Lu Meng's heart ached terribly. After being helped into the carriage, Xin Ya followed outside, accompanied by several guards from the estate and a few assassins disguised as guards—raised by Prince Jian'an.
Xin Ya glanced at the figures of those assassins and felt slightly relieved. Regardless of the reason, it seemed the prince still valued Lady Meng greatly. With these assassins present, at least her safety wouldn't be compromised.
Inside the carriage, however, Lu Meng remained oblivious to all this.
Her two personal maids, Xiuyun and Xiuli, seeing Lu Meng pressing a hand to her chest with a pale face, could no longer hold back their tears.
Ever since accompanying their young lady into the prince's household, they had been cautious with their words and actions, afraid that a single misspoken phrase might bring trouble upon her.
Even in private, they hadn't dared to call her "Second Young Lady," always addressing her as "Lady Meng" like everyone else in the prince's residence.
But now, they truly couldn't hold back. Tears fell in heavy drops as one of the maids leaned closer, holding Lu Meng's hand and sobbing, "Second Young Lady, cry if you need to. The prince is truly humiliating you this time. Taking such meager gifts for your bridal return will surely make you a laughingstock in front of that little wretch Changsun Lingling!"
"Second Young Lady, don’t take it to heart. No matter how lavish the gifts, they’d only end up benefiting that wicked mother-daughter pair. It’s better not to bring anything back at all!"
The pretty-faced maid clutched Lu Meng’s arm and cried, "No matter what, Xiuli and I will always be by your side. Didn’t the Eldest Young Lady mention in her last letter that by the eighth month, she’d return with her husband? When that time comes, you can tell her all your grievances—she’ll surely stand up for you!"
Lu Meng had initially been distressed over the lost treasures, but after untangling the maids' rambling, she pieced together the key details. From the phrase "Xiuli and I will always be by your side," she deduced that the one clinging to her arm was Xiuyun.
Xiuyun had an oval face, while Xiuli’s was round like a watermelon seed.
Perfect. After three days in this world, Lu Meng had finally figured out which maid was which.
She had considered testing their names before, but the two were practically inseparable—calling one name would send both rushing over eagerly, leaving Lu Meng utterly confused.
Now, not only had she distinguished them, but she also gathered from their words that these two weren’t maids assigned by the prince’s household. They had come with her from the Vice Minister’s residence.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare call her "Second Young Lady" in the privacy of the carriage or weep so sincerely for her.
Moreover, after carefully dissecting Xiuyun’s tearful complaints, Lu Meng realized she was supposed to be upset—because the bridal return gifts were deliberately sparse, a humiliation orchestrated by the male lead.
Tch. What a dog.
Might as well rename him "Big Black Dog Wu." Lu Meng still couldn’t recall the male lead’s actual name—Wu Lin… something.
Though Lu Meng didn’t personally find the gifts lacking, seeing her maids cry so dramatically made it clear that the chest full of gold and jewels she’d been mourning over was actually the male lead’s idea of "humiliation."
If that was the case, then let him humiliate her all he wanted!
Lu Meng nearly threw herself onto the chest right then and there, hugging it tight.
Still, despite knowing Xiuyun and Xiuli were her own people, Lu Meng didn’t fully trust them yet. She needed to observe them further.
So she schooled her pained expression into a frail, pale face and weakly reassured her maids, "Don’t overthink it. The prince’s arrangements aren’t wrong. If he’d prepared more, that would’ve been the real insult."
Glancing at the chest of treasures, she added thoughtfully, "Besides, I won’t take a single leaf back to the Vice Minister’s residence. They already withheld my dowry—did they really think they’d get my bridal gifts too? Not a chance."
Lu Meng wasn’t entirely sure if her dowry had been withheld, but given that this was an early-era angst novel and she was the female lead, Zhangsun Lumeng, it was practically guaranteed.
Even if it hadn’t happened, she’d claim it had. Who could prove otherwise?
The two maids stared at her, stunned, exchanging glances before fixing their gazes on Lu Meng.
She continued, "No matter what I do, Father and Madam Chen will never be satisfied. Since I don’t care for their approval anyway, let them say what they will."
With a firm tone, she instructed, "Once we arrive at the Vice Minister’s residence, Xiuyun, you stay in the carriage. Don’t let anyone take this chest down—tell them it’s my order."
Every treasure in that chest belonged to her. No one was taking a single piece!
Xiuyun didn’t fully understand Lu Meng’s intentions, but the Second Young Lady wasn’t completely spineless. Years ago in the household, when Madam Chen’s bullying had been at its worst, Lu Meng had once snapped and confronted both Madam Chen and her father, declaring, "If I can’t even live in peace, then I don’t mind letting the world know exactly how the Vice Minister’s second daughter is treated. Let’s see how many respectable families would dare propose marriage then."
Xiuyun still remembered how Madam Chen and the Vice Minister’s faces had twisted in fury. That single act of defiance had thrilled Xiuyun and Xiuli beyond words.
But over the years, the Second Young Lady had grown quieter, enduring mistreatment without protest, marrying whomever she was told…
Now, seeing the resolve in Lu Meng’s eyes, Xiuyun’s face flushed with excitement. Was the Second Young Lady finally done catering to her father’s whims?
Nodding vigorously, Xiuyun said, "Understood, Second Young Lady! I won’t let anyone touch this chest!"
"Call me Lady Meng for now," Lu Meng reminded them gently. "Walls have ears. No need to give anyone an excuse to accuse my people of impropriety."
That much was true. Novels were full of spies, assassins, and shadow guards—though Lu Meng hadn’t encountered any yet.
Still, if other characters had them, "Big Black Dog Wu," the male lead, certainly did too. Lu Meng doubted anything she said could escape his notice, so she made sure every word she spoke was something he could hear.
Xiuyun and Xiuli quickly agreed.
As they retreated to kneel by the carriage door, backs straight, Lu Meng noted how their posture mirrored her own resolve. A strong-willed mistress made for confident servants.
By the time the carriage reached the Vice Minister’s residence, their plan was set. When Xin Ya opened the carriage door to help Lady Meng down, she couldn’t help but study Lu Meng’s expression.
Lu Meng had perfected the look—the classic "delicate flower" facade of suppressed bitterness and forced composure.
At the entrance stood a group, led by a still-beautiful woman whose upturned eyes lent her a fox-like cunning. Beside her stood a younger version of herself—a little fox whose gaze darted around covertly as Lu Meng descended from the carriage.
People were looking at the carriages that were supposed to carry Lu Meng's return - home gifts and also at the carriage that was supposed to belong to Prince Jian'an.
However, today was destined to disappoint these scheming people. Lu Meng returned alone, without even a single extra thing.
When Xin Ya was about to order the servants to carry the things off the carriage, Lu Meng gave her a cold look for the first time.
Then Xiuyun stopped the guards from moving the things on the carriage.
Xin Ya was stunned for a moment and then stepped back with her head down.
Lu Meng walked directly towards the mother - daughter pair. The young one, Changsun Lingling, rushed forward first, hugged Lu Meng's arm and said affectionately, "Sister, you're back!"
As she called out to Lu Meng, her eyes were still looking around towards the end of the street.
"Paying respects to the Concubine Consort," Madam Chen stepped forward and gave a somewhat proper curtsy to Lu Meng. But neither her words nor her posture showed much respect, and she quickly straightened up on her own.
She deliberately said, "Lingling, how can you be so rude? Even if you miss your sister so much, now that your sister has become the Concubine Consort, you should pay your respects properly."
Hearing this, Changsun Lingling first showed a look of disdain on her face, which she quickly covered up. She didn't let go of Lu Meng's arm but held it tighter. With a somewhat threatening look in her eyes, she said, "Sister... Ever since you got married, I've been all alone in the mansion. I missed you so much. Sister won't blame me for being rude, right?"
Lu Meng really wanted to say something like 'Is it Tian Lingling or Di Lingling? Yes, I do blame you. Drag her out and behead her.'
But considering her character, who wouldn't make a scene in public, she just gave a non - committal smile. She still had to "reluctantly" maintain her dignity and propriety. She gently nodded and pulled her arm out of Changsun Lingling's grasp.
She thought to herself that experiencing this kind of verbal sparring in person was really dumbing.
The group stood at the door, with no intention of going in. Instead, Xiuli supported Lu Meng and took the lead to walk inside. Then Madam Chen and Changsun Lingling were stunned for a moment and looked at the empty street again.
By the time Lu Meng had stepped through the gate, Madam Chen was the first to react. She squinted her eyes, and the contempt in her eyes was almost tangible.
She whispered something to Changsun Lingling behind Lu Meng's back, and then the mother - daughter pair followed Lu Meng to the entrance of the main hall.
Madam Chen stepped forward to Lu Meng first and hinted subtly, "Today, the Concubine Consort has returned to her natal home. Preparations in the mansion have been going on since last night. The master and I have been very concerned about you. I wonder... When will Prince Jian'an arrive?"
Lu Meng didn't answer. She just looked absent - mindedly at this concubine, Madam Chen.
Lu Meng couldn't get into the situation of her original body's family, so she was in a state of "strolling around like a tourist".
She stepped into the main hall. Xin Ya and all the attendants stayed outside. There was only Xiuli beside Lu Meng.
As soon as the door of the main hall closed, Madam Chen and Changsun Lingling realized that Lu Meng had been looked down upon in her husband's family. Not only was Prince Jian'an nowhere to be seen, but there were also no return - home gifts. This was simply an insult to the Minister's Mansion!
They signaled to the maids, and the maids actually blatantly came up to drag Xiuli away. Xiuli's face turned red with anger, but she didn't even shout. Lu Meng was a bit shocked. Obviously, she wasn't experiencing this situation for the first time.
Xiuli looked at Lu Meng worriedly. When Lu Meng saw her struggling so hard that the veins on her forehead were popping out, she was sure that Xiuli was really on her side.
So Lu Meng gave her a reassuring look, and only then did Xiuli go with the maids.
When there were only the three of them left in the room, Madam Chen and Changsun Lingling took off their masks and showed their true colors.
"I thought that after you married Prince Jian'an, you could bring some glory to our Minister's Mansion. But I didn't expect," Changsun Lingling walked up to Lu Meng and said with envy, jealousy and hatred in her tone, "You've been so despised. On the day of your return to your natal home, Prince Jian'an doesn't even show his face!"
Madam Chen sat in the upper seat, picked up a bowl of tea, and glanced sideways at Lu Meng and her daughter. She let out a snort of laughter, clearly showing her indulgence.
They thought Lu Meng wouldn't dare to do anything. Even if she had risen to a high position, she couldn't become a phoenix!
There was also a cup of tea in front of Lu Meng. She touched the edge of the teacup but didn't drink. She casually leaned against the table.
She was thinking about how her original body would deal with this situation, but she knew very little about her original body. All she remembered were the major plot points, not including this kind of scene.
She lowered her head and remained silent. Changsun Lingling waited for her, waiting for her to respond.
In the end, Lu Meng was silent for too long. Her fingers kept circling around the edge of the teacup. Without the presence of the male lead, the rich backer, she didn't even bother to act.
In Lu Meng's eyes, Changsun Lingling and Madam Chen were like two pieces of paper money on the street. They weren't even worthy of being called paper - cutout characters. She was too lazy to give them any reaction.
It was too tiring to fight back. It required emotional investment. If Lu Meng was going to fight someone, she needed to be paid first. Her delicate fingers, which were as slender as water onions, never touched anything mundane. She didn't even wash her face by herself!
"Why don't you say a word!" After waiting for so long, Changsun Lingling finally got impatient. Her little chest heaved with anger.
Lu Meng's hand that had been circling around the teacup stopped. She looked up at Changsun Lingling with a very confused look in her eyes and said, "You didn't even ask me a question."
Changsun Lingling stared at her, stunned for a moment. The words she had just said really didn't contain any questions.
But her face turned red with anger. She had been bullying this second legitimate daughter since she was a child. Before, this second sister at least gave her some reaction. She was often shamed until her face turned pale and blue, and she even got sick from anger from time to time.
But now, the person sitting in front of her made Changsun Lingling, this usually aggressive and biting girl, feel like she had nowhere to bite!
"Humph, with your current situation, not bringing back any return - home gifts on your return to your natal home. Aren't you afraid that the nobles in the city will find out and laugh at you?"
Hearing this, Lu Meng changed her posture. She sat even more comfortably than Madam Chen in the upper seat, leaning against the table as if it were a couch for a noble concubine.
Watching this female character, who wasn't even worthy of being called a supporting actress, jump around, it was like when she was in modern times, she often teased a little teddy dog that liked to block the way through the railing.
You know what? Her name was really a bit like that dog's name. That dog was called Doudou.
Lu Meng just looked at her without saying a word. Seeing that she was about to get really angry, she finally spoke up. She let out a sigh and said, "Doudou, you're right."
"I'm really not valued in Prince Jian'an's mansion. He doesn't even live in the same courtyard as me. The distance between our courtyards... Well, it takes about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense to walk there."
Hearing this, Changsun Lingling showed a look of "I knew it" and sneered, "So it's really your own fault that you're so annoying. It has nothing to do with us!"
Lu Meng nodded, "You're absolutely right. It's Prince Jian'an who's humiliating me. Not bringing back any return - home gifts today is also his idea."
"He actually returns to the mansion after court every day. But today, he specifically sent a message saying he wouldn't come back. He just doesn't want to come with me to my natal home..."
Lu Meng slapped her thigh and said, "Tell me, why is he such a bad person?"
Hearing this, Changsun Lingling showed a look of "as expected" on her face and let out a sneer, "So it's really your own fault that you're so annoying. It has nothing to do with us!"
Lu Meng nodded, "You're absolutely right. It's Prince Jian'an who's humiliating me. Not bringing back any return - home gifts today is also his idea."
"He actually returns to the mansion after court every day. But today, he specifically sent a message saying he wouldn't come back. He just doesn't want to come with me to my natal home..."
Lu Meng slapped her thigh and said, "Tell me, why is he such a bad person?"
Changsun Lingling puffed out her cheeks, gave a huff, and muttered under her breath, "A man like Prince Jian'an would never take a fancy to you."
Lu Meng chimed in, "Indeed. He doesn't fancy me and even deliberately humiliates me. But what can I do? I'm just a weak woman, while he's a royal prince of the current dynasty. I can only be kept in the back courtyard, ignored, and struggling to make ends meet."
Little did they know that being kept in the back courtyard, ignored, was actually a heavenly life.
"You still have the nerve to say that. Your return to your natal home like this will make Father have no face to face the court officials in the future," Changsun Lingling spared no effort to put down her second sister.
Lu Meng nodded and agreed whole - heartedly, "You're right. What face will Father have to face the court officials? When Father comes back, since he always listens to you, you should ask Father to have a quarrel with Prince Jian'an. Ask him why he humiliated me and why he shamed the Minister's Mansion!"
As Lu Meng said this, she slapped the table, looking extremely indignant.
Lu Meng managed to hold back her laughter. But by this time, Changsun Lingling also realized that her second sister was using her as a pawn!
"How shameless you are! Whether you live well or not is your own business. Why should Father speak up for you? Prince Jian'an doesn't fancy you, and you deserve it!"
Lu Meng didn't argue with her but followed her words, "It's true that Prince Jian'an doesn't fancy me, and there's nothing I can do about it. It's too late for you to marry him now. But your words are not right, Doudou. Didn't you say that Prince Jian'an's humiliation of me is an insult to the Minister's Mansion? And you also said I'm useless. That's why I asked you to talk to Father. After all, the capable should take on more responsibilities."
"You!" Changsun Lingling was almost driven mad, "My name is Lingling! Have you really forgotten my name after only three days of marriage?"
Lu Meng leaned back casually, twirled her finger around the teacup, and said without even looking at her, "Sorry, I've thought your name was Doudou all these years."
"Mother!" Changsun Lingling cried out in anger, stomped her foot, and said, "Look at her!"
Madam Chen frowned tightly. Usually, she had a lot of sarcastic remarks, but today, after hearing what this girl, whom she used to bully at will, said, she was at a loss for words for a moment.
Sure enough, getting married into a royal mansion made a difference. This girl didn't put them in her eyes anymore.
Finally, an idea flashed through her mind. A faint smile appeared on Madam Chen's face. She knew exactly how to hit this girl's weak point.
She said casually, "Since you're married, you should bring glory to your natal family. But you're sent back to your natal home like a beggar... If people find out, as a concubine, I won't be criticized much, but your deceased mother will probably be pointed at and accused of poor parenting."
Lu Meng's finger stopped again, thinking, Is this all?
Is this all she's got?
She thought this old fox had some big moves. What a waste of her villainous slanting eyes.
Lu Meng calmly replied, "Aunt Chen, your words are so scary. My mother has been dead for so many years, and you always mention her. It's almost time to visit the graves. Aren't you afraid she'll come back and take you away?"
Madam Chen's face changed instantly. How many people who do bad things aren't afraid of ghosts and spirits?
Lu Meng added, "Besides, people say the dead are like a lamp going out. My mother has been dead for so long. You always bring her up. It's almost the time for tomb - sweeping. Aren't you afraid she'll come back and take you away? And since my mother died so early, if I'm uneducated, it can't be blamed on her. Everyone knows I grew up under your care."
Lu Meng looked at Madam Chen sincerely and said, "Auntie, you've raised me so poorly that I can't even bring back a decent return - home gift and was humiliated like this. Shouldn't you, as my aunt, seek justice for me?"
"Moreover, I'm already married. At worst, I'll be locked up in the back courtyard for the rest of my life, lonely and pitiful. But Doudou hasn't gotten married yet. If there's any bad news about me, it'll be difficult for Doudou to find a good match in the future..."
Seeing the mother - daughter pair's faces changing like those in Sichuan opera face - changing, Lu Meng couldn't help laughing. She leaned back, folded her hands in front of her, looking just like an old man sunbathing on a park bench in winter.
Just let it all go to hell. Let's all be rotten together.
