But all efforts were in vain. Not only could the culprit not be found, but the more she tried to explain, the worse it got. In the end, everyone knew how she was disliked and how unwilling she was to accept it.
In the end, seeing that the situation was becoming increasingly out of control, Prime Minister Meng had no choice but to personally intervene and ordered Meng Junyao to be confined to her residence and not allowed to go anywhere.
The sky seemed to clear up all at once. With Meng Junyao under house arrest, the continuous rain disappeared in an instant. The clear blue sky had the unique crispness of autumn, as well as the biting chill of early winter, which made people's moods much more open.
Meanwhile, Meng Wan was overjoyed to see her third sister, Meng Yun, finally return from her uncle's house. As soon as Meng Yun returned home, Meng Wan went to visit her in person.
Meng Yun lived quite far from Meng Wan's Xin Yue Xiao Zhu. As soon as Meng Wan entered the house, she saw a petite figure in light green running out of the house. Accompanied by a series of clear, silvery bell sounds, Meng Yun's small figure had already rushed into Meng Wan's arms: "Sister, sister!"
Reaching out to hug her petite body, Meng Wan said with a smile, "Running so fast, aren't you afraid of falling?"
"No, I'm not a little kid, how could I fall down!" Xiao Yun'er nestled in Meng Wan's arms, laughing as she spoke. Although she was only twelve years old, she already showed signs of being stunningly beautiful. Her oval face, neatly combed bun, and eyes that looked like crescent moons when she smiled made her incredibly adorable.
"Yes, yes, you won't fall. I'm always the one who falls before." Meng Wan patted Xiao Yun'er's head and teased her with a smile, looking at her younger sister with genuine joy.
Meng Yun is Meng Wan's younger sister, three years younger than Meng Wan. In the previous life, although the two were closer by blood, Meng Wan treated Meng Yun better than Meng Junyao because she pitied Meng Junyao.
In the years after Huangfu Qian married Meng Junyao and entered the palace, Meng Wanyao often thought that if time could turn back, she would definitely not be foolish anymore, and she would clearly distinguish between who was close and who was distant.
Suspected of being a scumbag girl
The two sisters were chatting happily when Huanyan came in from outside, bowed to Meng Yun, and then walked to Meng Wan's side: "Miss, the letter."
These were the letters that arrived every day for the past two days, sent by Huangfuqian, who was completely unaware of the situation, to Meng Wan by carrier pigeon every day.
He was unaware that he was being used, and instead looked forward to meeting Meng Wan every day.
"Go burn it!" As usual, Meng Wan glanced at it and said in a low voice.
Huan Yan nodded in agreement, but before she could make a move, Xiao Yun'er suddenly rushed in front of her: "Whose letter is this? Why did you burn it?"
The third young lady is quick-witted but has a very simple mind; she never seems to be able to tell what she should or shouldn't ask.
Huanyan turned her gaze to Mengwan.
"Don't bother asking about things that are useless. Did you bring that rabbit from your uncle's house back?"
Meng Wan's soft voice pulled Xiao Yun'er's thoughts back from the letter. She took a few steps over and picked up the snow-white rabbit from the cage, her little face full of joy: "This is Snowball. My little cousin gave it to me. Sister, look, isn't it cute?"
Meng Wan nodded with a slight smile, then, with a knowing look on her face, she took the letter and left Xin Yue Xiao Zhu.
Although there are many courtyards in the Prime Minister's mansion, most of them are empty. In the backyard, the eldest young lady's Bamboo and Bamboo Pavilion is at the far east end, followed by the second young lady's residence, the second madam's courtyard, separated by a garden, and then the third young lady's Xinyue Villa.
Huan Yan came out and walked eastward, thinking that she should deal with the letters as soon as possible according to her mistress's instructions. However, she did not notice a figure walking towards her. It was not until the two bumped into each other and she let out a groan of "Ouch" that she suddenly came back to her senses.
"Second...Second Miss."
Cursing herself inwardly for her carelessness, she hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to Meng Junyao: "Second Miss, please forgive me. I didn't see you. Please forgive my clumsiness!"
Although Meng Junyao was furious, she couldn't show it. After all, she had been scolded by her father for making a scene just two days ago. Now, she could only be more cautious and discreet than before.
"It's alright, get up." She said softly, gesturing to Huan Yan. Once Huan Yan stood up, Meng Junyao smiled and asked, "Why aren't you serving your sister? What are you rushing off to?"
"Ah, nothing."
Because Meng Wan had previously mentioned that Meng Junyao would be detrimental to her, Huan Yan instinctively felt resistant towards her, and even when Meng Junyao was smiling, Huan Yan did not dare to get too close.
She bowed to Meng Junyao again, not wanting to say anything more, and prepared to leave. However, she was in such a hurry that after taking only two steps, the letter fell out of her arms.
Huan Yan was clearly stunned for a moment, then hurriedly bent down to pick it up. Meng Junyao had already noticed and followed her forward: "What is this?"
"Ah? Ah, it's nothing, just a letter from home. Second Miss, if you have no other instructions, I'll take my leave now." Huan Yan hurriedly stuffed the letter into her sleeve, bowed to Meng Junyao, then turned and rushed out without looking back.
Behind her, Meng Junyao frowned. A letter from home? But just now, she had vaguely seen the envelope; it shouldn't be something an ordinary family could afford, right? Moreover, she had clearly seen the character 'Qian' in the corner of the envelope. Could it be...?
Luring the enemy into a trap (Part 1)
Huanyan returned to the Bamboo Pavilion, still clutching the letter in her hand. For some reason, her eyelids suddenly began to twitch violently, especially when she recalled the Second Miss's meaningful farewell glance.
Feeling uneasy, she went back and brought Meng Wan back from Meng Yun's place. On the way, she recounted the whole story of her encounter with the second young lady. Finally, she held Meng Wan's hand and said, "Miss, although the second young lady didn't say anything, I still feel uneasy. She stared at that letter for a long time just now."
Meng Wan paused, listening to Huan Yan's narration without saying a word, her dark eyes remaining deep and unfathomable.
Meng Junyao wasn't stupid. Even if she only saw the surface of the letter, she certainly wouldn't believe it was from Huan Yan's family. With a little thought, she could probably figure out some clues. Besides, Huangfu Qian had signed the envelope; there was no way she hadn't seen it.
But if it's been seen, why hasn't it manifested yet? Could it be...?
Meng Wan narrowed her eyes and turned to Huan Yan: "Go and prepare a writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone for me."
--
The night was like ink spreading across the sky, so dark that one couldn't see their hand in front of their face.
A snow-white carrier pigeon flapped its wings and flew into the sky. Before it could take flight, it was suddenly struck by a volley of cold arrows that flashed with a chilling light. With a few 'whoosh' sounds, it flapped its wings and fell to the ground.
A figure immediately stepped forward, picked it up, took a note from it, and handed it to the person behind him: "Second Miss, you were right after all. Look..."
The person behind her reached out and took it. Because it was too dark to see clearly, she held it in her hand without even opening it, a cold smile appearing on her lips.
Meng Wan, it was you who started this mess! Watch how I deal with you this time!
"Wu'er, go and invite Father to the Bamboo Pavilion. Tell him I have something important to report to him."
--
Meanwhile, the inner chambers of the Bamboo Pavilion are connected to a natural hot spring, where steam rises and the air is filled with mist, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.
A few pale pink peach blossoms drifted down onto the snow-white gauze skirt by the spring.