Chapter 43 Secret
"This...we don't know about this. After all, my cousin died early, and she couldn't keep him at such a young age. Why should we delay her?"
Seeing their hesitant faces, it was obvious that they were overjoyed after Madam Meng left. While getting rid of their burdens, they ate up all the share given to the mother and son by the clan, wishing that they would disappear completely and never show up again.
Qian Deng frowned slightly and asked, "Since you moved out, you haven't had any contact with each other. Are you completely unaware of Madam Meng's daily social interactions?"
"This..." The couple looked at each other in confusion, clearly not caring about the life and death of the mother and son. "Then, four or five years ago, Madam Meng came back to us and said that Twelve Lang had started to learn, but her literacy was limited, so she wanted him to return to the Meng clan school. It was only after I negotiated with the clan that Twelve Lang was allowed in."
"Yes, our family really cares about this nephew and has done everything we can to help him!" Aunt Meng was unwilling to let go of this little bit of credit, and she was almost spitting. "If we hadn't helped him get into the clan school, would he have been qualified to enter the Imperial College? If my son Yongshun hadn't broken his leg and given him the opportunity, would he have been able to seize this opportunity and now enjoy the kindness of you, the county lady, in the palace?"
"Oh..." Qian Deng recalled the gossip Xue Xiyang had told her and asked, "So the Meng Yongshun we had originally planned to select was your son? Why didn't I see him today?"
"Yongshun has returned to his hometown to recuperate. He is not in the capital now, so he cannot come to pay a visit to the county lady." Aunt Meng responded hurriedly, glancing at the county lady stealthily, and she couldn't help but feel regretful for her son.
"Leaving Beijing to recuperate? It seems your son's health is indeed not very good. He withdrew from my husband selection last year due to health reasons."
Uncle Meng was extremely embarrassed and he hesitantly explained, "I dare not hide anything from the County Lady. My son was indeed accidentally injured before the selection. The doctor at the clinic examined him and said he might be unable to walk. My uncles on my mother's side happened to be proficient in Qi Huang and bone-setting, so we sent him back to Jiangnan West Road. He has recovered well, and he wrote a letter a few days ago saying that he would be returning to the capital soon. If the County Lady is interested, you can...you can also summon him to see him again."
"So, he injured his leg right before choosing a husband?" Qian Deng raised her eyebrows and asked, "Which leg?"
"Left leg. If you don't believe me, you can go to the local doctor's clinic and look at the medical records. It's absolutely true!" Aunt Meng saw Qian Deng's thoughtful expression and was afraid that she would blame her son. She wanted to swear, "County Lady, please understand. We have always suspected that someone is deliberately harming him in order to compete for the position of the county lady's husband, or because they dislike my Yongshun!"
Qian Deng sneered at the indirect criticism.
Uncle Meng quickly glared at his wife. The Meng family was now counting on Meng Lanxi to curry favor with Qiandeng and gain some benefits for the Meng family, but she even dared to stir up trouble in front of the county lady.
"Actually, I came here today because I wanted to meet your son. He was originally a candidate for my husband, and I thought he must have been a rare talent, but due to an unexpected accident, I missed him." Qian Deng didn't take it as an offense, but instead showed a hint of regret. "Since I can't meet him in person, as the saying goes, seeing the letter is better than seeing the person. Didn't you two say that he just sent a letter back a few days ago? I wonder if it would be convenient for me to take a look at your son's writing style?"
Uncle Meng responded awkwardly, his face hesitant.
Aunt Meng quickly returned to the house and retrieved a letter, saying complacently, "Although I can't read, my son's handwriting is excellent, and he writes letters frequently to greet me. He's definitely a filial son!"
When Qiandeng Tuxin saw it, a mocking smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
The handwriting was ordinary and the words showed no literary grace. The letter contained only a few sentences, which were nothing more than talking about traveling and studying in the spring. Although he believed that he was an excellent student, he was afraid that if he was not dressed well enough and was not generous enough, he would be ridiculed by the Meng family. Between the lines, he was just asking for money. There was no greeting or filial piety at all.
At the end of the letter, he also mentioned that the news of the funeral at the Changhua Palace had spread throughout the north and south. It turned out that the Princess of Lingling had appeared, and it was said that she was not disfigured at all. Meng Lanxi had gotten a great advantage and would never forgive him.
Looking at the date, it was only a month ago, which was indeed the time when it was sent here from Dongting Lake.
Qian Deng chuckled faintly, handed the letter back to Uncle Meng, and stood up to say goodbye calmly: "Your son's handwriting is indeed good. If you receive another letter next time, please let the palace know. After all, it is a fate, and perhaps we can continue our relationship."
Watching the county lady leave surrounded by her maids and guards, Aunt Meng was overjoyed: "His father, does the county lady mean that she dislikes that bitch's son, or is she considering our Yongshun?"
Uncle Meng thought about his own son, then looked at Meng Lanxi, who was calmly bidding farewell to the elders. Although he couldn't help feeling a little guilty, he still believed that one's own children were always the best. Thinking about the fact that the county lady had indeed shown interest in his son, he began to daydream: "Originally, Yongshun was indeed the legitimate candidate... Now it's a bit more difficult, after all, Meng Lanxi is officially on the list."
"Talk to the elders. After all, that kid isn't a legitimate member of the Meng family, so how could he sincerely serve the clan? If Yongshun chooses a husband, he'll definitely do his best for the family!" Aunt Meng urged, dragging him to consult with the elders. "Let's come up with a safer plan. We can't let that bastard get such a great deal!"
When Qiandeng returned to the alley, he was about to get on the carriage when he turned around and looked towards the alley entrance next to him, as if he had sensed something.
Ling Tianshui was leaning against his horse, looking at her quietly.
Of course, she also knew that this big turmoil in the Meng family would definitely alarm Ling Tianshui.
Stopping Meng Lanxi and everyone else, she walked towards Ling Tianshui alone, patted the horse beside him, looked up and asked him, "How was this big show? Was it good?"
"Boring." He said lightly.
"Really?" She tilted her head slightly and asked with a smile, "Then why would Shu Sijie, a member of the Northern Court's Imperial Guards, who is so busy with affairs of state, take time out of his busy schedule to come and watch this boring farce?"
Looking at her beautiful smile, Ling Tianshui moved his lips, but for a moment he didn't know how to respond.
"Because I did something for you that you were not comfortable doing in person. You said Madam Meng was very kind to you." She leaned close to him and laughed softly, "If you're happy, just show it. Why are you still putting on such a serious face? I said I would repay you. Now I'm helping you deal with them. Why don't you smile for me?"
"Stop it, Deng Deng." He still had a helpless look on his face, but when his eyes fell on her cheerful smile, he couldn't control himself and the dimples at the corners of his lips were revealed. "Forget it, anyway...thank you."
The two walked out of the alley one after the other. Qiandeng got on the carriage with light steps, while Ling Tianshui got on the horse and was about to return to the camp, but he keenly felt the gazes from the side.
He turned his head slightly and looked at the person standing at the entrance of the alley.
Meng Lanxi.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked as usual, "Shall we go back to camp together?"
Meng Lanxi looked up at him with her usual smile, dimples on her cheeks. "Ling Sijie, please go back first. I need to get some things from the palace. I'll be there later."
Ling Tianshui nodded and rode away.
Meng Lanxi watched the palace carriage and the nimble black horse go their separate ways for a long time before muttering the two words she had just heard: "Dengdeng..."
He finally knew the owner of the secret he had glimpsed that night.
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