After serving the medicinal soup, Granny Zhang left only after confirming Meng Yanzhi had drunk every last drop.
Once Granny Zhang departed, Meng Yanzhi stuck her fingers down her throat and vomited the entire contents back into the bowl.
Her face was deathly pale.
Looking at the regurgitated medicine, she recalled this “tonic” from her previous life whenever she felt disappointed in her mother. Having heard the tonic was exceptionally rare, she had always clung to the illusion that the Meng family held some affection for her. Only after learning the truth did she realize she had been a laughingstock.
This lifetime, she wouldn’t be so foolish!
When the physician from outside arrived, he first smelled the medicine Meng Yanzhi had vomited, then checked her pulse. After examination, his expression shifted. “Miss, you mustn’t drink this soup anymore. This isn’t any tonic—it’s contraceptive medicine. Once or twice might be harmless, but drinking it daily like you do turns it into a sterility drug!”
Mingchu, standing nearby, was shocked. She never dreamed the tonic her mistress drank daily was actually contraceptive medicine!
Who wanted to harm her mistress?
The physician continued, “Fortunately, you discovered it in time. Having consumed it for less than a month, the damage can still be reversed. But you must never touch this medicine again.”
Meng Yanzhi showed no surprise, having known all along. “Then I’ll trouble you to prepare a prescription for me.”
After seeing the physician out, Mingchu asked fearfully, “Miss, what exactly is happening…”
“Just as you see—someone wants to harm me.” Meng Yanzhi grasped Mingchu’s hand. “Right now, in this entire residence, you’re the only one I can trust.”
In that moment, even Mingchu understood.
If she was the only one who could be trusted, then the masters of this household must not be trustworthy. Why? Surely because those who replaced tonic with contraceptive medicine were none other than the master and mistress.
“Why would they treat you this way…” Mingchu’s eyes reddened.
Yes.
Why?
In her previous life, she had been so diligent, so careful, so filial—yet still ended up dying with everlasting regret.
Mingchu’s heart ached for her mistress. “Miss, I will protect you with my life.”
Tears welling in her eyes, Meng Yanzhi gently touched Mingchu’s cheek. “Good.”
The next day, during the appreciation banquet, Meng Yanzhi wore the outfit Meng Anxian had prepared for her.
When they reached the estate gate, Meng Anxian saw Meng Yanzhi’s garish clothing and instantly curled her lips into a smile. She intimately linked arms with Meng Yanzhi. “Elder sister’s striking features will surely captivate all the talented scholars at the banquet dressed like this.”
Before leaving, Meng Yanzhi had inspected this outfit—not only was the weaving crude, but the colors were extremely gaudy. Pink top paired with green bottom made her look like she’d just been pulled from a mud pit. Only her face remained presentable enough to prevent the outfit from appearing utterly bizarre, though such attire was still enough to make others uncomfortable.
Meng Yanzhi glanced at Meng Anxian’s own attire—fresh and elegant, making her originally delicate features appear exceptionally refined.
She smiled. “Is that so? I do particularly like this outfit you chose for me.”
In her previous life, she had attended wearing this very outfit.
And the news that she was adopted from the countryside immediately spread.
People who had initially been jealous that Meng Anxian—from a minor noble family—married the Crown Prince now viewed her more favorably after learning the original designated Crown Princess Consort was Meng Yanzhi.
Later, after she became the butt of jokes, no matter how diligently she managed the Lu household or how properly she carried herself, people still mocked and sneered at her with remarks about being a country girl.
“Country bumpkin.” Meng Anxian’s eyes held mockery. “I’m glad elder sister likes it. I was afraid you wouldn’t…”
Meng Yanzhi smiled faintly, her gaze shifting to someone behind Meng Anxian. “Cousin Yunrou is here too?”
Meng Anxian frowned.
Suddenly being addressed, Xu Yunrou appeared somewhat flustered. She lifted her eyes and stepped forward gently. “Greetings, elder cousin. I heard about the Crown Prince’s appreciation banquet. Aunt specially asked me to come and broaden my horizons.”
Meng Yanzhi chuckled lightly. “I see. What do you think of this outfit of mine, cousin?”
Xu Yunrou’s eyes swept over the attire, a shadow of gloom flashing in her gaze before she smiled softly. “Second cousin always has the finest things. Naturally, what she gives must be the best. This outfit suits you perfectly.”
Meng Yanzhi let out a cold laugh.
To think that dressing her like this for the banquet was the greatest humiliation Meng Anxian’s walnut-sized brain could conceive.
And who else could have spread the rumor that she was some rustic country girl?
Meng Yanzhi’s eyes rested on Xu Yunrou, understanding dawning.
“That’s good. I was afraid it might be too flashy.”
Xu Yunrou smiled faintly.
Soon, Meng’s Mother called for them to enter the Crown Prince’s Residence together.
The servants at the Crown Prince’s Residence were struck speechless at the sight of Meng Yanzhi’s attire.
This…
Dressed like some country chicken.
Everyone looked at Meng Yanzhi with expressions of mixed pity and disdain.
Meng Anxian quickly said, “Elder sister is truly beautiful. Everyone can’t take their eyes off you.”
Meng Yanzhi pretended to be shy, lowering her eyes.
Meng Anxian sneered inwardly. Just wait.
As guests hadn’t arrived yet, the Crown Prince had specially arranged a courtyard for the Meng family members.
Meng Yanzhi found an excuse to step out. Mingchu understood immediately and brought the prepared change of clothes.
After ensuring no one from the Meng family was following, she slipped into a small room and changed into the outfit she had prepared.
The moon-white silk garment was woven like snow, radiating the brilliance of moonlight.
The dress itself wasn’t particularly expensive, but paired with her peach-blossom vibrant face and light makeup that softened her striking features, it created an extraordinary effect.
Her palm-sized face featured fox-like eyes, and now the extreme contrast lent her a beauty reminiscent of the legendary Xishi.
With her slender figure, snow-white skin, and jet-black hair, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
“Young mistress…” Mingchu was speechless, so captivated by the beauty that she forgot to breathe. She had always known her mistress was striking, but never imagined she could be so ethereal in simpler attire.
Meng Yanzhi: “Let’s go.”
Mingchu hurried to follow.
In her previous life, she had encountered the Crown Prince while wearing that red and green outfit. Though he had seemed at a loss for words then, he had still complimented her and guided her, lost, to the banquet.
Now she planned another chance encounter.
But this time, it wouldn’t be under the same circumstances.
Arriving at the rear garden, Meng Yanzhi spotted the dark, ink-colored figure approaching. She lowered her eyes, pretending to search for something.
Suddenly, a clear voice came. “Lady Meng?”
Meng Yanzhi looked toward the voice and saw a young man with handsome features, his eyes bearing a touch of spirited pride. Dressed in dark ink-colored robes, he stood tall and straight, his entire being exuding the noble aura of someone accustomed to luxury.
Beneath Meng Yanzhi’s dark and clear eyes hid a trace of redness. She pressed her lips together, appearing somewhat pale. “Your Highness, I was looking for something.”
Xiao Ce watched as the woman turned around. Her usually vibrant face was now adorned with elegant simplicity. When the breeze blew, her sleeves fluttered as if she were an immortal from a painting, though her slightly reddened eyes added a touch of fragility to her appearance.
He suddenly recalled that day when he was ambushed, and all the women fled in panic—yet she had jumped down without hesitation to save him.
How could someone so delicate possess such courage?
Xiao Ce: “What are you searching for?”
Meng Yanzhi chuckled lightly: “Just some trivial items. The Crown Prince should proceed to the main banquet first.”
But Mingchu, anxiously pacing with tears streaming down her face, interjected: “Miss, how can you call those trivial? They’re your foster mother’s keepsakes…!”