Chapter 209 - 201: A Distinction Between Men and Women
Chapter 209: Chapter 201: A Distinction Between Men and Women
The Jin guard led Bai Zhi to the kitchen, leaving only Meng Nan and Hu Feng in the room.
The two men sized each other up, their gazes equally unrestrained and frank.
"Hu Feng, I’m guessing you’re not actually from Huangtuo Village," Meng Nan said suddenly.
"And I’m guessing you’re not from Qingyuan Town," Hu Feng said.
Meng Nan chuckled. "You’re right. I’m not from Qingyuan Town. I’m from the Capital City. What about you? Where are you from?"
Hu Feng shook his head. "I don’t know. It could be anywhere."
’Don’t know? Could be anywhere?’
’What kind of an answer is that? He’s clearly just fobbing me off.’
Meng Nan was a little displeased. "Brother Hu, you’re not treating me as a friend!"
Hu Feng looked up at him again, one eyebrow raised slightly. "What do you mean by that, Lord Meng? When did we ever become friends?"
He was so taken aback he almost spat out the tea he’d just been drinking.
"Hey! We’ve been through hardship together, doesn’t that make us friends?" Meng Nan’s voice rose slightly.
Hu Feng didn’t say a word. Without another glance at him, he calmly rose and walked out.
Meng Nan was dumbfounded. ’Is there something wrong with this guy’s head? I’m an Assistant Governor, for crying out loud! It might be a minor post, but in the eyes of common folk like him, I’m still an official!’
’Who was it that said a higher rank can crush a man?’
’So why didn’t he, Meng Nan, feel any of that natural advantage in front of Hu Feng? In fact, he even felt looked down upon...’
"Brother Meng, I’ve come to see you!" Gu Xi entered the room with her maid. Seeing Meng Nan sitting dazed in his chair with a strange expression, she asked, "Brother Meng, what’s wrong?"
Meng Nan snapped back to reality. "It’s nothing, I’m fine." He glanced up at Gu Xi. "What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you last time? Men and women should keep their distance. You shouldn’t be running over to my place all the time. It wouldn’t be good if people saw and got the wrong idea."
A blush appeared on Gu Xi’s pretty cheeks. She sat down demurely in the chair beside him. "Brother Meng, my father said that since your hand is injured and your family isn’t here, I must take extra care of you. My father isn’t concerned about such things, so why should you be?"
’Your father? Of course he isn’t concerned. He’s probably hoping some "misunderstanding" does spread about us. That way, he can use the opportunity to latch onto a great tree like the Meng Family. Who does he think he’s fooling with such a petty scheme?’
’He, Meng Nan, was born into the Meng Family of the Capital City and grew up among its great houses. He had seen more than his fair share of women from minor families trying every trick in the book to climb the social ladder.’
"Your father may not be concerned, but I must be. Even though I am far from the Capital City now, I cannot allow the Meng Family’s reputation to be sullied by baseless, false rumors. Don’t you agree, Miss Gu?"
The blush on Gu Xi’s face was instantly replaced by a dark cloud. Her lovely brows furrowed, and her small hands twisted her handkerchief. She stammered, "Brother Meng, what are you talking about? We haven’t done anything improper. Where would these rumors even come from? You’re overthinking things!"
Meng Nan gave her a light, dismissive glance, his eyes cold and frosty. "It would be best if I am."
Last month, his mother had sent a letter to Qingyuan. It mentioned some things about him and Gu Xi. Lord Gu had a brother in the Capital City who, despite being a Capital Official, was just a powerless, minor functionary.
Somehow, this brother had managed to find his father and had asked him for a promotion, hoping his father would do it on account of his "esteemed son" getting along so well with his niece.