Ch 49: Mother’s Relic
Shen Yunheng was silent for a moment before saying, “That was a gift from Empress Dowager to help you recover your health. It belongs to you, and I have no right to ask for it.”
Although he said so, Shen Yunheng did flash the thought of borrowing it from Meng Tingyue first. Once this idea arose, he involuntarily recalled the words in the letter.
It seemed there was a conflict between the Crown Princess and the Imperial Brother. In such a situation, how could the Crown Princess easily lend out ginseng?
Borrowing it would still mean owing a favor. Weighing the options, perhaps borrowing it directly from the Empress Dowager would be more appropriate. He could find a treasure to compensate her later.
Shen Yunheng’s words caused a faint ripple in Meng Tingyue’s heart.
She had only ever heard of the concept of husband and wife being one. In the past, there were many instances where things were taken without her permission, whether it was the Meng Family or Prince Qing.
This was the first time she had heard such a statement, and a sour feeling, with an indescribable emotion, arose in her heart.
She concealed the awkwardness in her eyes. “Husband, aren’t you going to see Prince Qing?”
Meng Tingyue’s thoughts were in disarray, and she didn’t want to continue being with him.
Shen Yunheng did intend to visit Prince Qing, so he left conveniently.
Only Meng Tingyue remained in the hall.
Qinglan and Qingdian entered the room after Shen Yunheng left.
“Is the Crown Princess going to visit His Highness Prince Qing?”
Meng Tingyue gently shook her head. There were so many people there; one more or less wouldn’t matter. “Where’s my Father?”
Qinglan quickly returned. “His Highness Prince Qing needs to rest, so Father went to the study.”
“Let’s go to the study.”
……
A perfectly good homecoming day turned into this. Master Meng regretted whether his choice was correct.
The Fifth Prince was so sickly, constantly spitting blood and taking medicine. Jiaojiao still insisted on marrying him, and now it’s a losing proposition, and she can’t help him in any way.
Was that dream really just an ordinary dream?
Master Meng recalled the dreams he had been having these days, becoming increasingly entangled in his heart, mixed with deep regret.
Shouldn’t he have spoken to Tingyue like that? What if Tingyue held a grudge and whispered in the Crown Prince’s ear? What would happen to his career?
“Father.”
An eight-year-old child happily rushed into Master Meng’s arms.
The worry on Master Meng’s face dissipated, turning into tenderness. He gently lifted Meng Yitang. “Nephew, what brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to be attending school today?”
Meng Yitang’s voice was childish. “The academy is closed for the day.”
Master Meng was surprised and looked at Qi Shenming standing by the door. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
Before Qi Shenming could speak, Meng Yitang spoke first. “I told Third Brother Qi not to tell Father. I wanted to surprise Father. Is Father happy?”
Qi Shenming nodded.
Master Meng beamed. “Father is happy. Thank you, Shenming, for bringing Nephew back.”
“Uncle Meng, you’re too kind. It was on my way,” Qi Shenming chuckled. “Since Nephew is home, I’ll…”
Before he finished, a servant’s voice came from the outer courtyard.
“Master, the Crown Princess has arrived.”
When Meng Tingyue entered the room, she wasn’t surprised to see Meng Yitang, but she was surprised to see the Qi family here.
Qi Shenming, the brother of Qi Jiarou, the one who spent twelve taels of silver on a bracelet at Zhenbao Hall.
“Father.”
When Master Meng saw her, the smile on his face faded slightly.
Meng Yitang calmly called out, “Elder Sister.”
Qi Shenming, holding a folding fan, bowed slightly. “Qi Shenming greets the Crown Princess.”
Meng Tingyue nodded regally, then turned her gaze to Master Meng. “I have something to discuss with Father.”
Hearing this, Qi Shenming wisely withdrew.
Once he turned and left the room, the respectful expression on his face disappeared.
Meng Tingyue’s gaze fell on Meng Yitang, waiting for him to leave on his own.
But Meng Yitang turned and hugged Master Meng. “I want to be with Father.”
Master Meng probably guessed what Meng Tingyue wanted to say. “Nephew isn’t an outsider.”
Quickly, he added another sentence. “You’re here for the Xiao Family Heirloom, aren’t you?”
Meng Tingyue nodded. “Naturally.”
Seeing her cold attitude, Master Meng coughed, his eyes tinged with displeasure and tenderness. “I am your biological father, I’m on your side. There’s no need to be so wary of me.”
“Li Yi, bring the box from the third shelf of the bookcase and give it to the Crown Princess.”
Once she had the things in her hands, Meng Tingyue eagerly opened the box. Inside was an old booklet.
Master Meng said, “This contains your mother’s records about your childhood.”
Hearing this, Meng Tingyue’s eyes trembled slightly, her fingertips contracting as she carefully opened the first page.
Although she couldn’t quite remember her mother’s handwriting, the first line almost brought her to tears.
She restrained her emotions, quickly closing the booklet. When she looked up, her eyes were already slightly red.
Master Meng seized the opportunity to appeal to her emotions. “If I didn’t care about your mother, why would I keep this booklet? It’s because I cared so much that I kept it. Your mother’s biggest worry before she passed was you, so I planned everything meticulously.”
More words with similar meanings followed.
Meng Tingyue held the box, her head bowed, listening silently.
Master Meng was parched from talking and was about to pour himself a glass of water when Meng Yitang handed him a cup of water.
“Father, drink.”
“Good boy.” Master Meng rubbed his head contentedly.
Meng Yitang smiled sweetly and submissively. Once he lowered his head, the smile disappeared from his face.
“Elder Sister must be obedient. Father loves Elder Sister the most. Elder Sister must be sensible and not always worry Father.”
Master Meng patted his head, feeling relieved.
Meng Tingyue looked up, her slightly red eyes meeting Meng Yitang’s undisguised hateful gaze.
She chuckled. “Father, I’ll remember your words. If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. The Crown Prince is waiting outside.”
Master Meng quickly said, “Then hurry up and go, don’t keep the Crown Prince waiting. Remember, the Meng Family and you are one; we rise and fall together.”
Meng Tingyue turned and left.
Meng Yitang watched her leave, his eyes rolling. He looked up at Master Meng and said, “Father, I remember I left something at Third Brother Qi’s place. I’ll go get it now.”
“Father will send someone to get it for you.”
“No, Father just wait here. I’ll be back soon.”
Meng Yitang’s figure quickly disappeared from Master Meng’s sight.
Meng Tingyue held the booklet in her arms, somewhat absentminded.
Qinglan and Qingdian silently accompanied her.
“Qingdian, go tell the Crown Prince that I’m leaving.”
Qingdian left to carry out her orders.
Qinglan: “Is the Crown Princess going straight back to the manor?”
Meng Tingyue pondered for a moment before shaking her head. “I’ll go to Renxin Hall first.”
When she reached the Lotus Pond, she deliberately slowed her pace.
As the footsteps behind her drew closer, the sound becoming more hurried, Meng Tingyue pulled Qinglan back a few steps.
“You made Mother angry, you’re a big baddie.”
*Splash*—
A figure plunged into the Lotus Pond, creating a large splash.
