Chapter 26: Affectation

Turning the corner and approaching the study’s entrance, Meng Zhenyue caught sight of Zhao Xianzhi, whom she hadn’t seen in many days.

Supported gently by a young servant, he walked ahead, dressed in a loose moon-white ink-patterned round-collared robe.

The summer breeze made him seem like a stubborn flower swaying in the wind, truly eliciting pity.

Servants passing by and those outside the study couldn't help but steal curious glances at him.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Xianzhi turned his head and upon seeing her, first brightened with joy, then lowered his eyes in shame.

Yet, Meng Zhenyue caught the fleeting pride that flashed in his eyes.

“Little sister, forgive your elder brother for breaking his promise. The rumors outside have been harmful to the Hou family, so I had no choice but to show up.”

“Once the storm passes, whatever you wish, I will obey.”

Zhao Xianzhi pushed away the servant supporting him and took a few hurried steps toward Meng Zhenyue, his face full of anxiety yet not forgetting his promise.

Meng Zhenyue looked at him as if she were being unreasonable, trying to stop him from going off to some important matter.

Upon hearing Zhao Xianzhi’s words, the expressions of the surrounding servants shifted to understanding; their eyes held a mixture of sympathy and admiration for him, then secretly cast displeased looks toward her.

“Xianzhi!”

Before Meng Zhenyue could speak, Marquis Chengwu came out of the study with a face full of surprise.

“So it really is you. Come in quickly; I thought I was hearing things.” Marquis Chengwu hurried over to Zhao Xianzhi and scolded the servants, “Why aren’t you supporting the young master properly?”

Zhao Xianzhi hastily turned to salute Marquis Chengwu but was firmly pulled inside the study without a chance to speak.

Throughout, Marquis Chengwu did not spare Meng Zhenyue a single glance.

Unmoved, she followed inside, sparing herself the trouble of arguing.

Once inside the study, Zhao Xianzhi trembled as he knelt down. “Father, I left the Buddhist hall without permission. Please punish me.”

Marquis Chengwu looked at him with a reluctant heart. Though he didn’t know why his son had come out, it was just as well.

He was eager to share his plans with his son when he heard:

“I have heard the rumors outside as well. Though the wise do not heed rumors, many follow the crowd. It cannot be neglected, so I must come out myself with shame.”

Marquis Chengwu was moved inside, understanding at last.

He had planned to send his wife and Zhenyue to persuade Xianzhi in the Buddhist hall, but now Xianzhi had broken his own rules for the sake of the Hou family.

Xianzhi truly cared for the family after all.

Zhao Xianzhi spoke warmly as he looked toward Meng Zhenyue, clearing his throat awkwardly before continuing:

“Let me take my little sister out of the mansion for a stroll. First, so those people can see that we siblings are well; second, to strengthen our bond; third, anything sister likes can be considered a small compensation from her foolish brother.”

“That aligns perfectly with my own thoughts,” Marquis Chengwu nodded approvingly, then turned to Meng Zhenyue: “I called you here for this matter. Once your elder brother’s health improves…”

Zhao Xianzhi interrupted firmly, “No problem. Let it be tomorrow.”

Frowning with concern, Marquis Chengwu was about to emphasize health first, but seeing his son glance at Zhenyue, he thought, very well, let him have his wish.

“This time it won’t be just for fun, and I won’t bring the second sister. After martial arts class ends, I’ll have my elder brother come to the teahouse to dine with us. I can also ask him about the martial arts school,” Zhao Xianzhi said to Meng Zhenyue, his face full of ingratiation.

Meng Zhenyue found his pretentious attitude intolerable, but his words raised her suspicion.

He claimed it wouldn’t be merely for leisure and wouldn’t bring Zhizhi, but then spoke of inviting their elder brother. What was Zhao Xianzhi scheming?

The mention of inviting her elder brother to the teahouse reminded Meng Zhenyue of her past life, setting off alarm bells.

In her previous life, Zhao Xianzhi had schemed to trap her elder brother at the teahouse and later saved him himself, gaining his loyalty.

This time, her elder brother was already wary of Zhao Xianzhi and sought to avoid him. Avoidance was easy, but Meng Zhenyue’s task was beyond mere evasion.

Suddenly, a female voice came from the doorway.

“Xianzhi! You don’t need to… you don’t need to burden yourself like this.”

It was undoubtedly the Hou lady.

Meng Zhenyue turned with a slight bow, noting the Hou lady’s eyes were already red-rimmed. She hurried toward Zhao Xianzhi, surely moved by his eloquence outside.

Zhao Xianzhi’s posture was so humble now that she dared not do more, lest he seem more innocent.

If a stroll is what they want, so be it.

Marquis Chengwu soon waved them off, “Go ahead. Your mother and I have urgent matters to discuss.”

Meng Zhenyue saw the two exchange a knowing glance and felt certain something was amiss. She deliberately slowed her pace as she walked out with Zhao Xianzhi.

Sure enough, she faintly heard Marquis Chengwu’s angry voice mentioning “forceful measures.”

Thinking it over, Meng Zhenyue whispered to the attendant beside her, “Make sure Zhizhi is well watched.”

Seeing the attendant nod, Meng Zhenyue quickened her pace slightly, only to find Zhao Xianzhi waiting for her around the corner.

Seeing her come out, Zhao Xianzhi immediately masked his fatigue and his eyes gleamed with the pride of a victorious rooster.

His smile did not reach his eyes as he said, “Little sister, I hope you have been well.”

He wanted to see how defeated Meng Zhenyue would feel, knowing he had come out, and that their parents still cared for and trusted him.

If only Meng Zhenyue had argued earlier, their parents would have worried more and she would have felt even more distressed.

But instead, she scrutinized him with knitted brows and said seriously, “Big brother doesn’t look well. It seems you have endured much hardship.”

“Thanks to little sister,” Zhao Xianzhi grimaced and bit his teeth. “So tomorrow, whatever you like, don’t hesitate to take it from big brother.”

Meng Zhenyue smiled naturally and stepped away.

That casual tone, Zhao Xianzhi would deeply understand the meaning of “don’t hesitate” the next day.

Dressed in a goose-yellow embroidered silver butterfly gown, Meng Zhenyue stood before a dazzling array of exquisite jewelry and hairpieces. She pointed with a finger, not particularly slender, and said:

“This, this, and that, none are quite satisfactory. Wrap the rest up and send them to the Chengwu Marquis Mansion.”

Zhao Xianzhi looked at the dozen or so hairpieces displayed—each a prized treasure meant to impress—and was silently calculating their worth.

Meng Zhenyue then turned back and added, “There are a few I do like, but I’m thinking we should save some silver.”

Zhao Xianzhi twitched at the corner of his mouth, forcing a smile. “Little sister is truly sensible.”

A mere trifle. How could he show weakness before these rural folks?

Just then, as they left the jewelry shop, Meng Zhenyue stopped the carriage, her gaze scanning up and down from the window.

Curious, Zhao Xianzhi looked as well, and they saw—a three-compound residence!

“This house looks quite nice, and the surroundings are lively,” Meng Zhenyue said, growing more pleased as she leaned out slightly. Her eyes sparkled with delight: “Hmm, the adjoining house next door is empty too. If we opened a door between them, wouldn’t that be very spacious?”

“Big brother, what do you think?”