Chapter 206: Falling Down the Stairs

Based on their attire, the two of them are absolutely the most eye‑catching presence in this shop.

Before Chi Nan Yi came out, Jiang Wan Yue and Meng Qinghe were enjoying the envious gazes of the crowd.

"That must be the legitimate daughter of Minister Meng's residence! I heard earlier that Minister Meng's legitimate daughter is an exceptionally beautiful talented woman."

"You don't know; the so‑called talented woman before was Minister Meng's adopted daughter. This one is the true daughter recovered later."

"I see, but her looks aren't bad either. The one beside her should be the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family! Her appearance isn't as good as that of the Meng Family miss."

Meng Qinghe lifted her chin slightly, her peripheral glance sweeping over Jiang Wan Yue's face, a hint of pride hidden in her eyes.

Since the incident at Jiang Yuan Pavilion where she lost someone, she no longer dresses flamboyantly; she switched to plain‑colored robes, removed many hairpins, and looks considerably fresher. Even her father thinks her current attire is more pleasing, sparing her from confinement.

Jiang Wan Yue standing beside her became merely a backdrop.

Jiang Wan Yue felt uneasy, looking for a vent, when her gaze landed on Chi Nan Yi's face and froze abruptly.

So beautiful!

Although Chi Nan Yi wore a veil, the brows and eyes showing through resembled a celestial maiden among clouds. In fact, even she hadn't noticed that as the space continuously upgraded, her appearance was undergoing subtle yet astonishing changes, and her temperament gained an ethereal, otherworldly quality.

It is a beauty nurtured from within by spiritual aura—unforced, unpretentious, yet in every gesture it effortlessly eclipses all worldly cosmetics.

Thus, upon seeing such a visage, Jiang Wan Yue froze on the spot; Meng Qinghe followed her gaze, and after the initial astonishment, only endless jealousy remained.

Who is she?

How have I never seen her before?

Chi Nan Yi naturally noticed their envious gazes; beneath the veil, a cold smile curled at her lips. Without stopping, she walked straight past the two of them.

Qingmei and Yulan followed her, and when they brushed past Meng Qinghe, Yulan silently rolled an eye, which happened to be caught by Cai Pin.

Cai Pin originally intended to argue with her, but upon seeing that Yulan and Qingmei's garments were made of brocade destined for export, she choked on the words and swallowed them.

"Wait." At that moment, a door to a refined room opened, and a drunken man staggered out.

Chi Nan Yi raised an eyebrow, "What a coincidence? Another acquaintance."

This person was also known to Meng Qinghe: her own elder brother, the legitimate eldest son of the Meng Family, Meng Jue.

His cheeks were slightly flushed, his eyes hazy—clearly drunk.

Besides being lecherous, Meng Jue had another vice: a death‑like love of alcohol.

He had caused many incidents while drunk; if Meng Hui hadn't covered for him, he might have died countless times.

At this moment, Chi Nan Yi was the only one in Meng Jue's gaze.

He staggered toward Chi Nan Yi.

Meng Qinghe and Jiang Wan Yue naturally noticed Meng Jue's movement.

Jiang Wan Yue's heart sank; just as she was about to speak, Meng Qinghe pressed her wrist.

"Qinghe, what do you mean?" Jiang Wan Yue said gravely. "That woman clearly belongs to either wealth or nobility; if we don't intervene and let your brother run wild, whatever happens, we'll all have to pay the price."

Meng Qinghe smiled lightly: "Pay the price? Sister Jiang, you really don't regard our Left Minister's Residence. Even if she's either rich or noble, how could she match the wealth of the Meng Family? My father is the head of all officials; above him are only imperial relatives. As for a royal relative as prominent as she is, I know of at most a handful, and she certainly isn't one of them."

Jiang Wan Yue heard this and her lingering anxiety eased a bit.

Indeed, no matter how high her status, could she surpass the legitimate eldest son of the Minister's Residence?

If she truly behaved lightly, just have Meng Jue marry her; after all, Meng Jue's quarters already house many concubines and secondary wives, and she's no shortage. With such a seductive, fox‑like charm, she ought to become a wife of someone like Meng Jue.

Chi Nan Yi saw Meng Qinghe's move, her gaze narrowing slightly; she clearly understood Meng Qinghe's scheme.

She cast a disdainful glance at Meng Jue.

He's just a worthless plaything; what does he intend to do to her?

Shameless.

Meng Jue, holding a wine cup, stared at Chi Nan Yi dizzily, saying as he walked, "Little miss, don't go, have a drink with me." He then reached toward Chi Nan Yi.

Qingmei and Yulan were about to step forward when they heard Chi Nan Yi's whisper; they withdrew a few steps.

Meng Jue, considering himself dashing, adjusted his hairpin and reached toward Chi Nan Yi's face.

Leaning slightly forward, just as his hand was about to touch Chi Nan Yi's face, she suddenly stepped back. Meng Jue's hand missed, his footing gave way, and his body, by inertia, toppled forward onto the stairs.

Meng Qinghe and Jiang Wan Yue gasped in shock; by the time they reached the spot, Meng Jue had already rolled down.

His body bounced down the steps like a ball; a young servant climbing upstairs was knocked solidly, and the food and scalding soup he carried splashed all over him.

"Brother! Brother!" Meng Qinghe, lifting her skirt, hurried to the stair edge and shouted to the servants nearby, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry and lift my brother up!"

Cai Pin and several maids ran downstairs; the people in the refined room heard the commotion and came out.

Chi Nan Yi curled a cold smile; she knew Meng Jue was foolish, and now it was clear he was both useless and stupid.

"You must not go!"

From her ear came Meng Qinghe's sharp voice: "Because of you, my brother fell. You must take responsibility for this."

"Take responsibility?"

Chi Nan Yi gave Meng Qinghe a look as if she were a fool.

"Truly, siblings indeed."

"If stupidity is to be shared, there's no worst, only more foolish."

"Our miss did nothing, why should she be responsible?" Qingmei stepped forward, saying coldly, "Clearly he had ill intent toward our miss; she merely stepped back, he fell on his own. How does that become our miss's fault now?"

"My brother was fine; how could he suddenly fall? Clearly you pushed him!" Meng Qinghe looked at them disdainfully: "Do you know our status? It's not something you can offend."

"With so many eyes watching here, he fell by himself; regardless of your status, you cannot defame our miss!"

Qingmei and Yulan paid them no heed.

Meng Qinghe trembled with anger.

Chi Nan Yi, seeing the situation, brushed past Qingmei and Yulan and said calmly, "If I truly intended to push him down the stairs, he wouldn't have just fallen like this."