Chapter 360 Hosting Guests

Chapter 360: Receiving Guests

Thus, spending his days either accompanying Fang Jinrong on strolls or visiting the Wu residence to check on Zheng Shushen, Meng Wan passed several leisurely days.

On another bitingly cold day, Meng Wan once again ordered the carriage prepared and made his way to the Gu family's doorstep.

The same familiar crowd filled the room—perhaps a few fewer children—but among the young ladies, the Gu family's second young miss was still absent.

Having failed to see her on two previous visits, Meng Wan didn't so much as furrow his brow. Smiling warmly, he instructed Chi Yu to bring forward an exquisite little wooden box.

When the box was opened, it revealed a dozen or so palm-sized jewelry cases made of glass, catching the light streaming through the window and shimmering with iridescent colors—lighter and more beautiful than heavy wood.

"Wow!" A young lad couldn't help but exclaim.

His mother shot him a stern glare, then turned to Meng Wan with an apologetic smile. "Please forgive him, Lord Meng. He's just a child—how rude of him."

Meng Wan's smile was genial. "What rudeness? Children are drawn to new and interesting things. I was the same when I was young."

What he really loved were airplanes and cannons.

Too bad he hadn't been a better student—had he gotten into a defense university and developed actual weapons, he wouldn't be bothering with this slow, subtle approach now.

He took out one of the cases and handed it to the lad who had just exclaimed. "These were prepared for all of you. Take it and play with it—there's one for everyone."

The lad glanced timidly at his mother, not daring to accept until she gave her approval.

"Lord Meng, you're our guest," Madam Gu said politely. "How could we let you go to such expense?"

Meng Wan simply opened the case, revealing a pearl bracelet with uniformly sized beads—one he'd had crafted by artisans over the past couple of days.

"The cases are all from my own workshop, and the bracelets are pearls I collected while in the Lingnan region of the south—nothing particularly precious. Last time I visited, I noticed several of the Gu family's young misses and lads were strikingly good-looking and in the bloom of youth. It delighted me, so I thought I'd bring some small gifts on my next visit to delight the young ladies and lads."

His words were witty and charming, and he was completely down-to-earth, charming the assembled ladies of the inner quarters. The young misses and young masters, a dozen or so in age, all blushed as they looked at Meng Wan.

After all, it was only natural for people to feel warmly toward someone so handsome, refined, and approachable.

Old Madam Gu smiled and gave her blessing. "Since Lord Meng has been so generous, if I may be so bold, I'll let these youngsters keep the gifts."

The moment she spoke, the lad eagerly slipped the bracelet onto his wrist. Meng Wan rarely carried anything of ordinary quality—he'd sold off his mid-tier pieces when his entire family moved to the capital, keeping only the finest items.

The young ones divided the gifts among themselves, but one case remained in the box. Meng Wan picked it up, pretending to look puzzled. "How is there one left over? Is there another young miss or master of the Gu family who hasn't come?"

Families of scholars cared deeply about propriety. When honored guests called, any child over ten who had begun their studies in the classics and rites was expected to appear, offer formal greetings, and pay respects—only the very young were exempt. This was how they showcased the family's proper upbringing and etiquette.

After Meng Wan finished speaking, Madam Gu gave an awkward, strained smile. "Please forgive us, Lord Meng. My younger daughter has not been feeling well lately, which is why she hasn't come out to receive you."

"I see." Meng Wan nodded, suddenly understanding. Holding the intricately carved glass case, he said with heartfelt earnestness, "So young and already ill? I didn't know before, but now that I do, I wouldn't feel right unless I went to see her. Would that be convenient, Madam Gu?"

"Well..." Madam Gu was at a loss for words. Meng Wan was so enthusiastic, and they'd just happily accepted his gifts—it wouldn't do to leave only Ru'er out.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lord Meng. Very well... I'll escort you to my daughter's courtyard for a brief visit." Madam Gu acquiesced.

The courtyard of Gu Zhi Ru, the second young miss of the Gu family's main line, was not far from the old madam's residence. By the time Madam Gu led Meng Wan there, a quick-witted maid had already run ahead to announce their arrival.

Gu Zhi Ru, her face ashen, received Meng Wan in the garden parlor of her courtyard.

"This daughter pays her respects to Lord Meng. Thank you for your concern." She showed no surprise or delight at the "gift" placed on the table, her demeanor remaining detached throughout.

Meng Wan sat across from Gu Zhi Ru, taking in the elegantly appointed outer chamber of her boudoir. His eyes glided past the fine but modest furnishings and settled on a painting of plum blossoms in winter snow hanging on the wall, signed "Gu Er Niang."

He smiled suddenly. "I've long heard that the Gu family is one of scholarly refinement—not only do the men study, but the daughters and lads are all accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. This winter plum painting shows remarkable vigor and strength."

Having two daughters so accomplished naturally filled Madam Gu with pride, but Meng Wan's own painting had made a name for him at the New Year's Day banquet—he was a true master painter. She demurred modestly, "Ru'er's humble attainments are hardly worth displaying before you, Lord Meng."

At the mention of painting, a flicker of emotion passed through Gu Zhi Ru's wooden gaze. Her mother's words reminded her of the rumors she'd heard about Lord Meng. "I've long heard that Lord Meng's painting surpasses even his teacher's. I've never had the fortune to see it. My crude and shallow work is unworthy of your inspection."

That rumor had spread from the palace, but for the lads and young ladies who admired Master Xiang Yun, it wasn't necessarily taken as praise. After Xiang Yun's death, her surviving works had only increased in value for collectors.

Meng Wan's smile remained warm. "I feel a connection with Ru'er. I have many famous paintings in my collection at home, including several by my teacher. If you'd like, you're welcome to come to the Song residence to view them."

"Master Xiang's paintings?" Gu Zhi Ru's indifferent mask cracked, starlight flickering in her eyes.

Ever since the heir apparent of Marquis Zhongyi had come to break off the engagement, her daughter had been gloomy and dispirited. Madam Gu's heart ached for her. Seeing her interest was piqued, she encouraged, "It would do you good to get out and about. Lord Meng is a very patient man—just don't be a bother when you're at the Song residence."

Gu Zhi Ru's expression softened. "Then... please wait a moment, Lord Meng. Ru'er will change into proper clothes."

"Take your time." Meng Wan indeed seemed easy to please.

Ru'er went to the inner chamber to change, and Madam Gu begged Meng Wan's pardon. "Please don't mind her, Lord Meng. Ru'er... alas, she's suffered greatly these past days. If she's been remiss in courtesy, I hope you'll forgive her."

The marriage between the Qin and Gu families had been called off, and Gu Zhi Ru's broken engagement had become the talk of the capital. She hadn't left the house in months and had grown noticeably thinner.

A fine daughter tormenting herself like this—who knew when she'd emerge from the shadows? Her health was deteriorating. When Madam Gu said her daughter was ill, she hadn't been deceiving Meng Wan.

She was a mother who truly loved her child, Meng Wan thought with a silent sigh.

He reassured her, "Rest assured, Madam Gu. You know I come from humble origins—I accompanied my husband on his path to success. Our Song family has none of the rigid rules of the great houses. Ru'er can simply come with me for a visit and lighten her heart."

He made no mention of the Gu-Qin engagement, nor did he ask why Gu Zhi Ru had been wronged. Unlike those who came claiming to care about Ru'er but were really just fishing for gossip or enjoying the spectacle, Meng Wan was far superior.

Those few words warmed Madam Gu's heart like sunlight.

Humble origins—how wonderful!

She had once believed in marrying within one's station. But now that her daughter had nearly lost half her life over this affair, she could finally see the true faces of those noble ladies. The same women who once praised her Ru'er's intelligence and virtue now hinted that she might be taken as a replacement wife or a ready-made stepmother.

And worst of all—the newly returned Princess of Qin had actually suggested taking Ru'er as a concubine for her son. Every time Madam Gu thought of it, her chest tightened with rage.

Her daughter had been jilted, yes, but everyone knew it was the Qin family who had broken faith. A fine daughter like hers could find suitors even without marrying into a high house—was she somehow unmarriageable?

"Mother, I'll be going with Lord Meng now." Gu Zhi Ru emerged in going-out clothes. She had no heart for outings and hadn't bothered to have new garments made despite the cold—she was still wearing last year's attire.

Madam Gu quickly dabbed at the corner of her eye with her handkerchief, then rose to see them off. "Go on, then. Return early, and don't trouble Lord Meng too much." Getting out would do her good, better than moping at home.

Gu Zhi Ru didn't want to take the family carriage—households like theirs had crests on their carriages, announcing their identity to all who saw them.

Meng Wan noticed and invited her into his own carriage instead.

It was only once she was seated that Gu Zhi Ru realized what she'd agreed to. She hadn't been out in so long, and now sitting beside Meng Wan, she felt rather awkward.

"Your maidservant is quite pretty." Meng Wan made casual conversation to break the silence.

To show closeness, Madam Gu had only sent Gu Zhi Ru out with two maids. The one Meng Wan referred to was the elder of the two, around twenty years old.

"Her name is Qing Luo," Gu Zhi Ru said, patting the maidservant's hand beside her. "She's grown up with me since childhood—my most trusted companion."

"I see." Meng Wan asked no more on the subject.

The carriage stopped at the Song family's gate. When Meng Wan jumped down, Gu Zhi Ru startled. For daughters of noble houses, descending from a carriage was a study in decorum—one must not stoop or lean forward. Male servants were to look away, while a maidservant supported the young lady's arm as she turned sideways to exit, skirts gathered to cover her feet, stepping down the stool one rung at a time, keeping her back straight throughout, and using a round fan or handkerchief to lightly shield her front from prying eyes.

Qing Luo couldn't find a step stool in the carriage and whispered in Gu Zhiru's ear, "Miss, why not step down on my back instead?"

Gu Zhiru refused, "I'm no noble or high official, why should I do such a thing? Meng Fulang would get a laugh out of that." But she didn't dare jump down like Meng Wan either, since the carriage was pretty high, and it would look unladylike.

"You two getting off or what?" Chi Yu looked at them curiously.

Gu Zhiru instinctively held a handkerchief across her chest, while Qing Luo asked, "Young man, do you know if the carriage has a step stool?"

Chi Yu shook his head honestly, "No, I'll carry you down."

Without waiting for a reaction, he scooped her up and set her down in one swift motion, so fast nobody even had time to react. Gu Zhiru was still dazed, feet on the ground.

"You... what's wrong with you, being so reckless! Miss, you okay?" Qing Luo and the other maid hurried forward to support Gu Zhiru.

"Ah? I'm... I'm fine." Gu Zhiru had already felt uneasy about visiting a stranger's home, and now she had embarrassed herself right in front of everyone.

She thought blankly.

"Ru Niang, don't hold it against Chi Yu. He's my guard and doesn't know much about manners. You'll get used to him." Meng Wan, who had observed the whole scene, spoke up at the right moment.

"A guard? A young man as a guard? Does he know martial arts?" Gu Zhiru turned back in surprise to look at Chi Yu's imposing stature, which really didn't seem like your average young man's.

Meng Wan said with some pride, "He doesn't just know it—he's actually good."

As they walked, Gu Zhiru couldn't help but glance at Chi Yu again.

The Song estate was huge—the biggest house allowed for someone below the rank of earl, twice the size of the Gu family home.

They walked through a maze of corridors, some long, some short, until they reached the main courtyard, where Meng Wan finally stopped.

"Fulang, you're back?"

The maids and page boys from the main courtyard came out to greet them, all decked out in fancy clothes, with at least silver hairpins. A few of the senior maids and page boys even had gold ones.

Qing Luo and the other maid's eyes wandered to Zhifan and Zhimao's heads. The gold butterfly hairpins with spread wings were clearly a matching set, one on each of the two page boys, who also had other gold pieces on. Their clothes were dark-patterned satin, and their whole getup was fancier than what most officials' daughters wore.

Since Gu Zhiru wasn't in great health, Meng Wan led her to a small, cozy side room on the west side of the main hall. There wasn't much furniture—a heated brick bed on one side, low cabinets on the other.

The heated bed took up most of the room, with a low table placed in the center.

Meng Wan had her sit on the bed and instructed a servant, "Swap the low table for the kang table—the big one from outside."

"Yes, Fulang." Zhifan and Zhimao hauled it in, with Qing Luo and the others helping.

Noticing Gu Zhiru seemed cold, Zhifan went to the cabinet in the inner room and grabbed a blanket for her and one for Meng Wan.

"Zhimao, go and call Manager Huang over." Meng Wan sent Zhimao to find Huang Ye.

Huang Ye arrived quickly. Having heard the Fulang had brought a lady guest, he was already on his way to the main courtyard.

"Fulang, you need me to grab something from the storeroom?"

A young voice rang out, and Gu Zhiru saw a young man with a warm, tan complexion and a well-proportioned figure lift the curtain and walk in.

He wasn't particularly handsome, but his eyes were gentle and resolute, and he had a rock-solid, determined air about him.

Meng Wan, getting hot, had shed his thick cotton robe and slipped on the sleeveless jacket Zhifan handed him. "Yes, bring me the Snow Mountain and Blue Lotus painting my master gave me, plus the Wang Qianye and Gou Daozi pieces from my collection."

Qing Luo and the other maid sat on embroidered stools on the floor, quiet and proper.

The Song residence was completely different from what they had imagined. These weren't the country bumpkins people made them out to be—any random servant here had more clout than the steward of the Gu lady's own rooms.

After Huang Ye left, Zhifan called out to Qing Luo from outside the warm room, "Ladies, come out and have some tea. When the Fulang's looking at paintings in there, you can't bring tea in."

Qing Luo glanced at Gu Zhiru on the heated bed. "Miss, we'll be right outside. Just holler if you need us."

Gu Zhiru was still stuck on the two names Meng Wan had just dropped, unable to snap out of it.

She'd thought just getting to see Xiang Yun's paintings was a stroke of luck, but she never figured Meng Fulang was hiding this much—he actually had Wang Qianye and Gou Daozi originals in his stash!