Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Younger Brother's Troubles

The moment that voice reached Meng Tingfeng’s ears, her entire body trembled, and a fine chill prickled her skin from head to toe.

She nearly squeezed the blood from her palm to suppress the surging hatred and anger rising from within.

The visitor was dressed in a lotus-pink gown embroidered with intricate peony patterns—a woman whose appearance was both dignified and gentle.

It was none other than her adopted sister, Meng Xueyi.

Standing nearby, Cheng was momentarily stunned. Coming from a poverty-stricken hometown, he had never had the chance to see such an exquisitely dressed lady.

For a moment, strange thoughts stirred within him. Embarrassed, he nervously tugged the hem of his dirty clothes and edged into the crowd.

Meng Xueyi looked at the drenched Meng Tingfeng in surprise. “Nanny Li, this must be Tingfeng, right? My brother and I have been waiting inside the mansion, but no one came, so we ventured out to find her. What happened?”

The old nanny, unfamiliar with the situation, was at a loss.

It was Liu Xiayang who stepped forward to explain. As understanding dawned on the crowd, murmurs spread among them:

“Who would have thought that this ragged girl is actually Miss Meng’s sister? I thought the Meng mansion only had one daughter.”

“Compared to Miss Meng, she’s like night and day! If I were her, I’d be ashamed to stand up straight here.”

“You’re all mistaken. Miss Meng is the adopted daughter; this one must be the legitimate daughter who went missing years ago. She’s truly lucky—found again and now the daughter of a noble family. Plus, she saved Miss Shi—no doubt the Prime Minister’s family will be indebted to her!”

The crowd’s whispers reached Meng Tingfeng’s ears, but her expression remained unchanged. Then, the maid Yin Shuang, who accompanied Meng Xueyi, stepped forward:

“The route to the Prime Minister’s mansion doesn’t pass this way. Why detour to the edge of Yun Lake?”

Before the old nanny could respond, Meng Yuhong cast a disdainful glance at Meng Tingfeng and snorted:

“Hmph, why? Isn’t it for the honor of the Prime Minister’s mansion? Some people are deliberately staging a scene, eager to be the star of this drama. Making such a fuss upon arriving in the capital—no doubt Young Master Liu and Miss Shi, and even the entire Shi family, won’t soon forget her!”

Liu Xiayang, who knew the full story, frowned at these words. He couldn’t understand Meng Yuhong’s baseless hatred toward this young girl. After all, weren’t they siblings?

He then spoke:

“I don’t know why Miss Meng was by Yun Lake, but I am certain she was not on the painted boat at the time, nor could she have known Miss Shi would fall into the lake.

“Master Meng, there are many eyes and ears here; speak carefully so as not to give those with ill intent something to hear.”

The crowd, which had been stirred by the phrase “staging a scene,” gradually calmed down.

Indeed, who in this world could foresee and plan Miss Shi’s fall into the water beforehand?

This was clearly slander.

Meng Tingfeng gratefully gazed at Liu Xiayang, tears brimming in her eyes.

Wiping them away, she suddenly seemed to recall something and took a jade pendant from her bosom, hesitating as she said:

“Brother, this is the jade I picked out for you at the shop…”

Before she could finish, Meng Yuhong brushed her hand aside without a second thought, letting the pale green jade fall and shatter into pieces.

“Who wants your things! I only have one sister, and I only accept gifts from her.

“And you? You’re simply not worthy!”

Everyone witnessed this act, and murmurs erupted anew, especially moved by Meng Tingfeng’s trembling figure and tears streaming down her face.

Under the accusing gazes, Meng Yuhong grew furious.

This Meng Tingfeng had caused such a commotion before even returning to the mansion—what chaos would unfold once she was back!

Since learning of her return, his sister had been sleepless for days; Yin Shuang even said she was eating less than half her usual amount. Seeing his sister grow thinner, how could he not feel pain?

No matter who she was, she could never be his sister. In this world, he had only one sister—Meng Xueyi!

Just as Meng Yuhong ground his teeth in fury, someone bowed nearby and greeted:

“Lord Shi.”

An exquisitely crafted carriage stopped, and a slender man in a pearly white robe stepped down.

His face was handsome as jade, expression utterly cold, his piercing phoenix-like eyes sweeping over the crowd, instantly halting the tense atmosphere.

Shi Jing’s eyes were deep and inscrutable. He glanced at Shi Zilu, who was being helped into the carriage, then at the young girl beside her, and coldly commanded:

“Get in.”

Without waiting for a reply, he climbed into the carriage himself.

The old nanny asked, puzzled:

“Lord Shi, where are you taking my young mistress?”

His voice, faint and indifferent, came from inside the carriage:

“I know the whole story. I’m merely escorting a benefactor of my family.”

“But…” Their own carriage was parked right nearby.

The old nanny wanted to protest further, but Meng Tingfeng, weak and trembling, gently pressed her hand down and slowly stood.

All eyes were fixed on her as she shakily climbed into Shi Jing’s carriage.

Everyone held their breath, speechless.

The Prime Minister himself was publicly inviting the second Miss Meng onto his carriage, intending to send her home.

Didn’t this prove that Lord Shi valued this girl who had saved Miss Shi immensely?

Meng Yuhong, originally furious, was rendered speechless. Only when Shi Jing’s carriage disappeared into the distance did he suddenly slap his forehead:

“Oh no!”

He hurriedly grabbed his attendant. “Quick, run back! Get the Black Lion and bring him into the backyard!”

The Black Lion was the massive mastiff he had raised with great care.

It was currently held by the servants at the mansion’s gate.

He had repeatedly instructed:

“As soon as that wretched woman steps off the carriage, release the Black Lion to bite her!

“I want her to know that the gates of the Meng mansion are not so easily crossed!”

No one dared to bring back the Black Lion without his order.

But now that Shi Jing was escorting Meng Tingfeng into the mansion, there was no reason to show such force!

If he offended Shi Jing, the whole Meng household would suffer.

Watching his attendant sprint away, Meng Yuhong swallowed hard, his face pale.

His body slackened as he grasped Meng Xueyi’s hand.

“Sister, I think I’m going to get into trouble…”

Meng Xueyi’s expression turned serious. She understood Shi Jing’s importance—her father depended on him in many matters at court.

Now Meng Yuhong wanted to unleash the Black Lion, but no matter how fast the attendant ran, he couldn’t outrun a horse’s four legs!

She steadied herself, took Meng Yuhong’s hand, and climbed into the carriage.

Seeing his anxious and panicked face, she comforted him:

“Yuhong, no matter what happens later, if Father scolds or punishes you, don’t resist. Understand?”

Meng Yuhong nodded quickly.

Though their father had always doted on him and never laid a heavy hand on him, if this time he truly caused serious trouble, no one would be able to save him.