Qinghe Courtyard.
Meng’s Mother entered with newly made clothes and jewelry, placing them expressionlessly on the table before casting a dissatisfied look at Meng Yanzhi.
“For the palace flower-viewing banquet, you will accompany me. Do not disgrace the Meng family’s reputation.”
Meng Yanzhi glanced at the clothes and jewelry, sneering inwardly while maintaining a facade of nervous apprehension on the surface.
“Mother, I’ve never been to the palace. Why not send my sister instead?”
This was deliberate feigned ignorance.
She wanted Meng’s Mother to feel uncomfortable. Since her rebirth, she had resolved never to show the Meng family any kindness nor let them feel at ease.
As expected, these words made Meng’s Mother’s expression darken further. Having spent her entire life in the inner quarters, how could she not recognize Meng Yanzhi’s petty tricks?
Meng’s Mother snorted while staring at Meng Yanzhi: “Your fate was predetermined long ago. If you dare covet what isn’t rightfully yours, you’d deserve ten thousand deaths.”
“Mother, I truly don’t understand these words. My fate? What exactly is my fate?”
Meng Yanzhi stared directly at Meng’s Mother, a faint cold smile playing on her lips.
She was originally the legitimate eldest daughter of the Meng family – she should have been in Meng Anxian’s position now. Yet through some twist of fate, she had been sent to the countryside.
Now that Meng’s Mother spoke of destiny to her face, Meng Yanzhi genuinely wanted to ask: what exactly should her fate have been?
The former Meng Yanzhi had always been submissive and would never have dared to retort like this. Thus, even her mild questioning already struck Meng’s Mother as utterly rebellious.
Striding forward, she slapped Meng Yanzhi hard across the face and snarled: “How dare you! Who do you think you are? Have you no manners, speaking to me like this!”
Meng Yanzhi’s cheek burned with stinging pain. With reddened eyes, she silently stared at Meng’s Mother without uttering a word.
“Meng Yanzhi, mark my words – wear these clothes properly and accompany me to the palace. If you disgrace the Meng family, you’ll see how I deal with you!”
“Worthless trash unfit for decent company!”
After gritting these words through clenched teeth, Meng’s Mother turned and strode out of the room.
“Miss, are you alright? Does it hurt?”
Mingchu hurried over, examining Meng Yanzhi’s cheek with concern before carefully applying ointment.
Such actions had become routine for Mingchu, who now performed them with practiced ease.
“It’s nothing, just a slap.” Meng Yanzhi smiled indifferently. In the Meng household, slaps were the most trivial form of punishment.
Lu Ping looked astonished. She knew the Meng family favored Meng Anxian, but never imagined the mistreatment went this far?
Not only was she made to do servants’ work, but she also suffered physical abuse?
How could anyone treat their own daughter this way?
“Eldest Miss, this cannot continue like this.”
“Your… your face is swollen.”
Lu Ping gazed at Meng Yanzhi with worried eyes and sighed helplessly.
“It won’t always be like this.”
Meng Yanzhi smiled.
Looking at Lu Ping, she whispered: “Don’t trouble the Crown Prince with the Meng family’s trivial matters. Sister, please don’t mention these things to him either.”
Lu Ping was somewhat surprised. She had thought Meng Yanzhi would complain to the Crown Prince, but she never expected that Meng Yanzhi would actually forbid her from speaking up.
“Miss, you are His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s savior, yet the Meng family treats you like this—it’s truly too much!” Lu Ping was not usually an impulsive person, but these past few days in the Meng household had truly infuriated her.
Meng Yanzhi lowered her gaze and could only sigh helplessly, whispering, “Harmony in the family brings prosperity. I don’t want to cause trouble either.”
At this, Lu Ping had no choice but to sigh and turn to leave.
“Miss, why won’t you let the Crown Prince stand up for you?” Mingchu asked softly as she gently massaged Meng Yanzhi’s cheek with a boiled egg. “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is your only support.”
Support?
Hearing this, Meng Yanzhi felt as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. She chuckled and replied directly, “The Crown Prince has never been my support.”
Right now, the Crown Prince merely didn’t dislike her—far from being her support.
Hearing this, Mingchu also looked utterly helpless and could only sigh, continuing to gently massage Meng Yanzhi’s cheek.
But Meng Yanzhi snatched the boiled egg from her hand, then took a nearby handkerchief and wiped the ointment from her face. She smiled faintly and said, “No need for medicine. It’s better to let it swell.”
After saying this, Meng Yanzhi picked up the clothes on the table and held them up against herself. The clothes were truly exquisitely made. A slight smile curled at the corner of her lips—this was the first time since arriving at the Meng household that she had been given such beautiful clothes.
It seemed the Meng family was only shameless within their own walls; they still cared about their reputation in public. That was good—caring about reputation was a good thing.
After setting the clothes down, Meng Yanzhi smiled cheerfully at Mingchu. “Let’s sleep.”
The next morning.
When Meng Yanzhi woke up, her cheek was already swollen high, with the clear imprint of five fingers visible.
“Oh, miss, your face! How can you show yourself like this?”
Mingchu stared at Meng Yanzhi in shock.
Meng Yanzhi smiled slightly, picked up her lip rouge, and said calmly, “This is perfect. It’s exactly how I should show myself.”
Hearing this, Mingchu seemed to roughly understand Meng Yanzhi’s meaning and began applying makeup for her, skillfully avoiding the bruises on her face. At a glance, it was clear she had suffered great injustice at home.
After dressing herself up, Meng Yanzhi took a round fan to cover her cheek and headed outside.
As she stepped out, she saw Meng’s Mother standing in front of the carriage, looking her up and down before nodding in satisfaction. “Alright, get in the carriage.”
The two of them boarded together, with Meng Yanzhi quietly shrinking into a corner, saying nothing.
She knew very well that Meng’s Mother did not like her, so she had no intention of approaching her on her own.
“Once we arrive at the palace, you must follow the rules. Do not speak to the Crown Prince, and do not try to claim favors for saving him. Understand?” Meng’s Mother glared coldly at Meng Yanzhi as she issued the warning.
Meng Yanzhi immediately understood Meng’s Mother’s meaning—she was afraid Meng Yanzhi would have too much contact with Xiao Ce, fearing she might steal what belonged to Meng Anxian.
Sometimes, Meng Yanzhi really wanted to ask: Who exactly is her biological daughter?
This question, Meng Yanzhi had actually asked in her previous life, but the answer had been so cruel and cold.
Thinking of this, Meng Yanzhi silently nodded, withdrew her gaze, and simply stared outside.