Wearing mourning clothes, Meng Wan and Xiao Yun'er stood guard in the mourning hall. Since the Second Madam had fallen ill again after that day, only the two of them were there to greet the guests who came to offer incense and pay their respects. Fortunately, there weren't many; they were just some relatives and friends, and they were only there out of respect for their father. Meng Wan and Xiao Yun'er just went through the motions.
As darkness fell, and everyone who was supposed to come had already arrived, the two sisters finally emerged from the mourning hall.
"Miss--"
Huan Yan had been waiting outside, and when she saw Meng Wan, she immediately came forward to greet her.
Meng Wan nodded slightly and instructed her to take Xiao Yun'er back to change her clothes first, while she herself went to the Second Madam's courtyard.
The second wife is still ill, and she doesn't know if she's feeling any better. She's a little worried about her, so she wants to go and visit her.
No sooner had she stepped out of the courtyard than a figure suddenly darted out of the darkness and grabbed Meng Wan's wrist.
Too sudden, Meng Wan instinctively wanted to scream, thinking there was an assassin or thief, but before she could utter a sound, she heard Huangfu Qian's voice.
"Young Miss, don't shout, it's me."
Meng Wan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Huangfu Qian had also come to pay his respects in the evening. She thought he had already left, but she didn't expect him to still be in the mansion, and even to be lying in wait for her.
She took a step back in disgust, subtly avoiding Huangfu Qian's hand, and stood a few feet away. Using the lamplight, she looked at him and gave him a slight curtsy. After standing up, she spoke indifferently, "Why hasn't the Third Prince returned by this hour? If someone sees you, they might think a thief has sneaked in!"
"I've been waiting for you!" As if he hadn't noticed her aloofness and indifference, Huangfuqian still smiled broadly and even took a step closer: "Are you alright?"
Meng Wan shook her head again, maintaining a faint smile on her face, and said, "Thank you for your concern, Third Prince. I am fine."
Huangfu Qian couldn't help but frown, somewhat unable to understand the woman in front of him.
Previously, she had clearly been coy and distant towards him, but since when did she become so aloof and indifferent? Especially that day at Changyin Pavilion, she disrespected him so much that he lost face in front of the First Prince and the Sixth Prince.
At that time, he thought that she was so cold to him because of Meng Junyao and Huangfu Yu's presence, but now that it was just the two of them, why was she still like this?
"Young Miss, did I do something wrong that made you dislike me?"
Meng Wan raised her head, then lowered it again, and shook her head: "No, the Third Prince is of noble status, how could he do anything that would disgust me? Your Highness is too kind."
"Then why are you so cold to me? You weren't like this before."
In the past?
Meng Wan raised her eyebrows almost imperceptibly, a cold laugh suddenly rising in her heart. Which past was he referring to? The past when she was foolishly devoted to him, or the past when she feigned affection but actually hated him to the core?
It's a pity that the incredibly foolish woman is already dead, and the hypocritical woman will also cease to exist.
Since things have come to this point, there's no point in pretending with him anymore. So she keeps a distance from him and observes from the sidelines, waiting for the right moment to deliver a fatal blow.
"This is how I have always treated the Third Prince. If I have offended you in any way in the past, please forgive me."
The pressure remained neither too light nor too heavy, but Huangfu Qian was starting to get anxious: "Meng Wan—"
He had always regarded Meng Wan and Meng Chengxiang as his bargaining chips, which was why he had tried so hard to please them before. But now that she had said such a thing, how could he not be anxious?
He immediately grabbed Meng Wan's wrist: "I've always treated you well and been very caring. You must have the same feelings for me, right?"
It seems there's a sense that they want to get to the bottom of this.
Meng Wan unconsciously despised herself at this moment.
In her previous life, what was wrong with her that made her so devoted to him? In truth, beneath his feigned gentleness, he was essentially unattractive.
Basically, she was captivated by his initial gentle advances and later became hopelessly infatuated.
But now, she wouldn't be so foolish. She coldly shook off his hand, stood a few feet away, and said in a cold voice, "Third Prince, please have some self-respect, or I'll have to call for help. The Third Prince just angered His Majesty earlier, you don't want to cause a scene at the Prime Minister's residence now, do you?"
"Meng Wan, you—" Huangfu Qian was speechless with anger, but he couldn't say anything. He stared at her for a long time, and when he saw the solemn look in her clear eyes, he couldn't help but frown.
It seems that because the Empress was trying to match her with Huangfu Yu, this girl is now determined to get rid of him. How could he not be furious?
He had placed all his hopes on her, but she changed her mind just like that!
Now he was also angry and glared at her, saying, "If that's the case, then we'll see!" With that, he flung Meng Wan's hand away and turned to leave.
Meng Wan stumbled and almost fell, but managed to steady herself by holding onto the wall. Watching his departing figure, she narrowed her eyes, her expression slightly stunned, but she didn't notice that not far behind her, a figure stood still for a long time before landing directly on her.
--
Meng Wan didn't take Huangfu Qian's words to heart, since she couldn't think of any reason why he could scheme against her.
After all, she had the protection of the Prime Minister's daughter and the Emperor's favor, while Huangfu Qian, that unfavored prince, shouldn't have much ability.
Without giving it much thought, she rested for the night. Meng Junyao's coffin was finally placed in the tomb the next day, and she was naturally exhausted again. By the time she returned home after everything was settled, it was already noon the next day.
After days of running around, I was utterly exhausted. I went back inside and rested for a bit, then changed my clothes. Because I was so tired, I lit some benzoin incense, lay down on the bed fully clothed, and fell asleep in no time.
She slept soundly and woke up to find the sky already darkening. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the Third Madam sitting on the soft couch by the window, peeling lotus seeds.
Through layers of curtains, her expression was hidden, only her profile was vaguely visible. Quiet and gentle, she looked exactly like her mother. Meng Wan was so stunned that she forgot to move for a moment.
V12 A Storm Begins on Flat Ground (Part 1)
"Is she awake?" The Third Madam heard the movement from the bedside, but Meng Wan did not come out for a long time, so she turned her head and asked softly.
Meng Wanfang sat up, still holding the blanket, and said, "Yes, I'm awake." As she spoke, she got out of bed.
"Aunt, why are you peeling lotus seeds?" She walked up to the Third Madam and asked softly.
The third wife raised her head and said, "Your second sister's accident has upset your father and your second aunt. So I'm just peeling some lotus seeds to calm them down."