Chapter Six: Affection

"Is that so," Marquis Chengwu said sternly. "The midwife is well known to the Marquis’s household; just send someone to bring her here and ask her directly."

"Everyone, return to your quarters and rest. By dinner, the truth will surely be revealed."

With that, Marquis Chengwu rose and left, motioning for Zhao Xianzhi to follow him to the study.

The others, concealing their swirling thoughts, respectfully bowed and saw him off.

Zhao Xianzhi maintained his usual composure as he walked behind Marquis Chengwu but paused after a few steps, turning back with a hint of puzzlement to look at Meng Zhenyue.

“Sister, before you returned, did you see anyone or overhear anything unusual?”

He went on to explain to himself, “There’s been much turmoil in the household today. The powerful families are stirring undercurrents, and the current situation of the Marquis Chengwu’s residence is far from optimistic. Perhaps someone is deliberately causing trouble. You must be careful not to be used.”

Noticing his tone was perhaps too grave and worried about alarming his sister, he softened his voice reassuringly: “But don’t be afraid. With Father and eldest brother here, this matter will be investigated thoroughly.”

Hearing this, the atmosphere seemed to shift.

He explicitly hinted at someone sowing discord, while subtly implying that Meng Zhenyue’s return had stirred up much trouble.

The others, seeing Zhao Xianzhi remain calm despite the heat of the moment and recalling his usual reliability, found themselves inclined to trust his words a little more.

Meng Zhenyue noticed the hopeful glimmer in their eyes directed at her; even Marquis Chengwu paused and glanced back.

She smiled wryly, her expression slightly startled as she looked at Zhao Xianzhi and shook her head. “No, these were all flaws I observed firsthand.”

Zhao Xianzhi nodded, expression unchanged, acknowledging her words, then followed Marquis Chengwu out.

Silently, he ground his teeth, filled with disbelief.

Had Meng Zhenyue learned too much?

How did she know?

Was she too clever, or was there someone behind her?

If she pressed so hard, he would have to show her a lesson!

After Marquis Chengwu and Zhao Xianzhi departed, the Marchioness, unsettled by the day’s events, did not personally accompany Meng Zhenyue to the courtyard she had prepared for her as she had in a previous life.

She instructed her personal maid and left Zhao Zhizhi’s Flower Creek Courtyard.

Meng Zhenyue was about to leave when Zhao Zhizhi stopped her and said, “Sister, rest assured that Big Brother will protect us.”

“He is a good brother. Since I was little, I thought my mind was dull and could learn nothing well. It was Big Brother who helped me discover my talent for dance. Over the years, he has collected many rare books…”

Before Zhao Zhizhi could finish, Meng Zhenyue closed her eyes briefly, her heart heavy.

Clearly, many were unwilling to accept that Zhao Xianzhi was a fake young master.

So much so that they intended to conceal this glaring truth from her.

Looking at her delicate sister, Meng Zhenyue sighed inwardly; if they refused to accept it, their lives might well be at stake in the future.

Therefore, whether they accepted it or not, she was determined to expose Zhao Xianzhi’s true identity!

“Sister, is what you said true?” Zhao Zhizhi looked at Meng Zhenyue with curiosity, pouting. “But that day, why did I feel such warmth the moment I saw Father Meng?”

“Let me ask you, did you notice the black mole on Father Meng’s nose bridge?” Meng Zhenyue composed herself and raised an eyebrow.

“Ah?” Zhao Zhizhi hastily covered her slightly open mouth with a handkerchief, frowning. “I don’t think I saw it.”

“And that plate of braised pork on the table was actually burnt. Did you smell the burnt scent?”

Zhao Zhizhi stomped her foot anxiously. “Sister, you’re mistaken! That braised pork looked delicious and smelled fragrant—not burnt at all!”

“Father Meng doesn’t have a mole on his nose.” Meng Zhenyue smiled rarely, lifting the corner of her mouth. “You must be feeling affectionate toward the braised pork I made.”

“If you can cook such good braised pork, then why are the dishes at the shop…” Zhao Zhizhi couldn’t help but voice her doubt, then suddenly realized she was being teased.

She froze, her face flushing deeply.

The maids nearby, having shed their previous tension, chuckled softly.

Meng Zhenyue found amusement in her fragile, delicate sister.

In their past lives, the two had fiercely fought; Zhao Zhizhi’s affected defamation had been truly nauseating.

Now, with tears at the corners of her eyes and speaking softly, shyly confiding to her, she was truly someone one instinctively wanted to protect.

It was thanks to that day’s meeting with Zhao Zhizhi that she had the chance to approach the Marquis’s household.

Meng’s mother had been forced into hiding under a false name after being framed by the old Marchioness, and Father Meng, whom she had taken in, had lost his memories.

The Meng family had kept a low profile for years, but as the siblings grew older and the eldest brother prepared to take the imperial examinations, Meng Zhenyue knew things could no longer continue as before.

Moreover, on that day, after the initial warmth toward Zhao Zhizhi faded, Meng Zhenyue immediately noticed the pouch and token at her waist.

That pouch was a copy of the one the old Marchioness had used to frame Meng’s mother!

That token was exactly the same as the one Father Meng had been fondly rubbing.

It was as if a pillow appeared just when one was sleepy; Meng Zhenyue was pondering how to get close to the Marquis Chengwu’s household when she was told Zhao Zhizhi was the lady of the house.

Recovering from her embarrassment, Zhao Zhizhi looked down at the ground, speaking with a hint of melancholy, “But if that’s true, it’s quite disappointing. Brother has always spoiled me since childhood.”

Afraid Meng Zhenyue might misunderstand, Zhao Zhizhi quickly explained, “I just can’t bear to part with the brother I’ve grown up with. I didn’t mean anything bad about you, Sister.”

“Don’t overthink it. Father will handle everything,” Meng Zhenyue said without elaboration, patting Zhao Zhizhi’s shoulder before leaving.

She had to let her sister see Zhao Xianzhi’s true colors herself.

At this point, no matter what negative things she said about Zhao Xianzhi, her sister wouldn’t listen—in fact, it might even make her resent Meng Zhenyue.

Meng Zhenyue followed the Marchioness’s personal maid toward the Moonlight Courtyard.

Along the way, she reflected on events from her previous life.

Back then, she had learned from Zhao Zhizhi that those two items had been given by the old Marchioness, who had sent her to deliver messages to her aunt in Xiao Prefecture.

The token was a common one frequently used by the Marquis’s household, but the old Marchioness had forged the pouch, seemingly as some form of threat.

Years ago, the old Marchioness ostentatiously bought Meng’s mother’s pouch and had the then-unmarried aunt present it as a congratulatory gift to Prince Chen upon entering the palace.

On the way, they encountered Meng’s mother, who had accompanied the princess Jingyi to the palace with her master.

Sensing something amiss, Meng’s mother spoke out immediately.

But the old Marchioness turned the accusation against her, claiming that the Jingyi princess—who was at odds with Prince Chen—had poisoned him through the Marquis’s household.

The princess Jingyi struggled mightily to protect herself and Meng’s mother.

All of this looked like the old Marchioness was threatening the aunt with the pouch to force her into some secretive and sinister act.

In the eyes of many in the previous life, Prince Chen had been sacrificed in the emperor’s burial, so no one thought much of him.

Now—piecing together memories from her past life, Meng Zhenyue began to suspect Father Meng’s true identity.

Because when she had hinted about those two items to Zhao Zhizhi in the past, the latter immediately complained to Zhao Chengxian.

Knowing Zhao Chengxian’s nature, he surely investigated.

Trusting Zhao Xianzhi, Meng Zhenyue had confided the matters concerning her parents to him.

Subsequently, for reasons unknown, Zhao Xianzhi’s sudden rise and rebellion led to the deaths of both her parents!

With this suspicion, Meng Zhenyue couldn’t help but worry about the future relations involving her parents…

No matter what, her current task was to continue seeking evidence that the old Marchioness had framed her mother and to verify Father Meng’s identity!

Meng Zhenyue sighed inwardly.

Before long, she saw a vast courtyard ahead.