Mu Ci realized she had lost her composure and quickly averted her gaze, but her smile remained: "No, it's just that Miss is so beautiful that she seems otherworldly. No wonder the Prince cherishes her like a treasure. If it were me, I would definitely hide her from everyone."
Meng Wan was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but burst out laughing. This Mu Ci, is her mouth coated with honey?
"You're trying to coax me with sweet talk. I think you ate too much sugar for breakfast." He reached out and poked her head, scolding her playfully.
Mu Ci exclaimed, "They're telling the truth! Miss is beautiful, and the Prince treats her well. If our Prince becomes Emperor in the future, Miss will be Empress and rule the world."
Her tone was filled with undisguised joy, but Meng Wan glared at her: "You naughty girl, you mustn't talk nonsense. What do you mean by a prince becoming the emperor? If anyone hears that, it's a great act of treason!"
Mu Ci stuck out her tongue, and this time she really didn't dare to say anything more. Meng Wan also withdrew her gaze and sat there looking into the distance.
The sky was a clear, transparent blue, with the occasional white cloud that seemed almost within reach, yet remained impossibly distant.
A few petals fell on her shoulder. She glanced sideways, reached out and picked them up, holding them between her fingers. They were so white, so beautiful, yet somehow unreal.
Your Majesty--
Now only two princes, Huangfu Mi and Huangfu Yu, remain in the capital. If the emperor were to favor one, it would undoubtedly be Huangfu Mi. However, Meng Wan doesn't actually like him very much.
In her view, what was so good about being an emperor? With the weight of the nation on his shoulders and the weight of the common people above all else, if he were to truly hand over the throne to Huangfu Mi, he wouldn't be able to live as carefree as he does now. And then, perhaps even their love wouldn't be so unrestrained.
Just like Huangfuqian back then, many things will be different after he becomes emperor.
She bit her lip and sat quietly among the tree branches. She didn't know how much time had passed until the sun was almost touching the mountain peak. Then she saw a figure walking in from afar. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was Eunuch Zheng, the steward of the Prince's mansion.
The man looked around and spotted Meng Wan sitting in the tree. He was startled and, without even bothering to greet her, said repeatedly, "Your Highness, please come down quickly. It's windy and sunny up there. If something goes wrong, how will I explain it to His Highness?"
Their urgent tone made it sound like the most important thing in the world. Meng Wan and Mu Ci exchanged a glance, smiled helplessly, and then turned sideways and slowly climbed down the ladder.
"Why is Eunuch Zheng here? Is there something you need?" Meng Wan asked, taking the handkerchief to wipe the water off her clothes.
Eunuch Zheng bowed and said, "Your Highness, His Highness has returned from the morning court session and has sent me to invite you to have a meal."
Meng Wan nodded and handed the basket to Mu Ci: "Take it back first, wash the petals clean, and we'll make tea when I get back."
Mu Ci agreed, took the basket and left first, while Meng Wan followed Eunuch Zheng to the dining hall.
However, she couldn't help but be nagged by Huangfu Mi. Meng Wan glanced at Eunuch Zheng, who was complaining.
V98
Huangfu Mi reached out and tapped her head, picking up a leaf that had fallen into her hair. "You used to be so well-behaved, but now you've become more and more mischievous, even climbing a tree."
Meng Wan retorted, "I wasn't being naughty. I just thought the pear blossoms were beautiful and wanted to pick some to make tea." She paused, then glanced at Eunuch Zheng, "It's perfectly safe. It's not as dangerous as Eunuch Xu made it out to be."
Eunuch Zheng lowered his head even further, almost touching his chest, which made Meng Wan feel a little embarrassed. She ladled out a bowl of soup and brought it to him, pleading, "I know I was wrong, and I will definitely not do it again. Please forgive me!"
Unable to maintain her composure any longer, Huangfu Mi smiled and gave her a reproachful look: "I hope you don't just agree with me verbally, but also keep it in your heart."
Meng Wan nodded hastily in agreement, reached out and scooped a spoonful of soup to his lips, impatiently trying to shut him up: "I know, I know, why are you so long-winded? Even eating can't shut you up."
This is probably what loving couples are like. He wasn't angry when she teased him; instead, he swallowed it with great interest. Only after swallowing did he say, "By the way, Father Emperor announced something at the morning court session this day."
Huangfu Mi was usually tight-lipped about matters of the court, and rarely brought them up unless he wanted Meng Wan to help him make a decision. But now he not only spoke about it, but he did so very seriously. Meng Wan looked up and asked, "What is it?"
"Guess." Huangfu Mi curled her lips into a mysterious smile.
How can we guess?
Meng Wan glared at him irritably: "Tell me if you want to, otherwise forget it. I don't want to guess!"
Seeing this, Huangfu Mi pouted, tapped her forehead, and then said with a slight reproach, "You didn't even guess. You're getting lazier and lazier."
"It's not that I'm lazy, I just don't want to keep you in suspense!"
This prompted Huangfu Mi to laugh heartily. After laughing enough, he said seriously, "Then I won't keep you in suspense any longer. I'll tell you. Actually, today Father Emperor announced in front of all the ministers that he would be making me the Crown Prince."
Meng Wan was stunned by his words and then fell silent.
Mu Ci was right after all. Being named Crown Prince is a prelude to becoming Emperor. However, wasn't Huangfu Mi used to be carefree and unrestrained? Didn't he say he had no interest in the Crown Prince's throne? Why is he like this now...?
Seemingly noticing her doubts, Huangfu Mi's smile deepened. He took her hand in his and then said gently in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I really have no interest in the position of Crown Prince, but I also think that being the emperor is not bad. The key is that it can leave an empire for our son, isn't that a good thing?"
Good news?
Meng Wan pursed her lips: "I don't think it's a good thing."
Why?
"Because being an emperor is exhausting, and your personality isn't suited for it. Besides, you'll inevitably have to have three thousand concubines in the harem, and I don't want that," Meng Wan snorted.
Huangfu Mi was clearly taken aback, obviously not having considered this last point. Now, hearing Meng Wan's words, he immediately smiled and said, "Are you jealous?"
Jealous? Meng Wan raised an eyebrow: "Stop talking nonsense. I'm not jealous at all. I'm just reminding you. When we got married, you swore that you would only have me in this life."
"Haha--" Huangfu Mi laughed even more unrestrainedly, holding Meng Wan's body, almost shaking with laughter, making Meng Wan feel a little depressed.
She pinched his arm hard and said, "Stop laughing."
Huangfu Mi finally managed to stop smiling, his eyes glistening with tears, whether from laughing or from being pinched by Meng Wan, he wiped them away before saying, "I know, I've never forgotten what I said. Don't worry, even if I become the crown prince or the emperor, I will only ever have you."
"Really?" Meng Wan raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm, don't you believe me?"
Meng Wan bit her lip.
It wasn't that I didn't believe you, but I was just uneasy. But how could anyone else understand that feeling? I could only shake my head and say, "No, it's not that I don't believe you, it's just that once you become the crown prince, the heavy responsibility of the country will fall on your shoulders. I'm worried that you'll be burdened, after all, you used to be a carefree person."