The Meng family residence was second only to the Yue family in Yongcheng.
Now that they had taken over the Yue family's business, they were likely the wealthiest in Yongcheng.
The Meng family courtyard was vast. Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie bypassed the spirit screen to face a waterside pavilion, and beyond that was the guest hall.
"Actually, the Meng family also has businesses at sea," Meng Yuan said to Lu Wuxie as they walked.
Lu Wuxie replied with a calm expression, "It's not surprising. Yongcheng is by the sea. As the wealthiest family in Yongcheng, it would be strange if they didn't deal in imported goods."
"Your Highness is perspicacious!" Meng Yuan said, his face beaming with a smile. "So, we are competitors with the Beichuan Gang, aren't we?"
Zhong Li, following Feng Niannian towards the back garden, faintly heard Meng Yuan mention the Beichuan Gang. This gave her an answer as to why Lu Wuxie had agreed to attend the banquet.
"If the Meng family can assist Your Highness with this matter concerning the Beichuan Gang, I hope Your Highness can grant the Meng family some leniency in the future."
"Brother Meng is so shrewd in business, what leniency does he need from the court?"
"The common people do not contend with officials. This saying has been true for a thousand years and remains so today. Your Highness should know what I, a humble person, am referring to."
...
Zhong Li's steps towards the back garden grew slower and slower. Only when she could no longer hear the conversation between Lu Wuxie and Meng Yuan did she quickly catch up to Feng Niannian.
Feng Niannian glanced at Zhong Li, then lowered her gaze. A subtle smile touched her lips as she said, "Miss Zhong seems very concerned about His Highness? Are Miss Zhong and His Highness...?"
Zhong Li froze. She hadn't expected Feng Niannian to ask such a question. Shaking her head, she was about to explain that she was actually listening to the discussion about the Beichuan Gang.
Unexpectedly, Feng Niannian familiarly linked her arm with Zhong Li's and whispered in her ear with a soft voice, "I've heard before how handsome and dashing His Highness of the Virtuous Prince's estate is. Seeing him now, indeed, no woman could help but feel her heart flutter."
"Madam Feng misunderstands, I..."
"So Miss Zhong has a secret crush. Do you know, Miss Zhong's eyes were on His Highness just now. You might not have noticed, but Niannian is experienced; she can feel it." Feng Niannian interrupted Zhong Li and continued speaking to herself.
Zhong Li felt a sense of helplessness upon hearing this, but...
She bit her lip lightly. She realized she did care a little about Lu Wuxie, but not just now. It was from the moment Feng Niannian appeared in view at the entrance of the Meng mansion. She had actually worried that Lu Wuxie might be moved by seeing this woman as gentle as flowing water.
"What, did I guess right?" Feng Niannian asked quietly, tilting her head as she saw Zhong Li lowering her gaze in thought.
Zhong Li's lips parted, wanting to explain again.
Feng Niannian then said, "But... Miss Zhong is not the only one with one-sided feelings."
Zhong Li paused.
"Niannian may not know many people, but she is very accurate about matters of the heart. His Highness appears nonchalant and languid, but the way he looks at Miss Zhong carries complexity and affection. Niannian thinks His Highness's feelings for Miss Zhong are deeper than Miss Zhong's feelings for His Highness," Feng Niannian said, leading Zhong Li into a courtyard.
Zhong Li's cheeks flushed slightly at her words, and she couldn't help but recall the time on Little Fisher Island when Lu Wuxie suddenly pulled her arm and kissed her lips.
Although she hadn't agreed, she knew her heart had quickened at that moment, and her body had felt weak.
She admitted she was a little smitten with Lu Wuxie, but that feeling wasn't enough to make her proactively want to be close to him or to be with him recklessly. After all, she still had unfinished missions. Especially after he told her about her secret, she needed to get to know this man anew, step by step.
With these thoughts, Zhong Li followed Feng Niannian into her boudoir.
At first, she was a little stunned. It wasn't until a cup of hot tea was placed in her hand that she snapped back to reality.
"Have some tea to warm yourself up," Feng Niannian said with a smile as she sat opposite her.
Zhong Li lowered her gaze, her nose filled with the fragrant aroma of the tea.
Feng Niannian had actually poured her green tea. The ancients were very particular about tea ceremonies. In summer, green tea was generally consumed, while in winter, mostly black tea was preferred, especially by women who understood these distinctions clearly.
"What's wrong? Don't you like Longjing?" Feng Niannian asked.
Zhong Li shook her head, took a sip, and looked up, almost startled by the room's decor.
Every decoration in Feng Niannian's room was primarily red. Even the lacquer on the wooden shelves and side tables was vermilion. If someone wasn't paying attention, upon entering, they might mistake it for a crime scene.
"Does Madam Feng like crimson very much?" Zhong Li asked, putting down her teacup.
Feng Niannian looked around the room in response to her question and said, "Yes, I like it. I liked it before, but especially after marrying Meng Lang, I always felt red was festive, and now I can't do without it."
Zhong Li recalled a psychological program she had watched, which advised against using too much red in bedrooms, as it could stimulate adrenaline, leading to anxiety, insomnia, and neurasthenia.
Looking closely at Feng Niannian's features now, despite the heavy makeup on her face, a faint hint of green could still be seen beneath her lower eyelids.
Indeed, Feng Niannian's mental state was not very good.
"Madam Feng, do you know that too much crimson can affect one's spirit..."
"Madam, the sugared dates are ready!" As Zhong Li was halfway through her sentence, a young maidservant dressed in a red silk skirt entered from outside.
Feng Niannian smiled faintly at Zhong Li and said, "I'll go get some sugared dates. Miss Zhong, please have your tea."
With that, she turned and walked out of the room without giving Zhong Li a chance to respond.
Zhong Li sighed and looked at the young maidservant standing opposite her. "What's your name?"
The young maidservant, dusting Feng Niannian's room with a feather duster, was startled when Zhong Li called her. Before she could answer, a red vase on the shelf was knocked to the ground by her feather duster and shattered.
Zhong Li felt a bit awkward. Although she had never been served, she had seen the people around Lu Wuxie. She had never encountered such a clumsy young girl before.
Seeing that she had caused a disaster, the young maidservant paid no mind to Zhong Li and quickly crouched down to clean up. Once she had mostly tidied up, she gave Zhong Li a hasty glance, not bothering to clean the remaining powder on the ground, and quickly ran out of the room.
Zhong Li sighed, got up, and walked to a corner, picking up a dustpan and broom to start sweeping.
"Madam!"
She was halfway through sweeping when the door to the room was pushed open, and Meng Yuan strode in.
Zhong Li was similar in build to Feng Niannian. Meng Yuan merely glanced at her back in passing, frowned, and said, "Why are you dressed so plainly? Where is the red attire?"
As he spoke, Meng Yuan walked over to Zhong Li and prepared to tug at her clothes.
Zhong Li was particularly sensitive to people approaching her. She turned around coldly and looked at Meng Yuan.
Meng Yuan's hand froze mid-air. Seeing Zhong Li's face, he was momentarily stunned and then quickly cupped his hands, saying, "My apologies, Judge Zhong. Meng mistook you for someone else."
Zhong Li remained silent, merely placing the dustpan and broom back in their original positions and returning to her seat.
"Judge Zhong," Meng Yuan said, picking up the purple clay teapot from the table and finding it contained green tea. He smiled apologetically, poured a cup of clear tea with his right hand, and raised it above his head, saying, "Meng has offended you greatly just now. I hope Judge Zhong will forgive me." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Zhong Li looked at Meng Yuan, her brow furrowed slightly. She always felt something was not quite right with this man, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. He seemed a little more polite and gentle than he had been in the carriage.
Just as she was about to accept the clear tea from Meng Yuan, Feng Niannian walked in carrying the sugared dates. Seeing Meng Yuan in the room, she was first taken aback, then quickly smiled charmingly and said, "Meng Lang, why are you in my room instead of accompanying His Highness in the guest hall?"