At the door of the room, Xue Xing Yue saw Meng Jiang Ming standing there. Upon seeing her appear, he quickly stepped forward and asked, "Where did you go?"
Xue Xing Yue bowed and replied, "This humble one was called by the Madam to be questioned about some matters."
Meng Jiang Ming trembled and asked, "Did she make things difficult for you?"
Xue Xing Yue shook her head, "Not at all."
Meng Jiang Ming looked at the person before him, unharmed, and suddenly felt he had made a mountain out of a molehill. No matter what, his mother would not act rashly.
Especially since he had warned her before.
"Master驸马, if there is nothing else, this humble one wishes to rest first."
Since returning, she had not had any time to rest, and Xue Xing Yue felt extremely weary.
Meng Jiang Ming could also see that Xue Xing Yue appeared very tired. "As you wish!"
Xue Xing Yue turned and entered the room, leaving only her retreating back for Meng Jiang Ming.
Meng Jiang Ming found it somewhat amusing. He shook his head and also left.
Xue Xing Yue lay on the bed. The events of this day were more numerous than all those she had experienced since arriving in the capital.
She hadn't expected that even without her, Xue Xing Yue, and with her replaced by Xiao Yue, she would still be noticed by everyone.
It seemed she needed to be even more careful, to avoid causing any more trouble, especially during this period when she could not reveal her identity.
Meng Lian returned to the manor and was somewhat overjoyed to hear that Madam Jiang wished to see him. Ever since Madam Jiang returned from the Jiang family, she had been acting somewhat strange. However, he had thought it was simply because the Jiang family was gone, and Madam Jiang was grieving for her family, so he paid it no mind, believing she would tell him if anything was amiss. He had not expected for the wait to be so long.
Later, even when he inquired, Madam Jiang would only say that she hadn't recovered from the matters of the Jiang family, and he thought that with time, everything would be fine.
Since then, every time he visited Madam Jiang's room, she would turn him away with various excuses. He had no concubines, and he disliked maids kept for pleasure, so he had endured it all.
Now, Madam Jiang had summoned him, and Meng Lian eagerly went to her room.
Seeing Meng Lian, Madam Jiang stepped forward and curtsied, "Duke."
Meng Lian stepped forward, helped Madam Jiang up, and said, "Madam, why must we be so formal? Please rise quickly."
Madam Jiang rose and said, "Duke, please sit."
Meng Lian looked at Madam Jiang's beautiful face under the dim candlelight, feeling a stir of desire. Madam Jiang also sensed Meng Lian's intense gaze.
She poured a cup of tea and offered it to Meng Lian, saying, "Duke."
Meng Lian took Madam Jiang's hand and said, "Jiang Shi, it has been a long time..."
"Duke, this concubine has something important to say..."
Her next words were swallowed in fear as Meng Lian scooped her up and headed towards the inner chambers.
"Duke, this concubine really has something important to discuss."
"Whatever it is, we can discuss it later."
Jiang Shi struggled and said, "Duke, it needs to be said now."
Meng Lian looked at the reluctant Madam Jiang in his arms, and his earlier passion vanished instantly.
Jiang Shi stood firm and was about to speak when Meng Lian said, "I have other matters to attend to. We will discuss this later."
With that, Meng Lian left without looking back.
Jiang Shi gazed at Meng Lian's departing back, a faint ache in her heart.
Leaving Madam Jiang's room, Meng Lian went directly to the study.
"Duke, this servant has made you tremella and lotus seed soup. Please have some!"
Meng Lian looked up, seeing the maid with flushed cheeks, and felt annoyed. He said coldly, "You can go now."
The maid placed the bowl down and quickly ran off.
Meng Lian sat in his chair and sighed.
Everything had gone wrong. In the past, he and his Madam had been loving and affectionate. He didn't know when it had all changed, but it seemed to have begun after Madam Jiang returned from the Jiang family.
Thinking of this, Meng Lian narrowed his eyes. Had something happened at the Jiang family?
But Meng Lian soon sighed again. If Madam Jiang didn't want to tell him, there was no way he could find out.
If only the people from the Jiang family were still alive, he could have asked. Who could he ask now?
Suddenly, he remembered Jiang Xiu Yi.
But considering how Jiang Xiu Yi had become erratic after returning from Zhen Wu Guan, he wondered if it was better not to go and ask her.
However, the matter concerning Madam Jiang was like a thorn in his heart. He had a strong desire to know. He stood up, looked at the tremella and lotus seed soup on the table, and thought that he hadn't eaten dinner yet since returning. He picked up the bowl and drank it.
Jiang Xiu Yi was now living in the western part of the manor, the most remote area. The maid in the courtyard was startled to see Meng Lian and quickly stepped forward to bow, "Greetings, Duke!"
"Is Miss Jiang here?" Meng Lian asked.
The maid quickly nodded, "Yes."
Meng Lian felt a little embarrassed, coming so late, but thinking of Madam Jiang, he felt he had to do this, otherwise, he couldn't put his mind at ease.
"Go inside and report," Meng Lian said.
The maid nodded, "Yes, Duke, please wait."
Soon, the maid came out and said, "Duke, Miss Jiang has asked you to come in."
Meng Lian nodded and walked in.
Under the dim candlelight, a beautiful face appeared in Meng Lian's sight. They say nieces resemble their aunts, and Jiang Xiu Yi did indeed bear a resemblance to Madam Jiang.
Jiang Xiu Yi looked up, her eyes seeming to hold a misty moisture, appearing pitiful.
Meng Lian's heart skipped a beat. He didn't know why his heart was racing so fast; this was not normal. Jiang Xiu Yi was Madam Jiang's niece, and therefore his niece as well. And yet, he was experiencing a racing heartbeat for such a young niece. This was not normal.
"Duke," Jiang Xiu Yi stood up and curtsied gracefully.
Meng Lian found Jiang Xiu Yi's posture to be exceptionally beautiful, exuding charm.
Meng Lian quickly bit the tip of his tongue to sober himself. Under the candlelight, Jiang Xiu Yi's gaze shimmered like rippling water as she looked at him. Da Feng Novel Network
Meng Lian felt the urge that he had finally suppressed flare up again.
"Duke, what's wrong?" Jiang Xiu Yi asked.
Her sweet voice carried a hint of seduction.
Meng Lian looked at Jiang Xiu Yi, who was walking towards him, and took a few steps back, saying, "I have some matters to attend to. I will come to find you again tomorrow."
With that, he turned to leave.
However, his sleeve seemed to be caught by something. He yanked it free, and suddenly a fragrant body lunged into his embrace.