He had long since seen through Meng Junyao's feelings for him, but he hadn't expected her to mention it to Prime Minister Meng. At this moment, he was somewhat stunned.
As Meng Wan observed his expression, she nodded and said, "Mm." Her face grew even more somber, her long eyelashes trembling, making her look pitiful.
Huangfu Qian watched quietly, feeling his heart flutter and his mind wander.
Meng Junyao asked Prime Minister Meng to speak with him, but why did Meng Wan have such an expression? Could it be...?
"Is this what's keeping you up all night?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Wan blushed, glanced at him, seemed about to say something but held back, and lowered her head, almost burying it in her chest.
Huangfuqian's heart pounded even faster, and he could hardly contain his emotions.
So, it seems she wasn't entirely heartless towards him? Was her previous deliberate distancing because she didn't want to hurt her sister? But now that she's realized her own feelings, that's why she specifically asked him out?
"Don't worry, I have no unusual feelings for the Second Miss. Even if Prime Minister Meng asks me, I will say the same thing."
He spoke with absolute certainty. Putting aside the question of whether Meng Junyao or Meng Wan was more appealing to her, given Meng Wan's performance, why would he settle for Meng Junyao? It must be understood that Meng Wan was the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Meng, while Meng Junyao was at best a concubine's daughter. In Prime Minister Meng's heart, Meng Junyao's position was incomparable to Meng Wan's.
Thinking this way, he felt much better and insisted on personally escorting Meng Wan back to the Prime Minister's residence. However, Meng Wan refused, saying that she didn't want to be seen by the people in the residence and thus harm her sister. Huangfu Qian didn't suspect anything and made an appointment with her to visit her another day. He then left Dongbailou in a good mood.
By this time, it was already bright daylight, the fog had dissipated, and the sun was rising in the east. Her face was bathed in sunlight, as beautiful as a peach or an apricot, with an elegant demeanor, yet still retaining a solitary and frosty beauty.
As she watched Huangfuqian's light footsteps disappear into the distance, she was slightly lost in thought.
Now everything will be foolproof, right?
--
When Meng Wan returned to the Prime Minister's residence, Huan Yan was sitting idly in the courtyard waiting for her. Upon seeing Meng Wan, she immediately came out to greet her.
"My dear lady, you're finally back! I was so worried!"
"Is there any movement inside the manor?" Meng Wan took the handkerchief Huan Yan handed her, wiped her hands, and went behind the screen to change her clothes.
Huan Yan leaned closer and said, "When Master came back from court, he called the Second Miss to his study. She hasn't returned yet."
Meng Wan narrowed her eyes, her gaze falling to the window. She didn't say much, just nodded. It was almost noon, so Huan Yan ordered the food to be served and then said nothing more.
The news that Meng Junyao had been rejected by the Third Prince came after lunch.
Meng Wan had already finished eating and was lying on a rattan chair in the courtyard, basking in the sun. Hearing the hurried footsteps outside, she didn't open her eyes, waiting for Meng Junyao to rush to her side like the wind and burst into tears, "Sister, you've really ruined me!"
Meng Wan suddenly opened her eyes and saw Meng Junyao's tear-stained face. Although she tried her best to hold back, she was probably extremely aggrieved and the tears fell uncontrollably.
Meng Wan naturally knew what was going on, but she pretended not to know. She sat up, holding the cloak covering her, and feigned confusion: "What's wrong, Second Sister?"
The young lady has changed (Part 1)
Meng Wan naturally knew what was going on, but she pretended not to know. She sat up, holding the cloak covering her, and feigned confusion: "What's wrong, Second Sister?"
Upon hearing this, Meng Junyao's tears flowed even more fiercely, and she sobbed and wept for a long time without being able to utter a single word.
Meng Wan wasn't in a hurry. She just watched her cry. The sight of her heartbroken and unwilling to die made Meng Wan feel very happy. She couldn't help but smile faintly.
Meng Junyao finally managed to stop her tears, but she was still sobbing uncontrollably. She wiped her tears haphazardly, not caring about being a lady, and was only focused on venting her dissatisfaction.
"It was all because of your wicked idea that I went to Father to confess. I did confess, and Father went to see the Third Prince, but... but..."
She had initially thought that with her father's intervention, the Third Prince would never refuse. After all, although she was born of a concubine, she still held the title of the Prime Minister's daughter, and marrying the Third Prince, who was not favored, wouldn't be considered a significant mismatch. But who knew...
The more she talked, the more aggrieved and angry she became. In the end, she almost screamed herself hoarse.
"The Third Prince actually rejected Father, saying that everything was just wishful thinking on my part! Tell me, if you hadn't told me to confess to Father, how could things have turned out like this?"
Meng Junyao lost control, completely losing her composure. After yelling, she turned around and rushed out without looking back, ignoring Meng Wan's reaction. Meng Wan remained sitting with her knees drawn up to her chest, her smile deepening.
"Are you heartbroken? Are you sad? But this is just the beginning! You disregarded our sisterly bond and slept with Huangfu Qian, causing the death of both my children. This revenge won't be so easily taken! I want to watch you suffer, bit by bit. The suffering I endured, you will taste in this lifetime!"
Meng Wan narrowed her eyes. Under the light and shadow, the dappled light reflected in her pupils. Her unwavering belief made her eyes, which were like water, shine like stars. She watched quietly, a faint smile always playing on her lips.
The next morning, a light drizzle began to fall again. The continuous drizzle from early morning transformed the distant green mountains and scenery into a misty ink painting.
Inside the Bamboo Pavilion, as Huan Yan folded her green oil-paper umbrella and entered, Meng Wan was lying by the window, her chin resting on her hand, listening to the quiet sound of wind and rain outside while looking down at the book in her hands.
Hearing the noise, Meng Wan looked up and saw Huan Yan. She put down the book in her hand and asked, "Is there any noise over there?"
Huan Yan carefully placed the umbrella on the corner of the door, then carefully closed the door before walking to Meng Wan's side: "Second Miss made a fuss all night and only just fell asleep."
Meng Wan nodded without saying much, simply lowering her eyes and quietly turning the pages of the book.
Huan Yan stood to one side, seemingly hesitant, as if she had something to say but didn't know whether she should. She stood there with her hands behind her back, looking at Meng Wan.
Meng Wan looked up: "Is there anything else?"
The young lady has changed (Part 2)
Meng Wan looked up: "Is there anything else?"
Huan Yan nodded hurriedly: "Actually, Miss, I feel that you've been acting strangely lately, and you've been paying too much attention to the Second Miss's affairs. Are you really concerned about her?"
It wasn't that Huan Yan was suspicious; it was simply because she had grown up with Meng Wan for so many years and knew her personality very well. Ever since that day when she fell from the attic, the young lady's behavior and actions had changed drastically. Although she didn't know what had happened with the second young lady, she had clearly seen the young lady's recent busy schedule, which was why she asked.
Meng Wan was visibly taken aback for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "What do you think?"
Unexpectedly, Huan Yan, that little girl, has sharp eyes and could even notice her unusual behavior.
Huan Yan was a little unsure, so she didn't dare to talk nonsense and remained silent, just looking at Meng Wan. Meng Wan then put down the book in her hand: "Huan Yan, let me ask you, if I don't get rid of this heartless wretch, she will harm me. If that's the case, what do you think I should do?"