The woman talking to Yu Hongxiu was probably in her mid-twenties, with a narrow chin reminiscent of a melon seed, big eyes, cherry lips, a standard classical beauty.
Upon being introduced by Yu Hongxiu, she gave Bai Ruozhu a polite smile. It wasn’t particularly close, but it lacked the inquisitiveness or disdain typical of others.
Bai Ruozhu smiled back at her. She wasn’t up for undue enthusiasm at their first meeting, and the lady’s demeanor comforted her.
"Ruozhu, this is the wife of Captain Zheng. She is gentle and you’ll surely get along," Yu Hongxiu told Bai Ruozhu, winking at her.
Bai Ruozhu immediately understood. Yu Hongxiu was helping her find another patient. Last time, it was Mrs. Li who gave her quite a scare, but luckily that was successfully resolved. She wondered what brings Mrs. Zheng this time.
"Ruozhu pays her respects to Mrs. Zheng," Bai Ruozhu bowed courteously.
Mrs. Zheng gave a slight smile, her expression extremely beautiful, yet there seemed to be a trace of sorrow, hidden deep within her eyes, hard to detect and impossible to easily disperse.
"Ruozhu? What a lovely name," Mrs. Zheng complimented with a smile.
"Ruozhu is from a scholarly family, the names of the children are all very meaningful," said Yu Hongxiu deliberately, trying to enhance Bai Ruozhu’s status.
Bai Ruozhu smiled slightly. If outsiders knew about her grandfather’s and her uncle’s character, they would deem the reference to a scholarly family an embarrassment.
The onlookers who were secretly observing Bai Ruozhu resumed their chatter. Whether they liked Bai Ruozhu or not, she was an invited guest of the Meng family. Staring at her would seem rude and might even upset the hosts.
"Isn’t that woman too shameless? She hasn’t even entered the Meng family yet and she’s already styling her hair like a married woman. Why is she so eager?" A woman muttered from a distance.
Bai Ruozhu’s keen hearing picked up this comment. She almost rolled her eyes. Being a married woman, she naturally styled her hair as such. It had nothing to do with a desire to be a concubine in the Meng family. Does a married woman still style her hair like a maiden?
"Oh, you really are ignorant. That woman was married and even had a child. How could she not style her hair like a married woman?" Another lady nearby whispered.
"Really? Even someone like her caught Master Meng’s attention, this..."
"Shush, don’t let the Meng family hear you!"
...
Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips. Cleanliness comes from the self; the truth will soon reveal itself.
Nanny Lu also overheard their conversation, her expression unsightly. She wished she could rush over and clarify things, but she couldn’t act recklessly. She had to wait for the Mistress to apologize herself.
Just then, Miss Meng came in with the Second Miss. A warm smile graced her face. People enthusiastically greeted her. She responded lightly and strolled over to Bai Ruozhu.
An eerie silence fell over the room again. Many people watched with ill-concealed glee, as if they were about to see Miss Meng pick a fight with Bai Ruozhu.
However, some frowned, thinking that Miss Meng was being too impulsive. She, a maiden yet to come of age and due to marry in a couple of years, why lower herself to confront this sort of person?
But contrary to everyone’s assumptions, Meng Jinse approached Bai Ruozhu and bowed. Meng Jinxia, standing beside her, quickly followed suit.
"Doctor Bai, I really owe you a debt of gratitude for curing my grandmother. Her health has improved significantly, and she’s been able to eat more. As her granddaughter, I am truly grateful to you." Meng Jinse said with a smile. Looking at Bai Ruozhu, there was a hint of remorse in her eyes, making her seem like a pitiful little kitten.
Seeing the sincerity from the young lady, Bai Ruozhu softened a bit. After all, she was just a fourteen-year-old child.
She smiled at Meng Jinse and said, "It’s my duty to treat the elderly lady, and it’s my honor to use my medical skills to be of service."
During the conversation, she glanced at Meng Jinxia. She had forgotten to report the second miss’s condition to the elderly lady after the incident that day. After the banquet, she must inform the elderly lady about it.
Everyone was somewhat confused. Even if Miss Meng wanted to show her grace and kindness, there was no need for her to stoop and build a good relationship with a woman who was about to become her father’s concubine.
Moreover, everyone noticed the extreme politeness and even a bit of humility in Meng Jinse’s tone.
Just as everyone was puzzled, Wang Miaoshuang walked in. Her face was pale, and even with a thick layer of makeup, she couldn’t hide the dark circles under her eyes, suggesting she hadn’t had proper rest recently.
"I truly appreciate everyone’s attendance at today’s banquet. I hope you all enjoy a few drinks later to celebrate the festive mood of the New Year." Wang Miaoshuang managed to squeeze out a smile, addressing the ladies present.
Mdm Qu following close behind her, the second wife of the Meng family, wore a sarcastic smile. She was keen to see how Wang Miaoshuang would wind things up.
Mdm Qu was a capable woman, but her husband, Meng Liangjue’s position in the family was far lower than Lord Meng Liangshen’s. With a sister-in-law who was a princess dominating the family, she had no chance to assert herself. Her husband wasn’t interested in jockeying for position, which she had come to accept and focused on taking care of the family and children.
So what if her sister-in-law was a princess? Her husband had still taken concubines, and had a daughter out of wedlock. In contrast, she and her husband lived harmoniously; he hadn’t brought home a single concubine, and their three children were both intelligent and obedient. She wondered who the real winner in life was?
It was a shame that Wang Miaoshuang was becoming more and more extreme, even neglecting the Meng Residence for her revenge and her protection of self-interest. Her actions and the flowing rumors everywhere could affect the potential marriage prospects of the Meng’s children. The second wife’s eldest son was turning fourteen this year and was soon to be betrothed.
So, the matter of the First Lady "catching an adulterer" had nearly caused her to offend all the masters in the Residence.
While everyone exchanged pleasantries, but Lady Meng did not invite them to sit down, which caused some mumbling. They speculated whether she was waiting for someone.
Meng Jinse furrowed her brow slightly. She walked swiftly to her mother and looped her arm through hers, saying, "Mother, I’d like to sit next to you at the banquet."
Wang Miaoshuang shivered as she thought of what the woman had warned her about. She clenched her teeth with humiliation and discontent written all over her face, and said, "Since everyone is here today, I’d also like to take the opportunity to apologize to Doctor Bai."
Everyone’s eyes widened as if they had heard something absolutely unbelievable. Surely their ears weren’t playing tricks on them?
The beautiful lady who had previously badmouthed Bai Ruozhu by the main gate was also dumbstruck. What was going on? Why would a wife lower herself to apologize to a concubine? Even if it was someone too weak-willed, that would have been acceptable, but the one apologizing was Wang Miaoshuang — the proud princess!
Wang Miaoshuang saw everyone’s reaction and felt so frustrated that her lungs hurt. She clenched her teeth and continued, "I suppose you’ve all heard some rumors lately that are not in the Meng Residence’s favor. I take the blame for not managing my household properly, letting rumors spread."
----
Take a look at my friend Shumu’s book, "Poisonous Healer: The Beloved Princess Consort," with its fascinating story of intrigue and deceit.
Plot Summary: Amid ongoing warfare, he forcefully possessed her. Rumored to be a prince suffering from a long-term illness, he was, in fact, a puppeteer ruling from behind the curtains. She came in strong, using her transmigration ability and exceptional medical skills to detoxify his body, helping him rule the world. But with grudges of the country and family, and a decade of life and death, nothing can beat one sentence: "I swear to love you above everything else."