Chapter 14 Avoidance of Travel Skills: Meng Lingyao
If time could turn back, Meng Lingyao would choose to take a good look at the Chinese almanac before going out, just like her father did.
Today's page must have read "Avoid traveling".
Then she will stay at home obediently.
A tall, slender figure approached in the cold wind. The person was dressed in a brocade robe, with a pair of peach blossom eyes filled with laughter, and a familiar voice rang out.
"Miss Meng?"
It was Zhou Yizhi.
Meng Lingyao's heart sank. Judging from the shopkeeper's tone, this shop must also belong to the Zhou family.
She frowned almost imperceptibly, then regained her composure, gave a slight curtsy, and spoke in a tone that was just right—neither distant nor overly familiar—"Young Master Zhou."
"What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet Miss Meng here." Zhou Yizhi smiled and asked, "Are you here to look at jewelry, Miss?"
"Just browsing around to pass the time." Meng Lingyao smiled politely and subtly winked at Song Lan, indicating that she would find a chance to leave later.
She had a premonition that if she showed even the slightest sign of affection, the incredibly wealthy Mr. Zhou would probably spend a fortune on her.
Zhou Yizhi's eyes flashed, and he took a few steps to the counter. He glanced casually at the pair of red jade earrings and immediately said to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, wrap them up."
The shopkeeper readily agreed.
Zhou Yizhi: "I just saw Miss looking at these earrings, and I think they're passable. Consider them my New Year's gift to Miss, and I hope you won't find them offensive."
“I appreciate Young Master Zhou’s kindness,” Meng Lingyao said, taking a half step back. “However, my father taught me that ‘one should not accept a reward without merit,’ so how could I accept such a valuable gift from you?”
Zhou Yizhi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Miss, you're overthinking it. It's just a little trinket. That day at the Marquis of Weiyong's residence, if it weren't for your help, how could we have made the snow lantern that made the old lady so happy?"
Help?
Was it the kind of help she offered by simply talking?
The way he spoke made it sound as if they had helped each other accomplish some great feat, subtly revealing a hint of ambiguity.
Meng Lingyao frowned slightly, unwilling to give him a chance to push his luck, and immediately distanced herself from the matter, "Young Master Zhou is too kind. That day was the old lady's birthday, and everyone was having a good time. There was no question of helping or not helping. It really doesn't deserve any thanks."
"Does Miss really intend to be so distant from me?" Zhou Yizhi's eyelids drooped slightly, his voice sounding somewhat aggrieved. "A few days ago, I happened to receive a painting from Master Gu, and upon seeing it, I was reminded of Miss Meng. I am but a commoner; in my hands, a pearl is wasted. Only by gifting it to someone as appreciative of painting as Miss Meng can I avoid burying it. Unexpectedly, Miss Meng is unwilling to accept it..."
The shopkeeper and his employees almost held their breath, wishing they could become one with the pillars of the shop, lest their boss discover that someone had seen him relentlessly pursuing a girl, and they would be unable to give her anything.
Meng Lingyao watched Zhou Yizhi's performance with cold eyes, and almost couldn't help but want to clap her hands.
They are generous yet humble.
No wonder she married this person in her dream.
However, she knew perfectly well that this person had no sincerity, and those sweet words were just a means for him to manipulate people's hearts.
She glanced subtly at Zhou Yizhi's cuffs, where delicate cloud patterns were embroidered.
Such a nice sleeve, if it's broken, so be it. What's wrong with being honest and straightforward about it? Why pretend to be so deeply in love with the woman next to him? It's utterly disgusting.
“Young Master Zhou,” Meng Lingyao interrupted him, her tone still gentle, “I appreciate your kindness, but it is not appropriate for a young lady to accept gifts from men outside the home, lest it invite gossip.”
Her long eyelashes drooped, and the corners of her eyes turned up, like a butterfly about to take flight. Her cheeks were fair and radiant, surpassing even the white porcelain vase that had been painstakingly transported to the shop.
Zhou Yizhi stared intently at her, feeling that the more distant she became, the more it stirred his desire. He had seen plenty of this kind of manipulative tactic, but when performed by a beautiful woman, it was especially delightful.
He stepped forward, about to speak again, when a noise suddenly came from outside the shop.
Meng Lingyao looked in the direction of the sound and saw a slender, fair hand part the beaded curtain, revealing half of a person's face—it was Pei Xu.
He stood in front of the door, dressed in an indigo robe, his expression calm and composed. His gaze swept over the scene inside the shop, and he greeted her first, "Miss Meng."
Meng Lingyao felt a slight sense of relief, but then secretly regretted her momentary lapse in concentration. She raised her chin slightly and returned the greeting with composure, "Lord Pei, what a coincidence."
Zhou Yizhi's expression froze. He remembered that Meng Lingyao and Pei Xu had no relationship, and Pei Xu had always been indifferent to the women of various families.
When did these two become so familiar with each other?
"Lord Pei," he forced a smile and took a half-step back, "you're here to buy jewelry too?"
"I'm fetching something for the Princess." Pei Xu said calmly. "Shopkeeper, is the phoenix hairpin we ordered a few days ago finished?"
The shopkeeper quickly replied, "It's ready, Lord Pei. Please wait a moment, and I'll have someone bring it over right away."
Taking advantage of the opening, Meng Lingyao quietly retreated to the side, distancing herself from Zhou Yizhi. Pei Xu glanced at her seemingly casually, then quickly looked away.
Seeing this, Zhou Yizhi was displeased, but out of respect for Pei Xu, he did not dare to be too unrestrained and continued to maintain his composure, saying, "Miss Meng, it is the New Year season now, please accept this small gift and continue to patronize our shop next year."
His words were clever, and he also saved face for Pei Xu.
Meng Lingyao could have gracefully stepped down, but she refused.
Especially in front of Pei Xu, she was even more unwilling to be at a disadvantage.
"Young Master Zhou," Meng Lingyao said calmly, "I hope you will keep my words in mind."
She emphasized the words, "It's against etiquette."
Pointing at the hairpin, Meng Lingyao said, "Shopkeeper, I'll take this hairpin."
“Madam will surely like this hairpin,” Songlan said with a smile. “Miss, we’ve been out for a while now, why don’t we head back now? That way, Madam can be pleased sooner.”
Meng Lingyao nodded.
Another shop assistant had already taken out a sandalwood box from the back room and handed it to the shopkeeper, who respectfully handed it to Pei Xu: "Lord Pei, this is the phoenix hairpin ordered by the Princess. Please take a look."
Pei Xu took the box and opened it to examine it. Meng Lingyao stood aside waiting for the shop assistant to wrap up the jewelry. Her gaze inadvertently swept over the hairpin in the box—the phoenix was lifelike, with jade and rubies interspersed, dazzling and exuding a royal aura, which suited the princess's cloud-like hair very well.
She subconsciously nodded slightly to show her appreciation.
"Miss Meng." Pei Xu closed the box and turned to pass by Meng Lingyao, then suddenly spoke, "Your father mentioned a few days ago that he would like to ask you to help proofread a batch of newly arrived musical scores from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. I wonder if you have the time?"
Meng Lingyao was taken aback, then immediately nodded, her brows furrowing in regret. "My father did indeed say that. I've been so busy with official duties these past few days that I almost forgot. Thank you for reminding me, Lord Pei. I'll go shortly."
“In that case, let’s go together.” Pei Xu said calmly. “I was just about to return to the Dali Temple.”
Meng Lingyao gave a slight bow, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir. Thank you." After settling the money, she smiled at Zhou Yizhi, "Young Master Zhou, farewell."
Zhou Yizhi moved his lips, as if he wanted to say something more, but ultimately remained silent. He could disregard the few employees in his own shop, but he had to consider Pei Xu.
Pursuing a woman relentlessly is a minor matter.
There have been some unusual developments at the Dali Temple recently, so it's best not to draw too much attention to Pei Xu.
So he could only stand there, forcing a smile, and said, "Please take care, and I hope you will visit again next time."
In a private room on the second floor of Zuixianlou, Zhao Ruxuan glanced casually out the window and was immediately so shocked that she choked on her tea and almost vomited on Lin Yunshu.
A flash of disdain crossed Lin Yunshu's eyes, but her expression remained warm as she said, "What's wrong? You're such a grown-up, how can you choke on a sip of water?"
Zhao Ruxuan took the handkerchief handed to her by the maid, and while wiping her lips, she stammered, "Meng... Meng Lingyao..."
"I know she offended you with her rude words today," Princess Suxin said reproachfully. "But you don't have to worry about her even when she's drinking water."
"I just saw Meng Lingyao and Pei Xu get into the carriage together." Zhao Ruxuan finally caught her breath and finished speaking in one breath.
"What?" Princess Suxin's expression changed, and she immediately leaned forward to look downstairs. She saw a familiar carriage parked across the street, engraved with the Pei clan emblem.
A fair-skinned young maid stood beside the carriage. She recognized her at a glance; she was the one who always followed Meng Lingyao, and her name seemed to be Songlan.
Nowadays, the separation of men and women is not as strict as in previous dynasties. If relatives or betrothed are more casual, it is not considered too shocking for men and women who are already acquainted to ride in the same carriage under special circumstances.
But it was Pei Xu who was chosen.
Pei Xu was overly polite but distant and indifferent, never taking the initiative to approach any woman except the eldest princess.
Lin Yunshu also saw it clearly, and she frowned, "Perhaps we just happened to be going the same way."
"That little bitch Meng Lingyao, she's really something! When I left just now, I saw Zhou Yizhi go into the shop, but I never expected that she would hook up with another one in the blink of an eye!"
"Ruxuan, watch your words." Seeing that Princess Suxin's expression was getting worse and worse, Lin Yunshu decisively interrupted Zhao Ruxuan.
"Traveling together?" Princess Suxin dug her fingers into her palm and sneered, "The Meng residence is not in the same direction as the Dali Temple or the Pei residence. How could the two of them travel together?"
She had secretly admired Pei Xu for many years, but her love had never been reciprocated.
Even though her father was also the eldest princess's younger brother, the eldest princess was unwilling to further strengthen their kinship through marriage.
Once, she overheard her parents having a private conversation and learned that her grandmother was the late emperor's most favored concubine, and her father had also once been favored by the emperor. However, in the end, it was the current emperor, who was born of the same mother as the princess, who ascended the throne.
She had fantasized countless times about how things would be very different if her father had ascended to that position. She wouldn't be an insignificant county princess; in front of the Emperor and the Grand Princess, she wouldn't even be comparable to the Yongning County Princess from a remote area.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
The most painful thing is to see something but not be able to reach it.
"That must be some trick Meng Lingyao used!" Zhao Ruxuan slammed her hand on the table. "My brother has always been after her, but she turned around and climbed up to the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I heard that at this year's palace banquet, His Majesty intends to select a consort for the Third Prince. With her abilities, she probably dares to dream of becoming the Third Prince's consort."
These words struck right at the two people at the table.
Lin Yunshu bit her lip, recalling Zhao Xu's perfunctory responses to her, yet he turned and eagerly chased after Meng Lingyao. She glanced at Zhao Ruxuan subtly; if it weren't for the fact that she was that person's sister, why would she coax her like this every day?
"Ruxuan!" Lin Yunshu lowered her voice, "How can you speak so carelessly about matters of the palace?"
Zhao Ruxuan then realized her slip of the tongue and hurriedly looked around. Fortunately, the private room was well soundproofed, with only the bustling sounds of the nearby market remaining.
"I just feel sorry for my brother and for Suxin." She said sullenly, then took Lin Yunshu's cold hand. "Sister Yunshu, don't worry, I won't acknowledge any other young lady except you. When my brother comes back, I will definitely persuade him properly."
Lin Yunshu forced a smile and hummed in agreement, then turned her concerned gaze to Princess Suxin. "Suxin, Lord Pei is very perceptive. If Meng Lingyao truly harbors any intention to curry favor, he will definitely be able to detect it."
Princess Suxin did not look at her; her gaze remained fixed on the carriage that was about to disappear into the distance.
After a long silence, she said softly, "Yes. I'll make sure he finds out."
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