Volume One, Chapter 15: The Shi Siblings

The entire Meng family waited respectfully at the front gate.

Stepping down from the carriage were not only Shi Jing but also the charming Shi Zilu.

She wore a light orange cloud-patterned silk dress, her lively eyes fluttering as she looked at Meng Tingfeng with great curiosity.

“Are you Meng Tingfeng?”

Meng Tingfeng smiled lightly and nodded.

Shi Zilu immediately bounced over to her side and warmly took her hand.

“So you’re the Miss Tingfeng who saved me! I’ve always been curious about what you look like. My brother never told me, but now that I see you, I realize you’re such a delicate little beauty!”

“Come, let me take good care of you!”

Her words caused a subtle shift in the expressions of those present, and Meng Tingfeng blushed deeply.

Only Shi Jing remained expressionless, as if this was nothing new.

No one had expected Shi Zilu to have such a personality. Since her brother was so calm and reserved, it was likely that her lively nature was a result of being deeply cherished at home.

In the air, Meng Tingfeng and Shi Jing’s eyes met. His gaze was as deep as an ancient pool, making her recall the fear she felt when a venomous snake had stared her down on the carriage, causing her heart to tremble.

“Well, Miss Shi, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness, and the spring breeze is still chilly. Let’s go inside and talk.”

Shi Zilu eagerly nodded. “Alright! Tingfeng, take me to your courtyard to play. My brothers will surely talk about those adult matters—I don’t want to listen, it’s too boring.”

If an ordinary girl spoke so freely, elders would scold her for being disrespectful. But with Shi Zilu’s status, appearance, and personality, she could only be described as innocent and carefree.

“Don’t hurt Second Miss Meng,” someone cautioned.

Shi Zilu turned her head mischievously to look at her brother and smiled, “Don’t worry!”

With that, she tugged Meng Tingfeng straight inside.

Meanwhile, Meng Xueyi and her brother Meng Yuhong, standing beside Meng Lan, were forgotten in a corner.

Meng Yuhong muttered softly, “We clearly saw Miss Shi at the banquet earlier, but now that she’s here, she only seems to notice Meng Tingfeng.”

He thought he was speaking quietly, but everyone nearby heard him clearly.

Meng Lan forced a smile and approached Shi Jing, “Lord Shi, please come inside. My son is young and rude; please forgive him.”

Shi Jing didn’t even furrow his brows and descended the steps calmly.

“No matter,” he said.

Meng Yuhong, already displeased with Shi Jing, grumbled even more resentfully, “A crooked beam can’t support a straight post. Lord Shi is so high and mighty, no wonder his sister is so arrogant…”

Meng Xueyi hurried to cover his mouth in alarm.

This brat hasn’t been scolded enough before?

Now he’s throwing a tantrum over Meng Tingfeng!

Even as she tried to silence him, Shi Jing turned his head and shot a cold glare at the two:

“Lord Meng, if you don’t discipline your own child, do you want me to do it?”

The icy gaze chilled everyone present. Meng Lan thought of the fate of officials who had opposed Shi Jing in court recently and trembled in fear.

After a tense moment, Meng Xueyi fiercely kicked her brother’s knee, forcing him to kneel.

“Apologize to Chancellor Shi at once!” she commanded.

Meng Yuhong felt a sharp pain in his knee and immediately dropped to the floor.

His resentment grew even stronger, and he pressed his lips tightly, unwilling to speak.

Shi Jing looked on indifferently until Meng Lan was nearly unsteady, then he finally spoke slowly:

“I was merely speaking in jest. Why take it so seriously?”

He glanced at Meng Xueyi once more:

“Yet, Lord Meng, your daughter is truly well-mannered.”

Meng Lan repeatedly agreed and escorted him into the study.

At last, Meng Xueyi breathed a sigh of relief. Silver Frost wiped the cold sweat from her brow while admonishing Meng Yuhong:

“You little master, you’ve gone too far this time. You almost dragged the head of the family and your sister into trouble!”

Him causing trouble? In the past, as long as he said one thing, no one dared to contradict him in this household. Even if he made countless mistakes, father and sister would cover for him and say he could do whatever he wanted here! Just because someone is a chancellor, he must obey the law—no one would just kill him on the spot!

But now, with Meng Tingfeng’s arrival, his beloved dog died, yet father let her off lightly; sister treated that wretched girl so well! He had only targeted Meng Tingfeng to protect his sister’s feelings, yet it seemed as if he was the one at fault!

What words of his were wrong? They were all facts!

Meng Yuhong was heartbroken and roughly shrugged off his foster sister’s hand reaching out to help him. “Sister, you’ve truly changed! Father has changed, you’ve all changed!

“You only care about Meng Tingfeng now. No one cares about me anymore! I hate you!”

Watching the young master stumble away, Silver Frost grew worried:

“Miss, this…”

Usually, Meng Xueyi would comfort him, but this time, she simply brushed the dust off her clothes and said gently:

“Let him be. He’s been spoiled too much by me and father; he can’t tell right from wrong for now.”

Meng Yuhong stormed off into the garden. Passing by the entrance to the Orchid Courtyard, he accidentally bumped into Shi Zilu, causing her to stagger.

“Ouch! Who is it?”

Shi Zilu looked over, only to see red-rimmed eyes that didn’t even glance at her before walking away.

He didn’t even apologize after bumping into her!

Just as she was about to call out in anger, Meng Tingfeng gently stopped her:

“Miss Shi, that’s my brother. He’s young and spoiled by the family. You’re a chancellor with a broad mind—don’t bother with him, alright?”

Shi Zilu turned her head and saw the crystal-clear eyes beneath Meng Tingfeng’s curved willow-shaped brows. The anger in her heart melted instantly.

“Alright, alright, I won’t hold it against him. But Tingfeng, my brother is the chancellor, not me!”

She posed coquettishly with her hands on her hips, so cute that Meng Tingfeng couldn’t help but pinch her soft cheek:

“Yes, yes, your brother is magnanimous, and you are even more so.”

Shi Zilu was pleased but then frowned:

“I noticed he gave you a cold glare just now. Why?

“Aren’t you his legitimate elder sister? Why does he seem to despise you so?”

Moreover, he seemed closer to the gentle foster sister of the Meng family.

She didn’t say this aloud, fearing it would hurt Meng Tingfeng’s feelings.

Meng Tingfeng lowered her eyes, a bitter smile brushing her lips:

“We haven’t seen each other for many years. It’s normal he’s not close to me.

“But although my brother is spoiled and arrogant, he secretly takes in stray kittens during the winter. So you can’t judge a person by one side. He may dislike me, but he’s not a bad person.”

She lifted her face and smiled, making Shi Zilu’s heart ache.

“Enough about that. Let’s go inside and chat.”

Arm in arm, the two entered the courtyard.

“Little master, why are you squatting here?”

A servant curiously looked at Meng Yuhong, who was crouched by the wall of the Orchid Courtyard.

Startled by the voice behind him, he quickly turned and signaled for silence.

The servant’s gaze grew even more curious.

Meng Yuhong blushed and waved his hand impatiently:

“None of your business. Mind your own!”

With that, he flicked his robe and strode away proudly.