Chapter 21 They are the same kind of people
Meng Huanyan's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and for a moment she didn't know who she should hate the most.
It was just a simple homecoming visit, yet my father treated me differently.
It wasn't that the Prime Minister's residence couldn't afford two portions of high-quality pastries; it was just that Father still favored one over the other, showing bias and wanting to save the best for the eldest sister.
The pot of fragrant tea in front of the eldest sister was the best tea in the mansion, and there were only two catties of it in total. The eldest sister had long been tired of drinking it, and she still did not know what it tasted like.
The eldest sister is still self-righteous. She used to pretend to be a close sister to her, but she clearly looked down on her deep down. Now she doesn't even bother to pretend anymore.
What's infuriating is that every time her older sister is around, even if she tries her best to outshine her, she always ends up feeling ashamed of herself.
She thought that by stealing her older sister's man, she could help her turn the tables.
But now, her eldest sister's disdain for Guan Yi'an and her calm and composed demeanor when interacting with Prince Wen make her feel like a clown, unable to gain a single word of affirmation despite her best efforts.
Prince Wen was clearly a fool, yet he was well-dressed and behaved normally. This greatly disappointed her.
A fool should drool, speak incoherently, shout and yell from time to time, making a fool of himself.
Furthermore, Guan Yi'an not only failed to protect her, but also reprimanded her in front of her elder sister and father, publicly revealing her status as a concubine.
She stole her older sister's man, but that didn't change her status or make her anyone special.
Seeing Guan Yi'an still standing there dumbfounded, his eyes occasionally glancing at Meng Lingge beside him, her resentment deepened. She forcefully pulled Guan Yi'an, dragging him back to his seat.
Meng Xingyuan glared at Meng Huanyan, gave her a warning, and then turned to Meng Lingge and spoke earnestly.
"Lingge, news of your wedding day has spread throughout the capital, and many people have misunderstood you due to hearsay. Don't pay attention to the rumors and gossip. Just focus on living a good life with Prince Wen, and these rumors will naturally be dispelled."
People are often harsh on women. Even though Guan Yi'an had an affair first, Meng Lingge was the one who was questioned and condemned the most.
Those unaware of the truth described her as an ugly, rude, and fierce woman, saying that the top scholar couldn't stand her appearance and resorted to this desperate measure of having an affair with her half-sister to get rid of her. Only a fool would be attracted to such an ugly and vulgar woman.
Meng Lingge had been at the Prince of Anshun's residence for the past few days and hadn't heard these unpleasant remarks, but from Meng Xingyuan's tactful hint, she knew they weren't good things to say.
"My daughter knows. She lives her own life, and only she knows the truth. I won't care what outsiders say."
Meng Xingyuan was worried that if these words reached the Prince of Anshun's residence, Meng Lingge would get into a conflict. Now, seeing her and Wen Zhiming's expressions, he knew that she was indeed unaffected, and he was relieved.
He then asked Meng Lingge what she had been doing at the Prince of Anshun's residence these past few days, whether the people there were easy to get along with, and if there was anything she wasn't used to.
The two chatted for a while, with Wen Zhiming occasionally chiming in. Meng Huanyan and Guan Yi'an sat to the side like bystanders, unable to join the conversation or leave directly.
Meng Xingyuan chatted with Meng Lingge for about fifteen minutes before standing up and saying, "Breakfast is almost ready. You should all go and see your mothers first, and then we'll have breakfast together in the main hall later."
Wen Zhiming had been sitting there patiently for so long that he was already tired of it. Upon hearing this, he quickly pulled Meng Lingge and walked out.
"Little Ling'er, let's go see Mother first. Your mansion is still the same as before; we'll have to take a good look around later."
Meng Lingge felt two gazes fixed on her from behind, so she leaned even more towards Wen Zhiming. "I'll listen to my husband."
The couple seemed to have a loving and harmonious relationship, but Guan Yi'an and Meng Huanyan behind them both wore cold expressions. Once they realized there were no outsiders around, they immediately started making sarcastic remarks.
"The person has already left, but my husband is still reluctant to let go. He deliberately referred to me as a concubine in front of my elder sister. Could it be that my husband wants to leave the position of the principal wife to my elder sister? It's a pity that the couple is deeply in love, and I'm afraid my husband will not have the chance."
“I’m just telling the truth.” Guan Yi’an turned around, his face grim. “Now that Meng Lingge is the Crown Prince’s wife, if your words get out, the Prince of Anshun’s mansion would kill you without hesitation. You can seek your own death, but don’t drag me into it.”
“What I said was also the truth,” Meng Huanyan retorted defiantly, but her voice had already weakened. “Just now, when my elder sister was talking to my father, your eyes were on my elder sister the whole time. Do you think everyone else is blind? I was thinking of my husband and wanted to offer him some advice, but you didn’t appreciate it, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
After saying that, she took a step and prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute." Guan Yi'an pulled Meng Huanyan into his arms, tapped her delicate nose, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Little vixen, what are you jealous about again? Meng Lingge is nowhere near as charming and sensible as you. All I've ever wanted is her dowry. Tell me, what plan do you have to get Meng Lingge's dowry?"
Meng Huanyan leaned obediently against the man's chest, her lowered eyes filled with a chilling coldness.
“We can’t afford to offend the Prince of Anshun’s mansion. The only solution is to make them divorce Meng Lingge. My elder sister’s reputation was already ruined on the day of her wedding. If she is divorced again, no one will want her. If her husband is willing to take her in then, Father will be grateful to you.”
"The reason why the Prince of Anshun's Mansion is satisfied with the eldest sister is still because of Prince Wen. They have a friendship from their youth. Prince Wen is foolish and nostalgic, but if he finds out that the eldest sister is not the same as he imagined, and that she is not only good to him, but that his precious wife treats others better than him, what will he do? Even if he is foolish and cannot understand, as long as others see it, someone will explain it to him."
Meng Huanyan originally didn't want Guan Yi'an and Meng Lingge to have anything to do with each other anymore, but that was on the condition that she was doing well while Meng Lingge was miserable. Now, however, the situation was reversed. She was walking on thin ice in the Guan family. When Guan Yi'an was happy, he would coax her, but when he was unhappy, he would let that old hag Guan's mother order her around in all sorts of ways. Meanwhile, Meng Lingge had become the noble Crown Prince's wife, and the Crown Prince Wen treated her with utmost care and consideration.
She couldn't stand seeing Meng Lingge living a better life than her, and the more Meng Lingge lived, the more she wanted to harm her.
This was only one reason. Another reason was that, based on her understanding of Meng Lingge, Meng Lingge was definitely not a magnanimous person who would forgive past grievances.
Three days ago, she stole Guan Yi'an, causing Meng Lingge to lose face on her wedding day. Meng Lingge already harbors resentment towards her and will take revenge on her sooner or later.
She absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait for her doom.
These two reasons combined make the monopoly case less important.
She knew that even if she helped Guan Yi'an get Meng Lingge, Guan Yi'an might not be grateful to her, but he certainly wouldn't treat a woman who had betrayed him kindly.
Now she is alone in purgatory, and even if she can't climb up, she will drag Meng Lingge down with her.
Guan Yi'an felt a momentary jolt of fear.
In his eyes, Meng Huanyan's actions of seducing him on his wedding day and rushing into the bridal sedan chair were nothing more than the means by which an unvalued illegitimate daughter climbed the social ladder and pursued happiness.
But now, when Meng Huanyan, for her own personal grudge, devised a scheme to ruin Meng Lingge's reputation and get Prince Wen to divorce her, Guan Yi'an suddenly realized this.
It turns out he and Meng Huanyan are the same kind of people.
The same kind of person who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
