Chapter 44 "In front of an outsider from the Lin family..."

Meng Yuanxiao almost laughed out of anger.

But in front of her before, Manager Lin was clearly very good at reading people's expressions.

Since it's not that they're oblivious, then it must be intentional.

Cui Xintang's expression also turned slightly cold.

The ledger was handed to him, and he took it and flipped through it, his tone slightly impatient. "Why do I need to look at the Lin family's business?"

Manager Lin said, "Young Master, the cloth shop's business has benefited greatly from the Meng family's patronage. Now the cloth shop has begun to make a profit. Our young lady has instructed that a sum of money be allocated from the cloth shop's revenue each month and sent to the Cui family as repayment for the shop you gave us."

Cui Xintang frowned and glanced at him.

"Just a storefront?" Meng Yuanxiao asked.

Her question came suddenly, and both Cui Xintang and Steward Lin looked at her.

Meng Yuanxiao didn't want to hold a grudge; she thought she had a pretty good temper, but she still couldn't help getting angry.

She hated it when people used these tricks on her, so she simply did as Butler Lin wanted.

"Didn't Brother Tang say that he also gave the Lin family a place to live? The Meng family is so generous, perhaps they gave more than that, maybe even something else! Miss Lin is so polite, since she wants to return it, she should return it as well."

Upon hearing this, Manager Lin's smile froze on his face, and he subconsciously looked at Cui Xintang.

Meng Yuanxiao looked innocent and asked Cui Xintang, "Brother Tang, don't you think so?"

Cui Xintang: "..."

Meng Yuanxiao looked a little aggrieved. "Didn't Brother Tang never care about these things? My mother-in-law said that I would be in charge of the household from now on. Since I'm in charge of the household, then I should have the final say on money matters, right?"

Cui Xintang glanced at her for a moment, then smiled.

He closed the ledger and tossed it on the coffee table, leaned back in his armchair, reached across the small table to touch Meng Yuanxiao's hand, and squeezed it in his palm.

"Since Miss Lin is so kind, the Cui family cannot refuse. We will return it as the young mistress suggested. Also, if there are similar matters in the future, there is no need to bother Mother or wait for me. Just report to the young mistress for a decision."

"..." A fleeting moment of embarrassment crossed Steward Lin's face, but he readily agreed, smiling as he said, "Yes, this old servant understands. This old servant will report to Miss as soon as I get back."

His reaction was really strange, and Meng Yuanxiao subconsciously felt that something was wrong.

Manager Lin did not try to keep him any longer and got up to take his leave.

As soon as Steward Lin left, Cui Xintang called Qingzhu in and instructed him to take down the gifts sent by the Lin family and distribute them among the servants.

Meng Yuanxiao didn't care how to deal with these things. Just now, it seemed that she had the upper hand, but for no reason, she felt even more depressed.

She got up to leave, but Cui Xintang pulled her back.

"Was it enjoyable?" he asked.

His words were neither funny nor sad, and Meng Yuanxiao frowned. "What do you mean by that, Brother Tang?"

Cui Xintang chuckled and said, "How come I didn't know Yuanyuan was so sharp-tongued?"

Meng Yuanxiao: "I was the one who always gave in to you before."

"..." Cui Xintang stopped teasing her. "In the Cui residence, if the Lin family ever makes Yuanyuan unhappy again, Yuanyuan can do whatever she wants. Brother Tang will back you up."

He raised his eyebrows after saying that, "It's better for Yuanyuan to vent her temper on others than on Brother Tang."

Meng Yuanxiao pursed her lips and looked at him, but said, "I am the young mistress of the Cui family. Why do I need you to back me up in front of an outsider like the Lin family? Does the Lin family have more power in the Cui family than I do?"

Cui Xintang: "..."

Meng Yuanxiao brushed his hand away, lowered her eyes and said, "There are some things I hope I don't have to say myself."

*

The next morning, Meng Yuanxiao took Hongshao out early.

Last year, the imperial court issued an edict that women could also participate in the imperial examinations. This year, no women participated in the civil service examination, but some women who had passed the military examination last year traveled a long distance to the capital to participate in the military examination.

Since it was the eldest princess's decree, and it was the first time ever that a woman had participated in the imperial examination, it naturally attracted attention.

It is said that the eldest princess personally summoned the young lady, and the young lady did not disappoint the eldest princess's high expectations. Not only was she skilled in martial arts, but she also won first place in the first examination of policy essays. She passed the military examination and was promoted to the third-ranked scholar.

For this reason, this year's martial arts champion parade attracted an especially large number of onlookers.

The small imperial street was packed with people early in the morning. The carriage finally arrived at the teahouse, and Meng Yuanxiao and Hongshao got off the carriage and squeezed their way into the teahouse through the crowd.

When they went upstairs and entered the private room, Li Keying had already arrived.

Seeing her come in, Li Keying poured her a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Why are you in such a disheveled state?"

Meng Yuanxiao came over, picked up the teacup, and gulped down the tea before saying, "Sister-in-law, I was almost crushed just now!"

After saying that, he mischievously stuck out his tongue, ran over and pushed open the window, curiously peering outside.

Li Keying also came over, looked outside, and asked, "I heard that Cui Erlang failed the imperial examination?"

“Yes,” Meng Yuanxiao said casually, “Brother Tang even hired a tutor for him, so he can continue studying with the tutor every day after school!”

"But that's normal. After all, not everyone has the ability of Brother Tang and my eldest brother to pass the imperial examination on their first try."

Li Keying was amused by her, "Your older brother once wanted you to marry Cui Erlang!"

"Huh?" Meng Yuanxiao almost thought she had misheard. Her almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise as she looked at her sister-in-law.

Li Keying reached out and pinched her cheek. "You think Cui Erlang is good, and you'll have your Tang-gege protecting you if you marry him, but there are people who aren't happy about it!"

Who else could be unhappy about it?

Meng Yuanxiao immediately understood what her sister-in-law meant, blushed slightly, and turned her face away.

As they talked, the street became lively. Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, a martial arts champion dressed in red with a large red silk flower tied to his front rode slowly along on horseback.

Meng Yuanxiao immediately perked up, sticking his head out of the window and staring intently.

When the person got closer, he saw the burly man with a full beard at the head of the group, but he couldn't help but feel disappointed and let out a disdainful "Eh."

Tang-gege was a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations. She still remembered that three years ago, Tang-gege had ridden through this place on horseback in the same way.

That day, Tang-gege had been pelted with countless flower petals and handkerchiefs by the girls. When they arrived here, she joined in the teasing and threw a flower at him.

I don't know how he guessed it was her. He took the flower in his hand, looked at it, and smiled at her.

Both of her older brothers were good-looking. Tang-gege was close to her eldest brother, and she often saw him. She treated him as just an ordinary, familiar brother and didn't think he was particularly handsome.

But that day, he was dressed in red, riding on horseback, looking up at her with a smile. Suddenly, she realized that Brother Tang was so handsome, much more handsome than her older brother.

As Meng Yuanxiao was lost in thought about the past, he saw a tall woman in red riding a horse behind him.

Meng Yuanxiao snapped out of her daze, her eyes lighting up. "Sister-in-law, you're here!"

I had assumed she would have a rugged appearance like the two before her, but to my surprise, the woman on horseback had wheat-colored skin, a delicate yet handsome face, and an outstanding temperament. One glance was enough to captivate anyone.

Meng Yuanxiao stared wide-eyed, unable to help but exclaim in amazement. He tugged at Li Keying beside him, "Sister-in-law, do you know who this third-ranked scholar is?"

After waiting for a while, my sister-in-law did not answer.

She subconsciously turned her head to look, only to see that Li Keying's gaze was fixed on the woman on horseback, lost in thought.

Meng Yuanxiao paused for a moment, not wanting to disturb his sister-in-law, and looked down again.

As I looked around, I spotted my second brother's face in the crowd.

With a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, Meng Zheng leaned against the wall of the teahouse across the street, one long leg bent, looking up at the window they had opened for who knows how long.

Meeting Meng Yuanxiao's gaze, Meng Zheng raised his eyebrows and gave her a smile.

Meng Yuanxiao suddenly felt that her second brother from before had returned.

She subconsciously turned to look at her sister-in-law, hesitated for a moment, and then swallowed her words.

Once the hustle and bustle of the street subsided, Li Keying had regained her usual smiling demeanor. She closed the window and pulled Meng Yuanxiao over to sit down at a small table.

Meng Yuanxiao still remembered what happened at the manor. She glanced at her sister-in-law's expression and was about to ask her indirectly when Li Keying poured her a cup of tea and asked her first, "Why hasn't Yuanyuan returned to the Meng residence for so long?"

Even for New Year's gifts, she made up an excuse and only sent the steward of the Meng family to deliver the items.

Meng Yuanxiao looked embarrassed and after a long while whispered, "There are many things to do in the mansion during the New Year. My mother-in-law wants me to learn how to manage the household, so I haven't been able to find the time."

Li Keying looked at her for a moment, but did not expose her. She only said, "My mother-in-law might not agree if I want to go out and join in the fun. But yesterday when I asked you to come out, she readily agreed. This morning she even sent someone to ask me when I was going out."

Meng Yuanxiao paused, then lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Li Keying stared at her for a moment, then said softly, "On New Year's Eve at the Princess's residence, my mother-in-law wanted to talk to you, but couldn't find an opportunity. She misses you, so she wanted me to come and see you."

"I understand, sister-in-law," Meng Yuanxiao said in a low voice after a long while.

Li Keying said, "Now that you're out, Yuanyuan, why don't you go back to the Meng residence with your sister-in-law today?"

Meng Yuanxiao blinked, and Li Keying took her hand and said, "Just consider it keeping your sister-in-law company, okay?"

After a slight hesitation, Meng Yuanxiao nodded, "Mm."

The two women chatted for a while longer, and only got up and went out when the crowd on the street had mostly dispersed.

Just as he stepped out of the private room, the door to the next private room opened. Meng Yuanxiao subconsciously turned his head and was immediately confronted with a familiar face.

It was Miss Lin, the manager of the Lin Family Cloth Shop.

Perhaps recognizing her, Miss Lin smiled at her.

Meng Yuanxiao was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously glanced at the private room behind her. The door to the private room was half-open, so she couldn't see what was inside.

On the way back to the Meng residence, Meng Yuanxiao was sullen and unhappy.

Upon arriving at the Meng residence, just as they were about to go to the main courtyard to look for Madam Feng, they saw a maidservant hurriedly coming out from the side courtyard.

The side courtyard was where Madam Su lived. The maid was in a hurry. Meng Yuanxiao was about to call her back when she saw Meng Xu come out of the side courtyard, followed by a doctor and a young apprentice carrying a medicine box.

Meng Xu was talking to the doctor and didn't notice the two of them, so the doctor's words were heard over.

"Young Master, Madam Su's pregnancy is progressing steadily, but her poor appetite has weakened her body, requiring careful bed rest and recuperation..."

As they spoke, the two emerged from the moon gate. Upon seeing the two outside, Meng Xu paused, his expression suddenly turning cold.

Li Keying had heard everything the doctor said. She stopped and stood under a flowering tree, her face slightly pale, looking at Meng Xu expressionlessly.

Meng Yuanxiao's heart pounded, and he instinctively grasped his sister-in-law's hand.

Li Keying's palms were ice-cold, and her whole body was trembling slightly.

The doctor finally realized something was wrong. He looked at Meng Xu, then at Li Keying, and stroked his beard, about to take his leave, when Meng Xu suddenly asked, "If we want to abort the pregnancy, what will happen?"