Ch 122: Return To Meng Mansion
Hearing this, Meng Tingyue slowly turned her head, her gaze inadvertently glancing at Prince Qing’s Mansion carriage parked quietly to the side, her heart undisturbed.
Meng Qingjiao followed closely behind, gracefully leaping from the carriage, her gaze sharp, full of challenge, directly aimed at her, “What a coincidence, Elder Sister is also here.”
Meng Tingyue’s expression was calm, not at all taking her provocation to heart, gently opening her lips, “If my arrival is inconvenient, I will leave first.”
Having said that, she turned gracefully, preparing to step back into the carriage, intending to leave.
“Wait.” Meng Qingjiao hurriedly called out to stop her, a flash of imperceptible displeasure in her eyes, clearly not expecting the other party to be so composed and unconventional.
“Elder Sister must be here at Mother’s invitation, since we’ve met, let’s go in together.”
As she spoke, she walked towards Meng Tingyue, naturally extending her slender hand, intending to take Meng Tingyue’s arm.
However, Meng Tingyue did not even give her a glance, simply taking a step, proceeding towards the Meng Mansion gate.
Meng Qingjiao stared at Meng Tingyue’s superior posture, her face contorted in an instant, her eyes flashing with gloomy light, fixated on her receding back.
Then she followed unhurriedly.
The two entered the Meng Mansion gate, one after the other.
Madam Meng had already been waiting expectantly in the Main Hall. Mr. Meng was calm, leisurely sipping tea, but his gaze secretly looked towards the gate.
Only after the mansion servant reported did he slowly put down his teacup.
“Tingyue, Jiaojiao, you’ve finally arrived.” Madam Meng greeted them enthusiastically, naturally taking Meng Qingjiao’s arm, her eyes full of love and joy.
Meng Qingjiao smiled sweetly, affectionately calling, “Mother.”
Meng Tingyue cast her gaze towards Mr. Meng, softly calling, “Father.”
Mr. Meng merely nodded faintly, his expression neither warm nor cold.
“If your mother hadn’t sent for you, you would have long forgotten Meng Mansion.”
Meng Tingyue smiled serenely upon hearing this, her tone calm and composed, “Father, that is incorrect. Mother has passed, how could she send for me?”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall looked somber; the air seemed to freeze.
Mr. Meng slammed the table, his voice filled with unquestionable authority, “Uncouth! Who taught you to disregard the rules of elders like this!”
Meng Tingyue responded calmly, “Mother has already passed, who else could have taught me this?”
“Elder Sister, what do you mean? I…”
Before Meng Qingjiao could finish her words, Madam Meng gently but firmly took her hand, interrupting her unspoken words.
A trace of imperceptible annoyance flashed in Madam Meng’s eyes, yet she maintained a gentle smile, “Forget it, forget it. It’s rare to be home, why let such trivial matters disturb our reunion?”
“Jiaojiao, why are you so polite today? You brought so many things.”
Madam Meng’s gaze inadvertently swept past Meng Qingjiao, finally resting on the exquisite gift boxes carefully held by her maidservant behind her, her words conveying a degree of surprise and warmth.
“Bring them up.” Meng Qingjiao instructed softly. Before her words had finished, a group of maidservants professionally stepped forward, placing the gift boxes one by one on the table, their movements light and orderly.
“These are all newly arrived rare items from my shop, specially selected for Father and Mother, hoping to add some joy.” Meng Qingjiao opened her lips slightly, her words full of filial piety.
Madam Meng opened a box, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes as she gazed at the round pills inside, smooth as pearls and pink in color.
“Are these the Ningxiang Pills from your Ningxiang Residence that have received much praise?” Her tone held a touch of curiosity and delight.
“Yes, I brought many back, Father and Mother can keep some for yourselves and give some away.” Meng Qingjiao replied with a gentle smile, her words expressing exactly the right amount of respect and consideration for her parents.
Mr. Meng’s eyes softened, a look of satisfaction appearing at the corners of his eyes, “Jiaojiao, you are truly thoughtful.”
Meng Qingjiao smiled gently, her voice soft as a spring breeze, “It’s only natural and fitting for a daughter to serve her parents.”
Upon hearing this, both Mr. Meng and Madam Meng felt warmth in their hearts, their eyes filled with affection and relief as they looked at her.
Watching this heartwarming scene of filial piety, Meng Tingyue sneered inwardly.
If they didn’t know the truth, others might mistakenly believe Meng Qingjiao was Mr. Meng’s biological daughter, deeply affectionate.
“I wonder what surprises Elder Sister has prepared for Father and Mother this time home?” Meng Qingjiao’s eyes flickered, the hint of provocation falling subtly on Meng Tingyue.
Mr. Meng’s gaze also fell on Meng Tingyue, carrying a hint of inquiry, “I hear you also opened a shop, called Ningxiang Residence, specializing in scented pills?”
Meng Tingyue smiled lightly, her smile casual and calm, “Father, I think you must have heard wrong. The name of my shop is not Ningxiang Residence, and I don’t sell scented pills.”
Mr. Meng asked, “Then what do you sell?”
“Ningxiang Paste,” Meng Tingyue answered concisely.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Meng’s expression immediately dimmed, “Ningxiang Paste? Is it just ordinary scented ointment?”
Meng Tingyue nodded lightly, her gaze unmoved.
Meng Qingjiao smiled charmingly from the side, adding, “Father may not know, Elder Sister’s Ningxiang Paste is very popular, so popular that the shop is crowded, and eventually had to close its doors.”
“Is that true?” Mr. Meng’s eyes showed a hint of surprise, clearly unexpected.
Meng Qingjiao smiled slightly, her tone tinged with regret, “It’s a pity that Elder Sister doesn’t seem to be good at managing the shop. Not only did she not have the artisans work harder to produce more goods to meet market demand, but she resolutely closed it down.”
“If Elder Sister could manage the shop as well as my Ningxiang Residence, she would have mountains of gold and silver by now.”
Meng Tingyue listened to her sales pitch, initially puzzled by her motives, but now she understood instantly.
Does she naively think that by accusing Mr. Meng, she can easily seize control of this shop?
A faint mockery flickered in Meng Tingyue’s eyes, as if silently mocking Meng Qingjiao’s unrealistic fantasy.
Not to mention that she is now a married woman, her status is different;
Even when she was unmarried, she had enough wit to make Meng Ci helpless regarding her shop’s affairs.
“Closing the shop? It’s utterly ridiculous. Your mother had unique insights into the business world, but you haven’t inherited her intelligence at all.” Mr. Meng frowned, his tone reproachful.
