Chapter 185

Chapter 185

The officials who had just spoken were once again speechless. After a moment, they let out a dismissive snort, refusing to believe Meng Shuping would actually follow through. Wasn't this just a show?

After the morning court, Meng Shuping joined Jiang Cihe for a meal as usual. However, as they ate, he noticed Jiang Cihe was unusually quiet. Unable to resist, he looked at Jiang Cihe and asked, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"

*He's not in a bad mood, is he? Did something happen recently?*

Jiang Cihe took a deep breath, then looked up at him. "Did you plan this inspection trip a long time ago?"

Meng Shuping looked puzzled. "Not really. I only decided a couple of days ago. Why?"

No sooner had he spoken than Jiang Cihe suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled him closer. Caught off guard, Meng Shuping nearly stumbled into Jiang Cihe’s arms. He gasped, quickly bracing himself against Jiang Cihe with his other hand to steady himself. Even so, the distance between them was now uncomfortably close.

Meng Shuping’s face flushed. He tried to pull his hand back with a slight tug, but it wouldn't budge. Helplessly, he looked at Jiang Cihe. "What are you doing?"

*No way, no way! He wouldn't actually try to kiss me here, would he? We're in the palace, and there are people around! Can't he be mindful of the setting?*

Jiang Cihe lowered his gaze, his tone seemingly low. "You're leaving for so long. Why didn't you tell me?"

Meng Shuping felt a pang of guilt. His eyelashes fluttered slightly as he whispered, "I just hadn't had the chance to tell you yet."

Jiang Cihe offered a faint, unsmiling smile. "Was it really that you hadn't had the chance, or did you forget?"

Meng Shuping's eyes darted away. With little conviction, he said, "…Of course, it was because I hadn't had the chance. I've been really busy these past few days, okay?"

*How could I possibly say I forgot in this situation? I'm not stupid, you know!*

Jiang Cihe sighed silently. After a long moment, under Meng Shuping’s slightly nervous gaze, he finally spoke. "After you return, you'll move in with me."

Meng Shuping was taken aback, not understanding how the conversation had suddenly leaped to this topic. "Huh?"

Jiang Cihe said, "Didn't you say you hadn't had the chance? If you live with me, you'll always have the chance, won't you?"

Meng Shuping tried to pull his hand back. "Could you let go of me first?"

But Jiang Cihe didn't move. "Then will you live with me?"

Meng Shuping sighed in resignation. "Fine, fine. I'll live with you."

*Who pressures people like this? Ugh, why do I feel like refusing would make me the bad guy here?*

A faint smile finally appeared on Jiang Cihe’s face, and he released Meng Shuping’s hand. "Then it's settled."

Meng Shuping nodded obediently. "Okay."

After returning home, Meng Shuping packed his belongings. The next day, he set off from the capital by carriage. Of course, he wasn't traveling alone. Besides two servants and two minor officials from the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor Qianyou had also assigned him a team from the Military Hall Department—both as a deterrent and for protection. Since they were also heading to the Meng clan’s ancestral home, Meng Houliang had sent Xiang Feng, who usually stayed by his side, to accompany them.

As they weren't carrying as many heavy items as last time, the group moved much faster. After some time, they arrived at Suhe County, the ancestral home of the Meng clan.

The magistrate of Suhe County had already received news that an official from the capital was coming. He waited early at the city gates. As soon as Meng Shuping’s carriage arrived, he led his men forward to bow. "This humble official, Qian Kuan, Magistrate of Suhe County, greets Lord Meng."

Meng Shuping braced himself and lifted the carriage curtain. A crowd of people stood before the carriage, all staring intently. Stiffly, he stepped out of the carriage, slightly nervous. "Hmm."

*Help! Why is the welcome party already at the gates? There's no need, really no need! Even if he didn't come to welcome me, I wouldn't mind. Besides, I'm just a minor official—I don't need this kind of pomp!*

Magistrate Qian paused. Had Meng Shuping just spoken? He collected himself and put on a smile again. "Lord Meng, you've traveled far and must be weary. This humble official has prepared a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

Meng Shuping was deeply uncomfortable with such formalities. He quickly declined. "No need, no need."

*Who wants to socialize at a time like this? After such a long journey, I just want to rest properly, okay?*

Xiang Feng hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. "What our lord means is that there's no need for you to go to such expense. He's also heading to the Meng family, and they've already prepared a banquet. It's… unfortunately bad timing."

Magistrate Qian was now certain—the voice he'd heard earlier wasn't his imagination. And it sounded exactly like Meng Shuping's. His mind raced, and he quickly said, "No problem, no problem. In that case, this humble official won't disturb you further. I'll pay a visit another day."

Since Meng Shuping clearly wanted to rest early, he wouldn't insist. After all, his goal was to build a relationship with Meng Shuping, not offend him. If Meng Shuping disliked these formalities, it actually made things easier for him.

He glanced around. "I wonder where the Meng family's representatives to welcome Lord Meng are?"

Xiang Feng also looked around but saw no one. Knowing Meng Shuping didn't want to engage further with Magistrate Qian, he thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we just missed them. But it's fine—we'll go directly to the Meng family. Magistrate Qian, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. If our lord needs anything, he'll send someone to find you."

Magistrate Qian quickly replied, "Then please proceed, my lord."

Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief and ducked back into the carriage. The group arrived at the courier station in the city. But even after they had freshened up, no one from the Meng family came. Xiang Feng couldn't help but feel displeased. "We sent word ahead of our arrival. Why hasn't anyone come yet?"

Although the Meng family relied mainly on the Earl of Anyang, Meng Shuping was, after all, the Earl’s grandson and highly regarded by the Emperor. For there to be no one to receive him—wasn't this too dismissive of Meng Shuping?

Meng Shuping, however, found it perfectly normal. He was here to collect taxes, not hand out money. Why would they welcome him?

He said, "Let's rest for the night and go to the Meng family tomorrow."

Early the next morning, Meng Shuping brought Xiang Feng and several Military Hall Department officers to the home of the Meng family member who owed the most taxes. They were quickly invited inside, but after waiting for a long time, no one from the Meng family came to receive them. When they asked a servant nearby, they were told that the masters of the house were all out.

Xiang Feng’s expression darkened. "Outrageous! When we return, I must speak to the Earl. The people here are far too disrespectful!"

One of the Military Hall Department officers accompanying Meng Shuping, referred to as Captain Zheng, was also growing impatient. In a flash, he drew his sword and pressed it against the servant’s neck. "Go find them and bring them back. Otherwise, the Military Hall Department doesn't take kindly to being made fools of!"

The servant turned pale with fear, his legs trembling. "Y-yes, yes!"

The servant scrambled out in a panic. Before long, a middle-aged man and an elderly man with graying hair walked in together. Seeing Meng Shuping and the others, Meng Shixin looked profusely apologetic. "My sincerest apologies! We didn't know you were coming today. We failed to welcome you properly—how disrespectful of us! Steward Xiang, this must be Ping Geer, right?"

Meng Shuping was speechless. He said sternly, "It certainly is disrespectful."

*We arrived yesterday, and you've been pretending ignorance until now. Is he going to claim he never knew we were coming? Do we look that easy to fool? And how dare he call me Ping Geer? Is that any way to address me?*

He coldly turned to Captain Zheng. "Arrest both of them!"

*Does he think I have a gentle temper? Owing taxes is one thing, but such a terrible attitude? Just wait—I'll make him regret it!*

Captain Zheng and the others had been simmering with anger. Upon hearing the order, they immediately responded loudly, "Yes!"

Meng Shixin was stunned, first unsure where the voice had come from, then bewildered by Meng Shuping’s order to arrest him. He hurriedly said, "Wait, wait! There must be some misunderstanding! We're all family—what are you doing?"

Captain Zheng and the others swiftly twisted the two men’s arms behind their backs. "Who's family with you? I'm with the Military Hall Department. Even if Lord Meng wanted to show mercy, making us wait this long—did you think I have no temper?"

Meng Shuping couldn't help but agree inwardly. *Exactly! Now he says we're family? What about earlier when they left us waiting forever? Did they treat us like family then? Such double standards! What, they can disrespect us, but I can't take action? Does he think I'm a pushover?*

Xiang Feng also snorted. "Our fifth young master is here on official business. If it weren't for the fact that you're clan relatives, would he be this polite? But you—given an inch, you take a mile. Since that's the case, why should we continue to be courteous?"

Meng Shixin now realized Meng Shuping was serious. Panicked, he said, "I am your elder! How can you show such disrespect to your elders? Aren't you afraid the Earl will accuse you of mistreating your clansmen?"

Meng Shuping replied indifferently, "Not afraid!"

*We're barely related! What kind of elder is he? Does he think Grandfather would take his side? Please, can't he tell who's closer? Who wouldn't side with their own grandson?*

*Besides, what if I do mistreat him? Let him try to report me! And this is official business—even if I punish him, no one can fault me for it, right?*

Meng Shixin had initially thought that, as clan relatives, no matter how powerful Meng Shuping was, he wouldn't dare go too far. After all, although Meng Shuping served in the court, clan influence was not insignificant. But he never expected Meng Shuping to be so bold, showing no consideration for their shared clan ties.

Seeing that Meng Shuping was truly intent on arresting him, Meng Shixin quickly softened his tone. "Wait, let's discuss this properly. Can we sit down and talk?"

Seeing him yield, Meng Shuping finally felt slightly appeased. *Wouldn't it have been better to cooperate from the start? Did you really need to have a sword held to your neck?*