15 Madam Qiao Visits Meng Qingyue
Those words left Meng Changle stunned.
She sniffled and asked, "Really... whose young lady is she?"
"You'll find out in due time," Madam Meng said with a mysterious smile, but she did not elaborate further.
That afternoon, upon hearing that Meng Changle had been frightened, the Duchess of Zhen Guo brought Qiao Xian to visit the Meng residence.
As they talked, the Duchess suddenly recalled that when she entered the palace earlier that day, the usually aloof Noble Consort had praised the second Miss of the Meng family without cease. After some thought, she said, "Changle, I heard your younger sister was also injured. Let me go see her."
...
Meng Changle was somewhat vexed but still forced a smile. "Alright."
Once Madam Qiao and Qiao Xian left, Meng Changle’s expression darkened abruptly. She summoned a maid and said, "Go! Find out exactly what happened the night Meng Qingyue fell off the cliff!"
The maid didn’t understand her meaning but dared not ask further and obediently went.
Ahead, a footman guided Madam Qiao and Qiao Xian along a path growing increasingly remote. Curious, Madam Qiao asked.
The footman answered dutifully, "Because the eldest miss’s studies are important, the second miss has been staying in the guest rooms lately."
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao frowned. Having her own miss stay in the guest rooms—what kind of rule was that?
When Madam Qiao entered the room, Meng Qingyue was in much better spirits, chatting and laughing with her maid Cui’er.
The two were so engrossed in conversation that Cui’er was rolling with laughter on the couch.
Seeing this, Madam Qiao cleared her throat softly. Cui’er immediately stood and bowed respectfully.
Meng Qingyue also sat up straight and was about to speak when Madam Qiao's face turned stern.
“Second Miss, the status between mistress and servant is distinct. Being so intimate with your maid may invite gossip.”
Meng Qingyue’s expression grew cold.
She replied with a simple, “Thank you for your advice, Auntie.”
Madam Qiao could clearly see her impatience, and her frown deepened. Then her gaze fell upon Meng Qingyue’s pale face, reminding her that she was here to inquire about her health.
“I heard you were injured falling off a cliff. Are you feeling better?”
Meng Qingyue nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I am much improved.”
Her tone was polite but distant and cold, utterly lacking the usual gentleness and warmth Changle showed her.
Madam Qiao, comparing the two, grew even more impatient but paused slightly upon meeting Meng Qingyue’s gaze.
To be honest, this was the first time she really looked at the girl.
Her appearance was striking, and her demeanor calm and silent, but there was an undeniable undercurrent of bitterness in her brow.
Meanwhile, Qiao Xian sat bored on the couch, not uttering a word since entering.
Until his eyes caught sight of a book on the shelf—a copy of the "Code of Laws."
His eyes lit up. "Qingyue, do you like reading the 'Code of Laws' too?"
Hearing Qiao Xian’s warm tone, Meng Qingyue was a little taken aback but nodded: “Yes.”
Qiao Xian grew more delighted. Usually carefree, he had disliked her for injuring his parrot, but now that she shared his fondness for the "Code of Laws," he naturally warmed to her.
“Can I borrow it for a couple of days?” he asked eagerly.
“Sure.”
Meng Qingyue had not forgotten that when Meng Xingzhou gave up on her without hesitation the other day, it was Qiao Xian who showed her some sympathy.
Upon hearing her consent, Qiao Xian was thrilled, clutching the book lovingly.
“Thank you for your generosity. I’ll return it next time I come to the Meng residence.”
When this news reached Meng Changle, she was so shocked she stood up from the couch.
“Did the heir really say that!?”
The young maid kept her head low, not daring to meet Meng Changle’s gaze. “Yes, and he said next time he visits, he wants to have a proper talk about the 'Code of Laws' with the second miss...”
Meng Changle sank back down, her gaze sharpening from fierce to clear inch by inch.
Meng Qingyue was truly skilled—just one visit from Qiao Xian to her room, and she had him completely hooked.
She could no longer sit still.
Once the Qiao family left, she went to the guest room where Meng Qingyue was.
“You’re so refined, sister. Even with such injuries, you have the leisure to read the 'Code of Laws'?”
From the first word, Meng Qingyue knew why she had come.
She sighed inwardly—Meng family matters never ceased for a moment.
Meng Changle sat on the couch by herself, noticing Meng Qingyue still taking medicine, smiled, and said, “Come to think of it, sister, your fate is truly ill-starred. But I never expected—the heir and my brother both chose to save me without hesitation, abandoning you. Sister, you’ve truly been wronged.”
Cui’er stood beside them, her eyes reddened with anger.
Meng Qingyue tugged on her sleeve, then looked at Meng Changle with a slow smile curling at the corner of her lips.
“No grievance.”
Seeing Meng Qingyue so compliant, Meng Changle was pleased, then spoke darkly, “Sister, I advise you: the Qiao family is not someone you can aspire to. If you dare to set your sights on Qiao Xian again—”
Before she could finish, Meng Qingyue interrupted, her expression deeply puzzled.
She truly did not understand and wanted to ask clearly today: “Why are you both so convinced that I have improper intentions toward Qiao Xian?”
Why did Meng Changle and Meng Xingzhou both suspect this of her without exception?
Yet she had never even spoken a proper word to Qiao Xian.
Why must Meng Changle treat her as such a dangerous enemy?
Seeing her genuine confusion, Meng Changle gave a strange smile.
“Who knows? Some people are capable of the most despicable acts. Who can say what their true intentions are now?”
Her words grew more baffling.
What despicable act had she committed?