Meng Wan frowned, somewhat unsure of Huangfu Mi's intentions.
She didn't expect him to help her like before, but at least he shouldn't be a hindrance. But now, what did his indifferent attitude mean?
"Don't worry, it's alright." He didn't explain, but just smiled to reassure her. Seeing this, Meng Wan didn't know what to say.
Intuitively, he must have his own thoughts, but if he really does, why doesn't he tell her? Instead, he's acting all mysterious. How annoying!
She wanted to say something more, but the emperor had already found the jar containing the mint and taken it out. Meng Wan swallowed her words, took it from his hand, and then glared at Huangfu Mi, but ultimately said nothing more.
Afterwards, at the emperor's urging, Meng Wan also played a few games of chess with Huangfu Mi. In the end, Meng Wan had no chance to say anything more. Seeing that it was getting late, she took her leave and returned home.
--
News of Huangfuqian's accident came at noon the following day.
Just then, Meng Wan was chatting with the Third Madam when Prime Minister Meng strode in, poured himself a cup of tea and drank it down in one gulp, while urgently saying to the Third Madam, "Quickly, help me pack a few sets of clothes, I'm going out."
The sudden remark caught both Meng Wan and the Third Madam off guard. However, the Third Madam did not say anything, but simply did as she was told and went into the inner room to tidy her clothes. Only then did Meng Wan ask softly, "Father, what happened?"
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything, because once he did, he became angry. Prime Minister Meng sighed deeply before saying, "It's all because of the Third Prince. The relief supplies he was transporting were stolen. The Emperor has sent your elder brother and me to quickly send some over to ensure the livelihood of the disaster victims."
Supplies stolen?
Meng Wan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. She suddenly recalled Huangfu Mi's mysterious demeanor from yesterday. Could it be...?
The Third Madam had already packed her things, and Prime Minister Meng didn't have time to say much. He told them to take good care of themselves at home, then quickly left with his things. After she left, Meng Wan also went out, but her brows were slightly furrowed, and she couldn't relax.
She was naturally pleased that the supplies had been looted and Huangfu Qian had been implicated, but... where had Huangfu Mi taken the relief supplies meant for the disaster victims?
--
Meanwhile, at Zhengyang Palace.
The smoke of benzoin incense curled gently, its delicate fragrance lingering in the air. Huangfu Qian knelt in the center of the hall, feeling the emperor's gaze from above, and dared not even breathe too loudly.
The sunlight slanted in, casting long shadows on the golden bricks. Silent and still, the emperor sat there, his dragon eyes fixed on the kneeling man, motionless.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but the atmosphere made Huangfu Qian feel uneasy. He secretly glanced up and saw that the emperor was looking at him. He quickly lowered his head again and whispered, "Father, your son..."
"Clang—" Before he could finish speaking, something brushed past his ear. With the sound of the teacup shattering on the ground, a few shards landed near his hand. Huangfu Qian couldn't help but shiver: "Father, please calm down!"
Knowing the enormity of his crimes, he could only beg for mercy, hoping the Emperor would soften his heart and spare him; otherwise...
"Shut up!" The emperor gave him no chance to explain, coldly interrupting him once again.
Huangfu Qian became increasingly flustered, but he truly dared not speak again, or rather, he did not know what to say.
The bandits appeared so suddenly that he was not even prepared to resist before the grain was stolen.
"What did you solemnly promise me? You said you would deliver the grain over there without any mistakes, but what have you done? Where is the grain?"
The emperor was furious, not only because Huangfu Qian had lost the grain, but also because he regretted his momentary lapse in judgment that had led to this outcome.
If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have been so overjoyed that Huangfuqian had sent him his favorite painting by Wang Xizhi, and then sent him to do such an important task.
After all, he knew his own son all too well. He couldn't even handle something as small as rebuilding the Prince Heng's mansion. What else could he expect from him?
Now that things have turned out this way, not only must we find ways to remedy the situation, but it will also delay the delivery of supplies, causing the people of Sichuan to suffer for several more days.
Thinking about this made him even more frustrated.
"Father, please forgive me!"
Huangfu Qian didn't know what to say, so he could only beg for mercy repeatedly. The emperor didn't even want to look at him again. He ripped off Wang Xizhi's copy of the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" and threw it at him. Then, in a cold and deep voice, he said, "Take your painting and get out of here. Don't let me see you again!"
Unexpectedly, the emperor was so angry that Huangfu Qian panicked completely. He knelt down and tried to beg for mercy, but the emperor kicked him away. The emperor stared at him with obvious hatred and sneered, "You have made such a big mistake. It is already an extraordinary act of mercy that I have not beheaded you. Why don't you get back to your princely residence and reflect on your actions? Do you want me to remove your princely status and demote you to a commoner?"
In short, Huangfu Qian was stunned. Was he to be stripped of his princely status and reduced to a commoner? Had he made such a serious mistake this time?
He dared not linger for even a moment longer, kowtowed deeply to the emperor, and hurriedly rushed out, fearing that if he stayed any longer, the emperor might change his mind.
But I felt extremely depressed. What happened? How could I have been so careless? And how did those thieves know which road they were going to take? And how did they manage to ambush them so early on?
Something's not right!
As he was thinking this, he looked up and saw a familiar figure approaching from afar, not towards him, nor heading towards Zhengyang Palace, and then... North Fifth Palace.
--
The North Fifth Palace was where the princes lived before they came of age. Now that all the princes have moved out of the palace and into their own residences, only the young Ninth Prince and the Seventh Prince Huangfu Mi, who is temporarily staying in the palace because the Heng Prince's residence was destroyed, remain in the vast North Fifth Palace.
Having spent many years in the palace, Meng Wan was extremely familiar with its layout, so she made her way through smoothly. When she arrived at the North Fifth Palace, she was able to easily slip past her spies and enter. She blew her whistle, and soon Huangfu Mi appeared in her sight.
V27 Turbulent Times (Part 3)
Having spent many years in the palace, Meng Wan was extremely familiar with its layout, so she made her way through smoothly. When she arrived at the North Fifth Palace, she was able to easily slip past her spies and enter. She blew her whistle, and soon Huangfu Mi appeared in her sight.
"Why are you here?" He seemed a little surprised, but even more delighted, that she had come in person. "Have you been missing me terribly?"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Meng Wan was annoyed by his joking smile and glared at him fiercely, saying, "I have something serious to ask you."
“I’m being serious.”
...
Meng Wan couldn't stand his nonchalant attitude any longer, so she reached out and pinched his arm hard. He let out a howl and finally dropped his carefree demeanor. Then she asked seriously, "You did that, didn't you? Where are the provisions?"
Compared to Huangfuqian, she cared more about the food supplies, because those were crucial to the survival of the disaster victims!