The more this happened, the more distressed the Third Madam became. After all, she treated Wan'er like her own child. But the Master's instructions were still ringing in her ears, and she couldn't be soft-hearted.
“Child, you should know why I'm here to see you. I won't say much else. You are the smartest and most sensible person, and you know what to do.”
Meng Wan frowned slightly, but said something unrelated: "Prince Heng is resting in the backyard."
Such tranquility only made the Third Madam feel more distressed; what turbulent waves must be raging beneath this calm surface!
"Wan'er—" She opened her mouth, but only called out her name once, and then stopped there, her thoughts in disarray.
Meng Wan seemed to smile slightly. "Does Aunt want me to persuade him? Did the Emperor order you and Father to do this?"
Her gentle smile held a hint of heartache, and the Third Madam felt a pang of regret, unsure whether her trip had been the right or wrong decision.
But remembering her master's words, she knew this was a matter of great importance, and could potentially lead to conflict between the two countries, so she had no choice but to do this.
So he gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."
Meng Wan smiled almost inaudibly: "The Emperor really thinks highly of me. However, given Prince Heng's temperament, my advice would only backfire. So, Aunt, you should find someone else to help you!"
"Wan'er--" The Third Madam was stunned by Wan'er's clean and decisive refusal. She never expected that Wan'er, who was always the most righteous, would be so reckless.
Meng Wan laughed instead: "Auntie must think I'm disregarding the bigger picture, right? But may I ask you, Auntie, if you were in this situation, what would you have done?"
"I..." The Third Madam was stumped by the question and couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Seeing this, Meng Wan said, "See, even Auntie can't answer. So it's not that I'm heartless. It's just that everyone is selfish when it comes to feelings. I really can't bring myself to push the person I love to another woman."
"You..." Unexpectedly, she heard her mother speak like that. Looking at her almost transparent face, which seemed to carry a hint of determination, the Third Madam was stunned. After a long while, her delicate eyebrows gradually furrowed, and she said, "Since that's the case, then I will go and refuse your father. Let the Emperor worry about this matter himself. But child, even so, the result may not be what you wish for."
No, not perhaps, but certainly.
No matter how much Huangfu Mi opposes it now, if Western Shu is determined, then nothing will work. Just like Meng Wan, she says she won't care about this matter, but how can she not care when she's involved?
Thinking of this, her gaze gradually dimmed. She turned to look out the window and remained silent for a long time.
--
When Huangfu Mi woke up, he did not see Meng Wan.
A sudden panic gripped him, and he asked Huanyan, "Where is she?"
Startled, Huan Yan immediately knelt down on both knees: "The Third Madam just invited her over, but she hasn't returned yet!"
It was already evening, and perhaps because he had slept all day, Huangfu Mi was unsteady on his feet and took two steps back. If he hadn't grabbed the table for support, he probably would have fallen.
Huan Yan rushed forward to help him up: "Your Highness, are you alright?"
"It's nothing." He flung Huan Yan's hand away, his handsome brows furrowing as he gazed at the twilight falling outside the door, his eyes dark and unpleasant.
Could it be that they're looking for Wan'er because they want to do something to her?
The thought struck him, and he panicked, rushing outside. Just then, he saw Meng Wan carrying a food box walking in from outside.
Seeing his flustered expression, she was clearly taken aback, then said, "What are you doing? Why are you in such a panic?"
Huangfu Mi felt a sense of relief, and her whole body went limp. She stepped forward and held her hand tightly. After confirming that it was indeed her, her tense expression finally eased slightly: "What have you been doing?"
Meng Wan held up the food box in her hand: "I was worried you were hungry, so I prepared dinner for you after chatting with my aunt. Come over and try my cooking."
Her expression was calm, showing no sign of anything amiss. Huangfu Mi knew she must have something on her mind, but since she didn't say anything, he didn't ask. He simply took her hand and sat down with her at the table.
They naturally didn't have much of an appetite, but they still managed to eat a little. The two of them kept talking, rambling on about trivial things.
They both knew they had their own thoughts, but neither knew what would happen next. They simply enjoyed the precious moment of each other's company.
--
Back in the palace, it was already past midnight. His heart was heavy with worry, and he didn't know what to do. Lying on his bed, he tightly gripped the blood sacrifice elixir at his waist, staring out the window for a long, long time…
The next morning, the emperor summoned him again. Knowing it was about that matter again, he simply ignored him and left the palace on his own, heading towards the Prime Minister's residence. However, he didn't expect that after searching the entire residence and asking everyone, no one knew where the young lady had gone. Only Prime Minister Meng sighed helplessly, "Your Highness, please go back. Some things are known to be unchangeable, so why make a futile struggle? In the end, you will not only hurt yourself, but also cause suffering to those you care about."
Although it was not explicitly stated, the meaning behind the words was quite clear. Huangfu Mi was taken aback, then turned around and rushed out without looking back.
V40 The Empire and the Beauty (Part Two)
He rode his horse at breakneck speed to the palace gate. Riding horses was not allowed inside the palace, but he ignored the warnings, shook off the guards at the gate, and galloped inside.
Along the way, some people tried to stop him, but upon seeing his dark and gloomy face, they all withdrew their desire to stop him and let him go all the way to Zhengyang Palace.
Where is Wan'er?
The emperor was reviewing memorials when he heard Huangfu Mi's commotion. He frowned slightly and gave a signal to the eunuchs and palace maids, who immediately withdrew.
"They're shouting and yelling all the time, and they're becoming increasingly unruly."
"Father, it was you, it was you who imprisoned Wan'er, wasn't it? Where is she? Where did you lock her up?" Huangfu Mi asked anxiously without wasting any words.
The emperor frowned even more: "Your mind is filled with nothing but Meng Wan all day long. Is there nothing else you can see besides her?"
Huangfu Mi narrowed her eyes. "I could see it before, but with you all blocking me like this, I've become even clearer about my own feelings. The more you disagree, the more I want to be with her. No one can stop me, not even Father."
"You..." The emperor coughed violently, angered by his sharp tone. He never expected his son to speak to him like that.
After finally regaining his breath, he looked at Huangfu Mi's dark face and said in a deep voice, "I have nothing to say now, just one sentence: Meng Wan has indeed been imprisoned by me. If you want to save her, you must agree to marry Princess Hongxiu. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Father!" Huangfu Mi suddenly raised his voice, roaring angrily, "How could you coerce your son like this?"
The emperor remained unyielding: "Whether she dies or you marry her to save her, the choice is yours. You may leave!"