21 Falling Out

If Meng Qingyue had been displeased before, she now felt it was nothing short of absurd.

She had clearly relented, agreeing to the meeting and deciding to take a step back. Yet, what kind of people had the Meng family—mother and son—been parading before her? Did they truly believe she was only fit to marry someone of such caliber? Regardless of who had actually fetched this Chen Sheng, she refused to believe that Madam Meng was entirely ignorant of his character. What did she actually mean to her mother?

Her eyes burned with a stinging, aching sensation. She had always subconsciously made excuses for the mother who had raised her with such tenderness, but this time, even self-deception seemed beyond her reach.

Seeing Meng Qingyue remain silent, Chen Sheng frowned and nudged her gently with his elbow. "Qingyue, why are you just standing there? The eldest miss is still waiting!"

Meng Qingyue looked up to see Meng Changle, her smile hiding a dagger, and beside her, Madam Meng, who remained silent to the point of appearing guilty. Her eyes were stung by the sight. When she finally spoke, her tone was filled with icy indifference. "Master Chen, this is my home. As for what I do or do not do, I hardly think that is for you to intervene."

She had no intention of maintaining any pretense of hospitality; her tone was cold and laced with sarcasm. Chen Sheng was left feeling embarrassed. Madam Meng considered speaking, but after a moment’s hesitation, she held her tongue.

Chen Sheng grew increasingly flustered. Seeing Meng Qingyue sitting stiffly in her seat, clearly refusing to help wipe the hem of Meng Changle’s skirt, he hardened his resolve. Thinking of his father’s career, he closed his eyes, knelt, picked up a handkerchief, and began dabbing at the hem of Meng Changle’s dress. "Eldest Miss, please do not take offense. Qingyue is ignorant of the ways of the world; I offer my apologies on her behalf..."

A full-grown man kneeling in such subservience—and this man was supposed to be her future husband. Meng Changle’s vanity reached its peak. She thought to herself that the title of the Duke’s future daughter-in-law was indeed powerful, and she became even more determined to cling to Axian and ensure this marriage alliance remained secure. She beamed with joy; Chen Sheng’s sycophancy had greatly pleased her.

She cast a light glance at Chen Sheng and spoke with the air of one bestowing a favor. "You are quite observant. Later, I shall speak to Axian and have him promote your father."

"Thank you, Eldest Miss! Thank you, Eldest Miss!" Chen Sheng was overjoyed. He sat back down, feeling relieved. But when he turned his head, he saw Meng Qingyue’s face as dark as a pot, clearly showing her extreme dissatisfaction.

Meng Changle noticed this as well, a faint smile curling on her lips. "Qingyue, you should be grateful your fiancé is so willing to lower himself. His career path is clear, and once you marry into his family as his wife, you will naturally benefit from it too."

Madam Meng finally found her voice and chimed in. "That is true. Young Chen is under the command of the Duke of Zhen. Qingyue, once you marry into the Chen family, your sister can offer you and your husband more guidance and support. Is that not a wonderful prospect?"

Meng Changle smiled meaningfully, emphasizing her words. "Naturally, I shall provide plenty of support to my dear sister and brother-in-law."

Chen Sheng’s face lit up, and he quickly added, "Once Qingyue enters our home, we will certainly join together in showing respect to the Eldest Miss, our future young mistress!"

Watching them converse as if she were not even there, essentially deciding her marriage for her, Meng Qingyue’s expression grew even frostier. "When did I ever say I would marry him?"

At these words, both Madam Meng and Meng Changle furrowed their brows. Meng Changle, in particular, was instantly displeased. "Qingyue, the guest is still here. What kind of talk is that?"

They were clearly trying to finalize the matter while Chen Sheng was present, leaving her no room to back out. Meng Qingyue understood this perfectly. Thus, until the end of lunch, when Chen Sheng took his leave, she maintained a deliberately ambiguous attitude. "Master Chen, please return for now. We shall discuss this matter later."

Chen Sheng naturally sensed her reluctance and felt his pride wounded. He muttered, "Other wives are always busy supporting their husbands, but the Second Miss is different. She had no tact at the table just now. It was only a bowl of bird's nest; if you had let it go, you would still have plenty to eat. And the Eldest Miss’s skirt—what would it have cost you to wipe it? Would a piece of your flesh have fallen off?"

After seeing Chen Sheng off, Meng Qingyue’s face was as dark as it had ever been. Yet, Madam Meng approached her timidly. "Qingyue, what do you think of Chen Sheng?"

Meng Qingyue smiled without warmth. "Mother, what do *you* think of him?"

Madam Meng paused, then laughed. "Chen Sheng is handsome, well-mannered, and understands the etiquette of status and hierarchy. I think he is a fine young man."

*Understands the etiquette of status and hierarchy?* Meng Qingyue could almost laugh out loud.

Madam Meng continued her earnest persuasion, but Meng Qingyue stood her ground. "I will not marry him!"

Madam Meng choked, growing annoyed. "Yesterday, your brother found those men, and you looked down on them, which I let pass. But what is wrong with Chen Sheng today that makes him unworthy of you? Qingyue, one must learn to be content. Or do you truly intend to enter the palace and marry a prince?"

As these words reached Meng Qingyue’s ears, a thought stirred in her heart. She parted her lips slightly and said softly, "Mother, it is not that I am unwilling to marry Chen Sheng, but that I already have someone in my heart."

Outside on the steps, a foot that was about to step into the room paused. A porcelain doll held tightly in a hand was crushed until it nearly deformed.

Madam Meng was skeptical. "What 'someone in your heart'? Why have I never heard of this? Qingyue, do not just invent a lover to shirk this marriage!"

Meng Qingyue felt utterly helpless, yet she had to force a look of shy hesitation. "Mother, the day I fell off the cliff and lost consciousness, I happened to make his acquaintance... It was he who saved me that day..."

Before she could finish, a figure strode into the room, filled with a faint, simmering anger. Meng Xingzhou, his face ashen, bowed to Madam Meng, then turned and scolded Meng Qingyue. "Meng Qingyue, what nonsense are you spouting now? With your temperament, who would ever look at you?"

Meng Qingyue did not know why he was flying into a rage for no reason. She forced herself to remain patient. "I am not spouting nonsense. That night, I did not return home because I was—"

*Clatter!* With a sharp, crisp sound, Meng Xingzhou threw something from his hand. The force was so great and the sound so sudden that before Meng Qingyue could see what it was, it had shattered into pieces across the floor.

Stung, her temper finally flared. "Meng Xingzhou, what have I ever done to offend you? Why must you target me like this? Earlier, when Chen Sheng was here, you were dissatisfied with him. Fine! Now I say I will not marry him because I have feelings for someone else, and you are *still* dissatisfied! Meng Xingzhou, just what is it that you want!?"