In Cui Mansion, apart from Madam Xie, there is also Lan Xia who sincerely welcomes Meng Yuantang's arrival.
On the night of the accident, Lan Xia happened to be on vacation to visit relatives and did not encounter Meng Yuantang's true face. After the incident, Madam Min immediately sent Meng Yuantang away, sold many slaves, and threatened little Xie Miao several times. If she dared to talk too much, she would be ruined.
Faced with threats from her relatives, little Xie Miao had no choice but to compromise, while Fu Lu remained tight-lipped and did not reveal any clues to Lan Xia.
The careless Lan Xia was kept in the dark and truly believed that Meng Yuantang was the amiable, friendly and considerate young cousin in her memory. Therefore, seeing Fu Lu's unhappy look, she misunderstood her.
"Fu Lu." She winked at Fu Lu and joked with a smile, "Why do you lose your soul as soon as Young Master Cousin comes? Are you at a loss as to what to do?"
Fu Lu denied it with a straight face, "I don't, you've got it wrong."
Lan Xia has a good relationship with her, so she has no scruples about talking in private, "Fu Lu, you can't deceive me. You used to like Young Master Cousin, why don't you still-"
"Lan Xia!" Fu Lu interrupted her with a livid face and scolded her sternly: "If you talk nonsense again, be careful I will make you look good!"
She has always had a good temper and treated Lan Xia like her own sister. When was she ever so angry?
Lan Xia was stunned by the scolding, and her eyes instantly turned red, "Fu Lu, when uncle and his wife made things difficult for us, it was because the Young Master was a nice person and helped us in every way. Even if you like him, I will never make fun of you."
Seeing her grievance and crying, Fu Lu suddenly felt soft in her heart: Lan Xia didn't know why. She only remembered how good Meng Yuantang was, and remembered that she once admired Meng Yuantang... but she didn't know that he was actually a beast with a human face and a beast's heart.
"Listen carefully." Fu Lu still had a straight face and said coldly: "I am the Young Lady's maid, he is the Young Lady's cousin. I am a servant, he is the master. I will never have anything to do with him, you understand?"
Lan Xia answered yes, but after being taught a lesson for no reason at all, she felt somewhat angry. Not only could she not eat, she also didn't want to talk to Fu Lu.
Xie Miao saw this and was secretly surprised. After washing up at night, she sat in front of the dressing table and wiped her hands, looking sideways at Lan Xia, "Come, tell me. Why did you and Fu Lu have a conflict?"
It was okay for her not to ask, but when she asked, it pierced Lan Xia's heart. She immediately choked up and told about Fu Lu scolding her.
Xie Miao was silent.
The completely opposite perceptions made the two maids treat Meng Yuantang very differently, but that past incident... was really not suitable to tell Lan Xia.
She said: "Fu Lu is eighteen years old and is a big girl. You shouldn't make fun of her and men."
Lan Xia murmured in a low voice: "This slave just saw that Fu Lu was absent-minded, so I said a few more words. I will never said anything again."
"As long as you understand."
After a while, she suddenly said: "Lan Xia, do you still remember what I told you when we left the Meng Mansion?"
Lan Xia stood up straight and said respectfully, "This slave remembers."
"Explain."
"You said that after leaving the Meng Mansion, bury everything that happened inside in your heart, and not a single word is allowed to come out."
"Just remember." Xie Miao said calmly: "If my aunt knows even half a word, I will ask only you."
*
Meng Yuantang lived in Cui Mansion as he wished, but things were not as smooth as he thought.
First of all, although Madam Xie wanted to entertain guests, she had just given birth to a young son and had no time to care about others. In addition, the family has a lot of rules and regulations, and it is impossible to travel beyond the square. As a distant cousin of the Xie family, he cannot wander around the Cui Mansion except in the guest house and garden.
What should he do if he bumps into the young ladies in the house?
Don't mention the whimsical things in his mind: Madam Xie takes him to see old Taifu Cui and Master Cui. They fell in love with him at first sight and cherishes his talents. Then he rises through the ranks and becomes an official from a businessman; the family's Miss Cui sees that he is handsome and funny, and soon she secretly promises to marry him and make a good match. The Cui family's young masters have the same temperament with him. From eating, drinking to having fun, they soon become brothers, and they help each other...
A fart!
Meng Yuantang was so depressed that he was locked in the guest house all day. Let alone outsiders, he could only talk to Xie Miao briefly, which was completely different from what he expected!
He is a smart man. He knew that it was fruitless to work from above, so he made friends with the subordinates instead. After a few days, he gained a lot.
He didn't expect that Xie Miao's life in Cui Mansion would be so rich and colourful during these years...
He rubbed his chin with a hidden smile: What is the most cost-effective way to harvest wool from this little sheep?
*
Fu Lu was secretly paying attention to Meng Yuantang's every move, fearing that he would do something inappropriate or say something inappropriate, which would cause great mental pressure.
Six days later, he was calm and approachable, but Fu Lu was restless.
"Miss." At night, Fu Lu and Xie Miao shared the bed again, whispering, "Are we just going to stay in the Cui Mansion with Meng Yuantang?"
"Don't worry, he won't be able to stir up trouble in Cui Mansion." Xie Miao said, "In a few days, we will lure him out of the house and proceed as planned."
Fu Lu was overjoyed and couldn't wait to say: "Just let everything take its course, or today, this slave will go and make an appointment with him at dawn?"
"Fu Lu." Xie Miao said, "Don't be anxious. The more anxious you are, the easier it will be for him to manipulate you."
Fu Lu said with deep disgust: "I'm fed up with his hypocrisy. He's obviously a scumbag, but he still pretends to be a caring brother. It's really disgusting!"
Xie Miao said: "Only by enduring your anger for a while can you relieve your worries. Just be calm and don't be impatient. This matter will be settled soon."
Fulu said worriedly: "There are already many rumours about you and him in the house. Where is the Second Young Master..."
Xie Miao said: "What does this have to do with Cui Muli? I have my own way, and he has his own. It's best to take this opportunity to make a distinction."
Fu Lu still wanted to persuade, "But..."
Xie Miao said calmly: "Do you want him to participate?"
Fu Lu suddenly lost her voice.
No, the Second Young Master must not know anything about Meng Yuantang. Even if he is an official of the Ministry of Justice and well-informed, even if nothing really happened between the Young Lady and Meng Yuantang...
Fu Lu held back her tears and said, "Miss, I feel aggrieved for you."
It was clear that Meng Yuantang was the wrongdoer, but the Young Lady had no place to even complain, so she could only swallow the insult.
Xie Miao didn't say anything for a long time. It was so long that Fu Lu thought she had fallen asleep, and then she said, "Everything will get better."
No matter how long the night is, the sky will eventually light up. No matter how deep the winter is, spring will come as expected.
Everything will be fine.
*
Two days later, even Cui Xining couldn't help but come to Haihua Yuan and take the initiative to inquire about Meng Yuantang.
"A-Miao, tell me the truth, how is your relationship with cousin Meng?"
Xie Miao said: "I stayed in the Meng Mansion for three years and received a lot of care from him."
Does this mean that she has a deep relationship with her cousin?
Cui Xining sighed, "What about my second brother? He has taken good care of you in the past, how can you treat him so politely?"
Xie Miao glanced at her.
All right.
Cui Xining stroked her hair guiltily and said angrily: "Second brother used to be ungrateful, but now he has woken up and treats you with such care. Why don't you try to give him a chance?"
Xie Miao said: "Not interested."
Cui Xining said deliberately: "Okay, you are not interested. There are many people who are interested. That Su Panyan runs to Minglan Yuan at every opportunity. I think after a while, she will enter the house."
Xie Miao clapped her hands, "When cousin Cui and Miss Su confirm the happy occasion, I will definitely seal a big red envelope and wish them a happy marriage."
"..." Cui Xining saw that she was affectionate and sincere, and didn't seem to be hypocritical. Therefore, she also calmed down her troubled mind.
Alas, when it comes to relationships, it's better to be consensual.
Cui Xining left calmly, and not long after, a handsome figure walked to the entrance of Haihua Yuan.
Cui Muli walked around and arrived here.
The osmanthus and chrysanthemums in the mansion were all blooming, and the fragrance surrounded him invisibly, pulling him here.
He looked at the gate of Haihua Yuan, his eyes were confused for a moment, and struggled for a while.
Shen Yang stood aside and saw that he was silent. He was afraid that he might exacerbate his injury if he stood for too long, so he encouraged him: "Young Master, we are already at the door. Please go in and see Miss Cousin."
Hearing this, Cui Muli withdrew his thoughts. He turned around and said, "Go back to Minglan Yuan."
"..." Shen Yang secretly slapped himself on the mouth. It was true that he was unable to accomplish anything but liable to spoil everything!
The master and servant walked back. When they were approaching Minglan Yuan, they heard the slightest sound of voices coming from behind the rockery besides the water. Others would not be able to hear clearly, but both Cui Muli and Shen Yang were highly skilled in martial arts and had very keen hearing.
First, Qiao Mu said: "Sister, this is the pastry I bought specially this morning. Please try it quickly."
Then Xie Miao's maid, Lan Xia said: "I don't want it."
Qiao Mu said: "You usually like to eat this, why don't you want it?"
Lan Xia said: "If Fu Lu knows that I still accept your cakes, she will definitely peel off my skin."
"I bought everything. If you don't eat it, it will be wasted." Qiao Mu said, "This is the last time. I won't buy it again next time."
Lan Xia hesitated for a moment, then said happily but reluctantly: "Okay, then I will only eat two...three...four pieces."
After a while, Qiao Mu asked: "Sister Lan Xia, can you tell me about this Young Master of the Meng family and how he is?"
Lan Xia said incoherently: "Young Master Cousin is a good man. Although he has no fame, he has a quick mind. He has helped my uncle manage the business since he was a child. People in Pingjiang call him a small living abacus."
Qiao Mu said: "It turns out that Miss Cousin's uncle's family is a merchant."
Lan Xia said: "What's wrong with merchants? The uncle's family used to have more than a dozen grain and rice shops and two hundred acres of farmland. He was a well-known wealthy businessman in Pingjiang. Although his food and clothing expenses are not as good as those of Cui Mansion, he is also very particular about everything."
"That's right, that's right." Qiao Mu said with a smile, "But when you say in the past, what do you mean?"
Lan Xia said angrily: "If not because of the severe drought that uncle's business had problems, which caused them-"
When she got to the key point, she suddenly fell silent and said sadly: "I won't eat, I have no appetite."
Qiao Mu smiled and said: "No, eat some more. Try this, the new fugui pastry. It tastes sweet and delicious."
The sound of Lan Xia chewing something sounded again from behind the rockery.
Qiao Mu continued to inquire: "You said there was a problem with uncle's business, what happened next?"
Lan Xia said vaguely: "Nothing after that, it just plummeted."
"Oh, that's such a pity. After all, he is Miss Cousin's relative." Qiao Mu racked his brains and thought. He clapped his hands and said, "Sister Lan Xia, tell me, if the Young Master goes to help uncle's family make a comeback, wouldn't Miss Cousin be grateful to the Young Master?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Xia said angrily: "Come on, you still want to repay a favour? It's enough to ask the Second Young Master to take revenge!"
Qiao Mu hurriedly asked: "What do you mean by this? Were they bullying Miss Cousin?"
Lan Xia shut her mouth tightly and remained silent.
Qiao Mu thought for a moment and said, "If Miss Cousin is really wronged, doesn't Sister want to find justice for her?"
After a while, Lan Xia asked hesitantly: "Can the Second Young Master secretly vent anger on the Young Lady's behalf without telling the Madam?"
Qiao Mu agreed, "Of course."
Lan Xia struggled for a while, recalling the suffering the Young Lady had suffered in the past. She gritted her teeth and said slowly, "Back then, uncle's family suffered a loss in business, so they tried to find ways to get the dowry from the Young Lady. If the Young Lady gave it, they would smile for three days, and if she didn't give it, they would ridicule and be sarcastic. They didn't give her a stove in winter. There is no hot water for washing, and even the food is all left-over food. They treated her badly, but she was afraid that the Second Lady would blame herself, so she kept it secret and doesn't allow us to tell. "
"What?" Qiao Mu was surprised, "They actually treated Miss Cousin like this? What about Young Master Cousin of the Meng family?"
"At that time, in the Meng Mansion, only Young Master Cousin treated the Young Lady as always. He secretly brought her hot meals and dishes, gave the Young Lady a rabbit on her birthday, and always helped her speak in front of the uncle." Lan Xia said truthfully according to her own understanding: "Young Master Cousin is a good man."
Therefore, Miss Cousin and this Young Master Meng really have a deep relationship.
Qiao Mu sighed, "I didn't expect it to be like this."
In the darkness, Cui Muli's face was pale and his figure was swaying slightly.
It turns out that what Fu Lu said was true. After Madam Xie married to the capital, Xie Miao stayed in the Meng Mansion and suffered a lot of difficulties from her uncle and aunt. However, she forgot to mention that when little Xie Miao was isolated and helpless, there was a biological cousin who was by her side to show concern and take care of her.
That's really good.