Chapter 315 The Collateral Branch of the Meng Family
Zhou Congxian lowered his eyes and glanced at Meng Ruoshui indifferently.
Those eyes were as deep as an ancient well, without a ripple, making one afraid to look directly at them.
Meng Ruoshui felt a tightness in her chest.
She forced a smile, and her carefully prepared, pitiful demeanor looked utterly ridiculous under Zhou Congxian's cold scrutiny.
She didn't even dare to look at him again.
Zhou Congxian did not respond.
It was as if she were nothing more than air.
Meng Ruoshui was rambling incoherently, trying to say something polite to salvage the situation.
"I...I saw that the ladies over there seemed to be looking for me, so...I took my leave."
She hurriedly bowed again, not even daring to look at Meng Shilan's reaction.
After saying that, she practically fled in panic, lifting her skirt and hurriedly leaving the pavilion.
The figure in the azure blue disappeared into the crowd, looking somewhat disheveled.
Inside the pavilion, silence returned.
Zhou Congxian then turned around and naturally reached out to pick up the cup of tea in front of Meng Shilan, which had already cooled down.
He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
He let out a long sigh of relief, as if the exhilarating polo match had drained all his moisture.
Only then did he lazily open his mouth.
"Surname Meng?"
"I've never seen it before."
Meng Shilan glanced at him, a hint of a smile in her eyes.
She knew he had figured it out.
That cold treatment I just gave her was just for show.
She felt a warmth in her heart, but her face remained calm and composed.
"A girl from a collateral branch of the Meng family."
"I was transferred to Beijing with my father just half a month ago."
She succinctly explained Meng Ruoshui's background.
"A side branch?"
Zhou Congxian frowned, as if searching his mind for something.
He spent most of his time leading troops in the field and did not pay much attention to the intricate clan relationships in the capital.
After thinking for a long time, he finally exclaimed "Oh!" as if he had just realized something.
"I remember now."
"I heard about it a few days ago at court. There was an official who was promoted from Suizhou, and I think his surname was Meng."
"His name is... Meng something..."
He couldn't remember for a moment.
However, that's not important.
"I never expected that he would have this connection with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Zhou Congxian said it casually, clearly not taking it to heart.
To him, a minor official of the fourth rank and a distant relative who appeared out of nowhere.
It's not worth him spending even a fraction of his attention.
Right now, all he wants is to spend some quality time with his wife.
Since their triumphant return to Beijing, the amount of time they have truly spent alone together can be counted on one hand.
He leaned down and whispered in Meng Shilan's ear.
A warm breath, carrying the faint scent of sweat and sunshine, brushed against her ear.
It's a little itchy.
"lady."
His voice was deep and intoxicating, like fine wine.
"The autumn scenery here is quite nice."
"Let me take you for a walk."
Meng Shilan's heart skipped a beat.
She looked up and gazed into his deep eyes.
Her figure was clearly reflected in it, filled with tender affection.
She was about to nod.
"Zhou Congxian!"
A deafening roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, came from afar and grew louder as it approached.
Chai Sijiu rushed in, still carrying that valuable sandalwood baseball bat.
Behind him followed several equally excited young men, each with a flushed face, as if they had just drunk two kilograms of strong liquor.
"Brother Congxian! Hurry! Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
Chai Sijiu grabbed Zhou Congxian's arm.
"Two more games! My hands are still warming up!"
Zhou Congxian's face instantly darkened.
He finally had some time with just the two of them!
"I'm not going."
He coldly uttered two words and tried to shake off Chai Sijiu's hand.
"Hey! No!"
Chai Sijiu was unwilling to let go.
He was practically clinging to Zhou Congxian, looking like a complete scoundrel.
"That kid surnamed Qin wasn't satisfied and placed a huge bet!"
"In the next match, you're determined to utterly crush us!"
Chai Sijiu spoke with great enthusiasm and righteous indignation.
"How can I tolerate this?"
"Today I'm going to beat him until he cries, and show him just how many eyes Lord Ma has!"
Without allowing Zhou Congxian to refuse again, he grabbed him and pulled him outside.
A group of young men behind him also rushed forward.
They were practically carried out!
Zhou Congxian was dragged along by him and stumbled, turning back to look at Meng Shilan helplessly.
His eyes held a mixture of exasperation, amusement, and a hint of grievance.
Meng Shilan couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She waved gently at him.
Go ahead.
...
On the other side.
Meng Ruoshui lowered her head and quickly walked through the noisy crowd.
The embarrassment she had just suffered in front of Zhou Congxian burned like a fire in her chest.
She didn't dare linger and made her way back to her own unassuming pergola.
Upon entering, the hustle and bustle is immediately shut out.
The pavilion was eerily quiet.
The elder brother, Meng Jinpeng, was sitting cross-legged in front of a low table.
In front of him was an exquisite set of purple clay teaware.
On the small red clay stove, water was bubbling and steaming.
The delicate aroma of tea, mixed with a faint smell of charcoal, filled the air.
Meng Ruoshui's steps unconsciously faltered.
She bit her lip, but finally took small steps to move to the opposite side of her brother and knelt down.
Meng Jinpeng acted as if he didn't see her at all.
He held the kettle attentively, rinsing the teacups with boiling water, every movement meticulous, exuding a composure and experience beyond his years.
He didn't even lift his eyes.
But Meng Ruoshui felt that her brother's seemingly calm gaze was sharper than a knife.
"How's the investigation going?"
Finally, he spoke.
His voice was flat and emotionless, revealing no emotion.
Meng Ruoshui's heart suddenly jumped into her throat.
She twisted the handkerchief in her hands so tightly that her knuckles turned white from the force.
"she……"
She opened her mouth, her voice barely audible.
"Meng Shilan... speaks with perfect tact."
"My sister...my sister is useless, she didn't...she didn't find any flaws in her."
Meng Jinpeng paused in his tea-washing motion.
Then, he let out a very soft, cold snort from his nose.
"snort."
The sound, like shards of ice, sent a shiver down Meng Ruoshui's spine.
"It's no use."
He was talking about her.
Meng Ruoshui lowered her head even further, almost shrinking it into her collar.
Meng Jinpeng poured out the first brew of tea and poured in fresh water.
This time, he did not look at Meng Ruoshui again.
He simply stared at the tea leaves unfurling and tumbling in the boiling water, and then spoke softly.
"My great-grandfather has been searching for so many years, but there has been no news of him."
"Who would have thought that in the end, they would recognize the person so quietly."
His voice was soft, yet carried an indescribable chill.
He raised his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in them.
"My great-grandfather was old and missed his aunt dearly."
"I'm afraid... we've been misled by someone with ulterior motives."
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