take Meng Tingyue to the banquet, she was so angry that she almost couldn’t catch her breath.

“Sister, what a coincidence.” Meng Tingyue greeted Meng Qingjiao with a smile in the carriage.

Meng Qingjiao’s face wasn’t good, and her movements were unnatural as she sat down.

“Elder Sister is amazing. Knowing that I’m going to see the Fifth Prince today, you still went to Father and asked to go together. Elder Sister went to see the Crown Prince a few days ago, and today you’re going to the Fifth Prince’s welcoming party. Those who don’t know would think that Elder Sister is the future Fifth Prince Consort.”

These words were not kind.

“Sister, be careful with your words, lest walls have ears.” Meng Tingyue’s tone and expression were calm and unhurried, and her body faintly revealed a natural noble aura.

“Although I am not the future Fifth Prince Consort, I am the future Crown Princess, and I will be your sister-in-law in the future.”

Meng Qingjiao gritted her teeth in hatred, “Sister is right.”

She thought to herself: I’m waiting for you to become a widow and cry your heart out.

……

Crane Wind Pavilion.

The Chancellor’s second son leaned against the window, blowing the wind. Seeing the carriage slowly stopping below, he immediately shouted, “Fifth Prince, look, that seems to be the Meng Mansion’s carriage. Is Second Miss Meng here?”

Qiao Yanfeng was originally talking to his cousin, and upon hearing this, he also stood up from his chair, ran to the window, and stretched his neck to look, “Where? I heard that Second Miss Meng is as beautiful as a lotus emerging from clear water. Today I can finally feast my eyes.”

“Fifth Prince, come and have a look. You’ve been to the Southern Suburbs Estate for a month. You probably haven’t seen Second Miss Meng for a long time. You must be the first to see Second Miss Meng.” Someone chimed in.