Once Wei San left, Bai Zepei stroked the horse’s fur. He knew it was not a very good horse, but given their family’s current situation, it was already a considerable risk for his sister to bring this horse home.
It thrilled him a bit. Many of his peers rode horses to the Academy, some even planned to ride together to the outskirts after the New Year to cook wine and enjoy the snow. He had not responded at that time, for he did not know how to ride a horse, and they did not own any.
However, his sister had thought it all out for him. She had bought a horse home and even arranged someone to care for it.
Thinking about this journey, his sister had done so much for him and for their family. But what could he do for her?
With this in mind, he told Bai Ruozhu, "I’m going to visit the Meng Residence and may not be home for dinner. Please let our parents know."
Bai Ruozhu opened her mouth, but in the end, chose not to stop her brother. As a scholar, Zepei had his dignity. If she stopped him, it might affect his state of mind.
Moreover, the matter had spread to the Study Palace in Beiyu. It was not only her reputation at stake, but also her brother’s.
Finally, Bai Ruozhu had Wei San drive Zepei to Meng Residence and return.
...
In the Leisure Residence of Meng Family, the old lady with a stern face, spoke coldly to Wang Miaoshuang who had the same chilling aura, "Miss Wang, ever since you entered through that door, when did I ever intimidate you as your mother-in-law? When did I make rules for you?"
Wang Miaoshuang didn’t speak, but the disdain on her face was clear that she was saying; it all depended on whether you dare or not.
The old lady snorted coldly and said, "Do you really think your status is so noble that I dare not do anything to you? That I have to respect and fear you? Sure, we, the Meng family, may not be a noble house, but we’re not far from it. Even if the late Empress loved you deeply, she has long passed away. The current Empress is the former Queen. How much do you think she loves you?"
"Even a princess respects her in-law’s customs when she marries into a family, you’re not even a real Duchess, do you think we are afraid of you?" The old lady’s tone became colder as Wang Miaoshuang continued to be obstinate.
"I am old and have experienced many storms. I have begun to see many things lightly, and I did not want to argue with you, a younger generation, about insignificant matters. As long as our family is harmonious, everything else can be negotiated. Meng Liangshen is an important official of the Emperor, the harmony of this backyard is crucial to him. But what about you? You have been given the power to manage this household. Has this household been managed well under your supervision? Look at all the scandals that have manifested, do you think the Meng Residence is some upstart’s household?"
Wang Miaoshuang coldly remained silent. If you’re afraid of people finding out, then don’t do such shameful things.
"If you don’t change your ways, I’ll submit a petition to the Emperor myself, and don’t blame me for not warning you beforehand. Once the petition reaches the Emperor, Liangshen will surely divorce you," the old lady snorted coldly. This woman was foolish to the extreme, she still didn’t realize the grave mistake she had made.
"Surely the Emperor is not biased towards the Meng Family?" Wang Miaoshuang said discontentedly, "Liability rests with Lord Meng first of all. Is it appropriate for a lord of a City to be leading such an indecent lifestyle?"
The old lady glared back harshly, "Shut your damn mouth! What kind of filthy thoughts do you have in your head? Didn’t you know how vulgar you sound? Let me tell you now, what Liangshen did was a task assigned by the Emperor, and it was a secret mission signed by the three parties. If you’re not afraid of death, just keep making a scene! Your death isn’t surprising, but be careful not to bring down your entire family."
Wang Miaoshuang’s head buzzed, a three-party signed secret mission, how could this be?
"Impossible! How could the Emperor’s secret mission have anything to do with Bai Ruozhu?" Wang Miaoshuang asked incredulously. There was still a glimmer of hope in her eyes as if she wanted to see a trace of lying in the old lady’s eyes.
The old lady sneered, "The details of the secret mission is not something you and I can question. If you don’t believe it, you’re welcome to definitely try. The invitation I plan to submit to the Emperor will not affect the Meng Residence too much, it’s merely about divorce. I guess your father should also forget about appearing before the Emperor again."
Wang Miaoshuang’s anger finally vanished and in its place, was depression and despair. She mumbled, "How did this happen? Why didn’t anyone tell me from the start?"
"Tell you? You can’t even manage this house, can’t even control the people around you. The penalty for leaking a secret mission is beheading. Who would dare tell you? Also, should things about the officialdom really be discussed with women folks?" There was no trace of kindness on the old lady’s face anymore. The look in her eye towards Wang Miaoshuang was filled with disgust and disappointment.
"I am giving you three days to settle this matter. I do not want Liangshen to be impeached due to this. If the matter cannot be settled satisfactorily, I will submit this petition to the Capital as soon as possible, and you’d better prepare to leave the Meng Residence!" The old lady then tapped the petition on the table.
Wang Miaoshuang didn’t know how she managed to walk out of the Leisure Residence. She thought about Lord Meng, undoubtedly angry, regretful that she wanted to apologize in the study. But unfortunately, she had been blocked outside the study and dared not force her way in, leaving no choice but to weep going back to her own backyard.
In Meng Liangshen’s study, Bai Zepei stood upright, saying neither servilely nor overbearingly, "Although my sister is not an eligible bachelorette, her reputation should not be tarnished like this. Please, sir, let the person who made the mistake apologize to my sister publicly."
Meng Liangshen massaged his temples, the headache intensifying. He never could have imagined that the matter would spread to the Study Palace in the North Beiyu, but he knew his wife’s temperament all too well. It would not be easy to make her apologize to Bai Ruozhu, let alone publicly.
"Please give my sister justice, sir, and allow me to raise my head high in the future!" Bai Zepei continued to speak neither servilely nor overbearingly. His words, however, felt more and more pressing.
Meng Liangshen had heard rumors outside as well. Some people said that Bai Zepei had offered his sister to Meng Liangshen, and that was why Meng Liangshen had recommended him to join the Class A in the Study Palace in the North Beiyu. This statement was not only insulting to Bai Zepei but also to him, Meng Liangshen.
However, he was getting impatient at this moment. He looked at Zepei and said, "Speaking to me this way, aren’t you afraid I’ll punish you?"
"I believe that sir is a fair and impartial official." Bai Zepei bowed and said, his expression still showing no fear.
Looking at the fearless young man in front of him, Meng Liangshen couldn’t help but recall himself twenty years ago. It was his principles and fearlessness against authority that earned him the favor of the current Emperor and led him to his position today.
Unfortunately...now he was incapable of managing everything, and his backyard was in chaos.
In the end, he sighed and said, "The title of a good official is too burdensome. It even makes it hard for me to say no. Okay, I promise you, if my wife insists on not apologizing to Miss Bai in public, I will divorce her and explain to the everyone in the city and apologize to Miss Bai."
Bai Zepei was stunned before gratitude filled his face. He knelt down immediately and said, "Thank you, sir, for being fair and just!"