Gong Jue Chen felt disheartened inside but demanded quite a show of support on the surface, "Hmm, impressive~"
Meng Zhuqing and Meng Lanqing still had an old mother at home, namely Old Lady Meng.
Old Lady Meng burst into joyful tears the moment she saw Meng Zhuqing and Meng Lanqing return.
When she learned that Meng Lanqing had actually taken a wife, Old Lady Meng first glanced at Gong Juese and then, lowering her voice, asked Meng Lanqing, "Lanqing, did Prince Yi allow you to marry? You cannot make your own decisions, you know. Our Nine Clans were all saved by Prince Yi. Do you remember what your father said about serving Prince Yi as slaves? Don’t you know that? You must not do anything against Prince Yi’s orders. You have to be loyal to him, obey his every command, understand?"
Meng Lanqing quickly reassured her, "Mother, don’t worry, if the Lord and Lady hadn’t implicitly agreed, how could I have taken a wife?"
Old Lady Meng was then reassured and quickly prepared a red envelope for Gong Juese.
Gong Jue Chen listened to Old Lady Meng’s earlier words and while he showed nothing on his face, he understood in his heart. No wonder Meng Lanqing and Meng Zhuqing were so loyal to Xiao Changyi. It all made sense now.
"Mother, this is Se Se’s brother, Gong Jue Chen," Meng Lanqing introduced.
When Old Lady Meng first saw her two sons return home, she was too overjoyed to notice Gong Jue Chen; later, when Meng Lanqing introduced her to Gong Juese, she again failed to pay attention to Gong Jue Chen; but now that she noticed him, she immediately exclaimed in shock, "Han..."
After uttering one word, she immediately stopped herself.
Gong Jue Chen sneered inwardly but feigned confusion on his exterior, furrowing his brow, "Why is Old Lady Meng so surprised to see me? Have you met me before?"
After regaining her composure, Old Lady Meng shook her head and said, "I have not met you before, today is the first time. I just feel you look a bit familiar, perhaps it’s because you have a kind-looking face."
Though she said this, Old Lady Meng’s thoughts and sighs revealed a different sentiment: He truly resembles Consort Han.
If Consort Han’s children had not died, they would probably be about the same age as this brother and sister before me.
Before Gong Jue Chen could speak, Gong Juese laughed heartily, "My brother, kind-looking? Ha, Mother, don’t be fooled by his handsome face. Although he’s a doctor, he’s not at all kind. Many have sought his help, and he’s let them die without aid, saving only those who are good-looking."
Gong Jue Chen also said, "Se Se is right. I indeed do not save those who are not good-looking; Old Lady Meng, I am truly not kind. It’s just my appearance that is pleasing, tsk tsk~"
Meng Lanqing hurriedly said, "Mother, Se Se and her brother used to live on the mountain, they don’t understand any etiquettes, nor do they have any upbringing, please don’t mind them."
Meng Zhuqing suddenly interjected, "Even if you mind, they’re not going to change."
Old Lady Meng composed herself with some effort and then cleared her throat, changing the subject, "Zhuqing, your brother is already married. Shouldn’t you think about it too? I didn’t dare to bring up this matter to you boys before, fearing Prince Yi would not agree. But now that Prince Yi and the Princess have given permission for you to marry, we should start considering your marital prospects. Tomorrow, I’ll look around to see if there’s a suitable girl. If you find her agreeable, you should marry her, right?"
When he heard that he should take a wife, the image of Wild Goose Jade’s breathtakingly beautiful and serene visage flashed through Meng Zhuqing’s mind. Knowing he might never see her again, Meng Zhuqing immediately refused as soon as Old Lady Meng finished speaking, "Mother, don’t trouble yourself, I have neither the inclination for that kind of fuss nor the time."