Meng Ziyun's eyebrows shot up as she whirled to glare at Meng Shuping. "Where did this obnoxious brat come from, speaking so rudely?"
Determined to teach Meng Shuping a lesson, Meng Ziyun swiftly covered her nose with a handkerchief, simultaneously recoiling in disgust. "Grandmother, where did this beggar come from? How did he get in here? Could he be carrying some foul odor?" she demanded.
Meng Shuping shot her an exasperated look. *"You're the beggar! Your whole family are beggars! So young, and already your eyesight is failing."*
Compared to the residents of the Earl's mansion, his clothes might have been a bit plain, but they were certainly better than what commoners wore. There was no way he looked like a beggar. This young lady was clearly trying to humiliate him on purpose.
If he were truly a sensitive and insecure person, he might have been utterly mortified.
Thinking of this, Meng Shuping felt extremely displeased with Meng Ziyun. *"If we're talking about odor, who could possibly smell worse than her? Did she bring the entire perfume shop home? Isn't she afraid of being pickled in all that fragrance?"*
*"Wait, why does a young girl like her wear so much perfume? Could it be to cover up something?"* he mused.
*"Yikes…"*
*"Could she have body odor?"*
Feng Shi wanted to laugh but had to hold it in. She dug her nails into her thigh hard, barely managing to keep her expression under control.
Meng Ziyun, however, was so angry her face turned crimson. She immediately wanted to retort, but she had just realized that the voice she heard didn't seem to come from Meng Shuping—she hadn't seen him open his mouth.
Stranger still, no one else had reacted to those words. Under normal circumstances, if someone had spoken about her like that, how could her mother and grandmother remain indifferent?
Could it be that only she could hear that voice?
Unable to vent her anger or explain the situation, Meng Ziyun was fuming. She could only direct her rage at Meng Shuping. "What are you standing there for? Get out now, before you stain the carpets."
As for whether she might offend Meng Shuping, she couldn't care less. Judging by his attire, he didn't seem like someone of any importance.
Besides, Feng Shi was here too. Perhaps this person was brought by Feng Shi, which made her even less concerned. What status could someone brought by her Second Aunt possibly have?
Meng Shuping thought this girl was utterly insufferable. He silently rolled his eyes. *"And she calls herself a young lady of the Earl's mansion? So ill-mannered."*
Even if she didn't know his identity, she couldn't just outright dismiss him, could she? If it weren't for the fact that it was beneath him to argue with her, he would have given her a piece of his mind.
Thinking this, Meng Shuping grew curious. *"Speaking of which, with a temper like hers, how has she not gotten slapped in public?"*
Hearing such veiled insults, Meng Ziyun was furious and about to explode when Fourth Madam Wu sternly said, "Ziyun, watch your words! This is your fifth brother. Apologize to him at once!"
Hearing this, Meng Ziyun grew even angrier. She knew Wu Shi was chiding her for show while actually siding with her, but since no one else could hear that voice, she had no grounds to retaliate. Her fingernails dug deeply into her palms. *Just wait—she would find out who it was!*
As for Wu Shi's act, Meng Shuping was completely scornful. *"Speaking up only now? Where were you earlier? Clearly shielding your own daughter, yet putting on a show of lecturing. How hypocritical!"*
Fourth Madam stopped mid-sentence, unable to continue. She glanced around discreetly at the others, but seeing no unusual reactions, she wondered if she had imagined it.
Noticing Fourth Madam's slight anger, Old Madam Fu quickly said, "Why blame her? She didn't know Ping Ge'er's identity."
Meng Ziyun pouted and asked unhappily, "Grandmother, what fifth brother? What Ping Ge'er?"
Old Madam Fu explained, "This is your Second Uncle's fifth son. He was just found today, so it's no wonder you didn't recognize him."
Hearing this, Meng Ziyun was astonished. "What? He's Second Aunt's fifth son?"
She exaggeratedly covered her mouth with her handkerchief and looked Meng Shuping up and down with disdain. "Heavens, how did the fifth young master become like this?" she exclaimed. "No wonder I didn't recognize him. He must have suffered so much! Second Aunt, where did you find him..."
Meng Shuping glanced at her and found it unbearable. *"Ewww, such over-the-top performance. It hurts my eyes. Even her mother's acting isn't as affected as this."*
Meng Ziyun stiffened, her face contorted slightly. She took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the rage in her chest.
But she could no longer continue what she was about to say. Swallowing her anger, she changed the subject. "Grandmother, how could the fifth young master come to see you dressed like this? It's as if he doesn't respect you at all," she said coldly.
Old Madam Fu was equally displeased with Meng Shuping's attire. She raised her eyes, looking unhappy. "Second daughter-in-law, I have to say, couldn't you have changed Ping Ge'er's clothes before bringing him here? Look at him—dirty and disheveled. It's fine if it's just me, but if he goes out like this, wouldn't it be a disgrace?"
Hearing Old Madam Fu's words, Feng Shi felt intense disgust toward Meng Ziyun. That Meng Ziyun could stir up trouble out of nothing, and Old Madam Fu and Fourth Madam always doted on her, spoiling her into such arrogance.
Suppressing her displeasure, Feng Shi explained reluctantly, "Mother, I originally intended to change his clothes first, but the Earl instructed that the first thing upon returning home should be to pay respects to the elders, as an act of filial piety. That's why I brought him here directly."
Hearing this, Old Madam Fu had no comeback. She casually instructed her maid, "Silver Willow, I remember there was some fabric left from making clothes for Yu Ge'er a few days ago. Bring it here."
The maid named Silver Willow curtsied. "Yes."
Soon, the maid returned with a piece of fabric. Old Madam Fu said, "Second daughter-in-law, use this fabric to make clothes for Ping Ge'er. The young masters of our Earl's mansion shouldn't dress so shabbily. You're his legal mother; you mustn't act petty and mistreat him."
Hearing this, Feng Shi was speechless. This old lady really had to find any excuse to lecture her, as if she couldn't rest without picking faults.
Unfortunately, as a junior, she was naturally at a disadvantage and had to endure it. Keeping a straight face, she said, "Yes."
Seeing this, a few of the attending maids revealed smug expressions. After all, this fabric was leftover from making clothes for Old Madam Fu's own grandson, the Eighth Young Master. There was no doubt it was high-quality material.
And this newly arrived fifth young master, dressed so poorly, surely had never seen such fine things. Now that Old Madam Fu was giving it to him, wouldn't he be grateful to tears?
Old Madam Fu thought the same. As she mused, she put on a doting expression. If others knew she had given such fine fabric to the son of a concubine's son, who wouldn't praise her for caring for the younger generation?
And indeed, as she expected, Meng Shuping rushed forward eagerly, even forgetting how to properly bow. "Thank you, Old Madam Fu."
Meng Shuping had no idea what Old Madam Fu was imagining. At that moment, he found it unbelievable. *"You've got to be kidding! The esteemed Old Madam Fu of the Earl's mansion is this stingy?"*
Old Madam Fu stiffened, her doting expression instantly faltering. Before she could react, the voice continued rapid-fire.
*"It's not like I insisted on having it. If you can't afford to give, then don't. A leftover scrap—who's she trying to fool?"*
*"And she has the nerve to call others petty? Does she really think she's being generous? Sigh, and I thought the Earl's mansion was wealthy. Turns out it's just a hollow shell."*
Feng Shi pinched her thigh again, afraid she might burst out laughing. Old Madam Fu probably never expected to be looked down upon like this, did she? Hahaha, this is just too satisfying, she chuckled to herself.
Old Madam Fu was so angry her face turned pale, but she had already noticed that Meng Shuping hadn't opened his mouth. Could it be that this voice was what Meng Shuping was thinking?
She discreetly glanced around the room and felt relieved. Thankfully, no one else could hear that voice, or her face would be completely lost.
To salvage her dignity, Old Madam Fu took a deep breath and forced herself to put on a doting expression again. She looked at Meng Shuping. "Ping Ge'er, come here. Let grandmother get a proper look at you."
Meng Shuping felt goosebumps all over. *"Aahhh, what's wrong with her? Her expression is terrifying! Is she going to pinch me?"*
Feng Shi felt like her thigh was about to bruise from all the pinching. This child, why is he so amusing?
Old Madam Fu genuinely wanted to pinch Meng Shuping now. Struggling to suppress her anger, she said dotingly, "What a good child. You've suffered a lot all these years, haven't you?"
Meng Shuping had no idea what this old lady was up to. He replied uncertainly, "It was alright."
Old Madam Fu didn't care what Meng Shuping answered. She casually instructed, "Guizhi, you bring me the floral-and-bird-patterned jade pendant from the inner room."
Hearing this, Meng Ziyun was furious. She couldn't help asking, "Grandmother, you're not going to give that jade pendant to him, are you?"
A jade pendant itself was nothing, but why should a newly found distant cousin of concubine birth deserve it? Moreover, she now knew that the annoying voice earlier belonged to him. How could she accept this?
She wished she could slap him right then and there.
Fourth Madam Wu, who was standing nearby, was also puzzled. Could it be that this newly returned boy had caught their mother-in-law's favor? She looked Meng Shuping up and down—what exceptional qualities did this boy possess? She couldn't see any.
Recalling the voice she had heard earlier, Fourth Madam Wu Shi secretly seethed with anger. This boy was clearly not one to be trifled with either.
Noticing the resentful glares from the mother and daughter, Meng Shuping grew even more convinced of his own thoughts. *"As expected, this manor is truly impoverished. It's just a jade pendant, yet look how reluctant they are to part with it. Sigh, even if they didn't give a welcoming gift, I wouldn't have said anything. Why fake generosity when they're clearly broke?"*
Old Madam Fu's face flushed crimson. She never imagined that one day she would be repeatedly mocked for being stingy by a poor boy from outside. Now, more than ever, she couldn't afford to lose face in front of Meng Shuping. Patting Meng Ziyun's hand, she said sternly, "Ziyun, didn't your Second Aunt say that your Fifth Brother didn't dress like this on purpose to come here? Why are you still giving him attitude?"
As for the reason Old Madam Fu gave, Meng Shuping didn't believe it in the slightest. *"Tsk, tsk, tsk, no need to explain—explaining only makes it more obvious. If they're reluctant, they should just say so. Hahaha, it's not like I'd laugh at them."*