Meng Wan didn't even notice when he appeared.
At this moment, Huangfu Song took the opportunity to hug his neck and said in a coquettish tone, "Why did you come here, Eighth Imperial Uncle? Didn't we agree that you would come to play with me in the evening?"
"I came here to see if you would listen to me, but I ended up seeing you bullying people."
At this moment, Huangfu Song took the opportunity to hug his neck and said in a coquettish tone, "Why did you come here, Eighth Imperial Uncle? Didn't we agree that you would come to play with me in the evening?"
"I came to see if you would listen to me, but I found you bullying people instead." Huangfu Yi held him in his arms and exposed his lie without mercy. Then he looked up at the Empress and said, "Mother, don't listen to this brat's nonsense. He likes to bully people the most. I saw it clearly just now. Seventh Sister-in-law only scolded him once, and he became shameless."
As she spoke, she pinched his nose, showing obvious affection.
Huangfu Song blushed when he saw through her, but he didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled and wiped away his fake tears, then hugged Huangfu Yu's neck and said coquettishly, "Grandma said that she and Seventh Uncle killed my father, so I wanted to play a trick on her."
"You brat, you're talking nonsense again! Your father wasn't murdered, and your royal grandmother wouldn't say such things. Don't you dare spout nonsense again!"
Huangfu Yi reprimanded him with a stern face.
"Is that so, Grandmother?" Huangfu Song was still a child, and when he heard Huangfu Yi say this, he looked up at the Empress and asked. The Empress was obviously taken aback, but she could only nod and force a smile, saying, "Yes, Song'er, you must have a kind heart. Even if someone does something bad, you can't frame them!"
Huangfu Song nodded as if he understood, then wrapped his arms around Huangfu Yi's neck, refusing to let go: "Eighth Uncle, I heard you recently brought back some Western gadgets. Why don't you take Song'er to see them?"
"Okay, but you have to promise your uncle that you'll behave when you get there, or I'll never take you to play again."
"Great! Great!" Huangfu Song jumped for joy. He clearly liked Huangfu Yi very much, and Huangfu Yi also doted on his nephew.
He got up, picked up Huangfu Song, and walked away. After a few steps, he turned around and winked at Meng Wan. He was quite old, but he was still so mischievous!
Meng Wan looked at her, smiled gratefully, and only after carrying Huangfu Song away did she personally help Chun Tao up.
"Your Majesty, I still need to visit Consort Xin. If there are no other instructions, I will take my leave now."
He gave a slight curtsy, and then left with Chun Tao without waiting for the Empress's reaction, leaving the Empress frozen there, her face ashen.
--
"Hey you guys, why are you only arriving now? I've been waiting for ages."
As soon as she entered the room, Consort Xin started making a fuss. Without waiting for Meng Wan to bow, she pulled her inside and sat her down.
That was just her personality, Meng Wan knew, and smiled slightly, saying, "It's nothing, I was just delayed on the way. Are you getting impatient, sir?"
Meng Wan wanted to downplay the matter, especially since the other party was just a child, and she didn't need to complain to Consort Xin. However, Chun Tao was holding her anger in. Hearing Meng Wan say this, she pouted and whispered in agreement: "Wasn't it a delay? We almost got falsely accused by that little tyrant. He's really annoying!"
The voice wasn't loud, but Consort Xin heard it clearly, and her eyes lit up instantly: "Little tyrant? Are you talking about Prince Song?"
Chun Tao nodded, and disregarding Meng Wan's obstruction, she recounted the whole story to Consort Xin. Finally, she said, "If it weren't for the Eighth Prince passing by and seeing this, the Princess Consort would have been wronged today!"
Meng Wan knew that Chun Tao was standing up for her, but she was just a child and didn't take it to heart. So when she heard Chun Tao say that, she just smiled indifferently and said, "It's nothing serious, forget it."
Seeing this, Chun Tao pouted, wanting to say something, but then Consort Xin gave her a wink. Chun Tao understood and could only reluctantly curtsy before turning and leaving.
Consort Xin then said, "The Crown Prince Song is indeed a bit unruly, but I have met him once. He is not a bad person at heart. It's just a pity that he is spoiled by the First Prince and is now being raised by the Empress without much care. I'm afraid this child will be ruined."
It was rare for Consort Xin to say something so sentimental. Meng Wan was taken aback for a moment, then said, "You can't say such things carelessly, Consort Xin. Otherwise, people will say that you are disrespectful to Her Majesty the Empress!"
"So what if I'm disrespectful? I've been breaking the rules for a long time anyway, so what can anyone do to me?"
With a tilt of her head back, Consort Xin resumed her usual carefree manner.
Seeing this, Meng Wan couldn't help but smile: "They say that Prince Song is a little tyrant, but I think Consort Xin is just as good as him. Look at how she doesn't even put the Empress in her eyes. Not everyone has that kind of ability."
While she was joking, Consort Xin glared at her and said, "If we're evenly matched, then we're evenly matched. To be honest, I really like Song'er. I even thought about asking the Emperor to let me take him in and raise him, but the Empress beat me to it. So, I'm still angry about it."
Meng Wan was taken aback when she didn't expect Consort Xin to have such a thought. She then said, "Since you like children so much, why don't you have one yourself? As for Prince Song, if you like him, go and see him more often. If you feel that the Empress has not educated him properly, you can also speak to the Emperor. You don't need to be so aggressive."
Mentioning the child, Consort Xin blushed, gave Meng Wan a reproachful look, and said, "What you said is not wrong. No matter how much you like the child, it is not your own child after all. It is better to have your own child."
"Is there news?" Seeing her blushing face, Meng Wan was overjoyed.
Consort Xin shook her head: "Not yet, but I had the imperial physician prescribe a fertility-inducing formula for me. I've been using it for the past two months, but I don't know if it will work. I'll try it first, and if it works, I'll give it to you too, so that we can have a few more chubby boys for Prince Heng."
Consort Xin spoke without any restraint, which embarrassed Meng Wan to death. While pushing and shoving, she changed the subject, and for a while, the two were having a great time, which made the situation even more interesting.
When they returned to the manor, it was already evening. Huangfu Mi was in his study when he saw Meng Wan return with a happy expression. He went up to her and asked, "What's making you so happy? Did you find some silver?"
Picking up silver?
Meng Wan glared at him reproachfully, then followed him inside, uttering two words: "Vulgar!"
Huangfu Mi couldn't help but laugh. "Where is it vulgar? Aren't you happy to find silver?"
"I'd be happy if I really found it, but... did you find some silver?" Otherwise, why would she keep talking about silver as soon as she got back?
"I didn't find any silver, but there's something even more exciting."
"What?"
Huangfu Mi waved a letter on the table in front of Meng Wan and said, "Fifth Brother and your eldest brother will be returning to the capital soon. Isn't that good news?"
In the previous border unrest, besides Huangfu Yu and Huangfu Mi, Meng Junheng also went to war with the army. Is he finally coming back now?
Meng Wan's eyes lit up immediately: "Really? They're coming back?"
This campaign is fraught with peril. I heard a couple of days ago that the Flower King was coming, and I thought it would be some time before he arrived. But it has come so quickly. "When will you tell me? Are you returning with the Flower King? Did you report your safety in your letter?"
Her urgent tone clearly showed her great concern. Seeing this, Huangfu Mi handed the letter to her: "Don't get so agitated, or I'll get jealous again. Your eldest brother and fifth brother are both fine, don't worry!"
Meng Wan was overjoyed. She took the letter and read it carefully, finally feeling relieved.