Chapter 35

When Qin Zheng left, Meng Yao began to organize the gifts he brought while Zhao Dahe explained on the sidelines, “I was the one who helped pick out the earrings and the hairpin.” Zhao Dahe felt shy. “I picked them especially for you, Mother.”

“So? Are you trying to move me? But you’re only helping to pick, and the one paying is Qin Zheng.” Meng Yao examined the hairpin and the earrings. They were exquisite.

Zhao Dahe did not feel as touched as he had imagined. Instead, he saw a look of disdain on his mother’s face. “If you don’t like it, give them back to me!” Zhao Dahe said in a Huff.

Zhao Dahe had received three taels of silver. He gritted his teeth and took out one tael to buy the pair of earrings.

When Zhao Dahe’s father was still around, he remembered that his mother had several pairs of earrings and would change them from time to time. Meng Yao’s earrings were old, so Zhao Dahe thought to buy her a new pair.

However, Qin Zheng suggested getting Meng Yao a hairpin, but when he saw the pretty earrings, he bought them without a thought.

“I didn’t say I don’t like them.” Meng Yao rolled her eyes at Zhao Dahe and fumbled around to put on her new earrings. “Don’t forget that you’re in charge of cleaning up the dishes during the two days you’re home every month.”

“B-But, Mother! That’s why I gave you the earrings!”

“I didn’t say that you wouldn’t have to do chores if you bought me earrings. Xiaoshu made a few stools and fixed the furniture, but he didn’t say he shouldn’t do the dishes because of that,” Meng Yao said calmly. “Or are you saying you won’t come back for dinner next time?”

‘Does Dahe think I’ll be too embarrassed to ask him to do the chores if he doesn’t eat? He wouldn’t. He doesn’t have the guts.’

Zhao Xiaohua leaned over and praised her mother’s hairpin and earrings, saying they made her look younger.

Zhao Dahe rolled his eyes and said, “Xiaohua, if you help me with the chores, I’ll buy you a pair of earrings too!”

Zhao Xiaohua rolled his eyes at Zhao Dahe. “Do you think I’m stupid, Dahe? I know there are earrings here, but I don’t think you can afford them, so why should I help you? You’re taking advantage of others!”

What else could Zhao Dahe say? He could only accept his fate and clean up the dishes.

Meng Yao quickly sorted the pair of earrings, and Zhao Xiaohua happily took them to her room to put them in front of the mirror.

The rest of the things were food and other necessities. Meng Yao knew Qin Zheng’s family spent a lot of effort preparing them. However, she suddenly felt that the food she packed for Qin Zheng was not enough compared to what Qin Zheng and his family gifted her family.

“Dahe, when are you going to visit the Qin family? let us know in advance.” Meng Yao said.

It was impolite not to return the favor.

Zhao Dahe replied, “Okay, but you don’t have to feel pressured, Mother. I know Qin Zheng gifted us many things, but those are just trinkets to his family. Also, I took care of him in school. His parents even want to acknowledge me as their Godson.”

“I don’t feel any pressure. I simply want to put us on equal footing with the Qins. I’m not making anything expensive, so you don’t have to worry,” Meng Yao said.

The Qin family was wealthy. Even if Meng Yao bought a gift she thought was expensive, they might not be interested. So, she might as well prepare a more thoughtful gift.

“Okay, you can do as you see fit, Mother,” Zhao Dahe replied casually and struggled with the dishes.

After Meng Yao sorted the things Qin Zheng brought, she went to the kitchen to talk to Zhao Dahe. As Zhao Dahe washed the dishes, Meng Yao asked him everything he knew about the Qins. Then she thought of a gift to make for the Qins.

Meng Yao was about to return to her room and make the gift when someone came to the house. It was a girl who looked about the same age as Zhao Xiaohua.

Meng Yao was stunned, unable to recall who the little girl was.

“Aunt Yao, I’m sick, so I came to seek your help,” the little girl called Meng Yao and told her why she had come.

Meng Yao reacted, and simultaneously, she matched the little girl in front of her with the person in her mind. The little girl was the younger daughter of the original Meng Yao’s brother, Meng Ruyu.

“Go and look for a doctor if you’re sick. There’s no point looking for me,” Meng Yao said expressionlessly.

After Zhao Ting’s accident and the Meng family rejected the original Meng Yao’s request for help, she cut all ties with them. The original Meng Yao only kept in touch with her elder sister, who became a monk.

That’s why Meng Yao didn’t think it was good that Grandma Meng suddenly wanted to see her.

“B-But Aunt Yao, Dahe is a scholar, and his reputation is essential. Grandma said you should consider your reputation and not drag Dahe down. You’ve been indifferent to Grandpa and Grandma all these years.”

“If Grandma and Grandpa want to pursue this matter, they will eventually accuse you of being undutiful to them,” Meng Ruyu said softly, almost sobbing.

Zhao Dahe stood before Meng Yao and cursed angrily, “Then let them accuse us! I don’t care about reputations. I know the younger generation should be dutiful to their elders, but the elders have no right to force them to be dutiful when they weren’t kind to the younger generation!”

“No one in the Meng family lent us a helping hand when my father’s fate was unknown!”

Meng Ruyu shivered and bit her lip. “Why are you angry at me, Dahe? I’m just here to pass you a message from Grandpa and Grandma. I’m just saying what Grandma told me to say. You can’t take your anger out on me.”

“We’re the Zhao family, and we don’t accept the Mengs!” Zhao Dahe took a deep breath. “Take care. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”

“Grandpa and Grandma told me you were well-mannered because you’re a scholar, but it seems they were wrong.” Meng Ruyu looked disappointed.

“The Mengs aren’t welcome here,” Zhao Dahe scoffed.

The Mengs had no right to ask for help.

Although Meng Yao was from the Meng family, the Mengs no longer cared about her. Moreover, Meng Yao was now a part of the Zhao family.

Meng Ruyu’s eyes reddened as she stomped her feet. “Zhao Dahe, you b*stard!” With that, he turned and ran.

The Meng family lived at the easternmost end of the village, while the Zhao family lived at the westernmost end. If Meng Ruyu ran back crying, the Zhao family’s treatment of her would immediately spread throughout the village.

Previously, Meng Yao didn’t care much about her reputation, but now that she was in ancient times, her reputation became essential.

Meng Yao sighed. “I’ll return to them for a while.”

Zhao Dahe was puzzled. “Mother, didn’t you say you would never return to them? Also, it’s apparent they don’t care for you. They wouldn’t have stood idly by and watched you struggle to support my studies if they did.

“How would I know what they’re up to if I don’t go? Ruru wasn’t trying to scare us. If the two elders pursued this matter, they’d accuse me of being undutiful. It’s fine if it’s just me, but what about you, Xiaohua, and Xiaoshu? I don’t want to implicate you three.” Meng Yao gently patted Zhao Dahe’s shoulder.

“I’m not afraid of getting involved, and neither are Xiaohua and Xiaoshu,” Zhao Dahe said. “If you insist on seeing them, I’ll go with you.”

“Do you think I don’t know how you are? You won’t show me your face if I make you unhappy. I will only ask what’s the matter, not argue with them. You should stay home and watch the flowers and trees if you’re bored. Oh, and if you don’t study hard, your siblings will surely surpass you,” Meng Yao said smilingly.