Chapter 152

Chapter 152

Silence descended upon the room as soon as the words were spoken. Everyone exchanged glances, but no one uttered a sound.

Meng Ziyun smirked, a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes. Indeed, even if she didn't lift a finger, someone else would inevitably take issue with Meng Shuping. Now, she had a prime seat to the unfolding drama, knowing full well it wouldn't implicate her.

Meng Huiyun's fingers curled involuntarily, her heart quickening its pace. She fought to maintain her composure, reassuring herself that the Earl of Anyang was merely trying to trick her. Yet, a nagging question persisted: why had Meng Shuping suddenly attended the flower party? He was known for avoiding such gatherings.

Her original plan had been simple: someone would "discover" the love letter. Meng Shuping, being a loner among the noble families, would have no one to vouch for him. Once the rumors spread, any explanation from him would be dismissed. Who could have predicted his unexpected appearance that day?

Seeing no one speak, Meng Houliang continued, "Furthermore, the handwriting on this letter bears a striking resemblance to Prince Zhao's. If you step forward now, I can still protect you. But if Prince Zhao himself gets involved, a magistrate's inquiry would be the least of your worries—being handed over to the Military Hall Department is a distinct possibility."

Meng Huiyun's eyes widened in disbelief. Jiang Cihe's handwriting? Impossible! While the penmanship was decent, it was far from exceptional. Otherwise, why would she have mistaken it for Meng Shuping's?

Meng Houliang surveyed the room, a flicker of disappointment in his gaze. He had offered an opportunity, yet no one had come forward. Were they truly so confident he hadn't uncovered the truth?

He took a deep breath, his voice sharp with command, "Meng Shuyang!"

Meng Shuyang flinched, immediately rising in a panic. "Grandfather! It wasn't me! This matter has nothing to do with me!"

Meng Huiyun exhaled slowly. She had been so careful; there was no way it could be traced back to her so easily.

Meng Shuping, looking at Meng Shuyang, had a sudden realization. *“Aha! So it really was him! No wonder he stood up that day and claimed the handwriting was mine. It’s not like I ever showed it to him specifically!”*

Meng Shuyang grew even more frantic. "Grandfather, I truly didn't do it! Even though we have our differences, how could I devise such a complex scheme? I'm uneducated and don't know any scholars. Even if I wanted to imitate the handwriting, I couldn't! Most importantly, after you reprimanded me last time, I genuinely learned my lesson!"

Hearing his earnest plea, Meng Shuping couldn't help but muse, *“Hmm… while that makes him sound a bit dim, he does have a point. Meng Shuyang usually acts on impulse; he rarely resorts to cunning tactics.”*

Meng Shuyang, oblivious to anything else, nodded frantically. "Yes, Grandfather! If you don't believe me, ask Fifth Brother. Haven't I always challenged him openly? Even if my character isn't the best, I wouldn't gossip behind people's backs!"

Meng Shuping silently countered, *“Not exactly 'openly,' right? Didn't he try to drug me at the banquet before? That counts as a past offense!”*

Meng Shuyang grew even more agitated. What was Meng Shuping thinking? One moment he suspected him, the next he didn't. But it truly wasn't him! If he had known, he wouldn't have spoken up that day. He had only wanted to cause Meng Shuping some trouble, but now he was the prime suspect.

Meng Houliang took a deep breath, his patience finally wearing thin. "When did I say it was you?" He had merely called Meng Shuyang's name. Why such a panic? If he hadn't already uncovered the truth, he would have thought Meng Shuyang had a guilty conscience.

Meng Shuping barely suppressed a laugh. *“Hahahaha, Grandfather is such a trickster! Look how scared Meng Shuyang is—his nerves are so weak. Anyone would think he committed some heinous crime. Meanwhile, the real mastermind is so calm, not a peep. Learn from that, will you?”*

Meng Shuyang froze. He wasn't being accused? Annoyed, he shot a discreet glare at Meng Shuping, then wiped the sweat from his forehead, still shaken. "Then why did you call me, Grandfather?"

Although Meng Houliang wasn't accusing Meng Shuyang, he was still displeased with his behavior. He said sternly, "Even if you didn't do this, was your action right? As members of the same household, regardless of our internal disputes, we should uphold the family's reputation outside. Do you think it reflects well on our family for outsiders to see us at odds?"

He didn't expect Meng Shuyang to defend Meng Shuping's reputation, given their rivalry, but he should never have kicked someone when they were down. What was initially just suspicion turned into solid evidence because of Meng Shuyang's admission. If Meng Shuping hadn't been there that day, things could have been much worse.

Meng Shuyang hung his head, unable to utter a word. That day, he had only been thinking of his own satisfaction—how could he have considered the consequences?

After reprimanding Meng Shuyang, Meng Houliang said sternly, "Go kneel in the ancestral hall for an hour and reflect on your actions. Do you understand?"

Meng Shuyang mumbled, "Yes."

Meng Shuping scratched his head. *“Huh? Isn’t kneeling like that a bit too lenient?”*

Meng Houliang and the others looked at Meng Shuping in surprise. Why was he suddenly showing mercy? This wasn't like him. Had he changed?

Meng Shuyang stared at Meng Shuping with hopeful eyes. He never expected Meng Shuping to be so generous this time. He swore that if Meng Shuping pleaded for him now, he would never target him again.

But the next moment, he heard Meng Shuping's voice. *“Shouldn’t we put an abacus under his knees? Kneeling on flat ground seems too easy for him!”*

Meng Shuyang's eyes widened in fury. He would never make peace with Meng Shuping in this lifetime!

Meng Shuchun and Meng Qingyun burst into laughter. Truly, Fifth Brother/Fifth Younger Brother always had creative ideas!

Meng Houliang almost laughed too but managed to keep a straight face. He turned to the others. "And the rest of you—if I find out you've made fools of yourselves outside again, I won't go easy on you!"

Everyone quickly replied, "Yes!"

Meng Huiyun's heart raced again. Had Grandfather found out anything? She glanced discreetly at Meng Houliang but looked up to meet his sharp gaze. Terrified, she lowered her head immediately. Even so, the pressure from Meng Houliang made her heart beat even faster.

Finally, Meng Houliang spoke. "Meng Huiyun, do you have anything to say?"

Instantly, all eyes turned to her. Meng Huiyun seemed frightened, her face pale. "Grandfather, what do you mean? You're not suspecting me, are you? I didn't do it!"

Meng Shuping scrutinized Meng Huiyun. *“Come to think of it, she’s highly suspicious. In this household, the ones who dislike me the most are her and her brother, along with Meng Shuyang and Meng Ziyun. If it’s not Meng Shuyang, then it’s likely one of the three!”*

Meng Ziyun, who had been enjoying the drama, was taken aback to find herself under suspicion. She snorted. "If it wasn't you, who else could it be? I've always been straightforward. Isn't it you who likes to stab people in the back?" Then she turned to Meng Qingyun. "Second Sister, you know her best. Hasn't she often schemed against you?"

Meng Qingyun looked surprised but smiled. "Fifth Younger Sister is still young. It's normal for her to have some quirks."

Meng Shuping was amazed. *“Wow, I always said Meng Ziyun was cunning. She prefers using force, but when she schemes, she’s ruthless. Look at her—she cleared herself of suspicion and allied with her enemy’s enemy. Now she has an ally!”*

*“But Second Younger Sister’s words are also clever. She didn’t deny Meng Ziyun’s claims but subtly criticized Meng Huiyun. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Indeed, no one in this noble household is simple!”*

Meng Huiyun gritted her teeth in anger. Why were Meng Ziyun and Meng Qingyun causing trouble? She tearfully said, "Third Sister, even if I've offended you before, you can't slander me like this. Besides, Fifth Brother and I have no deep-seated grudge. Why would I go to such lengths to target him? If anything, Third Sister, you have a bigger feud with Fifth Brother!"

Meng Shuping couldn't help but admire. *“Wow, what a smooth deflection! If you put it that way, Meng Ziyun does have a bigger grudge against me. It would make sense if she wanted to target me!”*

Meng Ziyun glared at Meng Shuping angrily. She had already said it wasn't her! She sneered, "Don't think I don't know what you've been doing behind the scenes. If it weren't for you spreading rumors, would Fifth Brother have such a reputation outside? In my opinion, you're just jealous. As fellow illegitimate children, you can't stand that Fifth Brother is more accomplished than you!"

Meng Shuping was shocked. *“What? She’s the one spreading rumors? How can a girl be so gossipy? Even Aunt Wang at the village entrance isn’t as talkative! No wonder gossip about me is everywhere—it wasn’t an accident after all!”*

Meng Huiyun's face turned red with anger. "Third Sister, do you have any proof? How can you slander me without evidence?"

Meng Ziyun laughed coldly. "Do you think I'm the only one who heard? I just didn't bother exposing you! Since you've done it before, it's no surprise you'd try to ruin Fifth Brother's reputation again!" Before Meng Huiyun could retort, Meng Ziyun added, "Also, I just remembered—a few days before the flower party, my maid saw your maid leaving Fifth Brother's outer study. I didn't pay attention at the time, but now it seems she was there to steal something. Should we summon your maid for questioning?"

Meng Shuping was astonished. *“So it really was her! Tsk, tsk, tsk. You really shouldn’t offend people lightly. See? That argument we had back then wasn’t in vain—it helped uncover the truth!”*

Meng Huiyun's face darkened. She never expected Meng Ziyun to interfere like this.

Before she could speak, Meng Houliang said, "Enough arguing. I've already uncovered the truth and given you a chance. Since you refuse to admit it, bring Fifth Young Lady's maid here."

A moment later, Meng Huiyun's maid was brought in. As soon as she entered, she lowered her head guiltily. "I'm sorry, Fifth Young Lady. I... I can't keep hiding it anymore."

Meng Huiyun panicked and knelt on the ground with a thud. "Grandfather, I admit my mistake. I only meant it as a small joke. I never expected it to blow up like this."