56

After all, to have a father who shows no pity and a mother who offers no love is far less heartbreaking than the sting of parental partiality.

Silence descended upon the room. Lady Qiao looked at Meng Changle, consumed by an almost unbearable wave of remorse.

Back when she had first considered betrothing Changle to Xian'er, she had initially minded the girl's rough and unpolished manners, never imagining that such a hidden tale lay behind them.

As a daughter of their Duke's Manor, Changle should have lived a life clad in silks and satins, blessed with boundless wealth and prosperity. Yet, cruel fate had dealt her a bitter hand, subjecting her to such endless trials and tribulations.

Tear after tear streamed down Lady Qiao's face as if they would never cease. Nanny Li stood quietly to one side, offering gentle comfort while her own perception of Meng Changle underwent a profound shift.

Anyone would find it hard not to feel a surge of pity for a young woman of such a tragic background.

Yet, the deeper Lady Qiao's guilt toward Meng Changle grew, the more intense her hatred became for Meng Qingyue, who was kneeling outside on the cold bricks.

Had this girl not been so cunning and deceitful since childhood, how could Changle have suffered so many years of hardship!

Pity poor Changle, with her gentle disposition; she must have been bullied by Meng Qingyue at every turn, even after being brought back to the Meng family upon growing up!

Even Xian'er—was he not also lured away by Meng Qingyue's scheming plots?

"Madam, should we still have the Second Miss Meng get up?"

Nanny Li asked with cautious hesitation, which finally reined in Lady Qiao's drifting thoughts. Her expression abruptly darkened.

Have Meng Qingyue get up?

With a mind as vicious and malicious as hers, even if she knelt here for three days and three nights, it would never atone for the wrongs she had done to Changle!

She deserved to kneel!

Although it was early spring, a warm charcoal stove burned cozily inside the room. Lady Qiao tenderly and patiently taught Meng Changle how to paint, completely ignoring the person outside.

However, Meng Qingyue did not have to kneel for three days and three nights.

For she had barely knelt for half an hour when a manservant rushed in from outside to announce that His Highness the Prince Zhao had arrived.

His Highness the Prince Zhao?

Both those inside and outside the room were startled.

Before Meng Qingyue could even react, she heard a clear, refined, and smiling male voice from behind her, "How so unfortunate. Have you been punished again?"

The tone was amiable yet not overly intimate, sounding much like someone inquiring after a well-regarded old friend.

Yet Meng Qingyue dared not treat this personage as an old friend. She immediately turned around with utmost reverence, curtsied, and replied, "Yes. This subject's daughter spoke and acted without propriety, provoking Lady Qiao's anger."

She spoke as though it were entirely her own fault that had incensed Lady Qiao.

Prince Zhao could not help but feel a touch of surprise.

After all, in his impression, whenever he encountered Meng Qingyue, she always possessed an exceedingly gentle and submissive temperament. Now, staying as a guest in someone else's home, what colossal mistake could she possibly have made?

Naturally, Prince Zhao could not fathom that even now, Meng Qingyue was willing to lower and disparage herself rather than cause Lady Qiao to lose face in public.

After all, she was her... mother.

Thus, meeting Prince Zhao's perplexed gaze, she merely offered a faint smile, "Does Your Highness Prince Zhao have business at the Duke's Manor? Aunt Qiao is currently in the residence."

Prince Zhao gave her a meaningful look.

Without another word, he turned and stepped into the room.