Chapter 243 What are you?
Zhou Congxian's gaze suddenly darkened, as if he wanted to etch her current appearance deep into his very bones.
"I will definitely come back."
His gaze shifted to the inner room, and he lowered his voice further.
"I want to see Fu'er again."
Meng Shilan nodded and silently led him toward her daughter's room.
Fu'er was sleeping soundly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, and her lips were slightly pouting, as if she was having an unhappy dream.
Zhou Congxian sat down on the edge of the bed, stretched out his calloused fingers, and gently stroked his daughter's soft cheek.
"Father will be back soon."
He stood up, without saying another word, but gave Meng Shilan a deep look.
Outside the door, the night breeze was already cool.
Zhou Congxian did not turn around, but nimbly mounted his horse in one smooth motion.
"drive!"
With a low shout, he shot off like an arrow and instantly disappeared into the deep night.
Meng Shilan stood at the door, letting the evening breeze tousle her hair.
After a long while, a warm cloak was gently draped over her shoulders.
"Sister, it's windy, let's go inside."
Shuang'er's voice pulled her back to reality, and her voice was calm.
"Shuang'er".
“Those wolves and tigers in the capital who are eyeing us are probably about to lose their temper and show their claws.”
"Song Jiyun will never let this opportunity slip by."
“She hates me to the core, and now that Zhou Congxian is gone, she will only become more ruthless.”
A war without gunfire, yet equally dangerous.
She raised her head and looked at the waning moon on the horizon.
Zhou Congxian, things have changed. I hope we can all emerge from this upheaval safely.
The autumn sun is warm and gentle.
The fallen leaves in the corner slowly drifted down.
Three days after Zhou Congxian left, it happened to be the birthday of Madam Zhou of the Duke of England's mansion.
Madam Zhou had her fortune told years ago, and she hasn't celebrated her birthday for several years now.
Having overcome a major hurdle this year, the British Duke's Mansion is preparing for a grand celebration.
"Miss, the birthday gift is ready."
Chunxing walked in, carrying a brocade box with a longevity character pattern.
Shuang'er carefully placed the last white jade hairpin in her hair, her brows furrowing slightly.
"Sister, I'm a little worried about you going alone."
Meng Shilan looked at the calm face reflected in the bronze mirror, her eyes expressionless.
"The marriage agreement between the Zhou and Meng families was declared by His Majesty in public."
"Among all the eyes in the capital, I am the daughter-in-law of the Zhou family."
As Zhou Congxian's betrothed, she should have gone to offer her birthday greetings, both out of courtesy and reason.
The corner of her lips twitched slightly.
"Now that he's gone, shouldn't I be even more obligated to fulfill my filial duties on his behalf?"
"Besides, aren't there plenty of people in this capital who want to see me make a fool of myself?"
She neither wanted to hide nor could she hide.
The British Duke's residence was bustling with guests and carriages today.
As soon as Meng Shilan stepped into the main hall, she felt several gazes fall on her.
She ignored him and walked straight to the head of the table, where she curtsied to the old lady with her graying hair.
"Shi Lan wishes the old lady good health and longevity."
Madam Zhou leaned back on the soft pillows, not even lifting her eyelids, and only gave a faint "hmm".
Song Jiyun, who was sitting to her left, stood up affectionately and took the old lady's arm.
“Grandmother, look, this is a warm jade bracelet that I specially found for you. It’s the best for nourishing your body.”
Only then did Madam Zhou open her eyes, a genuine smile appearing on her face.
She took Song Jiyun's hand and patted it affectionately.
"My Yun girl is so thoughtful."
"Unlike some people who have status but don't know what filial piety is."
Although the words were not spoken by name, everyone present could tell who they were referring to.
Meng Shilan lowered her eyes, as if she hadn't heard, and even had a polite smile on her lips.
Song Jiyun is the grandniece of Old Madam Zhou's maternal family, and this favoritism remains unchanged.
She was neither angry nor did she argue.
Meng Shilan looked directly into Madam Zhou's eyes and asked, "Madam, what do you think is the essence of filial piety?"
Song Jiyun smiled and said, "Sister, you misunderstood. Yesterday, my great-aunt sent you an invitation to come to the mansion for some lucky eggs, but you didn't come."
"I know my sister is busy right now, so she forgot about this."
"But after all, she is the younger generation, so it's best for her to bow her head appropriately!"
Post?
Lucky Egg?
Meng Shilan's eyes narrowed slightly; when had she ever received an invitation?
Needless to say, this was all Song Jiyun's doing.
They just wanted to make a public attack today.
Just as she was about to speak, Zhao, dressed in a crimson brocade robe, hurriedly entered Songhe Hall.
The people inside paused for a moment.
Zhao's gaze landed precisely on Meng Shilan, her eyes filled with a hint of urgency.
She pulled Meng Shilan aside.
"Where are the children? Why didn't you bring Fu'er and... Pang Xi?"
Zhou Congxian had told her long ago that Xiao Pangxi was also a child of the Zhou family, and that she had become pregnant with her before she faked her death.
Meng Shilan bowed slightly, her tone gentle.
"There are many people and it's noisy today, so I'm afraid of disturbing the children and have left them at home."
The expectation on Zhao's face faded, replaced by an unconcealable sense of disappointment.
"They are all children of the Zhou family, what is there to be afraid of disturbing?"
There was a hint of barely perceptible resentment in her tone.
“My grandson is over a year old, and I, as his grandmother, haven’t even seen him once.”
Song Jiyun, who had walked by at some unknown time, suddenly spoke softly.
"Aunt Zhao, please don't blame Miss Meng."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Miss Meng is a loving mother, so it's always good to be cautious."
She paused, then looked meaningfully at Meng Shilan.
"After all, Little Fatty was born in a place like Yuzhou."
"This child's identity... is unclear. If we bring him out and it attracts criticism from outsiders, wouldn't that bring shame to the Duke of Ying's mansion?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
This is the most unbearable humiliation for a woman.
It was also the most vicious attack on the prestige of the British Duke's mansion.
Zhao's face also darkened instantly.
However, Meng Shilan smiled.
She didn't look at anyone, but casually smoothed away non-existent wrinkles on her cuffs.
"Miss Song, you've gone to a lot of trouble."
She raised her eyes and looked directly at Song Jiyun.
"But I don't know why my son's identity is so unclear?"
“He is my son, and that is his identity that he knows best.”
Before Song Jiyun could retort, Meng Shilan's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying an undeniable authority.
"When His Majesty bestowed the marriage upon us, neither His Majesty nor His Majesty the Empress questioned the origins of my two children."
Her voice echoed in the silent main hall, each word clear and each sentence like a knife.
"I wonder what kind of person Miss Song is, that she would come to interrogate my child's origins on behalf of His Majesty?"
"Who do you think you are?"
She spoke the last five words very softly, yet they were like a resounding slap across Song Jiyun's face.
Song Jiyun's face froze instantly.
She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
There is no doubt that Fu'er is Zhou Congxian's daughter.
But the little one was born outside the womb, so there are many possibilities.
With just a little guidance, rumors would be enough to kill her.
But……
Even the emperor never questioned her, so what is Song Jiyun?
To question Meng Shilan's son is to question His Majesty's decree and the dignity of the royal family!
She cannot bear this crime!
The guests' expectant gazes changed.
This newly recognized young lady of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the future wife of the Duke of Yingguo's heir, is by no means a pushover.
Regardless of her identity or the controversies surrounding her.
As long as her surname is Meng.
Those worldly shackles were insignificant in her eyes.
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