CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: WHAT A CUP OF AGED GREEN TEA

As they walked out the door, Meng Zhu asked Meng Yao, "How did you hurt your arm?"

"Do you remember the matter with that Taoist priest?"

Meng Zhu nodded.

"It wasn’t an individual act; it was a gang operation. That Taoist priest played a very important role, so their gang targeted me. During the scuffle, I got injured accidentally," Meng Yao explained.

Meng Zhu’s face turned pale with fear, her trembling hand lifted Meng Yao’s sleeve, revealing several long scabs to her eyes.

"Big sister, take a deep breath and relax," Meng Yao quickly reassured her. "Aren’t I fine now? Really, it’s nothing. At a critical moment, someone rescued me."

Meng Zhu’s voice broke, "Such long wounds, and you say it’s nothing. They’ll leave scars later, won’t they? What to do about that!"

"The County Magistrate gave me an ointment for scars. Once the scabs fall off, it’ll heal after some time. Besides, I’m not a little girl, so scars aren’t such a big deal," Meng Yao said in a relaxed tone.

Meng Zhu glared at her, "What does it matter not being a little girl? Are you planning never to marry again in your life?"

"If someone dislikes me just because of the scars on my arm, they couldn’t really care for me sincerely. Why bother marrying such a person?" Meng Yao replied with a smile. "It’s all fine now, so don’t worry, sis. You’re expecting; you can’t let your emotions run high."

Meng Zhu carefully placed Meng Yao’s sleeve back down, "You, when will you stop making people worry?"

"I’ll definitely protect myself better in the future and make sure not to get hurt," Meng Yao promised with a smile.

"By the way, what about the person who saved you? You’ve got to thank him properly for saving your life," Meng Zhu said.

"I already thanked him," Meng Yao replied.

"How did you thank him?" Meng Zhu asked.

"Well, I just said thank you. Oh, and he did ask me for some pills," Meng Yao recalled but kept He Yan’s request for her to safeguard something a secret.

"You’re not a three-year-old; a mere ’thank you’ for a life-saving grace?" Meng Zhu was displeased.

"Well, the County Magistrate had given him a task, so there wasn’t time to thank him properly," Meng Yao explained.

"He’s from the Government Office?" Meng Zhu pressed.

Government Office? He Yan was working for Ren Zhong, so technically, he was with the Government Office.

Meng Yao nodded.

"How old is he? Is he married?" Meng Zhu’s eyes sparkled.

Meng Yao felt a headache coming on; she really didn’t know. Although He Yan behaved like a single man, who knows if he truly was? Many men who travel love to pretend they’re single.

Seeing Meng Yao’s expression, Meng Zhu realized she didn’t know anything and sighed, "What can I say about you? Do you know when he’ll finish his task? As his sister, I must personally thank him."

"How would I know?"

She truly didn’t know.

He Yan was undercover, and it was hard to say when he’d gather enough evidence.

"The County Magistrate’s son is here. When you send him off or when the County Magistrate comes to visit, don’t forget to ask," Meng Zhu instructed.

"Alright," Meng Yao agreed readily.

"Don’t brush me off," Meng Zhu glared at her.

"How could I ever brush off big sister?" Meng Yao replied obediently.

Meng Zhu knew she didn’t really mean it but felt helpless, thinking she might ask her husband to look into it. If the man was married, they would send a thank-you gift. If he wasn’t and was decent, maybe they could match them up.

Zhao Xiaohua and Wen Nuan came running towards them.

"Mom, Auntie," Zhao Xiaohua called out cheerfully.

Wen Nuan followed suit, calling out "Auntie" twice.

"Mom, Wen Nuan can really run. I thought she couldn’t keep up with me, but she didn’t lag behind at all," Zhao Xiaohua exclaimed. "We ran three laps around the village; I’m out of breath, but she’s not winded at all."

Meng Yao turned her gaze to Wen Nuan and, indeed, her breathing was steady. Despite being skinny, her physical condition was evidently good.

"You guys take a stroll back slowly, catch your breath. I’ll take another round with your aunt," Meng Yao suggested.

"Okay," Zhao Xiaohua responded happily, dragging Wen Nuan back home.

"That girl looks quite pleasant," Meng Zhu commented.

"She’s resilient and well-calculated. Despite her family’s poverty, she doesn’t have any inclination to take small advantages. I just thought she seemed agreeable, so I lent a hand," Meng Yao said.

"You’re that kind of person, always with a sharp tongue but a soft heart," Meng Zhu sighed.

The two walked and walked until they reached the old Meng Family residence.

In the courtyard fenced with branches stood a woman combing her hair, her figure full, her hair black like ink.

Meng Qingshan came out of the house carrying a basin. Seeing Meng Zhu and Meng Yao standing outside, he was momentarily stunned.

Since Meng Yao had cut ties with the Meng Family, as long as they didn’t cause trouble in front of her, they could do as they pleased.

But Meng Zhu was the daughter of the Meng Family.

A woman early in the morning in the yard of her parents’ house—she couldn’t possibly remain indifferent.

Meng Qingshan froze for a moment, then hurried across the yard to open the gate, grinning sheepishly at Meng Zhu, "Ah Zhu, what brings you here? Don’t just stand outside; come in."

The woman wasn’t the least bit flustered, leisurely pinning her hair up before taking a couple of steps forward, "Brother Shan, who are they?"

Her voice was syrupy, not at all matching her age.

Meng Yao thought, lucky she hadn’t had breakfast; otherwise, she’d waste it.

It was sickening to her to hear, but some people liked it.

Meng Qingshan’s gaze at that woman was sickeningly affectionate, "Ju Xiang, this is my eldest daughter."

"Oh, the eldest young lady is back? Why so early? Did something happen at your husband’s place?" Ju Xiang feigned a concerned gasp, "Don’t hold it in if you’re upset; the eldest young lady has her family backing her. Brother Shan should go and speak to your husband’s family."

Meng Zhu ignored the woman called Ju Xiang and stared straight at Meng Qingshan, "Dad, what’s going on here?"

Meng Qingshan avoided her gaze, "Meng Ruyu went off somewhere; at home, it was just me and Rongjin, an old man and a child, couldn’t even cook properly, and I had no other choice."

"My mother is doing hard labor, and the people I sent with supplies reported back that she’s become a shadow of herself. You, here at home, sheltered from the wind and rain, claim to have it tough? If that’s true, why are you holding onto the silver instead of paying the fine at the Government Office? If you paid the fine, wouldn’t it be great for Mother to come home?" Meng Zhu questioned.

"Don’t worry, eldest young lady, I’m entering the Meng Family as a concubine. When elder sister returns, as a concubine, I will take good care of Brother Shan and sister," Ju Xiang said in a sugary tone.

A young girl speaking sweetly is pleasing to the eye.

An old woman speaking sweetly is downright revolting.

"Who do you think you are? I’m talking to my father; it’s not your place to butt in!" Meng Zhu scolded sharply.

Ju Xiang immediately feigned tears, wiping them while saying, "Brother Shan, I should leave. I can’t be the reason for straining your father-daughter relationship. Take care of yourself after I’m gone."

Meng Yao cursed inwardly, "A real vintage green tea!"