Chapter 824 Gu Qianling, you actually sided with her!

Qin Xin, on the other hand, felt no shame at being caught eavesdropping; she rubbed her hands together excitedly.

What a show! What an exciting one! To be able to witness Meng Yunlan's obsequious behavior firsthand—if word got out, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?

Meng Yunlan had already seen Shen Wantang and her group. Her expression froze for a moment, and then she immediately stood up.

After she stood up, Shen Wantang realized that her eyes were swollen like peaches from crying.

"What are you looking at?!"

Meng Yunlan raised her chin, her tone as disdainful as ever: "Sneaking around here eavesdropping on other people's conversations, you really come from a lowly family, you have no manners at all! Shen Wantang, didn't your family teach you not to look at or listen to what is improper? Don't you even understand such a simple principle?"

Shen Wantang was also surprised that even after the Meng family had fallen, Meng Yunlan could still speak so arrogantly.

She said in a cold tone, "I just came out for my usual walk after dinner, and I didn't expect to run into you here."

"I'm not usually one to join in the fun, but someone insisted on putting on a show for me, so I had no choice but to watch."

"Oh, by the way, are your knees alright? Did you hurt them kneeling? Your habit of bowing and scraping, could it be that you were taught by a powerful family like the Meng family? Their manners are different from those of us from humble families! I've learned something new!"

Meng Yunlan was already annoyed because he had been made a fool of, and after hearing Shen Wantang's words, he was so angry that he felt like his lungs were about to explode.

She was about to scold Shen Wantang when Gu Qianling raised his hand to stop her.

"Alright, stop talking. If you two start arguing here, who will look good? Say less. We're family. Don't act like mortal enemies and make a fool of yourselves."

Shen Wantang was unwilling to argue with Meng Yunlan outside, because no matter whether she won or lost, it wouldn't do her any good.

Besides, she had already finished scolding Meng Yunlan, so she wasn't at a disadvantage.

So she readily nodded in agreement: "What you say is true, brother."

Meng Yunlan jumped up in anger: "Gu Qianling, how dare you speak up for her!"

Gu Qianling forcibly suppressed his anger, his gentlemanly and gentle expression almost crumbling: "Shut up! When have I ever sided with her? Come back with me right now!"

"She just finished yelling at me, and you come out to play peacemaker. Does that mean I can't yell back? Does that mean I have to suffer?"

Gu Qianling closed his eyes, no longer caring about gentlemanly conduct, and suddenly grabbed Meng Yunlan's arm, forcibly dragging her away.

"Gu Qianling, let go of me! You're hurting me!"

Shen Wantang watched the two figures leave, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Our young mistress is indeed spoiled. It seems that sometimes having too much of a life isn't a good thing. When something big happens, she can't handle anything and just throws a tantrum."

"That's exactly what I was thinking!"

Qin Xin immediately chimed in, "She looks all glamorous, but she's actually a good-for-nothing with absolutely no real skills. This afternoon, the eldest young mistress even went to Miss Pei's place to catch them cheating, causing quite a commotion. The eldest young master must be having a terrible headache right now, right?"

Shen Wantang naturally knew about Meng Yunlan's trip to Pei Yingzhu's place to catch them cheating, but although Meng Yunlan made a fuss for a while, Pei Yingzhu quickly suppressed it.

Pei Yingzhu ostensibly brought only a few maids and nannies into the mansion, but in reality, she also had guards provided by the Prince, who were temporarily housed in the front courtyard.

As soon as Pei Yingzhu encountered any trouble, the guards arrived immediately and unceremoniously kicked her out.

Gu Qianling hadn't expected Meng Yunlan to cause trouble. He had only intended to deliver books to Pei Yingzhu, but his wife caught him cheating, causing him to lose face and understandably feel terrible.

So after he returned to the courtyard, he closed the door and had another argument with Meng Yunlan.

Shen Wantang started walking and continued her stroll: "It's good that you have a headache. It's time for the young master to have a headache for a while. A few days ago, it was me and Gu Qianhan who had headaches!"

Gu Qianling indulged Meng Yunlan's behavior. If he had restrained her more on a regular basis, Meng Yunlan wouldn't have become so arrogant and ignorant.

——

The next day.

Early in the morning, just as Shen Wantang was about to pay her respects to her mother-in-law, Qin Xin entered with a beaming smile.

Shen Wantang raised an eyebrow slightly: "Qin Xin, why are you so happy? Is there some good news?"

"Young Madam, it's not exactly a joyous occasion, but it's certainly a good thing!"

"What good news?"

"Miss Qiao threw away the clothes that the eldest young mistress gave her! The eldest young mistress is furious and is currently raging and cursing in the courtyard! Tsk tsk tsk, I never realized before that the eldest young mistress was so good at cursing, she doesn't even repeat herself."

Shen Wantang smiled and said, "Qiao Zhiyu is quite quick. It seems she is really desperate and wants to find a new backer as soon as possible."

"Young Madam, Qiao Zhiyu has fulfilled your request. Are you really planning to help her?"

"She's an ingrate. She even betrayed her own cousin. I'm not related to her at all. What good would it do me to help her? Of course I won't help her."

Du Juan, standing nearby, exclaimed happily, "The young mistress is indeed different from those indiscriminately kind people; she has principles! That's wonderful! We no longer have to worry about being betrayed by that Miss Qiao!"

Qin Xin couldn't help but ask, "Young Madam, if you don't help Miss Qiao, won't Miss Qiao go to Miss Pei for help?"

Shen Wantang was taken aback: "You know, it's really hard to say."

Although Qiao Zhiyu and Pei Yingzhu share the same goal—Gu Qianling—it is possible that they could temporarily join forces to deal with Meng Yunlan.

With Pei Yingzhu's cunning and methods, she could easily manipulate Qiao Zhiyu.

Shen Wantang suddenly felt a little looking forward to going to her mother-in-law's place to pay her respects, since Pei Yingzhu would definitely be there, and Meng Yunlan might go too: "Let's go, let's go to the main courtyard and see, maybe there's something new going on there."

A moment later, she entered the main courtyard.

Upon entering, she saw Gu Qianning, who always liked to be lazy and didn't come to pay her respects, looking at Pei Yingzhu with a cold face.

"You're going to the palace again today? Didn't you already go yesterday?"

"I went there yesterday, but I was not able to see the Empress Dowager. My father instructed me to be sure to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager on his behalf, and I dare not do it carelessly."

Pei Yingzhu brought up the Prince again, leaving Gu Qianning speechless and only able to glare at her angrily.

Madam Gu, needless to say, had a pale face but couldn't lash out, since Pei Yingzhu had not only brought up the Prince but also the Empress Dowager this time.

Shen Wantang immediately stepped forward, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room: "Greetings, Mother. Your daughter-in-law sends her greetings."