Chapter 315 - Three Years In Langye (XV)

Chapter 315: Three Years In Langye (XV)

When Jiang Pengji first saw Meng Heng, the System’s voice rang in her ears.

System: “Congratulations, Streamer, for completing the real time mission of helping Meng Heng. Please claim your reward, the ‘Mystery package,’ at the collection point backstage.”

You mean the mission’s complete? Jiang Pengji chuckled. The System was so desperate that it could not bear it anymore.

She used her usual expression to assess Meng Heng. He was somewhat of a brute, which differed from Meng Liang’s refined appearance. He wore a scholarly robe, which looked inappropriate on him, but after looking intently, his body exuded with righteous energy.

Rather than classifying Meng Heng as a literary scholar, he was more apt as a martial artist.

From a quick glance at his hands, she noticed thick calluses, which were a sign that he used swords and spears over an extensive period of time. His martial art skills may not have been good, but his build was surely not weak.

“You must be Cousin Heng?”

Jiang Pengji informed Master Yuanjing, then followed the guards to meet Meng Heng.

Meng Heng was sitting in a carriage at first sight, clothed in a grey cloak. The charcoal within the carriage had since extinguished and no residual heat was left. The decoration within was minimal, like that of a poor scholar. One could not tell he was the legitimate son of the Meng’s.

“You are?” Meng Heng knit his thick, black brows, unable to recall when he had seen Jiang Pengji.

“Mother frequently speaks of you, Cousin Heng. She’s always concerned about your days at the Meng residences…”

Jiang Pengji did not reveal her identity, but after hearing her words, Meng Heng understood. “You are… Cousin Xi?” Meng Heng reckoned in a daze. He did not expect the handsome youth before him to be the legendary second legitimate son of Liu She. Moreover, he heard Jiang Pengji speak of Gu Zhen. His expression became ambiguous as he said, “Has mother been living well all these years?”

When Gu Zhen left the Meng residences, Meng Heng was of age and had knowledge of what had transpired.

Meng Heng did not hold a grudge against Gu Zhen, his biological mother, for the divorce, as he knew the consequences. Instead, he had pity and respect for her.

The Meng residence was an unconducive place, otherwise he would not have traveled all the way to Shangjing just to avoid the complicated affairs.

Jiang Pengji said, “Mother fell sick during early spring and almost did not make it through. Fortunately, blessing and disaster are interdependent. After she recovered, the ailments that plagued her before also healed. She is living well now.”

Meng Heng said, “It is good that Mother is living well.”

Jiang Pengji asked him, “Your servant mentioned that the horse carriage cartwheel has problems?”

Meng Heng was bashful and blushed. He replied with an “eh” sound.

Jiang Pengji glanced at the damaged cartwheel and suddenly understood the source of the problem. The carriage had been used for umpteen years and had not yet been repaired. The wear and tear had damaged the cartwheel, so it could not bear it anymore.

To think the legitimate eldest son of the Meng’s would use such an old carriage… His days at the Meng residences must have been miserable.

There was insufficient charcoal within the carriage on a snowy day. His clothes were old and had been washed multiple times.

“If Cousin Heng is not in a rush, let’s travel together and look out for each other.” Jiang Pengji invited him to join them like a mischievous twelve-year-old. “Mother was in a daze when she was ill and often called out Cousin Heng’s pet name. Since we met, I must ask you to join us so that when I return I can tell mother and she will be at peace.”

Meng Heng was tempted by her offer, as if the scene flashed through his head.

He did not retain many memories as a child, but he had a recollection of Gu Zhen. She was a demure and beautiful, noble lady, as if she emerged from a traditional painting of beautiful women. One could not help but sigh at the good and peaceful times. She missed him even when she was sick. How could he not be moved?

He was touched and said, “If so, pardon me for disturbing. Mother remarried years ago… It is with deep regrets that this unfilial son never visited. Can Cousin Xi fill me in on matters related to Mother?”

“Sure.” Jiang Pengji had three carriages and could spare Meng Heng one after she tidied it up a bit.

Meng Heng stood in a daze when he saw who was seated in the carriage. He stared blankly at Master Yuanjing, who was infamous through the nine prefectures. “Cousin Xi, are you the Master’s disciple at present?” he finally asked.

“No. Master has strict criteria for taking in disciples. I have benefited immensely from Master’s teachings, but I am just studying under his academy for a few years.”

Meng Heng did not look erudite outwardly, but his words and actions proved him to be reliable. Upon hearing that his younger cousin was studying at Langye academy, he couldn’t help but encourage her to study hard.

Jiang Pengji took it well. If she were a tender youth, one’s impatience would have surely been evident.

Meng Heng was unique––likened to a lotus that emerged from the swamp of Meng residence.

The disciples of Master Yuanjing had a temper and did not all get along. Some had studied together for many years but spoke few words. Their relationship was superficial and they did not welcome outsiders.

Meng Heng sensed that and mostly stayed in his carriage. He talked to Jiang Pengji occasionally but seldom to Master Yuanjing’s students.

After Jiang Pengji accomplished the real time, mobilized mission, she did not bother with the “Mystery package” at the backstage collection point. The System could not bear it anymore and urged her to open the package. She said, “I will wait for an auspicious day to open it.”

System was speechless. I have something to say now!

She did not provoke the System and sought an opportunity to talk to Wei Ci on the second day. “From what the master says, Zixiao is well-versed in Bagua Yijing. Does he do face reading?”

Wei Ci parted the curtains and questioned Jiang Pengji with his eyes. What mischief are you up to?

“How much luck do you think I have today?” she asked.

After Wei Ci heard this, his face turned pale green. He looked into Jiang Pengji’s eyes, which appeared somewhat unfriendly.

“I am sincerely begging… I’m not intentionally annoying you.”

He appeared aloof. “Yin tang appears red. Negative aura does not approach… This is fortunate.”

He had never seen her Yin tang appear black before, despite external negative aura entering her body. It was unable to suppress her internal aura.

Jiang Pengji exclaimed “Oh!” She then sped up by kicking the horse’s stomach; White obediently sprinted forward.

Wei Ci was speechless.

Enough of putting up a show. Jiang Pengji finally opened the “Mystery package.”

The package shattered to pieces violently, fragments floating in the air, then gathered them together as fine sand formed into a golden substance.

Keke… Jiang Pengji placed her fingers together and expressed her surprise.

“System, look at how popular I am.”

The System was silent for a while. It finally said, “Your servant serves tea to Ouhuang Dalao.”

She barely used any strength as she broke the card to pieces and a topic of choice was presented before her eyes.

“The angelic System gently reminds the host that you are currently a level two streamer. You will be upgraded to level three after the usage of the level up card and the manpower in the streaming room will increase to an upper limit of 50,000. Are you sure you wish to use the “free level up card?” A: Yes; B: No.”

Yes!