Meng Junheng worked in the palace as the commander of the Imperial Guards, and was also the emperor's personal bodyguard. He rarely had time to go home, so when Meng Wan wanted to see him, she would ask someone to send a message to the palace, and the two would arrange to meet at Yipinju.
As they were talking, the dishes were served, a table full of dishes that the two of them liked. Meng Junheng personally served Meng Wan some food, and then handed her the jade chopsticks. He only picked up the jade chopsticks after Meng Wan started to eat.
"You ordered so much food, does that mean someone else is coming later? Did you invite your second and third sisters?"
Mentioning Meng Junyao, Meng Wan hesitated for a moment, then shook her head: "How could I? This is our secret, we don't want them to come! Besides, Third Sister went to Grandfather's house, and Second Sister..."
At this point, she paused, remembering her purpose. Although she felt bad about using her elder brother, this was an important step for her to embarrass Meng Junyao, and she had to do it.
"She's met a like-minded gentleman, and right now, they're deeply in love!"
Meng Junheng was taken aback: "A like-minded young master? Who is it?"
Meng Wan pretended not to know: "I just met him at Dongbai yesterday. He is very talented, but I have no idea which family he belongs to."
Meng Junheng's brows furrowed even more. Seeing this, Meng Wan knew the time was ripe. Looking at Meng Junheng, she said, "Brother, are you worried? Why don't you come with me to take a look later?"
--
Exposing the Identity (Part 1)
Based on Meng Wan's understanding of Huangfu Qian, even if Meng Junyao tried to extract information from him now, he wouldn't reveal his identity if the timing wasn't right.
Therefore, she chose to have Meng Junheng expose Huangfu Qian, so that there would be a good show to watch later.
The weather was perfect; although the wind was a bit chilly, it was extremely refreshing.
Dongbailou was as lively as ever, with a group of literati and poets creating a lively atmosphere.
Meng Wan pulled the waiter aside and asked him a couple of questions. Because he had just received money from them, the waiter was very hospitable and personally led the two of them to a private room.
Huangfu Qian had not yet arrived; only Meng Junyao was in the private room. When she saw Meng Junheng and Meng Wan arrive together, she was clearly taken aback. "Big brother, what brings you here?"
"I told my brother you were here, so we came together," Meng Wan said with a light laugh.
As they talked, they entered the house together.
Meng Junyao was clearly unhappy, but she couldn't show it on her face. Even though she was unwilling, she could only pour tea for the two of them.
"I have nothing to say. I just wanted to see how they study poetry. That's all. If I had known my brother would come back, I wouldn't have come."
As if to cover up his intentions, Meng Junheng raised an eyebrow and asked, "Where is that man?"
Meng Junyao was stunned again. At this moment, she could no longer hide her depression. This Meng Wan had actually told her elder brother about that young master.
He looked up and glared at her fiercely, his heart burning with anger, but he couldn't show it too obviously. He could only say with a mix of reproach and anger, "Sister, really, how could you tell Big Brother all this?"
She then turned to Meng Junheng and said, "Brother, don't listen to your sister's nonsense. I'm not here to see him today."
“Oh, Second Sister, don’t be shy. You clearly told me yesterday that you thought that young master was quite nice. Since that’s the case, let your elder brother take a look for you! Anyway, your elder brother is not an outsider, and he won’t blame you. On the contrary, your elder brother knows so many people. If that young master really comes from a wealthy family, it’s sure to be right for your elder brother to help you identify him.”
That makes sense. If that person really is what she thinks—a member of the royal family, or even a prince—then it would be better for her older brother to help her identify him than for her to ask him herself.
Thinking this to herself, she still had to feign shyness on the surface, lowering her head as if she wanted to press her face to her chest, her voice barely audible as she squeezed out from her throat: "Sister, I really..."
As they were talking, footsteps came up the stairs outside, followed by a pleasant male voice chatting with the waiter: "The young lady who was with me yesterday, has she come today?"
Upon hearing the voice, Meng Wan was taken aback. She watched as Meng Junyao suddenly raised her head, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.
He was being hypocritical, saying he wasn't waiting for Huangfu Qian, so what's with this look of wanting to rush out like that?
"Is the one you're referring to the one you were with in the private room yesterday? She's here today, inside with another young lady and another young gentleman!"
As they were pondering, there was a knock on the door, followed by the waiter's voice: "Gentlemen, someone outside is looking for that young lady from yesterday. Would it be convenient for you to come in?"
Meng Junyao immediately lowered her head. Seeing this, Meng Wan glanced at Meng Junheng, and when she saw that he was looking over as well, she nodded and said, "Come in."
Exposing the Identity (Part 2)
Meng Junyao immediately lowered her head. Seeing this, Meng Wan glanced at Meng Junheng, and when she saw that he was looking over as well, she nodded and said, "Come in."
Outside the door, Huangfu Qian heard the man's voice inside. It sounded familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it before. When the door opened and he saw the scene inside, he suddenly realized that the voice belonged to the eldest son of the Meng family.
He inwardly cried out that something was wrong, but there was no reason to leave now. He could only look at the people inside the room with an embarrassed expression: "Junheng, you're here too."
Meng Junheng was taken aback. The young master that his younger sister had mentioned, who was in love with his second sister, was actually the third prince.
Almost without thinking, he stood up first, took a few steps to Huangfu Qian, and gave a slight bow: "Third Prince--"
Inside the room, Meng Junyao was overjoyed. Sure enough, that person really was a prince.
I can't describe my feelings at this moment, only joy. But on the surface, I have to feign surprise: "You...you are a prince?"
"Second sister, do not be rude. Quickly pay your respects to the Third Prince!" Meng Junheng said calmly.
Seeing that all the necessary preparations had been made, Meng Wan stepped forward, took Meng Junyao's hand, and they both knelt down: "Greetings to the Third Prince!"
"Ladies, there's no need for such formality. Please rise." Before they even knelt, Huangfu Qian had already reached out and personally helped them up.
Feeling his breath on her, Meng Junyao blushed, but let him hold her hand without moving. Meng Wan, on the other hand, subtly dodged away. After standing still, she looked at the two of them with a smile: "So you are a prince. But it is really too much. Why didn't you reveal your identity yesterday? It made my second sister and I very impolite."
Her playful tone, with a touch of girlish charm, made Huangfuqian's heart skip a beat.
Meng Wan was undeniably beautiful; he knew it the moment he saw her portrait. However, he hadn't felt much about her before, assuming she was just a reserved young lady from an ordinary family, nothing special.
So even if he deliberately approached her, it was only to gain the Prime Minister's support. But now, seeing her smiling face and her clear black and white eyes filled with tears, she looked absolutely stunning.
Huangfu Qian couldn't help but take another look. Such a lively woman, even if he had to use all his scheming, as long as he could win her heart, it would be worth it.