When she returned, she was still preoccupied, wondering who Huangfu Yu's sweetheart would be, and sighing over the marriage. If she married someone she didn't love, how would she live her life in the future?
Almost everyone had arrived by now, and even Huangfu Mi was seated and talking to the person next to him.
Meng Wan quickly and quietly sat down next to Huangfu Mi. When she saw Huangfu Mi looking over, she said softly, "It was too stuffy just now, so I went out for a walk."
Huangfu Mi nodded, with an expression that said, "I knew you couldn't sit still," and reached out to tap her forehead.
Meng Wan temporarily suppressed her feelings for Huangfu Yu, chuckled softly, and was about to say something when she suddenly sensed that the atmosphere in the room was a little strange. Everyone held their breath and looked towards the entrance of the hall, their expressions filled with anticipation and curiosity.
V36 Unexpected Turbulence (Part 3)
Meng Wan temporarily suppressed her feelings for Huangfu Yu, chuckled softly, and was about to say something when she suddenly sensed that the atmosphere in the room was a little strange. Everyone held their breath and looked towards the entrance of the hall, their expressions filled with anticipation and curiosity.
Meng Wan also looked towards the palace entrance, following the gazes of the crowd.
At the palace gate, a eunuch announced: "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived! The King of Western Shu has arrived! Princess Hongxiu has arrived!"
Everyone immediately rose to pay their respects, and the sound of humbly acknowledging their greetings filled the air. Meng Wan followed suit, bowing and scraping. She watched as figures passed by, some seemingly pausing briefly before them before rising and departing. Finally, the emperor's majestic voice rang out: "My beloved ministers, rise—"
After everyone was seated, Meng Wan dared to raise her eyes and look around. She saw that the Emperor and Empress were seated, and there were also people sitting in the two seats below them.
Without a doubt, the older man with a full beard was none other than the King of Western Shu, and beside him stood a woman in red military attire. Meng Wan only glanced at her before she froze in place.
Her skin was as smooth and lustrous as warm jade, her cherry lips naturally red and delicate. She was draped in red brocade, wearing a silk skirt with silver jasmine buds, open front, flowing sleeves, and a fitted waist, and long boots on her feet. She sat beside the King of Western Shu, her gaze radiant.
Seemingly sensing the gaze from the other side, they looked back, and when their eyes met, Meng Wan's heart skipped a beat.
It was her!
Although Meng Wan couldn't see the woman Huangfu Mi saved that day very clearly from inside the sedan chair, it was undoubtedly her.
"Don't doubt your eyes, it really is her. I only realized it when I went to greet the emperor just now, and I was really startled." Huangfu Mi whispered in her ear.
Meng Wan looked over again and saw that Princess Hongxiu had already stood up and, under everyone's gaze, walked straight to Meng Wan and Huangfu Mi, holding a cup of wine in her hand.
"Your Highness, thank you so much for saving me. I would like to offer you a toast."
Unlike the reserved nature of women from the Central Plains, Hongxiu possessed the boldness and forthrightness characteristic of women from the grasslands. Regardless of the need for proper etiquette in such an occasion, she went about doing whatever she wanted.
Huangfu Mi raised an eyebrow slightly, but then saw the emperor give him a wink. He immediately raised his wine cup and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It's just a small matter. Your Highness need not take it to heart."
These words seemed to have a hidden meaning. The King of Western Shu arrived late and was unaware that Hongxiu had been kidnapped. Now, he was completely confused and asked Hongxiu, "My dear daughter, what kind of riddle are you playing? Tell your father."
A faint smile played on his rugged face, revealing that the rumors of his deep affection for his daughter were true.
Hongxiu glanced at Huangfu Mi, and seeing the meaning in his deep eyes, she smiled brightly, "Father, that's a secret, I won't tell you."
The King of Western Shu laughed heartily and said to the emperor who was sitting there, "I have spoiled Hongxiu. I hope Your Majesty will not mind."
He wasn't apologizing at all; he was clearly very pleased with himself.
The emperor smiled and then raised his hand: "Your Majesty of Western Shu are too kind. From now on, when Princess Hongxiu marries into the Central Plains, she will be my daughter-in-law and family. How could I mind?"
The King of Western Shu laughed even more heartily, his gaze sweeping over the princes on his left, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Like begets like. All of Your Majesty's sons are extraordinary. I just wonder which one Your Majesty wishes to betroth my daughter to?"
The two spoke in hushed tones, their voices not loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
The emperor raised his hand, pointing his finger in the direction of Huangfu Yu, but before he could speak, Princess Hongxiu spoke up on her own: "Father, your daughter wishes to sit next to Prince Heng."
Her innocent face was full of coquettishness, but that one sentence was enough to make everyone pause. The King of Western Shu was also stunned for a moment, and then a look of understanding flashed in his eyes.
"Haha, okay."
The King of Western Shu burst into laughter. The Emperor was slightly taken aback, but then gave a wink to the eunuch, and someone immediately moved a chair next to Huangfu Mi.
"Your Highness, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?" After settling down, Huangfu Mi asked this question. He exchanged a glance with Meng Wan, and his icy lips slightly lifted: "Of course, Princess, please make yourself at home."
"Don't call me 'Princess' this or 'Princess' that. Your Highness is my savior. Just call me Hongxiu."
Huangfu Mi nodded slightly, smiled aloofly, and then said nothing more. Instead, he moved closer to Meng Wan and naturally took her hand.
"It was Wan'er who asked me to go and rescue people; otherwise, given my nature, I'm afraid I wouldn't be willing to get involved in such a trivial matter."
Her tone was full of doting affection. A hint of displeasure flashed in Hongxiu's eyes, but it was only for a moment before she returned to her innocent and naive appearance. Her gaze swept over Meng Wan, who was sitting upright to the side, as if she only noticed that there was another person present at this moment.
She blinked: "And this is...?"
Huangfu Mi smiled, noticing that Meng Wan's hair seemed a little messy by her ear. He reached out and tucked it behind her ear, his smile deepening: "She is the princess I am about to bestow."
Meng Wan smiled back, not pulling away from his hand, letting him speak gently, but a faint unease stirred within her.
This Princess Hongxiu... seems to be trying to curry favor with Huangfu Mi.
"Oh, I see." Hongxiu looked as if she had just realized something. "The one who secretly pledged her life to the prince? I didn't know that women from the Central Plains could be so forthright!"
The voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear. Everyone around heard it and looked over, making Meng Wan blush.
A young woman's reputation is of utmost importance, yet this Princess Hongxiu is talking about a secret engagement, no wonder Meng Wan feels somewhat embarrassed.
"It was I who fell in love with her at first sight, which is why I pursued her so relentlessly," Huangfu Mi said calmly, tightening his grip on his fingers.
Seeing his suddenly darkened face, Hongxiu hurriedly smiled apologetically: "It seems I made a mistake. I'm so sorry, future princess."
Her innocent smile held no trace of hostility, yet for some reason, Meng Wan felt uneasy, especially with the gazes cast upon her from all around, some mocking, some coldly observing, all of which made her feel uncomfortable.
She bit her lip, ignoring Hongxiu's words, and instead whispered in Huangfu Mi's ear, "It's a bit stuffy, I want to go out for some fresh air."