Ch 23: The Crown Prince’s Arrival
Meng Qingjiao’s eyes flickered, speaking vaguely: “Oh, Mother, just believe me.”
Madam Meng’s brow remained unfurrowed, finally sighing: “Alright, don’t mention this to your father. In the end, whether you marry the Fifth Prince or the Crown Prince is fine.”
Meng Qingjiao nodded perfunctorily, then her eyes lit up. “Mother, Father is back.”
Mr. Meng entered the room with a look of anger.
“Father, what did Elder Sister say?” Meng Qingjiao immediately assumed a wronged expression.
Mr. Meng’s anger only increased upon meeting Meng Qingjiao’s eyes.
“Say, say, say, what’s there to say? She’s a wicked daughter, daring to shout at me and threaten me. Truly a wicked child, not at all like me.”
Mr. Meng was furious, slamming his hand on the table.
This startled the two women.
Madam Meng gave Meng Qingjiao a look, and Meng Qingjiao knowingly went behind Mr. Meng, thoughtfully massaging his shoulders and back.
“Father, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it to ruin your health over Elder Sister. Father still has me, and your younger brother. We will never oppose you.”
Meng Qingjiao’s words struck a chord with Mr. Meng.
Mr. Meng patted Meng Qingjiao’s hand, saying with relief: “Yes, I still have you and Nephew. Speaking of which, Nephew will be returning from the Academy in two days.”
“Yes,” Madam Meng’s eyes also showed relief when speaking of her younger son.
“Your Grand Wedding is in half a month. During this time, I will confine Meng Tingyue to the courtyard under house arrest. You will find ways to appear before the Crown Prince, have more chance encounters, and try to capture his heart, making him remember you.”
Meng Qingjiao could no longer maintain her smile after hearing her father’s earnest words.
“My dear daughter, whether the Meng Family rises to great heights depends on you. You absolutely cannot let that wicked daughter become the Crown Princess. The Meng Family cannot be ruined by that wicked daughter.”
Meng Qingjiao hesitated, but under Madam Meng’s gaze, she reluctantly agreed.
……
“Oh? Confine me to house arrest?” Meng Tingyue leaned against the bed, reading a medical book. Hearing the servant’s message, she closed the book and sneered.
The servant’s forehead was covered in cold sweat; he dared not look directly at the imposing and cold Miss before him.
“Master gave this order…”
Meng Tingyue would not vent her anger on a servant for no reason.
“What is the reason?”
“Master said that Miss is disrespectful to her elders, behaves erratically, and will bring shame to the Meng Family. She is confined to the courtyard until the Grand Wedding…”
Meng Tingyue reopened her medical book, not wanting to look at him. “I understand.”
Qinglan was indignant. “Miss, why is Master confining you? It’s clearly not your fault.”
Qingdian entered the room with medicine. “Miss, it’s time for your medicine.”
“If he thinks I’m wrong, then I’m wrong.” Meng Tingyue drank the medicine in one gulp and then ate two candied fruits.
“It’s a good opportunity to read medical books in my room; it’s only a little over ten days anyway.”
“What about the Crown Prince…?” Qinglan and Qingdian asked.
Meng Tingyue took another candied fruit and put it in her mouth. “I’ll write a few letters; Qingdian, you can send them to the Crown Prince’s Mansion. Send one a day; it will surely make the Crown Prince remember me.”
“Miss, you can’t eat any more. Too many are bad for your teeth.” Qinglan retreated several steps, holding the candied fruit.
Meng Tingyue looked somewhat regretful.
A servant’s call came from outside the courtyard again.
“Miss, Miss, Master is calling you to the Main Hall.”
Meng Tingyue didn’t look up. “Send him away. Tell him I’m under house arrest and cannot go anywhere.”
Qingdian stopped the servant outside, and Qinglan went out to deliver Meng Tingyue’s message.
The servant was sweating profusely and could only shout to the inside, “Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived personally and specifically requests to see Miss.”
The Crown Prince wants to see her?
Meng Tingyue slightly raised her eyebrows, closed the book, tossed it aside, and smoothly slipped into the covers.
Qinglan was stunned by her flowing movements.
“Tell him I’m ill and under house arrest; I can’t go anywhere.”
Qinglan relayed the message exactly.
The servant was flustered and could only return with the message.
Qinglan entered the room. “Miss, His Highness the Crown Prince has come in person. Won’t you see him?”
She remembered how the Miss had previously been eager to find out where the Crown Prince ate his three meals a day, and then pretend to have a chance encounter with him. Today, the main person has come in person, but she refuses to see him.
Meng Tingyue said calmly, “You’ll know soon enough.”
……
Mr. Meng sat on pins and needles in the Main Hall. He never expected the Crown Prince to come in person, and for the wicked daughter, no less.
He wore a fawning smile, but his gaze kept drifting outward. He couldn’t wait for the wicked daughter to arrive, but instead waited for the return of an empty-handed servant.
“Didn’t I tell you to invite Miss? Where is she?”
The servant knelt on the ground, large beads of sweat falling from his brow. He gasped, “Miss… Miss…”
Shen Yunheng’s sharp black eyes swept over the servant.
“What about Miss?” Mr. Meng was anxious.
“Miss said she is too ill to get out of bed and come.” The servant dared not say the rest.
Mr. Meng choked. She was awake at noon; how could she suddenly be too ill to get out of bed?
That wicked girl is certainly up to her tricks again!
“Mr. Meng.”
Shen Yunheng’s clear voice rang out, and Mr. Meng subconsciously turned his head, meeting a pair of extremely intimidating eyes.
“This morning, when I sent Miss Meng back, the Physician clearly said she would wake up at noon. Why is it now Shen Shi, and Miss Meng is too ill to get out of bed!” Shen Yunheng placed the teacup on the table.
With this small movement, Mr. Meng’s legs trembled uncontrollably. If he weren’t sitting on a chair, he would probably have knelt down.
“Your Humble Servant… Your Humble Servant doesn’t know.”
“I will go see for myself.” Shen Yunheng stood up.
“Crown Prince,” Mr. Meng feared that if the Crown Prince went, Meng Tingyue would tell him about his actions. “Please wait a moment, Your Highness. Your Humble Servant will go see. Although you are betrothed to my daughter, you are not yet married. It is not appropriate for you to go to a woman’s chambers so easily.”
Shen Yunheng stared intently at Mr. Meng, and only after a while did Mr. Meng feel the piercing gaze leave him.
“Then I shall wait here.”
Mr. Meng practically fled.
When he rushed to Meng Tingyue’s courtyard, the servant had already relayed Meng Tingyue’s message.
He looked at the closed door, trying to suppress his anger, and gently knocked on the door. “Tingyue, it’s Father. Open the door.”
“Master, my Miss is very unwell and has already gone to sleep.” Qin Mama glanced at Meng Tingyue, who was leaning against the bed leisurely reading her medical book, then went out and closed the door, blocking Mr. Meng outside.
Mr. Meng naturally didn’t believe this. “Unwell? Where is she unwell? Tell Father, and Father will send for a Physician.”
Qin Mama: “Miss had a nap and dreamt of Madam. When she woke up, she was holding Madam’s belongings, and she was overcome with grief. She is unable to recover for the moment and there is no need for a Physician.”
