Chapter 23 Not Marrying Xu Shize

Upon hearing this, Meng's mother nodded and said, "Your words have reminded me that she should indeed marry Xu Shize soon."

"Mother, shall we invite Xu Shize over tomorrow to discuss the wedding date?" Meng Anxian smiled at her mother, clearly having already decided to send Meng Yanzhi out as soon as possible.

Meng's mother held Meng Anxian's hand, smiled gently, and then said, "Look at you, why are you being so impulsive? As long as your parents are here, you are the Crown Princess, don't worry."

As she spoke, Meng's mother lifted Meng Anxian's hat and carefully examined the wound on her face. It was already more than half healed. Although it still had a slight odor, it should be fully healed in another three to five days.

Meng's mother gently touched Meng Anxian's cheek, then smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mother will definitely restore your face to its original state."

The next day, early morning.

Xu Shize arrived early in the morning and went straight to Meng Yanzhi's Qinghe Courtyard.

He entered, looked around, and said coldly, "The furnishings in this room are far too luxurious. How could someone of your background be worthy of them?"

Meng Yanzhi stood silently in place, rolling her eyes inwardly, but outwardly maintaining a respectful and docile demeanor.

"Although you come from the Meng family, once you come to my Xu family, you should live the life of the Xu family."

"These precious things should no longer be used. A woman should be virtuous and elegant, not enhanced by such gold and jade."

Xu Shize adopted an arrogant attitude, condescendingly criticizing and lecturing Meng Yanzhi.

Meng Yanzhi looked at the gold and jade ornaments all over him with a hint of disdain, but still nodded obediently, "Yes, I understand."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Yunrou walked in happily.

"Big cousin! Look, I drew a new dress design for you!"

Upon entering, Xu Yunrou seemed to realize that Xu Shize was there. She immediately stopped what she was doing, her face flushed red, and then she obediently bowed, saying, "Greetings, Young Master Xu."

"What kind of clothes are they? I'd like to see them too." Xu Shize's face lit up with joy when he saw Xu Yunrou. He leaned close to her affectionately and then looked at the painting in her hand.

Xu Shize smiled and then said, "The painting is indeed quite good. Here, let me help you revise it a bit more."

He then pulled her aside, picked up the writing implements from the table, and began to teach her step by step.

"Then I'll go get you some tea and snacks."

Meng Yanzhi didn't think there was anything wrong with this at all. She silently stepped back and walked outside, obediently making room for them. Before leaving, she glanced at the incense burner inside the room and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Young Miss!" Ming Chu's face turned pale with anger. She gritted her teeth and stared at Meng Yanzhi, saying in a muffled voice, "This young lady is doing this on purpose. I think she's here to seduce Young Master Xu!"

Seeing Mingchu's angry expression, Meng Yanzhi couldn't help but laugh out loud. She then pinched her puffed-up cheeks and said with a smile, "Silly girl, why are you so angry?"

"I'm not angry, I'm speaking up for you, Miss. Even if Madam agrees to let you marry into the family together, you are still the legal wife!"

"She's not even married yet, and the son-in-law already favors the concubine. How is she supposed to live after she marries in!"

As Mingchu spoke, tears began to fall. She had thought that Meng Yanzhi would have a good life after marrying into the family, but now it seemed that even if she did get married, she wouldn't have a peaceful life!

Seeing Mingchu's sullen expression, Meng Yanzhi pulled her to the small kitchen next door, and then began to knead dough and make pastries by hand.

"Miss, you're not going to make them desserts yourself, are you? That's too weak of you."

"Once you actually marry into that family, Miss Biao will definitely stomp on your face!"

Mingchu was truly anxious now. They were being bullied so badly, why didn't he realize the danger?

"I will not marry Xu Shize."

Meng Yanzhi smiled faintly, then focused on making the desserts.

What does that mean?

Mingchu looked at Meng Yanzhi with some confusion, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly, "Miss, why don't I do it?"

"I'll do it." Meng Yanzhi's movements were very slow and elegant, she wasn't in a hurry at all, after all, it would take some time inside.

This plate of snacks wasn't finished until noon. As I carried the fragrant snacks back to my bedroom, I heard sounds coming from inside.

Just then, Xiao Ce walked in, followed by his attendant Shui Shan, who was holding a fine ancient zither in his hands!

"Miss Meng, what are you doing in the courtyard?" Xiao Ce walked over, his eyes showing concern.

Meng Yanzhi bowed and said with a smile, "Young Master Xu and my cousin are painting inside. I had nothing to do, so I made some tea and snacks."

As she spoke, Meng Yanzhi brought the tea and snacks forward, blinked, and looked at Xiao Ce expectantly: "These were made by my own hands, Your Highness. Would you like to try some?"

Xiao Ce never eats outside, but looking at the steaming pastries, he still felt a little tempted. He almost couldn't help but pick up a piece and put it in his mouth. The fragrance of locust blossoms spread throughout his entire mouth almost instantly.

"What's this?"

Xiao Ce was of noble birth and had never eaten anything like this from the countryside. He had no idea what locust flowers were.

"These are locust blossoms from the old locust tree in the backyard. I picked them myself and washed them very clean!"

"Your Highness, do you like it?"

Meng Yanzhi stared at Xiao Ce with bright, expectant eyes, her face full of anticipation for his answer.

"tasty."

Xiao Ce couldn't bear to disappoint Meng Yanzhi, so he smiled gently, nodded, and ate the rest of the food.

"Ah! Xu Lang, be gentle."

"Um……"

Suddenly, Xu Yunrou's soft moans came from inside. Immediately afterward, everyone outside blushed, except for Meng Yanzhi, who seemed completely unaware of what had happened and hurriedly tried to push the door open.

"Young Master Xu, what are you doing? Why did you hurt my cousin?"

Meng Yanzhi hurriedly pushed open the door, entered, then immediately jumped back out and slammed the door shut.

"Miss?"

Ming Chu looked at Meng Yanzhi in disbelief, then stepped forward.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

Meng Yanzhi shook her head, her face flushed as she looked at Xiao Ce: "Your Highness, the crabapple blossoms in the backyard are in full bloom. Shall we go and take a look?"

"Mmm... Ah..."

Meng Lang's voice came from inside again.

At this moment, Meng's mother and Meng Anxian knew that Xiao Ce had arrived, and they both walked over. Upon hearing the ambiguous voices, their eyes immediately reddened: "Meng Yanzhi, you shameless woman, what are you doing in broad daylight!"