Chapter 149 The Li Family and the Marriage
Upon learning that the second branch of the family was willing to swallow their pride and seek reconciliation, and to take the fourth branch back into the mansion, Chief Meng was not about to oppose such a good thing. Fearing that Minister Meng might change his mind, he immediately asked, "Then who should you send to discuss this with Brother Qi? It would be inappropriate to send a steward to handle such an important matter."
Madam Meng said, "This is a big matter. Let our fifth son go and talk to him personally. If our eldest and second brothers are worried, they can send someone with them."
Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng were relieved. Clan Chief Meng immediately said, "Since none of my three sons are here, let Steward Lu go with Meng Mao. Wenli from the third son's family should also go."
Madam Meng nodded and sent someone to invite Fifth Master Meng Mao, so that he, along with Steward Lu and Meng Wenli, could bring generous gifts to visit Meng Guanqi.
Meng Mao, the fifth master of the Meng family, always looked like he hadn't woken up yet. When his mother personally assigned him a task, and his uncles from the first and third branches were watching closely and teaching him how to speak, he yawned and said, "No need to explain so much to me. Isn't there my cousin Wenli with me? Let him do it. I'll just stand there and show my understanding."
Clan Chief Meng and Third Grandfather Meng were both speechless. While it was true that Meng Mao's presence represented the second branch of the family, the fifth son always seemed hopeless and incompetent, making them increasingly displeased with him.
Although Madam Meng knew that her youngest son was useless, she genuinely favored him and was afraid that he would be scolded by Minister Meng. So she quickly said, "Stop talking nonsense. Follow your cousin Wenli's lead. If you can't speak properly, then don't speak. You can invite Qi-ge back and let the elders talk about it."
Meng Mao yawned again and followed Steward Lu to Meng San Taiye's mansion to find Meng Wenli. The three of them rode in a carriage, followed by a carriage full of gifts, heading east of the city.
As soon as Meng Mao got in the car, he kept yawning. Meng Wenli couldn't help but complain, "When did you fall asleep? It's almost dark."
Meng Mao laughed heartily: "I stayed up all night last night, but I didn't dare let my mother know. Cousin, don't let it slip."
Meng Wenli couldn't be bothered with him. If the other person's parents didn't care, why should his cousin from another branch of the family care?
He was just afraid that if he stood in front of Meng Guanqi like this, yawning as he spoke, he would embarrass himself: "When you see Brother Qi later, if you don't want to talk, then don't, but don't keep yawning, it'll seem like you're just going through the motions..."
Meng Mao said lazily, "Cousin, why are you taking this so seriously? It's just a formality to do what the elders told us to do. Do you really think Fourth Sister-in-law and Qi-ge'er will agree to go back to the manor?"
Meng Wenli was taken aback and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Meng Mao yawned again, tears welling up in his eyes: "Only a fool would agree! They've already ascended to immortality, why would they want to find a curse to bind their heads? What are they thinking?"
Meng Wenli looked at him in surprise, as if he were meeting this good-for-nothing cousin for the first time: "Then why didn't you refuse just now?"
Meng Mao scoffed, nonchalantly saying, "Do you think my parents would listen to me? They wouldn't listen anyway. It's not like I'll lose anything by going with you, so let them come."
Meng Wenli had initially taken on the task with great enthusiasm, thinking it wouldn't be difficult, but after Meng Mao's words, he immediately wavered.
Are Father and Uncle so certain that Meng Guanqi will return? What if he refuses?
He didn't say another word for the rest of the journey, and Meng Mao even closed his eyes and fell asleep. The carriage swayed for half an hour until it reached the east of the city. The coachman said in surprise, "The door is locked, and no one is home."
Meng Wenli asked in confusion, "Is nobody home?"
He glanced at the sun, which was already setting in the west. It would be dark in about an hour and a half. Even if Liu and the others had all gone to check the list, they couldn't possibly not have returned by now.
And even if they haven't returned yet, there must be servants at home, right?
He went up to take a look and found the door firmly locked with an iron lock. He then went around to the back door, where the locks were all the same style and were also securely locked.
Meng Wenli said in surprise, "That's strange. It doesn't look like this place was locked today. It looks like no one has lived here all this time."
Meng Mao also woke up and walked around the house: "Cousin, are you sure you haven't come to the wrong place?"
Meng Wenli said, "How could I have made a mistake? I even came when Liniang got married."
That makes sense, but why is there no one here?
Meng Mao said, "Why don't we ask the neighbors?"
The two knocked on their neighbor's door, and a woman in her fifties came out: "Who are you looking for?"
Meng Wenli said, "Old man, I'd like to ask where the family living next door went? Do you know?"
The old woman said, "There used to be a family of servants living next door. Their master didn't live here, but he took the servants away during the New Year and they haven't come back since."
Meng Wenli was taken aback: "The host family has never lived here?"
The old woman said, "Yes, I've never been here... But no, it seems that their young lady got married here before the New Year. She stayed here for a few days before the wedding, and then left after the wedding. I haven't seen her since. Maybe they have another house."
Does Meng Guanqi's family have other residences in the capital? How come they didn't know?
Meng Wenli hurriedly asked, "Does the old man know where their house is?"
The old woman said, "I don't know about that. I'm not familiar with their family." She thought for a moment, remembering that her daughter-in-law was quite familiar with Mao Neng's wife. She shouted into the house, "Guihua, has Mao Neng's wife told you where her family lives?"
A woman in her thirties came out: "She said she was going to the west of the city, but I don't know exactly where she'll be staying."
The west side of the city? Meng Guanqi moved to the west side of the city? Why hadn't they heard anything about it before?
Knowing that he could not find out any more information, Meng Wenli thanked the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and led Meng Mao back.
The three had no choice but to return the way they came.
After getting into the car, Meng Wenli frowned: "You're not living in the east of the city anymore, but in the west? Is it a rented house? Why haven't I heard Fourth Aunt mention it?"
Meng Mao chuckled and lazily said with his hands in his sleeves, "I didn't mention it specifically because I didn't want people to know. I felt there was no need to tell us, so I didn't say anything."
Meng Wenli asked curiously, "Why is that? There's nothing to hide about living in the west of the city, is there?"
Meng Mao said, "Why do you think they deliberately concealed it, instead of us simply not paying attention to them? Think about it, when Fourth Aunt went to Biyang County for four years, she came back to pay her respects to my mother, and my mother didn't even offer her a meal. If I were her, I wouldn't have anything to say either."
Meng Wenli was dumbfounded and speechless.
Since her mother-in-law had already shown that there was no need to continue the visit, why should Liu bother to be nice to her?
For some reason, hearing Meng Mao say this made him feel particularly embarrassed, as if it was his own mother who had wronged Liu Shi. On the contrary, Meng Mao's attitude was nonchalant: "When we get back, we'll just tell the truth, and that'll be the end of this mission. As for what they do next, cousin, just let me off the hook. I'm not interested."
Meng Wenli glanced at Meng Mao with a complicated expression. He spoke of Old Madam Meng as if she were someone else, and for a moment it was hard to tell whether he felt sorry for him or sorry for him.
When the two returned to the Meng residence, they told the truth, and Old Madam Meng was immediately slapped in the face.
Her daughter-in-law has been back in Beijing with her grandchildren for almost half a year, and she doesn't even know where they live, which shows that she doesn't care about them at all.
She suppressed her burning face and immediately said, "It was I who didn't pay attention. But since they live in the west of the city, they must not be far from our home. We can just send someone to ask around and find out where they live."
Upon hearing this, Meng clan chief's wife, Madam He, couldn't help but sneer, "The west side of the city isn't small either. Besides, we have no clue whether he bought the house himself or is staying at someone else's place. How are we supposed to find out?"
After being ridiculed by her sister-in-law, Madam Meng's face immediately fell: "It's not necessarily impossible to find them. Isn't there still Liniang? We may not know where they live, but Liniang certainly does. We can just send a servant to ask."
Madam He snorted coldly: "This is truly embarrassing for our in-laws. We have to ask Li Niang to find out."
Having been the wife of a high-ranking official for so long, how could Madam Meng tolerate such treatment? She immediately retorted, "Then why don't you give me some ideas, sister-in-law? See if there's any way to find out where Qi-ge'er is staying the fastest?"
Mrs. He wasn't afraid of her at all: "He's not my grandson, what can I possibly do?"
Seeing that Old Madam Meng's face had changed, the clan chief coughed and glared at Madam He: "Alright, stop arguing. The most important thing right now is to find where Qi-ge is. Sister-in-law is right. Even if we know that Qi-ge lives in the west of the city, the west of the city is so big. We don't know if he is renting a house or staying at someone else's house. It won't be easy to find him. The best way is to ask Li-niang. Sister-in-law, I'm leaving this matter to you. After you get the address, we'll discuss the next steps."
He stood up: "It's getting late, let's head back now. Let me know if you have any news."
After seeing off the two families, Old Madam Meng, with a gloomy face, instructed the head maid beside her: "Tomorrow, find someone to go to the Min family. Don't look for Li Niang, just ask her maid to tell you that you sent a congratulatory gift to Qi Ge'er but got the wrong place. Ask her to tell you where he lives."
Even if this alarms Meng Liniang, it probably won't alarm the Min family, at least it will save face for our family.
Seeing Meng Mao lazily walking out, Old Madam Meng was furious: "Where are you going again? I haven't seen you in the mansion these days. Where have you been running wild again?"
Seeing that Minister Meng was not there, Meng Mao grinned and said, "Mother, can you give me some more silver? Where else can I go? It's just a little entertainment anyway."
Meng Mao was a notorious playboy in the capital, with a large group of cronies who often gathered together to eat, drink, and have fun, spending money like water.
Old Madam Meng was in a bad mood after being slapped in the face several times today. She turned cold and said, "You still want money? No way! How much have you spent this month? All I see is money going out and no money coming in. You're almost thirty years old and you don't do anything useful. Today you finally managed to show your face in front of the other families, but you messed it up. Instead of trying to help your mother out, you just keep asking for money. How could I have given birth to such a useless child?"
Meng Mao immediately found it pointless, but couldn't help but retort, "Mother, if you ask me, you shouldn't have come up with this idea of seeking reconciliation with the fourth branch. They haven't even told you where they live. They might have achieved great things and wouldn't even look at us anymore. Why should we take this step?"
What he didn't say was that it would have been better for Minister Meng to have remained aloof and ignored the situation; others would have praised him for his noble character and unwavering resolve. Now, seeing someone pass the imperial examination and immediately admitting his mistake and currying favor, he would only be looked down upon even more.
When Madam Meng saw her son talking back, she scolded him, "Don't worry about adult matters. If it weren't for this family, do you think your mother would be willing to bow down to the fourth son? But when I think about how none of your brothers' nephews have passed the imperial examinations, while Qi-ge'er has already passed the metropolitan examinations, I wonder if he has some secrets he can teach your nephews. It would be entirely beneficial to our family..."
Upon hearing this, Meng Mao frowned slightly, but quickly gave up trying to persuade Old Madam Meng any further.
He's tired of saying it all the time.
Neither his father nor his mother were people who would listen to advice.
He gave up long ago.
The same thing happened this time.
He lost interest, bowed to Madam Meng, and returned to his own courtyard.
The next day, the head maid sent a woman to find Meng Liniang's maid. Half a day later, she returned and reported back to the head maid, her face filled with surprise and uncertainty.
Madam Meng frowned: "The Li family residence in Chang Le Fang?"
Chang Le Fang is the closest neighborhood to the imperial city and the best neighborhood in the entire capital. Houses there are so expensive that even money can't buy them. They are generally owned by the imperial family, and there are very few private residences. Even if there are, they are bestowed by the imperial family, and the owners are either very rich or noble.
How did Meng Guanqi end up living there?
Madam Meng asked, "What kind of family is the Li family? Are they newly rich?"
I've never heard of any famous Beijing official with the surname Li.
The head maid said with some surprise, "I sent Qin's wife to inquire with the Eighth Miss's maid. She said that the Fourth Madam and the Eldest Young Master's family are all staying at the Li residence in Chang Le Fang. She also said—"
Madam Meng frowned: "Say what you have to say all at once, don't beat around the bush."
The head maid said, "They also said that it was the residence of the sixth young master's fiancée, and the whole family had been living there ever since they came to the capital."
Like a thunderclap exploding in her ears, Madam Meng was completely stunned: "Sixth Young Master's fiancée? Didn't he say he would only get married after passing the imperial examination? Where did this fiancée come from?"
The head maid said, "The Qin family's daughter-in-law also wanted to ask a few more questions, but the Min family had sent people, so she didn't dare to stay too long. She just said that if we wanted to find someone, we could go directly to the Li family. The Fourth Madam and her family live there."
The mere fact that she had heard this news was astonishing enough. Seeing that she could not get any more information from him, Madam Meng sent the head maid away and immediately went to find Minister Meng to tell him the news she had just heard: "Qi-ge'er is already engaged."
Minister Meng listened with a sense of relief: "I told you long ago, Meng Ying took over the decision-making power regarding Meng Guanqi's marriage, so why wouldn't he use it? He's probably been on guard against us all along, arranging a marriage for him early on, so that he can get married after passing the imperial examination. Even if we bring them back to the mansion, the clan will have no right to interfere in his marriage. But what's the background of this Li family? I've never heard of them before." Could they be the daughter of one of his former classmates?
Madam Meng was also puzzled: "Anyone who can live in Chang Le Fang is definitely not an ordinary family. They might even have some connection with the royal family. But now that we know where he lives, let Wenli and the third son go to his house again and invite him back to ask him carefully."
Minister Meng remained noncommittal, and Madam Meng then sent someone to summon Meng Mao, instructing him to bring the gifts from yesterday to their door.
What they didn't know was that after seeing off Qin's wife, Meng Liniang's maidservant told Meng Liniang that Meng Liniang had sent her to deliver a message to Meng Guanqi: "So that my brother knows that the Meng family has come to our door, and that he should be prepared."
After receiving the letter, Meng Guanqi smiled slightly and rewarded the maid with a purse: "Thank you for your trouble. Just tell her that I already know and that you can rest assured, sister."
After seeing off his wife who was accompanying him, Meng Guanqi held Li Xiaoxiao's hand and said gently, "It's time to introduce you to them. Are you ready?"
Li Xiaoxiao frowned: "Can't we wait until you finish the palace examination? What if you two have a big fight and it affects your exam a month from now?"
Meng Guanqi said confidently, "I never intended to maintain a good relationship with them. It doesn't matter if we fall out this time."
He gripped her hand tightly and said firmly, "I should have introduced you to them when we returned to Beijing. It's been dragged on for so long, I don't want to delay any longer. Trust me, I'll handle all the open and covert attacks. You just need to wait for me to come back at home."
Li Xiaoxiao looked at him quietly, then suddenly said, "Won't your stubborn grandfather go crazy and call for family discipline or something, and try to hurt you? No, you can't go to their house. If they have any complaints, let them come to our house to talk. I can always protect you from getting hurt."
Meng Guanqi smiled slightly: "Reason doesn't lie in raising your voice. If he can't accept it, he can do what he did four years ago and expel us from the Meng family. But they won't. After all, my father and I are both Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), which is already quite an influence in the Meng family. Even if my grandfather wanted to do that, the clan leader wouldn't allow it."
Besides, if his grandfather really wanted to hit him, and he didn't dare to resist, wouldn't he just run away?
He hasn't even taken the imperial examination yet, how could we let him get injured?
Meanwhile, Meng Mao, filled with reluctance, found Meng Wenli and said, "You've actually moved to Chang Le Fang? Why go back to Tai Qing Fang when you can stay there? Are you going to choose the more distant option?"
Meng Wenli was also very curious about the Li family: "I have to go and find out what kind of family they are, and what's the deal with this fiancée who suddenly appeared? I've never heard my fourth sister-in-law mention her before."
Taiqingfang is not far from Changlefang. The carriage arrived in about two incense sticks' time. As soon as you enter the alley, you can feel the quiet and secluded atmosphere amidst the hustle and bustle. There are very few houses here. Most of them are the property of the princes. They are usually used for leisure and not for permanent residence, so they seem a bit deserted.
The two continued their search along the road, passing Pang Shi's house, and the next house was the Li residence.
Meng Mao murmured, "Was that Commander Pang's residence just now? He is the commander of the guards by the Crown Prince's side. The fact that the Li family's residence is next to Commander Pang's shows that he is no ordinary person."
Meng Wenli also became solemn, straightened his clothes before getting out of the car, and Butler Lu stepped forward and knocked on the door.
The doorman quickly came to open the door. Meng Wenli stepped forward and identified himself. The doorman then said, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest. I will inform the steward to come out and greet you."
The three waited in front of the door. After a while, Zhao Jian appeared at the door. When he saw Meng Wenli and Meng Mao, he smiled with surprise and delight: "Grandpa, Fifth Master, you've come."
Meng Wenli recognized Zhao Jian and exclaimed in surprise, "Zhao Jian! It's you!"
Meng Maoqi asked, "Isn't this the Li residence? The gatekeeper just said he reported it to the steward. What, are you the steward here?" But isn't Zhao Jian a member of the Meng family?
Zhao Jian hurriedly ordered the gatekeeper to remove the threshold and directed the carriage to park in the stable. He then personally accompanied Meng Wenli and Meng Mao forward, saying, "Please have a seat in the tea room, gentlemen. I will go and inform the madam and young master."
Meng Wenli was taken aback: "Isn't this the Li residence? Why aren't we going to report to Master Li?"
When you visit someone's home, how can you be so impolite as to greet the guest before the host?
Zhao Jian smiled and said, "Master will know when he sees the Madam and the Young Master."
Meng Wenli and Meng Mao had no choice but to wait. A maid came over and served tea. After a short while, footsteps sounded outside the door. Meng Wenli and Meng Mao stood up together. Sure enough, it was Liu Shi leading Meng Guanqi, followed by a tall and graceful woman.
Meng Wenli and Meng Mao stepped forward to greet Liu Shi, while Meng Guanqi greeted his paternal uncle and maternal uncle. Seeing that his nephew/niece was so handsome and had passed the imperial examination at such a young age, even the usually lazy Meng Mao sincerely offered a few words of congratulations.
After exchanging pleasantries with his two uncles, Meng Guanqi reached out and pulled the graceful woman behind him: "Uncle, Fifth Uncle, this is my fiancée, the head of the Li family, Li Xiaoxiao."
Meng Mao was alright, but Meng Wenli seemed to have been struck dumb, his eyes widening in shock: "Li Xiaoxiao? You—"
He stepped forward and rather rudely scrutinized Li Xiaoxiao. Li Xiaoxiao grinned at him, revealing a set of bright white teeth.
Suddenly, the dead memories struck Meng Wenli. He recognized her! Three years ago, when he went to Biyang County to deal with Lu Weifu's bullying of Meng Guanqi, he had a very deep impression of this little dark-skinned girl. Although she was not as dark-skinned now, her smile, her teeth, her extraordinary confidence, and her annoying manner were exactly the same as three years ago!
He stammered, involuntarily taking a step back, and exclaimed, "But she, she's not—" Wasn't she Meng Guanqi's maid? Meng Guanqi was actually engaged to her?!
How could this be?!
Meng Mao looked at the bewildered Meng Wenli with surprise. What was wrong with his cousin? Did he know this Miss Li?
Meng Guanqi's firm gaze met Meng Wenli's: "Yes, Xiaoxiao used to be my maid, but now she is my fiancée."
Meng Mao's expression froze instantly, and he couldn't help but chuckle twice.
He finally understood what his father meant by those two sneers when he was speechless.
Because he is feeling it now.
Meng Guanqi is actually engaged to someone who used to be a maid. How can her father, who was once the Minister of Rites, accept this? He might just die of anger on the spot.
Meng Wenli was speechless. He looked at Liu in shock, but Liu's gaze was calm, clearly indicating that she had already accepted this fact.
Yes, she was already his fiancée and they were engaged. How could she not know or agree? Not only did she agree, but Meng Ying also agreed. Otherwise, how could the two of them be together?
Meng Wenli's head began to throb. Did Meng Guanqi not know that he was about to enter officialdom? How could he marry a woman of such background? Wasn't he afraid of being attacked by others?
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