Chapter 153 Mei Zhuang and Ling Rong's Heart-to-Heart Talk
"My lord, Consort Zhuang has arrived."
Shen Meizhuang, who was quietly resting and preparing for childbirth in Xianfu Palace, was suddenly struck by news of An Lingrong's visit, leaving her with mixed feelings. Ever since discovering Zhen Huan's "true colors," Shen Meizhuang was unsure how to deal with An Lingrong, whom she had met later through Zhen Huan's influence.
"Please let her in."
"Sister Mei."
“Lingrong is here, please sit down,” Shen Meizhuang said with her usual smile, welcoming An Lingrong to sit on the couch. “I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you on your housewarming yet, but you’ve come first.”
An Lingrong smiled, as gentle as ever, but appearing much more confident than before. "Sister is pregnant, how could I dare to trouble you? If it weren't for your care in the past, Lingrong's life wouldn't have been so easy. Now that Lingrong is finally seeing some improvement, it's only natural that I want to repay you."
Seeing An Lingrong's sincere gratitude, Shen Meizhuang was somewhat moved, yet she couldn't help but be suspicious, unsure whether An Lingrong's expression was genuine. Disgusted with herself, Shen Meizhuang subconsciously avoided An Lingrong's gaze, her tone slightly cold.
"You're too kind, little sister. I didn't do anything special."
An Lingrong paused, suddenly realizing the polite distance in Shen Meizhuang's words. Somewhat puzzled, she observed Shen Meizhuang's expression and continued, "Sister, you are kind-hearted, but I cannot accept this as a matter of course. However, these things were originally bestowed by Consort Shu, and I have nothing of my own, so I can only offer them as a token of my appreciation. Please do not take offense, sister."
"How could I blame you for saying that?" No matter how complicated her feelings were, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but soften when she heard An Lingrong's words. Seeing An Lingrong's pleading eyes, she couldn't help but say a few more words, even though she had planned to restrain herself.
"Now that you're a person of high status, why are you still so cautious? You should show some of the air of a master, lest the palace servants look down on you..."
Suddenly realizing she had spoken too much, Shen Meizhuang was somewhat annoyed. "Look at me, why did I say all this?"
"I am very grateful for your kind intentions, sister."
An Lingrong smiled at Shen Meizhuang, completely unconcerned. Ever since Shen Meizhuang took her in, An Lingrong had noticed that Shen Meizhuang was somewhat aloof and reserved, and her words always carried a lecturing tone. But she knew that Shen Meizhuang meant well; if she weren't genuinely concerned for her, she wouldn't say so much.
In the past, Shen Meizhuang would never suddenly fall silent. Her hesitant and calculating manner meant she was becoming estranged from her. But An Lingrong didn't understand why things had turned out this way; what had happened?
They both fell silent. There had been times before when they'd been in the same space, each doing their own thing without speaking. But the silence then was tacit and warm; now it was cold, distant, and awkward.
An Lingrong lowered her eyes, looking somewhat lost and dejected. Seeing this, Shen Meizhuang was troubled. The problem between her and Zhen Huan should not have involved Lingrong, but she just couldn't let it go.
Shen Meizhuang bit her lip and asked tentatively, "Lingrong, I'm a little curious, why did you suddenly move to Yanxi Palace?"
An Lingrong's lowered eyelashes fluttered slightly, making her look rather hesitant. "Your Highness Consort Shu's kindness is too much for me to refuse."
"Really? I thought you and Huan'er had some kind of conflict."
"Sister Mei is really not the type to test people," An Lingrong thought to herself. "It seems the problem lies with Zhen Huan. Between Zhen Huan and her, who will Sister Mei choose?"
Filled with such curiosity, An Lingrong appeared extremely uneasy, stammering as she replied, "No...no..."
Seeing her reaction, Shen Meizhuang's gaze sharpened, and she frowned as she pressed on, "Really not? Lingrong, tell the truth, Huan'er... did she bully you? Or was it Huanbi, the one beside her, who bullied you?"
As if hearing someone's fear, An Lingrong froze instantly. This subtle reaction was noticed by Shen Meizhuang, who immediately became furious. "Lingrong, don't be afraid. Did Huanbi bully you?"
An Lingrong cautiously raised her eyes, her reddened gaze sweeping over Chen Meizhuang's expression before she lowered them again, as if afraid of being discovered. So, she'd made a mistake. Sister Mei knew something, huh? She seemed a little reluctant to believe it. Well, she'd add fuel to the fire then.
"No, no, I'm a noble person, how could Huanbi bully me? Sister Mei, don't overthink it." An Lingrong seemed to be unable to lie, looking around as she spoke, but avoiding eye contact with Shen Meizhuang.
Shen Meizhuang clearly didn't believe it. Before she could ask any further questions, Zisu, who had met An Lingrong's gaze, stepped forward angrily, "My lady, it's come to this point, why do you still need to cover for them? Hasn't Huanbi bullied us enough in the past..."
"Zisu, shut up."
"Lingrong, don't stop her."
"Sister Mei..." An Lingrong pleaded with Shen Meizhuang, her eyes filled with tears. But Shen Meizhuang hardened her heart; she was determined to know the truth today.
“Lingrong, even if it’s for my own good, I should know the truth. If you still consider me your sister, then don’t stop me.”
Seemingly swayed by Shen Meizhuang's words, An Lingrong's face was filled with worry, but she was unwilling to say more. Seeing this, Shen Meizhuang breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the indignant Zisu, "If your mistress is unwilling to speak, then you will."
"Yes." Zisu bowed and explained, "Your Highness, I know you are kind-hearted and mindful of your friendship with Consort Wan, so you don't want to gossip. But I really can't stand it anymore. I must make things clear today so that Consort Hui can see clearly."
“Replying to Consort Hui, it is not that this servant is talking nonsense, but Huanbi’s arrogance is well known. In Zhongcui Palace, she bullied you at every turn, and sarcastic remarks were commonplace. Our Consort Hui tolerated her every time out of respect for Consort Wan, but Huanbi only became more and more outrageous. Even after you became a Consort, Huanbi still picked fights every day. It was only because there was no other way that you agreed to move to Yanxi Palace.”
"Huanbi... how dare you! Doesn't Consort Wan know?" Shen Meizhuang's expression was complicated. Hearing Huanbi's reckless behavior from another person, she found it hard to understand what Zhen Huan was doing at all this time.
"How could Consort Wan not know? This isn't the first or second time Huanbi has acted so disrespectfully in front of her. If it weren't for Consort Wan's indulgence, Huanbi wouldn't dare to be so bold. When the Emperor came to Zhongcui Palace, she even dared to bring people to block the door and prevent the young mistress from leaving..."
"Alright, stop talking." An Lingrong quickly interrupted, this alone was clearly a great humiliation for her, and she couldn't help but shed tears, but still thinking of their friendship, she explained on Zhen Huan's behalf, "This matter has nothing to do with Sister Wan, it was just Huanbi who acted on her own..."
"My lady, you cherish your sisterly bond with Consort Wan, but Consort Wan has never cared, not even for the Floating Light City..."
"Zisu!" An Lingrong called out sharply, then turned and grasped Shen Meizhuang's hand, her eyes pleading, "Sister Mei, please don't ask anymore, okay? No matter what, I've already moved out, so I won't ask anymore."
"If I don't ask, can I just pretend that Consort Wan gave the Floating Brocade to Huanbi didn't happen?"
"Sister Mei, you..." An Lingrong looked up in surprise, disregarding her own emotions, and looked at the disappointed and heartbroken Shen Meizhuang. She wanted to comfort her but didn't know what to say.
Shen Meizhuang grasped An Lingrong's hand, feeling a pang of heartache. "After suffering so much injustice, how could you still think of hiding it for me?"
"Sister Mei, you are pregnant, and Lingrong is worried..."
“Lingrong, I know you’re doing this for my sake, but every goose leaves a trace. Some things, once they happen, can’t be undone. Since you acknowledge me as your sister, why suffer alone?”
"Sister Mei..."
The two clasped hands tightly, and An Lingrong looked particularly moved. She explained with some hesitation, "Wan Changzai used to treat me well, and Mei Jie and Wan Changzai have been friends since childhood. Lingrong doesn't want to... doesn't want to ruin your friendship."
Seeing that Lingrong was considering their needs in every way, Shen Meizhuang finally let go of her lingering feelings for Zhen Huan. "People always change. I've come to terms with it, and you should too. Don't let yourselves be trapped by past relationships. From now on, treat Wan Changzai as an ordinary concubine. Don't make yourself suffer anymore."
"Alright, Lingrong will listen to whatever her sister says."
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