Ch 93: Uncle?

Princess Luo Jia looked at Meng Tingyue with a sincere expression, explaining, “I don’t like that guy; it’s just that if they find that sign, there will inevitably be a lot of nonsense. I’ll send someone to throw it back up the tree later.”

Meng Tingyue listened to her seemingly evasive explanation, suspecting something, and smiled, nodding, “I understand. I won’t tell them.”

Princess Luo Jia finally breathed a sigh of relief, clinging to her arm and acting spoiled, “Crown Princess is the best! I like Crown Princess the most.”

“Let’s go and rest for a while on that stone bench over there,” Meng Tingyue suggested.

The two went to the stone bench nearby and sat down gracefully.

Princess Luo Jia held Meng Tingyue’s hand tightly, lowering her voice mysteriously, “Crown Princess, do you want to know what Imperial Brother was like when he was young?”

Meng Tingyue pondered silently. Although she had heard many anecdotes about the Crown Prince’s childhood from the Empress, their truthfulness was questionable. Now that she could hear them from Princess Luo Jia herself, she could discern the truth.

Therefore, she nodded slightly.

Princess Luo Jia lowered her voice and recounted Shen Yunheng’s childhood embarrassing moments one by one.

Meng Tingyue listened with great interest.

“When Imperial Brother was ten years old, he went to Jiangnan alone and was kidnapped by bandits. When the news came back, it scared Mother Empress half to death.”

“The Court sent many people to investigate Imperial Brother’s whereabouts. In the end, Imperial Brother escaped and reported it to the authorities himself. He even remembered the location of the bandit camp and led the soldiers back to suppress the bandits.”

“I asked Imperial Brother about it, and he said he saw someone kidnapping children, so he feigned being captured to infiltrate the bandit camp and suppress the bandits.”

Meng Tingyue looked surprised, “The Crown Prince was so brave and resourceful even then?”

“Yes, even the National Master praised Imperial Brother for his intelligence, bravery, and resourcefulness,” Princess Luo Jia said with a hint of pride, as if sharing in the honor.

“And, in that bandit camp, Imperial Brother also met a…”

Meng Tingyue waited for a moment but didn’t hear the rest, so she asked, “Who did he meet?”

Princess Luo Jia met her curious gaze, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes.

“Crown Princess should ask Imperial Brother yourself. It’s only meaningful if Imperial Brother tells Crown Princess himself.”

Princess Luo Jia was very angry deep down.

She originally thought she could tell everything today, allowing Imperial Brother and Crown Princess to achieve a positive outcome, but this damned Heavenly Dao…

Rumble——

Several thunderclaps echoed from the sky.

Princess Luo Jia looked up at the clear blue sky, feeling apprehensive, instantly not daring to even complain inwardly.

Meng Tingyue looked at the sky, a hint of doubt in her brows, muttering, “The weather doesn’t look like it’s going to rain. Why is there thunder out of the blue?”

Princess Luo Jia touched her nose, smiling awkwardly, “Maybe it will rain later. Let’s go back early.”

Hearing this, Meng Tingyue nodded in agreement.

Qiao Yanfeng and the others returned empty-handed.

Their explanation was: “The fish were fed this morning. Gluttony is their nature. Too much is harmful.”

This was the monk’s original words to Qiao Yanfeng and the others.

Therefore, they only admired the fish by the pond for a while. When the attendant brought news that everyone else was ready to return,

they joined the other noble ladies and women and went down the mountain back to Jingdu.

When they returned to Jingdu, the sun was already setting.

Meng Tingyue got off the carriage, said goodbye to Princess Luo Jia, and walked slowly towards the mansion with Qingdian’s company.

Qingdian supported Meng Tingyue, whispering in her ear, “At the unspecified hour, a man claiming to be the Crown Princess’s uncle came to the Crown Prince’s Mansion. The Crown Prince was in the mansion, so he welcomed the man in. He will probably be having dinner together later.”

“Uncle?” A name instantly appeared in Meng Tingyue’s mind.

Her eyelids drooped slightly, concealing the imperceptible chill in her eyes.

What a coincidence! He actually came to the door himself. This is undoubtedly a godsend.

A subtle sneer curled Meng Tingyue’s lips, “Take me to meet ‘Uncle’.”

Meng Tingyue emphasized the last two words particularly heavily.

As soon as Meng Tingyue entered the Main Hall, she heard Meng Dongliang muttering something to the vase in the Main Hall.

“This vase is certainly a priceless treasure. However, people’s eyes are not always sharp. Occasionally displaying a few replicas may not be noticed. It’s both economical and stylish, isn’t it?”

“Moreover, if you servants are a little careless and damage this delicate porcelain, it would be a pity.”

“This chair is indeed extremely comfortable, and the craftsmanship is superb. But I’ve seen even better works. In comparison, the furnishings here are not worthy of the Crown Prince’s Mansion’s prominence and dignity.”

“If you need it, I can provide my superior products at any time. As for these inferior products in this room, I’ll reluctantly accept them…”

Meng Dongliang rambled on for a long time. Ling Qi remained almost coldly indifferent throughout, seemingly ignoring Meng Dongliang’s words.

Meng Dongliang seemed to notice that his words were unanswered, and displeasure gradually appeared in his eyes.

He pointed at Ling Qi with his finger, his tone arrogant and disdainful, “I am the Crown Princess’s own uncle, and also the Crown Prince’s uncle-in-law. You people are just the Crown Prince’s dogs…”

“Enough!” Meng Tingyue finally couldn’t bear it anymore. Her face was frosty, and she directly interrupted Meng Dongliang’s arrogant words. “Who dares to impersonate This Palace’s uncle and attempt to point fingers at the mansion’s affairs? Bring this villain down, cane him, and then throw him out of the mansion!”

Hearing this, Meng Dongliang turned his gaze to Meng Tingyue. Seeing that she was richly dressed and wealthy, he began to speculate, and a flash of joy involuntarily appeared in his eyes.

He hurriedly stepped forward, trying to establish a relationship, “Niece, I am your father’s younger brother, your uncle!”

Meng Tingyue looked at him coldly. Qingdian quickly raised her hand and gently slapped away his outstretched hand.

“How dare you, you dog servant! Do you know who you hit? I’m your master’s uncle! You maid dare to be rude to me? Quickly cane her to death to uphold family discipline!” Meng Dongliang pointed at Qingdian, full of anger.

Meng Tingyue’s face was frosty, and murderous intent surged in her eyes. She coldly spat out a sentence, “Ling Qi, do it. Capture him and break that restless finger.”

Ling Qi had already been simmering with anger, waiting for Meng Tingyue’s order. He moved like a ghost, instantly appearing beside Meng Dongliang.

With a “crack,” Meng Dongliang’s hand had its joint skillfully dislocated by him, causing him to cry out in pain.

Then, Ling Qi’s iron-like hand firmly grasped Meng Dongliang’s wrists, restraining him so he could not move.