Chapter 106

Chapter 106

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Zhiru shot back angrily, "Fourth Brother, why are you being so polite to him? If it weren't for him, would you have been stuck in prison for so long?"

Jiang Ciyi was about to lose his temper with his sister. Why did she have to cause trouble for Meng Shuping at this exact moment? He had just finished expressing his stance to their father, and now Jiang Zhiru was making him look bad. What would others think? Was she here to sabotage him?

He glared at Jiang Zhiru displeasedly, "Shut up! If you don’t know the whole story, don’t talk nonsense. Who said Vice Director Meng was the one who harmed me? I haven’t even scolded you yet—he is my guest. Who gave you permission to shout at him here?"

Seeing that Jiang Ciyi was actually reprimanding her because of Meng Shuping, Jiang Zhiru looked utterly incredulous. "Fourth Brother, I’m trying to help you, and you’re blaming me? Am I even your real sister?"

Jiang Ciyi said sternly, "Even if you are my real sister, you still need to be reasonable, right? Hitting someone without distinguishing right from wrong—is that how I taught you? Do you even behave like a proper young lady?"

After saying this, he secretly glanced at Meng Shuping. This time, he had even scolded his own sister. Meng Shuping couldn’t possibly still think Jiang Zhiru was deliberately sent by him?

But no sooner had this thought crossed his mind than he heard Meng Shuping’s voice: "Acting! Keep acting! Do they think I can’t tell? These siblings are clearly putting on a show together—one causing trouble, the other pretending to be the good guy. They’re trying to intimidate me while making it impossible for me to complain. So sneaky!"

"But there’s no need, really no need. If they want to bully me, they can just come at me directly. It’s not like I can afford to offend them anyway—I’d have no choice but to endure it!"

Jiang Ciyi clutched his forehead in frustration. If he had actually planned this, it would be one thing, but he truly hadn’t arranged for Jiang Zhiru to come. How could this be blamed on him? How could he possibly clear this up?

Jiang Zhiru’s face flushed red with anger. She said furiously, "You’re saying I’m unreasonable? Jiang Ciyi, have you lost your mind? He’s just a seventh-rank petty official. Even if Father values him a bit, is he worth you currying favor like this?"

Meng Shuping was confused. "Huh? Is he currying favor with me? Isn’t he just treating me to a meal? Does that count as currying favor? Well, they must be really put out then!"

Jiang Ciyi was already unhappy with Jiang Zhiru’s troublemaking. Seeing her still so unaware of the situation, he finally snapped. "Enough! You’re getting more out of control as you grow older. Go home now. Another day, I’ll definitely have Mother teach you some manners to stop you from causing drama like this!"

Meng Shuping couldn’t help but agree. "She really should be taught a lesson. And she’s a princess? So domineering—who would dare marry her? She’d hit them whenever she feels like it!"

Jiang Zhiru was so enraged by this that her hair practically stood on end. She raised her hand and was about to slap Meng Shuping when Jiang Ciyi caught her hand. His face was dark, and his tone was impatient. "Haven’t you caused enough trouble?"

Seeing that Jiang Ciyi was actually scolding her for Meng Shuping’s sake, Jiang Zhiru was also livid. She gave Jiang Ciyi a hard shove, then turned and walked away. She was done with this—whatever Fourth Brother wanted to do, he could deal with it himself!

Jiang Ciyi hadn’t expected Jiang Zhiru to push him. Caught off guard, he landed on his butt with a thud.

Several guards rushed over to help him up. "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Meng Shuping looked concerned on the surface, but inwardly he was laughing his ass off. "What is this? A sympathy ploy? Haha, he’s really going all out! But you have to admit, that girl is strong—look how hard she pushed her brother!"

Jiang Ciyi winced as he got up from the ground, the look on his face was genuine. This was no sympathy ploy—his backside really hurt from the fall!

But since Meng Shuping was still there, he had to try his best to control his expression. Ignoring the pain, he said, "My apologies, Vice Director Meng, you had to see that. I truly didn’t expect her to come. Shall we go in now?"

Seeing that Jiang Ciyi still refused to give up even after all this, Meng Shuping almost felt bad for him. He nodded reluctantly. "Alright then."

After entering Prince Ning’s estate with Jiang Ciyi, Jiang Ciyi spent the entire journey introducing Meng Shuping to the architecture and scenery of the estate. To ensure Meng Shuping could fully appreciate the estate’s opulence, he even took a slightly longer route.

See? The materials used in his estate were all precious. Even the servants were specially instructed to wear their best outfits today. Surely Meng Shuping wouldn’t still think he was cheap after this.

However, Meng Shuping had no interest in appreciating the estate’s wealth. As Jiang Ciyi went on and on about what materials the buildings were made of and how precious the plants were, Meng Shuping could only complain to himself inwardly: "Who knew Prince Ning would be such a talker? He’s been talking nonstop this whole way—how much longer until we arrive?"

"Speaking of which, is Prince Ning’s estate so poor it doesn’t even have a carriage? Making me walk so far in this cold weather—I’m freezing! If I’d known, I would’ve worn thicker clothes. Who’d have thought I could freeze like this in Prince Ning’s estate?"

"But he fell so hard earlier—doesn’t his backside hurt? He must have a lot of cushion back there! Or maybe he’s just wearing thick clothes?"

Jiang Ciyi paused, almost at a loss for words. Had Meng Shuping not listened to a single thing he’d said? With materials and decorations like these, how could anyone call this cheap? He hadn’t arranged for a carriage so this guy could enjoy the view properly!

And why was Meng Shuping so fixated on his backside? He’d been putting up with his sore butt to give Meng Shuping a tour, and this guy wasn’t the least bit moved?

Fine. If this couldn’t win Meng Shuping over, he had other methods.

Meng Shuping followed Jiang Ciyi to the flower hall, but as soon as he entered, he was horrified to find that aside from Jiang Cihe, other princes were also present. He instinctively took a step back. "Whoa! Prince Ning is really setting me up? I thought he was hosting me—why did he invite so many people? What, planning to bully me with his brothers?"

Jiang Ciyi was so exasperated he almost cursed aloud. Who was trying to set this guy up? These brothers had invited themselves! Did they think he wanted them here? It was obvious they’d come to watch the show. How dare they use the excuse of welcoming him back? Did they have any shame?

He awkwardly explained, "Vice Director Meng, please don’t mind them. There are just a few extra people here for a free lunch. But please don’t misunderstand—I didn’t invite them."

The other princes were displeased upon hearing this. "Fourth Brother, I came with good intentions to welcome you back. Is this how you treat me?"

"Fourth Brother, what kind of talk is that? Even if you didn’t invite us, can’t we come to our brother’s place for a meal?"

"Exactly, Fourth Brother, aren’t you being too distant?"

If there hadn’t been so many people around, Meng Shuping would’ve laughed out loud. "You can tell they’re fair-weather brothers—no hesitation in enjoying your embarrassment, haha!"

Jiang Ciyi took a deep breath. If Meng Shuping weren’t here, he would’ve loved to start a fight with them. Did they really have nothing better to do?

Just then, Jiang Cian suddenly asked, "Fourth Brother, I ran into Zhiru leaving your place on my way here. She didn’t look too happy. What happened?"

Before Jiang Ciyi could respond, Meng Shuping’s voice jumped in first: "Why else? The siblings put on a fake fight. Prince Ning even got shoved so hard by his sister and fell on his backside. Bet his backside still hurts after walking all this way!"

Jiang Cihe couldn’t help but laugh. Fourth Brother was pushed on his backside by Jiang Zhiru? How funny! But what did he mean by "staged"?

Jiang Cian burst out laughing. "I heard from Zhiru that she pushed you and you fell on your backside. Are you alright, Fourth Brother?"

The others immediately turned their attention to Jiang Ciyi’s backside. "Heavens, Fourth Brother, are you hurt?"

"And you’re full siblings—how could Zhiru do this to you?"

"Fourth Brother, don’t worry. I’ll bring this up with Father later. How could she treat you like this?"

Jiang Ciyi gave them a dirty look. Did they have to be so talkative? Through gritted teeth, he said, "I’m fine. Thank you for your concern."

Then he turned to Meng Shuping. "Vice Director Meng, please have a seat."

Noticing everyone’s eyes on him, Meng Shuping said stiffly, "Oh, okay."

Jiang Cihe pulled him to sit beside him. "Sit here."

The others also took their seats. Once everyone was settled, Jiang Ciyi had the dishes served. Then he brought out a set of antique wine cups. Jiang Cian exclaimed in surprise, "Fourth Brother, these cups look unusual. I’ve never seen them before."

Hearing this, Meng Shuping also examined the cups. "They really are different. They look quite beautiful!"

Jiang Ciyi was very pleased. After filling everyone’s cups, he said proudly, "Of course you haven’t seen them. This set of wine cups is an antique, very old. If it weren’t for hosting Vice Director Meng, I wouldn’t have brought them out!"

Even if Meng Shuping came from a noble family, he probably didn’t live so luxuriously as to use antiques in daily life. At most, he might have a decorative piece in his room.

Jiang Ciyi smiled at Meng Shuping. Surely Meng Shuping would be impressed now?

Meng Shuping was indeed shocked. "Antiques? Doesn’t that mean many people have used them? Who knows where these antiques came from—maybe they were dug out of a tomb? Ew, gross!"

"Not to criticize him, but doesn’t his home have any other cups? Why would he bring out something like this? If these cups were used by someone sketchy, wouldn’t that leave a lifelong mental scar? Ugh—"

"Ugh—" Jiang Cian had just taken a sip of wine when he heard this and nearly spat it out. He quickly spit the wine back out, wiped his mouth, and said, "Fourth Brother, you’re too generous. But I’m all thumbs—I’d hate to break your cups. Why don’t you give me a different cup?"

Jiang Cihe also silently pushed the cups in front of him and Meng Shuping farther away. "Fifth Brother is right. If these cups, passed down for so long, were to break, wouldn’t that be a pity? Fourth Brother, please give us another set."

Seeing that neither of them wanted to use the cups, the others felt too embarrassed to use them as well. They chimed in, "Yes, yes, give us different ones. Fourth Brother, you keep these for yourself."

Jiang Ciyi’s smile completely vanished. Was that the point? His goal was to show Meng Shuping that he wasn’t cheap and that he valued Meng Shuping highly. How had it turned into him being cheap again in Meng Shuping’s eyes?

But after hearing Meng Shuping’s comments, he couldn’t bring himself to use the cups either. Frustrated, he set his cup on the table and instructed the servants, "Take this set away and bring a set of glass cups!"