Meng Jiangming faltered, and Madam Jiang said with grief and indignation, "You've probably forgotten long ago, haven't you? Forgotten your father and mother altogether?"
"Mother, how could your son forget you and Father?"
"Not forgotten?"
Meng Jiangming quickly replied, "No."
Madam Jiang let out a cold laugh, looking at Meng Jiangming. He felt a chill creep into his body. He said cautiously, "Mother, why don't we return to the manor first? So many people are watching."
Madam Jiang glanced at the crowd gathered outside the gate, then turned back to Meng Jiangming, her voice cold, "So you do have shame?"
"Mother." Meng Jiangming felt that Madam Jiang was not quite herself. Usually, his mother cared most about face, but what was happening today?
"Don't call me Mother," Madam Jiang said angrily.
Seeing more and more people outside, Meng Jiangming lowered his voice, "Mother, let's talk about this when we get back to the manor."
Madam Jiang felt her anger surge, and said coldly, "Back to the manor? So you can sneak away again? Meng Jiangming, you truly disappoint me."
Zhao Yanluo, who was beside them, also felt something was amiss. He stepped forward and leaned in slightly, saying, "Auntie, please do not be angered. It was I who brought Young Master Meng out..."
"It's precisely because of your group of scoundrel friends that my son has been led astray," Madam Jiang said furiously.
Zhao Yanluo was taken aback. He truly hadn't expected Madam Jiang to be so disrespectful.
Meng Jiangming was also somewhat displeased. It was fine if she scolded him, but why involve his friends?
"Mother, all the mistakes are mine. It has nothing to do with Yanluo," Meng Jiangming said.
"Good, good..." Madam Jiang gritted her teeth and spoke each word deliberately.
"Mother, what is wrong with you today? Why are you so unreasonable?"
"It's precisely because I was too reasonable that you turned into this dissolute person."
"Mother." Meng Jiangming felt his mother was going too far.
"You are unlearned, illiterate, and have no talent. You are simply a disgrace, a good-for-nothing to the Meng family."
"Mother." Meng Jiangming froze completely.
Madam Jiang sneered, "What? Am I wrong? Look at you, you're already twenty. Twenty years old, and you've achieved nothing. You are the shame of the Meng family..."
Just then, a clear, cold voice interrupted Madam Jiang's words, "Madam, Duchess of Ning..."
Madam Jiang was startled. She looked around and saw a woman standing not far away. She was slender and tall, dressed in a green robe, with a delicate and beautiful face. Her eyes were bright yet cold. Even standing still, she exuded an indescribable noble elegance.
It was as if she were a high and mighty goddess, looking down upon them, mere mortals, like ants.
"You... who are you?"
Feng Wu was about to speak when Xue Xingyue stopped her. She stepped forward, approaching Madam Jiang, and bowed slightly, "This Princess is Xingyue Princess."
As the Emperor's only younger sister, her nobility was unmatched. Yet, someone of such high status bowed to the Duchess of Ning, astonishing everyone.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd said, "Princess Xingyue is paying her respects to her future mother-in-law."
Amidst the astonishment, the crowd finally realized that not long ago, an imperial decree had been issued to the Duke of Ning's manor, bestowing a marriage upon Young Master Meng and Princess Xingyue.
Therefore, Princess Xingyue's bow was not incorrect, but she could have entirely forgone it.
After all, Princess Xingyue's status was so exalted that, apart from the current Emperor, no one else possessed such noble standing.
Furthermore, this Princess Xingyue guarded the border and commanded an army of one hundred thousand. In essence, she was on par with the current Emperor.
Her bow to Madam Jiang now caused everyone to look at Madam Jiang with newfound respect. They had assumed that the Duke of Ning's manor, having married a princess, would be the subordinate party. Now, seeing how Princess Xingyue respected her future mother-in-law, it seemed the rumors were not entirely true.
Madam Jiang was also taken aback. When she learned that her son was to marry a princess, she knew she could not act like other mothers-in-law and lay down rules for her daughter-in-law. Even if she wanted to, she would not dare to be presumptuous with Princess Xingyue.
But now, in full view of everyone, Princess Xingyue bowing to her, her future mother-in-law, bestowed upon her immense honor and dignity. Looking at Princess Xingyue, she found her entirely pleasing to the eye, not to mention her exceptional beauty.
Who were those who said Princess Xingyue was unmanly? Once she became Princess Xingyue's mother-in-law, she would definitely make those who mocked them have their eyes blinded by sheer envy.
"Your Highness, please do not. You must not. This humble subject cannot accept such courtesy." Madam Jiang quickly helped Xue Xingyue up.
Xue Xingyue said, "Madam, you are too kind. I hope for your continued guidance in the future."
Madam Jiang beamed, her face blooming with joy. "Your Highness, you are too polite."
"Madam, speaking of which, it is this Princess's fault. This Princess thought that opportunities to meet Young Master Meng were too few, so taking advantage of Young Master Zhao's birthday, I wished to get to know each other better. I apologize for causing Madam any trouble."
"Your Highness, you say such things. It is only right, only right," Madam Jiang said hastily.
Looking at Madam Jiang's rapid change of demeanor, Meng Jiangming felt his eyes blurring.
Meng Jiangming looked at Xue Xingyue as she spoke with Madam Jiang. At this moment, her profile was turned towards him. Even this half-profile, illuminated by the light streaming through the window, was breathtakingly beautiful.
He seemed to hear his own heartbeat.
"Ming'er, come here."
Madam Jiang's voice broke his daze. He walked to his mother's side, and Madam Jiang said, "You could have just said what you needed to say! You made your mother worry so much."
Meng Jiangming lowered his head, feeling guilty. He didn't even dare to look at Princess Xingyue's face. "Mother is right. It is my fault."
"Take good care of Her Highness," Madam Jiang said in a low voice.
Meng Jiangming was taken aback, his heart pounding erratically. "Mother, you should go back!"
Madam Jiang bowed to Xue Xingyue, "This humble subject will take her leave now."
"Farewell, Madam!"
After Madam Jiang left, the onlookers also dispersed.
Meng Jiangming breathed a sigh of relief and slumped onto a chair.
Suddenly feeling a cold gaze upon him, Meng Jiangming quickly stood up, "Your... Your Highness..."
Xue Xingyue merely glanced at Meng Jiangming with cold eyes, then departed.
Only then did Meng Jiangming truly relax and slide down to sit on the ground, leaning against the wall.
Zhao Yanluo, standing nearby, asked, "Is today my birthday? I wasn't aware."
Leaving Wan Jun Restaurant, Feng Wu couldn't help but ask, "Why did Your Highness speak up for Young Master Meng?"
And even bowing to Madam Jiang, Feng Wu found her master's actions incomprehensible.
"Feng Wu, I will be entering the Duke of Ning's manor in the future. Would a bad reputation for the future consort benefit this Princess?"
Feng Wu was startled, "Your Highness, you..."
Xue Xingyue interrupted Feng Wu, saying, "Moreover, Madam Jiang had been drugged."
"Drugged?" Feng Wu asked in surprise.
Xue Xingyue nodded. "Yes, a drug that causes agitation."