"I..." She was indeed suspicious, but how could Meng Wan explain? She knew that Huangfu Mi must be angry about tonight's commotion. He was angry that she sent someone to follow Qingcheng, and he was also angry that she didn't discuss it with him. However, she really didn't want to put him in a difficult position, which was why she did this in private. And her original intention was for his own good!
--
This was the first argument the two had had since they met, and neither was willing to back down. When they returned to the palace, Qingcheng was already waiting there, seemingly unaware of anything. Meng Wan grew angrier and angrier, so she simply ignored her and went back to her room on her own.
--
That night, Huangfu Mi spent the night in the study. Meng Wan was also angry and ignored him. She thought that he would come to find her the next day, but she waited all day and he did not come back. Instead, her elder brother was worried after hearing what happened last night from that person and came to the palace to inquire.
What else could Meng Wan say? She could only reassure her elder brother and brush him off. After Meng Junheng left, Meng Wan called Huanyan over and asked, "Where is the prince right now?"
She thought that she should talk to him first. After all, there's no such thing as a grudge that lasts overnight between husband and wife. Besides, he really couldn't be entirely blamed for what happened last night. It's understandable that he wouldn't believe her since she didn't see it with her own eyes. Moreover, it was indeed a bit much for her to send someone to monitor Qingcheng without Huangfu Mi's consent.
Huan Yan remained silent, only glancing at Meng Wan as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Meng Wan looked on, puzzled. "Where are you? Say something!"
"Yes...yes..." Huan Yan lowered her head, seemingly hesitant about whether to speak. Meng Wan grew increasingly anxious seeing her stammering and urged her again. Huan Yan then whispered, "Just now, this servant saw him go to Liuli Garden. It's said that Miss Qingcheng didn't sleep well last night and has a headache now. She can't stand not seeing the Prince..."
As she finished speaking, her voice grew even lower, especially when she saw Meng Wan's face turn deathly pale. She was so frightened that she hurriedly lowered her head and said, "This servant deserves to die!"
Meng Wan waved her hand, her heart filled with unresolved frustration.
She was even thinking of apologizing first, but he went off to Liuli Garden instead, completely ignoring her. Who is his wife, really?
Just then, someone outside announced that the Third Miss had arrived. Meng Wan then concealed her worried expression and managed a weak smile.
In any case, she couldn't let others worry about her. Besides, if Xiao Yun'er found out, she would definitely go back and tell her father and aunt, and they would inevitably worry.
"Sister--" At this moment, Xiao Yun'er ran in and immediately threw herself into Meng Wan's arms.
It was already June, and the coolness of spring had faded, replaced by a faint heat. Xiao Yun'er seemed to have been running too fast, and was now covered in sweat, especially on her forehead, which was glistening with beads of sweat. Meng Wan took a handkerchief and wiped her face. Seeing her flushed cheeks, she couldn't help but scold her, "Why do you always run? Look how hot you are. What's the most important thing? Can't you walk properly?"
"Don't even mention it! It's all because of you, sister. Why don't you come home for other people's birthdays?"
It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because as soon as she did, Xiao Yun'er got angry, put her hands on her hips and pouted, looking like she was about to interrogate someone.
Meng Wan smiled at her childish behavior, reached out and pinched her cheek, and said, "I had something to do that day, but didn't I already send you a birthday gift? Why are you still throwing a tantrum?"
"A birthday gift is a birthday gift, but they want you and your brother-in-law to go. How can that be the same?"
That makes sense. After all, Meng Wan had accompanied Xiao Yun'er on her birthday every year before, so it's no wonder the little girl is angry now.
She could only clasp her hands together and beg for forgiveness: "I know I was wrong, I won't do it again next time, please forgive me this time, okay?"
Xiao Yun'er's eyes lit up: "I can forgive you, but you have to have someone catch a few small carp for me to take home and raise."
That's what this girl was planning.
Meng Wan glared at her, "I really shouldn't have taken you to see it. You actually set your sights on the Thousand Carp Pond. But we agreed that I would only give you two. I'm worried that you'll kill them if you take them back."
"Okay, okay." Xiao Yun'er stuck out her tongue, pulled Meng Wan to her feet, and the two of them, pushing and shoving each other, headed towards the Thousand Carp Pond.
The weather was perfect, mid-morning, neither too hot nor too cold. Xiao Yun'er ran very fast, with Meng Wan following close behind. When they reached the outer edge of the Thousand Carp Pond, before they could even go in, a cheerful laugh came from inside: "Your Highness, look, I caught it..."
Meng Wan's body stiffened, unable to move. Especially when she saw the figure standing with his hands behind his back by the pond at the other end of the garden through the shadows of the trees, her delicate eyebrows suddenly furrowed.
Huangfu Mi, Fu Qingcheng!
Her face instantly lost all color, and anger surged to her head. At this moment, she really wanted to lash out on the spot, but she knew she couldn't. She could only grit her teeth and stand there, watching coldly.
V56 My Heart is Full of Knots
Huangfu Mi, Fu Qingcheng!
Her face instantly lost all color, and anger surged to her head. At this moment, she really wanted to lash out on the spot, but she knew she couldn't. She could only grit her teeth and stand there, watching coldly.
Xiao Yun'er, however, rushed over without knowing what was going on. Meng Wan tried to stop her, but it was too late. She darted to Huangfu Mi's side in a few steps: "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, what are you doing here? Did you know I've taken a fancy to the fish in your pond, so you're here to catch them for me?"
The cheerful tone startled Huangfu Mi. He glanced at Xiao Yun'er, then followed her figure to the other side, where Meng Wan stood motionless, coldly watching him. When their eyes met, he instinctively stood up but didn't speak, simply gazing at the other side in silence.
At this moment, Qingcheng, who was playing in the pool, also noticed the strangeness. When she saw Xiaoyun'er, a cold glint flashed in her eyes, but it was concealed by the shimmering light of the pool. She simply put on a cheerful smile and walked to the shore: "The Princess Consort has arrived, and so has the Third Miss..."
"You?" Xiao Yun'er then noticed that there was another person in the water, and her face immediately fell. "Why is it you again? I see you every time I come here. It's really not a good thing!"
Qingcheng's expression changed slightly, but only for a moment. In her heart, she cursed Xiaoyun a thousand times, but on her face, she showed no sign of it. She just smiled and said, "I was admiring the fish with the Prince. I didn't expect that the Third Miss would also come. Qingcheng greets you here!"
Xiao Yun'er gave a slight curtsy, but ignored her. She looked her up and down before returning to Meng Wan's side. Seeing that she was still standing there, she nudged her and then whispered in Meng Wan's ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Sister, you said last time that she wasn't a concubine, so why is brother-in-law with her? She looks so annoying."
Meng Wan finally came to her senses, bent down to look her in the eye, and reached out to pat her head: "I told you she's the prince's savior, so don't worry about her, go catch some fish!"
Xiao Yun'er reluctantly said "Oh," and despite her young age, she could tell something was amiss. However, her mind was already drawn to the pond full of koi fish. After saying that, she grabbed Meng Wan's hand and rushed in.
Huangfu Mi remained standing there in his original posture. When he saw Meng Wan, his gaze narrowed slightly, but Meng Wan didn't even look at him again. She simply took Xiao Yun'er's hand and walked together to the other side of the pool.
"The pool is slippery, be careful, quickly find two of your favorites and get out."
Xiao Yun'er responded, carrying the small fish tank in one hand, and carefully walked in. When she passed Qingcheng, she paused, glared at her fiercely, and then continued walking forward.
Despite her small stature, she exuded an air of arrogance. Qingcheng's teeth clenched tightly, her fists buckling. She glanced at Huangfu Mi's direction and saw that she was still looking at Meng Wan. Meng Wan, seemingly avoiding his gaze, looked away. Qingcheng's eyes lit up, and she cautiously walked towards Xiao Yun'er. Then, with a 'thud,' she collapsed right in front of Xiao Yun'er.
"Ah!" A splash of water erupted, accompanied by a scream. The two people on the edge of the pool looked over. Xiao Yun'er was startled and instinctively reached out to pull her, but Qingcheng suddenly cried out, "Third Miss, don't push me! Don't push me..."
Startled by the sudden turn of events, Xiao Yun'er froze, her hand frozen in place, unsure how to react. Huangfu Mi, however, swiftly jumped into the pool and quickly scooped Qingcheng out. He then took off his outer garment and draped it over her. Once ashore, he laid her down, and Qingcheng began coughing incessantly.
"Cough cough--"
Xiao Yun'er and Meng Wan also came to their senses and rushed over to check on her. But before they could even get close, Qingcheng trembled and shrank into Huangfu Mi's arms: "Third Miss, don't come any closer, don't come any closer—"