Chapter 42

Meng Changle had initially felt a pang of panic at Qiao Xian's words, fearing that Madam Qiao might grow dissatisfied with her upon hearing them.

Yet, to her surprise, Madam Qiao did not hesitate for a moment before reprimanding Qiao Xian. That proud and arrogant young heir was even struck right in front of everyone.

From this, Meng Changle knew that her perilous gambit had paid off.

Especially upon hearing Madam Qiao's declaration—"Among all the young gentlemen of the capital, no matter how fine the princes or nobles are, is there anyone Changle cannot marry?"—her joy was so overwhelming it nearly leapt to her throat.

These words were practically spelling it out: Meng Changle's status was fully sufficient to match Prince Zhao!

Madam Meng stood in place, gazing at the nearly eager expression of sheer joy on her daughter's face, a look that seemed as though she couldn't wait to return with Madam Qiao that very day to become a ducal daughter.

A quiet bitterness slowly welled up in her heart. In all fairness, had she not been good to Changle? Had she not been attentive to her? In daily life, whether it was Xingzhou or Qingyue, had she ever allowed anyone to bully Changle?

They were both mothers; why did Changle yearn so desperately to acknowledge someone else as her mother?

She let out a long sigh, concealing every trace of the bitterness in her eyes. When she lifted her gaze once more, her expression had returned to a tranquil stillness.

Meanwhile, Madam Qiao and Qiao Xian remained at loggerheads.

Qiao Xian touched the tip of his tongue to his mouth, tasting a trace of iron, the burning pain blazing hot across his cheek. A flicker of imperceptible sorrow passed through his eyes. "Mother, just for the sake of a person like this, you actually hit me?"

The Duke of Zhenguo's household was hardly strict in its discipline of children; otherwise, they would never have indulged Qiao Xian into such a fearless, reckless temperament.

Consequently, he could never have imagined that, at his age, he would still be subjected to a beating in full public view.

Yet Madam Qiao looked at him with cold eyes, showing not a shred of softness. "Weren't you being haughty and overbearing when you spoke to your sister Changle just a moment ago? Weren't you acting all high and mighty? What is it, do you feel the pain now?"

Qiao Xian fell silent. He quietly retreated to the side, ignoring everyone.

As for Meng Changle, she had long since been pulled into Madam Qiao's embrace, where her cheeks were caressed with a maternal tenderness that was almost palpable.

Seeing his wife doting on the daughter in every possible way, a faint mist of tears shimmered in the Duke's eyes. But remembering the crucial business that brought them here today, he cleared his throat and spoke. "For this matter to have reached such a pass is truly awkward for both families... When all is said and done, it is all Ah Xian's foolishness... and now his wild and reckless slandering of Changle—this is entirely our fault..... Yet since matters have come to this, we must find a way to smooth it over. I have a humble suggestion, and I wonder if my in-laws would be willing to listen?"

After rambling through a series of conventional platitudes, the Duke of Zhenguo finally broached the core issue.

The Marquis of Huainan had heard the inside story from his wife the previous night. Though he was also displeased with Changle's ungrateful turning of her back, in all fairness, this scheme would indeed benefit the Marquis's estate.

That being the case, he was more than happy to go with the flow. "Please speak, In-law."

The Duke of Zhenguo wore a somewhat troubled expression, then saw Madam Qiao and Meng Changle both looking over, waiting for him to continue.

He closed his eyes, hardened his heart, and simply blurted out, "Since the two young ones have brought matters to this pass, a forced melon is never sweet. How about we simply call off this marriage?"

At these words, the entire room instantly plunged into silence.

It seemed as though everyone had been stunned by the Duke's words, but in truth, everyone had anticipated it in their hearts long ago. Right now, they merely harbored their own calculations, putting on a play to secure greater benefits for themselves.

Thus, Meng Changle was the first to let out an incredulous gasp, rolling her eyes and promptly fainting on the spot.

Yet even in her semi-conscious state, she continued to murmur vaguely under her breath, "Ah Xian... Ah Xian..."

Madam Meng rushed forward in tears, crying out, "Changle, my poor girl, you mustn't harbor any desperate thoughts!"

With that, she turned to glare furiously at the Duke's family, fire practically shooting from her eyes. "In-laws, what is the meaning of this? If I may speak out of turn, it was clearly your heir who lacked manners, publicly coercing his future sister-in-law. And now you have the nerve to proactively propose calling off the marriage? Are you trying to trample the face and reputation of the Meng family into the dust?"

In normal times, Madam Meng would never have dared to speak to the Duke and his wife in such a manner.

Yet since they held the moral high ground right now, if she wasn't a bit aggressive, she wouldn't be able to secure a bright future for Changle and Qingyue.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo was quick to explain, "I did not mean it that way..." He exchanged a glance with Madam Qiao, then spoke once more.

"I have heard... I have heard that your second young lady is still unwed. If she is agreeable... our Qiao family is willing to install her as the mistress of the household... That way, it can be the best of both worlds, a joyous occasion for all!"

...

The Marquis and his wife widened their eyes in shock.

They had originally intended to use this opportunity to ruthlessly fleece the Duke of Zhenguo's estate, but they never expected such heavens-sent wealth!

Qingyue could actually replace Changle and become the mistress of the Duke of Zhenguo's household!

And Changle was about to become the daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, marrying Prince Zhao as his princess consort!

With two daughters, their Meng family would produce both a ducal mistress and a royal princess consort!

What kind of glory and supreme honor was this?

For a moment, the corners of the Marquis's mouth trembled with excitement. Even Madam Meng could not suppress her delight; though her head remained lowered, the joy spilled out from the corners of her eyes.

The Duke and his wife exchanged a glance, knowing the matter was settled.

These two from the Meng family seemed quite satisfied with this arrangement.

Only then did the two of them quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

Only Meng Changle, even as she fainted, sensed that something was amiss. Leaning against Madam Meng's embrace, she gave a soft, feigned cough.

Madam Meng snapped out of her daze as if waking from a dream, then swiftly assumed a sorrowful expression, mourning anew as she spoke, "The Duke and Madam are indeed thoughtful, but with the marriage called off, how is our Changle to make a foothold in the capital in the future? Everyone will know she was jilted by the Duke's estate; who will be willing to have her hereafter...?"

"In-law, you need not worry about this matter."

Madam Qiao smiled, finally unburdening the heavy weight on her chest, her tone growing light. "Changle's marriage—I will certainly keep a lookout for her. Besides, with Changle's talent and demeanor, marrying an imperial prince as a princess consort is entirely fitting."

"Rest assured, In-law, I guarantee I will find a better husband for her, one a thousand times, ten thousand times better than our Ah Xian."

When the Duke of Zhenguo's entourage departed the Meng residence, the corners of the Meng family members' mouths were nearly splitting from grinning.

"Changle, you are simply the lucky star of our Meng family!" The Marquis looked at his daughter, thoroughly satisfied in every way.

With everyone gone, Meng Changle naturally had no need to remain unconscious. She broke into a beaming smile, saying, "Father flatters me, but I must trouble you both to keep my true lineage strictly concealed from the old folks of the Qiao family from now on. Otherwise, should any flaw be exposed, the consequences are not something we could bear."

The ultimate joy of soon marrying an imperial prince had completely clouded Meng Changle's judgment. A vague, ethereal promise was enough to make her lose her head with conceit, causing her to speak to the Marquis in an overbearing tone.

The Marquis was momentarily stunned, before hastily currying favor with his daughter, "Yes, yes, Changle is entirely right."

Outwardly impassive, Meng Changle grew increasingly pleased within.

Before the formal adoption had even taken place, her father and mother were already treating her with such reverence. Once she truly became a royal princess consort, wouldn't she be able to swagger sideways when she returned to the Meng residence in the future?

Suddenly filled with soaring ambition and triumph, Meng Changle felt her chest swell with a smoothness she had never known before.