Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Not long after returning to his residence, he was surprised to find Second Madam Feng had come to see him. He quickly invited her in, asking, "Second Madam, what brings you here?"

Since his return, Feng had been exceptionally considerate. Sensing his dislike for socializing, she rarely disturbed him, which Meng Shuping found very comforting.

To his surprise, his simple question brought tears to Feng Shi's eyes. Meng Shuping grew flustered, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"

Feng struggled to compose herself. "It's nothing, Ping Geer. I came today to swallow my pride and ask for your advice."

Meng Shuping promptly replied, "Please, speak your mind."

Feng slammed the table in anger. "That scoundrel actually promised our Qing Yun to Princess Yongtai's second son!"

Meng Shuping wasn't particularly familiar with the family and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong with him?"

Feng gritted her teeth. "He may appear respectable on the surface, but I had someone discreetly investigate. I heard he not only has a violent temper but also no moral boundaries—he'll take anyone, clean or dirty, to his bed! If our Qing Yun ends up with someone like that, her life will be ruined!"

Meng Shuping was shocked. *I knew Meng Wenxiu was scum, but I never expected him to be this terrible. Does he have some grudge against his own daughter? What kind of rotten person is he?*

He quickly interjected, "But the matter hasn't been finalized yet, has it? Do you have any other reliable candidates? If so, you should settle it quickly."

Feng retorted angrily, "Who would dare compete with the Princess's residence? Besides, that scoundrel has already given them her birth details."

Meng Shuping frowned. This was indeed a difficult situation. In those times, parental authority was paramount. If they agreed and then reneged, even appealing to the Emperor wouldn't put the Earl of Anyang's residence in the right.

He hesitated, then said, "I can't think of a good solution right now."

Feng felt a pang of disappointment. She had sought out Meng Shuping because she believed him to be both capable and upright. If even he had no solution, who else could she turn to?

The Earl of Anyang might intervene, but to what extent was uncertain.

However, the next moment, she heard Meng Shuping say, "How about this: first, find a few guards for Second Sister and have her start practicing self-defense immediately. Whether this matter is resolved or not, having some means of protection won't hurt. I'll continue to think of a solution."

Feng exclaimed joyfully, "Excellent, excellent! Thank you for your trouble."

Meng Shuping had planned to find time to ask Jiang Cihe about Princess Yongtai's situation. However, the next day, upon his return, he found an uninvited guest at the Earl's residence—who turned out to be an acquaintance.

After a moment's hesitation, he strode directly into the main hall. Seeing Meng Shuping enter, Mrs. Guan's expression stiffened, a bad premonition washing over her. *Why is this kid here again?*

Meng Houliang was surprised to see Meng Shuping. "Ping Geer, what brings you here? Is something the matter?"

*Didn't he usually avoid such occasions?*

Meng Shuping nodded. "I have something to discuss with Grandfather. I'll wait until you've finished with your guest."

Meng Houliang motioned for Meng Shuping to take a seat to the side, then turned back to Mrs. Guan. "Mrs. Guan, please continue."

Meng Shuping couldn't help but speculate, *Is she here to propose another match? Didn't she look down on me for being born of a concubine last time? Why is she back? She can't be here to cause trouble again, can she?*

Meng Houliang frowned slightly, displeased with Mrs. Guan. *She looked down on our Ping Geer for being born of a concubine? Even if he was, how was Ping Geer inferior to any legitimate son?*

Mrs. Guan's face flushed red. *This kid better not flatter himself—I couldn't be bothered with him now!*

She forced a smile and said, "I've come to see the Earl on someone else's behalf—to propose a marriage for your second young lady!"

Meng Shuping was speechless. *She really is here to propose a match? Why is it always her? What unreliable person is she trying to introduce this time?*

*I really feel like lashing out at her. If she’s so enthusiastic about this, why is she an official’s wife? She should just become a matchmaker! Maybe I should look into whether her husband has committed any offenses. Once he’s dismissed from office, she can focus on matchmaking!*

Meng Houliang politely asked, "And who, may I ask, has entrusted you with this?"

Mrs. Guan's face paled. After her last encounter with Meng Shuping, she had gone home and asked her husband about him, only to be warned not to provoke him lest she invite trouble. *Could this kid actually do such a thing?*

But this time, she had been sent by Princess Yongtai's residence, and she didn't dare offend them either. Steeling herself, she said, "It's Princess Yongtai. She asked me to propose a marriage for her second son. As you know, the young master is handsome and accomplished in both literary and martial arts."

Meng Shuping sneered, *Oh, please! Spending all day brawling in bed—no wonder he’s ‘accomplished’! I bet he can even write some lewd poetry, so people would say he’s talented! Tsk, tsk, this guy is quite the fraud—all glitter and no substance!*

Mrs. Guan was furious. *This Meng Shuping—was he here to ruin her plans again?*

Meng Houliang was puzzled. *Spending all his time frolicking with women in bed? That wouldn't do. Their family's daughter wasn't so desperate that she had to marry someone like that.*

He probed, "I've heard that the second young master has quite a few women in his quarters. I'm afraid he might not be suitable."

Mrs. Guan dismissed it casually, "What of it? In families like ours, which gentleman doesn't have a few concubines? If one fusses over such things, wouldn't people say the woman is jealous?"

*Even the Earl of Anyang had several concubines, didn't he?*

Meng Shuping was astounded, *So she doesn't consider herself a woman? She doesn't value herself, and now she wants to teach others the same? I'll give her a piece of my mind!*

He turned to Meng Houliang. "Grandfather, since Mrs. Guan is so broad-minded, why don't we send four concubines each to her husband, her son, and her daughter's husband? I'm sure Mrs. Guan would be delighted."

Mrs. Guan's face turned pale, then red. After a long pause, she said stiffly, "Fifth Young Master Meng, you're an unmarried young man. Why are you meddling in other people's private affairs? Aren't you afraid of what people might say?"

*If her son and daughter found out this was her doing, their household would be in an uproar.*

Meng Shuping said earnestly, "I'm not afraid!"

Mrs. Guan snorted, "You know—"

But halfway through, she suddenly realized that Meng Shuping's response was the opposite of what she expected. Mrs. Guan froze. *This Meng Shuping—how could he be so unaffected by her words?*

Meng Shuping was still puzzled, *What does she mean by that? Is she saying that as an old woman, she can shamelessly interfere in other people’s private affairs?*

*She can meddle, but others can’t? How hypocritical! So as her brother, I’m not allowed to care about my sister’s affairs?*

Seeing that Meng Shuping had repeatedly ruined her plans, Mrs. Guan was seething. Suppressing her anger, she turned to Meng Houliang. "Earl, when elders are speaking, since when is it a junior's place to interrupt?"

Meng Shuping curled his lip, *And here I thought she had some skill. When she can’t win an argument, she just tattles to the adults, huh? Should I go complain to her father then? She’s so old, picking on a junior—isn’t she ashamed?*

Mrs. Guan trembled with rage. She knew it—whenever she ran into this Meng Shuping, nothing good ever happened. She should have come when he wasn't around!

Meng Houliang smiled imperceptibly, then put on a stern face. "Ping Geer, even if Mrs. Guan is wrong, you shouldn't be so relentless! Don't do this again."

Meng Shuping was very obedient at that moment. "Yes."

*Hahaha, she didn’t actually think Grandfather would side with an outsider, did she? What was she thinking? In his own home, would Grandfather let an outsider bully me?*

Mrs. Guan grew even angrier. She had never imagined she would be so humiliated at the Earl of Anyang's residence.

Then, Meng Houliang added, "Mrs. Guan, let's call off this marriage proposal. My second granddaughter is still young, and I'd like to keep her at home for a few more years."

At this, Mrs. Guan could no longer contain her fury. She stood up abruptly. "My apologies for disturbing you. I shall take my leave now."

Meng Houliang quickly said, "Someone, see Mrs. Guan out."

Meng Shuping gloated, *Oh, oh, so she’s angry now? Seriously, with such a temper, does anyone actually ask her to be a matchmaker?*

Hearing this, Mrs. Guan quickened her pace. *They were refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit—did they think Princess Yongtai was someone to be trifled with? So what if he was Prince Zhao? In front of Princess Yongtai, he was just a junior!*

After Mrs. Guan left, Meng Houliang asked Meng Shuping, "What did you need to see Grandfather about?"

Meng Shuping replied, "Grandfather, Mrs. Guan came here probably because Second Master invited her."

"Second Master?" Meng Houliang was surprised. "What's going on?"

So Meng Shuping briefly explained the whole story. After hearing it, Meng Houliang was furious and slammed the table. "This Second Master is getting more and more outrageous!"

He immediately ordered the servants, "Go and send for Meng Wenxiu!"

Meng Shuping quickly added, "Grandfather, please don't consent to this match, or Second Sister's life will be ruined!"

Meng Houliang said, "If Princess Yongtai's second son is truly unsuitable, I naturally won't agree."

*Their family didn't need to curry favor with powerful families—why should they make our girl suffer needlessly?*

Meng Shuping felt slightly relieved. Before Meng Wenxiu arrived, he quickly said goodbye to Meng Houliang. He really didn't want to see Meng Wenxiu's face again.

After leaving Meng Houliang's place, he immediately went to Jiang Cihe's. When Jiang Cihe saw him, his mouth quirked up briefly before he straightened it. "What brings you here now? I thought you'd long forgotten about me!"

Meng Shuping couldn't help but muse, *Tsk, tsk, tsk, he sounds so resentful! It’s only been a few days since I last visited him. How does he manage to hold such a big grudge?*

He asked Jiang Cihe, "Do you remember that Mrs. Guan we met last time? She just came to my house to propose a match."

"Propose a match?" Jiang Cihe's face darkened. "Which girl is she trying to match with you this time?"