Chapter 3: An Eye for an Eye

“Master? When did you return to the residence?”
“How come you didn’t even send a message to the servants?”
“So I could have prepared myself.”

The woman speaking was dressed in a bright red Shu brocade robe embroidered with large peonies that swayed gently with her steps. Her jet-black hair was styled into an elegant high coiffure, adorned with five large golden hairpins. A truly majestic and graceful middle-aged beauty, she approached the main mansion with a radiant smile, followed closely by four robust female attendants.

Meng Yuxi recognized this middle-aged beauty as Wu Jiwen, Meng Hongchang’s primary wife—the distant cousin of the current Empress, and the biological mother of Meng Mingzhe and Meng Chenxuan.

As for Meng Yuxi himself, the son who had seemingly fallen from the heavens and was considered simple-minded, he had never once entered her haughty gaze.

*Such reinforcements have arrived swiftly.*

Wu Jiwen stopped beside Meng Hongchang and gave a slight, respectful bow.

“Master, what caused such a big commotion that even the Meng family’s dead servants were summoned?”
“The people here are either family or loyal servants who have followed you for many years. Please don’t let foolish words upset your health, Master.”

Meng Yuxi snorted coldly in his heart—who else in the Meng residence could be called foolish?

Meng Hongchang said nothing, his brows furrowed deeply as he stood with his hands behind his back, waiting for everyone in the household to gather.

Wu Jiwen glanced around at the assembled crowd. Though her expression was calm, everyone lowered their heads under her gaze.

“Cuier, why are you holding the Master’s boots?”
“Hurry and put them on. The spring morning wind is so chilly—if the Master catches a cold, will you be responsible?”

She said not a word about Meng Yuxi, who stood soaked and shivering in the cold wind, as if he were meant to suffer.

Since calling the Master, the maid dressed in emerald green, Cuier, had been clutching one of his boots. After a series of disturbances by the Wanhua Pool, the eldest son had just been crying and clinging to the Master’s leg. Only after Mrs. Wu’s reminder did Cuier realize she had completely neglected to help the Master put on his boots properly.

Just as Cuier was about to step forward to assist, a burly female attendant blocked her path. Without a word, she slapped Cuier twice, snatched the boots from her arms, and then kicked her to the ground.

Cuier, newly arrived in the mansion, had never encountered such aggression. She didn’t understand what offense she had committed against the Lady and was beaten by the Lady’s maid. Holding her reddened, swollen face, tears streamed silently like shattered pearls.

“You clumsy little girl. Let this old servant help the Master put on his boots.”

The burly attendant, wearing a sycophantic smile, carefully helped the Master put on his boots.

Meng Yuxi’s sharp eyes caught Meng Mingzhe hiding behind Wu Jiwen at that moment.

“That old servant, come here!”

Meng Yuxi pointed at the burly attendant and shouted.

“The young master is calling you—are you deaf? Why are you looking around? Hurry over.”

Meng Hongchang looked at the attendant, knowing she was seeking the Lady’s advice, and impatiently urged her on.

“Yes, Master.”

With the Master’s word, the attendant had no choice but to slink over and greet the Fourth Young Master.

“You are quite difficult to please. My shoes are full of water, very uncomfortable to wear. Since you work so diligently, you can help me take off my boots.”

The attendant’s face darkened. She was the Lady’s personal maid, having served Mrs. Wu for twenty years and held considerable status in the Meng residence. Apart from the Master and the Lady, she had never served the eldest or second sons; now she was to serve this fool? Wasn’t this deliberately undermining the Lady?

The burly attendant froze, unsure whether to make a move.

Wu Jiwen cleared her throat, about to speak.

Meng Hongchang waved his hand to stop her immediately.

The attendant understood there was no hope and reluctantly knelt to help the fool young master remove his boots.

But as soon as she touched the boots, she grabbed the young master’s collar, and then—*clang, clang*—she received two heavy slaps to her face.

Then, a sharp pain in her backside, she was kicked and flew through the air, falling heavily to the ground, unconscious.

“Clumsy!”

After delivering this sharp rebuke to the attendant, Meng Yuxi sat down and emptied the pool water from his shoes.

Everyone’s faces turned pale as they looked toward Wu Jiwen, all understanding that the Fourth Young Master was avenging Cuier.

Cuier had summoned the Master to support the fool, which had offended the eldest and second sons’ faces, so the Lady took her anger out on Cuier. Everyone saw through this clearly—not to mention the fool himself, who wasn’t truly foolish.

Wu Jiwen’s face turned alternating shades of blue and white, clearly furious.

“Cuier, you will serve me from now on. Go find some clean clothes for this young master to change into. Come to me afterward; I’ll tell you where to put them.”

Meng Yuxi, sitting on the ground, spoke to Cuier without once glancing at Wu Jiwen.

The crowd whispered among themselves, realizing the fool had truly woken up this time. Seeing Cuier’s lively and pretty appearance, he wanted to keep her for himself, though it remained to be seen whether the Master or Lady would approve.

Cuier blushed and looked at the Master, seeking his consent.

Meng Hongchang smiled slightly and nodded at Cuier.

Cuier gratefully hurried over to stand by Young Master Yuxi’s side.

---

“Hmm, little maid, you smell so sweet.”

Meng Yuxi teased, then whispered close to Cuier’s ear, so near it seemed he was about to kiss her.

Everyone thought the fool young master had suddenly taken a fancy and laughed scornfully.

“Hmph, such a desperate look—you don’t even know who you take after, nor do you know to avoid people.”

Wu Jiwen rolled her eyes and muttered disdainfully under her breath.

After receiving her orders, Cuier’s cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and surprise.

“Hurry and come back quickly. It’s too cold here, and if the young master freezes to death, it won’t be good for you.”

Cuier nodded and dashed off.

Though short in stature, her small steps were swift, and she soon returned carrying a changing screen.

“Master, I’ve brought clean clothes.”

Panting, Cuier set up the screen for her master. She couldn’t let him change clothes openly in front of everyone—that would be beneath his dignity.

Meng Yuxi nodded with satisfaction and, accompanied by Cuier, slipped behind the screen to change.

---

“Mingzhe, why are you just standing there dazed? Your brother has fainted, don’t you know you should take him to see a doctor? Why are you so foolish today—worse than a fool!”

Wu Jiwen bit back her rage and scolded Meng Mingzhe. Though it was a rebuke on the surface, secretly she wanted to keep the two brothers away from this trouble.

“Yes, Mother.”

Meng Mingzhe’s face couldn’t hide his pride as he hurried to Meng Chenxuan’s side, ready to carry him.

At that moment, the Meng family’s dead servants had gathered everyone in the mansion.

“Master, everyone inside the residence is assembled.”

Meng Hongchang gave a grunt and waved his hand. The dead servants dispersed along the pathways around the Wanhua Pool, forming a circle that surrounded Meng Mingzhe and Meng Chenxuan.

“Master, what do you mean by this? You don’t even trust your own sons?”