Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Should Not Be Willful

The Empress Dowager clutched her chest and gasped for air.

After a long while, the Empress Dowager finally steadied herself.

The Empress Dowager realized too late and learned too late. Now everything had already become a fixed ending. Even if the Empress Dowager hated, even if the Empress Dowager resented, what could the Empress Dowager do?

The Empress Dowager was old and useless.

The Empress Dowager could not even vent a little anger for the Empress Dowager’s only granddaughter.

The next day, the Empress Dowager personally issued an imperial decree. The Empress Dowager abolished the previous decree and restored Meng Yang’s status as a concubine.

Meng Yang knelt and thanked for the grace. Meng Yang’s eyes flickered.

With the Prince Huai Residence as backing, even the Empress Dowager had to step back. Why would Meng Yang still need to fear Sheng Zhi Wan?

Meng Yang thought of Ming Jia. Ming Jia dared to scheme against Sheng Zhi Wan only because Ming Jia had the Prince Huai Residence behind Ming Jia.

And now, Meng Yang was the legitimate noble lady of the Prince Huai Residence.

Meng Yang lifted her face. The excitement had already been pressed down, leaving only reddened eyes as Meng Yang accepted the decree and looked at the Princess Consort of Prince Huai.

Meng Yang’s lips moved as if Meng Yang wanted to say something, but Meng Yang swallowed it back. In the end, Meng Yang only said, “Meng Yang thanks the Princess Consort of Prince Huai.”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai wiped at the corner of her eyes. The Princess Consort of Prince Huai said, “Silly child, why are you still calling me the Princess Consort of Prince Huai at a time like this?”

Meng Yang lowered her eyes and stayed silent.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai seemed to realize she had startled Meng Yang. The Princess Consort of Prince Huai sighed and pulled Meng Yang to her side. “I already begged His Majesty for an edict,” the Princess Consort of Prince Huai said. “Today, your Royal Father should already be on the road rushing back to capital city.”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai continued, “Once your Royal Father arrives, your Royal Father will personally submit a memorial to His Majesty and the Imperial Clan Court, so you can return to the clan.”

Returning to the clan?

That meant Meng Yang would also become a member of the Imperial Clan.

Meng Yang’s hands trembled with excitement. Meng Yang quickly lowered her head. “But Meng Yang still has Grandfather and Parents and Brother s. They treated Meng Yang very well. Meng Yang… Meng Yang wanted to repay them…”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai paused. “Yang’er meant the Meng family?”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai had not thought that far. After all, a farming household raising the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s daughter was already their good fortune. The Princess Consort of Prince Huai had planned to give them some silver and send them away.

But looking at Meng Yang’s expression, Meng Yang seemed unwilling.

That was good too. At least it meant the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s daughter knew gratitude.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai said, “What does Yang’er want to do? If you like, this consort can have someone bring them into the capital.”

Bring them into the capital?

Meng Yang’s face stiffened.

Meng Yang did not want a group of shabby relatives clinging to Meng Yang forever, always reminding everyone that Meng Yang had grown up in a peasant household.

Meng Yang had only said those words just now to win favor in front of the Princess Consort of Prince Huai.

Meng Yang forced herself to sound sincere. “No need. To be honest with Princess Consort, Meng Yang once considered bringing them to capital city, but there is land at home. Grandfather is old, and Father and Mother and Brother s are not used to life in capital city.”

Meng Yang added, “Princess Consort, if the local county magistrate could keep an eye on them, that would be enough. Also, the children of the two Brother s have reached the age to study…”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai smiled. “Good, good. These are all small matters. This consort will definitely have people arrange everything properly.”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai was very pleased. The Princess Consort of Prince Huai had finally found her own daughter, and the Princess Consort of Prince Huai did not want Meng Yang to have any ties left with that family.

If it could be repaid with gold and silver and neatly bought off, that was for the best.

Mother and daughter walked together, smiling.

On the other side, Ming Jia’s eyes were full of tears as Ming Jia tried to rush forward. The moment Ming Jia moved, a hand gripped Ming Jia tightly.

Ming Jia cried, “Nanny Guan, do not stop me. Ming Jia wanted to ask Consort Mother! Why? Why could Consort Mother do so much for someone Consort Mother only met a few days ago?”

Ming Jia’s voice broke. “Ming Jia was the daughter Consort Mother raised from childhood!”

Ming Jia was on the verge of collapse.

Although Ming Jia already knew Ming Jia was not the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s daughter, Ming Jia had been almost ten when Ming Jia heard it. Ming Jia never truly took that mad old servant woman’s words to heart.

In Ming Jia’s heart, the Princess Consort of Prince Huai was still Ming Jia’s mother.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai spoiled Ming Jia, loved Ming Jia, and gave Ming Jia everything good.

But now a single Meng Yang was going to steal all of that love.

Was blood really that important?

Nanny Guan said, “This old servant brought Commandery Princess here so Commandery Princess could clearly understand Commandery Princess’s situation. Although Commandery Princess has past feelings with Princess Consort, Princess Consort is full of guilt and pity toward Miss Meng right now.”

Nanny Guan added, “Besides, Commandery Princess’s biological mother may have caused all this. Princess Consort will inevitably want to vent some blame on Commandery Princess.”

Ming Jia choked, “But… Ming Jia did not want this either!”

Nanny Guan said, “This old servant knows it is not Commandery Princess’s fault, but since things have reached this point, Commandery Princess must understand that the more it is like this, the less Commandery Princess should be willful…”

Nanny Guan hugged Ming Jia with aching tenderness.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai loved Ming Jia because the Princess Consort of Prince Huai believed Ming Jia was the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s daughter.

But Nanny Guan had cared for Ming Jia since Ming Jia was small. In Nanny Guan’s heart, Ming Jia was dearer than Nanny Guan’s own daughter. Nanny Guan could not bear to see Ming Jia suffer.

Ming Jia went limp in Nanny Guan’s arms.

After a long time, Ming Jia finally sobbed, “Nanny, what should Ming Jia do? Ming Jia will listen to Nanny in everything!”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai brought Meng Yang to the Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s own courtyard, only to hear that Ming Jia had arrived.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai instinctively wanted to go out and meet Ming Jia, but before the Princess Consort of Prince Huai could stand, the Princess Consort of Prince Huai remembered Meng Yang.

Sure enough, Meng Yang’s face was deathly pale with fear.

Even so, Meng Yang still stood up and forced a gentle smile. Meng Yang said, “Princess Consort should show more concern for Ming Jia Commandery Princess. After all, this has nothing to do with Ming Jia Commandery Princess. Ming Jia Commandery Princess is innocent.”

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s heart turned sour.

Compared to Meng Yang’s broadness and gentle dignity, Ming Jia…

Ming Jia really had been raised by the Princess Consort of Prince Huai to be too lawless.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai’s love for Ming Jia immediately turned into guilt. The Princess Consort of Prince Huai pulled Meng Yang to sit back down.

The Princess Consort of Prince Huai said, “Send Ming Jia back first. When Ming Jia truly understands Ming Jia’s mistake, then Ming Jia can come again.”

Outside, Ming Jia heard every word. Ming Jia’s fingers twisted hard together. Ming Jia closed her eyes.

In the next instant, Ming Jia dropped to her knees on the ground.

Ming Jia called out, “Consort Mother, Ming Jia knew Ming Jia was wrong! Ming Jia wanted to apologize to Miss Meng!”