Chapter 151 Catching an adulterer
Zheng Fangchu snuggled beside her mother like a delicate baby bird, her petal-like little face full of timidity.
"But mother, every time I see the eldest brother of the Meng family... I feel very scared..."
In fact, Zheng Fangchu didn't like Meng Changyuan at all.
She had disliked him ever since she first met him as a child.
Meng Changyuan was a tall, burly man, towering over her by a considerable distance. His hands were as large as dustpans, and his fingers felt like steel. Zheng Fangchu always felt that he could easily crush her little face.
His father liked him very much and always said that he was a rough diamond and would become a great man in the future with a little polishing.
He even ignored the fact that his family was a duke's mansion while the Meng family was only a marquis's mansion, and he rushed to arrange this marriage for her.
As Zheng Fangchu grew older, she gradually learned the ways of the world, learning to gaze upon the moon and wind, to lament the passing of years. However, Meng Changyuan was a dull man, his mind filled only with military maneuvers. Whenever she spoke to him about poetry and songs, it was like playing the lute to a cow. Sometimes, when he visited her, he would always bring three pounds of snacks and two pounds of fruit; he was truly a vulgar man. Furthermore, whenever he visited, he would simply play chess and talk with his father in the study. Only when it was time to leave would he come to the second gate, sending a maid to let him know and share a few words.
When his father passed away, the Duke's mansion was devastated. The Duke's wife had lived a life of luxury, relying on her husband for everything. Zheng Fangchu was even more delicate, knowing nothing. Her younger brother was still young and could not be relied upon. The mother and daughter were left helpless, unable to do anything but cry in the backyard.
Fortunately, Meng Changyuan came to the mansion and took charge of the overall situation for them, and the Anguo Mansion was able to maintain its dignity. Since then, he has often come to take care of some household chores.
Her mother was very happy and said that she would have a son-in-law to rely on in the future. She asked her to do everything she could to hold on to Meng Changyuan and make sure he married her into the marquis's mansion and become his wife.
Zheng Fangchu was an obedient daughter. She did as her mother asked, and Meng Changyuan liked her more and more day by day.
However, Zheng Fangchu was extremely reluctant in her heart. She was afraid of Meng Changyuan's strong arms and burly body. She always felt that she had fallen into the palm of this man's hand and could never escape.
Whenever he looked at her, her heart would wail, but she had no choice but to flatter and please this man.
Now, he actually went to war!
Zheng Fangchu couldn't help but tremble all over when he thought that he would have to share a bed with this murderer in the future.
"Afraid? What's there to be afraid of?"
The old lady disapproved and said, "He's your future husband, why are you afraid of him? Meng Changyuan is a rare good man. Even though our family has fallen on hard times, he didn't despise us and has taken care of the three of us for all these years. If it weren't for Prince Meng, who knows what the situation would be like for the Duke of Anguo's Mansion now."
Zheng Fangchu murmured, "But, he has killed people..."
The old lady snorted and laughed, "What's wrong with killing people? Your father has killed people before. If he hadn't killed anyone, he wouldn't have become so rich and powerful later."
Zheng Fangchu had no choice but to reveal the truth, "Mother, although Brother Meng is very kind, but in this case... what about Brother Zhuo? Brother Zhuo has helped us a lot in the past two years."
The old lady's face showed a hint of hesitation, and after a moment she said, "He has helped us a lot, and I am very grateful for his kindness. But a scholar like him can only become a Taiping Marquis in the future, and it is difficult for him to achieve anything great. I originally thought that if Prince Meng was ordered to go to war, he would be in great danger, so we had to keep a way out. So I didn't say anything about your contact with Zhuo Shiquan. But now that Prince Meng has returned victorious, you should break off the relationship with him as soon as possible and give up your thoughts on marrying him. This will avoid any future troubles. If your future in-laws hear about it, it will be disastrous."
Zheng Fangchu remained silent for a long while before she softly said, "I understand, mother."
The old lady brushed a handful of her hair and said gently, "My dear daughter, I know what you're thinking. But that's the fate of us women. Those romantic pursuits can't make us food or clothes. You must not waste such a beautiful face as yours."
As the mother and daughter were talking, they turned the corner, passed through a moon-shaped door, and went further forward.
Behind a Taihu rockery on the side of the road, Liang Chunrong was astonished and said to her sister, "The lady and daughter of the Duke of Anguo's mansion are truly audacious. They're already engaged, yet they dare to have an affair behind their husband's family's back. Meng Changyuan is the Imperial Concubine's biological brother, and they dare to cuckold him!"
Liang Yanhua was very timid. She looked around and walked over to her sister, pulling her sleeve. "Sister, this is the royal garden. We are not familiar with the place and we are wandering around. I am afraid we will be caught and get into trouble. I am very scared. Let's go back to the table quickly."
Liang Chunrong said, "What's so scary? This is the imperial garden. Our eldest sister is serving as an imperial concubine in the palace. We are legitimate royal relatives. We are here to attend the banquet today under the order of the Empress Dowager. What's wrong with just strolling around? Besides, if we go back like this, the Madam will scold us again."
Liang Yanhua stammered, "But... I'm afraid..."
Liang Chunrong smiled. "Don't worry, sister. I've made all the arrangements. The palace maids in front of the emperor have reported that the emperor is a little drunk and is taking a walk along the Shangfu Canal to sober up. He's not accompanied by many people. We'll just wait by the pond at Qinglian Pavilion. When the emperor arrives, we'll just do this and that, and everything will be settled!"
Liang Yanhua felt uneasy and said, "Sister, this is too risky. How do you know that this jump will win the emperor's favor instead of angering him?"
Liang Chunrong said rather conceitedly, "What's wrong with the Emperor? He's also a man. He has to take responsibility for seeing a girl's body. If he denies it and word gets out, won't the world laugh at him as a tyrant who insults a commoner? Besides, how is my appearance any worse than that of Concubine Meng? Since he's a womanizer, it's natural that he'd be attracted to me." As she spoke, she took her sister's hands in hers, "Sister, we're both illegitimate children. The Master and the Lady don't even treat us as human beings. If we don't try our best to find a way out for ourselves, our lives will be over."
Liang Yanhua was timid and had no opinion of her own. After being teased by her sister, she was speechless and followed her to Qinglianxie in a daze.
The wife of Duke Anguo and Zheng Fangchu walked through two courtyards. The old lady felt a little urgent, so she took her maid to find a place to wash her hands.
Zheng Fangchu was standing under a big locust tree. When he was feeling extremely bored, he was suddenly pulled behind the tree by a big hand.
She was so scared that she almost screamed, but the man covered her mouth and said, "Fang'er, be quiet. It's me."
Zheng Fangchu took a closer look and found that it was Zhuo Shiquan, the prince of Anyang Marquis whom she had been thinking about day and night!
Her face turned red and she called out in a hoarse voice, "Brother Shiquan..." Before she finished her words, she began to sob.
Zhuo Shiquan was a fair and handsome man with a slender figure. He was so handsome that he could be described as a handsome man. Seeing his beloved sister Fangchu crying so hard, he immediately became flustered. He took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears and whispered, "Don't cry, sister Fang'er. Tell me everything that's bothering you."
Zheng Fangchu sobbed and said, "Prince Meng is about to return to the capital, and mother wants to discuss the marriage with the Yiyang Marquis's Mansion. I... I can't bear to leave Brother Shiquan... but there's nothing I can do..."
Zhuo Shiquan immediately hugged her tightly in his arms and said angrily, "How can Meng Changyuan, a rough and crude warrior, be worthy of you? You and I are a perfect match! Even if the Yiyang Marquis' Mansion has Concubine Meng's support, they can't be so domineering! Tomorrow, I will personally go to the Yiyang Marquis' Mansion and ask them to cancel the engagement!"
Zheng Fangchu's face was filled with panic, and he shook his head violently, "Brother Shiquan, you can't go. They, they will definitely make things difficult for you."
Zhuo Shiquan looked at the delicate face in front of him with infatuation, and bent down to kiss her.
"Someone, there's a thief stealing the palace's treasures!"
Suddenly, a woman's sharp cry was heard, and five or six strong young eunuchs rushed out from somewhere and immediately pressed the couple to the ground.
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