The Elders

That day, the vast Meng Mansion was fully mobilized. Countless maidservants, attendants, black-clad guards wearing sabers, and finely dressed household stewards hurried through the broad, maze-like corridors of the Meng Mansion, making thorough preparations to welcome Meng Jizu and the others.

Meng Zhao received notice early in the morning and treated it as a matter of utmost importance. At dawn, he bathed and changed clothes, while nimble-fingered maidservants attended to his garments, hair ornaments, belt, and more. Even his hair was combed perfectly neat in a flurry of activity.

It took a full half hour before he was completely dressed, and he looked entirely renewed.

The overall style was one of wealth pressing down upon the beholder and lofty grandeur soaring to the heavens. His azure long robe had a stiff, upright collar, its shoulders held broad; a white jade belt hung at his waist, and the boots on his feet were high-end goods as well. Combined with Meng Zhao's tall, straight build and handsome features, he looked exceptionally valiant.

Lü Yue had also changed into suitable attire and attended Meng Zhao at his side. When the time was about right, they went directly to the row houses before the eastern gate of the Meng Mansion to wait.

The row houses were lounges specially prepared for the masters of the estate or distinguished guests from outside. They were spacious and bright. Once several double redwood doors were opened, sunlight streamed directly into the room, making it pleasantly warm and comfortable.

When Meng Zhao arrived with Lü Yue, he discovered that quite a few people were already seated inside. Following proper etiquette and custom, he stepped forward one by one to pay his respects.

The first person he greeted was the mistress of the Meng Mansion, the principal wife of Earl of Nan'an Meng Jizu, Kong Yun.

This mistress had striking features and wore light makeup, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

Her skin was fair and smooth, and she appeared very young, like a maiden of twenty, with no sign at all that she had already borne three children.

Her style of dress was likewise one of dignified splendor and luxury. Her hair was filled to the brim with pearl ornaments and jade hairpins.

Any one of those pieces, if taken out, would likely be a peerless treasure that many people would never see even once in their lives.

Her upper body was clothed in a crimson robe embroidered with gold-threaded hundred butterflies, while below she wore a jade-green pleated skirt scattered with floral patterns, concealing her graceful figure tightly and lending her an overwhelming air of nobility.

Meng Zhao knew that this Madam Meng came from a Sage Family. She was extravagant by nature and loved ostentation. The reason she had maintained herself so well was that silver had been piled up to preserve her, coin by coin.

It was an astronomical figure that would make countless women burn with envy and hatred upon hearing it, and make men weep.

Meng Zhao did not know much about this mistress. He had only met her once and exchanged a few words with her on the day he returned to the estate.

However, according to the intelligence he had gathered, she seemed cold and detached by nature. She took none of the estate's major or minor affairs to heart and paid them no attention, delegating authority to the younger brothers and sisters-in-law of the third branch.

She even appeared extremely indifferent toward her own husband and two sons.

The only one who could draw out her concern and motherly affection was the girl seated right beside her—Meng Jizu's only daughter, the younger sister of Meng Xi and Meng Wen of the eldest branch, Meng Rong.

Thus, aside from observing every courtesy toward her, Meng Zhao had no particular intention of currying favor with her.

She could hardly be bothered with even her own sons. Why would he, someone with no real connection to her, go looking for discomfort?

After the eldest branch's madam, Meng Zhao paid respects to his Third Aunt, the principal wife of his Third Uncle Meng Hongdao, An Hui.

This noblewoman was likewise very beautiful. Her almond-shaped eyes shimmered like rippling water, her nose bridge was soft and rounded, and her cheeks carried a faint blush. With her feet together and hands folded atop her lap, she looked exceptionally gentle and virtuous.

Moreover, her clothing followed a simple style, with few ornaments on her person, forming a stark contrast with Kong Yun.

Though Third Aunt looked like this now, she came from White Head Mountain, one of the Thirteen Families. In her maiden years, she had once earned a name as a chivalrous heroine, brimming with murderous sharpness.

Later, she met Meng Zhao's Third Uncle, Meng Hongdao. The two took a liking to each other, and after their elders acted as matchmakers, their marriage was arranged, resulting in a happy union.

An Hui had been a mother for many years and bore two sons for Meng Hongdao. Having cultivated her heart and tempered her nature, she had in recent years assisted Meng Jizu and her own husband in managing the Meng Mansion, serving as a worthy helpmate.

Compared with Kong Yun, she was the true mistress of the Meng Mansion, though her official status was simply inferior.

After paying respects to the two elders, he patiently greeted Meng Xi and Meng Wen, the two brothers, one by one.

The two brothers were also dressed very formally today, perfectly displaying the Meng Family's fine genes.

If these three brothers had formed some kind of boy band in his previous life, they would absolutely have been the biggest stars among the biggest stars.

And perhaps because they were before their mother, the two were not only exceptionally restrained, but their relationship did not seem as tense as it was in private. They acted as though their brotherly affection ran deep.

They repeatedly inquired after him, their Fourth Brother, as well. Without several years of practice, no one could have such polished acting skills.

Finally, there was Meng Rong, nestled against her mother's side, looking adorably naïve and sweet.

This little girl was only fourteen this year, still very young, yet she had already begun to show the makings of a great beauty.

She had inherited her mother's lovely oval face. Her pair of clear, water-cut eyes seemed to hold starlight within them, blinking and gleaming with radiance.

Her delicate nose was like jade, her skin fairer than snow, and her hair was tied in a maiden's bun. Whenever her cherry-red lips curved into a smile, she revealed neat, pearly white teeth.

She was dressed in an exceptionally playful and adorable manner as well. A pink little jacket was paired with trousers and small riding boots, while a silver chain hung at the hem, jingling as she moved.

She was like an angel blessed by heaven and earth, gathering all favor and happiness unto herself.

Ever since Meng Zhao entered, Meng Rong had been staring curiously at him, twisting her fingers together without blinking.

The main reason was that this was their first meeting in ten years, and she was full of curiosity.

Ten years ago, Meng Rong had only been four years old. At that age, she had long since forgotten Meng Zhao completely.

Besides, she thought this cousin of hers was very handsome and pleasing to look at. In any case, he was much easier on the eyes than her two brothers, and her favorability toward him kept soaring.

When Meng Zhao tirelessly and respectfully paid his respects to Kong Yun, An Hui, Meng Xi, and Meng Wen, she grew even more expectant.

Her bright, sparkling eyes remained fixed on Meng Zhao, making her look exactly like a little kitten yearning for its owner's caress.

But in the end, she discovered that Meng Zhao had skipped right over her and gone directly to sit in a chair beside them, his movements quite dashing and handsome.

With a pout, she called out loudly, somewhat unhappy, "Cousin, why won't you talk to me? I've clearly been waiting for so long."

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere immediately turned awkward.

Mainly because Meng Rong was being a little unreasonable.

The four people Meng Zhao had respectfully greeted were all his elders in terms of seniority and status.

There was no need to mention his Eldest Aunt and Third Aunt; his two elder brothers counted as well.

The saying "an eldest brother is like a father" described precisely this sort of relationship.

But Meng Rong was different. From the perspective of kinship, it should have been Meng Rong, as the younger cousin, who greeted him.

It was like relatives gathering together for the Spring Festival in his previous life: it was always the younger generation who greeted their elders.

If a junior questioned why an elder had not taken the initiative to greet them, they would only be called rude, poorly raised, and ignorant of the rules.

But Meng Rong really was somewhat different.

Because it was obvious that rather than being rude and ignorant of the rules, she was innocent and guileless, unversed in worldly affairs, completely lacking life experience and understanding. She had simply been protected too well.

That also had much to do with her own living environment and the affection her elders lavished upon her.