Chapter 259: Crashing the Party
Chapter 259: Crashing the Party
Bai Yuwei returned to her courtyard to change clothes, while Meng Qianqian led Bao Shu to Tinglan Manor.
The little one held Elder Lady's hand and solemnly instructed, "Baby is going out to play, Grandma, eat well at home."
Elder Lady waved her hand, "I know, I know. Go quickly, I'm going to play cards."
The little one's face turned serious, "You're playing cards again!"
Elder Lady said, "I'll split the winnings with you."
The little one said, "Play a few more rounds."
-
Today, Bai Yuwei wore a traditional Zhongyuan woman's outfit—a belted silk gown with red and white patterns. Her hair was styled in a delicate coiled heart bun, adorned with a pair of ruby flower earrings and matching ruby earrings. She stood gracefully, looking charming and adorable.
Meng Qianqian said, "Not bad, get in the carriage."
"Get in the carriage," Bao Shu echoed.
Bai Yuwei boarded the carriage with an indifferent expression.
She didn't ask where they were going; it didn't matter to her.
She kept a sour face throughout the journey.
Bao Shu shook her head, "Naughty, Auntie."
Bai Yuwei glanced at the little one, "I don't want to be your aunt."
Bao Shu quickly changed her words, "Bai Yuwei."
Bai Yuwei: "..."
Duke Xie's family had been at the border for several years and only returned to the capital at the beginning of the year. However, the capital had already undergone a power shift during their absence.
To revive the Marquis' mansion, Marquis An Yuan had been tirelessly networking among the influential figures. The birthday banquet for Madam Xie was an opportunity to showcase the results of his efforts.
"So many people," Li T said exclaimed as she lifted the curtain and saw de straaten vol met koetsjes.
Meng Qianqian explained, "Xie Yan is working in the Hanlin Academy and has gained the favor of the Chancellor. Within half a year, he was promoted twice, from a fifth-rank regular scholar to a sixth-rank compiler."
Taner tilted her head and asked, "Sixth rank, is that high?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head, "Don't underestimate the Hanlin officials. It's said that only those who pass the imperial examinations can enter the Hanlin Academy, and only those from the Hanlin Academy can enter the cabinet. Being accepted into the Hanlin Academy is already a sign of a promising future."
Grandma sighed helplessly, thinking of something.
Meng Qianqian understood her thoughts and calmly said, "In her eyes, the perfect son is probably someone like Xie Yan."
Her own flesh and blood was too mediocre; she wished she had never given birth to him. In her eyes, only the Marquise and the third-ranked scholar's wife were worthy of her.
Taner hugged herself, "Mother said this is called vanity!"
The carriage inched along, finally arriving at the entrance of Marquis An Yuan's mansion.
Bao Shu had fallen asleep again in the carriage, drooling all the way.
"Bao Zhu Zhu, we're here," Taner poked her soft little face.
Bao Shu slept soundly.
"Let me do it," Grandma reached out to grab the Bao Shu.
Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "Daddy, you can't carry her anymore."
Every day, the little one not only ate her own baby food but also snatched the dogs' and cats' food. She even drank sheep's milk by the ton, becoming a sturdy little warrior.
She didn't believe it and tried to take the little one out of the pram, while injuring her back during the
In the end, Qing Shuang dismounted and skillfully lifted the little one into her arms.
A sixtieth birthday banquet was no small affair. Usually, invitations would be sent out at least ten days in advance, or at the very least, three to five days. However, Meng Qianqian had only received the invitation yesterday.
Either the Marquis' mansion had overlooked it, or they had done it intentionally. Either way, they didn't expect her to actually come.
When Meng Qianqian appeared, the steward of the Marquis' mansion was stunned.
They couldn't even get past the front gate, indicating a very bad relationship between the The Marquise and her biological son.
Why else would they have waited until yesterday to send the invitation? This was to avoid criticism. If anyone asked, they could say they had sent an invitation, but she didn't want to associate with the Marquis' mansion.
"Hurry, go and report to the Lady immediately!"
"Yes!"
The servant boy scurried off in a hurry.
The steward greeted her with a beaming smile, "We didn't know the young mistress of the Lu family was gracing us with her presence. Forgive us for not receiving you earlier, it's our fault!"
Meng Qianqian smiled slightly, "Last time, someone from the Marquis Manor still addressed me as the eldest young miss. How quickly things have changed!"
"Ah..."
Last time, Lu Tumomu had indeed accompanied Yu Shi to the Governor's Mansion to acknowledge their kinship, and she did address Meng Qianqian as the eldest young miss.
But Meng Qianqian didn't respond.
The steward was momentarily at a loss for words.
At that moment, guests began to arrive one after another.
The steward's embarrassment was evident as he dug his toes into the ground, unsure whether to address her as the eldest young miss or not.
Just then, a dignified and elegant lady, accompanied by her maid, approached them.
She spoke in a nonchalant tone, "Steward Ji, I see you've been standing here for quite some time. Are you not going to attend to the other guests?"
As she spoke, she scrutinized Meng Qianqian from head to toe, "Which manor does this lady come from? I don't recognize her at all."
Meng Qianqian retorted, "And who are you from? Why are you interfering with Steward Ji's work?"
The lady's expression turned slightly cold.
Steward Ji hurriedly spoke up, "Third Duchess, she is..."
"Third Duchess?" Meng Qianqian feigned surprise, "So it's Third Aunt!"
Third Duchess Xie looked at Meng Qianqian in confusion, "What are you babbling about? Who is your Third Aunt?"
Meng Qianqian grabbed her hand and said excitedly, "Third Aunt, it's me! Don't you remember me?"
Third Duchess Xie had never met Meng Qianqian before, so it was impossible for her to recognize her.
Meng Qianqian held onto Third Duchess Xie's hand tightly, and the latter felt like she was clamped by an iron vise, unable to pull her hand away.
She was terrified, "You... let go of me!"
"Oh."
Meng Qianqian released her hand.
Third Duchess Xie was caught off guard, and the sudden release caused her to stumble backward and fall clumsily to the ground.
"Third Duchess!"
The maids rushed to support her, their faces filled with concern.
Third Duchess Xie's public embarrassment turned into anger, and she scolded, "Who is this crazy girl? Get her out of here!"
Steward Ji fumbled, "Third Duchess, we can't do that..."
Third Duchess Xie pointed at him, "Shut up! How are you a steward? Do you let crazy people into the Marquis Manor? Do you want to lose your job? Good! I'll go and report this to Mother right now and have her kick you out as well!"
Meng Qianqian looked innocent and tried to grab her hand again, "Third Aunt, please don't be angry..."
Third Duchess Xie said in fear, "You crazy girl! Don't call me Third Aunt!"
The commotion immediately attracted a large crowd of guests.
"What's going on?"
"That lady claims to be the eldest young miss of the Marquis Manor, but the steward and Third Duchess are blocking her, saying they don't recognize her and ordering the servants to drive her away."
"Isn't the eldest young miss of the Marquis Manor Xie Ling'er? Where did this one come from?"
"Could she be the Marquis's illegitimate daughter?"
"The Marquis has been raising a child for the Marquise for over a decade, but he had an affair with another woman and fathered an illegitimate daughter. Isn't that too heartless?"
"The Marquise is truly pitiful."
The crowd began to sympathize with Yu Shi.
Third Duchess Xie gritted her teeth, "Don't listen to this crazy girl's nonsense. Our Marquis Manor doesn't have such a person!"
Bai Yuwei sneered at Meng Qianqian, "So you can't even enter their manor. How embarrassing."
Despite her words, Bai Yuwei couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.
Meng Qianqian could have easily revealed her identity as the Governor's Manor lady or one of the Shier Wei, but why didn't she?
Why did she allow the Third Duchess to shout at her? She could have easily silenced her with a single slap.
What was Meng Qianqian's plan?
(End of Chapter)
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