The Third Madam nodded slightly. It was precisely because her daughter was grown up that she couldn't ask too many questions and could only ask her older sister, Meng Wan, to keep an eye on things.
The mother and daughter talked for a while longer, and seeing that it was getting late, the Third Madam left the Bamboo Pavilion with her maid.
"Huanyan." After the person left, Meng Wan sat for a while, watching the light blue curtain sway in the wind. The silence was profound. She hesitated for a moment before calling Huanyan over: "When the second young lady comes back later, please ask her to come over."
--
Meng Junyao was in a bad mood. For the next three days, she went to Dongbai Tower to wait for the Third Prince, but she never saw him again.
How could she not be anxious? She returned to the general's mansion in low spirits. She had just sat down in her room when Meng Wan sent someone to invite her over.
Meng Junyao originally didn't want to go, as she was feeling depressed and had nowhere to vent her frustrations. However, she thought that she could talk to Meng Wan and maybe she could come up with some ideas. With that in mind, she went to Zhuyun Water Pavilion with Huanyan.
--
It started raining sometime during the day, and the distant green mountains and scenery were shrouded in mist, creating a scene reminiscent of an ink painting.
When Meng Junyao arrived, Meng Wan was sitting by the window. In the misty rain, she rested her chin on her hand and looked at the rain scene outside the window. She casually flipped through a few pages of an old, yellowed book and placed it beside her elbow, her expression slightly dazed.
Meng Wan was undeniably beautiful, with a face like a lotus flower, willow-leaf eyebrows, a delicate nose, and lips that were both red and rosy. Especially at this moment, as she quietly gazed out the window, her slender figure blended seamlessly with the rainy scene outside, resembling a traditional Chinese ink painting.
The Scumbag Girl's True Colors Revealed (Part 2)
Meng Junyao glanced at her, her steps faltering. A strange emotion welled up inside her, and looking at Meng Wan, she suddenly felt a little flustered.
With such beauty and the status of being born of the legitimate wife, how could I possibly compete with her?
"Second Miss, why are you standing here instead of going in?" Huan Yan put away her light green oil-paper umbrella and placed it in the corner of the door. When she entered, she found Meng Junyao still standing there motionless, staring blankly at her mistress's back. She frowned.
For some reason, I always felt that the way the second young lady looked at the eldest young lady was a bit strange, almost... too strange?
Meng Wanfang snapped out of her daze, and the moment she turned around, her misty eyes cleared as she looked at Meng Junyao. She gave a faint smile and said, "You've come."
Meng Junyao quickly concealed the resentment in her eyes, replaced it with a smile, and went to greet her: "I just returned to the manor when I heard that my sister was looking for me, so I rushed over. Sister, is something the matter?"
There must be something on her mind, otherwise Meng Wan wouldn't want to even glance at her.
Huan Yan poured tea for the two of them, and after she left, Meng Wan picked up her teacup and said, "My aunt came to see me today."
Meng Junyao was taken aback, and Meng Wan continued, "Ask me what you've been doing these past two days."
"Huh?" Meng Junyao exclaimed, suddenly standing up: "Mother asked me what I did? What did you answer? You didn't tell the truth, did you?"
The Meng family has strict rules. If her father and mother knew that she was getting close to a man, they would never allow it, even if that man was a prince.
Seeing her nervous appearance, Meng Wan sneered inwardly, but showed no sign of it on her face: "How could that be? I only said you were going out for a walk, and I didn't say anything else."
"That's good." Meng Junyao visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but then Meng Wan's words made her heart clench again: "But Auntie obviously doesn't believe it and asked me to ask you."
"Ask me?" Meng Junyao's expression changed. "What should we do? Does she already know what I was doing?"
Meng Wan patted the back of her hand, signaling her to calm down: "No, if they knew, they wouldn't have asked me. But Second Sister, secrets can't stay hidden forever. Eldest Brother already knows about this, and many people at Dongbai Tower have seen you coming and going with the Third Prince, so if Aunt wants to investigate, it won't be difficult."
"Oh no, what should we do?" Meng Junyao panicked, she was really panicked.
It's true that she wants to climb higher, but before she can look down on everyone, she doesn't want to ruin the gentle, obedient, and reserved image she has worked so hard to build. So she can't let her father and mother know that she goes out every day to attract the attention of the Third Prince.
Looking at her flustered expression, Meng Wan sneered inwardly, but on the surface she frowned and looked worried for her: "Yes, this matter is indeed a bit tricky."
As she spoke, she observed Meng Junyao's expression, noticing that her little face grew increasingly grim. Finally, she almost grabbed Meng Wan's hand, her eyes filled with panic: "Sister, you have to help me this time, otherwise if Father finds out, he will definitely skin me alive."
"But..." Meng Wan raised an eyebrow, "How do you want me to help you? I'm not sure what to do either."
Meng Junyao pondered, her gaze falling on Meng Wan. Her mind was in turmoil. Suddenly, her eyes widened: "As long as you tell Mother that you are in love with the Third Prince and that you sent me to deliver the letter to you, Mother and Father love you the most. Even if you do this, they will not blame you."
The Scumbag Girl's True Colors Revealed (Part 3)
Meng Junyao pondered, her gaze falling on Meng Wan. Her mind was in turmoil. Suddenly, her eyes widened: "As long as you tell Mother that you are in love with the Third Prince and that you sent me to deliver the letter to you, Mother and Father love you the most. Even if you do this, they will not blame you."
Oh--
Meng Wan listened quietly, a cold smile creeping onto her lips.
Meng Junyao, you really know how to scheme. You caused trouble yourself and then made Meng Wan take the blame. But Meng Wan really disdains getting involved with Huangfu Qian. Just thinking about it makes her feel disgusted!
"Silly sister, it is true that I can help you like this, but think about it. If I do this and say that I am in love with the Third Prince, what if Father and Aunt take it seriously and start arranging this for me?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Junyao's face froze.
Yes, she was indeed a bit flustered and spoke without thinking. Just as Meng Wan said, if she were to say that she was interested in Huangfu Qian, then Prime Minister Meng would definitely make arrangements for her. But no matter what, she couldn't let such a good opportunity go to Meng Wan. No, absolutely not!
"Then what do you think we should do, sister?" She hesitated for a moment, then threw the question back to Meng Wan.
Meng Wan smiled gently as she looked at Meng Junyao and said slowly, "Actually, I think this matter is quite simple. Instead of pushing the matter onto me as you suggested, why don't you just admit it and say that you have developed feelings for the Third Prince and that he has treated you well? Even if Father blames you, it is ultimately a matter of your lifelong happiness, and he won't abandon you."
It sounded really good. Meng Junyao's eyes lit up, clearly somewhat tempted. Seeing this, Meng Wan then spoke up, her tone smiling: "As you know, Father is highly respected in the court, and all the princes treat him with utmost respect. If Father were to step in, I'm afraid the good thing would be done immediately, and our Prime Minister's Mansion would also have a princess consort!"
Princess Consort--
Upon hearing this address, Meng Junyao instinctively raised her head.
Although the Third Prince wasn't particularly warm towards her, if her father intervened, he would definitely give her face, and then her position as the Prince's consort would be secure!
"Then when we talk to Father, sister, you must put in a good word for me!"
Unaware of Huangfu Qian's ambitions, she remained oblivious, lost in her own thoughts and enjoying herself. Meng Wan watched quietly from the side, and finally, a fleeting, faint smile crossed her lips.
Say nice things? Of course, otherwise how could I do justice to the brilliant idea she came up with with all her effort?