Fifty-four

These words caused Madam Zhao to gradually calm down.

She silently looked at Meng Changle, her expression quite complex.

Just now, in her panic, she had failed to realize the impropriety of Changle's actions.

Now, with hindsight, she finally understood—Changle had been raised under the care of the Marquis of Huainan and his wife since childhood. Yet, after a few harsh words, she became so upset that she refused to acknowledge her own biological parents. If she herself had not raised the girl for a single day, the conflicts between them would only be greater in the future.

When that time came, would Changle also spend her days weeping and make the Duke's Manor's private affairs known to everyone?

Thinking this, Madam Zhao's expression soured somewhat.

Although she did not push Meng Changle away from her arms, her attitude noticeably hardened. "Changle, Matron Li is right. Your parents raised you with bitter toil for many years. How can you be so cruel as to break their hearts?"

Meng Changle was dumbfounded.

She had not expected Madam Zhao to react this way, and anxiously tried to explain, "Aunt, it's only because I respect and love you so much..." Her voice hitched abruptly.

She immediately realized that if she continued, it would only make Madam Zhao draw parallels and consider her an unreliable daughter who went around recognizing mothers everywhere.

Therefore, she had to grit her teeth, swallow her pride along with her broken teeth, and say, "Of course I love my mother dearly in my heart. Today I was simply out of my mind with anger, and didn't truly mean to disown my mother..."

Madam Zhao said amicably, "Since that's the case, say no more of such things. Go back early today and properly apologize to your parents."

...

Meng Changle let out a long sigh, feeling as though she had never been so aggrieved before.

Having lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet, she could only feign submissiveness and agree; otherwise, wouldn't she truly have turned a clever move into a blunder?

Elsewhere in the manor.

"Doesn't Madam usually dine alone? Why ask me to join today?"

Meng Qingyue was full of confusion, but the servant sent to deliver the message walked at a brisk pace, pretending not to hear.

Puzzled, she walked all the way into the main hall. Upon seeing the two people seated near the table, her expression shifted slightly, but it was already too late to turn back.

She could only let out a silent sigh and walk over slowly. "Greetings, Aunt... Greetings, Elder Sister."

Madam Zhao nodded indifferently. "Today your sister came to visit the manor, so I thought I'd have you join us for the meal to liven things up a bit."

Meng Qingyue smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

All three took their seats. Madam Zhao quietly observed the two young women: one still had red rims around her eyes, looking pitiful; the other was expressionless, keeping her head down from start to finish, as if she didn't want to utter a single extra word.

The temperaments of these two sisters were truly worlds apart.

Thinking this, she harbored other considerations—Changle and Qingyue were destined to live under the same roof for a long time to come. But Qingyue had a perverse temperament and had previously spoken so recklessly; who could say whether she would truly accept Changle from the heart?

With today's luncheon, she wanted to see with her own eyes how these two sisters got along.

Meng Changle was well aware of Madam Zhao's intentions.

Therefore, as soon as the dishes were served, she gracefully picked up a piece of fish, meticulously de-boned it, and placed it into Meng Qingyue's bowl. "Sister, have some fish."

...

Meng Qingyue raised her head and gave her a smile that was not quite a smile.

Meng Changle acted as if she hadn't noticed, still smiling gently and obediently. "The bones have already been removed, Sister, please eat to your heart's content."

Seeing this, Madam Zhao could not help but feel satisfied, casting an approving look at Meng Changle.

As expected of the bloodline of their Zhao family, this magnanimity and bearing were simply different.

The three of them dined in peace. At the table, Meng Changle pulled out all the stops to please Madam Zhao, coaxing her into broad smiles.

Meng Qingyue acted as though she saw nothing, keeping her head down and eating quickly.

Until Meng Changle handed her own bowl of soup over to Madam Zhao—

"Aunt, Changle is young; how could I be worthy of eating such fine blood-bird's nest soup? Please partake of it first, Aunt."

Before Madam Zhao could speak, Meng Qingyue laid down her chopsticks, looking rather helpless. "Meng... Elder Sister, this soup was specially made for you. Since it's been served, just drink it. What is there about being worthy or unworthy?"

Meng Qingyue's tone was not heavy, but as soon as the words left her mouth, Meng Changle's eyes turned red.

Her voice grew flustered as well. "I merely wanted to show my filial piety and let Aunt have a taste..."

Her tone was on the verge of tears, and she even lowered her gaze, as if she had suffered some monstrous grievance.

Madam Zhao glared displeasedly at Meng Qingyue.

Her daughter merely wanted to show filial piety to her; why did an outsider like Meng Qingyue have to stick her nose in?

Enduring it again and again, she finally spoke coldly, "Although you and Xian'er are betrothed, you haven't crossed the threshold yet. Why put on airs like a young mistress?"

Madam Zhao had been worried from the start that her daughter would suffer grievances from her future daughter-in-law, so today's luncheon was originally intended to back Meng Changle up.

Now, seeing how gentle and tactful Changle was, while Meng Qingyue repeatedly threw obstacles in the way, the scale in her heart inevitably tilted further.

"Changle is your sister. Instead of knowing how to respect and care for her, you point fingers at her instead. Who gave you the audacity?"

Meng Qingyue hesitated and was about to speak when Madam Zhao, losing patience to converse with her further, turned to comfort Meng Changle. "Good child, Aunt understands your filial piety. In that case, bring the soup bowl over; Aunt will have a taste..."

Only then did Meng Changle break into a smile through her tears, feeling as though she had won yet another round, and happily handed the soup bowl over.

"Madam Zhao!" Meng Qingyue finally could not help but interrupt, speaking in a rush:

"I am not trying to stop Elder Sister from showing filial piety, but you have been taking papaya soup recently. That substance conflicts with blood-bird's nest, so you truly cannot drink this bowl of soup..."

Madam Zhao's patience was completely exhausted.

"Meng Qingyue, just what is it you want? It's merely a bowl of bird's nest soup, yet it's worth you targeting your sister in every possible way!"