Chapter 20 Don't Lose Face Even the most desperate days will eventually end. ...
The next day.
The brilliant sunlight leaked in through the cracks in the window, filtering through the curtains and landing precisely on the eyelids of the person on the couch.
Meng Yu frowned and turned over, about to go back to sleep, when Huai Yin came over and lifted the curtain, urging, "Miss, we have to pay our respects to the old lady today, we can't be late, don't go to sleep. If we stay up any longer, we'll be late."
Upon hearing the words "Greetings," Meng Yu was instantly wide awake. With sleepy eyes, she hurriedly got up from the bed, only to find that her whole body ached all over.
They had been on edge for over half a month, fearing Lu Xiuyi would catch up, but now that they had rested on a soft, comfortable bed for the night, all their fatigue had returned.
Meng Yu sat in front of the mirror, letting Huai Yin do her hair and makeup. Yan'er brought over a washbasin, bath powder, and softened willow branches. After washing up, Huai Yin picked out a turquoise-colored, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) from the wardrobe for Meng Yu to change into.
Meng Yu went out the door and looked up.
The morning light was dazzling, pouring down on the eaves and creating a golden glow.
Aunt Shen was waiting at the door. Hearing the sound, she turned her head and looked over. A gentle smile appeared on her lips as she waved to her.
Meng Yu greeted her with a smile.
She had been in this body since she was three years old. When she first arrived, she was very uncomfortable because she couldn't speak and couldn't make a sound. In addition, her body was small and she couldn't write. She was taken to play in the yard by the servants. Even if she wanted to drink some water, she had to break free from the servants' restraints, run back into the house, point at the teacup, and open her round eyes to indicate it.
But she couldn't always outrun the servants; after all, she was just a child, and it took her three steps to match an adult's one. Later, Aunt Shen stopped having anyone else take care of her and raised her herself.
As she grew older, learning to read became an extremely difficult process. At that time, the household hired a female tutor, but she was an sycophant who used all her patience on Meng Shuang and Meng Yin, and paid no attention to Meng Shuang's thirst for knowledge.
Later, when Aunt Shen found out, she didn't make a fuss. Instead, every time school ended, she would sit by the coffee table on the windowsill and teach her step by step.
It took her almost half a year to learn just the correct way to hold a pen, but Aunt Shen never got tired of it and taught her day after day without getting bored.
After years of living together, Meng Yu has come to regard the person in front of her as her mother.
Last night, I chatted with Aunt Shen about the past. Although she still felt uneasy about Meng Yanqing and her own future, she knew that no matter what lay ahead, her mother would always be there for her. Even the most difficult things have a solution; even the most desperate days will eventually end.
***
Inside Ci'an Hall, the pine trees in front of the main building stood tall and straight, and the banana leaves were lush and broad. A group of people stood under the eaves. Some were embroidering with their hands while chatting and laughing, some were teasing the sparrows in the purple bamboo cage with birdseed, and some were looking over here. When they saw Aunt Chen and Meng Yu, they quickly nudged the people next to them.
The maid standing outside the door hurriedly called out, "Aunt Chen and the Third Miss have arrived."
Aunt Shen led Meng Yu into the room. There were only a few maids serving Old Madam Meng in the hall. Madam Yuan, the Second Miss, and the Fourth Miss had not yet arrived.
Aunt Shen breathed a sigh of relief, quickly lifted her skirt and knelt down, kowtowing to a kind-faced old woman sitting in the hall: "This concubine and the Third Miss pay our respects to the Old Madam, wishing her longevity and a happy family life."
It had been almost half a year since they last met, but the people below were still as humble and respectful as ever. Even the third young lady, when she knelt down gracefully, was neither arrogant nor humble, but rather composed and calm, without any trace of the second young lady's haughtiness or the fourth young lady's domineering attitude.
After calming down a bit, Madam Meng invited Concubine Chen and Meng Yu to sit down. A maidservant served tea, and the curtain was lifted high: "Madam, the Second Miss and the Fourth Miss have arrived."
Madam Yuan, accompanied by Meng Shuang and Meng Yin, paid their respects to Old Madam Meng and took their seats in turn.
Meng Yu lowered her eyebrows and listened quietly to everyone's pleasantries.
Madam Meng asked in a low voice, "I heard that the wife of Marquis Chengyi is holding a lotus banquet at the beginning of next month and sent over an invitation, saying that she wants to invite our young ladies to enjoy the lotus flowers together."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yuan's eyes darkened slightly, and she immediately replied, "Yes, Mother, it is true. Shuang'er and Yin'er have both had new clothes made in preparation for the banquet tomorrow. Only the Third Miss's clothes are yet to be made. I have already sent a tailor to the door, and the Third Miss's clothes should be ready in the next few days."
Madam Meng nodded: "That's how it should be. Although Yu'er is a concubine's daughter, precisely because of this, you, as the mistress of the family, must not show favoritism. Otherwise, outsiders will only say that the mistress of the Meng family is immoral and mistreats her children."
As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
Madam Yuan quickly lowered her head and said, "Your daughter-in-law will follow your teachings."
After leaving Ci'an Hall, Aunt Shen exchanged a few pleasantries with Madam Yuan and was about to take Meng Yu away when Meng Yin blocked her way. She glanced at Meng Yu and said with disgust, "I don't know what Grandmother is thinking. She's a mute. If she goes to the Chengyi Marquis's mansion, she will only bring shame to Father and the mansion."
Meng Shuang's expression changed instantly. She looked back and, fortunately, all the servants around her were her own people. She was about to reprimand her when her words reached the ears of Madam Yuan, who had only taken a few steps forward. She immediately turned around and shouted angrily, "Shut up!"
Yuan shouted angrily, which startled Meng Yin so much that he suddenly shrank his neck.
“What did Grandmother just say? Have you forgotten? No matter what, Third Miss is still your sister. How could you talk about her like that?” Madam Yuan walked up to her and pointed at Meng Yu. “Apologize to Third Miss.”
Before Meng Yin could speak, Aunt Shen hurried over to Madam Yuan and said with a smile, "Sister, Fourth Miss has always been outspoken, which is common knowledge in the manor. How can we make her apologize for this? Besides, what she said is not wrong. Yu'er cannot speak. If she really goes to the Chengyi Marquis's manor, she will only become a laughing stock."
As she continued speaking, Aunt Shen lowered her head further and further, and her voice gradually became softer.
“My aunt herself said I didn’t say anything wrong, so why should I apologize?” Meng Yin said with a straight face and a pout, then turned and left without a care.
Mrs. Yuan looked utterly helpless.
Meng Shuang stepped forward, took Meng Yu's hand, sighed, and said gently, "Third Sister must know Fourth Sister's temperament. Mother and I will give her a good talking to later, so Third Sister, please don't take it to heart."
Her words were earnest and humble, yet her tone still carried an air of superiority. Meng Yu had grown tired of seeing this over the years, so she smiled slightly, withdrew her hand at the opportune moment, and began to gesture.
Huaiyin explained, "The young lady said that she knew the fourth young lady was just saying it without thinking, and would never take it to heart."
Meng Shuang smiled and said, "That's good. I heard from Mother that the tailor will be coming to the door soon. Sister, go back and prepare. I have to practice the piano today, so I'll leave first."
Meng Yu nodded, gave them a "thank you" gesture, and watched them walk away before returning to Qingli Courtyard.
Not long after she and Aunt Shen entered the house, Chunzhi brought over the tailor arranged by Madam Yuan. She pulled her to measure her left and right, recorded her body measurements, and then packed her things and left the mansion.
Meng Yu had absolutely no interest in those banquets hosted by high-ranking families. The reason why Old Madam Meng pushed her and her daughter out was simply to restrain Yuan Shi and to stop her from being so smug.
After having breakfast at Qingli Courtyard, Meng Yu was bored out of her mind. After arranging the books on the shelf, she picked up a book called "Miscellaneous Medical Techniques" to read.
Back in Xuzhou, because Yuan Shi, Meng Shuang, and Meng Yin never took her, a mute, seriously, she often managed to sneak out under Huai Yin's cover. She then apprenticed at a tavern to learn brewing. Later, by chance, she made some friends and went on to learn medicine, animal training, and kiln firing. Her days passed by in this fulfilling atmosphere, like the sunlight streaming through the window.
When she first transmigrated, Meng Yu really thought that this body was born mute, but later she vaguely realized that her voice might have been damaged due to acquired reasons.
Therefore, whenever she had the chance, she studied medicine with all her might. However, she was confined to the inner quarters and could not find an opportunity to sneak out every moment. So, whenever she received her monthly salary, she would save it and wait for the opportunity to go out to buy a bunch of medical books.
***
Pillow Flower Studio.
The aroma of tea wafted from the celadon teapot, disappearing into the air.
After sending Meng Shuang and Meng Yin to the Purple Bamboo Pavilion to practice their zithers, Madam Deng returned to Zhenhua Studio to inform Madam Yuan.
Lady Yuan lay half-reclined on the chaise longue with her eyes closed, responding faintly without even raising her eyes.
Having served Madam Yuan for half her life, Madam Deng could tell Madam Yuan's mood with just a glance. Seeing this, she took the fan from the maid and gestured for them to leave first.
After everyone had left, Madam Deng remained silent for a moment, then gently waved her fan: "Just now in Ci'an Hall, when the old lady asked about the lotus banquet held at the Chengyi Marquis's residence, why did you have to mention the Third Miss's clothes?"
If it hadn't been brought up, the old lady might not have said those things.
Madam Yuan slowly opened her eyes and raised her hand towards Madam Deng.
Deng's mother quickly helped her up.
"Do you think that old hag will keep quiet if I don't bring it up? She had this plan all along, which is why she had the master write a letter to Xuzhou, asking her and her daughter to come back."
Madam Yuan picked up the pale blue floral and bird teacup, brought it to her lips, gently blew away the tea foam, took a sip, and then said, "But this is for the best. Aunt Shen is easy to manipulate. If she weren't here, that old hag might find an excuse to send over a vixen. By the way, how's my brother's matter going? I heard that his application for market vouchers from the Tea and Horse Bureau was rejected the other day."
Madam Deng laughed and said, "It's just a matter of money. Yesterday, my uncle had someone secretly deliver ten boxes of treasure to Lord Pan of the Tea and Horse Bureau, and today someone came to tell us that the matter was settled."
Yuan scoffed, "All crows are black, and this prosperous and extravagant capital is no exception."
Mrs. Deng chuckled and chimed in, "That's right. No matter how high-minded he is, who wouldn't be tempted when he spends money like water?"
***
Since arriving in the capital, Meng Yu spent his spare time studying medical books, passing the time in this way for several days until the end of the month was fast approaching.
After court that day, Meng Yanqing was finally able to find time to come and see the mother and daughter.
When the servant came to deliver the message, Aunt Shen was overjoyed and at a loss for what to do. She hurriedly asked Zhi Mian to heat up breakfast, and a table was filled with food.
Even in Xuzhou, Meng Yu rarely saw Meng Yanqing.
She didn't have much affection for this father, and of his three daughters, he valued his eldest daughter Meng Shuang, who was proficient in all the arts, and secondly Meng Yin, who could make him laugh heartily. For her, his mute daughter, being given food and shelter was already a great blessing.
When Meng Yanqing arrived, he had already changed out of his dark green court robes and was wearing a light blue casual outfit. Aunt Shen ordered Yan'er to set out the bowls and chopsticks, and upon hearing the sound, she hurriedly went out to greet him.
Meng Yu stood up, bowed her head, and curtsied to him.
The newcomer didn't even glance at her; he simply responded with a word, then lifted the hem of his robe and sat down in the armchair.
Seeing that Aunt Shen had taken her seat to Meng Yanqing's right, Meng Yu returned to her original seat.
After quietly taking a few bites, Meng Yanqing said, "You and Yu'er look a bit thinner."
Aunt Shen smiled faintly: "After traveling for several months, it's understandable that your appetite is a little poor."
"Now there's a small kitchen in this courtyard, and they deliver a fixed amount every day. You and Yu'er can have them make whatever you want. If it's not enough, just have someone go outside to buy some. Don't deprive yourselves too much."
It was rare for him to show concern for the mother and daughter, and Aunt Shen was slightly pleased: "Yes, thank you, sir."
Meng Yanqing picked up an eggplant and took a bite, then asked casually, "I heard that Yu'er is going to the lotus banquet at the Marquis of Chengyi's residence tomorrow?"
Seven or eight days have passed since Madam Meng mentioned this matter to Madam Yuan. He must have already heard about it, so his question today is a rhetorical one.
Meng Yu frowned slightly without showing any emotion, but only for a moment before her expression relaxed again.
Aunt Shen replied, "It was the old lady and the madam who were kind enough to want Yu'er to go with the second and fourth young ladies to broaden her horizons."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yanqing put down her chopsticks, picked up a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and said to Meng Yu with apparent earnestness, "Yu'er rarely goes out, so she really needs to broaden her horizons, lest when guests come, they see her as petty and uncouth, which would be a disgrace to our Meng family. But then again, the Chengyi Marquis's mansion is a prestigious family with generations of officials, unlike our humble families, which have fewer rules. When you go tomorrow, be careful and stay close to your second sister, lest you do something wrong and embarrass our family."
In his short speech, he made two embarrassing remarks.
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