Chapter 21 Lotus Banquet "The girl's real name is Meng Yu, not Du..."
Suppressing her temper, Meng Yu lowered her head and wrote a sentence in her notebook: "Father's teachings, your daughter will keep in mind."
Meng Yanqing looked up and gave a casual reply.
The atmosphere returned to silence and dullness, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks filling the room.
Aunt Shen was never a talkative person, and even though Meng Yu could speak, she really couldn't find any topics to chat about with Meng Yanqing.
Meng Yanqing found the food increasingly unappetizing, and in the end, he simply ate two symbolic mouthfuls of rice porridge before leaving, making up an excuse.
Meng Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
The food was delicious, but she couldn't eat it when Meng Yanqing was around. Now that he was gone, her appetite suddenly returned, and she ate heartily, picking up food and shoveling rice into her mouth.
Seeing Meng Yu eating happily, without any of her previous reserve and restraint, Aunt Shen chuckled and said softly, "Eat slowly, but you absolutely mustn't do this when you go to the Marquis of Chengyi's residence tomorrow."
Meng Yu put down her chopsticks, smiled, and quickly gestured: "Don't worry, Aunt, how could I be such an inconsiderate person?"
The morning light meandered across the threshold and poured onto Meng Yu's lower body, her lake-green skirt dappled with colorful light.
Looking at Meng Yu, Aunt Shen suddenly recalled her relationship with Meng Yanqing, and a slight pang of sadness welled up in her heart.
Both Meng Shuang and Meng Yin are daughters of the Meng family, but Meng Shuang and Meng Yin have been pampered by their father since childhood. Only Meng Shuang is like a familiar stranger to her father. Even when they sit at the same table, they can hardly say a word to each other.
However, she was born with a beautiful face. Her round face was not very noticeable when she was a child, but now that she has lost weight, she has become even more beautiful. Even Madam Yuan, who has always looked down on them, has noticed the change in her appearance.
Aunt Shen couldn't help but worry, but when she turned around and saw Meng Yu eating happily, she quickly suppressed her worries so as not to spoil her rare good appetite.
In the afternoon, Madam Yuan ordered someone to send over two sets of clothes that she had made for Meng Yu some time ago, along with a few pearl hairpins. One set of clothes was a light blue embroidered dress with roses, and the other was a yellow mulberry dress with white orchids.
The clothes were made of a fine texture, and felt soft and smooth to the touch. Huaiyin excitedly pointed to the two clothes and asked Meng Yuming which one she wanted to wear tomorrow.
Meng Yu was reclining on the couch studying a medical book when she heard this. She looked up from the difficult and obscure words, and was stunned for a moment before remembering what Huai Yin had asked. She glanced at it casually, pointed to the light blue rose-patterned dress, and gestured: "This is it."
Huaiyin was slightly disappointed. Pointing to the yellow and white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), she said, "I think this one suits you better. The yellow color makes you look bright and lively."
Huaiyin's voice wasn't loud, but her words still startled Meng Yu, who sat up abruptly from the couch and subconsciously looked out the window.
Zhi Mian was chopping firewood at the entrance of the small kitchen, while Yan'er sat on the stone steps next to her picking vegetables, both keeping their distance.
Meng Yu breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned and quickly gestured to Huai Yin: "Words can be dangerous. Are 'bright and lively' really words that can be used to describe me? Be careful, walls have ears. If someone hears this, they might gossip about me behind my back."
Huaiyin immediately knew who "they" referred to.
Once upon a time in Xuzhou, there was a newly arrived maid who was unaware of the situation. She casually praised Meng Yu, and the next day she was sold off by Yuan.
The truth is clear to everyone.
Huaiyin tightened her lips and lowered her voice: "I don't think Zhimian and Yan'er are that kind of people."
Meng Yu leaned back on the couch, the window blocking the sunlight from shining in.
She leaned against the shadows and said in a low voice, "Whether they have such intentions or not, the only people I can trust here are you and my aunt."
***
The following day was the lotus banquet at the Chengyi Marquis's residence, which was held in the afternoon.
Madam Meng was very considerate, so she sent someone to tell us yesterday evening that we should get up early this morning to prepare the banquet properly and that there was no need for us to go over to pay our respects.
Rarely having no need to pay respects, Meng Yu slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky. It wasn't until Aunt Shen urged her to get up for lunch that she slowly got up to wash.
After having a meal and resting for half an hour, Meng Yu reluctantly changed her clothes under Huai Yin's urging. She wore only a simple silver rose hairpin and a pair of ordinary pearl earrings in her hair. She didn't wear blush or rouge on her lips, looking as plain as could be.
Just as she finished tidying up, Madam Deng sent someone to tell her: "The carriage is ready, please get in, young lady."
Meng Yu slowly strolled towards the back door. Huai Yin was anxious and urged her to hurry up. Meng Yu smiled leisurely and gestured, "Don't rush, we'll definitely be the first to arrive."
Back in Xuzhou, when she had no choice but to go out with them, she was used to waiting. Sure enough, when they arrived at the back gate, only the coachman was waiting there.
Meng Yu waited for quite a while longer.
Waxberry trees grow along the long corridor by the back door. The branches are bent over by the weight of the fruit. The setting sun casts a hazy glow on the drooping branches, making the green and red fruits seem to radiate a colorful light.
From afar, Meng Yu saw a dress with a sea and sky hue fluttering into her eyes.
The newcomer had thick, dark hair and arched eyebrows like spring mountains. Her steps were light and steady, and her bright and charming appearance was not without gentleness and dignity. Unlike the lively people around her, the smile on her lips was always just right.
I've heard that the heir of the Marquis of Chengyi's mansion is exceptionally talented, handsome, and refined, and is the object of admiration for many women in the capital.
Meng Yu bowed gracefully to her.
The visitor, feigning ignorance, smiled faintly and asked, "Has Third Sister been waiting for a long time?"
Meng Yu smiled and shook her head.
That's good.
The driver brought out low stools, and Meng Shuang got on first, followed by Meng Yin, and finally Meng Yu.
In the carriage, because Meng Yu was unable to speak, or perhaps because they were a little nervous, they surprisingly did not mock Meng Yu, and sat in silence all the way to the gate of the Marquis of Chengyi's residence.
The two stone lions in front of the gate stood tall and imposing. The maids lined up on both sides to greet the guests, and as they stepped off the carriage, a low gasp of surprise suddenly rose from the surroundings.
Meng Yu knew who these people were surprised about, and a murmured voice immediately rang in her ears: "Who are these three young ladies from? The one walking in front is so beautiful, it's hard to look away at first glance."
"The one in front and the one behind are both young ladies of the Meng family. As for the one at the very back, she looks unfamiliar, so she must be their sister."
"You're late. You don't know the lady in front of you. She's been invited to our residence for tea several times. I suppose she's looking for a match for the young master."
Someone chimed in softly, "Our young master is exceptionally handsome, unparalleled in the world, and is certainly worthy of such a beauty."
"But I've heard that the Meng family is just a fourth-rank official, of low social standing. How could they be a match for our Marquis's mansion?"
"Madam is not one of those who are arrogant and disdainful of worldly things. If we're talking about who is a suitable match, besides the princess, which family's daughter in the capital is worthy of her? I'm sure that for Madam, social status is secondary; the most important thing is character..."
The whispered words reached Meng Yu's ears, but she remained unmoved.
As Meng Yanqing said, the Chengyi Marquis's family was a family of high-ranking officials. The great-grandfather of the Chengyi Marquis was the teacher of Emperor Gaozu and had even advised Emperor Gaozu on how to conquer the world.
While other wealthy and powerful families typically produce only idle and dissolute sons, the Marquis of Chengyi's household is different. Despite its extravagant environment, its offspring are all promising young talents who bring glory to the family. Over the years, the Qin family has achieved considerable success in the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of War—not to mention the Marquis's heir, Qin Musu.
According to legend, Qin Musui could read poetry and books at the age of three, debated with a group of scholars in the court at the age of ten, passed the imperial examination at the age of thirteen, won the imperial examination at the age of fifteen, entered the court as an official at the age of seventeen, and is now a scholar of the fourth rank, Minglin Academician, at the age of twenty.
Thinking about it this way, it's not surprising that Meng Shuang rushed over.
***
Meng Yu and her entourage followed the maid leading the way through the long corridor. Various flowers of different colors grew along the corridor, some Meng Yu recognized, others not, and a faint fragrance filled the air. Servants and maids were busy everywhere in the mansion; though numerous, the atmosphere was quiet. Beyond the corridor, the delicate fragrance of lotus blossoms wafted from afar, refreshing and delightful.
After crossing the arched bridge, a lady dressed in elegant clothes walked towards her with a smile. Upon seeing Meng Shuang, she took her hand familiarly and said with a warm smile, "I've been waiting for you for a while. I had someone make your favorite gardenia honey fritters today."
This is Qin Musui's mother, Madam Ji, the matriarch of the Chengyi Marquis's mansion.
Meng Shuang smiled gracefully: "Thank you, Madam."
As they were talking, Ji glanced past Meng Yin and saw Meng Yu with her eyes lowered and her face unfamiliar. Although her clothes were plain, her demeanor and behavior were not like the timid and submissive woman she appeared to be. Ji then vaguely guessed that she must be another sister of Meng Shuang.
Despite thinking this, she still feigned surprise: "And who is this?"
Meng Shuang turned her head following her gaze, glanced at Meng Yu indifferently, and when her gaze returned to Madam Ji, her expression softened in an instant: "This is my third sister, who just returned from Xuzhou. My third sister is quite pitiful. She had an illness when she was young, which caused her to have a chronic throat problem. To this day, she still cannot speak."
Upon hearing Meng Shuang's words, Meng Yu's face turned pale instantly. She looked up sharply at the graceful figure in front of her, and Meng Shuang's words seemed to explode in her heart like a thunderbolt.
Her throat was indeed damaged due to illness, but why had Aunt Shen never mentioned it before?
As they walked and talked, Madam Ji turned to look at Meng Yu. Her appearance and demeanor were completely different from Meng Shuang's. She was surprised to find that Meng Yu was mute, which was a pity given her beautiful face.
The banquet was held in the center of the lotus pond, with an open-shoulder arched bridge connecting the flower pavilion and waterside pavilion. All around were blooming lotus flowers of various colors, and their fragrance lingered in the air.
Many noble ladies from the capital were invited to the lotus banquet at the Marquis of Chengyi's residence. After welcoming them to the banquet, Madam Ji excused herself and left. As soon as Meng Shuang and Meng Yin arrived, several beautiful young women rushed forward, pushing Meng Yu aside, and chatted amongst themselves about their private pleasures.
"Who is that?" After some time, someone in the crowd suddenly asked in surprise.
Meng Yu was still lost in thought about Meng Shuang's words when she suddenly felt several gazes directed at her, so she subconsciously looked up.
Meng Shuang walked towards her through the crowd, a perfectly timed smile on her bright face. The radiant afterglow of the setting sun bathed her, making her appear like a fairy princess.
Meng Yu suddenly had a bad feeling.
Just as she was pondering this, Meng Shuang arrived in front of her, took her hand without asking any questions, pulled her closer, and smiled at the crowd, saying, "This is my third sister, Meng Yu. This is the daughter of the Duke's mansion, Miss Song Yao; this is the daughter of the Duke of Longguo's mansion, Miss Cheng; this is the daughter of General Fuyuan, Miss Zhang; and this is..."
Meng Yu had no choice but to meet everyone one by one.
"Sister Shuang is gentle and considerate, and her musical skills are superb. I wonder what Third Sister can do?" The girl named Song Yao winked at her.
Meng Yu subconsciously wanted to raise her hand, but then she forced it down and looked up at the person beside her.
Sensing her gaze, and with a slight raise of her eyebrows and a faint smile in her eyes that vanished in an instant.
"I was so busy introducing myself that I forgot to mention it. My sister isn't good with words, so please don't mind."
As if suddenly realizing something, she lowered her eyes, her face showing distress, and bowed apologetically to everyone.
Everyone quickly helped her up, and they all said in unison, "How could that be? This matter has nothing to do with Sister Shuang. Besides, who would want their sister to be mute?"
Tears welled up in Meng Shuang's eyes: "Thank you all for your understanding. Because of this younger sister, my sisters and I have suffered a lot of scorn since we were little. But as you all said, who would want to be unable to speak? Speaking of which, my third sister is also a pitiful person."
Seeing this, everyone comforted Meng Shuang and tried to make her laugh.
Meng Yu was once again left out in the cold.
Although she always felt uncomfortable when people told her she was mute to her face, it wasn't the first time this had happened, and she gradually became indifferent to it.
Becoming invisible again actually made Meng Yu feel more comfortable. She was really bad at dealing with these kinds of social situations, and being able to sit quietly to the side and admire the lotus flowers was a welcome thing for her.
***
After all the guests arrived, Madam Ji invited everyone to sit down. There were supposed to be two people per table, but in the end, only Meng Yu was left. Seeing this, Meng Shuang moved closer to Madam Ji and whispered something in her ear. Madam Ji then approached her with a beaming smile.
“I had arranged just enough seats, but someone was busy and didn’t attend, so there was an empty seat. There’s an empty seat over there. Would Third Miss like to sit there?” Madam Ji pointed to the last table in the row to her right, which was far from the main seat and just next to the ornate railing.
For a lady of a noble family to ask for her opinion in such a soft and gentle voice, Meng Yu was flattered and overwhelmed. How could she refuse? Besides, for her, that seat in the far corner was the best place in the room, allowing her to avoid social obligations and eat in peace. How could she not be happy?
Meng Yu nodded.
Meng Shuang and Meng Yin bypassed the several noble ladies present and were seated in the first position to Ji Shi's left.
Recalling what the maids had said, Meng Yu, seeing this, largely believed them as well.
***
The dishes at the banquet were delicious and fragrant. Meng Yu just kept her head down and ate, without looking up to see what the singing and dancing were like, or listening to what everyone was saying.
Huaiyin thought of Meng Shuang's insincere expression and felt a surge of anger. Looking down, she saw Meng Yu eating heartily, seemingly without any anger. She felt a sense of disappointment and muttered, "Second Miss is too much of a bully. She says she's sad for you, but every word she says is barbed."
Meng Yu, with her sharp ears, heard the whisper. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly poked the woman's leg, gesturing rapidly with her hand: "Is this the first time you've met her? She's been like this since she was a child. It's fine for you and me to talk about this in private, but don't say it in this kind of setting. If someone hears it, we'll both be in big trouble."
Huaiyin frowned in pain. Upon hearing Meng Yu's words, she immediately looked around warily. Seeing that everyone was currying favor and exchanging drinks insincerely, and that no one cared about them, she calmed down.
Halfway through the banquet, a maidservant came over and whispered a few words in Madam Ji's ear. Her face immediately darkened, but when she looked at the crowd below the stage, she quickly put on a smile again. Just as she was about to speak, a voice suddenly came from below: "Second Miss Ning has arrived."
Whether it was the loud shout or the person's reputation that was too deafening, before the announcement had even finished, the banquet, which had been filled with whispers, suddenly became completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.
"Da da da..."
A crisp sound lingered in her ears—the sound of boots stepping on stone slabs. Meng Yu was slightly surprised.
She seemed to remember that the person who came was a young lady, a daughter of a wealthy family, and even if she wasn't wearing brocade shoes with upturned toes, she should have been wearing small and exquisite embroidered shoes.
In this era, young ladies were taught to walk with graceful, delicate steps, exuding a unique feminine charm and softness.
Yet the sound of footsteps on the stone slabs was steady, powerful, slow, and firm, giving one a subtle sense of exhilaration.
Meng Yu was filled with curiosity and couldn't suppress it, so she looked up from the bowl and followed the sound.
The newcomer had a well-proportioned figure, and her eyes, though gentle, held a hint of sharpness. Her small face, though not as delicate and smooth as other women's, possessed a unique, indescribable brightness and tenderness. Her plum-green brocade robe was perfectly tailored, and her movements accentuated her dashing and heroic bearing.
She wore a long robe of the same color, with a light blue leather belt around her waist. Her long hair, like a waterfall, cascaded down to her waist, and a green bamboo hairpin was pinned in her hair. At the end of the hairpin was a small white ivory pendant, which was exquisitely carved. Apart from this, she had no other ornaments on her body.
Meng Yu was slightly taken aback.
The visitor bowed to Madam Ji, who smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with her. Madam Ji then asked someone to arrange seating, but the visitor turned around and pointed to where Meng Yu was sitting, saying with a smile, "Madam, there's no need to trouble yourself. There's an empty seat there; my daughter can sit there."
Ji Shi's lips curled slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face. Her tone was cold and distant: "Leaving aside the fact that you are General Ning's younger sister, just considering the outstanding military achievements you have made for the court, I absolutely cannot arrange for you to be placed in such a corner."
Ning Sui greeted her with a smile: "I think the location is quite nice, near the lotus pond, with a lovely fragrance."
Everyone's gaze fell on Meng Yu as Ning Sui pointed. Meng Yu was feeling a bit awkward when a gentle yet deep voice came from beside her ear: "Second Miss Ning is right. Mother, please arrange a table for us across the table as well!"
***
As the sun sets in the west, its afterglow paints the upturned eaves, meandering along the ground and creating a magnificent, colorful scene.
"Squeak!!!"
The tightly closed wooden door made a slight sound, and Chu Ze, shrouded in twilight, hurried in, pushed open the half-closed door, and replied in a deep voice:
“Young master, a guard reports that the young lady’s real name is Meng Yu, not Meng Yan, which she fabricated.”
A note from the author:
Thank you all for your continued support! I'll be going VIP tomorrow, the 22nd, with 70% anti-piracy measures in place for 72 hours. There will be a 10,000-word update at 00:27 on the first day. Updates will be at 00:27 for the first two or three days after that, then will revert to 20:27. There will be a giveaway on the day of the VIP launch, so please continue to support me! [cheering emoji]
Please add my next book, "Zang Ying," to your collection.
Jiang Yinghun transmigrated into the body of a peasant girl.
He was loved by his father and mother, doted on by his older brother, and lived in harmony with his neighbors.
Life was peaceful and smooth.
One day, the father accidentally broke his leg and picked up a little beggar.
The little beggar didn't like to talk, so Jiang Ying named him "Silent".
He was quiet and thin, but diligent in his work.
Although she doesn't talk much, she has a sweet tongue.
Whenever I see her, a smile spreads across my face, and I softly call out, "Sister."
His father kept him, and Jiang Ying also regarded him as her younger brother.
But later, her parents wanted to marry her off to Chen Ji for the sake of her brother.
Jiang Ying refused to comply and fled overnight.
When they met again, the frail man had become a renowned general.
Not only are they ruthless, but their words are also laced with barbs.
It looks nothing like it used to be.
Jiang Ying retreated step by step, while he pressed forward step by step.
Until she was pinned against the wall,
The emotions in the man's eyes seemed to be suppressing a storm, about to burst forth.
A deep voice, tinged with a frantic yearning, asked: "Sister, where have you gone?"
Later, Jiang Ying learned that it was actually from the day they first met...
Chen Ji already harbored ill intentions towards her.
–
The 1537th day of begging.
The rain poured down, accompanied by lightning and thunder.
Hearing that it was easy to attract lightning while under a tree, he squatted down under a banyan tree on the street.
Suddenly, an umbrella appeared overhead.
A sweet, gentle voice came through the sound of rain: "Here you go."
When he looked up again, he had an umbrella embroidered with fireflies in his hand.
The moment I first met Jiang Ying was like light seeping into a bottomless abyss.
He went to great lengths to get to her side.
My original plan was simply to watch her quietly.
The more you try to suppress it, the darker thoughts will fester in the damp corners.
The more it grows...
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