Zhao Dahe said he also found it difficult.
Meng Yao could probably understand Song Yang’s behavior.
Everything that originally belonged to you is suddenly taken away by someone else; it’s natural to feel unwilling, indignant, and eventually turn to jealousy and hatred.
But unfortunately, if you don’t have the ability or the strength to change the situation, over time, you get stuck in a quagmire and can’t get out.
Unless someone gives you a hand.
Otherwise, this person might end up ruined.
Unfortunately, Meng Yao isn’t a saint, nor does she have the time to poke her nose into everything.
"Second Brother, don’t be careless. Jealousy can drive people mad! The way Song Yang looks at you, I think he’s not far from madness." Zhao Xiaohua said, "With such a person, who knows what they might do if they go crazy?"
Zhao Dahe was a bit surprised, "Xiaohua, you care about me?"
"It’s just that I fear you don’t understand how dangerous people can be, not taking them seriously only to fall into their trap in the end." Zhao Xiaohua said seriously, "By then, if you’re upset, won’t mom be worried too? And most importantly, you promised someone that you’ll pass the academy exam."
The someone, of course, refers to Qin Zheng.
"You don’t need to worry about me." Zhao Dahe snorted, "When have you ever seen me not keep my word? Just wait and see how I achieve the ’Small Triple Crown’!"
"Small Triple Crown?" Zhao Xiaohua blinked, "What’s the ’Small Triple Crown’?"
"The top scorer in the county, prefecture, and academy exams." Zhao Dahe replied.
Meng Yao was quite surprised, "Dahe, that’s not a modest goal. Actually, you don’t need to put so much pressure on yourself; just passing the academy exam smoothly will be enough."
"That’s not enough." Zhao Dahe’s tone was firm.
Initially, he didn’t have any specific goals.
But after Han Muchi came to him, he had a goal.
Han Muchi flaunted his own Small Triple Crown in front of him, and the best way to counterattack was to use his proudest achievement to slap him in the face.
"Zhao Xiaohua, aim farther and higher; don’t be easily coaxed by anyone. You’re not even ten yet, still five years to reaching coming-of-age! In these five years, your Second Brother will surely make something of himself. By then, you’ll be the daughter of a noble, and can choose any outstanding young man you like." Zhao Dahe suddenly said very seriously to Zhao Xiaohua, "Even though you can be quite annoying, who told you you’re lucky to have such a remarkable brother like me?"
"Second Brother, are you caring about me?" Zhao Xiaohua asked, slightly excited.
"Am I? You’re overthinking! I just don’t want you to be coaxed away and embarrass me." Zhao Dahe replied.
"You’d be the one to be coaxed away. I’m so smart, plus mom is keeping an eye on me, how is it possible! Second Brother, instead of worrying about me, why not focus on working hard? The Small Triple Crown isn’t that easy to get, don’t end up losing face by boasting early!" Zhao Xiaohua retorted sharply.
Meng Yao watched them bicker, bemused, confirming that it was unlikely for the two to be affectionate with each other.
As for Zhao Dahe’s sudden words, Meng Yao almost immediately thought of Han Muchi.
It must have been Han Muchi who visited Zhao Dahe, otherwise, why would he suddenly say such things?
This Han Muchi really is persistent.
Meng Yao couldn’t understand why Han Muchi did it.
"Young Master, Madam is ready there and asked me to invite you and Madam Zhao over." The main maid beside Mrs. Qian said politely.
"Thank you, Sister Hong Xing." Zhao Dahe said cheerfully, "We’ll head over right away."
"Then I will go back to help Madam set the table." Hong Xing curtsied and turned to leave.
Meng Yao’s sharp eyes noticed that this maid named Hong Xing had a slight blush on her ears.
"Dahe, are you familiar with Hong Xing?" asked Meng Yao.
"We are quite familiar. Whenever Mistress has something for me, she’s the one to deliver the message. She’s the head maid beside the Mistress, quite liked by the Mistress. Whatever the Mistress does, she brings her along. The Mistress’s business skills, she’s probably picked up seventy to eighty percent, and many businesses of the Mistress are managed by her." Zhao Dahe thought for a moment before saying.
Where does she still seem like a maid, she’s practically a steward.
Yet such a person blushes when speaking to Zhao Dahe.
What does this indicate? It indicates that this Hong Xing is interested in Zhao Dahe.
Meng Yao doesn’t discriminate based on social status; a maid may enter servitude, but can also leave it.
But Zhao Dahe, , doesn’t seem to have realized it yet.
Cluelessly flirting with someone is really quite nasty!
In the future, if he realizes it and also likes this Hong Xing, then it’s all good.
But if he realizes it but doesn’t like her, isn’t that making trouble?
Looking at Meng Yao appearing thoughtful, Zhao Dahe was a bit puzzled, "Mom, why are you asking this?"
"Nothing, just asking casually." Meng Yao smiled.
"Oh, then let’s hurry over, or the food will get cold." Zhao Dahe said.
The group headed back to Mrs. Qian’s compound.
Mrs. Qian warmly pulled Meng Yao into a seat, "Sister Meng, come, try my cooking."
The table was almost all meat dishes.
Crystal pig trotter, braised pork, Four Happiness meatballs, stewed pig’s feet.
"Don’t be shy, make yourself at home just like you would at your own home!" Mrs. Qian urged, "Sister Meng, can you handle some liquor?"
About her host body’s tolerance for alcohol, Meng Yao wasn’t sure, since in her memories there weren’t scenes of the host body drinking.
However, she herself had a decent tolerance for alcohol.
Although, due to her previous occupation, she rarely had the chance to drink.
"It’s not really strong liquor, just some Peach Blossom Brew I tinkered with myself. It’s not potent, quite suitable for us women to drink a bit." Mrs. Qian noticed Meng Yao’s interest and said with a smile, "Hong Xing, go fetch a jar."
"Then I’ll have a cup with you, Madam." Meng Yao said.
"I’ve been calling you Sister Meng, and you call me Madam, isn’t that too formal?" Mrs. Qian pouted.
"Okay, then I’ll call you Sister Qian." Meng Yao agreed promptly.
Mrs. Qian happily agreed, "I felt an instant connection with Sister Meng, we don’t get much chance to gather , today let’s not stop until we’re drunk."
Teacher Wang hesitated to say something.
Zhao Dahe also had a complicated expression on his face.
Meng Yao didn’t understand their expressions.
After drinking a bit, Meng Yao understood their concerns.
Seeing Mrs. Qian’s initiative in suggesting drinking, Meng Yao automatically thought she must have a good tolerance for alcohol.
Now, Meng Yao realized she miscalculated.
Some people don’t love drinking because they’re good at it.
Take Mrs. Qian, for instance.
After two small cups, Mrs. Qian’s demeanor changed dramatically.
Before drinking, Mrs. Qian was loud and uninhibited; after drinking, she let herself completely loose.
She slung an arm around Meng Yao’s shoulder, insisting on making a blood oath to become sworn sisters.
"Your man is my man." That sentence from Mrs. Qian shocked Meng Yao; even before her time travel, no woman could utter such words.