Chapter 12 A Family of Four Living Under One Roof with Different Hearts

Immediately afterwards, the people below brought up a fire coral that was taller than a person, bright red and very dazzling.

Originally, Meng Anxian was able to hold back, but after seeing the fire coral, she couldn't keep it up anymore.

Everyone knows the value of fire coral; even a small one is expensive, let alone such a large one!

I'm afraid you won't find another one like it in the entire capital!

"Your Highness really dotes on your sister. This fire coral is so beautiful, I'm even a little envious." Meng Anxian stood up and spoke in a sweet voice, her eyes like hooks as she looked at Xiao Ce.

However, Xiao Ce's eyes were entirely on Meng Yanzhi, and he didn't notice Meng Anxian's emotions at all.

Now, Meng Anxian's face turned even uglier. She gritted her teeth and looked at Meng Yanzhi.

Meng Yanzhi stood up with trepidation, knelt on the ground, and said cautiously, "Your Highness, this fire coral is far too precious. I am unworthy to accept it! Please, Your Highness, rescind your order!"

"You are my savior, it's only right."

A hint of indescribable tenderness appeared in Xiao Ce's eyes.

"Get up quickly."

Xiao Ce gently stepped forward and helped the person up.

Meng Anxian twisted the handkerchief in her hands tightly, her eyes darting around before she looked at Xu Shize: "I heard that Mother has already started preparing my sister's dowry. Future brother-in-law, you'd better treat my sister well!"

These words made everyone in the courtyard feel awkward, especially Xu Shize.

He wasn't stupid; he could see very clearly that the Crown Prince treated Meng Yanzhi differently. If he were to show off too much at this moment, it would be like challenging the Crown Prince. So he could only awkwardly twitch the corners of his mouth and say, "Second Miss is joking. Of course, I wouldn't want to wrong the Eldest Miss."

"With your status, it's really unfair to my savior." Xiao Ce frowned and glanced at Xu Shize.

Originally, Meng Yanzhi should have been his Crown Princess, but when someone from the Meng family came, they said that Meng Yanzhi was infertile and that she was not presentable at the time, so Xiao Ce directly replaced her with another Crown Princess.

But now... he's starting to feel a little regretful.

Meng Yanzhi blushed, glanced at Xiao Ce cautiously, and then said with a smile, "Since ancient times, marriage has always been arranged by parents and matchmakers. I always listen to my parents."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Mencius' father and mother walked in, belatedly.

The two stood together and bowed to Xiao Ce in unison.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

After getting up, Meng's mother looked around and then scolded him with some dissatisfaction: "Why is the food so simple? It is extremely impolite to serve His Highness the Crown Prince like this!"

"Your Highness, please don't take offense. Why don't you go to the main courtyard for a while? I'll arrange a new table to properly entertain Your Highness the Crown Prince." Mother Meng's current goal is to reduce the contact between Xiao Ce and Meng Yanzhi.

Xiao Ce glanced at Meng's mother, then said indifferently, "I came here today to celebrate Rouge's new courtyard. Now that I've celebrated, I won't stay any longer. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll head back now."

After saying this, Xiao Ce picked up his wine cup, drank the wine in it, glanced at Meng Yanzhi, and then strode away.

As soon as he left, Meng Anxian's attitude changed completely. She crossed her arms and looked coldly at Meng Yanzhi: "Sister, you haven't forgotten that your fiancé is Young Master Xu, have you? Why are you still flirting with the Crown Prince? Such restlessness, do you not take Young Master Xu seriously?"

Xu Shize was a person with a very strong sense of self-respect, and after hearing these words, his expression became even more unpleasant.

He snorted coldly and looked at Meng Yanzhi, speaking unhappily, "Does Miss think that I am worthy of her?"

This person is really simple-minded. With just a little provocation, he forgets all directions. He's a complete idiot!

However, Meng Yanzhi didn't say much. She just shook her head sadly and remained silent, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

Meng's mother walked over to Meng Anxian, patted her hand, and then said unhappily, "It's just a new courtyard, why are you making such a fuss? It's just embarrassing!"

"They come from a poor, remote area after all; they've never seen the world," Meng's father snorted in dissatisfaction.

This is the Meng family, and this is how the Meng family treats Meng Yanzhi!

Even though Meng Yanzhi had long been used to all of this in her previous life, seeing the three of them standing together now, with everyone criticizing her, Meng Yanzhi still felt a dull pain in her heart.

She had long known that she meant nothing to the Meng family, but now that it happened again, she would still feel the pain!

"Yes, it's all my fault. I was thinking that His Highness the Crown Prince misunderstood my parents and thought they weren't good to me, so I specially sent him to come and see them. My parents still care about me." Meng Yanzhi lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. "I just really didn't expect His Highness the Crown Prince to bring so many things. I deserve to die!"

As she spoke, Meng Yanzhi knelt down on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

She already looked very similar to Mencius' mother, and now, with this outfit, she looked even more pitiful when she cried.

In the past, no matter how they criticized her, Meng Yanzhi would only take the blame and admit her mistakes, never defending herself. But now, Meng Yanzhi has learned how to make people feel sorry for her.

Seeing her like this, the expressions of Meng's father and mother changed, and they softened somewhat.

They hadn't expected Meng Yanzhi to have such a plan; they had truly misunderstood her.

"Alright, from now on, you should consult with your mother more often about anything at home."

“Girl, you come from a small place. You really don’t understand the intricacies of the capital. Don’t embarrass the Meng family, understand?”

Meng's father stepped forward, helped the man up, and then smiled gently.

Looking at the face that bore a resemblance to his own, he felt a surge of affection and tenderness.

"Girls should read more books. A mind enriched with knowledge naturally exudes elegance. When you have free time, just go to the study, read more books, and learn from your sister!" This time, Meng's father was truly starting to plan for Meng Yanzhi's future.

This is something that has never happened in either of my previous or current lives!

But Meng Anxian's expression changed, and she screamed, "Father, my sister is about to get married. She should be quietly embroidering in the courtyard. Why is she going to the study to read?"

"The servants will prepare the dowry."

Meng's father gave Meng Anxian a warning look.

In the past, Meng's father only doted on Meng Anxian because Meng Yanzhi was utterly worthless, just a freeloader. But now, the situation has clearly changed...