Chapter 310 Consort Nie

Chapter 310: Consort Nie

"By the way, speaking of which, your mother was Meng Fulang's master, so I imagine he must be quite close with you in daily life?" Her Majesty the Empress seemed to have just recalled that Countess Huai'en and Meng Wan shared another connection.

Lin Conghui inclined her body slightly in her seat. "It should have been a close relationship, but Meng Fulang is quite aloof. Since returning to the capital, he has never once set foot through the gates of my Huai'en Count's Estate."

Consort Nie smoothed the folds at her waist and said casually, "Meng seems like someone of few words. I didn't expect his human feelings to be so cold as well? I recall that Master Xiang passed away last year, didn't he?"

The two sang in duet, insinuating that Meng Wan had turned his back on his master the moment his master died.

Meng Wan pressed down on Chang Jinhua, who was about to rise, and smiled as he looked toward the First-rank Lady on the right. Though he didn't know them all, there should be many familiar faces—Madam Wu, the wife of the Grand Secretary—all huddled like crickets, playing deaf and dumb.

"Lady Gu, is it? I remember when my husband and I first arrived in Shengjing, we once visited Countess Huai'en and saw the eldest Miss Gu at the Count's Estate. Oh, and Miss Wu was there as well." Meng Wan wasn't familiar with either family, only knowing that the Grand Secretary's surname was Gu and that Qin Jiao's fiancée was his second legitimate daughter, so he called them out one by one.

"That must have been quite a few years ago now, hasn't it? The children in our households have all married by now, so it hasn't come up."

"Indeed, young ladies tend to go out to socialize with their sisters before marriage. With so many banquets attended, I truly can't recall which one it was that I encountered Meng Fulang."

The two ladies were of different ages, but their behavior was perfectly aligned—both equally feigning ignorance.

Only Her Majesty the Empress had a vague understanding of what had happened in the main hall; no one else understood why Meng Wan had been summoned to the front or why he had received rewards.

The most plausible answer was that His Majesty the Emperor valued Song Tingzhou and had given the reward on his account. Countess Huai'en clearly had a grudge against Meng Fulang.

One was an old-established noble family, the other a young talent favored by His Majesty—neither was easy to offend. Moreover, Consort Nie's words were clearly supporting Countess Huai'en.

Her Majesty the Empress was in poor health and had deteriorated further since the Crown Prince's disappearance. Word had it that the Phoenix Seal was now in Consort Nie's hands, and with His Highness Prince Lian rising in prominence, who dared not show her due respect?

The most troubled of all was the Gu family. Their eldest daughter had nearly married into the Huai'en Count's Estate but had been beaten to it by the Wu family's daughter. Now it seemed fortunate she hadn't married into that household.

But her younger daughter had been chosen by the Crown Princess to marry into the Marquis's household—a step up in status. The Qin family was the Crown Princess's natal family, so the Gu family was now tied to the Crown Prince.

In truth, Lord Gu and his wife had worried about this matter at the time. The Grand Secretariat's power was gradually being eroded, and Grand Secretary Gu only enjoyed the pleasant title of an "upright scholar," being little more than a powerless ornament in court.

Though Qin Jiao was marrying a playboy, a hereditary prince was still a hereditary prince—he would one day inherit the Marquis title. If their daughter bore a legitimate son, wouldn't he also be able to inherit the title?

After much deliberation, they agreed.

But the reputation outside was poor. People said the Gu family was a house of pure scholars, yet their daughters were all angling toward noble families—a slap in the face, and there were those who mocked the Gu family for it.

One knows one's own affairs. The Gu family was also regretting their decision. Lady Gu now only hoped her daughter's marriage wouldn't encounter any problems and wanted nothing to do with any trouble. After all, on the surface, the Song family had no real connection with the Crown Prince—only some acquaintance with Qin Jiao. But even if Meng Wan and his husband had ties with Qin Jiao, the Crown Princess was still above all that, so it wasn't her place to get involved.

Lady Gu sorted out her thoughts and glanced at Madam Wu beside her. That once proud woman had grown increasingly low-key over the past two years. The Countess above was her in-law, yet she didn't even exchange many pleasantries with her.

Looking past this group toward the Crown Princess beside Her Majesty the Empress, she saw the latter holding her forehead, appearing quite weary.

"Both ladies have poor memories, but that's of no great consequence. However, as for the gates of the Huai'en Count's Estate—my master instructed me on her deathbed not to presume to climb above my station. A master's command cannot be defied, so I can only ask the Countess to forgive me." Meng Wan had anticipated their attitude and wasn't angry. He still wore a smile as he casually let out this remark.

To truly defeat someone, you must wound their soul; otherwise, it's no different from scratching an itch—what's the point?

Lin Conghui's calm and composed expression suddenly shifted dramatically. Even if her relationship with her mother was poor, hearing such words from someone she considered an outsider still made her heart lurch.

Because her mother, Xiang Yun, was truly capable of leaving a letter on her deathbed instructing her disciple never to set foot in her home.

Consort Nie glanced at her expression and suddenly found it all rather dull. After managing the Count's Estate for so many years, she was still nothing but a fool who didn't know her place.

Her noble, indifferent eyes gazed down upon Meng Wan below. "What a sharp-tongued mouth you have. Lady Lin is your elder, yet you show such disrespect to your elders. Haven't your parents and your husband's family taught you to study the *Nüjie* (Admonitions for Women)?"

Even a country woman or young master's reputation couldn't withstand the slightest slander, let alone in Shengjing City, where the etiquette and rules were intricate and demanding.

With so many people in the hall today, even Chang Jinhua, a mere country woman, knew how much damage Consort Nie's reprimand would do to Meng Wan's reputation if it spread.

Her hands trembling, terrified as she was, she still stood up and bowed to explain on Meng Wan's behalf: "Consort Nie, Wan Ge'er isn't lacking in manners—it's the Countess herself who said he wasn't allowed to visit."

To bolster her courage and ensure the noble lady above could hear clearly, Chang Jinhua spoke at a considerable volume.

A flicker of annoyance crossed Consort Nie's brow. "Did I ask you?"

From start to finish, Meng Wan hadn't paid much attention to Lin Conghui or Consort Nie. Could he lose to them in a war of words?

But the moment Chang Jinhua was treated like that, a sudden blaze of anger surged through his chest.

His lips still curved upward, but Meng Wan's eyes had turned to ice. "Consort Nie, your subject lost both parents at a young age and indeed never studied the *Nüjie*. My husband studied the way of the gentleman, and my mother-in-law, née Chang, possesses a compassionate heart. Consort Nie comes from a military family—I didn't expect you to be well-versed in the *Nüjie* as well? But how is it I've heard that the young masters of the Duke's mansion spend their days lingering in brothels and pleasure houses, abandoning their wives and children at home? Surely the ladies of the Duke's household have been studying the *Nüjie*, and the young men have followed suit in perfecting their rouge and powder?"

When he finished speaking, the hall fell so silent that a dropped needle could be heard, broken only by the faint, stifled gasps that couldn't be suppressed.

The Crown Princess lowered her eyes, her face full of mockery. That the Duke's mansion had no worthy heir was a fact known to all civil and military officials—and it was Consort Nie's sore spot. The reason His Highness Prince Lian's faction acted with such urgency was their fear that once the old Duke died, they would have no hope left.

Consort Nie and His Highness Prince Lian both knew perfectly well that without the old Duke, they couldn't possibly contend with the Crown Prince.

But Meng Wan's audacity was too great—daring to clash head-on with Consort Nie during her period of exclusive favor. If Consort Nie punished him lightly, that would be the end of it, but if she punished him severely, the Empress Mother would inevitably have to step in to mediate.

His Highness the Crown Prince held Lord Song in considerable regard. If they pretended ignorance and chilled his heart, it might create a rift with His Highness.

"How dare you!" Consort Nie slammed the table and rose. "What do you think you are, to presume to discuss the Duke's mansion?"

Meng Wan was among the tallest of the women in the inner quarters. Standing behind his seat, he met Consort Nie's gaze directly, his narrow waist straight as a resilient bamboo, his bearing outshining even the current Imperial Consort. He didn't yield an inch. "Your subject naturally wouldn't dare to speak recklessly, but when idle, I happened to 'accidentally' read two volumes of case files. Coincidentally, both were related to the Duke's mansion. Why doesn't Your Highness guess what was written in them?"

"You dare threaten me? Do you truly think I fear your husband, a mere third-rank metropolitan official?" Consort Nie suddenly let out a mocking laugh. "Or do you think your husband will let you offend His Highness Prince Lian and the Duke of Dingxiang at will? A husband with no background whatsoever—hardly worthy of Lord Song's position as Prefect of Shuntian, wouldn't you say? What do you think—if I gifted him a lady of noble birth, would he divorce you?"

Having climbed to the position of Consort in the palace, Consort Nie was no naive fool despite her formidable background.

An ordinary person would have been thrown into complete disarray upon hearing such words. Unfortunately, Meng Wan was no ordinary person, and half his confidence was bestowed upon him by Song Tingzhou.

No matter how powerful the Duke was, no matter how illustrious the Consort, Song Tingzhou was no pushover these days either. Should they oppose them? Or befriend them and make His Majesty wary of Song Tingzhou?

Meng Wan wasn't flustered in the least. "My household happens to be quite empty. If Your Highness wishes to bestow someone, please do so freely. As long as the young lady doesn't mind, your subject has no objections."

His house just happened to be short of someone to empty the chamber pots—let them come!

Consort Nie's face turned cold. "What a garrulous mouth. It's grating on my nerves." Her personal maids naturally understood their mistress's intent and stepped forward in unison toward Meng Wan, their hands clasped at their stomachs slowly rubbing together, ready to subdue him with force.

Lin Conghui revealed a gleeful smile, already envisioning Meng Wan weeping bitterly and kneeling to beg for mercy at the hands of these ruthless maids.

But Meng Wan tilted his head slightly and suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty the Empress, your subject would like to request a favor."

Consort Nie curled her lips in a contemptuous smile, believing Meng Wan was backing down. Unfortunately, he'd appealed to the wrong person—if she wanted to punish someone, even Her Majesty the Empress couldn't protect them.

As the only person in the entire inner hall who knew why Meng Wan had been rewarded, Her Majesty the Empress had inexplicably not made a fuss about it. Now that Meng Wan took the initiative to ask, she replied gently, "Speak."

Meng Wan said with a straight face, "Your subject's painting is still in the main hall. I wish to know if it can be returned."

"What painting?" Consort Nie sensed something was amiss.

"Oh dear, Meng Fulang, your painting can't be returned, but His Majesty has additional gifts!" Eunuch Xi arrived beaming with joy, holding an imperial edict, having just overheard the last two sentences.

Of course, it was also possible that this senior eunuch had been waiting in the side hall for a while and chose this opportune moment to appear.

Through threats and bribery, the Prince of Yerqiang had disgorged the half of this year's tribute he'd withheld. The terms agreed upon by both sides sounded quite pleasant—it was all considered payment in gold for Meng Wan's painting.

The emperor was in high spirits and naturally bestowed yet another honor upon Meng Wan, bypassing Song Tingzhou to confer on him the title of First-rank Noble. Since a daughter-in-law cannot outrank her mother-in-law, Chang Jinhua was also conferred the title of First-rank Lady in the same decree, which was why the Eunuch Xi had come to deliver the edict.

Meng Wan didn't need this painting, nor was he too keen on the title of First-rank Noble; what he wanted was the emperor's approval, enough to deter Consort Nie.

After Meng Wan knelt to express his gratitude, the other titled ladies realized what had transpired in the main hall.

At this moment, even Consort Nie could do nothing to Meng Wan—at least tonight, he truly had the capital to confront her.

"Empress, forgive me, but this concubine suddenly feels weary and wishes to return to my palace early." Knowing she could not get the better of Meng Wan, Consort Nie left with her palace attendants, looking bored, and some consorts who were either attached to the Duke's mansion for various reasons or depended on Consort Nie in the harem also took their leave one after another.

After she left, Lin Conghui composed her expression and sat down calmly, not saying another word about her earlier efforts to put Meng Wan down.

The remaining titled ladies betrayed nothing on their faces, but in their hearts, they mulled over the grudge between the two.

Having been in the capital for years, who didn't know Countess Lin Conghui's haughty airs? It was clear what had happened. It was probably that in the early years, when Lord Song hadn't yet made his mark and was merely a jinshi degree holder without today's achievements, his husband, Meng, must have been given the cold shoulder by Lin Conghui when he called.

But he'd proven himself and achieved all this, and now Lin Conghui was instead criticizing Meng Fulang's etiquette, complaining that the couple never came to call.

Who would bother with such trivial matters? Hadn't they seen that even the Empress ignored her?

Moreover, Meng Fulang's painting had now caught the emperor's eye—he might well be the next Xiang Yun. With such a capable person, one should eagerly seek his friendship, not rashly offend him. Who knew what she was thinking.

After the Eunuch Xi left, the atmosphere cooled, and the palace banquet dragged on merely to pass the time.

Meng Wan knew there was still a big problem to resolve in the main hall, and idling away the time was less satisfying than trading barbs with someone.

Luo Jining was bold indeed—he forcibly swapped seats with the elderly lady next to Meng Wan, and after sitting down, said nothing, just stared at him intently with a cold sneer.

So this man's disgusting demeanor in Xiwu Prefecture had been an act all along! And now? He dared to stand up to a noble consort without flinching!

He had played the fool so convincingly, making Luo Jining look like an idiot.

Meng Wan: "..."

"If you have questions, ask them now." Meng Wan looked elsewhere, speaking softly.

"Odd functions change..."

"Spare me the useless nonsense." Meng Wan cut him off irritably.

Luo Jining choked on his words. He held back for a moment, realizing he couldn't say anything reckless in the palace. After some thought, he actually began to play for sympathy with Meng Wan. "Do you know what kind of life I've been living? I'm the legitimate son of the Luo family, sure, but those old bastards actually wanted me to marry off alongside my sister. If I hadn't been clever, I would've..."

Meng Wan tightened his grip on the cup in his hand. What about him? He'd been nearly killed the second he transmigrated—did he complain?

He'd been herded like livestock from the south to the north to be sold—did he complain?

And this straight-laced Luo Jining had the nerve to feel sorry for himself?

It was over before it began, and Meng Wan didn't want to hear more. "Tingxiang Pavilion is Prince Lian's establishment, isn't it? Next time I'll look around there..."

"Ah!"

A tremendous scream erupted from outside the hall. The sound was so harrowing that the voice seemed to tear at the vocal cords.

The shrill cry made Chang Jinhua shudder, and Luo Jining shot up from his seat. "What's going on?"

The Empress also rose from her phoenix chair. She dispatched her attendant to inquire in the main hall while soothing the titled ladies in the inner chamber, "Ladies, there's no need for alarm. It's getting late, so I'll have palace attendants escort you out of the palace."

If some secret matter had occurred in the palace, even if these titled ladies were allowed to stay and watch the spectacle, they wouldn't dare.