Meng Wantang straightened up, towering over the slumped Meng Wanqing. “If I truly cared,” she said, voice sharp and unflinching, “I would have gone to demand an explanation the moment I learned the truth. Not like now—watching each of them fall into poverty, and seeing you tumble into hell.”
Meng Wanqing froze completely, her mind blank.
She had always believed Meng Wantang’s greatest weakness was her desire for family approval—if she could leverage that, Meng Wantang would obey.
But she had never imagined that Meng Wantang simply did not care at all.
All of her carefully crafted plans, all of her reliance on her family, had become a cruel joke.
A wave of panic surged through her, as if the world she had meticulously constructed was collapsing in an instant.
“No… impossible…” Meng Wanqing muttered, her eyes vacant, utterly bewildered.
Without the Meng family’s leverage, she was no match for Meng Wantang. What could she do next?
Meng Wantang gazed at her, lost and broken, her eyes showing not an ounce of pity. She turned to leave.
At the door, she paused, glancing back at Meng Wanqing, her tone ice-cold: “Enjoy the days ahead, Meng Wanqing. Your nightmare has only just begun.”
And with that, she strode out without looking back.
Back in her courtyard, Meng Wantang saw Xiao Muyan sitting obediently on a chair, waiting for her.
Xiao Jingyuan had already gone to the palace for the royal banquet.
She knew a conspiracy against him was about to unfold; exile was inevitable.
There was no time to waste. She had to prepare.
Meng Wantang knelt before Xiao Muyan, gently stroking his head. “Muyan, mama has something to tell you.”
Her voice was soft, but carried a subtle gravity. “We’re going to leave here soon, to a very far place. The journey may be difficult—are you afraid?”
Xiao Muyan lifted his round eyes to hers, his expression serious despite his small, childlike features. “Wherever mama is, Muyan will be too. I’m not afraid, as long as I’m with you.”
Seeing her son so sensible, Meng Wantang’s heart softened instantly, and tears glimmered in her eyes.
She pulled him tightly into her embrace, voice trembling slightly: “Alright, mama will stay with Muyan always.”
After releasing Xiao Muyan, Meng Wantang sprang into action.
She emptied the entire storage of the prince’s residence—gold, silver, jewels, silks, rare medicines—everything was secured.
Next, she prepared several sets of clothing for Xiao Muyan. The outer layer was durable rough cloth, with soft silk underneath. This would protect his delicate skin while withstanding the harsh journey ahead.
Everything ready, Meng Wantang changed into a pre-prepared plain outfit. Simple, yet neat.
Cradling Xiao Muyan, she stared out the window with unwavering determination.
The palace banquet below was already in chaos.
She only needed to wait for the right moment, and with her son, begin a new life on the road to exile.
She arranged everything meticulously. The room was stocked with grain, medicine, and treasures—enough to sustain her and Xiao Muyan for a long time.
Seated at the table, mother and son quietly shared a meal, as if the outside storms could not reach them.
The palace guards, tense and nervous, clutched the token Xiao Jingyuan had left, anxiously ensuring no one approached Meng Wantang’s courtyard.
At that moment, a commotion arose outside.
Meng Wanqing barged in with her father, mother, four brothers, and the resentful Meng Yimu, their presence overwhelming.
Seeing Meng Wantang calmly dining at the table, Meng Wanqing’s eyes reddened as she screamed, “Meng Wantang! You filthy girl! How dare you eat and drink here in comfort!”
She pointed at her swollen face and bruised hand, appealing to her parents. “Father! Mother! Look! She beat me like this! She even attacked Zhang Mama and Li Mama, nearly killing them!”
Meng Mother’s heart twisted at the sight of her daughter’s injuries. She pointed at Meng Wantang in rage: “You wretched girl! Wanqing treated you kindly, yet you dared to harm her! Today I will teach you a lesson!”
Meng Father’s face darkened, voice stern: “Ungrateful creature, kneel and apologize to Wanqing immediately!”
The four Meng brothers clenched their fists, ready to attack, eyes full of menace.
Meng Yunchong sneered, “Just a lowly illegitimate girl dares to act up in front of us. Today, you’ll learn your place!”
Meng Yimu glared, still holding her puffy face, hatred boiling.
Meng Yunzheng raised his hand to strike, but as his palm neared Meng Wantang, she gently shifted, still holding Xiao Muyan.
A single palm struck out.
“Bang!” Meng Yunzheng flew back, slamming into the courtyard wall, groaning in pain, unable to rise.
Everyone froze, stunned by her strength.
During the move of the prince’s treasures, her spatial powers had upgraded, and her cultivation had leapt to mid-foundation stage.
Her spiritual energy was denser than ever.
Against these powerless mortals, she was unstoppable.
“Who dares touch mama!” Xiao Muyan shouted, his tiny face angry even as he clutched her.
Meng Wantang’s eyes turned icy. In a blur, she struck again.
Meng Yunting was kicked away, Meng Yunxi struck in the chest, and Meng Yunchong’s wrist twisted with a crisp crack.
In an instant, all four brothers were sprawled on the ground, moaning in pain.
Meng Father and Mother paled, stepping back in fear.
Meng Wanqing was petrified, lips quivering, unable to believe what she saw.
Even the butler, holding the token, nearly dropped it in shock.
He had intended to protect Meng Wantang as per Xiao Jingyuan’s instructions, but now it was clear: this Meng Wantang needed no protection. She was a force not to be trifled with.
“How… how do you have such strength…” Meng Mother stammered, eyes wide with fear.
Meng Wantang, holding Xiao Muyan, looked down at the groaning family with disdain.
Meng Yunchong lay on the ground, trembling, still defiant: “You lowborn creature! A little skill won’t change your lowly nature!”
“Lowly?” Meng Wantang’s cold laugh cut the air. She fixed Meng Wanqing with a sharp gaze. “The truly lowly one… is you, Meng Wanqing.”
Her eyes swept over everyone present, including the shocked butler, as she spoke slowly:
“Years ago, Meng Yimu secretly swapped me with Meng Wanqing. I am the true eldest daughter of the Meng family. And Meng Wanqing…”
Her gaze landed on Meng Yimu, a trace of scorn in her tone.
“Perhaps a bastard daughter of Meng Yimu and some outsider? Otherwise, why would she willingly swap me—the true Meng heiress—leaving her in the family to enjoy wealth and prestige?”