Madam Meng’s face instantly darkened. Previously, when Meng Xiaozhang and his son needed money for official dealings, she had spoken of borrowing it, but in truth, she had no intention of ever returning it.
Madam Meng picked up her teacup, hoping to gloss over the matter, but as she brought it to her lips, she remembered the bitterness of the tea and had no choice but to set it down again. “We’re all one family,” she said. “Talking about borrowing and repaying only creates distance.”
Xie Zhaoshen had little patience for the convoluted ways of the inner household and saw no need to spare Madam Meng’s feelings. “Even brothers keep clear accounts,” he retorted. “Besides, Meng Mansion is an official household. It’s one thing not to have given me a betrothal gift when we married, but surely you wouldn’t stoop to coveting your daughter-in-law’s dowry, would you?”
Madam Meng’s composure faltered, but just then, Nanny Liu noticed movement outside and whispered something in her ear. A faint smile touched Madam Meng’s lips. “Don’t worry,” she said. “Now that you’ve married into the Meng family, we won’t treat you unfairly. As for your dowry, I’ll have someone take inventory and return it to you later.”
Xie Zhaoshen promptly pulled a list from his sleeve. “Then let’s use this list for the inventory,” he said. “Make sure nothing is missing.”
Madam Meng’s expression tightened, but thinking of what was about to happen, she held her tongue and motioned for Nanny Liu to take the list.
Just then, a maid outside announced, “The young master is here.”
Madam Meng’s face softened. “Bring him in at once.”
Meng Zhuo entered reluctantly, his eyes sweeping the room. When he failed to spot Liu Sisi, his displeasure grew more evident.
He had only recently redeemed Liu Sisi and brought her home, and they were still in the midst of their tender, affectionate phase. Two days ago, his mother had taken her away in tears, and he had no idea how much hardship she might have endured since.
It was only his concern for Liu Sisi that compelled Meng Zhuo to obey his mother’s orders and come here to cultivate his relationship with Chu Yun.
Madam Meng spoke up. “Zhuo’er, there should be no lingering grudges between husband and wife. Besides, you two are cousins—your bond should be even closer than that of an ordinary couple. How could you let a woman of lowly status come between you?”
Worried about Liu Sisi, Meng Zhuo gritted his teeth and bowed his head. “You’re right, Mother.”
Madam Meng smiled. “Yun’er has suffered greatly since marrying into our family. As her husband, you should comfort her properly and sincerely apologize.”
Meng Zhuo felt a dull ache in his forehead. He was the one who had been beaten—if anyone should apologize, it should be his cousin to him!
Seeing Meng Zhuo hesitate, Madam Meng gave a light cough and brought a handkerchief to her lips. Embroidered on it was a pattern of swallows darting through willow tendrils.
Eager to retrieve Liu Sisi as soon as possible, Meng Zhuo suppressed his resentment and bowed to Xie Zhaoshen with clasped hands. “All the fault is mine! Cousin, please calm your anger and don’t hold it against me.”
Xie Zhaoshen remained silent, quietly observing the mother and son’s performance.
Beside them, Madam Meng feigned weariness and said to Xie Zhaoshen, “The narcissus in the flower room has bloomed. Zhuo’er, why don’t you take Yun’er to admire it?”
Meng Zhuo wanted to ask about Liu Sisi, but a stern look from his mother stopped him. With a dejected air, he led Xie Zhaoshen to the flower room.
Zhaixing started to follow, but Nanny Li pulled her back. “The young master and Young Mistress are cultivating their relationship. What are you tagging along for?”
Zhaixing looked toward her mistress. Xie Zhaoshen signaled for her to rest easy—he was curious to see what mischief awaited in the flower room.
Once they arrived, Meng Zhuo racked his brains for conversation topics, but Xie Zhaoshen remained aloof, occasionally shooting him disdainful glances, which only fueled Meng Zhuo’s irritation.
Not long after, Nanny Liu came over carrying two cups of tea and placed them on the table. “Madam was worried the young master and Young Mistress might be thirsty, so she specially ordered this servant to bring tea.”
Meng Zhuo went over to take the tea without any suspicion and drank it all in one gulp.
Xie Zhaoshen tilted her head, looking thoughtfully at the swaying tea in the cup.
Afraid he might notice something, Nanny Liu immediately said, “This is the finest West Lake Longjing tea. Young Mistress, please try it.”
Xie Zhaoshen picked up the tea, used her sleeve to shield it, and when she set it down again, the cup was empty.
Seeing this, a faint smile flickered across Nanny Liu’s face before quickly disappearing. “This servant will take her leave.”
As Nanny Liu stepped out the door, Xie Zhaoshen’s ears twitched, keenly catching the sound of a lock clicking.
Turning to look at Meng Zhuo, he still appeared oblivious and foolish.
Before long, Meng Zhuo suddenly felt his body heating up. He first loosened his collar to catch his breath, but still felt uncomfortable, wishing he could strip off all his clothes.
Meng Zhuo glanced back at Xie Zhaoshen, who remained as calm and composed as ever. “Cousin, don’t you think the flower room is hot?”
Xie Zhaoshen replied sparingly, “Not hot.”
Meng Zhuo went over and extinguished the brazier heating the flower room, but the fire within him only burned hotter, and his head began to feel dizzy.
Turning to look at his cousin again, her rosy cheeks and fair skin, her jet-black hair, each strand seemed to emit a fragrance that drew him in. Her elegant neck resembled the jade vase held by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, so beautiful he wanted to kiss it.
He had always known his cousin was a stunning beauty, but though she appeared delicate, she was actually aloof and had never paid him any attention. He preferred women like Liu Sisi, who relied on him wholeheartedly and admired him.
Moreover, after being frightened by General Xie while delivering supplies to the border, he had completely lost interest in this cousin.
But now, his cousin had married him and was his wife…
At this thought, Meng Zhuo’s heart raced. Blinded by lust, he had already forgotten how Xie Zhaoshen had dealt with him just two days earlier.
As he slowly approached, his face flushed, about to speak, he heard Xie Zhaoshen say with clear disgust, “Meng Zhuo, what are you getting all worked up for in broad daylight?”
Her words instantly plunged Meng Zhuo from a fiery furnace into an icy cellar. He pointed at Xie Zhaoshen in disbelief. “You—how can you speak so crudely? Are you even a woman?”
Xie Zhaoshen lifted her eyelids slightly and glanced downward at him. “If I’m not a woman, then are you?”
Meng Zhuo’s face flushed red again, this time not from heat but from anger. “You are utterly disgraceful!”
Xie Zhaoshen averted her eyes. “You’re the one exposing your chest and belly, yet I’m the disgraceful one?”
Meng Zhuo flicked his sleeve and stood up to leave, but when he reached the door and pulled on it, it didn’t budge.
He turned abruptly to glare at Xie Zhaoshen. “What did you do?”
Xie Zhaoshen spread her hands. “I’ve been sitting here the whole time. I haven’t done anything.”
Meng Zhuo shouted outside a few times but received no response. He tried forcing the door with brute strength, but it remained unmoved. Reluctantly, he sat down far away from Xie Zhaoshen.
Gradually, however, he not only grew hotter but also began to lose clarity of mind.
By the time he regained his senses, he had already lunged at Xie Zhaoshen. The next moment, Xie Zhaoshen struck his neck with a swift chop, knocking him unconscious.
Xie Zhaoshen clapped her hands and muttered, “What’s all this about?”