Meng Shuping said sincerely, "Perhaps the old madam dotes on me?"
"Why ask me instead of the old madam? I didn't summon the sedan chair carriers. Sigh, I knew he was jealous, didn't I?"
"Who would've thought? For such a grown man, the rotten father is still so starved for affection."
Meng Wenxiu couldn't believe it—could it really be that the old madam had sent someone to carry him? But why? Unable to fathom the reason, Meng Wenxiu fell silent, speechless for a long time.
After waiting a while without hearing anything else, Meng Shuping couldn't help but ask, "Is there anything else?"
"He didn't call me here just to ask about this, did he? If so, is there something wrong with him?"
Meng Wenxiu finally snapped out of it, cleared his throat, and said, "You've been away all these years and can't read a single character. In a couple of days, you'll start studying in the mansion with your other younger brothers. The sons of our Earl's household may not be scholarly, but at the very least, they should be literate, so as not to be mocked as complete illiterates."
Meng Shuping just wanted to leave quickly and couldn't be bothered to humor him. "Oh," he said dismissively.
"Yeah, yeah, I can't read a single character. If he's so capable, why hasn't he become a top scholar?"
Meng Wenxiu bristled—becoming a top scholar was no easy feat! He tried to ignore Meng Shuping's inner thoughts and continued, "Your third brother has been well-versed in classics since childhood. Though not exceptionally learned, he's more than capable of tutoring beginners. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask him."
Meng Shuqi chimed in, "Father is right. Fifth Young Master, I have a copy of the *Three Character Classic* (a Confucian text) with my childhood annotations. If you need it, I'll have my servants bring it to you later."
Listening to their thinly veiled mockery of his lack of education while feigning gratitude, Meng Shuping felt at a loss for words. He nervously fiddled with the hem of his traditional Chinese clothing and sarcastically whispered, "Is Third Brother a *jinshi* (a successful candidate in the highest imperial civil service exams)?"
Meng Wenxiu bristled. "Your third brother is about your age. How could he have passed the *jinshi* exams? But he's well-grounded in his studies. Next year, when he takes the civil service exams, he's sure to earn the title of *xiucai* (a qualified candidate in the imperial civil service exams at the county level)."
Meng Shuping lowered his head slightly and said deadpan, "Oh, so he hasn't even become a *xiucai* yet? Then… never mind."
Hearing the disdain in Meng Shuping's tone, Meng Wenxiu and Meng Shuqi felt both irritated and baffled. Why did they feel looked down upon by someone who couldn't read a single character? What gave him the right?
Meng Wenxiu said sternly, "Do you think becoming a *jinshi* is easy? Many study for years without success. Don't underestimate your third brother just because he hasn't earned a title yet—he's more than qualified to guide you."
Meng Shuping pursed his lips and said with feigned innocence, "But my father in the countryside said that with my intelligence, I'm sure to become a *jinshi*. So the tutor he hired for me must also be a *jinshi*. Otherwise, hiring an ordinary one might hold me back."
As he spoke, the tips of Meng Shuping's ears grew redder and even felt a bit hot. "Sigh, bragging about myself in front of so many people—I feel a little embarrassed!" he added with false modesty.
This time, it was Meng Wenxiu and Meng Shuqi who were at a loss for words. Meng Wenxiu stared at Meng Shuping in disbelief—was he even hearing himself?
Anyone with even a couple of years of education would never say such things. Well, once Meng Shuping faced some setbacks, he'd understand.
At this point, Meng Wenxiu had no idea what else to say. He waved his hand, not wanting to see Meng Shuping's face any longer. "Alright, you may go back now."
Meng Shuping felt as if a weight had been lifted and hurriedly left. As he walked away, he grumbled under his breath, "That rotten dad—making me come all the way here on an empty stomach for such a trivial matter. Doesn't he realize how troublesome he is?"
Seeing that Meng Shuping was still criticizing him even as he walked away, Meng Wenxiu was furious. But as he watched Meng Shuping's retreating figure, he couldn't bring himself to vent his anger and could only turn fuming.
By the time Meng Shuping left the Dew-Kissing Pavilion, it was already getting dark. He had to return to his courtyard to fetch a paper lantern before rushing out to eat.
Fortunately, his courtyard was close to the back gate. Otherwise, the round trip would have taken until bedtime.
After finishing his meal and returning to his room, Miao Bi hurried over to report, "Fifth Young Master, while you were away, the Second Young Master sent someone to invite you to a banquet tomorrow evening at the Embroidered Tower banquet hall for the other young masters and ladies of the mansion. You're requested to attend."
Meng Shuping asked curiously, "The Embroidered Tower banquet hall?"
Miao Bi explained, "The Embroidered Tower banquet hall is one of the buildings in the mansion. It's not far from here."
"Oh," Meng Shuping nodded. "Alright, I understand."
Although he had already heard from Meng Shuchun about introducing him to his many siblings, learning that the event was the next day made Meng Shuping start feeling social anxiety in advance.
He slumped onto the traditional Chinese couch in despair. "Sigh! I really don't want to attend gatherings, make small talk, or force myself to socialize!" he muttered under his breath.
Seeing him like this, Miao Bi thought Meng Shuping was worried the others in the mansion would give him a hard time and comforted him, "Fifth Young Master, don't worry. Most of the young masters and ladies in our mansion are quite easy to get along with. They definitely won't leave you out."
Hearing this, Meng Shuping appeared calm on the surface but was inwardly panicking. "What? They won't leave me out? I'd rather they ignore me! Wouldn't it be better if I could just sit quietly in a corner by myself?"
"Pfft—hahaha." Jinzhan couldn't help but laugh when she saw how Miao Bi's words had made Meng Shuping even more nervous.
Miao Bi said in a huffy tone, "Sister Jinzhan, what are you laughing at? Is what I said so funny?"
"Not at all," Jinzhan said lightly. "I just think you're right. Fifth Young Master is the main attraction at this banquet. The other young masters and ladies might leave anyone else out, but they'd never leave him out."
Miao Bi felt Jinzhan definitely didn't mean it that way, but she couldn't find anything wrong with the statement, so she just snorted and said smugly, "Exactly."
Seeing how tense Meng Shuping was about the event, Jinzhan felt quite smug—finally, she could enjoy seeing Meng Shuping in an awkward spot.
She said mockingly, "Fifth Young Master, our Earl's mansion has many masters and many banquets. Every month, there are two or three birthday banquets for the young masters and ladies alone. It's normal that you've never attended such events, having grown up in a backwater. You'll get used to it in time," she added sarcastically.
Meng Shuping was already feeling socially drained and, hearing Jinzhan speak to him in that tone again, couldn't help but complain inwardly, "Always going on about 'our Earl's mansion'—she's just a servant here, not the master of the mansion. What is she so pretentious about?"
"Besides, she keeps saying the same things. Doesn't she have any new material? Honestly, if she's not tired of saying it, I'm tired of hearing it."
Jinzhan was furious—what was wrong with what she'd said? As a maid of the Earl's mansion, even her worldly experience surpassed that of girls from lesser families. Meng Shuping didn't grow up in the mansion—what did he know?
After mentally rebuking Jinzhan, Meng Shuping felt much less nervous energy. Well, when the time came, he'd just focus on eating and drinking.
Soon, it was the evening of the next day. Meng Shuping tidied himself up and headed to the Embroidered Tower banquet hall with Miao Bi and Jinzhan.
He had already decided not to arrive too early. If he went too early, he'd have to make small talk with everyone, which would be social anxiety-inducing. But he couldn't arrive too late either—showing up late would make him the center of attention, and the pressure would be overwhelming.
So it was best to arrive a little earlier than the latest guests. That way, he could keep a low profile and avoid too much conversation. Of course, since the banquet was in his honor, no matter how low-key he tried to be, socializing was unavoidable.
Even though Meng Shuping had mentally prepared himself, as he approached the Embroidered Tower banquet hall, he couldn't help but feel his hands and feet grow cold with nervousness.
As more and more people appeared along the way, Meng Shuping's shoulders and back grew stiffer. He walked stiffly, eyes fixed straight ahead. Just then, Meng Ziyun lifted her chin high, scoffed, and quickly overtook Meng Shuping.
Meng Shuping stared at her back as she walked away in baffling surprise. "What's wrong with her neck? Did she sleep crooked?" he asked with exaggerated concern.
Meng Ziyun paused mid-step, then turned around and narrowed her eyes at Meng Shuping. Who slept crooked? She just couldn't be bothered to acknowledge Meng Shuping!
Meng Shuping was baffled. "Whoa! Why is she glaring at me?"
"Could it be that she's still holding a grudge over the jade pendant incident? Sigh, it's just a pendant. If she wanted it, she could've just said so—no need to be so coy. It's not like I'd laugh at her. Hahaha."
"But how come even the young lady of the Earl's mansion acts like she's never seen anything nice? So shallow."
Meng Ziyun was fuming. She turned around abruptly and marched toward Meng Shuping. Some servants passing by slowed down subtly, quietly watching the scene unfold.
Meng Shuping tensed up, his eyes darting around nervously. "What's she coming over for all of a sudden? Her eyes are so fierce—does she want to eat me? Ahhh, so scary! I'm going to have nightmares tonight!"
Hearing this, Meng Ziyun grew even angrier. She strode proudly up to Meng Shuping and looked down her nose at him. "I heard you beat up Meng Shuyang as soon as you returned? Hmph, you really are barbaric, coming from the country."
Noticing that the girl refused to look at him directly, Meng Shuping thought in surprise, "I didn't notice it the other day, but this girl actually has a squint."
"No wonder she's always picking on others—she must have some physical issue that's made her insecure and twisted."
"Sigh, since she's so pitiful, I'd better not argue with her. If she wants to mock me, so be it—it's not like I'll lose a piece of flesh. Let her say whatever she wants."
With that in mind, Meng Shuping lowered his head slightly and said with exaggerated politeness, "No, no, not as barbaric as you," sarcastically.
"Pfft—hahaha." Someone couldn't hold back their laughter. Meng Ziyun's face flushed red with humiliation and anger. She immediately raised her arm to slap Meng Shuping across the face.
Meng Shuping had already sensed the girl's hostility and was prepared. But just as he took a step back, another hand suddenly appeared, blocking Meng Ziyun's arm.