Chapter 143: What Does That Have to Do with Me?

"Did something happen?"

Meng Chuyue lowered her eyes and nodded. "Ever since my eldest sister recovered, she has been constantly finding fault with me, trying to seize the authority to manage the household back from my hands."

Having already secured that power, she had no intention of returning it to her elder sister.

Shen Nanyuan sighed softly. "As long as your father stands on your side, that is all that matters."

Meng Chuyue nodded. However, the constant disturbances in her courtyard were inevitably taking a toll on her. She hadn't been sleeping well lately, and her focus during the day was shattered. Furthermore, since her sister was the legitimate daughter, the servants in the estate were fickle, swaying with the wind, which left her utterly exhausted.

As they had walked to Meng Chuyue’s courtyard, they encountered many servants. As they passed, each of them curtsied or bowed in respect before returning to their duties. It was a clear display of deference—a stark contrast to the last time Shen Nanyuan had visited.

Inside the room, silver frost charcoal was already burning, making it cozy and warm. Shen Nanyuan and Meng Chuyue removed their cloaks and sipped hot tea to warm themselves. Soon, a servant brought over some pastries. Meng Chuyue pushed them toward Shen Nanyuan with a smile. "Eat, I know you like these."

Shen Nanyuan picked one up and popped it into her mouth. "So, was it because of your sister that you were nearly late when you arrived at the city wall earlier?"

"Yes," Meng Chuyue nodded. "She claimed I was mistreating her, saying the silver frost charcoal I sent to her quarters was of poor quality. After causing a scene in my courtyard, she then complained that the amount of charcoal was insufficient."

She added helplessly, "In short, this hasn't happened just once or twice lately. She is always finding excuses to come here and make trouble."

Meng Fangran had always disliked her. Ever since the incident where she fell into the water and their mother was imprisoned, her hatred had run deep. Now that she had finally recovered, she was determined to make life difficult for Meng Chuyue. Meng Chuyue had anticipated this from the start; only by tormenting her would Meng Fangran feel any sense of satisfaction.

She rubbed her temples. "It doesn't matter. Let her make her scenes. In any case, she is of age to be married; she shouldn't be staying at the Prime Minister's residence for much longer."

She wouldn't be able to cause trouble for long. Besides, after everything that had happened, her father had long since considered marrying Meng Fangran off as soon as possible.

Shen Nanyuan nodded slightly. Speaking of marriage... her peripheral vision swept across Meng Chuyue’s face.

Suddenly, a shrill voice rang out from outside the courtyard. "Where is Meng Chuyue! Come out here!"

At the sound of that voice, Meng Chuyue’s expression darkened instantly. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, showing no intention of going out. She looked at Shen Nanyuan with a trace of apology. "It might get a little noisy in a moment."

"It's fine," Shen Nanyuan said, gently shaking her head.

"What, too afraid to face the consequences? Typical. You only dare to pull these petty tricks behind people's backs. Back when I was ill and couldn't manage these matters, you really showed your true, base colors."

Meng Chuyue’s expression turned cold. She set her cup down, rose to her feet, and said, "I must go out. Yuanyuan, please stay here."

She had thought that since Meng Fangran had already been here once, she wouldn't return today, which was why she had accompanied Shen Nanyuan back. She hadn't expected to be humiliated again and again.

Shen Nanyuan watched her back as she walked away, sitting in her chair with a flicker of concern in her eyes.

"What is it?" asked Meng Chuyue in a cold, detached voice.

Qingrui leaned closer to Shen Nanyuan. "Miss, perhaps we should return to the manor soon." After all, this was someone else’s family business. They were outsiders, and it was better for the family to resolve these matters behind closed doors.

Meng Fangran narrowed her eyes. Although she had not fully recovered, she had spent so much time lying in bed, with past events replaying in her mind—the smug look on Meng Chuyue’s face when she framed her, and the fact that her mother’s imprisonment was all because of her. All of this resentment had festered within her, making it impossible to remain in bed. She ached to tear Meng Chuyue to pieces to vent her fury.

If not for her, her mother would still be in the Prime Minister's residence, she herself would not have lost her reputation, and she would still be the rightful, legitimate daughter of the house. No matter what, this residence should never have fallen under Meng Chuyue’s control.

And now, Meng Chuyue stood high and mighty, the one in charge of the household, with everyone obeying her. She was merely a concubine’s daughter! She would never let her spend a single moment in peace.

Meng Fangran gritted her teeth. "How could this garment be delivered with a hole in it! And that silver frost charcoal is so damp it won't even light. Do you think you can brush me off with your previous excuses? Let me tell you, no matter what, I am still the legitimate daughter of this house. How dare a mere concubine’s daughter treat me with such neglect?"

Meng Chuyue looked coldly at the torn garment held by the maid behind her, her voice flat. "Eldest sister, if you wish to find fault, there is no need to ruin a perfectly good garment. Father has always been frugal; if he finds out, he certainly will not treat you lightly."

"Me!" Meng Fangran glared at her fiercely. "It was already ruined when you sent it over! What does that have to do with me?"

"You know exactly what happened, and I believe Father will be able to piece together the truth."

"Besides," Meng Chuyue continued, "what does it matter who is legitimate and who is not? I am the one managing the household now. I have no intention of harming you, nor do I wish to mistreat you. As long as you behave yourself, you will remain the legitimate daughter, and your treatment will be no different than before."

Shen Nanyuan picked up a piece of pastry and put it in her mouth, her expression indifferent and calm. Meng Chuyue’s status was indeed something many used against her. Even in the original story, after she became the Crown Princess, servants would still whisper about it; it was a stain that could never be fully erased for her. The divide between legitimate and illegitimate was profound, and Meng Chuyue’s journey to where she was now had not been easy.

"I want the power you hold in your hands now. Since I have recovered, you should be sensible and tell Father to return what is rightfully mine, instead of stubbornly clinging to what doesn't belong to you."

"If you want what I have, you are welcome to go to Father and ask for it. After all, if Father speaks, I have no reason to refuse you."

A cold glint flickered in the depths of Meng Chuyue’s eyes. "But you only dare to make scenes here and demand that I go to Father for you. Isn't it because you know you dare not face him, and you know he would never entrust this power to you? It seems your calculations are quite clever, sister."