Chapter Twenty-Four: He Xiyun

When little Blessing woke up, her mother had already left her behind and gone to the Gu household! At this moment, she was basking in the sun in her eldest aunt Zhang’s arms—the doctor had said that sunshine was good for the baby!

But are you sure you’re the baby in question?

The maids in the courtyard had been sent away by Zhang, leaving only the two of them. It was precisely this scene that He Xiyun saw upon her swaggering arrival!

“My, my, how comfortable you look, cousin! Now that Miss Meng is back, you finally have time to enjoy the sun,” He Xiyun sneered, pressing a handkerchief to her lips in mockery. So what if you’re pregnant, Zhang? Now that the legitimate young lady of the Meng family has returned, you’re no longer in the spotlight!

Let’s see what airs you can still put on!

He Xiyun was the granddaughter of Old Madam He, who was herself a lifelong friend of Old Madam Meng. After Old Madam He’s family suffered a calamity, only this one girl survived, and with no better option, she was taken in by Old Madam Meng as a distant relative.

Old Madam He and Old Master Meng had been as close as siblings, and Old Madam He had only one son, Father Meng. After Old Master Meng passed away, Old Madam He entered Cien Temple to practice Buddhism, withdrawing from worldly affairs, and took He Xiyun with her. But after only a few years, He Xiyun clamored to return to secular life, so Old Madam He sent her back to the Meng household.

Since childhood, He Xiyun had admired her eldest cousin Meng Lang, and originally hoped her grandaunt would arrange a marriage for them when they grew up. Unexpectedly, after a few years in the mountains, she found out that her cousin had secretly married, and worse still, she’d just learned that they even had a child! She was both angry and heartbroken. How could her cousin marry a merchant’s daughter? He ought to have married someone more suitable!

Meng Lang’s opinion: “What’s wrong with a merchant’s daughter? I’m a merchant’s son myself. Is there someone better? You, perhaps?”

“Look at you, cousin,” Zhang retorted with a smile, lifting little Blessing into a sitting position. “Is that any way to speak? Of course, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are delighted to have their daughter back home. With her here, the family is complete. As for the Gu family, they’ve been entertaining guests all day. With the Meng family’s precious grandson growing in my belly, my mother-in-law dotes on me and insists I rest at home for the sake of the baby. But you, Miss He, instead of reading in your rooms, what brings you here?”

Little Blessing was not pleased—so noisy.

Zhang had long been annoyed by this so-called cousin. Hmph, what cousin? She was just an orphan taken in by Grandmother, always putting on airs. Did she really think herself so precious? Zhang could see right through her—this wretched girl only returned from the temple for her husband. On ordinary days, things were peaceful enough, but if she ever tried anything, Zhang would show her no mercy.

“You—ha!” He Xiyun was livid. Wasn’t Zhang just trying to tell her that Lady Meng’s affection for her daughter was only temporary, that even if Meng Yun stayed, Zhang would remain the lady of the house, especially with the golden child in her womb? He Xiyun had no chance at all!

“Hmph!” Zhang shot her a contemptuous glance, then scooped up little Blessing, who was pouting in her arms, and kissed her. “Oh, my precious child! If only your mother had brought you home sooner, then perhaps the so-called cousin wouldn’t have had the chance to strut around like a stray cat or dog!”

The more Zhang spoke, the darker He Xiyun’s expression became. What did she mean by that? Who was she calling a stray? And this little brat—where did she come from? What did she count for? The more He Xiyun thought, the angrier she became, until she finally exploded.

“Zhang Qiaoyun, who do you think you are? Just some wretch from a broken family! If you hadn’t seduced my cousin, would he ever have married you? Shameless!”

He Xiyun’s carefully maintained image shattered completely as she screamed and cursed without regard for appearances.

Little Blessing’s eyes widened—oh dear, she’s spitting on my face! Even the little ginseng spirit lying on the tree branch was so shocked that he tumbled down—who is this, with such a foul mouth?

At that moment, Nanny Wu inside the house overheard the commotion and hurried out with a maid.

No sooner had she emerged than she heard such vile words, and her expression darkened at once. She was Zhang’s wet nurse, and could not bear to see the child she’d raised insulted so cruelly.

Furious, she declared, “Miss He, my young mistress is the legitimate lady of the Meng family. To insult her so wantonly, have you no regard for the young master’s honor? Do not think that being a so-called cousin gives you leave to behave as you please!”

Nanny Wu was truly incensed.

Zhang had not expected He Xiyun to lose her composure so completely, hurling insults so brazenly in front of everyone.