"This..." Mu Ci hesitated for a moment, glanced at Meng Wan, and then said, "Today, the eldest prince and the second young lady are to be beheaded, so the emperor summoned the prince to the palace early this morning."
Meng Wan's face stiffened, but she didn't say anything. She just waved to Mu Ci, signaling her to leave, while she stood at the door, staring blankly at the bright blue sky.
--
When Huangfu Mi returned, it was past noon. He was wearing a dark purple robe with a red and blue outer jacket over it, giving him a very heroic look.
Meng Wan glanced at it, feeling a warmth in her heart. She was still in shock from yesterday. Huangfu Mi was indeed Huangfu Mi. Just by letting Hua Jiuye go, she was able to analyze that the First Prince had a conspiracy and even took measures. Although she suffered a lot, she forgave him because everything was alright.
He stood up to greet him and said, "Why are you back so late? Have you dealt with everything that needed to be dealt with?"
Huangfu Mi knew what she was referring to, nodded slightly, pulled her to sit down, put his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "This time, Father Emperor is furious. All those involved have been beheaded and their heads displayed to the public. Meng Junyao's body has already been taken away by Father-in-law. From now on, there will truly never be another person like her."
Recalling that night in the rain, Meng Junyao, despite having Fu Qingcheng's appearance, still felt her own heart. Therefore, her hatred for Meng Wan remained as strong as ever, or even stronger, extending to the Meng family.
However, just as Huangfu Mi said, this matter has truly come to an end, and from now on, Meng Junyao will no longer exist.
Meng Wan raised her eyes, gazing at the clear blue sky outside the window, her eyes filled with clarity.
--
On a rare sunny day, the two had lunch and then went out together.
Now that Meng Junyao is dead, Huanyan's revenge has been avenged, and Meng Wan is thinking of going up the mountain to offer incense to her.
Huanyan's grave is on the top of Nanshan Mountain, where the scenery is excellent and it is located at a high place, because Huanyan used to say that she liked this place.
After offering incense and recounting recent events to her, it was already evening when we descended the mountain.
Because it had just rained, the mountain path was very muddy. Every step she took left her feet covered in mud, and even her skirt was stained. Meng Wan frowned as she looked at it: "Why don't we take another path? This place is all mud and filthy."
She was always very clean, but seeing the mud everywhere made her feel rather down.
Huangfu Mi chuckled softly. This girl has quite a lot on her plate.
So he half-squatted down in front of her and said, “The other way is too far. It will be dark by the time we get down the mountain. I’d rather carry you down.” He pointed to his back and said, “Come on, I’ll carry you.”
She had been waiting for him to say that. Upon hearing it, Meng Wan immediately beamed with joy, wrapped her arms around his neck, and climbed onto his shoulders.
His broad, strong shoulders were quite different from what she remembered. Meng Wan leaned on them, her smile undiminished: "It's been a few days, and you seem to have gotten even stronger. It seems you've been having a comfortable time these past two days."
Huangfu Mi turned to look at her and said smugly, "I was always this strong, otherwise how could I protect you?"
Meng Wan smiled and gave him a reproachful look: "Who needs your protection? Stop being so conceited."
Huangfu Mi asked, "Are you really not needed?"
Meng Wan nodded, stubbornly insisting, "Of course not."
"Okay." Huangfu Mi's words were tinged with laughter. As soon as he finished speaking, he started running, deliberately jolting the person on his back to scream repeatedly.
"Hey, what are you doing!"
Huangfu Mi smiled without batting an eye and without panting, "So, do you need my protection now?"
Meng Wan scolded, "You're annoying, stop now."
Huangfu Mi persisted, "Tell me quickly, do you need my protection?" His tone held a childlike quality, as if he wouldn't give up until the other person spoke.
Meng Wan was feeling dizzy from the jolting and could only plead repeatedly, "I know I was wrong. I need your protection. I can't do without you by my side. Please stop!"
Huangfu Mi was very pleased with these words, and seeing that he was almost at the bottom of the slope, he slowed down.
Meng Wan clutched her chest and said angrily, "How can you threaten people like that? You're so mean!"
Huangfu Mi walked to the roadside before putting her down, pointed to his back and said, "Who told you to be so stubborn? Alright, now that you've told the truth, I'll let you off the hook." With that, he grabbed Meng Wan's hand and walked away nonchalantly.
"As a reward, I'll give you something." With that, he walked to a jewelry store and pulled Meng Wan inside.
"Your Highness, you've arrived." The shopkeeper immediately came out to greet him, cupping his fists in greeting to Huangfu Mi.
Huangfu Mi nodded: "Have you finished the things I asked you to make?"
The shopkeeper said, "I would never dare to neglect Your Highness's orders." As he spoke, he took out an exquisite box from inside and handed it over with both hands.
Huangfu Mi handed the box to Meng Wan and said, "Open it and take a look."
Meng Wan was puzzled and muttered, "Why are you making it so mysterious? What is it?"
As he spoke, a pair of nimble hands opened the box.
The first thing that catches the eye is an exquisite wooden hairpin, with a crown adorned with a pattern of auspicious clouds, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.
"This is...?" Meng Wan exclaimed in surprise.
The craftsmanship is so exquisite, and the hairpin even has a faint fragrance. I fell in love with it at first sight.
Upon seeing this, the shopkeeper immediately reported respectfully, "Your Highness, it is sandalwood. His Highness specially instructed our shop to prepare it for you. With Your Highness's bearing, sandalwood is the perfect match."
A string of compliments, which Meng Wan would normally disdain, made her extremely happy. She took the wooden hairpin out of the box and presented it to Huangfu Mi like a treasure: "It's really beautiful, but it looks somewhat familiar."
Huangfu Mi took it, held her head, and inserted the hairpin into her hair bun. She then took the mirror handed to her by the shopkeeper and showed it to Meng Wan, saying with a smile, "It was made based on the one you gave to Huan Yan before. Since she's not by your side, let this hairpin accompany you."
He understood everything she was thinking.
Meng Wan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Holding the hairpin in her hand, she seemed to truly see Huan Yan's radiant smile. She smiled, nestled in Huangfu Mi's arms, and whispered, "Huangfu Mi, thank you."
The sun slanted down, casting long, long shadows of the two figures, accompanied by the faint scent of sandalwood.