Chapter 105

Chapter 105

A vein throbbed on Jiang Ciyi’s forehead. While he did intend to put on a show for his father, when had he ever thought of pressuring Meng Shuping through the Emperor? Couldn't this kid stop falsely accusing him?

Emperor Qianyou was speechless; he hadn't pressured Meng Shuping at all. He cleared his throat and said, "Beloved Minister Meng, since the Fourth Prince wishes to apologize, it wouldn't hurt to give him some face. It’s always better to resolve grievances than to create new ones. Of course, if you truly don’t wish to go, I absolutely won’t force you."

He quite approved of Meng Shuping and Jiang Ciyi making peace. After all, Meng Shuping had already offended quite a few people—wouldn’t it be better to have one less enemy?

Although the Fourth Prince might just be putting on an act, since he said this in front of the Emperor, if he caused trouble again in the future, the Emperor would not shield him. Moreover, since the Fourth Prince was willing to humble himself and invite Meng Shuping, if Meng Shuping refused, it would only worsen their relationship.

Seeing that Emperor Qianyou had spoken this way, Meng Shuping had no choice but to say, "Alright then, I’ll go."

【Easy for him to say he won't force me, but since he put it that way, can I really refuse to his face? I might not be great at reading people, but I’m not stupid. If I don’t go, he’ll definitely assign me those troublesome tasks again. A threat! This is definitely a threat!】

【Sigh, might as well go for the free food. I’ll just agree with whatever Prince Ning says. Once he feels I’ve sincerely forgiven him, it should be fine, right?】

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

Fine, call it a threat if you want. So what if I’m threatening you?

Jiang Cihe smirked and stepped forward as well. "Speaking of which, I also feel somewhat apologetic toward Fourth Brother. Fourth Brother, you’re not still holding a grudge against me, are you?"

Jiang Ciyi seethed inwardly. Of course he held a grudge! If it weren't for the Seventh Prince, would he have been imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court? At most, he would have been reprimanded and laughed at for a while.

But since he was in front of Emperor Qianyou, he forced a magnanimous smile. "How could that be? You made me realize my mistakes. I’m grateful to you—why would I blame you?"

Jiang Cihe smiled with apparent sincerity. "That's a relief. In that case, I’d like to join the meal at Fourth Brother’s place as well. Fourth Brother doesn't mind, does he?"

Jiang Ciyi was puzzled. He was inviting Meng Shuping—why was Seventh butting in? Was he worried that Jiang Ciyi would harm Meng Shuping? If so, Seventh could rest assured. Since this matter was now out in the open, how could Jiang Ciyi possibly leave any evidence against himself?

He readily agreed, "If Seventh Brother wishes to come, you’re naturally welcome."

It didn't really matter anyway.

Meng Shuping was delighted. 【Wow! The Prince is coming with me? How considerate! All that buttering up paid off! Maybe I should keep doing it?】

【But Prince Ning’s acting is really impressive. If someone had schemed to put me in prison, I’d beat them up the moment I got out! Tsk tsk, are all you royals such hypocrites? All smiles on the surface but cursing inside! Who knows when you might scheme against someone!】

Jiang Cihe: "..."

As if he was going just because Meng Shuping had flattered him.

Jiang Ciyi: "..."

What? Was he not allowed to curse inwardly?

Seeing the two of them agree, Jiang Cian, who was standing nearby, gritted his teeth angrily. This Fourth Prince was too cunning—the moment he was released, he came to curry favor with the Emperor. Wasn’t he making Jiang Cian look bad?

He immediately stepped forward and said, "Father, if we’re talking about offenses, I also deeply misunderstood Vice Director Meng in the past. Since Fourth Brother is hosting a banquet for Vice Director Meng, I’d like to use this chance to make peace with Vice Director Meng as well. Fourth Brother, you won’t mind me intruding, will you?"

He wanted to see what Fourth Brother was plotting!

Meng Shuping stared at him in shock. 【Whoa! Another one? People might think I have great power, with two princes apologizing to me. Are they teaming up to butter me up?】

【Phew, good thing my rank isn’t high. If it were, wouldn’t that be like indirectly provoking the Emperor, making him think even the princes fear me?】

【But Prince Cheng is really good at saving money—using someone else’s banquet to apologize for his own mistakes. He sure knows how to pinch pennies.】

Jiang Cian: "..."

Meng Shuping's comment made him realize. Was he really so stingy? It was just that, with Jiang Ciyi taking the lead, he couldn't just copy him.

Emperor Qianyou found it strange. He asked Jiang Cian, "Fifth Prince, Fourth Prince is hosting Beloved Minister Meng. Why are you butting in? If you want to apologize, why not host your own banquet?"

Meng Shuping looked at him in horror. 【He actually wants me to attend another banquet? What, does he think I exist to entertain his sons?】

Emperor Qianyou: "..."

What did he mean by "entertain his sons"? Using someone else’s party to apologize—how proper is that?

Jiang Cian quickly said, "Father, why bother with that? Besides, Vice Director Meng probably doesn’t want to attend banquets frequently. I’m here to apologize—how could I force Vice Director Meng to do anything?"

Meng Shuping agreed inwardly. 【Exactly! Although Prince Cheng is quite annoying, he does have a point here.】

【Hiss... Is he taking a dig at Prince Ning? Saying Prince Ning is forcing me to go even though he knows I don’t want to? Tsk tsk, you princes are so tricky! I can’t keep up!】

Jiang Cian was furious. He was just making conversation—was this kid overthinking it?

Jiang Ciyi shot Jiang Cian an unhappy look. Fine, this Fifth Prince—not only did he want a free meal, but he was also targeting Jiang Ciyi. How dare he!

Emperor Qianyou nearly laughed. He cleared his throat and said, "Up to you, as long as Fourth Prince doesn’t mind."

Jiang Cian then looked at Jiang Ciyi. "Fourth Brother, you don’t mind, do you?"

Jiang Ciyi minded immensely, but he couldn't say no right now. So he gritted his teeth and said, "Of course not!"

...

A few days flew by. On the day of the banquet, Meng Shuping got ready and took a carriage to Prince Ning’s residence.

【Sigh, I finally get a day off, and now I have to attend some banquet. Is this an apology or torture? This Prince Ning is so self-centered. Just because he wants to apologize, I have to play along? Must be nice having the Emperor backing him!】

The carriage stopped at the gate of Prince Ning’s residence. Meng Shuping stepped out with a displeased expression. Just as he was about to enter, he saw a lavishly dressed woman also heading inside.

The woman noticed Meng Shuping as well. She looked him up and down scrutinizingly, then said condescendingly, "So you’re Meng Shuping?"

Meng Shuping was baffled. Who was this young lady? How did she know who he was? But since she seemed hostile, he put on an innocent act and said, "No, you must have the wrong person."

Jiang Zhiru snorted coldly. "Wrong person? Don’t think denying it will make me believe you!"

Meng Shuping was speechless. 【If she already knew, why ask? Isn’t that redundant? Is she out of her mind?】

Jiang Zhiru choked, then paused. If she remembered correctly, Meng Shuping hadn’t spoken, had he? Then who had said that? Ventriloquism?

She glared at Meng Shuping darkly and said angrily, "Liar! Slap him!"

Not only had this kid mocked her, but he had also schemed to put her Fourth Brother in prison. Today, she would teach him a lesson on Fourth Brother’s behalf!

Seeing the maid beside the woman approach him, Meng Shuping’s eyes widened, and he quickly stepped back. 【Slapping someone over a mere disagreement? How vicious! And if she hadn’t looked so hostile, would I have hidden my identity? I was just protecting myself!】

【Not to be rude, but who is this madwoman? She’s insane!】

Discovering that Meng Shuping was still insulting her, Jiang Zhiru flew into a rage. She angrily ordered the gatekeepers of Prince Ning’s residence, "What are you standing around for? Seize him!"

The gatekeepers had been instructed the day before that Prince Ning would be hosting a banquet for someone named Meng Shuping. Though they didn’t know who Meng Shuping was, they dared not offend someone invited by Prince Ning. So they quickly tried to dissuade her. "Your Highness, please calm down. This is His Highness’s esteemed guest. Let’s talk this out peacefully!"

Jiang Zhiru fumed, "Esteemed guest? He schemed to put Fourth Brother in prison—how could he be Fourth Brother’s esteemed guest? Have you lost your minds? Get him!"

Meng Shuping suddenly understood. So this young lady was here to stand up for Jiang Ciyi. No wonder she looked so unfriendly the moment she saw him. He dashed back to his carriage and called out, "Let’s go, let’s head back!"

【It's not that I didn't come, but there was a tiger in the road preventing me from entering. Surely, you can't blame me for not giving him face, right?】

Seeing him about to leave, Jiang Zhiru immediately snapped, "Don't let him go! Quick! Stop his carriage!"

How dare he call her a tiger in the road? Does he even know how to talk?

Several gatekeepers hurriedly chased after him, "Lord Meng, please wait a moment, Prince Ning will be here shortly!"

When Jiang Zhiru first started causing trouble, they had already sent someone inside to get Prince Ning. If Lord Meng were driven away right in front of them, how could they possibly explain it?

Meng Shuping was somewhat angry, 【Wait? I'm here to receive an apology, not to beg him for a favor. Things have already come to this, why wait around?】

He urged coldly, "Hurry, hurry, let's go quickly!"

The gatekeepers were in a difficult position. They begged Meng Shuping to stay while pleading with Jiang Zhiru, "Princess, for the sake of the prince, please don't take it out on Lord Meng. If the prince blames us, we won't be able to bear the responsibility!"

Meng Shuping was still fuming, 【Even if she doesn't take it out on me, I'm not letting this slide. So what if she's a princess? Does that give her the right to mess with people whenever she wants?】

【I knew Prince Ning had something up his sleeve! Look, he pretended to apologize, but in reality, he sent his sister to teach me a lesson and humble me! I'm going to report him! I must report him! To get back at me, he even dragged the Emperor into this—isn't this deceiving the sovereign? What else could it be?】

When Jiang Ciyi arrived after hearing the news, he overheard Meng Shuping's words. He panicked—how had it escalated to the point of lodging a complaint? He really hadn't arranged any of this! He was utterly wronged!

He quickly strode to Meng Shuping's carriage, "Vice Director Meng, I sincerely apologize. What exactly happened? Why are you leaving so soon after arriving?"

Meng Shuping kept a stern face, his tone rigid, "Since Prince Ning does not welcome me, I'll just leave."

【Oh, oh, oh! Look at him pretending! Surely he doesn’t think I can’t see through it, does he? He specifically had his sister waiting at the gate just to beat me up and take out his anger, didn’t he? Now that he sees I haven’t been beaten, is he disappointed?】

【Heh, since he dares to scheme against me like this, he can’t blame me for fighting back. They started it, didn’t they?】

Jiang Ciyi wanted to cry but couldn't. This really wasn’t his doing. How could he have known his sister would show up? It might be hard to believe, but he truly hadn’t invited Jiang Zhiru!

He hurriedly explained, "Vice Director Meng, you’ve misunderstood. I absolutely welcome you. What exactly happened?"