The guards Huangfu Yu brought into the palace were the only ones they could mobilize, and now even that hope was gone. It's no wonder everyone was so disappointed. And what would happen to Huangfu Yu if he were captured? They dared not think about it.
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Meng Wan helped the emperor out. Upon seeing this, everyone rushed over.
"Father Emperor--"
"emperor--"
Hua Jiuye hurriedly took the emperor's pulse, but the emperor waved his hand and said, "I'm fine, you don't need to worry. I just heard you say that the fifth prince has been arrested. Seventh prince, you should go and find out what's going on with that poisonous woman and how to deal with her."
Huangfu Mi nodded, instructing Huangfu Yi and Hua Jiuye to protect Meng Wan and the Emperor, while he himself quietly slipped out and headed back towards the capital.
Yes, we need to see how the Empress will deal with Fifth Brother first, and then we should also check on the way to see if Meng Junheng's entourage has returned yet.
He ran extremely fast, arriving in the capital at dawn. He saw imperial edicts plastered all over the city, stating that Prince Heng, Huangfu Mi, had kidnapped the Emperor in an attempt to usurp the throne, but the Empress had uncovered his plot. He was now holding the Emperor hostage and his whereabouts were unknown.
Huangfu Mi was furious with the wicked woman who twisted the truth, but for the time being, she could only hold back and head towards the Prime Minister's residence.
Prime Minister Meng was extremely anxious at home. His son had not yet returned, and his daughter and the others were still missing. Now that he had met Huangfu Mi and heard that they were safe, Prime Minister Meng's heart was finally at ease.
"In that case, you should all hide there properly and wait until Junheng returns before discussing anything else. As for the Fifth Prince, I will find a way to save his life, so you can reassure the Emperor."
"But..." Huangfu Mi hesitated for a moment.
"The Empress has accused me of plotting to usurp the throne and kidnapping my father. I'm afraid she'll take drastic measures against my father-in-law as well. I think you and your mother-in-law should pack your things and come with me. As for Fifth Brother, I'll think of a way to deal with him later."
“No!” Prime Minister Meng shook his head: “I am the Prime Minister. Although you have been falsely accused and Wan’er will also be implicated, I still have a good reputation in the court. That poisonous woman wouldn’t dare to touch me. Besides, now that you’ve all left, someone has to wait here for Junheng. Otherwise, if he comes back and acts rashly, it will still be disadvantageous for us.”
Huangfu Mi frowned. His father-in-law was right. There was nothing else he could do at the moment. He gripped Prime Minister Meng's hand tightly and said, "Then please be careful, Father-in-law. If anything happens, Wan'er's Blood Kite is in her room. If you play it, I will come immediately."
Prime Minister Meng nodded and urged Huangfu Mi to leave quickly. When they reached the door, he remembered something and called out to him, "Your Highness, this old minister has one more thing... Wan'er is my most cherished daughter. You must promise me that you will protect her no matter what."
Huangfu Mi paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Father-in-law, please rest assured, I will protect her even if it costs me my life."
Prime Minister Meng nodded, and hearing Huangfu Mi's words, his heart finally felt a little more at ease.
--
The news came quickly: Huangfu Yu was sent to the Eastern Mausoleum to guard the coffin, while Prime Minister Meng was detained at home to await trial.
This was an expected outcome. Prime Minister Meng was upright and incorruptible, and the Empress would not allow him to remain in court under any circumstances. As for Huangfu Yu, the reason he was not killed was probably not only because Prime Minister Meng incited the officials, but also because the Empress cherished the bond between mother and son that had lasted for so many years.
When the news arrived, Huangfu Mi and his party had already settled down in Longtan County, and their hearts were finally at ease.
They were spared, which was a great blessing in this situation. They dared not ask for more and could only wait for Meng Junheng to return as soon as possible.
But after waiting and waiting, nothing came of it. Ten days passed in this way. During this time, the Empress also recommended Huangfu Song to temporarily handle state affairs on behalf of the Emperor, almost monopolizing power.
Everyone was anxious, as things couldn't continue like this. After discussing it, Huangfu Mi decided to go to Western Shu himself.
It would only take four or five days to travel to and from Western Shu, but more than ten days have passed and there has been no news of Meng Junheng. Something is really wrong, so he wants to go and see for himself.
So they took Puyang with them, leaving Hua Jiuye and Huangfu Yi behind, and the two of them headed towards Western Shu without stopping.
At this moment, Meng Wan did not want to be separated from him at all, but she knew that going with him would only be a burden to him. Moreover, her father still needed her to take care of him.
Left with no other choice, she could only stay. Even though she was worried, she could only let him go and personally escorted him to the village entrance. Holding his arm, she said, "Be careful no matter what, okay? I'll wait for you to come back."
Huangfu Mi knew she was worried, but at this moment he couldn't let personal feelings interfere. He kissed her lips and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely come back, for you, I definitely will!"
Meng Wan nodded, watching him leave, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.
Come back safe and sound. You must come back safely and soundly.
The days grew quieter and quieter. Perhaps because Longtan County was located in a remote area, the Empress's people could not find their way here. The small town was bustling with activity, and the tense atmosphere in the capital was completely undetectable.
In this atmosphere, Meng Wan was worried, but she could only try her best to stay calm and wait. That was the only thing she could do at this moment.
During the day, after serving the emperor his medicine, she was perhaps too tired, so she lay down on the table for a short rest. In her hazy state, it seemed as if a shadow was looming over her.
She didn't open her eyes. The surrounding scent was somewhat familiar, so familiar that she almost felt a surge of joy. This scent... Could it be that he's back?
She suddenly opened her eyes, but the smile froze on her lips.
She thought it was Huangfu Mi returning, but it turned out to be Huangfu Yi. She bit her lip, her eyes noticeably dimming: "Eighth Prince, it's you..."
His expression was clearly disappointed, and his eyes were even brimming with tears, making him look pitiful. This caught Huangfu Yi's eye, and he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in displeasure, his handsome phoenix eyes also tilting upwards: "What? Disappointed that it's not Seventh Brother?"
Meng Wan was taken aback for a moment, then glared at him reproachfully and said, "What's it to you whether I'm disappointed or not?"
Her tone clearly carried a hint of displeasure, but it wasn't anger; rather, it sounded like helplessness. Huangfu Yi couldn't help but glance at her again. Her small, palm-sized face was slightly flushed, and he couldn't quite put his finger on what emotion she was expressing. She just looked so pitiful that it made his heart ache.
Huangfu Yi's heart ached, and a strange look flickered across his usually unruly face. "Don't worry, Seventh Brother will be fine and will be back soon."
Meng Wan was clearly taken aback. She was always fierce towards him, but he ended up comforting himself instead.
She wasn't someone who didn't know her place, but now she felt a little embarrassed. "Um... thank you!"
The sudden change in tone took Huangfu Yi slightly by surprise. He never expected that she would thank him. He couldn't help but smile, tap her forehead, and then raised his eyebrows: "You should have thanked me a long time ago. You only remembered now. You're so heartless."
His narrow eyes were filled with dazzling light, and his face, which even women envied, was filled with a smile, which was overflowing. Meng Wan was a little taken aback for a moment, and then pouted: "How can you do this? Do you want to force people to thank you or something?"
“Yes, I forced him. After all, I saved you several times,” Huangfu Yiyi corrected him righteously.
Meng Wan was speechless. Where could anyone be like this?!
"I didn't force you to save me; it was your own choice."
"Haha---" It's true that Seventh Sister-in-law is funny. At this moment, she can still make him laugh out loud. It's really not something that an ordinary person can do.