Chapter 255: The Old Madam's Design

Chi Nan Yi and Qin Yue xi were talking about personal matters, and from the corner of her eye she noticed Mo Junheng walking toward her direction; she whispered, "My robe is dirty, I'll go wipe it first."

Fine.

Taking advantage that the Crown Prince hadn't approached yet, Chi Nan Yi hurried away.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, if he asked something she didn't want to answer, the situation would be extremely awkward; with so many watching, she couldn't actually strike him.

Better to keep a safe distance, after all.

Watching the red figure depart, Mo Junheng's smile faded slowly.

She just arrived, and she's already leaving—is she deliberately avoiding him?

"Your Highness the Crown Prince," a gentle voice sounded from behind.

Meng Qinghe lifted her skirt and walked forward slowly.

"Miss Meng," Mo Junheng's gaze swept over her face; seeing it restored as before with no scars, he did not turn away.

"Your Highness, I'm delighted you could come today,"

Mo Junheng saw the emotions flickering in her eyes, a hidden impatience and disdain that others couldn't detect, and said lightly, "I've heard the Left Minister's Residence has pleasant scenery; I happen to be idle, so I thought I'd take a stroll."

In other words, not to honor her invitation.

His gaze passed over Meng Qinghe toward the direction Chi Nan Yi had left; by then her figure was no longer on the road.

Mo Junheng's brows twitched slightly; whatever Meng Qinghe said in front of him, he hadn't truly heard.

Meng Qinghe naturally sensed Mo Junheng's absent‑mindedness, and following his gaze, her heart sank.

Is the Crown Prince looking at the Chi Family lady?

Thinking that, Meng Qinghe couldn't help but feel alarmed.

Although she had never seen the Chi Family miss's true appearance, just from her brows and eyes she could guess that she must be stunningly beautiful.

A single glance would capture the Crown Prince's soul; if the Crown Prince truly favored her and brought her into the mansion, where would she have any place to stay?

Meng Qinghe clenched her fists; it seemed today's plan was now inevitable.

She gave a covert signal to Cai Pin, and no one noticed anything amiss.

Cai Pin silently left the Plum Garden, pursuing the direction Chi Nan Yi had taken.

"Miss, someone is tailing us from behind," Qingmei lowered her voice, looking around warily, "Could it be sent by the Crown Prince?"

"No problem, ignore it."

The two continued forward, and at that moment a maid approached from the opposite side, a tray of dim sum balanced in her hands.

The maid stopped before Chi Nan Yi, "Miss Chi."

"Do you know me?"

"The old madam sent me to look for you."

Old madam?

Chi Nan Yi's gaze fell on the tray's pastries, and her heart sank instantly.

Crispy cheese.

It was the crispy cheese she loved most while at the mansion.

"The old madam said Miss Chi loves crispy cheese; she has already prepared some for you there."

Chi Nan Yi tightened the handkerchief in her hand, her brows furrowing.

The old madam was telling her that she already knew her identity.

A glaring threat.

"Understood, lead the way."

"Please, Miss Chi."

By now, the old madam had left the Plum Garden and returned to the Ci An Courtyard.

When Chi Nan Yi followed the maid to this spot, she happened to see the old madam practicing calligraphy.

Although she was old, her hand was steady; the characters she wrote flowed like clouds and water, exceedingly beautiful, and the incense burner beside her burned calming incense, smelling very pleasant.

"Please, old madam, be at ease."

Shen Shi heard this, set down the wolf‑hair brush, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"I'm here."

"I, the junior, have caused much disturbance."

"It was I who sent the maid to find you; why the fuss?" Shen Shi looked at Chi Nan Yi, her eyes holding an unfathomable depth, "How have you been lately?"

Chi Nan Yi heard this, lifted her hand to pull down the veil on her face; the old madam watched her move and smiled lightly, "Your temperament, girl, has changed a lot."

"I didn't expect the first one to recognize the junior was you."

"Though I'm advanced in years, my eyes aren't truly dim; today, seeing you, I felt a familiarity, and now that I see you again I realize you and your mother are indeed very alike."

Chi Nan Yi's heart sank at her words.

In her previous life, the original host had lived under the scheming of the Meng Family matriarch, never learning the truth until death; to have her disguise so easily seen through now shows that this old lady is the deepest hidden figure in the Meng Family.

Shen Shi's gaze continually assessed her; the calculation buried deep in her eyes flashed away, yet it did not escape Chi Nan Yi's sight.

"May I ask what business you have in sending the junior here?"

"It's not a great matter; it's just that I haven't seen you in a long time and wanted you to talk with this old woman. I reminisce about the days when you delighted at my knee, feeling the past like a dream, filled with sighs. Seeing you again today, you haven't even called me 'grandmother.'" As she spoke, the old madam's eyes reddened.

Chi Nan Yi lowered her eyes, sitting beside her, and said softly, "I am no longer a Meng Family daughter; calling you 'grandmother' would be improper. If others learned, they'd say I'm seeking favor—rumors are frightening; I hope you understand."

Her words were airtight; Shen Shi, hearing them, said nothing more, only sighing, "Only when one reaches my age can one truly understand what rumors are feared for. As long as one lives righteously, that's enough."

Chi Nan Yi smiled faintly and nodded, yet still showed no sign of affection toward her.

At that moment, a matron brought two cups of tea, "The old madam and Miss have chatted heartily; have some tea to soothe your throats!"

The old madam was the first to lift her cup and take a sip, "This is this year's new tea, sent from our Meng Family tea house; try it."

Us?

Chi Nan Yi's brow furrowed ever so slightly, yet she did not decline.

"It's indeed good tea, with a fresh fragrance that assails the nose."

"If you like it, have some more; I'll have the servants pack some for you to take home and drink slowly."

"Thank you for your kindness, but lately my appetite has been off, and the manor's physician said I shouldn't drink tea." Chi Nan Yi set down her teacup, smiling, and said: "Once I'm fully recovered, I'll certainly come to the residence to ask for some."

"Good, good, good; if you like it, just come often."

The two chatted a while longer; the old lady rubbed her brow, and seeing this, Chi Nan Yi, being very perceptive, took her leave.

Just as Chi Nan Yi had stepped out, Madam Shen slowly opened her eyes.

"Old lady."

"How did the matter go?"

"In reply to the old lady, it's been taken care of; I, your servant, see that the people around the young lady have already begun to act."

Madam Shen was no longer the kind woman she had just been; her eyes grew dark, and she said in a low voice: "The path has already been paved for her; if she still can't accomplish it, she's no different from a waste, and the Meng family will not support such a fool."

"That's what the old lady said."

"The Chi family girl is clever; if she can wholeheartedly stay at the Minister's Residence, that's best; if she refuses, she certainly cannot remain. Jue'er's hand is crippled, and our Meng family's head absolutely cannot be a cripple—so let it be the second son!"

"Yes, this old servant has already sent the Second Young Master to the Orchid Pavilion."

Chi Nan Yi walked on the road, her face growing redder and redder; Qing Mei sensed something was amiss and softly said, "Miss, what's wrong?"

"I feel a bit dizzy."

The maid walking in front, hearing this, laughed and said: "Miss, you're probably tired; the rooms ahead are guest chambers prepared specially for today's guests—you might as well rest a while; later there will be a flowing banquet!"