Chapter 114 I'll act one out for you

Madam Xiao looked disdainful, feeling that she had the upper hand.

In her opinion, her son Xiao Songyan was more than a match for Meng Xiyao. The most suitable thing for him would be to marry Wen Weizhu from the Prince of Anshun's Mansion and make Meng Xiyao his concubine. This would be a happy ending for both her and Xiao Songyan.

Unfortunately, the Prince of Anshun's family committed the heinous crime of treason, and the marriage with Wen Weizhu had to be called off. She was just worrying about how to break off the engagement without attracting gossip when she unexpectedly learned of Meng Lingge's divorce from Prince Wen. With Meng Lingge's heartless example, it seemed much more reasonable for their Meng family to break off the engagement.

Just as she had predicted, after she persuaded Lord Xiao to explain his intention to annul the engagement to the Emperor, the Emperor agreed without hesitation. Furthermore, there wasn't much talk about the Xiao family these days; most people were condemning Meng Lingge.

After all, her marriage to Prince Wen caused a sensation in the capital, and they usually presented themselves as a loving couple. So, their divorce was naturally hard for people to accept.

Now Meng Lingge wants to use this matter to suppress the Xiao family, which is truly shooting herself in the foot.

Seeing that she was using this as an excuse to evade the facts, Meng Lingge said with a cold smile, "Madam Xiao, don't try to confuse the issue. A wise person knows when to yield. The Anshun Prince's Mansion is not what it used to be. There's nothing wrong with the Xiao family wanting to break off the engagement, but you can't pin the reason for breaking off the engagement on my third sister. She never asked you to do so, and judging from your attitudes, you don't value my third sister that much."

When Madam Xiao saw that Meng Lingge was not doing what she said and was being aggressive, she felt that she had lost face.

“Miss Meng, that’s not very meaningful. Miss Meng is just a concubine’s daughter. Yan’er and I have visited her many times to ask for her hand in marriage, saying all the right things. If that’s not how we value her, then how can we value her? I’m not saying this to be mean, but if Miss Meng misses out on Yan’er this time, it will be difficult for her to find such a good marriage again.”

Xiao Songyan spoke up at the opportune moment, "Miss Meng, I have deep feelings for Miss Meng. I believe that Miss Meng is not entirely without feelings for me either. I hope you will allow Miss Meng to come out and meet me. I will express my sincerity and persuade Miss Meng to accept my marriage proposal."

"Madam Xiao keeps calling her a concubine's daughter. Is that what you call 'respect'? Knowing full well that the young lady has a noble reputation, you two have been rejected yet you still keep pestering her. What kind of marriage is this?"

Meng Lingge scoffed and turned to Xiao Songyan, "Young Master Xiao, it's not that I don't want my third sister to come out, it's that she herself doesn't want to see you. You may be sincere towards my third sister, but your sincerity is now causing her trouble. If you really care about her, you should leave with your mother as soon as possible and stop bothering her."

When Madam Xiao saw that Meng Lingge had once again ordered her to leave, her face turned extremely ugly.

She grabbed Xiao Songyan's hand and pulled him away, saying, "I told you not to come, but you wouldn't listen. It's not like you can't find a suitable girl. If you wanted, I could arrange three wives and four concubines for you. Why be ridiculed here? Whether that Miss Meng has lost her reputation or acted improperly is her business. What does it have to do with you?"

Xiao Songyan awkwardly dodged the question while pleading, "Mother, please don't say anymore. It concerns Xi Yao's reputation. Please don't mention it. Didn't you promise me you'd never bring it up again?"

Upon hearing this, Du Shiyin looked anxious. Every time the Xiao family mother and son came, it seemed like they had some kind of leverage over them, which made her dare not go too far with them. Now, the mother and son seemed to be implying that Meng Xiyao had done something shameful outside. If that were true, it would be difficult to handle.

She quickly gave Meng Lingge a look, signaling her to keep the person there.

Meng Lingge watched as the Xiao family mother and son played good cop and bad cop roles, and she sneered inwardly but did not stop them. She even gave Du Shiyin a look to reassure her.

The Xiao family mother and son were already pulled to the door. Out of the corner of their eyes, they saw that Meng Lingge and Du Shiyin were still calm and silent. They were a little surprised and even suspected that the mistress of the Meng family and her elder sister were actually hoping that Meng Xiyao would suffer misfortune. That was why they were indifferent to the fact that Meng Xiyao's reputation was damaged.

Xiao Songyan suddenly realized why the two of them refused his marriage proposal; they probably didn't want Meng Xiyao to marry well and were afraid that Meng Xiyao would live a good life!

Madam Xiao sneered, "It seems that Madam Meng and Miss Meng are no longer pretending. I thought you were genuinely concerned for Miss Meng, but it turns out that the magnanimity and tolerance of the matriarch and eldest sister are all just a facade..."

Meng Lingge smiled and looked back at Madam Xiao without any fear, "Then I'll perform another one for Madam Xiao."

Just as Madam Xiao and Xiao Songyan were wondering what she meant, they heard Meng Lingge's laughter fade, her eyes turn cold and sharp, and she raise her voice: "Guards, seize Madam Xiao and Young Master Xiao!"

The guards rushed forward and seized Madam Xiao and Xiao Songyan respectively.

Madam Xiao exclaimed in shock, "You dare? Meng Lingge, do you still think you're the Crown Prince's consort? Arresting people at the drop of a hat! I've only come to your residence to propose marriage. If you don't agree, fine, but why are you arresting us?"

Meng Lingge smiled slightly, "Madam Xiao only proposed marriage, which is not illegal. But you just insulted my third sister's reputation, saying that she has lost her honor and acted improperly. This is nonsense and malicious fabrication. How can an unmarried young lady withstand such slander? I am willing to accompany Madam Xiao to the yamen to find out the truth. Even if it means my father and Lord Xiao have to argue before the emperor, I will get justice for my third sister!"

Xiao Songyan also panicked at this moment, "What my mother said is not fabricated. A few days ago, I was with Miss Meng by the lake..."

"Young Master Xiao, be careful what you say!" Meng Lingge interrupted. "You must have evidence before you speak. If you don't have any evidence, it's best not to speak. I heard from my third sister that a few days ago, when she was boating on the lake, she was followed. That villain sent his men to puncture the bottom of her boat, causing her and her maid to capsize. Do you think that if this matter is blown up and the authorities investigate thoroughly, will they be able to find out who is behind it? What should be the punishment for this person who plotted to kill with malicious intent?"

As she spoke the last two sentences, she approached Xiao Songyan step by step, her sharp edge fully revealed, pressing him relentlessly.

Sweat beaded on Xiao Songyan's forehead. He repeatedly told himself that no one knew about this, not even Meng Xiyao had suspected anything at the time, and Meng Lingge was probably just bluffing him.

It was clear that Meng Lingge possessed a powerful aura and sharp eyes, yet he couldn't help feeling a pang of guilt. Moreover, it was he who, upon seeing Meng Xiyao's overwhelming beauty, impulsively came up with the idea of ​​playing the hero and rescuing the damsel in distress, and many details were not handled properly. If someone were to investigate carefully, they would surely be able to find out that it was his doing.

Seeing Xiao Songyan's flustered expression and inability to answer for a long time, Meng Lingge was already certain of her guess. She then smiled and said, "Why should I talk to Young Master Xiao about these things? Where were you just now? It seems you were talking about you and my third sister by the lake, right? I wonder if Young Master Xiao discovered anything that day? Were you by his side when the ship sank?"