Consort Hui wouldn't listen to reason. She shakily got up, wanting to see the emperor one last time, but as soon as she stood up, everything went black, and she collapsed.
Huangfu Mi and Meng Wan quickly helped Consort Hui to her side and escorted her to the inner palace to rest. After she was settled, the two of them withdrew.
Walking one after the other, each lost in their own thoughts, Huangfu Mi suddenly stopped. Meng Wan, not paying attention, bumped straight into his back. Fortunately, Huangfu Mi reached out to catch her, preventing her from getting hurt.
She raised her head, barely suppressing the sadness in her heart, and said, "Why did you suddenly stop? Hurry up and go. There are still many things you need to do after Father's passing. Not to mention the previous dynasty, Grandmother has also fallen ill because of this. Don't delay any longer."
She hadn't slept all night either; her eyes were bloodshot, and her voice was hoarse. Huangfu Mi glanced at her, then suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist: "Wan'er—"
He rested his head on her shoulder, and a faint smell of alcohol wafted from him. Meng Wan frowned, but still didn't push him away.
At this moment, he must be even more heartbroken than she is, right?
As a son, he must have been very saddened to be unable to see his father one last time.
Putting aside yesterday's argument, she hugged him back, feeling his slightly trembling body, and said softly, "Don't be sad, the dead are gone, everything will pass, everything will pass."
Huangfu Mi didn't move, but held her tightly in his arms, tears streaming down his face: "I'm sorry, Wan'er, I'm so sorry."
Meng Wan assumed he was feeling guilty for not seeing the Emperor one last time, and didn't think much of it. She hugged him tightly, wanting to give him some warmth, but because of this, she didn't see the pain and regret in his eyes. If she had seen it, she might have asked him about it now. However, many things are not said at the right time, so that when the day comes that they are said, everything can never be the same again.
--
When the emperor passed away, it was a time of national mourning. For a whole month, the palace was filled with lamentations. Only after all that had passed did preparations begin for the new emperor's ascension to the throne.
Keeping everything simple is also a way for Huangfu Mi to express his feelings for the late emperor.
By the time everything was settled, more than half a month had passed.
Logically speaking, the first thing a new emperor should do after ascending the throne is to appoint an empress, and Huangfu Mi did just that, having the Imperial Household Department choose an auspicious day, which was set for a month later.
When the news arrived, Meng Wan and Xiao Yun'er were enjoying the cool air in the courtyard.
In just over a month, summer has quietly arrived, bringing vitality everywhere and making the weather increasingly warm.
It was already quite hot early in the morning. Meng Wan sat on the stone steps, looking up at the vast sky. The sky was clear and transparent, as if it had been washed clean. She rested her chin on her hands, her elbows on her knees, her beautiful eyes unblinking, as if trying to see through the sky.
Xiao Yun'er skipped over and sat down next to Meng Wan. She imitated Meng Wan, resting her chin on her hands and looking up at the sky. But after looking for a while, she couldn't see anything unusual. Then she asked, "Sister, what are you looking at?"
Actually, it's just that the sky is as clear as a vast ocean, boundless and expansive, and just looking at it makes one feel open-minded.
Meng Wan did not answer, but instead asked, "Yun'er, if you were made empress, would you be happy?"
Xiao Yun'er was clearly taken aback, then raised her chin and said, "If he becomes the Fifth Prince's empress, then of course I'd be happy. But I don't want him to be the emperor. What's so good about being the emperor? He's busy all the time, just like my brother-in-law. It's been so long since he's come to visit you."
Meng Wan smiled noncommittally. Just then, she heard Huangfu Mi's slightly amused voice coming from outside the courtyard: "Little Yun'er, is it appropriate for you to speak ill of me behind my back?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yun'er was startled and jumped up, bowing repeatedly to Huangfu Mi. As she stood up, she said, "That's true! I come to see my sister every day, but I rarely see my brother-in-law!"
Huangfu Mi laughed loudly, not angry at her teasing, and walked to Meng Wan's side: "The decree has been drafted. On the eighth day of next month, an auspicious day, we will hold a ceremony to confer your title."
Meng Wan nodded, not particularly interested in it. Just as Xiao Yun'er said, she wouldn't even care about the Empress's position if it weren't for the person she loved. And now, she was the Empress only because the Emperor was him!
Xiao Yun'er had already taken the initiative to avoid him, running off to play with her snowball, leaving only Huangfu Mi and Meng Wan. The two sat side by side on the steps in the courtyard. Turning his head to look at Meng Wan's face, he frowned as he saw a faint scar on her cheek. "Wan'er, there's something I've been wanting to ask you. Can you answer me honestly?"
After speaking so solemnly, Meng Wan finally turned to him and said, "What is it? Tell me."
"It's just..." Huangfu Mi lowered his eyes, seemingly pondering for a long time before finally speaking as if he had made up his mind: "Back then, when I married Changping as the Crown Princess, why did you forgive me? Even if I was coerced, I was still the one who made the mistake. Why weren't you angry?"
So that's what you were asking. Meng Wan smiled slightly, recalling the past. Although there were both bitter and sweet moments, she had finally made it to where she is today.
"Because you swore to me that you only loved me, so I forgave you. Besides, you were also a victim; you were coerced, weren't you?"
"It's that simple?" Huangfu Mi was somewhat incredulous.
"Yes..." Meng Wan bit her lip, "And I also believe you won't betray me, so..."
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Mi's expression changed slightly. Even in the dim light, Meng Wan noticed it and frowned slightly: "What's wrong with you? Did I say something wrong?"
Huangfu Mi gave a dry laugh and shook his head, but his smile carried a hint of bitterness and desolation. Betrayal...
--
Xiao Yun'er was wandering around the garden, just wanting to stroll around and see if she could 'coincidentally' run into Huangfu Yu, but unexpectedly she saw a familiar figure coming out of the North Fifth Institute, and she was obviously stunned.
--
Huangfu Mi left Jiangyun Pavilion after a short while. Meng Wan had already returned to her room and was lying there reading when Xiao Yun'er stumbled in: "Sister, sister, guess who I was looking at just now?"
She was panting heavily, as if something terrible had happened. Meng Wan glanced at her sideways and asked casually, "Who? It's not Fifth Brother, is it?"
After making a joke, Xiao Yun'er shook her head violently: "No, it's Changping, it's her!"
"What?" Meng Wan was stunned, thinking she had misheard. Xiao Yun'er repeated, "I saw the Empress Dowager's people take Princess Changping out of the North Fifth Palace."
Meng Wan's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't understand it at all. Even if the Empress Dowager wanted Changping to come out, there was no reason why Huangfu Mi wouldn't know. If he did know, he certainly wouldn't allow it. But Xiao Yun'er spoke with such certainty. What was going on?
He thought and thought but couldn't figure it out; his eyelids just started to twitch.
She turned to Mu Ci and instructed her to send Xiao Yun'er out of the palace. Then, she took a few palace maids and hurriedly headed towards the Empress Dowager to find out what was going on.
Several eunuchs guarding outside were visibly startled when they saw Meng Wan, and then bowed and said, "This servant greets Consort Li."
Since Meng Wan has not yet been officially appointed, they still address her by her former title. Meng Wan doesn't mind, and simply raises her hand, saying, "No need for formalities." She then adds, "I've come to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Please inform her, sir."
Upon hearing this, the head eunuch looked troubled: "Consort, the Empress Dowager..." He seemed to hesitate for a long time before finally saying, "She is currently receiving guests."
"Receiving guests?"