Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing had not returned to the General’s mansion since they began serving her husband as slaves, following him with utmost loyalty, even willing to be beaten to death rather than leave his side.
The Meng Family had a motto: Everything can be absent, except for loyalty.
Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing, sons of the Great General, once had a superior-subordinate relationship with her husband. They fought and achieved many military merits together. If it weren’t for their father’s dying command to serve Xiao Changyi as slaves, they would surely still be in the military camp.
Even though they had become slaves to her husband and no longer served in the military camp, the Emperor of Xiyun had not stripped Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing of their ranks; Meng Lanqing still retained the title of General, and Meng Zhuqing that of Deputy General.
Despite Meng Lanqing’s appearance being more beautiful than a woman’s, his strategies and methods were far stronger than those of his twin brother Zhuqing.
Both were nearly equal in their martial skills, but given that Meng Lanqing was the elder brother, and the elder brother is as a father, unless it was agreed to be a sparring session, Zhuqing would not fight back. Naturally, he could only end up with a bruised and swollen face.
Thinking of the last time Meng Zhuqing ended up with a bruised and swollen face after being hit by Meng Lanqing, An Jing couldn’t help but laugh. Meng Lanqing really didn’t hold back when dealing with his own brother; Zhuqing’s face took over a week to recover.
"Husband, Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing are coming soon. Today is New Year’s Day, so please show them some respect," An Jing requested with a smile, while eating the lovingly made breakfast her husband had prepared for her.
Xiao Changyi remained silent, continuing to peel chicken eggs for An Jing.
"Husband..." An Jing drew out the word, seemingly dissatisfied.
It was only then that Xiao Changyi responded, "As long as they don’t irritate me, I’ll show some respect."
Hearing this, An Jing immediately burst into laughter. Her husband was aloof, but she found his aloofness amusing and delightful.
Just after An Jing and Xiao Changyi finished breakfast, Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing arrived, both dressed in green clothes, one embroidered with orchids, the other with bamboo.
Although Meng Lanqing was as tall as Zhuqing, his frame was much slimmer. Coupled with his face that was even more beautiful than a woman’s, if one didn’t pay close attention to features such as the Adam’s apple, it was easy to mistake him for a tall woman.
Looking at Meng Lanqing’s naturally unadorned face, An Jingxin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Truly the most beautiful in Xiyun, his beauty makes the whole world seem dull in comparison.
Xiao Changyi did see An Jing staring at Meng Lanqing, but he said nothing, his face remaining expressionless.
Upon entering, Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing respectfully greeted An Jing and Xiao Changyi.
An Jing smiled and told them they needn’t be so formal today.
However, Xiao Changyi’s first words were, "Wash the dishes."
"Yes!" Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing immediately began obediently cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks on the table, intending to wash them by the stove.
But Xiao Changyi spoke again, "Let your brother do it alone."
In the end, Meng Lanqing was the one who ended up washing the dishes all by himself.
Yet, his movements were extremely clumsy. Clearly, he had never washed dishes before.
For the son of a General who later joined the army, it was normal to have never washed dishes.
Understanding this, An Jingxin stopped watching Meng Lanqing wash the dishes and turned to look at her husband. Seeing that he was watching her, she immediately gave him a big smile.