“I know, Second Sister is about to become engaged to the Xie family. In the future, General Xie will be my brother-in-law. How could I dare to have feelings for my own brother-in-law?”
Seeing Meng Jinrong’s disdainful and disbelieving expression, Meng Jinyue seemed to grow anxious.
Her eyes suddenly reddened, mist swirling in their depths, as she said, “Sister, I can swear—if I speak even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death.”
She truly did not care for these men. Whether it was the Crown Prince or Xie Yunye, the men her two sisters loved, she felt nothing for them.
She hadn’t liked them in her past life, and it was the same in this one.
But unlike her past life, this time, she would make her sisters’ men fall for her.
If, in the future, Xie Yunye and the others were to develop deep feelings for her of their own accord, her sisters should no longer blame her for it.
It would be best if she could make these sisters die at the hands of the men they loved most—that would suit her just fine.
Meng Jinyue sneered inwardly, eagerly anticipating that day.
“Hmph!” Meng Jinrong snorted coldly, though her expression softened somewhat.
Meng Jinyue had always been obedient since childhood—timid and foolish. Apart from Su Lie, she truly had no connections with any other men.
Her words did not arouse any suspicion in Meng Jinrong.
“It’s not ‘about to become engaged’—it’s already settled. The Xie family has sent word back, and Brother Xie likes me very much. After today, our engagement will be officially confirmed.”
“Soon, an auspicious date will be chosen, and we will marry.”
Meng Jinyue lowered her head and softly offered her congratulations: “I wish my sister the joy of finding a good match.”
Meng Jinyue had long known that the two would become engaged.
She had only met Xie Yunye once today, and their time together was too brief to make him fall for her.
But there was plenty of time ahead, and she was confident she could steal Second Sister’s beloved.
“Sister is virtuous and kind, and General Xie is upright and honorable. I’m sure you will have a harmonious marriage and a smooth life together.”
She kept her head bowed, her voice so soft it seemed nervous and fearful, yet it carried a tone of sincerity.
Meng Jinrong, recalling her timid nature and the warnings from their father and grandmother, suppressed her jealousy and resentment. She viciously issued a threat:
“You’d better behave yourself. If I ever discover you harboring any improper thoughts, even if Father and Grandmother try to stop me, I won’t let you off.”
Before leaving, Meng Jinrong shot Meng Jinyue one last fierce glare.
Only after she had gone far away did Qiu Ning cautiously speak up: “Miss, what should we do now? Will Second Young Lady take action against you?”
In this household, the Madam held absolute power—she had status, position, and the Master’s favor, and she had borne two daughters and a son.
“She won’t.”
Meng Jinyue raised her head, no trace of fear left on her face.
“Not for now, at least. I still have uses for Father.”
Her ability to grow up safely in the Meng household relied entirely on her father.
Once, she had believed that at least her father and grandmother cared for her somewhat.
Later, she realized that because she had shown signs of beauty from a young age, her father had begun to scheme, planning to send his exceptionally beautiful concubine-born daughter out in the future to curry favor with a prince.
If his eldest daughter failed to become the Crown Princess, this concubine-born younger daughter could still be sent to the Crown Prince’s residence.
Or to the residence of another prince, to serve as a concubine—she would be useful regardless.
Because of her father’s ambitions, she had been forced to learn dancing from a young age, even though she had no interest in it at all.
In her previous life, she hadn’t understood why, but later she realized it was because men liked women with slender waists for dancing.
From beginning to end, her father had only ever seen her as a tool, never truly as a daughter.
“If only the young lady could marry earlier, it would be better than being bullied by the Second Young Lady in the manor. They were both born of the same mother, yet the Eldest Young Lady and the Young Master are nothing like the Second Young Lady—so arrogant and domineering. The young lady is clearly also a master of this household.”
Meng Jinyue looked at the innocent Qiu Ning and merely smiled faintly without saying a word.
How could sisters born from the same mother’s womb be any different?
In her previous life, she had already witnessed Meng Jinhua’s twisted and ferocious side, which surpassed even Meng Jinrong’s.
It was just that Meng Jinhua was exceptionally skilled at disguising herself in daily life. She aspired to seize the position of Crown Princess, so naturally, she had to appear gentle and virtuous, nothing like the shallow and scheming Meng Jinrong.
“What a pity for General Xie—a fresh flower stuck in cow dung. Heaven truly must be blind, allowing someone like the Second Young Lady to find such a perfect husband.”
“How could General Xie agree to this marriage? Could it be that he doesn’t know the Second Young Lady’s true nature? This servant truly wishes General Xie would abandon her.”
Realizing the impropriety of her remaining words, Qiu Ning didn’t continue.
“Marrying Second Sister would be advantageous for General Xie. Why wouldn’t he marry her? Qiu Ning, in this world, as long as one is human, they calculate gains and losses, and men are especially like this.”
Qiu Ning was immediately left speechless, then filled with heartache again.
“It’s a pity the young lady wasn’t born from the Madam’s womb.”
With her young lady’s beauty, if she were the legitimate daughter, the position of Crown Princess would surely be within easy reach.
Meng Jinyue: “Qiu Ning, don’t speak such words.”
“My mother carried me for ten months before giving birth to me. I am her only hope for living.”
Qiu Ning also realized her mistake, her face filled with regret as she covered her mouth: “Young lady, I was wrong.”
The concubine had been sent to the manor for confinement, and the young lady still had to look after her every month. Because the young lady feared for her mother, she dared not resist even when bullied by the Second Young Lady.
Over time, Qiu Ning couldn’t help but feel heartache for her young lady. It was always the mother who protected the daughter, yet her young lady, so young, had to protect her mother.
Meng Jinyue held her hand: “I know you meant no harm, Qiu Ning. I wish to rest now.”
Lying in bed, Meng Jinyue began to review the events of the day and plan her next steps once more.
Today’s objective had already been achieved: she had saved Xie Qingzhi, met Xie Yunye, shared a brief moment with him, and established a bond of gratitude between them.
Moreover, although Xie Yunye concealed it well, Meng Jinyue could still tell that he had a favorable impression of her.
The Crown Prince and Xie Yunye were sworn brothers who had faced life and death together. Even from her previous life, she knew they shared similarities in the type of women they liked.
The Crown Prince was born into nobility, and Xie Yunye hailed from the Duke’s household—both of high status, blessed by heaven with exceptional abilities.
As a result, both were somewhat arrogant and enjoyed controlling everything.
Men like them preferred timid, weak, innocent, and pitiable women.
In her previous life, she had been exactly that kind of person, which was why both Xie Yunye and the Crown Prince had harbored some desire for her.
In this life, she would disguise herself just as she had in her previous life—gentle, kind, and fragile.