Knock, knock, knock—
Outside the door, Song Ci knocked and twisted the doorknob, walking in. "Boss, the Tang family… the Tang family primarily wants to see you."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Meng Jingwei.
Likely knowing the visitor's intention, he felt a sense of urgency for her.
"Patriarch Tang?"
Qing Muye and Meng Jingwei exchanged glances, understanding dawning in their hearts.
"It's better to come early than on time. If I hadn't happened to be in the capital today, Patriarch Tang would probably have already gone to our Lan City to demand accountability." Meng Jingwei held Qing Muye's hand, her slender, fair hand gently patting his back. "Go meet him. I'll wait for you here."
Given Tang Wanxing's persistent love for Qing Muye, Patriarch Tang and Qing Muye were bound to meet eventually; it was only a matter of time.
The one who tied the knot must untie it.
To completely resolve the time bomb that was Tang Wanxing, Qing Muye had to personally take action.
"Mm."
The man nodded slightly, stood up, and before leaving, he indulgently stroked her head, patting it as if to reassure her. "Wait for me."
"Okay."
Meng Jingwei nodded in agreement, obediently sitting in the chair and watching him leave the room.
As the sound of the door closing echoed, she leaned back in her chair and sighed, her heart filled with a thousand emotions.
She thought she would be waiting for Qing Muye quietly, but then Song Ci pushed the door open again. "Madam, Mrs. Tang wishes to see you."
Mrs. Tang?
She lowered her gaze, contemplating.
Patriarch Tang had taken Qing Muye away, and now Mrs. Tang was coming to find her. Were they planning to split into two groups of persuaders, or… was there another stratagem?
Meng Jingwei got up and walked out. A bodyguard stood at the door.
The bodyguard wore a black suit, with a badge the size of a thumb pinned to his left chest. Meng Jingwei recognized the badge; it was the Tang family's emblem.
"Miss Meng, please follow me." The bodyguard's attitude was respectful as he gestured for her to proceed.
"Madam…" Song Ci called out, sounding a little worried.
Meng Jingwei looked at Song Ci and shook her head at him. "Mrs. Tang has openly invited me. There's nothing to worry about."
If Mrs. Tang intended to resort to any underhanded tactics, she wouldn't be acting so ostentatiously.
Only then did Song Ci feel a weight lifted from his heart and didn't follow.
Meng Jingwei followed the bodyguard downstairs and across the road to a rather elegant tea house. She entered the tea house with the bodyguard and met Mrs. Tang in a private room on the second floor.
As expected of the matriarch of the capital's foremost family.
Even Meng Jingwei, who had seen much of the world, was impressed by Mrs. Tang's elegant and dignified demeanor upon their first meeting.
Mrs. Tang had her dark hair styled in a bun, adorned with a plum blossom hairpin. She wore a black cheongsam with red piping along the sides and a gray shawl. Her makeup was light yet exuded a noble aura.
"Madam, Miss Meng is here." The bodyguard bowed respectfully to Mrs. Tang and spoke.
Mrs. Tang, seated at the tea table, glanced sideways at Meng Jingwei and quickly appraised her from head to toe before returning a smile. "Miss Meng, I apologize for the abrupt invitation; it was quite sudden. I hope I didn't startle you?"
"I knew I would meet Mrs. Tang sooner or later, I just didn't expect it to be so soon."
Meng Jingwei walked in, calm and collected, neither subservient nor overbearing.
Her composed reaction was somewhat beyond Mrs. Tang's expectations. A flicker of surprise and admiration crossed Mrs. Tang's eyes as she gestured, "Please, sit. This Longjing tea has just been brewed. It's a tea that Wanxing likes very much, and Muye also enjoys. I wonder if it will suit your taste, Miss Meng."
The way she said 'Muye' was quite familiar.
Yet, Meng Jingwei knew that the Tang family was likely meeting Qing Muye for the first time.
Regardless of how many times Qing Muye had been seen, Mrs. Tang's words alone carried hidden meaning.
She sat down, calmly picked up the Longjing tea, inhaled the fragrant steam, and took a small sip. "The liquor is excellent, with a sweet and fragrant taste. It's good tea. However…"
Meng Jingwei put down the teacup. "Ah Ye and I prefer to drink Xuan Cheng Mao Jian now."