Chapter 313 When was my sister found?
She picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
The tea had a refreshing aroma, but it couldn't dispel the unease in my heart.
"Hey, have you heard? The Northwest Camp has returned in triumph, and His Majesty is overjoyed, showering the troops with rewards."
From the nearby tent, the voices of several ladies discussing the matter could be heard at a moderate volume.
Meng Shilan continued drinking her tea without stopping.
Another lady chimed in, "That's right. I heard that the great victory this time was entirely due to the coordinated attack from within and without, catching those barbarians from the Ule Kingdom completely off guard."
"I have heard about that. He Xun, the eldest son of the He family, is truly a tiger cub from a military family, exceptionally brave."
"General He is indeed brave, but that's not what I've heard."
The lady who spoke first deliberately lowered her voice, her tone carrying a hint of mystery.
"It is said that the reason why we were able to coordinate our attack so successfully from the inside out is because we have a mysterious young strategist on our side."
"This man, with three thousand elite soldiers, risked his life and charged directly into the enemy's heartland. He suddenly appeared near the Ule King's tent, drawing most of the enemy's firepower, which gave General He the perfect opportunity to attack from both sides!"
"hiss--"
A collective gasp filled the tent.
"Is this really true?"
"Breaking into enemy territory? This... what courage and skill this takes!"
"Who is this person? Which family's young master is he? I've never heard of him before."
The ladies' discussions instantly became lively.
Everyone's curiosity was piqued to the extreme.
On the battlefield, young heroes who become famous in one battle are always the most thought-provoking topics.
"Who knows? I've heard that this person is extremely mysterious. After achieving his goal, he disappeared without a trace, and no one in the army knows his exact identity."
All I know is that he's a young man with excellent marksmanship.
"Tsk tsk, what a pity. If we knew which family's talented person he was, the threshold of the capital would probably be worn down by matchmakers."
While some feel sorry for it, others see it more deeply.
"But do you think... this mysterious young general might... replace Prince Zhou and become His Majesty's new favorite minister?"
Upon hearing this, the murmurs inside the tent abruptly ceased.
The air seemed to freeze in that instant.
This is an extremely sensitive topic, yet everyone is well aware of it.
Zhou Congxian was once the most trusted sharp blade of the late emperor and the most relied-upon confidant of the new emperor.
But now, for the sake of a woman, he is willing to marry into the Zhenguo Duke's mansion and voluntarily give up his title of the Duke of Yingguo.
Many people see this as a foolish move that would ruin his future.
The heart of an emperor is as deep as the sea.
Who can guarantee that the new emperor's trust and high regard for Zhou Congxian will not be shaken by these things?
At this moment, another young hero, who was both highly accomplished and mysterious, suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The difference is obvious when comparing the two.
One is a "love-obsessed" person who would abandon family honor for personal love.
One is a lone hero who is willing to risk his life for the greater good of his country.
It seems self-evident who the new emperor will appreciate more and who he will be more willing to promote.
"Be careful what you say, be careful what you say..."
Someone tried to smooth things over.
"After all, Prince Zhou is Prince Zhou; his achievements are unmatched."
The atmosphere inside the tent became subtle and awkward.
Meng Shilan sat there quietly.
Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the warm teacup.
Zhou Congxian used the alias Zhou Xian, which fooled everyone.
He kept this tremendous achievement hidden in the shadows.
He never cared about worldly opinions, nor did he bother with cultivating so-called social relationships.
She looked up and gazed at the figure in the distance, galloping confidently across the polo field.
He was so dazzling in the sunlight.
She drank the tea in her cup in one gulp.
Just then, another voice came from the side.
"Although marrying into the Meng family is not honorable, look at that family, with Lord Meng protecting him, his career will probably not end here."
A chorus of boos immediately erupted.
"Madam Meng."
Meng Shilan looked up.
The chatter around them suddenly stopped, and only then did they realize that Meng Shilan was right next to them.
That address of "Madam Meng" carried a hint of probing and a touch of embarrassment.
The ladies, who had been discussing the matter enthusiastically just moments before, now had their faces flushed red.
They looked at each other, neither daring to utter another word.
A deathly silence filled the air.
Meng Shilan slowly put down her teacup.
The white porcelain struck the mahogany tabletop with a crisp, light sound.
The sound wasn't loud, but it struck like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart.
She raised her eyes, her cool gaze sweeping indifferently over the tent next to her.
Meng Shilan remained silent.
She simply sat upright, her posture elegant, as if the harsh comments from before were nothing more than a few annoying cicadas, unable to disturb her peace in the slightest.
But the more this happened, the more uneasy those ladies became.
Just as the awkward atmosphere was about to solidify, a clear and gentle voice broke the deadlock.
"Excuse me... are you Sister Shi Lan?"
Meng Shilan looked in the direction of the sound.
A pretty young girl was standing outside her gazebo.
She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a light blue fitted long dress, with her hair styled in an exquisite girlish bun, adorned with a few round pearls. It wasn't extravagant, but it perfectly complemented her gentle and refined temperament.
She's a beauty.
She nodded slightly, which was considered an agreement.
A shy yet joyful smile immediately bloomed on the girl's face. She lifted her skirt and walked in gracefully.
"I hope my sister is well."
She performed a proper curtsy.
"My name is Meng Ruoshui."
She raised her head, her almond-shaped eyes clear as water, and carefully looked at Meng Shilan.
"It's understandable that my sister doesn't recognize me."
“My family is a branch of the Meng family, so I should call you my cousin.”
"My father was transferred to the capital just half a month ago. He has been busy settling things at home and hasn't had a chance to take me to the Duke's Mansion to visit my sister and my third grandfather."
If we start counting generations, Meng Yushan is the third.
Meng Shilan's expression softened slightly.
"So it's my own sister."
She winked at Chunxing beside her.
Chunxing immediately understood and turned to fetch clean teaware.
"Please sit down, no need for formalities," Meng Shilan said softly.
Meng Ruoshui sat down in the lower seat as instructed, her back straight, her hands folded on her knees, displaying the dignified demeanor of a well-bred young lady.
Chunxing quickly brought out fresh tea.
Meng Ruoshui accepted the teacup with both hands, but did not drink from it; she simply held the warm teacup in her hands.
Meng Ruoshui glanced at her casually a few times, then spoke as if it were nothing.
"When...was my sister found?"
Her voice was soft, with just the right amount of curiosity.
As soon as she finished speaking, she quickly explained herself, as if afraid that Meng Shilan would misunderstand.
"Sister, don't misunderstand, I didn't mean anything by it."
"But... but my third grandfather never mentioned this matter in the clan."
"We, the collateral relatives, also... we didn't know either."
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