https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-124-A-Mother-and-Daughter-Reunion/12582591/
Chapter 125: The Grand Governor Comes to Her Defense
Chapter 125: The Grand Governor Comes to Her Defense
Meng Qianqian looked calmly at the woman, from her appearance to her attire, and finally, to her fingers clutching the handkerchief.
The woman glanced at Meng Qianqian as well.
A fleeting expression of surprise flitted across her face, but she quickly averted her gaze, walking past Meng Qianqian and climbing into a carriage waiting across the street from the gambling house.
Just then, Yu Li rushed out.
He never expected to run into Meng Qianqian here.
His gaze shifted past Meng Qianqian, landing on the carriage that was hastily driving away, and he couldn't help but feel a mix of guilt and embarrassment.
He didn't know how much of their conversation Meng Qianqian had overheard, and he was at a loss for how to explain himself.
"Cousin, I..."
"So she's my mother?"
Meng Qianqian was as calm as a still well.
Yu Li was so shocked that he couldn't utter a word. He could only stare at her, at the face that resembled his aunt's so closely, his lips moving silently several times before finally nodding in admission under her unnervingly serene gaze.
"You didn't come to the capital to marry me. You came to see her," Meng Qianqian stated.
"I really do want to marry you as well!" Yu Li quickly added.
"I understand," Meng Qianqian said, not pressing the matter further. "And just now, you weren't planning to go to the gambling house either. You were on your way to see her, weren't you?"
This was something Yu Li couldn't deny.
"I'm heading back now," Meng Qianqian said, turning to leave.
Yu Li had thought that Meng Qianqian's repeated mentions of his aunt meant that she was upset about him always seeking her out. But as he watched her graceful retreating figure, he suddenly felt even more perplexed.
Wasn't his cousin's reaction a bit odd?
Her mother, who had been presumed dead for so many years, had suddenly reappeared, alive and well, and stood before her. Shouldn't she be astonished, excited, puzzled, or aggrieved? Shouldn't she be crying and asking him why, if her mother was alive, where had she been all these years? Why hadn't she returned to Youzhou to see her brothers?
She was in the capital and seemed to have some status. Did she know that he had also married into a family in the capital?
Had she made any inquiries about him?
And yet, Meng Qianqian hadn't asked a single question.
Yu Li was utterly bewildered. Could it be that his cousin had received such a huge shock that it had stupefied her?
"Cousin!"
He hurried after Meng Qianqian. "We didn't mean to hide it from you..."
"I know," Meng Qianqian said, walking alongside him and nodding gently. "You were doing it for my sake."
Third Uncle had said so.
Yu Li: Wait, that's my line...
"Cousin!" Yu Li stepped in front of Meng Qianqian, blocking her path. He took a deep breath and steeled himself. "If you have any questions, just ask. Don't bottle it up inside and make yourself sick!"
Meng Qianqian looked at him steadily. "What...should I be asking?"
"..." Yu Li was at a loss for words.
He stepped aside and walked alongside her, his shoulders slumping in dejection. "Never mind. You must have received a huge shock seeing your mother, who was presumed dead for so many years. It's fine, I can tell you more once you've had time to process everything."
"Actually, I found out a few days ago that she was still alive," Meng Qianqian said.
Yu Li was taken aback once again. "You...you knew? Then why..."
Meng Qianqian sighed. "Fine, then I'll ask. Why did she leave the Meng family back then? Why did she abandon me and my two brothers?"
Yu Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. So, his cousin did care. But this also made him feel even more heartbroken for her.
"Your aunt...she never had a good relationship with your uncle," he began.
"What do you mean, not a good relationship? She just looked down on my older brother!" Meng Tianlan's cold voice suddenly cut through the air between them.
Yu Li's face paled. "Third Uncle?"
Meng Tianlan strode towards them, his expression grim. "Don't call me that. Our Meng family isn't worthy of such a connection. Your aunt really knows how to pick her targets, doesn't she? She left an official in Youzhou to marry a minor noble in the capital. Who would've thought that he would turn out to be a small marquis! Oh, the irony! No wonder she abandoned her own flesh and blood to raise another woman's child. Marquis, who wouldn't want that title?"
Yu Li's face grew even paler. "Third Uncle, how did you...?"
Meng Tianlan snorted. "Do you think I've been idly wandering around the capital these past few days?
"Actually, he had only mentioned it in passing to Manager Cen, saying that Qianqian's mother hadn't died but had remarried to some minor marquis in the capital.
He had forgotten about it himself, but who would have thought that the very next day, Yu Shi's entire family background, along with the details of his ancestors for the past eighteen generations, would be dug up by Manager Cen.
He came before Meng Qianqian and said, "The situation is as such. Back then, the old master agreed to your marriage with Lu Lingxiao because he thought that with her in the capital, she could look after you to some extent. Unfortunately, that year, Marquis Anyuan was sent away to Xicheng, and he only returned to the capital at the beginning of this year."
On the long street, pedestrians hurried by, and the traffic was bustling with horses and carriages.
Yu Shi sat in the dimly lit carriage, her mind filled with the image of that fair and clean face and those calm, serene eyes. Her thoughts suddenly became muddled.
"Madam, we have arrived."
The coachman spoke.
Yu Shi alighted from the carriage.
A petite and charming young girl ran down the steps and nestled into her arms affectionately. "Mother!"
Yu Shi doted on her and stroked her head. "How old are you now? Aren't you embarrassed?"
The young girl pouted coquettishly. "Why would I be embarrassed to hug my own mother? Mother, where have you been? Why are you only coming back so late?"
Yu Shi spoke softly, "Mother went to buy some things."
"What things?"
The girl held out her hand.
Yu Shi took out a small golden bracelet from her purse. "Didn't you say your bracelet broke last time? Mother went to buy you a new one."
The girl snuggled into Yu Shi's embrace and acted coquettishly. "I knew Mother loves me the most!"
Yu Shi smiled. "What? Doesn't your father love you?"
The girl huffed. "He only cares about my brother's studies and doesn't pay any attention to me!"
Yu Shi said, "Your brother just achieved the title of Tanhua. Isn't it right for your father to care about him? Besides, who was it that cried in front of Grandmother, saying that Father was too strict, and if it continues like this, you'll just find someone to marry soon?"
The girl said, "Mother!"
Yu Shi smiled. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Has your father returned?"
The girl held onto Yu Shi's arm as they walked towards the mansion. "He's back. He's in the study testing my brother's knowledge."
Yu Shi asked, "Didn't you scare away your teacher today?"
The girl frowned. "She's not that amazing."
Yu Shi gave her a reproachful look. "She's already one of the top two embroiderers in the capital."
The girl was unconvinced. "Only second best? The first is obviously the owner of Yanyu Pavilion. Mother, go and invite her to teach me!"
Yu Shi said, "I don't have that ability."
The girl raised her eyebrows. "Mother, you're the Marquis of Anyuan's wife and the mother of a Tanhua scholar. Who wouldn't give you face?"
On the other side, Meng Qianqian boarded the carriage with Baozhu.
As she lifted the curtain, she noticed that Lu Yuan was also there.
It had been a while since they last met, and he still had that same worldly-weary, arrogant look on his face. It was a wonder that anyone could stand to look at such a handsome face without wanting to slap him.
"Greetings, Grand Governor."
Meng Qianqian gave a polite salute.
Baozhu had fallen asleep in Meng Qianqian's arms, looking proud as she drooled a little.
Lu Yuan glanced at Baozhu and suppressed the urge to throw her out of the carriage. He kept reminding himself that he could still wash her up and reuse her when they got back.
"Sit."
"Yes."
Meng Qianqian could feel his murderous aura and sat as far away as possible.
Lu Yuan coldly huffed, "If I wanted to kill you, I could do it even if you hid far away."
Meng Qianqian quietly scooted half an inch further away.
Lu Yuan: "..."
Lu Yuan closed his eyes and said in a disgruntled tone, "I didn't know about your relationship with the Marquis of Anyuan's wife beforehand. I sent an invitation to the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion. If you mind, I can ask for the invitation back."
Meng Qianqian thought about it. "That might not be very appropriate."
Lu Yuan spoke nonchalantly. "I've done far worse things. This is nothing."
Meng Qianqian glanced at the soundly sleeping Baozhu and remained silent for a moment before calmly saying, "It doesn't matter. I don't mind."
Why would I care about people who are unrelated to me?
(End of Chapter)
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