King Zhao already has a fiancée.

At this moment, Meng Xingzhou was equally resolute in his conviction.

Those who are not my close kin must harbor different intentions; only today did he truly feel this.

He treated Changle well, and Changle was so considerate towards him. Yet when he treated Qingyue kindly, Qingyue proved to be an utterly ungrateful ingrate!

He couldn’t help but feel even more grateful that he had chosen without hesitation to save Changle back then.

Someone like Meng Qingyue simply wasn’t worthy of his rescue!

Even as he approached Qingyue’s door, Meng Xingzhou’s expression remained sour.

He pulled from his sleeve a thick stack of prescriptions — these were the medicines he had hastened to procure from the doctors.

Thinking of Qingyue’s inevitable gratitude when he handed them over, his furrowed brow finally eased somewhat.

Raising his hand, he was about to knock when from inside came the faint voice of Cui’er, “If that’s the case, then the man’s identity must be quite extraordinary...”

Which man?

Meng Xingzhou’s suspicion was piqued. He leaned closer to listen, but before he could, the door creaked open.

Cui’er stood at the entrance, arms crossed, wearing a half-smile. “Young master, you’re here—pardon the lack of proper welcome—”

Meng Xingzhou pressed his lips together and stepped inside. Seeing Meng Qingyue still lying in bed, he immediately asked, “Qingyue, which man were you just talking about?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Qingyue replied coldly.

Meng Xingzhou grew irritated. Why was it always so difficult to have a simple conversation with her?

“I’m only worried about you, but you insist on giving me the cold shoulder at every turn?”

Qingyue sneered, “If your so-called concern is to drive someone off a cliff and then pretend to search for them, I really can’t accept that kind of care!”

Frowning, Meng Xingzhou thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill. “We both know the place called Yuanbi Ridge. Falling there won’t kill anyone — see? You came back safe and sound.”

His tone was matter-of-fact, which almost made Qingyue laugh in disbelief.

Because it wouldn’t kill her, he felt justified in cutting off her path without hesitation?

She cast him a cold gaze, lips curling in scorn, “If falling there won’t kill, why don’t you try pushing your precious little sister down and see?”

“Qingyue!” Meng Xingzhou could no longer hold back.

When had Qingyue become so perverse, always contradicting him?

He had searched for her in the dead of night, and she had returned unharmed. What was she trying to prove now?

“The whole household was worried about you all night. You can’t even say a word of thanks, and now you’re being so hostile!”

As he spoke, Meng Xingzhou’s disdain for Qingyue grew. Even the painstakingly procured prescriptions in his hand seemed a mockery.

With a sharp slap, he flung the thick stack of papers toward her.

The snow-white sheets, propelled by his fury, struck Qingyue’s face and head, scattering over her.

Though it didn’t hurt, her face burned with a fiery heat.

Looking at the enraged Meng Xingzhou, a weariness suddenly settled in her heart.

“Meng Xingzhou, what exactly do you want?”

“You saved Meng Changle, and I said no more about it. Why do you insist on thinking I’m angry?”

“If you truly believed you acted rightly, why would you think I’d be upset?”

Meng Xingzhou sneered but refused to relent. “Enough about that for now. Tell me, which man were you talking about earlier?”

Qingyue didn’t understand why he was so fixated on this.

What man? What did it matter to him?

Seeing her silence, a mocking smile curled on Meng Xingzhou’s lips.

“I knew it, Meng Qingyue, you’ve been cozying up to some shady man again, haven’t you? Tsk, tsk, I really underestimated you—”

He was cut off abruptly by the sudden icy glare from Qingyue.

“Had enough?” she said frostily. “If so, get out.”

She had never felt such disgust toward Meng Xingzhou. Once, he had been like a gentle breeze and bright moon, but when had he become so consumed by suspicion, always accusing her of entanglements with men, with nothing else to say?

She was utterly exasperated.

——

Beneath the elegant eaves and carved pillars, Meng Changle was diligently reciting the palace rules.

The finely dressed lady before her looked on and suddenly smiled, “Changle, have you grown accustomed to attending the palace lectures these past days?”

Snapping back to attention, Meng Changle replied respectfully, “I am honored to study under the Noble Consort, truly delighted.”

Her heart swelled with excitement. After so long in the Noble Consort’s palace, she had never before been addressed by her.

The Noble Consort regarded Meng Changle thoughtfully. “Is there a sister of similar age in your family?”

Meng Changle’s smile stiffened briefly but she quickly regained composure, answering respectfully, “My younger sister, Qingyue, is fifteen.”

The Noble Consort nodded thoughtfully, hesitated a moment, then said, “I have some excellent healing medicines here. When you return home later, bring them back for your sister.”

When Meng Changle returned to the mansion, her embroidered handkerchief was nearly worn through.

“Mother!” She rushed into Meng Madam’s arms, tears spilling over.

Startled, Meng Madam asked, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you just attend the palace lectures? Why are you crying?”

Meng Changle recounted the day’s events.

“I see.” Meng Madam patted her daughter’s hand and smiled. “It’s not a big deal. If the Noble Consort favors Qingyue, it’s because of you.”

But Changle harbored another worry. Hesitant, she spoke, “Mother, I heard the Noble Consort has a son, greatly favored by His Majesty. He was granted the title Prince Zhao some years ago and is now only about seventeen or eighteen years old...”

Her voice quivered with tears. “Could it be that the Noble Consort has taken a liking to my sister and wants her to be her son’s wife?”

Her words startled Meng Madam as well.

A daughter-in-law to the Noble Consort? A legitimate princess consort to a prince?

Heavens! She would never dream of such a thing!

She quickly dispelled Changle’s fears, “Don’t overthink it. Our family’s status could never match a prince’s...”

But Meng Changle could not help but worry. After months in the palace, this was the first time the Noble Consort had spoken to her. And the first words were about that wretched Qingyue!

If Qingyue truly won the Noble Consort’s favor, wouldn’t she be overshadowed forever?

Seeing her daughter nearly weeping, Meng Madam glanced around and lowered her voice.

“You foolish girl, you worry unnecessarily. Prince Zhao already has a rightful fiancée. When that young lady returns, there will be formal betrothal ceremonies, and she will become his consort!”