Chapter 153 Skill
Meng Guanqi never expected that before they were even married, his future wife would complain about his low monthly salary. *sobs*
Seeing his dejected look, Li Xiaoxiao patted his shoulder and comforted him, saying, "But don't worry, just do your job well, and leave the money-making to me."
How could the responsibility of supporting the family be borne by her eldest son, who is unable to carry anything? It should definitely be her.
She continued to comfort him, "After we get married, I'll find a job, and I definitely won't make things difficult for you."
My husband only needs to be beautiful; let her handle the work of earning money to support the family.
Meng Guanqi looked at her with a resentful expression, deeply hurt.
Just as he was about to have a proper talk with her, Zhao Jian suddenly came over: "Madam, young master, someone from the Meng family's old residence has come and wants to invite you over."
When Meng Guanqi passed the imperial examination, Minister Meng could no longer sit still and sent him back under the pretext of ancestral worship.
Meng Guanqi couldn't refuse this excuse.
He thought for a moment, then suddenly took Li Xiaoxiao's hand, his eyes firm: "Then let's go back, Xiaoxiao. It's time for you to formally meet my grandparents."
Liu looked at him with some worry: "Qi-ge'er, why don't I go with you too?"
She could imagine the Meng family's reaction when Meng Guanqi announced his marriage to Li Xiaoxiao.
Meng Guanqi shook his head: "Mother, I thought this matter could be resolved before the palace examination. I didn't expect that the Meng family would not react after my uncle and fifth uncle left. I guess they didn't explain things clearly. Now that the results of the palace examination are out, I have nothing to worry about anymore. I can take this opportunity to explain things to them and put an end to their idea of making us go back."
Liu is also a junior. If she goes along, she won't get any points, and will only suffer and be put in a difficult position. It would be better if she didn't go at all and left all the problems to him to solve.
He squeezed Li Xiaoxiao's hand: "Are you ready?"
Li Xiaoxiao raised her chin: "Of course, if they dare to force you, I'll tell everyone that Meng Guanfeng and Meng Guanyun hit you with a teapot today. Let's see if they still have the face to let us go back."
"What?" Liu exclaimed in surprise. "What? You hit me with a teapot? What just happened?"
Without any hesitation, Li Xiaoxiao recounted how Meng Guanfeng, out of jealousy that Meng Guanqi had achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examination, had thrown a teapot from the third floor, nearly hitting him: "Young Master is soft-hearted and didn't take them to the yamen, but we have a huge handle on them now. They dare to bully him like this even after he's passed the imperial examination; who knows how they bullied him when they were studying together? It's so much better for our family to live here in our own detached house; why should we go back and squeeze in with them?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu was furious. This was utterly outrageous! The elders were not behaving like elders, and even their peers were bullying and oppressing their branch of the family. How dare they ask them to return? Even if they came in a grand sedan chair to beg them on their knees, she would not go back!
She straightened Meng Guanqi's clothes and said, "Although you are a junior, if your grandfather and the others say something too harsh, there's no need to take it to heart. In any case, we'll just treat each other as ordinary relatives from now on. Your mother will absolutely not agree to go back."
Meng Guanqi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Mother, we'll be right back."
Meng Guanqi and Li Xiaoxiao boarded the carriage specially sent by the Meng family to pick them up. The carriage clattered along and arrived at the Meng residence after about two incense sticks' worth of travel time. Servants had gone ahead to inform them that the Meng family patriarch, the old Minister Meng, and the Third Master Meng, along with all the male members of the family, stood on the left, while the old Madam Meng and a group of female relatives stood on the right. A large group of people stood at the gate to welcome Meng Guanqi's arrival.
Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng were also squeezed in the crowd. When they saw him come down, they avoided his gaze.
But Meng Guanqi had no time to pay attention to them at the moment.
When Meng Guanqi saw that Minister Meng had also come out, he was somewhat surprised. His grandfather had actually condescended to come out and greet him personally? This was a bit beyond his expectations.
He thought that given his extremely arrogant nature, the man should be sitting calmly in his mansion waiting for him to come and pay his respects, but to his surprise, the man actually came out to greet him personally.
If it weren't for his previous arrogant treatment, Meng Guanqi might have been genuinely grateful, but his current attitude seemed somewhat ironic.
With Ah Sheng's help, he got off the carriage and stood in front of it, looking at the familiar mansion and the relatives who used to be familiar yet unfamiliar in front of the gate with a complicated expression.
I still remember being ruthlessly driven out of the house four years ago, like a spoiled dog. Who would have thought that things would turn around and that four years later, the entire Meng family would turn out to welcome his return?
Whispers arose from the crowd: "They're here... they're here..."
Meng Guanqi met the deep gaze of the old Minister Meng, but did not immediately bow. Instead, he turned around, extended a hand, and helped a young woman out in full view of everyone.
The young woman was light and agile. With a gentle touch, she jumped off the carriage and landed steadily on the ground without even wobbling. When she saw the group of people in front of the door, she grinned, seemingly amused.
The entire Meng family, young and old, were stunned. A barely perceptible glint of anger flashed in the eyes of the old Minister Meng. On such an important occasion, when the family was showing Meng Guanqi such respect and giving him such face, how could he so casually bring a woman to their door? What kind of rule is this?
The moment Meng Wenli saw Li Xiaoxiao, he closed his eyes. It was over. Meng Guanqi had actually brought Li Xiaoxiao to humiliate him. He could already foresee a storm brewing...
Is it too late for him to leave now?
Meng Mao was also surprised to see Meng Guanqi's actions. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes, along with a hint of admiration. How could his gentle and somewhat timid fourth brother have given birth to such a rebellious son?
He glanced at Minister Meng discreetly, then quietly turned around and instructed the servant following behind him to prepare a bowl of heart-soothing tea, lest his father suddenly faint from anger.
Madam Meng and all the women focused their attention on this woman. Madam Meng frowned and stared intently at the woman who seemed somewhat familiar.
Meng Guanqi, holding Li Xiaoxiao's hand, walked step by step towards the Meng family. He only let go of Li Xiaoxiao's hand when they were about half a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) in front of Minister Meng, and bowed to Minister Meng and the others, saying, "Greetings, Grandfather, Grandmother..."
With so many elders present, it took him quite a while just to greet them and bow. Finally, after he finished, even before Minister Meng had told him to get up, he turned to Li Xiaoxiao and said, “Xiaoxiao, come here. This is my grandfather, this is my great-uncle, also the head of the Meng clan, this is my great-uncle, the father of Uncle Wenli. Uncle Wenli has visited our Biyang County before, you already know him… This is my fifth uncle, I met him at our house a few days ago… This is my grandmother, you’ve met her before…”
Meng Wenli was terrified and sweating profusely. This brat betrayed him as soon as he arrived. He hadn't told his family about his relationship with Li Xiaoxiao. What was he going to do now?
Is he here to pay respects to his ancestors? Or is he just asking for trouble?
Minister Meng frowned: "Brother Qi, today is your big day. The whole family is here to welcome you and give you plenty of face. What are you doing?"
Meng Guanqi said, "Grandfather, I am fortunate to have passed the imperial examination today and have been invited back by my father to pay respects to our ancestors. Since this is a rare opportunity and all of you relatives have not yet met my fiancée, I thought I would bring her along to meet you all. June 15th is my wedding day, and I would also like to invite the elders to attend the ceremony."
Meng Mao almost burst out laughing. This kid had taken care of so many things "on the side" while he was home. Normally, ancestor worship is a major event that would take at least a few days to show sincerity. Bringing his fiancée to meet the elders was also a major event that required choosing an auspicious day. Not to mention inviting his close relatives to his wedding, which was an even bigger event. Yet he had taken care of it all with just a few words.
Oh no, my father, who always regards etiquette and law as the ultimate standard, must be furious.
As expected, everyone present was stunned speechless upon hearing his words, and Minister Meng's face quickly darkened: "Outrageous! Qi-ge'er, why are you so unruly? Paying respects to ancestors is the essence of filial piety; how can it be mixed with other selfish motives and personal feelings? Furthermore, what family does your fiancée come from? Where are her parents and relatives? Why are you alone, bringing her to meet your elders? Even though you are engaged, there is still a distinction between men and women. Today, you have come hand in hand in front of everyone. Who taught you manners? Is this how your father neglected to discipline you?"
Li Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded. This person kept talking about rules and regulations. This was too scary!
Meng Guanqi and she had just gotten off the carriage and hadn't exchanged more than a few words when one hat after another was put on their heads. She couldn't help but shiver and suddenly felt a little sorry for Meng Guanyun and Meng Guanfeng.
With such a huge mountain pressing down on them, it's a miracle they haven't gone mad.
But how should he respond to Minister Meng's veiled criticism of Meng Guanqi?
Before Meng Guanqi could answer, the Meng clan chief spoke up, "Alright, alright, we've received the person. Let's talk inside. Don't stand here and let people watch the show. Come on, quickly open the main gate and welcome our top scholar into the mansion!"
The main gate of the Meng family mansion is not something that can be opened casually. Except for a few important festivals, it is only opened to welcome high-ranking officials or people from the palace. Meng Guanqi's success in becoming the third-ranked scholar is a great event for the Meng family, so it is already quite remarkable that the main gate is opened for him.
With the clan chief Meng intervening, Minister Meng naturally couldn't refuse him. Besides, even if he considered himself the grandfather of the third-ranked scholar, he couldn't very well reprimand him at the gate on the day the results were announced; it wouldn't do him any good for his reputation.
He barely suppressed his anger and went inside first.
Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng looked helpless. Fortunately, they were already used to Minister Meng's temper, so they could only smile and invite Meng Guanqi inside.
An old nanny from Madam Meng's side came to invite Li Xiaoxiao into the inner courtyard, but Meng Guanqi stopped her. His eyes were cold: "You can go down now. Xiaoxiao will stay with me and won't go anywhere."
The old nanny was secretly alarmed and subconsciously looked at Madam Meng. Madam Meng probably hadn't expected Meng Guanqi to refuse, so she led a group of women towards the inner courtyard early on.
Seeing that no one spoke up for her, the old nanny lowered her head, not daring to make a sound, and hurriedly went back to the inner courtyard to report.
Minister Meng took the lead and headed towards the ancestral hall. No one dared to scold Meng Guanqi. Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng, being from outside the family, also hesitated to speak ill of Meng Guanqi. They could only vaguely let Li Xiaoxiao follow them towards the ancestral hall.
Upon reaching the entrance of the ancestral hall, Meng Guanqi finally stopped and whispered to Li Xiaoxiao, "Outsiders are not allowed to enter the Meng Clan Ancestral Hall. You wait here for me. Don't leave no matter who comes to lead you. I'll come out after I've finished paying respects to the ancestors. I'll also discuss our matter with Grandfather and the others."
Li Xiaoxiao nodded and found a stone bench in the small pavilion outside the ancestral hall to sit down.
Meng Guanqi followed the two old men inside to burn incense, but one person did not follow. Instead, he sat down opposite her. Li Xiaoxiao looked closely and realized that it was Meng Mao, Meng Guanqi's fifth uncle.
She raised her eyebrows: "Aren't you going in?"
Meng Mao didn't even raise his eyebrows: "No need. I know this place well and go there often. It's rare for the ancestors inside to be in such a good mood today, so I won't go in and spoil the fun."
A mischievous glint suddenly appeared in his eyes: "Actually, after we came back that day, my cousin and I didn't mention your engagement to Qi-ge to the family, so my father and uncle still don't know your identity..."
Li Xiaoxiao blinked: "So?"
Meng Mao laughed and said, "If Brother Qi honestly reveals your identity after the ancestral worship ceremony, I bet you there's a 99% chance he'll be punished by my father."
He touched his back, grimacing, and said, "You have no idea how painful it is to be hit by the cane of family discipline."
Li Xiaoxiao looked back at the ancestral hall not far away. Unfortunately, it was a bit far away and she couldn't hear what was being said inside. However, if Meng Guanqi really screamed too loudly, she wouldn't mind rushing in and pulling him out.
Meng Mao said, "Don't look there, women aren't allowed to go in."
Li Xiaoxiao held up a finger in front of him, then shook it from side to side under his puzzled gaze: "If I want to go, there is no place in this world I cannot go."
Meng Mao looked at her confident and lawless attitude with surprise, and asked with great interest, "What is your background? Are you a princess from the previous dynasty who was lost to the world? Or the illegitimate daughter of some high-ranking official hidden among the common people?"
He glanced at her skin tone, then feigned sudden realization: "Or are you the daughter of a tribal chief from the Western Regions or beyond the Great Wall who came to the Central Plains?"
Li Xiaoxiao chuckled: "It seems Uncle has read quite a few storybooks, but after all you've said, they're either daughters of high-ranking officials or princesses of previous dynasties. Can't I just be a drifter from the countryside?"
Meng Mao frowned, looked at her carefully again, and shook his head, saying, "Impossible, how could a country bumpkin be like you?"
So fearless, so confident, so self-assured, so disregarding his father and his family.
How could she be just an ordinary person? Where would an ordinary person get such charisma?
It is important to know that a person's confidence must be carefully cultivated. Although she was Meng Guanqi's maid, Meng Mao had been surrounded by servants since birth. In the days of growing up, getting married, having children, and having fun outside, he had seen countless people selling themselves into slavery. Even the most famous courtesan in the brothel was a plaything of high-ranking officials and nobles. They could not possibly have the kind of confidence and self-assurance that Li Xiaoxiao had from the inside out.
Her background must be extraordinary, but she has kept it a secret.
He whispered, "Tell me quietly, and I promise I won't tell anyone else, who exactly are you?"
Li Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. She had been here for so long, and this was the first time she had ever met someone who insisted on digging into her background.
She couldn't be bothered to waste words with him.
Seeing her eye roll, Meng Mao had a "I knew it" expression. See? If she really was born a servant, how dare she roll her eyes at a master? If it were any other servant, she might as well gouge her eyes out on the spot.
Just as he was about to ask again in a different way, he suddenly heard Minister Meng roar from the ancestral hall: "You unfilial son! How dare you marry a lowly servant?!"
Li Xiaoxiao and Meng Mao both stood up involuntarily and looked towards the ancestral hall.
But after Minister Meng's roar, the ancestral hall returned to silence; at least, no more noise could be heard there.
Li Xiaoxiao frowned, genuinely worried. Was the old man really going to hit Meng Guanqi because he was so angry?
This fool won't just obediently let him beat him, will he? He has to attend the banquet tomorrow, he can't get hurt, he has to make a token appearance and leave soon.
She craned her neck to look for a long time, but Meng Guanqi did not come out. The old Minister Meng's roar also stopped. Meng Mao waited with her for a while, but he couldn't wait any longer and slipped in to see what was going on.
Meng Mao disappeared without a trace. Li Xiaoxiao waited and waited, growing more and more worried. Suddenly, she was startled. Could they have covered his mouth and beaten him? That way, she wouldn't be able to hear anything!
She was extremely anxious and no longer cared about any of the ridiculous rules. She ran to the gate of the ancestral hall and roared, "Meng Guanqi, are you alright?"
There was no response from inside, so she raised her voice again: "If you don't come out soon, I'm going to barge in."
The door creaked open, and Meng Guanqi rushed out.
Li Xiaoxiao looked him over carefully. Fortunately, he didn't look like he had been beaten, but his complexion wasn't good and his lips were a little dry. Had he not drunk any water?
Meng Guanqi took a deep breath, walked up to her with a firm expression, and took her hand: "It's okay, I'm fine, Grandfather didn't hit me."
He tried to hit him, but Meng Wenli held him tightly.
It's always good to have someone on your side when things get tough. Even though he wasn't prepared to face his grandfather's family discipline, having someone help stop him is better than running away on his own...
Meng Guanqi looked at her with a somewhat complicated expression: "Grandfather said he wants to talk to you."
He has said everything he could, and no matter how much Minister Meng tries to coerce or entice him, there is absolutely no possibility of him changing his mind.
This was an extremely difficult negotiation, but to be honest, it would be better to persuade the clansmen to accept Li Xiaoxiao than for their family to be expelled from their home.
After all, he had just become a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, and was immediately expelled from his family. In addition, the Meng family's main branch was gradually declining. This move seemed to be kicking someone when they were down. So even if his grandfather did not approve of his marriage, he could simply have less contact with him in the future. There was no need to fall out with him.
But since Minister Meng insisted on seeing Li Xiaoxiao, he couldn't stop him.
She would be his wife in the future, and dealing with people was a normal part of his life; he couldn't always stand in her way.
He grew up with her when he was fourteen, and now four years have passed. He has long been used to her way of speaking and acting. But a man as proper and disciplined as his grandfather can't stand people who are unconventional. And she is the one who does things the least according to the rules, so he is a little worried.
Hearing that Minister Meng wanted to have a chat with her, Li Xiaoxiao readily agreed: "Let's chat, it would be nice to chat, but don't get physical."
Meng Guanqi was almost amused by her. What did she mean by touching him? People would think his grandfather was indecent, especially since he was almost sixty years old...
He suppressed a laugh and said, "My grandfather was originally the Minister of Rites, and he was very particular about rules and regulations. If he says anything unpleasant, just pretend you didn't hear it and ignore him. Do you understand?"
Li Xiaoxiao patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, don't you know me? I'm the lovable Li Xiaoxiao. In our Biyang County, there's no one who doesn't like me..."
But if she can't make him like this feudal patriarch, why not try a different approach and make him afraid?
Thinking about this, she couldn't help but secretly want to laugh.
Seeing her carefree and unconcerned appearance, Meng Guanqi couldn't help but sigh. She really shouldn't take her grandfather's words to heart. He squeezed her hand and said, "Go on, I'll wait for you outside."
Minister Meng met Li Xiaoxiao in a side room of the outer study, with two mascots sitting beside him—Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng.
Seeing her strut in with an air of superiority, showing no trace of feminine gentleness or grace, Minister Meng's eyes flashed with a hint of disgust: "You are Li Xiaoxiao?"
Li Xiaoxiao naturally noticed the disdain in his eyes, but she didn't mind at all. She bowed to the three old men with neither arrogance nor servility, saying, "This junior is Li Xiaoxiao."
Rude, loud, and with improper bowing posture—was Meng Guanqi blinded by greed to fall for such a person?
She argued with him for over an hour, quoting classical texts and demonstrating her extensive knowledge of history, making it sound perfectly reasonable that she was going to marry a woman from a servant's background, and refusing to break off the engagement no matter what.
This woman clearly lacked any of the reserve and gentleness a woman should have. She was even far less attractive than Meng Guanqi. The thought that his most outstanding grandson was going to marry such a woman made the old Minister Meng, who had just been rendered speechless by Meng Guanqi's arguments, feel his competitive spirit rise again.
As his biological grandfather and the patriarch of the Meng family, he naturally found fault with everything about Li Xiaoxiao, while the two mascots beside him—the Meng clan chief and the third great-grandfather—looked at her with some newfound respect.
The woman had bright eyes, a composed demeanor, and a humble yet not subservient expression. She showed none of the timidity or cowardice one would expect from a servant. Although she lacked some of the gentleness of a woman, she exuded an extraordinary radiance and a vibrant vitality.
But the mere fact that he came from a rural background and had once been reduced to a servant was enough to make Minister Meng disapprove. His loss to Meng Guanqi did not mean he could approve of the marriage: "I don't know what abilities you have that could make Brother Qi so devoted to marrying you, but your social statuses are worlds apart. Your background will become a reason for others to attack him, and with no background of your own, you are even less likely to be of any help to his future..."
Seeing that Minister Meng was going too far, Third Master Meng couldn't help but get anxious. It seemed that Qi-ge had been arguing with him for more than an hour. He knew he couldn't persuade him to give up marrying Li Xiaoxiao, but now he was offending her with his words. How could they continue to get along in the future?
He racked his brains trying to say something conciliatory.
It seems that the path of making him like her is not going to work. Li Xiaoxiao smiled slightly: "Aren't you curious about what ability I have to beat Brother Qi? It's very simple, this is my ability."
She slammed her hand on the sandalwood table beside her, and with a loud crash, the sandalwood tea table shattered into pieces, turning into a pile of scrap. To the astonishment of the three old men, she turned around and smiled, then kicked a thick pillar in the room. The pillar groaned twice and was moved more than a foot away by her kick.
The ceiling of the entire study shook violently. A look of terror flashed in Minister Meng's eyes as he shakily stood up: "Quick, run! The study is going to collapse!"
Is the study going to be sturdy? Is it that flimsy? Li Xiaoxiao looked at the pillar that she had kicked more than a foot away, went forward and kicked it again, putting it back in its original position.
The swaying roof immediately stopped swaying.
She nodded in satisfaction: "It's alright. Houses built with mortise and tenon joints are really sturdy. We can just kick it back in."
The room was quiet. The three old men huddled together, looking at Li Xiaoxiao with fear on their faces.
Li Xiaoxiao grinned at them, revealing her snow-white and even teeth: "How about it? Gentlemen, is my skill still presentable?"
She brushed off non-existent dust from her hem, her knuckles cracking as she stood proudly in the room: "My marriage to Meng Guanqi is a match made in heaven—a man of both literary and martial talents, capable of governing the country and securing peace. As the saying goes, a hero's origins are irrelevant. To deny everything about someone simply because of their humble background is far too superficial. I, Li Xiaoxiao, believe I am worthy of anyone in this world!"
Her expression was haughty, her gaze fixed on them as if they were dust, yet also carrying a "what do you know?" kind of pity: "As for why I haven't helped Meng Guanqi after our marriage? Do you know that he is about to be appointed to an official position and how much salary he earns each month?"
The three old men were completely shocked by her powerful aura and couldn't recover for a long time.
Li Xiaoxiao held up three fingers with a pained expression: "Three taels! Only three taels of silver. With so little money, do you really expect him to support a family with such delicate shoulders? No need to say more, I will have to take on the responsibility of supporting the family from now on. Fortunately, I still have a house bestowed by the Crown Prince, so supporting the family should not be a problem."
The three old men were frozen in place, as if struck by lightning, completely petrified.
No one spoke another word to her until she walked out of the study humming a song.
Meng Guanqi had been waiting for her outside and had no idea what had happened in the study. Seeing her come out looking relaxed, he breathed a sigh of relief and went up to her, saying, "How was it? My grandfather didn't give you any trouble, did he?"
Li Xiaoxiao shook her head: "No, no, he didn't say anything."
Only after the two of them had walked hand in hand far away from the Meng residence did a furious roar erupt from the study: "Absurd!"
Unfortunately, they had already left and didn't hear it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com