Dressed as a concubine instead of a concubine

When I returned to Prince Qi's Mansion, I saw that everyone was waiting in the main hall.

In addition to Song Jiayi, Zhou Chengjing and Princess Zhaohua, even Song Zhiyan and Zhang Yian were there.

"Your Majesty."

Zhou Chengjing bowed to pay his respects to Prince Qi, and then came to Meng Xiyue's side.

"Why didn't you write to me in advance when you came to the capital?"

"It came so suddenly that I didn't have time to tell you."

The two hadn't seen each other for more than two years. Looking at Meng Xiyue, who had grown up and had an even more stunning appearance, he sighed.

"He's grown a lot taller."

"Mr. Zhou and Yue'er have known each other for a long time?"

Seeing the two people behaving intimately, a sinister look flashed in Xie Junyi's eyes. He stepped forward and separated the two people unnoticeably.

"Your Highness, I have been to Qingyun City before, and met Miss Meng on the same month."

"What's the matter with the jade hairpin?"

When this matter was mentioned, Zhou Chengjing looked at Zhang Yian with resentment.

"The jade hairpin was originally designed by Miss Meng. I thought it was beautiful, so I wanted to make one myself. But Master Zhang saw it and took it away by force."

He originally intended to keep the jade hairpin for himself and had no intention of giving it to anyone else.

As a result, Zhang Yian insisted that Song Jiayi really liked that style, and she begged and fought for it. After being tormented by him for no reason, he finally gave in.

At that time he also said that this was the only branch he didn't want to give away.

He didn't expect that something like this would happen. If he had known this would happen, he would never have given the jade hairpin to Zhang Yian.

Song Jiayi walked forward and grabbed Meng Xiyue's hand, her eyes full of guilt, "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you, I thought there was really only one, and you were wronged."

Although Song Jiayi was born into a noble family, she was always upright and honest. She corrected her mistakes as soon as she knew them. She took out the jade hairpin that was broken by Meng Xiyue and said, "I have had it repaired. I will return it to you."

"I will explain it to everyone."

Meng Xiyue was not one to give up even if she was right. She took the jade hairpin and said, "It's fine once you've made it clear."

"Miss Meng, to express our apologies, we have specially selected a few headpieces. We hope you like them."

Zhang Yian asked his servant to open the box behind him. Inside were three pieces of headwear. One could tell from their styles that they were very valuable.

"Yue'er, I'm sorry."

Zhao Hua also spoke up and said that she felt guilty for not believing Meng Xiyue.

Meng Xiyue shook her head, "Princess, there is no need to do this."

It was not easy to get these high-ranking people to apologize to her, and she shouldn't have any other thoughts.

But, they are not the same kind of people after all.

"I will not let go of anyone who falsely accuses you."

Xie Junyi said at the right time that even without evidence, he could deal with them.

"No need, just explain it clearly."

Meng Xiyue's attitude remained cold. She looked at Zhou Chengjing and asked, "Can you give me 20,000 taels of silver first?"

Hearing the 20,000 taels, Xie Junyi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Mr. Zhou, you must have worked hard on your way back. You should go back and rest first."

Zhou Chengjing understood what he meant in a flash, and he looked at Meng Xiyue in embarrassment.

"Twenty thousand taels is not a small amount. I need some time to collect the money."

"Okay, I'll wait for you in Konglong Lane. Let me know when you've collected the money."

After saying that, she turned around and wanted to leave.

Xie Junyi quickly pulled her back and said, "Let's live in the palace."

“I feel safe living there.”

"it is good."

Seeing her unhappy expression and firm attitude, Xie Junyi didn't want to force her, so he nodded in agreement.

After everyone left, Xie Junyi kept Zhou Chengjing.

He asked in a deep voice, "What is your relationship?"

Because Zhou Chengjing and Zhang Yian have a good relationship, he also has close contacts with them.

It can be said that he is also a supporter of Xie Junyi.

"What did Miss Meng tell the prince?"

"If she had told me, would I still be asking you?" Impatience flashed in Xie Junyi's eyes. The feeling of not being able to control the situation made him very annoyed.

"Your Majesty, I promised her that this matter must be kept secret and cannot be told."

Hearing this, Xie Junyi's eyes darkened. He looked at Zhou Chengjing for a long time before speaking.

"I remember you went to Qingyun City once six years ago. You said you found a jewelry designer. Not long after, the jewelry from Shicui Zhai became very popular among ladies because of its novel and unique styles."

"Could it be that the master you found is Meng Xiyue?"

Only in this way would Meng Xiyue ask him for twenty thousand taels so casually.

Moreover, Meng Xiyue was the concubine's daughter of a county magistrate. How else could she have gotten the 30,000 taels of silver except through business?

Zhou Chengjing did not answer, but his silence was enough to prove that Xie Junyi's guess was true.

"But six years ago, she was only nine years old?"

"Your Majesty should be able to sense her specialness."

"Yes." Xie Junyi sighed, "Don't prepare the 20,000 taels of silver."

"Your Majesty, I can hold off for a few days, but if you don't give it to her, I will be sorry to hear that. The designs she designed for Shicui Zhai are worth far more than 20,000 taels. Honesty is the most important thing in doing business."

"Then let's delay it for a few days." Xie Junyi said in a deep voice.

"Yes."

Zhou Chengjing lowered his eyes and said, "If the prince wants to keep her, he must sincerely make her stay willingly. If he insists on forcing her, it will probably backfire."

Meng Xiyue looks weak, but she is stronger than anyone else and has her own ideas.

He had never seen such a free soul before, and he was very surprised to see her appear in the capital and be involved with Prince Qi.

He also felt sorry for her, as he knew Prince Qi's ambition. If two tough guys didn't compromise in the end, both of them would be hurt.

After coming out of Prince Qi's Mansion, he wanted to look for Meng Xiyue, but after thinking about it, he gave up.

He didn't know how to explain it to her and couldn't give her 20,000 taels.

On Meng Xiyue's side, when she returned to the courtyard of Konglong Lane, she heard the sound of reading coming from inside.

She pushed the door open and saw that the small yard was full of half-grown children, both boys and girls.

Mei Ran was holding a book and teaching them how to read.

Seeing her come back, Mei Ran asked the children to practice calligraphy on their own first and then walked towards her.

He was not surprised at her return. "Just stay here for now. Don't think about leaving the capital yet."

Mei Ran knew in her heart that without Xie Junyi's consent, Meng Xiyue could not leave the capital.

"Who are these children?"

"They were all children living nearby, and there were also a few beggars. When I had nothing to do, I taught them calligraphy."

Mei Ran smiled and said, "This way, my wish to become a teacher has come true."

Women cannot be teachers. No matter how knowledgeable they are, they cannot open a school. They can only teach the children privately.

"They are all children from poor families. They don't have money to go to school. They don't have any aspirations to pursue a career in government. They just want to learn a few words."

Almost all the people living in Konglong Lane are the lowest class people in the capital, and most of them are from other places.