Chapter 150: Turbulent Times
Mrs. Liang's hand, holding the silver-wrapped ivory chopsticks, was trembling slightly.
It's only been half a day, has the wind direction changed?
These people were drinking tea and chatting in the flower hall of her Liang Mansion a month ago, laughing about how unbearable Concubine Meng was and how she had no virtue as a woman, and praising her daughter for being virtuous and capable, and saying that she would wear a phoenix crown sooner or later.
Today was just a small flower viewing party, and Meng Yan had just extorted a large sum of money from them, but they had completely forgotten about it? Had they changed their tune in the blink of an eye?
What kind of mind and means, what a bullshit, it's just that he saw Meng Yan was favored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and saw Liang Chengbi in such a miserable state, so he wanted to turn things around!
A fence-sitter, two-faced.
The world is fickle, just like that!
Liang Yanhua scooped a bowl of carp soup for her and whispered softly, "Mother, try it. This carp soup is delicious. I think it's better than the one cooked by the chef at home."
Madam Liang glanced at her sideways, her brows stern as she lowered her voice to scold, "You only care about eating. You really have the heart of a pig! You're truly the offspring of a concubine, unworthy of a table! Since you think the food in the palace is better than at home, then think of a way to get into the palace. You can enjoy your life! What did I bring you here for today? Just to enjoy the flowers and drink wine?!"
After just a few words, Liang Yanhua felt wronged and ashamed, and she lowered her head and sobbed.
Seeing her sister being scolded by her stepmother, Liang Chunrong quickly spoke up to help, "Mother, please stop blaming my sister. Be careful that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor hear it."
Madam Liang, hearing her words, glanced upwards, only to see the Empress Dowager and Concubine Meng surrounded by ladies of state. Young men from various families were occasionally approaching the Emperor to toast, oblivious to the commotion. Reassured, she glanced at Liang Yanhua, seeing her tears streaming down her cheeks, her makeup smeared. She grew even more impatient, and softened her tone. "Stop crying! Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Are you trying to get the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to reprimand our Liang family for their mistreatment of our concubines? With so many ladies watching and seeing how you behave today, how can they speak up for you in the future?"
The rest of it was fine, but this last sentence really woke Liang Yanhua up.
Liang Yanhua quickly wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said timidly, "My mother taught me a lesson, and I will change my ways."
Seeing her delicate appearance, Mrs. Liang couldn't help but think of her biological mother, which made her even more upset. She pursed her lips and said nothing.
Liang Chunrong smiled and said, "We sisters usually don't go out. Today, we are lucky enough to accompany mother to the royal banquet. It can be said that it has broadened our horizons and seen the world. Mother, don't worry. When I enter the palace, I will do my best to help you."
Madam Liang looked at her for a long moment and said, "You? Do you have this ability?"
Liang Chunrong smiled and said, "Mother, just wait and see what I am doing."
Meng Yan sat at the table, interacting with the ladies who came to toast her, while watching the situation below vaguely.
The others were all okay. She took in the banquets of Old Madam Liang and the wife of Duke Anguo.
"Your Majesty, the wife of the Duke of Anguo and the third daughter of the Zheng family left the banquet and went to Yongchun Garden. I saw that the son of the Marquis of Anyang also left the banquet a moment later."
Meng Yan drank the palace's homemade Sanhua wine while listening to the palace maid's report. She smiled faintly and whispered, "Find two clever and reliable young eunuchs to follow, and also keep an eye on Madam Liang."
After sending the palace maid away, she picked up a piece of cold-cut pig's trotter and chewed it carefully. It was soft, sticky, greasy and fragrant, and she was very satisfied.
Today's dishes were carefully discussed with Bai Yuxin, and decided upon with a certain amount of money. She also strictly ordered the imperial kitchen that they did not have to use delicacies from land and sea or expensive ingredients, but they must be cooked with great care and no prevarication or perfunctory measures were allowed.
Unfortunately, Bai Yuxin caught a cold last night and felt dizzy this morning. She couldn't get out of bed and is still resting in the room.
Thinking of this sister, Meng Yan asked Ruizhu to take a food box and go to the kitchen to select a few dishes, and then send it to Bai Yuxin. She also specifically reminded her to tell her in time if she felt uncomfortable and not to have any reservations.
She had few friends in both of her lives, and it was extremely rare for her to have a sister like Bai Yuxin in the deep palace with whom she could talk to her heart.
Lu Haozhi sat in the chair, completely uninterested in the banquet, his eyes lingering on Meng Yan.
She was a big drinker, and the wine served at the banquet today was Sanhua wine, a wine that suited a woman's taste perfectly, so she inevitably had a few extra drinks. Her pretty face was flushed like rouge, the blush even spreading to her fair chest. Her brows were haggard, her eyes were drenched, and her gaze was as if she were drunk, a truly enchanting sight.
The two of them hadn't seen each other for a while. Even when they were in the palace, Yan'er hadn't let him touch her for a long time.
She gave him a sachet she had made herself, and she was no longer angry. So that should be... okay, right?
Thinking this in his mind, Lu Haozhi felt extremely restless and wanted to immediately drive all the guests away and drag Meng Yan into the bedroom.
However, he didn't want to be accused of being licentious and immoral, so he had to endure it.
Today is the Empress Dowager's banquet. The male guests who come to the banquet are all sons of families who have not yet entered the court to hold official positions. It is rare for them to see the emperor's face on weekdays. Today, they suddenly see the emperor in person. They are overjoyed and excited, and take turns to come up and toast the emperor.
Lu Haozhi didn't want to see these men at all at the moment, but there was nothing he could do, so he had to deal with them patiently.
The wife of Duke Anguo walked slowly along the bluestone path of Yongchun Garden with her daughter.
"You've seen it today. Prince Meng has achieved such great success. His future is limitless. I can't say anything else, but the title of Duke is a given. You must firmly take the position of Young Madam of the Meng family."
Zheng Fangchu held her mother's arm and whispered softly, "Mother, I feel...that the Imperial Concubine doesn't seem to like me. I'm very scared."
The wife of the Duke of Anguo snorted softly, "So what if she doesn't like you? As long as Meng Changyuan likes you and is willing to marry you, that's enough. Even if she is a noble concubine, she is still in the palace and can't do anything about it. Is there any way a married woman would come back to interfere in her brother's marriage? How ridiculous!"
Zheng Fangchu listened to his mother's words and fell silent again.
Lady Anguo looked at her and sighed softly, "Mother knows you weren't particularly happy with the marriage your father arranged for you. But given our family's current situation, you can no longer be willful. If you can hold Meng Changyuan in your hands, you'll have a lifetime of wealth and glory, and your brother's future will be assured. My dear daughter, haven't you always listened to me and done well?"
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