Meng Yuantang was patient enough. After living in Cui Mansion for half a month, he blocked Fu Lu on the only path to Haihua Yuan.
"Fu Lu, what a coincidence." He greeted her kindly, "Are you going out on errands?"
Seeing that no one was following him, Fu Lu still didn't dare to let down her guard, "Young Master Cousin, yes."
Meng Yuantang asked: "I haven't seen my cousin for several days. I wonder what she is busy with?"
Fu Lu cherished her words like gold, "Miss is busy."
Meng Yuantang did not ask further questions. Instead, he stared at her hair and said, "What is that on your hair? It's moving."
Fu Lu subconsciously stretched out her hand, but Meng Yuantang was faster than her and gently stroked her hair——
He opened his palm, revealing a light yellow ginkgo leaf, "I saw it wrong, it turns out to be a leaf."
Fu Lu quickly stepped back and said stiffly: "I thank you, Young Master Cousin."
"Why are you so polite? How should I put it, we have also..." Meng Yuantang spoke slowly and said ambiguously: "We have been together day and night for three years."
Fu Lu resisted the urge to vomit and said, "Young Master Cousin, please respect yourself."
When Meng Yuantang saw that she didn't accept the move, he simply got straight to the point, "Fu Lu, you are eighteen years old this year, do you have any plans for the future?"
Fu Lu said: "I am the Young Lady's maid. Naturally, wherever the Young Lady is, this servant will be there."
Meng Yuantang couldn't help but look at her more. This girl looked like a different person than in previous years.
His tone was careless, "Looking at what you said, are you planning to be a tongfang maid for the future son-in-law?" (t/n: a tongfang girl is a maidservant who accompanies the young lady to the groom's family as a bride. They can also serve the master at night in bed at the master's invitation.)
Fu Lu glared at him angrily, "Young Master Cousin, unlike some dirty villains, I know that I am from a humble background and dare not have the slightest thought."
Meng Yuantang touched his chin, but instead of being angry at being criticised indirectly, he smiled.
"Fu Lu, you are very smart." He looked at her meaningfully, "I am most in need of smart people around me."
Fu Lu remained motionless and turned a deaf ear to the solicitation in his words, "Young Master Cousin, if there is nothing else, I will leave first."
"Wait a minute." Meng Yuantang didn't bother to pretend anymore. He stepped forward and said in a low voice: "At three quarters of wenshi, ask my cousin to come to Shangqing Lake. If she dare not come, huh, there will be consequences."
*
Fu Lu changed direction and returned to Haihua Yuan, cursing as she walked: "Bad luck!"
She walked quickly and ran into the study, panting: "Miss, Meng, Meng, Meng——"
Xie Miao closed the book and said, "Close the door first."
After Fu Lu did as she was told, she came to her side. Omitting the part where Meng Yuantang teased her, she briefly explained what had just happened.
Xie Miao smiled and said: "Look, it's coming."
Fu Lu asked: "Miss, do you want to go?"
Xie Miao said: "Of course."
Fu Lu racked her brains and thought, "Then I will prepare some self-defence things for you, such as, for example..."
"Brick?"
Fu Lu started imagining that Meng Yuantang has a dispute with the Young Lady, then Young Lady takes out a brick from behind. Without saying a word, she smashes him on the head and causes bleeding...
Although it is very enjoyable, it does not suit the temperament of the Young Lady.
"Miss!" Fu Lu said, "I'm not joking with you."
Xie Miao said: "Me neither."
Fu Lu said seriously: "I'll go find you a rolling pin."
"Okay, okay." Xie Miao pulled her back with a smile on her face, "Just say a few words, no need to use force."
Fu Lu had to give up in frustration.
During lunch, Xie Miao went to Madam Xie's house. After dinner, the aunt and niece played with little Musheng together.
Madam Xie had just given birth. Her figure was slightly plump, her cheeks were much rounder than before, and she looked prosperous and affable.
"Aunt." Xie Miao held little Musheng in her arms. She wiped the saliva from his mouth with a handkerchief, and said as if unintentionally: "I'm afraid my cousin will be a little bored after being detained in the house all day. How about I take him walking around the capital one of these days?"
Madam Xie was stunned for a moment, and then realized that she was referring to Meng Yuantang, "That's okay, but you are a family's daughter, and you go out alone with him..."
Xie Miao said: "He and I are cousins. I was once taken care of by his family and I'm just fulfilling the obligations of a local host by entertaining guests from out of town, that's all. Who dares to utter half a sentence of gossip?"
Although there were rumours in the house, no one talks about it in front of Madam Xie without knowing what is good or bad. Moreover, Madam Xie was currently caring for her young son, so it was inevitable that she would make mistakes in trivial matters.
Madam Xie didn't think much and said, "Then just take him for a walk. Don't worry about money. I'll ask Yanzi to give it to you."
"No, I have it in hand."
Xie Miao raised her hand and gently caressed little Musheng's cheek. Seeing him smile, her eyes widened, and her heart became lighter.
She said: "Little one, he sleeps when he is full and once he sleeps his fill then he eats and drinks. He is so cute."
Madam Xie drank tea and watched her teasing Cui Musheng. Her smile faded slightly and she asked, "A-Miao, have you heard about Miss Su's recent affairs?"
Xie Miao didn't even raise her head, "En."
Madam Xie said: "You must also know that Miss Su is the only daughter of Lord Su, the General Ambassador of the dynasty. Although she was once engaged to Wen Rubin, the Su family has a clean family tradition and Miss Su's reputation is outstanding. Even if she had her engagement cancelled, there are also a lot of young men from noble families coming to ask for marriage."
Xie Miao said: "As expected."
Madam Xie said: "But she fell in love with Muli. She comes to the door every day to ask about his welfare. It is either chicken soup or ginseng antler soup... I see that the old Taifu and the old Madam have this intention and are obviously happy to see it happen."
Xie Miao said: "It's great that my grandfather and grandmother are enlightened."
"..." Madam Xie was speechless. Does she want to hear this?
She looked solemnly and frowned: "A-Miao, your uncle and I both feel that you are more suitable for Muli."
"That's what you think." Xie Miao said lightly, "As far as my uncle is concerned, as long as cousin Cui is happy, he can marry anyone."
This is true.
It was inevitable that Madam Xie's expression was embarrassed because the troops rebelled against the general.
Xie Miao advised: "The Buddhist scriptures say that if you let go of one thought, you will be at ease. You should try to let go of your obsession with this marriage."
Madam Xie said: "Why do you want to let it go?"
"Because I have already given up." Xie Miao said.
She looks very calm and like she has completely let go.
Madam Xie thought of Cui Muli's injury, and how he had come to express his feelings for Xie Miao in the middle of the night. She said sincerely: "A-Miao, you are still young, and you don't know what is good for yourself."
Xie Miao felt helpless, "Aunt, I'm already sixteen. You should try to believe me, okay?"
Madam Xie wanted to discuss it further with her, but little Musheng suddenly pursed his lips and burst out an earth-shattering cry. The two of them hurriedly coaxed little Musheng to sleep. As soon as they put him on the bed, Madam Xie turned to hug Xie Miao.
"A-Miao." Madam Xie said sadly, "It would be great if your parents were still alive. You would have a family and Aunt wouldn't have to worry about you marrying and being bullied."
Xie Miao was silent for a while and said softly: "Don't worry Aunt, I am very powerful now and no one can bully me."
*
At Shangqing Lake, a pair of mandarin ducks play with each other. Koi carps swim back and forth, and the sparkling water reflects the myriad colours of autumn.
Meng Yuantang stood in the wind, his clothes dancing briskly. Looking from a distance, he looked like he was posing and putting on airs.
Xie Miao rubbed her face, put on a guarded expression, and approached him reluctantly.
Meng Yuantang heard the sound and turned around. He said: "Little A-Miao, you are here."
Xie Miao squeezed the handkerchief tightly and said anxiously: "You, what do you want from me?"
Meng Yuantang said: "There are many fallen leaves on the path, and I feel relieved to know that it is autumn... Cousin, look at the autumn in Cui Mansion, isn't it beautiful?"
Xie Miao's tone was slightly harsh, "Beautiful or not, what does it have to do with you?"
Meng Yuantang grinned, "It has nothing to do with me, but it has something to do with you, little A-Miao."
Xie Miao's eyes were full of hostility and she turned around and said, "I don't understand what you are talking about."
Meng Yuantang said: "I already know that you like the second son of the Cui family. Your unrelated cousin, Cui Muli."
Xie Miao's eyes widened, "You, you..." She couldn't speak for a long time.
Meng Yuantang automatically understood that she was too frightened, and he felt quite proud: Look, after everything has been said, it is very easy to control her. Little did he know, he was secretly tricked by the servants - they only talked about Xie Miao and Cui Muli, but never mentioned the twists and turns in the past few days.
Meng Yuantang suddenly said: "Little A-Miao, smile."
Xie Miao: "?"
Meng Yuantang threatened: "Smile quickly, or I will shout loudly and say that you are seducing me."
Xie Miao could only force out a smile and listened to his request again, "Get closer, stand on tiptoes and look at me."
Xie Miao did as she was told.
Seeing that the time was right, Meng Yuantang touched her head and shouted lovingly: "Little A-Miao, I haven't seen you for many years, but you are still so cute."
Although Xie Miao knew his routine well, she still had goosebumps all over her body. She turned her head slightly and as expected, saw Cui Muli and Su Panyan walking side by side at the other end of the cobblestone path.
Separated by a distance of several feet, Cui Muli and Su Panyan are like lovers, a talented man and a beautiful woman. She and Meng Yuantang were also very close, two pairs of men and women, four pairs of eyes, looking at each other.
It was Su Panyan who spoke first, and said with a smile: "Miss Xie, I'm sorry. I was walking around with second brother Cui. We don't want to disturb you and Young Master Meng from enjoying the lake."
Meng Yuantang said first: "It's okay, my cousin and I have just arrived."
He looked at the handsome and noble young man beside Su Panyan. Regardless of his indifferent expression, he cupped his hands and said, "This must be Second Young Master Cui. I am Meng Yuantang, A-Miao's biological cousin. I am honoured to meet you." "
Cui Muli didn't say a word, his eyes were firmly locked on someone's face. When he saw her shivering and hiding behind Meng Yuantang, his whole body became increasingly cold.
Meng Yuantang was still chattering, "I heard that Second young Master Cui has taken good care of A-Miao in the past four years. Meng would like to express his gratitude. If there is a chance, I will definitely invite Second Young Master Cui to the restaurant to chat and have a good drink..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Cui Muli hurrying away. Su Panyan explained on his behalf: "Second brother Cui has not recovered from his old injury and is in a bad mood. I hope you can forgive me." She then chased after the person with her skirt raised, "Second brother Cui, walk slowly and wait for me to help you."
The two of them disappeared one after another. Meng Yuantang not only did not feel embarrassed about being ignored, but was in high spirits, "Little A-Miao, you have good taste. Not only is this Cui Muli very handsome, I heard that he is highly valued by the Emperor. His future should not be underestimated."
Xie Miao looked wary.
Meng Yuantang said: "I heard that you have been trying to marry him over the years, but if people know that you and I have had a relationship... What do you think the second son of the Cui family and the entire Cui family will think of you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Miao asked with a mixture of grief and anger: "Meng Yuantang, what do you want to do before you let me go?"
Seeing that the time was right, Meng Yuantang raised five fingers towards her.
Xie Miao said: "Five hundred taels of silver? Okay, I'll give it to you. After you take the money, leave the capital as soon as possible!"
"Five hundred taels?" Meng Yuantang sneered, "Little A-Miao, do you think you are sending off a beggar?"
Xie Miao asked in disbelief: "You mean, five thousand taels of silver?"
Meng Yuantang nodded, "Five thousand taels can buy you peace of mind. What a good deal."
Xie Miao lowly cried: "Where do I have five thousand taels of silver! Meng Yuantang, you are crazy about money!"
Meng Yuantang reminded: "You don't have it but Aunt Xie has it, and the Cui family has it."
Xie Miao still wanted to speak, but Meng Yuantang raised his eyebrows and threatened coolly: "It seems that little A-Miao thinks that five thousand taels is more important than your reputation."
Xie Miao's face turned pale and she was unable to refute.
Meng Yuantang continued to lure: "Little A-Miao, I only need five thousand taels of silver. I will leave immediately after taking the money. I will not disturb you from now on. You should get married and have children, and you don't have to worry about anything anymore."
Gradually, Xie Miao wavered, "Are you serious about what you say?"
Meng Yuantang patted his chest and swore to the sky, "It's truer than pearls. If I violate this statement, I will be punished with a terrible death!"
Xie Miao lowered her eyelashes and hid the sarcasm in her eyes, as if she was giving in helplessly, "I will take you to the qianzhuang to withdraw silver early tomorrow morning."