"Alright, I'll go with you." Huangfu Mi's eyes darkened, then he nodded, took Meng Wan's hand, and prepared to get up. But Hongxiu grabbed his arm from behind: "Your Highness, what kind of hidden weapon did you use last time? It was so amazing that those villains fled in a few moves. Why don't you perform it for Hongxiu another day?"
V37 The King of Western Shu Forces Marriage (Part 1)
"Your Highness, what kind of hidden weapon did you use last time? It was so amazing that those villains fled in a flash. Why don't you perform it for Hongxiu another day?"
Huangfu Mi was pulled back by her, wanting to leave but unable to. As the group moved, even the Emperor's attention was drawn to them.
Meng Wan felt a little embarrassed, as she really disliked being the center of attention. She quickly let go of Huangfu Mi's hand and strode out.
It was completely dark; the inky blue sky resembled a boundless ocean, its depths unfathomable.
Meng Wan stood on the steps and looked around. Her thoughts, like the vast sky, were slowly sinking.
This Princess Hongxiu seems to have feelings for Huangfu Mi!
"Miss Meng, wait for me—" Just then, a familiar voice came from behind. Turning around, she saw Consort Xin standing behind her, walking forward with her.
Meng Wan was somewhat surprised. She hadn't noticed Consort Xin earlier, but she hadn't expected her to come as well. After all, given Consort Xin's personality, she shouldn't like such lively gatherings.
However, Meng Wan had no time to think about these things at the moment. She curtsied slightly and said, "You may call me by my name, Consort Xin."
Consort Xin nodded slightly, and then said, "I saw that you didn't look well, and I was worried that something had happened to you, so I came out to see what was going on with that damned princess. Wasn't the Emperor going to arrange a marriage for you with the Fifth Prince? Why is she bothering Prince Heng?"
Consort Xin was straightforward and said whatever came to mind. Meng Wan smiled when she heard this, but there was a hint of reluctance in her smile.
It seems that she wasn't overthinking it, but rather that the princess's behavior was quite obvious.
She bit her lip. "Prince Heng saved her, so..."
After briefly recounting the whole story, Consort Xin's brows furrowed more and more as she listened. Finally, she raised her voice and said, "So what if you saved her? She won't shamelessly throw herself at you, will she? You and Prince Heng are engaged, she can't do anything about it!"
Unexpectedly, she was helped by her. Meng Wan felt a warmth in her heart and smiled slightly, saying, "Consort Xin, don't worry, things haven't gotten to that point yet. Perhaps we've misunderstood. It's getting late, you should go inside. I'll go in after I get some fresh air."
"Are you really alright?" Consort Xin asked, somewhat worried, but Meng Wan nodded. "Don't worry, go inside."
Consort Xin then turned around as instructed, and as she watched Meng Wan walk into the Jade Sheng Tower, Meng Wan's smile vanished, replaced by a sorrowful expression.
Are you really alright?
--
On the way back, Huangfu Mi insisted on personally escorting Meng Wan back, and they remained silent the whole way because of what happened at Yusheng Tower.
Upon arriving at the Prime Minister's residence, Meng Wan turned and went inside. After taking a few steps, she turned back and suddenly threw herself into Huangfu Mi's arms, saying, "Be careful on the way back."
She didn't know what was wrong with her. The inexplicable panic in her heart almost suffocated her. She felt as if Huangfu Mi would disappear and no longer be hers if she wasn't careful.
"Silly girl, don't worry, nothing will happen."
Huangfu Mi was incredibly intelligent; how could he not know what she was afraid of? He reached out and touched her long hair, speaking gently, a rare occurrence for him.
Meng Wan lifted her head from his embrace and stared at him for a long time. Although she was still reluctant, she listened to his words that everything would be alright, nodded, turned around, and rushed into the Prime Minister's residence.
Behind her, Huangfu Mi's smile suddenly tightened. He stared at her back for a long time before letting out a sigh.
--
Meanwhile, inside Zhengyang Palace.
The emperor and the king of Western Shu sat facing each other. The tea on the table had gone cold, but neither of them had the heart to taste it.
"Regarding Princess Hongxiu's marriage, I have already chosen my fifth prince for her. The King of Western Shu has also met him. He is a handsome and talented man, a perfect match for the princess."
The King of Western Shu laughed loudly: "I originally wanted to follow the Emperor's wishes, after all, any of the Emperor's sons are outstanding individuals. It's just a pity that Hongxiu has had her own ideas since she was a child. She has already expressed her feelings to me. The one she wants to marry is the Emperor's seventh son, Prince Heng."
The emperor was taken aback: "But... the seventh prince already has a principal wife. If the princess marries into that family, I'm afraid she will suffer mistreatment. How can that be allowed?"
"Haha--" The King of Western Shu laughed loudly: "I have already heard from Hongxiu that the Prince of Heng and the Prime Minister's daughter are only engaged, not married. Since that is the case, why doesn't Your Majesty change your mind and give the position of Princess Consort to Hongxiu?"
"How can that be?" The emperor's face immediately darkened. "I have already given my verbal consent. Although the investiture has not yet been made, my words are imperial edicts. How can I possibly change them?"
"Your Majesty—" The King of Western Shu's face darkened: "I reluctantly gave up my most beloved daughter to marry into Lanling in order to find her a suitable husband. It's rare that she has taken a liking to your Prince Heng. Why are you now making excuses? Do you think my daughter is not good enough for your seventh son?"
"How could that be! Princess Hongxiu is innocent and charming, and very lovable. I was just afraid of wronging her..."
Hongxiu didn't feel wronged.
A crisp sound came from outside the door, directly rejecting all of the emperor's refusals. Hongxiu pushed open the door and walked to the emperor and the King of Western Shu on her own.
“Your Majesty, Hongxiu loves Prince Heng. She has loved him since the first time she saw him. She will not marry anyone but Prince Heng.”
This uninhibited nature was quite different from the reserved nature of women in the Central Plains, which even intimidated the emperor. The King of Western Shu, however, couldn't help but laugh after hearing Hongxiu's words.
"That's just how women in Western Shu are. We never waste time on formalities. We say what we mean and what we say. Even women can pursue the men they like. I hope Your Majesty won't take offense."
She smiled apologetically, but showed no remorse whatsoever. On the contrary, her eyes and tone were full of praise for her daughter.
The emperor was caught off guard for a time.
Seeing this, the King of Western Shu reached out and pulled Hongxiu to sit beside him, and then revealed his last trump card.
"This daughter of mine is my most beloved. I have never been stingy with what she wants. Now that she likes Prince Heng so much, how about this: if the Emperor agrees to this marriage, I am willing to give ten cities to Lanling as a dowry for Hongxiu. What does the Emperor think?"
It is said that the King of Western Shu dotes on this daughter. In the past, it was just a rumor, but now it seems to be true. The fact that he dotes on her to such an extent has surprised the emperor.
He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Please allow the King and Princess of Western Shu to rest at the post station for a few days. I will think about this matter carefully."
The King of Western Shu glanced at his daughter before laughing heartily: "Very well, I hope the Emperor won't think about it for too long."