Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 133 - 128: Mother and Daughter Confession

Chapter 133: Chapter 128: Mother and Daughter Confession

Meng Qianqian wore a wide-sleeved, cinched-waist dress in blue and white, resembling a clear sky after the rain, with blue skies and white clouds. She was a striking sight, refreshing both to the eyes and the soul.

A gentle breeze blew past, lifting her ink-black hair. She sat quietly and serenely, her demeanor tranquil. In every way, she looked like the daughter of an aristocratic family.

Yu Shi suddenly froze for a moment.

But when she looked again, she recognized Meng Qianqian.

That day in the alley, she had actually recognized her. Yu Shi knew that this daughter wouldn’t let go of her determination. She just hadn’t expected her to find her way here.

"Sister Meng! Tell Tan’er to let me have a turn!"

Zhou Nanyan pouted and said.

Meng Qianqian curved her lips slightly: "Tan’er."

Tan’er reached out and handed the captured butterfly to Zhou Nanyan, "Alright then, this one’s for N! Sister, does N want it?"

Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "I’ll pass."

Tan’er tightened her catch net and went back to chasing butterflies.

Yu Shi turned her gaze and saw three maids chasing butterflies in the garden.

This was the Minister’s Mansion. How could she allow her maids to frolic so openly in their host’s home? Had the Meng Family taught them no manners?

"Madam."

The accompanying nanny asked, "Why aren’t we moving along?"

Yu Shi replied calmly, "Riding in the carriage made me a bit dizzy. I’ll rest here for a moment. You go ahead and find Yu Li."

"Has the young master already entered?" The nanny looked surprised.

It had been agreed Yu Shi would bring him into the Minister’s Mansion herself. How could he have gone in before her?

Yu Shi glanced at the pavilion, where Meng Qianqian was sitting: "He’s probably here already. Go find him, and be careful not to offend the nobles of the mansion."

She wasn’t sure how Yu Li had managed to enter the Minister’s Mansion. Perhaps the name of the Marquis Mansion carried more influence than she had imagined.

The nanny left to find Yu Li, while Yu Shi hesitated briefly, then ascended the steps and entered the pavilion.

The pavilion held only a stone table and four stone stools. The table was adorned with several delicate and appetizing snacks, and the teapot contained premium Longjing tea—delivered to the hosts by Yu Shi herself.

Meng Qianqian didn’t acknowledge her, continuing to watch the three others frolicking.

Yu Shi took a seat across from Meng Qianqian, inadvertently blocking her view.

Meng Qianqian furrowed her brows slightly.

Yu Shi no longer danced around the topic and spoke directly, "Did you come here with Yu Li?"

Meng Qianqian: "Yes."

Her suspicion was confirmed. It was indeed Yu Li who had brought her here. Meng Qianqian’s response further cemented Yu Shi’s understanding that Meng Qianqian already knew her identity.

Yu Shi said, "If you wanted to see me, you could have chosen another location. You shouldn’t have come here."

Meng Qianqian remained silent.

This wasn’t what Yu Shi had anticipated. She had assumed Meng Qianqian would weep, lash out, or confront her sharply.

Yu Shi reflected for a moment and concluded that Meng Qianqian must be quietly sulking. She spoke again: "After your father passed away, I remarried. I did not wrong your father."

Meng Qianqian still said nothing.

Yu Shi continued, "I don’t know what the Meng Family has told you, but it likely wasn’t anything good. If you harbor resentment against me, I don’t blame you. If you ever encounter trouble in the Capital City, you can come to me, but do not let the Marquis Mansion know of our relationship. That would be better for both you and me."

Meng Qianqian said, "There’s no need."

Yu Shi thought she had misheard: "What did you say?"

Meng Qianqian gazed at her: "I said, there’s no need."

Yu Shi frowned slightly.

Meng Qianqian chuckled coldly: "You’re afraid I’ll cause a scene here at the Minister’s Mansion, embarrassing you, so you’ve said these words to placate me, haven’t you? You’re overthinking it. I’ve never intended to acknowledge you, nor cling to you like an unwanted burden. Rest assured, I won’t go to the Marquis Mansion looking for you, Marchioness of the Marquis Mansion."

With that, Meng Qianqian left, neither tasting the tea nor eating the snacks, walking away decisively.

The moment Meng Qianqian brushed past her, an inexplicable surge of emotion welled up within Yu Shi.

Yu Shi stood up, gazing at her retreating figure. "Who are you putting on this act for? You are a child of the Meng Family. Even if I wished to take you away, the Meng Family wouldn’t permit it. Do you think they’d allow me to transfer you to another household, to take another family’s surname?"

Meng Qianqian paused mid-step: "Then tell me, did you ever ask the Meng Family for me?"

Yu Shi froze, her lashes quivering slightly as she replied, "Isn’t it obvious? No family would ever agree..."

Without a shred of hesitation, Meng Qianqian departed.

At that moment, Yu Shi’s personal nanny climbed the pavilion steps. "Madam, the young master is playing pitch-pot with several gentlemen. Madam, are you alright?"

Yu Shi turned and wiped away the tears on her face, her expression unchanging: "It’s just dust in my eyes. I’m fine. Take me over to see him."

Zhou Nanyan and Tan’er, along with Ban Xia, had worked up quite a sweat playing.

Tan’er was brimming with energy, but Ban Xia looked worn out. Accompanying this young lady Zhou was far more taxing than tending to her own mistress—it was physical labor.

"Sister Meng!"

Zhou Nanyan spotted Meng Qianqian approaching and quickly hooked her arm. "I don’t want to chase butterflies anymore. Sister Meng, let’s go fishing instead! There’s a big fish pond over there, filled with lots of fish!"

The Zhou Family and the Xing Family were longtime friends. Since Madam Xing had no daughter, she doted on Zhou Nanyan endlessly. The servants in the household didn’t call her "Miss Zhou" but simply "Miss."

When Zhou Nanyan came to the Xing Family’s estate, it felt as though she were returning to her own home.

Meng Qianqian smiled: "Alright."

Zhou Nanyan held Meng Qianqian’s arm as they walked toward the fish pond. "Sister Meng, do you know the Marchioness of the Marquis Mansion?"

She had seen the two talking earlier in the pavilion.

Meng Qianqian didn’t answer directly but asked, "Do you know her?"

Zhou Nanyan replied, "She and the Marquis visited my house recently. I caught a glimpse of her from afar. Her son just ranked third in the imperial exam. He’s quite renowned in the Capital City now."

Meng Qianqian said objectively: "A third-ranked scholar is—no doubt—capable."

"That’s what my parents said too. The Marquis Mansion used to be quite illustrious. Even though the Marquis spent five years stationed off-site, things changed when he returned to the Capital City. Fortunately, his son brought honor back to the family name."

Zhou Nanyan glanced around and whispered, "I’ve also heard that the current Marchioness isn’t the Marquis’s original wife, but his succeeding spouse. Yet she’s considered an exemplary stepmother. She treats the original wife’s two children as if they were her own. Even their birth mother wouldn’t have done as much. Everyone speaks highly of her."

Meng Qianqian responded flatly: "I see."

Something occurred to Zhou Nanyan, and she said, "Ah, Sister Meng, I remember you’re from You State. It seems she is too. Could you two actually know each other?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "We’re just from the same place. We exchanged a few words, that’s all. We’re not close."

On the grass field, Yu Li and several young men were enjoying themselves playing pitch-pot.

Initially, Yu Li had been quite anxious.

Back in You State, he had interacted with sons of officials before but never felt good about it. Their words were always laced with a sense of entitlement, reflective of their privileged backgrounds. Trying too hard to befriend them only earned their derision as if he were ingratiating himself.

Of course, not everyone behaved that way, but he had the misfortune of encountering those who did.

He had assumed the sons of Capital City officials would be even harder to deal with, but to his surprise, they were affable, straightforward, and humble, completely devoid of pretentious airs.

In them, Yu Li could sense the genuine foundation and refinement of aristocratic families.

That said, there was one exception—a defiant young man who consistently gave him a cold shoulder. He seemed to be called... Han Lin.

"Come with me for a moment."

Zhou Ye pulled Han Lin aside.

"What are you doing?"

Han Lin shook off his arm with a frown.

Zhou Ye pointed to Yu Li: "Do you know who his cousin is?"

Han Lin sneered: "Who is it?"

Zhou Ye replied: "Meng Xiaojiu."

Han Lin: "...!!"

Yu Li was contemplating whether he’d unwittingly offended someone when Han Lin walked over.

Han Lin clasped his hands and solemnly bowed: "Brother Yu, please accept me as your little brother!"

Yu Li: "..."

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