Sitting in the carriage on the way back to Prince Rui's Estate, Meng Qi felt that today had been full of too many surprises.
The first surprise was that Meng Wei had actually dared to argue with Meng Yuan on behalf of Madam Wang, and that Meng Yuan, unlike in the past, had not dismissed his youngest son's words out of hand. Their grandfather, Meng Changfeng, had even looked at Meng Wei with eyes full of gratification. Conversely, Meng Shao’s behavior was not the least bit surprising to Meng Qi; while their father spoke to their mother in such a manner, Meng Shao, as the eldest legitimate son, had simply sat there, eagerly trying to strike up a conversation with Song Chengze. In the end, it was left to Song Chengze to step in and ease the tension. *Heh*, her dear eldest brother was still exactly as he had been in her previous life.
The second surprise was Song Chengze himself. When they went to pay their New Year’s respects to Meng Changfeng and Lady Song, Song Chengze had merely offered a few auspicious greetings with a bow. But once they reached Shanzhi Hall, he had asked Mammy Guo to bring over prayer cushions so he could kneel and bow alongside her. His actions had frightened her mother so much she had nearly fallen ill for real; after accepting only one bow from him, she had hurriedly helped him up. Even now, Meng Qi could not figure out whether this was something Song Chengze had planned all along or a spontaneous decision.
Chapter 175